Day 31 — Learning from Home Experience
As we begin this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, it is important that we acknowledge all of our staff and families who are assisting with the education of our students. This year is unique in so many ways and one specific unique factor is having an “all hands on deck” approach as we teach and learn from home in ACPS. All staff members and in some instances family members have been catapulted into fulfilling the role of our educators during this pandemic. I hope our teachers don’t mind if we share this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week with all staff as well as our families who are working together on behalf of our young people.
The teaching profession is one of the most profound and fulfilling careers in the world. Teachers can literally change the world one child at a time and contribute to the success of the next generation. Like most educators, I became a teacher to impact the lives of children. During this global pandemic, we all have been taken out of our comfort zones and forced to adjust to our new normal. Over the past couple of months, our teachers in ACPS have been recording videos, Zooming with our students and colleagues, and being innovative with our approaches to teaching and learning. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated, hard working and amazing staff in ACPS. Thank you!
Stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Wednesday is National School Nurse Day: Check Out How Our Staff is Contributing to the Fight Against COVID-19
When Megan Costanza, a nurse at the T.C. Williams High School Clinic got the call to say her skills were needed by the Alexandria Health Department’s coronavirus task force, she didn’t hesitate.
A former ER nurse who has worked in hospitals around the country, she has seen just about everything there is to see in the medical field, including Ebola cases. For Megan, she viewed this not only as an opportunity that allowed her to answer a call of duty, but also as an opportunity to learn.
She is now among ten of our amazing school nurses currently working eight hour shifts from the Alexandria Health Department Investigation Team’s offices, meticulously tracing, contacting, assessing and advising people who may have been exposed to the virus.
“When I first heard about the opportunity, I thought it sounded really interesting because what we’re living through is history in the making,” she said. “But not only that, I also thought I might be able to learn something that I could then take back to T.C. that would help the kids when we return to school.”
Although all 22 of our nurses were invited to participate, many were unable to because of the risk working in an office posed to vulnerable family members or indeed themselves.
Those nine who were able to sign up are now playing a critical role in the battle against the virus in Alexandria. The data they uncover helps not only limit the spread but also gives Alexandria Health Department (AHD) the information they need to monitor our City’s situation.
Megan typically works two to three shifts a week socially distanced in a cubicle at the Alexandria Health Department office on King Street. This, while juggling her ACPS commitments on other days. During each shift, she is given details of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, and then the work of contacting anyone that patient could have exposed begins.
The first call she makes is to the patient themselves. She starts by establishing where they have been and who they have had prolonged contact with going back to 48 hours before their first symptom.
Some days Megan, who has worked at T.C. for a year and a half, gets through three or four cases per shift, sometimes just one depending on the complexity.
“We investigate until we get all those names and locations and addresses,” she said. “And then we move into contact tracing, and identifying anybody that’s had a prolonged exposure. We contact those individuals and ask them to stay home for 14 days in isolation, per the governor’s order.”
“I often end up creating an insane flow chart, and sometimes it just expands and expands. You can start with one person and it can take you all day to call their contacts. Then you find one of their contacts is sick and you call their contacts and on it goes. It’s almost like a spider web, it can grow and grow.”
The mother of two college students said that when the team of ACPS nurses started the work during Spring Break, those infected had a lot more questions than they do now.
“Now it’s been on the news so much and everybody is living through it, people are less surprised when they receive a call. They just want to know their resources and hear reassurance.”
“I get asked, ‘What’s my next step? How do I take care of myself? How do I take care of my family?’”
She finds that often, just being there on the end of the line to listen is a great reassurance.
“I think it’s comforting for people to have somebody to talk to who knows about the disease and what’s going on. People are so isolated in their homes right now that I’m finding just having somebody to talk to on the phone is appreciated.”
Of course, Megan misses all the students at T.C. and looks forward to the day that students fill the halls again.
She enjoys the days she is able to reconnect with the entirety of her ACPS nursing team as they together prepare for the return of school with tasks including planning care for students with chronic medical conditions and the review of immunization records.
But until then she plans to help out at Alexandria Health Department as long as she is needed.
“I love the work,” she said.
“It makes me feel like I’m giving back to my community and my country and that I’m learning something that I think’s going to be valuable for several years to come.”
Reminder for Seniors: Final Call to Submit Graduation Videos
Hopefully our seniors were able to record their three videos on Friday to contribute to the Class of 2020 Documentary we are making to celebrate their graduation.
Please remind your senior students to send us their videos.
Educación en Radio: VDOE Partnership with Spanish Language Radio Station for Additional Learning Resources
The Virginia Department of Education is partnering with Radio Poder WBTK 1380 AM — a Richmond Spanish-language station — to launch “Virginia: Educación en Radio,” the commonwealth’s first bilingual radio learning program.
Programming will feature prerecorded lessons in multiple subject areas to support continuity of learning for Spanish-speaking students in grades K-12.
Please share the information with your families.
More information can be found on the Spanish Language Lessons Over the Radio webpage on the ACPS-at-Home website.
Pre-Labor Day Start Proposed for 2021
The School Board is being asked to approve a pre-Labor Day start in 2021 for ACPS schools. This would be the first time that ACPS schools would start before Labor Day.
If the calendars are approved, schools on the Traditional Calendar (all schools except Samuel W. Tucker) will start on August 24, 2021. Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School will start on July 28, 2021.
The Calendar Committee recommended the earlier start to align the ACPS school calendar with other divisions in the region. The final calendars for the 2021-22 school year will be approved by the School Board in May to allow staff and families time to plan for changes to school programs, facilities projects and operational services.
View the proposed Traditional Calendar for 2021-22 (PDF)
View the proposed Modified Calendar for 2021-22 (PDF)
Watch Friday’s Board Meeting
During the closure of school buildings, our School Board is meeting virtually each Friday at noon. If you missed Friday’s meeting live, you can still watch it.
Watch last Friday’s School Board Meeting.
Temperature Screening at ACPS Buildings
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 measure in this Board Brief.
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 OK.