COVID Closure Staff Update for Thursday, March 27

- News and Announcements

Day 10 – Learning from Home Experience 

We made it though our second week of our new learning from home. This has been a new learning experience for all of us, and we are learning to be flexible and adapt fast as situations change. Heading into this past week, we assumed we would be back in our school buildings on April 13. Now we know we will be finishing out the end of the school year without returning to our classrooms.

This week, we saw 30,000+ new hits on the ACPS-at-Home website, our website for updates and resources for staff and parents during this period of school closures. This week, we added a Chromebook Help and Online Learning Hub. We have also added an ACPS Story Hour page under learning resources, which we will share more information about on Monday.

We served 15,325 meals through T.C. Williams High School and our four new school-based meal distribution centers, and 2,019 meals through three new pop-up distribution centers. There were also 677 calls to the Spanish, Arabic and Amharic hotline over four days.

I want to thank you for tuning in 15,000+ times to get updates via my daily Q&A videos. And I want to acknowledge our teachers who have become overnight YouTube stars. George Mason band teacher Heather Rosner’s home-made carrot clarinet video has been watched more than 6,700 times on Facebook.

Today, we are asking you to share your own learning tips with us in our new section on the website and social media: Learning Together: At- Home Learning Tips from One ACPS Family to Another. We will be posting your videos of your suggestions and ideas on our ACPS Facebook page and on the ACPS-at-Home website. We know you have incredible ideas and we want to be able to share these ideas with our entire community. We have created a VOICES audio where one family with three boys shares details about the new schedule they have set up – and what it has taken to make learning work from home. You can share your ideas with us on the ACPS Facebook page or upload them to our form.

This week has required initiative and creativity from everyone in our community. We want to see how you have adapted to these unprecedented circumstances.

Next week, we will be sharing our plans with you to ensure continuity of learning after Spring Break. Rest assured, our staff is working hard to finalize these plans and we will be answering your questions on them all next week. In the meantime, take a break over the weekend and we will see you on Monday.

Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay informed!

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

 

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In yesterday’s video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions about Chromebooks and technology access and support.

You can find the answers to Chromebook, technology and online learning questions on the Chromebook help Hub on the ACPS-at-Home website.
Watch the daily Q&A video, available at 2 p.m. or see answers to these questions in the updated staff FAQ.

We welcome you to send us your questions.

 

TIME TO ADJUST YOUR AUTOMATED EMAIL REPLY

Think About the Message Your Automated Email Response Sends

Although school facilities may be closed for the rest of the school year, we know how hard you are all still working. If you use an automated email message, this message should reflect that.

Instead of your response referencing the ”closure of all schools,” please change your message to “closure of all school buildings.”

In addition, include wording that reassures that you are continuing to work to serve the needs of ACPS staff and families.

DECISION ON SPRING SPORTS SEASON DEFERRED UNTIL MAY

The Virginia High School League yesterday announced it would delay any decision to provide options on spring sports season until the end of May.

This leaves open the possibility for an extension of our spring season, depending on the course of the coronavirus crisis.

“While we recognize the importance sports has on our students and communities, the COVID-19 threat is real and people need to follow all the regulations and recommendations from the CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and the Governor,” said VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun who held an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning.

“The Crisis Management team overwhelmingly felt a decision on an extension to the spring sports season should be put on hold until May. Any options for the spring sports season will require that COVID-19 is no longer a threat and poses no health risks to our student-athletes or the public.” Read more (PDF).

SCHOOL BOARD VIRTUAL MEETING ON FRIDAY

During the ACPS school closure, the School Board will hold online Special Called Board Meetings each Friday at 12:00 p.m. In accordance with Va. Code § 2.2-3708.2(A)(3).
Virtual meetings are limited to:

  • addressing the public health emergency declared by Governor Northam on March 12, 2020 (Va. Code § 44-146.17); and
  • emergency items requiring immediate Board action (Va. Code § 2.2-3701).

Although it will not be possible to broadcast virtual meetings live, the minutes and online video recordings will be posted online after each meeting.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

ACPS is providing two days worth of breakfast and lunch meals free for any ACPS student on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8 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

GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:

ACPS has three “grab and go” meal locations for any ACPS student or child over the age of 2 to pick up breakfast and lunch.

The sites are:

  • Mason Apartments at South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
    10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
    11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314
    10:45 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.
Meals consist of cold breakfast and lunch, including fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches for multiple days per the student’s need.

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.

Other Food Resources in the City of Alexandria 
For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.comor 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 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
  • For Amharic, call 703-927-6866, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
  • For Arabic, call 703-927-7095, Tuesday-Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The City of Alexandria has taken measures to further reduce risk, and encourages organizations and individuals to take action, as well. The AHD is reminding the community of the importance of social distancing by maintaining six feet of personal space whenever possible, and frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer. For other questions about COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additional updates can be found at www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.

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.

 

LEARNING ON ACPS-TV

Monday through Friday while our schools remain closed, ACPS TV will be screening 90 minutes of educational programming from The Smithsonian’s “Science How” and “Stem in 30” series in a loop all 24 hours. Use this series with your students to ensure continuity of education while schools are closed. See this week’s schedule.

ONLINE LEARNING PACKETS

Our goal is to ensure continuity of learning while schools are closed. Download student learning packets.

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 okay.