COVID Closure Staff Update for Monday, March 30

- News and Announcements

Day 11 – Learning from Home Experience 

As we begin our third week at home, we can look forward to a little more normalcy in our daily routines going forward. Yes, our school buildings may be closed but school and learning is very much thriving and innovative. 

With that in mind, I wanted to let you know that our curriculum and instructional team has been working hard to make sure each of our students can expect to receive clear guidance in the coming week about how the rest of our academic year will continue. When we return from Spring Break, we know that students, teachers and their support staff will be ready to continue our educational efforts and support.

I want to thank every one of you who has contributed or shared your feedback around the plan, helped ensure our students continue to get healthy food at this critical time and helped ensure our students have access to the resources and support they continue to need. 

An overview of our extended plan to ensure continuity of learning beyond April 13 and throughout the remainder of the academic year was discussed at the virtual School Board meeting on Friday, March 27. This included a discussion about how we intend to continue to support our Students With Disabilities going forward. You can tune in to School Board meetings each Friday at noon via the video link on the School Board meeting web page. An outline of our continuity of learning plan for beyond April 13 will be shared with the community on April 3, 2020. 

Please make sure your students know how to access food resources and also academic resources. You are a vital conduit to our families to ensure they have the information they need. Last week, we added a new Story Hour resource to our ACPS-at-Home website for our younger students. We are grateful that some publishers are allowing us to publish re-alouds on the website at this time, but please remember to check copyright before you think of creating your own.

Today’s video Q&A for staff will answer your questions around staying stress-free at this time. Tune in after 1 p.m. today. 

In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed! 

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

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered some of your questions on:

  • A new instructional timeline
  • Sick leave
  • Licensure
  • Benefits deadlines
  • Hiring and contract renewal
  • Planning for next school year

Watch the daily Q&A video, available at 2 p.m. or see answers to these questions in the updated staff FAQ.

We welcome you to send us your questions.

TIME TO ADJUST YOUR AUTOMATED EMAIL REPLY

Think About the Message Your Automated Email Response Sends

Although school facilities may be closed for the rest of the school year, we know how hard you are all still working. If you use an automated email message, this message should reflect that.

Instead of your response referencing the ”closure of all schools,” please change your message to “closure of all school buildings.”

In addition, include wording that reassures our students and families that you are continuing to work to serve the needs of ACPS students and families. Also, you may want to share the times you might respond to their messages. Finally, we definitely want to share our ACPS-at-Home website any opportunity that we can.

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 three “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

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.comor 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 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.