ACPS has worked collaboratively, methodically and strategically with our citywide Thought Partners and Cross-Functional Planning Teams to determine the most feasible reopening model to begin the 2020-21 academic year using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines.
Following months of research, community engagement and strategizing, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. is proposing a feasible model that brings the classroom into the home and aligns with the 2025 Strategic Plan, which places equity at the center of every decision.
Our most feasible model, Virtual PLUS+, is a robust online learning experience that will engage students 100% virtually and provide additional supports for students, staff and families.
The virtual academic program will include a structured bell schedule, daily live instruction with teachers, and additional academic supports for some of our most vulnerable students, including one-on-one or small group tutoring.
To enable students to fully participate in learning, all students in pre-K through first grade will receive age-appropriate technology in the form of electronic tablets, and students in grades 2-12 will receive Chromebooks. Childcare options will also be offered for those families who need it through the assistance of our community partners. We are working collaboratively with our community partners to provide more specific details about these child care options and will share additional information over the next couple of weeks.
Paramount to the decision-making process was the adherence to CDC and state guidelines, designed to safeguard the health of our students, staff, and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, Aug. 7, the Virtual PLUS+ reopening proposal will be presented to the Alexandria City School Board to vote on before submission to the Virginia Department of Education on Aug. 14.
Dr. Hutchings said, “After much careful consideration of the facts as they stand today, we feel confident that Virtual PLUS+ will provide a quality educational experience worthy of our children while keeping the health and safety of our students, staff and families in mind. This model places equitable access for all at the heart and ensures that we can build a framework that addresses the needs of specific groups of students to ensure they stay on course this fall.”
“This, combined with a highly successful summer learning program, means that any learning loss caused by the closure of school buildings due to the global pandemic will be drastically mitigated.”
ACPS believes that the Virtual PLUS+ model is a strong launchpad from which to build as the division continues to plan for the return of in-person schooling as soon as it is feasible.
The “PLUS+” includes:
- Enhanced and formalized social, emotional and academic learning supports
- Childcare options with community partners
- Continued meal distribution
- Expanded technology resources
ACPS will continue to reevaluate how to expand services to build on the outline of this Virtual PLUS+ model as we move closer to the Sept. 8 start date for schools. The school division is asking parents, students and staff to complete the Virtual PLUS+ poll to share their thoughts on specific additional supports needed for the fall. Responses from this poll are vital in assisting us to further refine the “PLUS+” in our planning to meet the individual needs of families.
Every nine weeks, a committee will reevaluate our constraints for reopening and assess. ACPS is committed to remaining flexible as the situation surrounding the global pandemic changes in the DMV region.
Over the summer, Cross-Functional Planning Teams made up of staff, parents, students and community partners have diligently researched and then tested out different scenarios for the start of the 2020-21 academic year. In-person, virtual and various hybrid models were all given due consideration.
However, at this time, there are many constraints to reopening school buildings, including the complexity to comply with CDC guidelines as they relate to transportation, our facilities, personal protective equipment (PPE), and the number of available staff — many who live in neighboring jurisdictions and have school-aged children.
Further details of the Virtual PLUS+ supports will be shared before the Sept. 8 start date for the 2020-21 school year.
Read the Superintendent’s Friday, July 31, 2020 Brief to the Alexandria City School Board.
Take the Fall 2020 Reopening Supports Poll
Please be aware that at this stage this is an outline of what is feasible. Our team will provide specific details regarding our comprehensive reopening plan at our School Board meeting on Friday, August 7, 2020. You can see additional details of the planning process to determine the feasibility of the best possible plan to reopening our schools in the fall on the ACPS-at-Home website.
Please review the blueprint of the plan on the website.
Please take two to three minutes to express any additional supports you may need under this model as well as any additional feedback.
The anonymous information you provide to us will directly impact the support services we provide during these unprecedented times.
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This poll link is for ACPS parents, guardians, students, families and staff. You have until Monday, Aug. 10 at 8:00 a.m. to complete this.
As you know, there have been some challenges that ACPS staff have faced throughout this process and will indeed continue to face. We are extremely proud of the way our school division continues to progress with grace, innovation and flexibility in circumstances no one could have ever predicted or prepared for. Thank you for your continued support — and for taking the time to complete the polls today. We look forward to reconnecting with our students, families and staff soon to kick-off the new school year and continue our teaching and learning!