COVID Closure Daily Update for Thursday, March 19

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Day 4 – Learning from Home Experience 

We have made it to Day 4 of our ACPS-At-Home Learning Experience and almost completed week 1 of one of the most unprecedented times in our history. Like many of you, my wife and I are refining our daily routines often to accommodate our kids’ new schedules as well as our modified work schedules. I know these may be challenging times for many of our families and hope that we are supporting your needs. 

One of the things that has been made very clear this week is that many elementary aged students in grades preK-5 love going to school. In fact, school is a place that they look forward to attending and engaging each day. They have strong relationships with their teachers, support team members, and staff. Furthermore, they have friendships and connections with their classmates and peers.  

As such, the closure of our schools can be difficult for many students as they lose their day-to-day interaction with their peers and routines that they know as well as rely on. In this time of change, it is not unusual to see children become more emotionally reactive at home. This is normal and to be expected as they deal with the loss of their normal daily routines and adjust to a new routine that is ever-changing. We know that many of our families need some suggestions and support in this specific area. Here are five tips for parents or guardians that can help you to support your child during this time:

• Validate your child’s feelings and encourage honest conversations. Assure your child that it is normal to feel sad during a change, including the closing of school. Let them know that you are willing to listen when they are feeling sad or frustrated.
• Have your child express their feelings through writing or drawing. Some students may want to start a daily journal of their experiences while they are away from school. Others will want to draw how they feel on a daily basis.
• Make a daily schedule/routine similar to the one they had at school. Children thrive in routine and structure. Try to create a predictable pattern to their days, with some opportunities for flexibility built in. Please use our sample daily schedules provided on the ACPS-at-Home website.
• Stay connected. Use tools available through ACPS to stay connected with your child’s teacher, social worker or counselor. Have your child write letters or emails to friends, teachers, or other trusted adults about their day. They can be sent electronically, mailed, or shared when they return to school.
• Reach out for ideas or help from your school’s Student Support Team members. ACPS school counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers are teleworking and available to answer questions during normal school hours. They can be reached by email and are happy to assist.

Change can be challenging for all of us, including the most resilient children, and with patience, reassurance and structure, we can help them to adjust and grow from the experience. 

Finally, I will continue to answer your questions in my daily Q&A video available to watch beginning at 3 p.m. each day. If you missed yesterday’s daily Q&A video, you can watch it on the ACPS-at-Home website. We will have an update for you around the expansion of food access tomorrow, so please watch out for the updated information in tomorrow’s ACPS Express.

Stay safe, healthy and informed! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

DONATIONS

We know that Alexandrians are known for their generosity. 

Thank you to the MacArthur PTA members and the community, who donated over $6,000 worth of gift cards to needy families. If your neighborhood has a good news story to share, send it to us at news@acps.k12.va.us.

To support our students, families and neighbors affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, please consider directing your gift to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund, which was established by ACT for Alexandria and the City of Alexandria to provide emergency funding to nonprofits that are delivering the critical services and programs that are needed by Alexandrians right now.

OPPORTUNITY FOR RISING T.C. STUDENTS

Have an Eighth or Ninth Grader Interested in a Career in Health? Now’s the Time to Apply to the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at T.C. Williams

Since 2018, T.C.Williams High School students with an interest in pursuing a career in the health and medical fields have had the option of enrolling in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at T.C. Williams.

In partnership with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, ACPS formed a school within a school and created a program specifically designed to prepare those students for a future in the healthcare industry.

It was also designed to help stem the predicted shortage of healthcare staff in both Virginia and the wider U.S. in years to come.

Applications from rising 9th and 10th graders are being accepted from now until March 27.

Seven pathways are offered in the areas of:

• Biomedical & Health Informatics
• Emergency Medical Sciences
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Nursing
• Pharmacy Technology
• Sports Medicine
• Surgical Technology

Out of nine Governor’s Health Sciences Academies in Virginia, our Academy at T.C. is the only one that has partnered with a university, offering all of our health sciences classes for dual enrollment credit.

Through the collaboration, students will have the ability to receive up to 18 college credits from GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS).

All those who successfully complete an academy pathway, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and meet program prerequisites will be offered guaranteed admission to SMHS.

Students must apply online with completed essays and teacher recommendations. Applicants will be notified in late May of a decision.

If you have questions, please email Michele Coffman, Dual Enrollment and Academy Coordinator at michele.coffman@acps.k12.va.us.

For those interested in applying for the T.C. STEM Academy, the deadline is being extended until April 12. See more information.

STAY CONNECTED TO US!

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

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Have questions, concerns or feedback? Contact us.

Stay Healthy!
Wash your hands regularly. Regular soap is okay.