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Day 26 – Learning from Home Experience
Welcome to another week of teaching and learning from home. Together, we continue to grow and overcome obstacles during our COVID-19 school closures. Your support, encouragement, engagement and grace during these unprecedented times are greatly appreciated. We are much better working collaboratively than in isolation and we are very fortunate to have such an amazing school community.
As our staff are engaged in grading and report cards, I’m delighted to be able to share with you two free learning opportunities available to ACPS students. First, we have partnered with our educational colleagues at Northern Virginia Community College who are offering an opportunity for our junior and senior year students to get a head start on college credits.
The program, JumpStart, affords our 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to take two classes and earn up to six credits to jumpstart their college careers. Please do not miss this opportunity. Applications close on May 15. I will be providing more details on my video Q&A session tomorrow. As you know, this is definitely something well worth your student’s consideration.
Secondly, I wanted to make sure families of students in grade six and above were aware of an excellent tutoring resource which ACPS has made available to our students for free. The website Tutor.com offers highly qualified one-on-one tutors to help with any schoolwork or learning activities 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, which makes this convenient for any student’s schedule. Please be sure to encourage your child to utilize this amazing opportunity. We have so many resources to ensure that students can continue to have academic support even at home.
Again, thank you for your hard work and dedication! Please continue to stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Free NOVA Opportunity for 11th and 12th Graders
We are excited to share that Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering current 11th and 12th grade students the chance to take online college classes for free through a program called JumpStart. This will allow ACPS juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits through online courses running from June 1 to July 15.
The credits will count towards a degree at NOVA and will be transferable to many colleges and universities in Virginia. Students can earn up to six college credits for free, potentially saving money and time in the future.
Qualifying students who have never applied to NOVA will need to complete an application 24 hours before registering for a JumpStart course. Once a student has a NOVA ID, they can then register for up to two JumpStart courses. The closing date for applications is May 15.
- List of JumpStart courses, admissions requirements, and access to the application instructions
- Information about taking an online course at NOVA
Contact your school counselors for assistance:
- School Counselors at T.C. Williams High School, King Street Campus and Satellite
- School Counselor at Chance for Change Academy: annettelee@acps.k12.va.us
JumpStart Frequently Asked Questions
Free 24/7 Online Tutoring Service for ACPS Students
If your child needs some extra help with their schoolwork, ACPS has arranged for free access to Tutor.com for students in grades 6-12. The website makes available highly qualified online tutors including teachers, academics and even industry professionals.
More than 60 subjects are covered including AP courses. Test prep is also available.
Every session is one-on-one and individualized to the subject and the student’s question. ACPS students access Tutor.com via Canvas. Instructions can be found on the Online Tutoring in ACPS web page.
ACPS Teacher of the Year – Our Final Five Nominees
We wish all our finalists the best of luck as they compete for our annual Teacher of the Year crown. The winner will be announced next month.
Read what teaching means to them:
Katherine White
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, first grade teacher
“Teaching gives me the opportunity to instill a love of learning in each individual that walks into my classroom. I am inspired daily by my students’ infectious enthusiasm for learning, life, and friends. Above all I’m challenged by the distinct needs of these learners, but constantly rewarded by the gigantic toothless smiles that accompany my first graders’ well-earned accomplishments.”
Latasha Sturgis
Early Childhood Center, special education teacher
“I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a teacher. It was confirmed later that my calling was to be a special educator. The day I witnessed one of my non-verbal students use his first words brought me to tears. I knew then, I needed him, just as much as he needed me. My role as a teacher means connecting my students to rich experiences with the support of their families that will impact how they view the world. Teaching is working with families, collaborating with other educators and creating experiences for diverse learners that last a lifetime.”
Donna Anthony
Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, kindergarten teacher
“Teaching has been a passion of mine for many years. I am always curious to implement new trends or theories that will enhance the knowledge of my learners. I learn so much from my students and it moves me to make sure they have a great learning experience that will inspire them to become lifelong learners.”
Jessica Angelo
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, first grade teacher
“Being a teacher means instilling a love of learning and reading into each of my students so that they become lifelong learners, readers, and leaders. It means providing a safe place for my students to learn and thrive. It means showing them it’s okay to make mistakes and how when we persist through those mistakes it helps to make us stronger and smarter. Being a teacher means showing each of my students their potential for learning and success and most importantly that learning can be fun.”
Judy Fulghum
George Mason Elementary School, English learners (EL) teacher
“To me, teaching means witnessing significant events in the lives of young children. I’ve watched determined children learn to read after years of struggling, imaginative children find their voices through writing, and lonely children make friends for the first time. I’ve watched quiet children gain the confidence to speak to a group, curious children propel others to learn something new, and captivated children listen to every word of a great story. These collective moments of joy are what teaching means to me.”
Congratulations to Our Science Fair Winner
T.C. Williams High School junior, Michaela McCormack, has been announced as the winner of the Behavioral and Social Sciences category at the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair. Her research, “Too Cool for JUUL,” tested how sleep and risk-taking are affected by pod-based e-cigarettes (vaping) in both humans and fruit flies.
The experimentation is ongoing but her analysis is expected to show a modest decrease in cognitive ability with sleep deprivation, and negative impacts on short and long term memory.
Well done to Michaela who competed virtually against hundreds of Virginia students from 12 regions across the state.
Food Distribution
ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two.
GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:
Grab and Go breakfast, lunch and snack meals are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the following locations:
- William Ramsay Elementary School
5700 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311 - Francis C. Hammond Middle School
4646 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 - Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
3600 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305 - Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
1501 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 - T.C. Williams High School
3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
And available at our “Pop-Up” sites located at:
- Mason Apartments at South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Community Lodgings at 607 Notabene Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Old Towne West Apartments (parking lot) at 500 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Corner of Florence Drive and Four Mile Road, Alexandria, VA 22305
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.
Meals consist of breakfast, lunch and snack and include, for example, fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches for multiple days.
NOTE: No food distribution will occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The limited days for distribution is to support the practice of social distancing and to limit social gatherings. Meals for two days will be provided on the pick-up days, (Monday/Wednesday/Friday).
Other Food Resources in the City of Alexandria
For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.com or call 703-662-1067.
Questions? Or Need Translation?
Send us your question in Spanish, Arabic or Amharic:
- Text ACPSMEALS to 797979 (English and Spanish)
- Call or text 703-927-6866 (Amharic)
- Call or text 703-927-7095 (Arabic)
OR
Call the FACE Center’s Bilingual Parent Information Lines:
- For Spanish, call 571-775-9719, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- For Amharic, call 703-927-6866, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
- For Arabic, call 703-927-7095, Tuesday-Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
SAFETY REMINDER:
Please remember to observe social distancing practices while at the food distribution site by maintaining six feet of personal space between you and other families or individuals.
Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness like fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing or difficulty breathing on the day of food distribution or in the previous 24 hours should not visit a food distribution site but call a healthcare provider instead. If you do not have a primary care physician and are not enrolled in a clinic, you may CALL an urgent care center or emergency room.
CONNECT WITH 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.
SHARE YOUR LEARNING!
Learning Together: At-Home Tips from One ACPS Family to Another
Have a learning tip that works well for your child, or a particularly interesting project or story you think others would enjoy? We invite you to share it with the entire ACPS learning community!
Upload your video or audio story or post it to the ACPS Facebook page.
See this great example from one parent and her son.
Coping with COVID-19 Fear and Uncertainty
Check out the City of Alexandria webpage Coping with COVID-19 Fear and Uncertainty which includes the COVID-19 Wellness Resource Guide.
WANT TO HELP?
Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund if you are able.
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.
UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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.
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.
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.