Day 26 – Learning from Home Experience
We’ve made it another week of teaching and learning from home. I know that several of you are engaged in grading and report cards on behalf of our young people. Our staff are so resilient during our COVID-19 school closures and we are so fortunate to have each of you a part of the ACPS family!
I’m delighted to be able to share with you two free learning opportunities available to ACPS students. First, we have partnered with our educational colleagues at Northern Virginia Community College who are offering an opportunity for our junior and senior year students to get a head start on college credits.
The program, JumpStart, affords our 11th and 12th graders the opportunity to take two classes and earn up to six credits to jumpstart their college careers. Please do not miss this opportunity. Applications close on May 15. I will be providing more details on my video Q&A session tomorrow. As you know, this is definitely something well worth your students’ consideration.
Secondly, I wanted to make sure families of students in grade six and above were aware of an excellent tutoring resource which ACPS has made available to our students for free. The website Tutor.com offers highly qualified one-on-one tutors to help with any schoolwork or learning activities 24 hours a day and 7 days a week which makes this convenient for any student’s schedule. Please be sure to encourage your students to utilize this amazing opportunity. We have so many resources to ensure that students can continue to have academic support even at home.
Again, thank you for your hard work and dedication! Please continue to stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Temperature Screening Begins Today
Starting today, anyone requiring access to an ACPS facility or school will be required to undergo a temperature check to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Testing stations will be established at seven locations, at or close to 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 clinical forehead thermometer.
All those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or lower (per Alexandria Health Department guidelines) will be given a dated wristband and be cleared to work as long as they are in possession of appropriate personal protection equipment consisting of masks and gloves.
Should an individual record an elevated temperature, that person will be informed that they are unable to report to work at an ACPS site and will be advised to call his or her supervisor.
Find out more about this new measure in this Board Brief.
ACPS Teacher of the Year – Our Final Five Nominees
We wish all our finalists the best of luck as they compete for our annual Teacher of the Year crown. The winner will be announced next month.
Read what teaching means to them:
Katherine White
Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, first grade teacher
“Teaching gives me the opportunity to instill a love of learning in each individual that walks into my classroom. I am inspired daily by my students’ infectious enthusiasm for learning, life, and friends. Above all I’m challenged by the distinct needs of these learners, but constantly rewarded by the gigantic toothless smiles that accompany my first graders’ well-earned accomplishments.”
Latasha Sturgis
Early Childhood Center, special education teacher
“I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a teacher. It was confirmed later that my calling was to be a special educator. The day I witnessed one of my non-verbal students use his first words brought me to tears. I knew then, I needed him, just as much as he needed me. My role as a teacher means connecting my students to rich experiences with the support of their families that will impact how they view the world. Teaching is working with families, collaborating with other educators and creating experiences for diverse learners that last a lifetime.”
Donna Anthony
Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, kindergarten teacher
“Teaching has been a passion of mine for many years. I am always curious to implement new trends or theories that will enhance the knowledge of my learners. I learn so much from my students and it moves me to make sure they have a great learning experience that will inspire them to become lifelong learners.”
Jessica Angelo
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, first grade teacher
“Being a teacher means instilling a love of learning and reading into each of my students so that they become lifelong learners, readers, and leaders. It means providing a safe place for my students to learn and thrive. It means showing them it’s okay to make mistakes and how when we persist through those mistakes it helps to make us stronger and smarter. Being a teacher means showing each of my students their potential for learning and success and most importantly that learning can be fun.”
Judy Fulghum
George Mason Elementary School, English learners (EL) teacher
“To me, teaching means witnessing significant events in the lives of young children. I’ve watched determined children learn to read after years of struggling, imaginative children find their voices through writing, and lonely children make friends for the first time. I’ve watched quiet children gain the confidence to speak to a group, curious children propel others to learn something new, and captivated children listen to every word of a great story. These collective moments of joy are what teaching means to me.”
Free NOVA Opportunity for 11th and 12th Graders
We are excited to share that Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering current 11th and 12th grade students the chance to take online college classes for free through a program called JumpStart.
This will allow ACPS juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits through online courses running from June 1 to July 15. The closing date for applications is May 15.
Find out more on the JumpStart web page.
Free 24/7 Tutoring Service Available to ACPS Students
If your student needs some extra help with their schoolwork, ACPS has arranged for free access to Tutor.com for those in grades 6-12. The website makes available highly qualified online tutors including teachers, academics and even industry professionals.
Directions for how to add Online Tutoring to your Canvas Page:
Teachers can easily add it to their Canvas page for students to access quickly. To add it to your Canvas page, go to Settings > Navigation > Scroll Down to Tutor.com > Click on 3 dots to Enable. It will then be added to your Course Navigation on your Homepage.
More information is available on the Online Tutoring in ACPS web page.
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.
Food Distribution
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:
- Crisis Text and Crisis Link:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call: 703-527-4077
- Alexandria Safe Place
- Alexandria City 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services
- Alexandria City Health Department and AHD Contacts
- Inova Alexandria Hospital (ER)
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.