COVID Closure Staff Update for Friday, April 24

- News and Announcements

Day 25 – Learning from Home Experience

Today, I wanted to dedicate my letter to our incredible ACPS staff and community partners who continue to put others before themselves on a daily basis during this time of crisis. 

These are people willing to step up for the good of our school division and go that extra mile.

The list is long, but thank you to:

  • our teachers and educators who are striving to do the best for our children’s education;
  • our school nurses who have been helping out at the Alexandria Health Department;
  • our counselors and social workers who always have the well-being of our students in mind;
  • the members of our technology team who have proved they are worth their weight in gold with their dynamism and foresight; and 
  • our custodians and other essential staff who have shown willingness to pitch in and offer help wherever help is needed. 

Next Friday on National School Lunch Heroes Day, I look forward to celebrating in a special way all those who work to keep our students fed. 

At times like these you learn who your friends are and, as it turns out, ACPS has many. Our community partners including the City of Alexandria and multiple local nonprofits have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us from day one.

Let me say, for all these efforts, I salute you. Your dedication and selflessness has not gone unnoticed.

I end the school week by asking all to join me in offering a heartfelt thank you to those who continue to serve our schools in the most trying of times.

Stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed — and remember Monday is a teacher work day so enjoy the extended weekend.

Sincerely,

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

ACPS COVID-19 Temperature Screening Program Begins on Monday

Beginning on Monday April  27, anyone requiring access to an ACPS facility or school will be required to undergo a daily temperature check. The purpose of this screening is to help protect the ACPS workforce and to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Screening stations will be located at seven locations, at or near 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 no-touch LED forehead thermometer.

Any person with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or lower (per Alexandria Health Department guidelines) will receive a dated wristband and be cleared to work or access the ACPS facility. Checks will be made to ensure all persons have in their possession the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) consisting of masks and gloves which they are expected to wear..

Should an individual’s forehead temperature reading be above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, that person will be informed that they are unable to report to an ACPS site and will be advised to immediately contact his or her supervisor.

Find out more about this new measure in the Board Brief.

Tune in to our Board Meeting Today

During the closure of school buildings, our School Board is meeting virtually each Friday at noon. Watch the School Board Meeting. 

ACPS Learning Through the TV

Thank you to all of our teachers who have made teaching through our television channels possible. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by our parents and students. 

Our students need you!

Please, if you have not yet created a lesson for TV we encourage you to do so. It’s fun and easy to do. If you’ve missed our TV training session on Zoom, please check it out.

For more information, please refer to the ACPS’ Learning Through the TV Handbook.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions about health and safety during the COVID-19 closure:

  • When ACPS closed all school buildings on March 13, what safety measures were put in place for staff, students and families? 
  • What safety measures did ACPS initially put in place for food distribution?
  • What additional steps are being taken as of April 27?
  • Why did ACPS establish temperature screening operations?

Watch the twice-weekly Q&A video or see answers to these questions in the staff FAQ. 

We welcome you to send us your questions.

Food Distribution Update

Today we will be adding a snack to our daily meal packets.  The meal packet will now include breakfast, lunch and a snack each day. 

In addition, starting today and on each Friday going forward, we will be providing meals for two days. These meals will be distributed on Friday and will cover both Friday and Saturday.

This means ACPS will now be providing meals for six days of the week. In order to limit social distancing, two days worth of meals will be distributed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

—

ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two.

GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:

Grab and Go breakfast, lunch and snack meals are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 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

And available at our “Pop-Up” sites located at:

  • Mason Apartments at South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
    10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
    11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314
    10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Community Lodgings at 607 Notabene Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305
    10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Old Towne West Apartments (parking lot) at 500 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
    11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Corner of Florence Drive and Four Mile Road, Alexandria, VA 22305
    10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.

Meals consist of breakfast, lunch and snack and include, for example, fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches for multiple days.

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. Meals for two days will be provided on the pick-up days, (Monday/Wednesday/Friday).

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.)

SAFETY REMINDER:

Please remember to observe social distancing practices while at the food distribution site by maintaining six feet of personal space between you and other families or individuals.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness like fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing or difficulty breathing on the day of food distribution or in the previous 24 hours should not visit a food distribution site but call a healthcare provider instead. If you do not have a primary care physician and are not enrolled in a clinic, you may CALL an urgent care center or emergency room.

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 okay.