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Day 3 – Learning from Home Experience
It’s Day 3 and our school division is beginning to get into a rhythm. At home, we are trying some new routines to find the best way to restructure our day with the kids at home. I hope you are beginning to as well.
One of the most critical qualities we need to be successful at any difficult time — particularly now — is flexibility and yesterday afternoon we heard from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) that they too are going to be flexible with us.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced that the Virginia Department of Education will seek “maximum flexibility” for schools and students to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, including potential relief from federal and state requirements related to testing, adjusted federal and state accountability systems, and flexibility in graduation requirements for current seniors.
We are grateful that the VDOE is recognizing the serious nature of this shutdown and the need to ensure that it does not have a negative impact on schools and students — especially seniors completing their graduation requirements — who may be adversely impacted by conditions beyond their control. This situation is unprecedented. It is going to need each one of us to do our part. I am grateful to our staff, students and families who have shown such resilience at this critical time.
In the meantime, there are a couple of things you can do to help your child. All children need to exercise to stay healthy. This also helps them take a break and refocus before they get back to their Learning Activities Packet or online learning activities. ACPS-TV now has exercise sessions suitable for children. Some are provided by our very own Physical Education staff and some by ACPS partners. These are shown between the Smithsonian “STEM in 30” and “Science How” programs that are being shown each day. You can watch ACPS-TV on local cable channel 71, or if you don’t have access to cable TV at home, you can watch ACPS-TV online.
We are also suggesting you try out different ways of learning such as taking a virtual trip around the British Museum with your child today. These virtual experiences will provide our families opportunities to explore different sights around the world from your home. It’s important that we try to embrace this new way of learning and be open minded so we can explore new things. Please encourage your child to use these innovative learning approaches at home.
Don’t miss my daily video Q&A session answering questions on Specialized Instruction, available today at 3 p.m. on the ACPS-at-Home website.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
ACPS IN THE NEWS
See How Our Teachers Are Teaching from Home
T.C. Williams High School International Academy’s Gabriel Elias is in his element using technology to teach. Each morning, he plans to use Facebook Live to connect with Academy students.
Jen Ushe, who teaches engineering at T.C. Williams High School, is hosting a series of science webinars.
On Tuesday, the Washington Post listened in to their online sessions to see how they were staying connected to students.
ACPS has made news around the globe this week. Catch up on the news with our ACPS in the News page on the ACPS-at-Home web site.
DAILY Q&A
We are still getting through your questions and will answer them each day in the Coronavirus FAQ and via our daily video Q&A, available at 3 p.m. You can submit questions via the feedback form on the ACPS website.
Watch yesterday’s Q&A video on the ACPS-at-Home website.
STAY CONNECTED TO US!
Bennett Sherry, Kindergarten, Douglas MacArthur Elementary
Sophia and Ava Pache, George Washington Middle School
We want to hear from you! Send us a photo, video or story about your experiences while school is closed. Email us at news@acps.k12.va.us.
UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) continues to advise that the general public in Alexandria is at low risk from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic because both cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria are directly related to other known cases. The City of Alexandria has taken measures to further reduce risk, and encourages organizations and individuals to take action, as well. The AHD is reminding the community of the importance of social distancing by maintaining six feet of personal space whenever possible, and frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer. For other questions about COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional updates can be found at www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
FOOD ACCESS
ACPS Food Access
ACPS is continuing to provide food over at no cost for any child and any family who needs it during the school closures. It is essential to stay healthy at this critical time.
There are two ways to access food while schools are closed:
- Individual Meals to Go: Any child – whether or not they are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals – can pick up a meal to go in a bag. Stop by the Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School (door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up a meal-to-go (8 a.m. – 10 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m for lunch). You do not need to fill out any forms to pick up a meal-to-go.
- Family Meal Packs: You can order a family meal pack online and pick it up at the drive through pick-up point outside Chinquapin Recreation Center (Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School, door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m the following day. If transportation is an issue, please remember to check the box to request free meal delivery. Fill out the form to request a family meal pack.
Food Resources in the City of Alexandria
For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.com or call 703-662-1067.
WANT TO HELP?
Food donations are NOT being accepted by ALIVE! at this time in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. They are requesting financial contributions to buy food, and volunteers to sort food and to distribute food (screened through Volunteer Alexandria).
Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund if you are able.
Volunteer Alexandria is working on a plan for onsite volunteer registration at the ACPS food access point. We will let you know more details about this as soon as we have them. Community members who would like to volunteer should reach out to www.volunteeralexandria.org or 703-836-2176 to register for any additional potential volunteer opportunities.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Continuity of School Support and Academic Advisement
School Student Support Team staff, including school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, and school social workers will be available during school hours throughout the closure. Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m staff will be connecting with students and their families. The Department of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity staff members are also available during this time and can be contacted by voicemail and at student_services@acps.k12.va.us.
Emergency Supports
If there is a crisis or emergency during the time of the closure, students and families can access the supports below:
- Crisis Text and Crisis Link:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call: 703-527-4077
- Alexandria Safe Place
- Alexandria City 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services
- Alexandria City Health Department and AHD Contacts
- Inova Alexandria Hospital (ER)
We know that this is a challenging time. ACPS will continue to share information through the ACPS website, social media, and email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s school counselor or school social worker with any questions.
LEARNING ON ACPS-TV
Monday through Friday while our schools remain closed, ACPS TV will be screening 90 minutes of educational programming from The Smithsonian’s “Science How” and “Stem in 30” series in a loop all 24 hours. Use this series with your children to ensure continuity of education while schools are closed. See this week’s schedule.
ONLINE LEARNING PACKETS
Our goal is to ensure continuity of learning while schools are closed. Download your learning packets.
HEALTH REMINDERS
Don’t Feel Well?
Contact your primary health care physician. Don’t have insurance? Contact Neighborhood Health at 703-535-5568.
Have questions, concerns or feedback? Contact us.
Stay Healthy!
Wash your hands regularly. Regular soap is okay.