COVID Closure Daily Staff Update for Tuesday, March 24

- News and Announcements

Day 7 – Learning from Home Experience 

We are all coming to terms with the news from our Virginia Governor Ralph Northam that ACPS school buildings, along with all other school divisions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will remain closed for the remainder of this academic year.

This news leaves students, staff and families with a lot of important questions that need answers. We are here to answer those questions as best we can at this stage. Although we can’t promise to have all the information immediately, we can promise that we will be transparent and forthcoming and will do our very best to address everyone’s concerns over the coming days in these unprecedented and challenging times. Today, we will provide updates on our daily Staff Q&A video regarding responses to the most recent questions asked since the Governor’s order. 

Following the announcement, the City Council and ACPS held a virtual Joint City Schools Sub-Committee meeting. It was an opportunity for updates from city and school leaders regarding our response to the coronavirus situation and the Governor’s recent announcement for extending our school building closures for the remainder of the academic year. Please feel free to watch the public meeting.

As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that we are a resilient community with very talented and competent experts who will assist with guiding our path to success. There may be times when things seem unpredictable; however, we will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that our young people are at the forefront of our decision-making. 

Thank you for your continued support and patience during this unprecedented time in our history!

Sincerely,

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

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In today’s video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. will be focusing on the topic of our extended building closure for the remainder of the academic school year, and answering some of the many questions that are coming in. We will answer more of your questions as we have answers in the coming days.

Watch the daily Q&A video, available at 2 p.m. and see the updated staff FAQ.

COLLECT YOUR BELONGINGS BEFORE ALL ACPS SCHOOL AND OFFICE BUILDINGS CLOSE

As of Friday, March 27, all ACPS school and office buildings will be closed to all but essential staff for the foreseeable future, as we do everything in our power to keep our facilities free of COVID-19. For more information, see School Board Regulation EBCD-R: Emergency School Closures, Delayed Opening and Early Dismissal Regulations (PDF).

If you have belongings that you wish to retrieve to ensure your continuation of teaching and working, you need to make arrangements to collect them prior to this date.

Principals will be allocating slots of time between March 24-26 before 6 p.m. each day for you to safely visit school buildings while remaining conscious of social distancing.

To retrieve any belongings from Central Office, please contact your supervisor.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS UPDATE

If you have children at home preparing for their AP exams, it’s important to keep up to date with the impact school closure has on testing.

The College Board, which manages the AP process, has made arrangements to ensure all students who want to, can take their exams. 

Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home. 

The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam, and additional testing details will be available by April 3 and posted on the College Board website.

Any units that have not already been covered by your child’s teacher will be addressed prior to the exam.

ACPS will keep you updated with any changes and you can also refer to the AP Central website.

Students should make sure they are logging on to their My AP classroom where new resources will be available.

Peter Balas, T.C. Williams High School principal, said, “For all Titans preparing for their AP examinations right now, we know these are challenging circumstances; however, we want to assure you that you will have all the support you need from your teachers and that we are here whenever you need us. We have every confidence in your success.”

Key things to note:

  • Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home. 
  • Some students may want to take the exam sooner rather than later, while the content is still fresh. Other students may want more time to practice. For each AP subject, there will be 2 different testing dates.
  • Educator-led development committees are currently selecting the exam questions that will be administered.
  • To be fair to all students, some of whom have lost more instructional time than others, the exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
  • Students will be able to take these streamlined exams on any device they have access to — computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
  • Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn. For decades, colleges have accepted a shortened AP Exam for college credit when groups of students have experienced emergencies.

For any students who do not have access to technology, the College Board is figuring out ways to assist and encourages anyone with concerns to reach out to them directly to let them know.

For families and students with further questions, please contact Jessica E. Hillery, Lead Administrator for School Improvement at jessica.hillery@acps.k12.va.us or contact the College Board helpline at 1-888-225-5427.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Starting Monday, March 23, ACPS is providing two days worth of breakfast and lunch meals free for any ACPS student between the ages of 2 and 18 years-old 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 22302

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.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:

  • 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 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.

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.