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Last Thursday, I was delighted to be able to personally welcome back the first cohort of six students to in-person learning. We deliberately started small with just a handful of kindergarten students with special needs from our citywide program, housed at one central location at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. So far, we are happy to report that all is going smoothly and it was wonderful to see students in our buildings once again, smiling and learning. We are still working collaboratively with our staff to mitigate some of the staffing constraints so we can extend in-person learning options to more students in the coming weeks and months.
Please know that we want to see every single student back in the classroom, where they learn best, as soon as is feasible. While we all want our lives to go back to the way they were before closing our school buildings on March 13, none of us have the ability to make COVID-19 disappear. We continue to listen to the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the Alexandria Health Department, and at the Virginia Department of Education as we transition our students to in-person learning.
ACPS is being methodical, strategic and careful, which we know at times can be frustrating for our families, staff and community. It is my responsibility as superintendent to make informed decisions for all groups involved, which makes this complex situation even more difficult.
With this in mind, on Monday we held a webinar for all staff to discuss the importance of ACPS knowing their ability to return to work in person. An “intent to return” form was sent out to all staff to be completed by tomorrow, November 12. If staff indicate they are unable to return, we will be asking for clarification on why, such as if they have health conditions, they are 65 years old or older, they have someone in their household with health conditions, they have child care issues, and/or they fear acquiring or transmitting the virus. This will be an important step in receiving the information we need to work through our staffing constraints and inform our transition to the next phase, and also help us to support our staff.
There is not one answer that solves our challenges; however, we will pivot and adjust accordingly. We are customizing our decisions to our unique school community, around building capacity, staff’s ability to return and health mitigations. Your grace and patience is still needed as we navigate these uncharted waters. Please stay safe, informed and engaged.
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent
A Welcome Back to Our Most Vulnerable Students
Last week, we were able to safely welcome a small group of six students with special needs back to the classroom.
The six kindergarten students from our citywide special education program have been enjoying in-person classes at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School since Thursday.
We are deliberately starting small to ensure we can manage safety protocols that limit the risk of infection to staff and students.
Although this was a group of only six students, we want to make sure we have thought through all health and safety measures before we expand our in-person learning to more students. We are working through all the pieces to get all our students back in school as soon as is feasible.
This week we have sent out an “Intent to Return” form to our staff so we can better plan our reopening steps. We will be sending a similar intent form to families in the near future.
See our updated Reopening FAQs with all the latest information.
Please note that Specialized PPE (face shields, gloves or gowns), as seen in the photo above, is required only for certain staff, including those who are part of the citywide program for Students With Disabilities. These staff members are required to assist with restroom visits and feeding, in addition to instruction, and may not be able to maintain social distancing at all times. See our Health and Safety Measures webpage, which outlines who will use Specialized PPE. If you have more questions about the health and safety guidelines for each particular group of students, please see the Virtual PLUS+ Phased Reentry Plan document we shared on Oct. 21.
The Identity Project: Renaming Survey Results and Work Session Reminder
It is less than two weeks until the School Board votes on whether to change the names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. This significant decision follows a thorough community engagement and education process that began in September.
Thank you to all of you who participated in the read-ins, students forums and community sessions. All students at T.C. Williams and Matthew Maury got a chance to learn about the history of their school names and engage in discussions around them.
More than 3,000 of you responded to the survey. 75% of those who responded said they wanted to change the name of T.C. Williams, while 72% were in favor of changing Maury’s name.
See what we heard during the engagement process:
On Monday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. the School Board will hold a work session on The Identity Project. The survey results will be presented in full during this session. Watch the Nov. 16 work session live on Zoom or on the ACPS website.
The following week, on Monday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. the Board will vote on the name changes. Watch the vote live on Zoom or on the ACPS website.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Quarter 1 progress reports for grades K-5 and report cards for grades 6-12 will be available in PowerSchool for both parents and students starting today. Elementary progress reports will also arrive in the mail the week of Nov. 16.
Can’t log in to PowerSchool? Email helpdesk@acps.k12.va.us.
MAP Testing: Next Steps
We have now completed our fall administration of the MAP Screening Assessments in Reading/English Language Arts and Math for grades 2-12. The MAP Screening data is only one source that teachers use to provide information to help make instructional grouping and planning decisions, understand possible learning loss, and support student goal-setting. MAP tests are not used for grading.
Your child’s teacher will participate in professional learning activities in the next few weeks to learn how to use and share information gathered from the assessments with students and families. This information will facilitate meaningful conversations between educators and families about how to best support student learning throughout the school year.
Students will take the MAP in winter and spring assessment windows later this academic year to determine growth and instructional effectiveness.
FOOD ACCESS
ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two. See a map of food distribution locations.
GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:
Grab and Go breakfast and lunch meals are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7:30 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 - Mount Vernon Community School
2601 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305 - Patrick Henry K-8 School
4643 Taney Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304 - T.C. Williams High School
3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
And available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at our “Pop-Up” sites located at:
- Mason Apartments at 75 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
11:20 to 11:50 a.m. - Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - Community Lodgings at 607 Notabene Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - Old Towne West Apartments (parking lot) at 500 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
11:20 to 11:50 a.m. - Corner of Florence Drive and Four Mile Road, Alexandria, VA 22305
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - The Fields at 4309 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. - Bennington Crossing Apartments at 441 North Armistead Street, Alexandria, VA 22312
11:30 a.m. to noon - 2727 Duke Street (behind Bank of America), Alexandria, VA 22314
10:45 to 11:15 a.m.
NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.
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.
UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
For all updates, see 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.