Sample Student Schedules for Virtual PLUS+

- News and Announcements

Day 101 — Looking Ahead

Last Friday, the Alexandria City School Board unanimously approved the most feasible model, Virtual PLUS+, for the reopening of schools on Sept. 8. After a lengthy presentation and many thoughtful questions, we are thrilled to now have the authority to officially implement our reopening plans with fidelity.

A virtual learning environment is not best educational practice. However, at this time a virtual approach is the most feasible with our current constraints, recent community/staff input, and alignment with our 2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All. At present, this is not about what is right or wrong for our students, but it is about doing all that is feasible within the current circumstances and in the most equitable way that stays true to our vision, mission, and core values outlined in the strategic plan.

Things can change quickly and we all look forward to the day when we can open the doors of our school buildings and welcome everyone inside again in a safe and healthy manner. Like you all, I hope that is not too far away.

This week, our Cross-Functional Planning Teams are working closely with our community partners and child care providers as we delve into the matter of child care options for our most vulnerable families. We continue working collaboratively with our partners to ensure that a lack of child care will not be a hindrance to accessing education in the fall. We look forward to sharing more details of our plans as soon as possible.

Today, I am excited to be sharing with you sample schedules detailing how our students’ day will look. Much thought, research and analysis has gone into a variety of different scenarios, and we are confident we have created a high quality approach to teaching and learning using our Virtual PLUS+ model. Innovation that will allow our students and staff to thrive is happening all over our school division and I continue to be proud of our dedicated professionals in ACPS.

This Friday, our Virtual PLUS+ program will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education for approval. Stand by for further information.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay informed.

Sincerely,

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

Putting the Plus in Virtual PLUS+

The Virtual PLUS+ model includes enhanced support in five key areas, further extending the educational program that is already intended to mirror the traditional school day. 

The five key PLUS+ areas are social, emotional and academic supports; technology enhancements; child care options for our most vulnerable families; continuation of meal distribution; and a live multilingual phone helpline.

ACPS designed an approach that bolsters the whole child and ensures an equitable learning environment while respecting the constraints the global pandemic places on education. 

Unlike during the spring semester, students will be graded on completed work and will receive synchronous lessons in each subject area four days a week. Technology will be expanded to ensure all students across all grades have devices and internet access before Sept. 4. Information about community-supported child care options, with academic support, will also be shared with families. Food access will expand to include snacks and dinner, and a multilingual phone helpline will be established.

Read more about this decision in last Friday’s special edition of ACPS Express, and see answers to School Board member questions in the FAQs.

Draft Student Schedules for Fall: See How the School Day Will Look

We are excited to share sample schedules to help you understand what the school day will look like for your children across elementary, middle and high school. 

The schedules:

  • Reflect the usual school day with a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning during instructional times.
  • Are uniform across grade levels with the same number of minutes per subject area/grade level across the division.
  • Include brain breaks or movement breaks across all grade levels.
  • Ensure Special Education students will receive services based on their IEP. ACPS will be fully implementing IEPs in a virtual format.
  • Ensure English Learner students will receive 45 minutes of direct instruction each day.

Individual student schedules and teacher/classroom placement information will be mailed in the Virtual PLUS+ Packet in late August.

View the sample schedules:

For Staff Only! Get a Head Start on Your Virtual Learning Professional Development Now 

As we count down to the start of the 2020-21 academic year on Sept. 8, it is critical that staff have a solid understanding of the technology ACPS will utilize for Virtual PLUS+.

The Department of Technology Services team is here to help ensure everyone is prepared for the fall semester.

We know you have many questions as you prepare for Virtual PLUS+! Here are some answers to questions that have already been asked by fellow staff members. As additional details emerge, ACPS will continue to keep you informed. 

Get started on some professional development on virtual learning now! View your learning options in Canvas.

ACPS Teachers Recognized for Outstanding Work

Two ACPS teachers have been applauded for their exemplary work serving our students.

T.C. Williams High School’s Tia Moore has been awarded State Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

She was selected from teachers across the state as demonstrating exemplary skills in a number of areas, including serving as a positive role model, utilizing innovative teaching practices and being dedicated to her own professional growth.

Ms. Moore will now move forward to the Southern District Teacher of the Year finals.

Also winning accolades is Leigh Dugan, a Talented and Gifted program specialist at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

She has been named 2020 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted for Region IV East by the Virginia Association of the Gifted.

“Your dedication and productivity in the field of gifted education provide a model for excellent curriculum, instruction and services,” said Karen A. Duby, executive director of the nonprofit.

SAT, PSAT and ACT Testing Updates

In our July survey of families, the overwhelming concern of families or guardians surrounding the return to school was the health and safety of their children. 

Many of our high school families have questions and concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 on college admissions testing. With large gatherings considered a safety risk, the traditional way of holding assessments is not an option this fall. 

School counselors and the college and career counselor at T.C. Williams High School will be working with seniors at the start of the school year to finalize individual postsecondary plans. We encourage families and students to reach out to their school counselor or the college and career counselor at T.C. Williams High School with questions about their individual college planning needs.

See the updated Frequently Asked Questions on PSAT, SAT and ACT Testing, provided by the ACPS Student Support Team.

Virginia Department of Education Waives Accreditation for 2021-22 Academic Year

Accreditation will continue to be waived for all Virginia public schools in the 2021-22 academic year.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced the decision to assign schools with “Accreditation Waived” last week. This means accreditation is halted for two years.

This follows the same rating assigned to schools for 2020-21 under a waiver issued in April.

Student performance on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in English, Mathematics and Science are key metrics under the state Board of Education’s school accreditation standards.

Without spring 2020 SOL results, there is insufficient data for VDOE to calculate accreditation ratings for the 2020-21 school year. And, because year-to-year growth in English and growth in Mathematics are also accreditation metrics, VDOE will not have sufficient data to calculate ratings for 2021-22 either, because even if students are able to take tests next spring, the department will not have baseline data from 2019-20 school year for measuring growth. 

See the news release on the VDOE website.

Registration Sites to Stay Open!

ACPS will now be keeping the centralized registration sites open a little longer than originally planned. The West End (John Adams) and East End (George Mason) registration sites will be open until Thursday, August 27. Starting Monday, August 31, all school offices will be open through the start of school on an appointment-only basis for in-person registration. Read more.

Temperature Screening at ACPS Buildings

Anyone requiring access to an ACPS facility or school will be required to undergo a temperature check to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Testing stations will be established at seven locations, at or close to ACPS meal distribution sites and locations where major summer construction will take place. Screening will take no more than three minutes to complete and will involve the use of a clinical forehead thermometer.

All those with a temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower (per Alexandria Health Department guidelines) will be given a dated wristband and be cleared to work as long as they are in possession of appropriate personal protection equipment consisting of masks and gloves.

Should an individual record an elevated temperature, that person will be informed that they are unable to report to work at an ACPS site and will be advised to call his or her supervisor.

Find out more about this measure in this Board Brief.

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:

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.

Have questions, concerns or feedback? Contact us or contact your direct supervisor.

HR Questions? Contact hr@acps.k12.va.us.

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