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Day 49 — Learning From Home Experience
I want to round out this short week by sharing the results of the survey we encouraged you to participate in earlier this month regarding our response to school building closures due to COVID-19.
We had a great response from our families, students and staff. Also, we have been able to gather valuable insight into how we are all doing — what works, what doesn’t and what else you need from ACPS during these unprecedented times. This data allows us to adjust and refine our approach to better serve each of you. We appreciate that so many of you took the time to answer our questions.
The overall take-away was certainly a positive one and we are ecstatic to hear that we are meeting the mark in many ways. For example, 83% of parents, 88% of students and 84% of staff reported a high level of satisfaction with instructional and academic support during our distance learning experience.
This is great news for all of those who have worked so hard within ACPS to establish and execute a virtual curriculum during these unprecedented times.
Also, there are valid concerns from teachers about levels of student engagement that we must address as well. According to our data, 53% of teachers said that less than half of their students engaged in learning the week before the survey. We will dig deeper into this data over the coming weeks and pinpoint, where we can, patterns that may provide us with insight on how we can improve this data. If students aren’t engaged with asynchronous and/or synchronous learning, then we need to determine why and do our best to reach those individuals as we begin our summer learning through engagement and enrichment with our Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0.
Furthermore, I wanted to let you know that our youngest learners can expect to receive their last learning packets of the academic year in the mail next week. Our curriculum experts have been working diligently and creatively to provide engaging and challenging content. In this packet, we have an exciting STEM activity called the Rain Jacket Project which we think will delight our youngsters in grades preK-2. We know they will love this activity and look forward to seeing some of the learning packet arrival postings on social media!
Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed! Enjoy your weekend.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
The Results of Our Survey Are In … See How We Are Doing
Earlier this month, ACPS conducted a pulse survey so that students, staff and parents could give us feedback about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis which closed our school buildings in March.
ACPS received more than 11,000 responses. More than 5,500 students, 3,400 parents/guardians and 2,000 staff responded to the survey. More than 700 parent responses — or just over 20% — were in a language other than English.
The results of this survey will help us in multiple ways as we go forward. An analysis of the valuable data shows us what worked, what didn’t and where refinements are necessary. Driving the survey was the desire to provide equitable access and engagement to ongoing academic, social and emotional support for every student and staff member.
Review the participation details.
Summary of Survey Results
Areas of strength:
- Parents (83%), students (88%) and staff (84%) reported a high level of satisfaction with instructional and academic support.
- The majority of parents (81%), students (78%), and staff (82%) were also satisfied with social and emotional support.
- High percentages of parents (86%) and staff (82%) feel well-informed about decisions made by ACPS.
Areas of continued focus:
- Teachers reported concerns with student engagement in learning with 53% of teachers saying that less than half of their students engaged in learning within the last week.
- With these concerns over engagement, just over half of teachers agreed that students are making academic progress, compared with 84% of students and 78% of parents.
New Learning Packets On the Way
New learning packets, compiled by our curriculum experts, are being mailed out to the homes of our youngest students next week.
This packet includes Choice Board Activities in the same format as the earlier packets, as well as a new two-week extended STEM learning activity called the Rain Jacket Project.
In this 10-day extended learning project, students work their way through a scientific and engineering design process to create a jacket that can be worn in the rain. Students figure out which materials they can use to make a rain jacket and design, test and improve their design before creating the jacket. This project is divided into ten 15-20 minute individual parts so that all learners can tackle each small task, but families should feel free to work through it at their own pace. More specific directions are included at the beginning of the project. Please be sure to share your student’s work with us at news@acps.k12.va.us.
This will be the last packet sent out this academic year although resources will continue to be developed and sent home throughout the summer as part of the Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0.
Your Questions Answered
In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions on the Continuity of Learning 3.0 plan for the summer.
- What are the goals of the Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0?
- Why are all students expected to engage in summer learning?
- What will summer learning look like for preK-2 students?
- What will summer learning entail for grades 3-4?
- What will summer learning be like for fifth graders?
- What will summer learning be like for middle school students?
- What will summer learning entail for high school students?
- Will summer school be graded differently than the fourth quarter?
Read the answers to these questions in our daily video transcripts, available in English, Spanish, Amharic and Arabic.
Watch the Q&A video or see answers to these questions in the updated FAQ.
We welcome you to send us your questions.
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.
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 - The Fields at 4309 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Bennington Crossing Apartments at 441 North Armistead Street, Alexandria, VA 22312
11:30 a.m. to noon, 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 a.m. — 5 p.m.)
- For Amharic, call 703-927-6866, Monday-Friday (9 a.m. — 1 p.m.)
- For Arabic, call 703-927-7095, Tuesday-Thursday (9 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 health care 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.
TEEN WELLNESS CENTER IS OPEN
The Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams is still open regular hours Monday through Friday for all Alexandrians ages 12-19. All services are provided in the clinic and if the teen is ill with an elevated temperature (100.0 or more) we will see them through our telehealth video format. Make an appointment over the phone by calling 703-746-4776.
UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department strongly urge everyone to follow state orders to STAY HOME except for essential trips such as food purchases and medical care, and keep 6 feet apart from others when in public. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you to stop the spread of COVID-19. For other questions about COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional updates can be found at www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
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.
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 OK.