COVID Closure Daily Staff Update for Tuesday, March 17

- News and Announcements

Day 2 – Learning from Home Experience 

Our first day of our school division closure was pretty intense; however, our team was prepared and ready to learn new ways to provide support to our staff and families. Like many of you, my wife and I are adjusting to having our children at home all day and seeking to find the best daily routine for our household during the school closure.

Today, we are sharing the first part of the Staff Expectations During School Closures. This relates to specific roles, responsibilities and operating procedures during this period. This guidance will include policy links, communication protocols, instruction guidelines, suggestions around collaboration, and professional development.

Today we are sharing guidance for staff around communication while schools are closed. See the Staff Expectations During School Closures page on Canvas to download the Communications Expectations document.

Tuesday: Communication expectations
Wednesday: Curriculum expectations
Thursday: Collaboration expectations
Friday: Professional Learning expectations
By Friday, you will have a complete document of staff expectations.

Links to additional guidance will be shared in tomorrow’s ACPS Insider and posted in Canvas. Please make sure you are familiar with the guidance. This is a starting point and will give guidance on the minimum hours required. If you have specific questions, please direct them to your immediate supervisor.

We have received more than 400 questions relating to the school closures. We apologize if we have not been able to get back to each of you individually. It has been a busy time! However, we have added some of the answers we have to the Staff Coronavirus FAQ and more will be added as the days go by. You can find the answers to your questions there or on the daily video Q&A at 3 p.m. Staff can submit questions to news@acps.k12.va.us and they will be answered in the daily video and/or the FAQ.

I look forward to connecting with you today on the daily staff Q&A.

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

UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) continues to advise that the general public in Alexandria is at low risk from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic because both cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria are directly related to other known cases. 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.

FOOD ACCESS

ACPS Food Access
ACPS is continuing to provide food over at no cost for any child and any family who needs it during the school closures. It is essential to stay healthy at this critical time.

There are two ways to access food while schools are closed:

  1. Individual Meals to Go: Any child – whether or not they are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals – can pick up a meal to go in a bag. Stop by the Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School (door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up a meal-to-go (8 a.m. – 10 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m for lunch). You do not need to fill out any forms to pick up a meal-to-go.
  2. Family Meal Packs: You can order a family meal pack online and pick it up at the drive through pick-up point outside Chinquapin Recreation Center (Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School, door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m the following day. If transportation is an issue, please remember to check the box to request free meal delivery. Fill out the form to request a family meal pack.

Food Resources in the City of Alexandria 
For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.com or call ‪703-662-1067.

WANT TO HELP?

Food donations are NOT being accepted by ALIVE! at this time in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. They are requesting financial contributions to buy food, and volunteers to sort food and to distribute food (screened through Volunteer Alexandria).

Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund if you are able. 

Volunteer Alexandria is working on a plan for onsite volunteer registration at the ACPS food access point. We will let you know more details about this as soon as we have them. 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.