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Day 76 — Summer Learning
Today, I am encouraging you to take part in what is surely one of the most important surveys ACPS has ever conducted. Your answers will guide us as we decide how and when to open school buildings, how and when virtual learning becomes necessary and preferable, and how we strike an acceptable balance between the two. As you know, there are no easy answers to the situation we find ourselves in and with the ever-changing landscape we must remain flexible to last-minute pivots. Please complete this survey by July 12 to allow us the time we need to properly prepare our path forward. You will find a video to watch and the link to the survey below.
On Thursday, we are holding the first of four public hearings scheduled throughout July and August to shape the planning for the reopening of schools, otherwise known as Enhanced Continuity of Learning 4.0. We welcome your input to this conversation around the reopening process.
By now, I hope your students are all enjoying our Summer Learning program and are finding it beneficial. We are delighted with the enthusiasm and dedication we are seeing from both our staff and students. We are so proud to offer such a robust solution to address learning loss while also preparing students for the coming academic year. Thank you to all students and staff who are taking part in making this such a success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
ROUNDUP OF THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR
Take a look back at a memorable year for ACPS with this video of our highlights.
Reopening Survey: Let Your Voice be Heard
As ACPS works to reopen schools, it is critical that we continue to seek feedback from our community — staff, students, families, and community partners — so that we can collectively put forth our very best ideas and solutions for what is achievable.
Please take a few minutes to complete our Reopening Survey by July 12. The anonymous information that you provide will be used to determine the current likelihood of students and staff returning in the fall. These estimates, along with all federal, state, and local guidelines, will assist in further developing our detailed reopening plans.
The health and safety of our students and staff are our priorities as we consider two likely models for reopening schools on September 8, 2020:
- A model where we remain fully virtual with refinement based on feedback from students, staff and families from school closures in March through June 2020; OR
- A hybrid model where there is both in-person and virtual learning adhering to social distancing and social gathering guidelines.
We are aware that the situation we are facing is unprecedented, constantly changing, and requires a degree of flexibility from all of us. You will be asked to make a decision about your commitment to return to school in late July. By that time you will have a clear idea of our anticipated reopening plans for the fall to assist you in your decision.
Thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to complete this Reopening Survey.
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Dr. Hutchings encourages you to do your part: Take the Reopening Survey by July 12! Transcript in Spanish (PDF) | Amharic (PDF) | Arabic (PDF)
School Board Public Hearings for 4.0 Continuity of Learning Plan
Please mark your calendars for a series of Special Called School Board Meetings on the planning for the reopening of schools in fall. This is also known as the Continuity of Learning Plan 4.0.
- July 9, 2020, at 7 p.m.
- July 10, 2020, at 12 p.m.
- August 6, 2020, at 7 p.m.
- August 7, 2020, at 12 p.m.
Sign up to speak at one of the meetings.
Summer School is Underway!
On Monday, ACPS kicked off four weeks of unprecedented summer learning in an effort to address academic loss. Students across all grades and from all schools embarked on this ambitious and robust program. So far we have had a wonderful response with our teachers reporting enthusiastic engagement and classes full of smiling faces.
Over the summer, ACPS will continue to offer video lessons on ACPS-TV, local cable channel 71. Monday through Friday, we will be showing two-hour blocks of educational programming from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. each day.
Welcome to Our New Head Varsity Football Coach
After a nationwide search, T.C. Williams High School Athletics is proud to announce that Rodney Hughey has been selected as the next Head Varsity Football Coach. Coach Hughey comes to T.C. Williams after 10 years at Livingstone College in North Carolina, where he was the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Before Livingstone College, Coach Hughey was Assistant Head Coach and Defense Coordinator at Northern Iowa Community College. Coach Hughey was a standout college athlete at Concord University and finished his playing career with the Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers.
FOOD ACCESS
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 and lunch, 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 Mondays and Wednesdays, and meals for three days will be provided on Fridays.
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, available Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- For Spanish/English, call 571-775-9719
- For Amharic/English, call 703-927-6866
- For Arabic/English, call 703-927-7095
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.