COVID Closure Staff Update for Monday, April 13

- News and Announcements, Professional Development

Day 16 – Learning From Home Experience

Good morning and welcome back! I hope you had a restful spring break. Today, as we begin Day 16 of our Learning From Home Experience, we are getting right into the Professional Learning that will give us all the skills we need to take us through June.

If you did not get a chance to on the Friday before spring break, please make sure you take some time to familiarize yourself with the Continuity of Learning Plan 2.0. This has expectations broken out by grade level, staff expectations and professional learning opportunities. Our Continuity of Learning Plan 2.0 is a guide for our work throughout the academic year and focus area for our professional learning experiences. 

Make sure you have explored virtual professional learning options today! There are many offerings, including an opportunity to shine, share your talents, help those students who need support in addition to Learning Packets, and take yourself to the next level by learning to teach on the TV!

We know that we cannot replicate our face-to-face learning experience while our school buildings are closed, however, we can continue to be innovative with our approaches to teaching and learning. It will take some time for us to get things completely on target and we must continue to provide grace throughout this journey. Have fun today and bring your energy and passion to your remote classrooms tomorrow and beyond! 

Sincerely,

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

Become a TV Star! Join ACPS-TV Training Today!

Starting Tuesday, April 14, ACPS will be utilizing two TV channels (local cable channels 70 and 71) to give students in pre-K through grade 2 access to 3.5 hours of new learning content every day from 8 to 11:30 a.m. This will include:

  • 90 minutes of new lessons taught by our teachers every day. These lessons will include read-alouds and learning activities taught by ACPS teachers and administrators.
  • 1 hour of exercise that can be done at home
  • 1 hour of age appropriate educational shows

Channel 70 will be directed specifically at pre-K and kindergarten students.

Channel 71, ACPS-TV, will be directed specifically at Grades 1 and 2.

To make this work, we need you, our teachers, to help us be creative and submit lessons to teach on the TV!

We are asking a minimum of teachers from every elementary school and the Early Childhood Center teachers to record the SIX lessons a day we need to make this sustainable through June. We will be working with the Office of Professional Learning to make this worth your while — credits will be added after we have received your recording.

What do you need to do?

First, register for the course in PLMS.

If you are already familiar with WeVideo, go ahead and record a 30 minute lesson for either pre-K, kindergarten, grade 1 or grade 2 and submit it to news@acps.k12.va.us or Candace Pannel at candace.pannel@acps.k12.va.us.

We have created a handbook (PDF) to make it easy for you! This also includes a list of copyright-cleared books that can be used on the TV as read-alouds as part of your lesson.

OR

Join our Zoom training session TODAY!

Zoom in between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. today to learn “How to record ACPS-TV Distance Learning Shows.”

Link to join the Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/669975811?pwd=c080RFRlakRrK1N6OXRxQ1NhU1hsZz09

Still unsure? Or missed the Zoom training session? Don’t worry, we will record it and send you a link. Direct your questions to Susan Thomas at susan.thomas@acps.k12.va.us.

We need you now more than ever, so please do not hesitate to step up for this great learning opportunity!

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 multiple “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
  • 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

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.)

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.