COVID Closure Staff Update for Thursday, April 2

- News and Announcements

Day 14 – Learning from Home Experience 

Today’s edition of ACPS Insider is all about our proposed changes to grading. We know that you have had a lot of questions about this and have been patiently waiting for answers. This is not a simple change. Any changes to grading have to be approved by the School Board.

The goal of these adjustments to the grading policy and academic calendar is to ensure maximum flexibility and benefit for our students as they have all been impacted by the school closures. ACPS is following the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidance in recommending adjustments to its grading policy and academic calendar for the third and fourth quarters in order to accommodate the closure of school buildings from March 13 through June 19 without penalizing any student.

Below, you can find a detailed overview of the changes being presented to the School Board at its online Board Meeting this Friday, April 3, plus a link to the ACPS-at-Home website with a chart that explains the proposed changes in full. Although the academic calendar changes are scheduled for a Board vote this Friday, the proposed changes to the grading policy (PDF) and regulation (PDF) will not be voted on until Friday, April 17. You can watch the School Board meeting live via Zoom through the link on the ACPS School Board web page. I’ll also be addressing the proposed changes to the grading policy in my video Q&A today. You can watch it online after 2 p.m. on the ACPS-at-Home website.

We want to be sure that you, our staff, understand what the proposed changes mean for you, whether you work in an elementary or secondary school.

We want to assure you that we are doing our best to ensure our students’ grades are not penalized by this difficult situation. 

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

Sincerely,

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

Proposed Grading and Academic Calendar Changes

Proposed Changes: Elementary

Academic Calendar for PreK-Grade 5:

  • Friday, April 3 would remain as the end of the third quarter for this academic year
    • Note the end of the third quarter is Friday, March 20 in the modified academic calendar
    • Although the date for the end of the third quarter would not change, a student’s progress report would be based on work due on or before March 13, the last day of school before the closure.
  • Monday, April 13 would become a Professional Day for school staff. 
    • Previously, April 13 was a Teacher Work Day (moved to April 27, see below) and would now be a Professional Day for staff to finalize plans for the next phase of continuity of learning.
  • Tuesday, April 14 would be the first day of the fourth quarter for elementary students. 
    • Students should connect with their teachers or work on their Learning Activity Packet beginning on this day.
  • Monday, April 27 would be a Teacher Work Day.
    • On April 27 all teachers would enter their third quarter grades. 
    • There would be no instruction and students would not be expected to work on Learning Activity Packets on this day.

Grading for PreK-Grade 5:

  • Third Quarter Progress Report Grades: Elementary student progress reports would be based on work completed on or before March 13. In addition to being available through student and parent/guardian PowerSchool, we anticipate mailing third quarter progress reports in early May. 
  • Fourth Quarter Progress Report Grades: Following the new VDOE guidelines, students would not be formally assessed on standards taught during the fourth quarter. Therefore each standard on the fourth quarter progress report would be designated as either “Introduced but Not Assessed” (INA) or “Not Taught” (NT).

Proposed Changes: Grades 6-12

Academic Calendar for Grades 6-12:

  • Friday, April 24 would be the last day of the third quarter. 
    • The third quarter would be extended to allow students time to make up or complete any missed assignments for the third quarter only. 
    • Work due after March 13 will not be factored into third quarter grades as school buildings were closed.
  • Monday, April 13 would become a Professional Day for school staff. 
    • Previously, April 13 was a Teacher Work Day (moved to April 27, see below) and would now be a Professional Day for staff  to prepare for the next phase of the continuity of learning. 
  • Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 24 would not contain any new instructional content. 
    • The third quarter would be extended for grades 6-12 to allow students to turn in any missing work due on or before March 13.
    • Teachers would be able to support students with third quarter material as needed to assist with completing assignments. 
  • Monday, April 27 would be a Teacher Work Day. 
    • All teachers would finalize third quarter grades on April 27 and there would be no instruction.
  • Tuesday, April 28 would be the first day of the fourth quarter.
    • Instruction of new content would begin and students should engage with teachers online regarding assigned work.

Grading for Grades 6-12:

Third Quarter Report Card Grades

  • Secondary students would receive a letter grade average for third quarter work originally due on or before March 13 and completed by April 24. In addition to being available through student and parent/guardian PowerSchool, we anticipate mailing third quarter report cards in early May.

Fourth Quarter Report Card Grades 

  • Secondary students would have the opportunity to earn either a “Pass” (P) or “No Grade” (NG) for their fourth quarter work.
  • In line with the VDOE guidance, these two options would allow students the maximum flexibility and opportunity to improve their grade during the fourth quarter by continuing to engage in instruction, without negatively impacting students who receive an NG. A Pass (P) would be the equivalent of receiving a 100 for the fourth quarter. Any student that participates in online learning during the fourth quarter to a satisfactory level, meaning they complete at least 60% of assigned work, would only benefit from this policy. A No Grade (NG) for the fourth quarter would not be factored into the student’s final grade for the year.

It is important to note that all students in good standing would be promoted to the next grade for the 2020-21 school year. Under these proposed changes, the fourth quarter alone would not negatively impact students and their promotion to the next grade. In general, students’ progression from year to year is guided by Policy IKE: Academic Promotion and Retention (PDF).  

As previously shared, the proposed changes above necessitate an adjustment to the current grading policy (PDF) and regulation (PDF) and require School Board approval. These changes will be presented to the School Board this coming Friday, April 3. You can watch the 12:00 p.m. online Board Meeting live via the ACPS School Board Meeting page. The meeting video will also be uploaded the following day. 

You can find the full details set out in a chart on the ACPS-at-Home website.

Keeping Staff Healthy in Mind and Body

The ACPS Department of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity is offering its first remote Restorative Practices Wellness and Support Circle for staff. This circle will provide an opportunity to breathe, connect with colleagues, and share your thoughts in a safe space. 

This is an optional offering open to all ACPS staff that will be held on Friday, April 3 at 12:00 p.m. The call will be held on Zoom and can be accessed with the information below:

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/563992907 

Meeting ID: 563 992 907

If you have any additional questions, please contact Sheri James at sheri.james@acps.k12.va.us or Gregory Baldwin at gbaldwin@acps.k12.va.us.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered some of your questions on the Governor’s stay-at-home order and what it means for schools, our volunteers and our community. He also answered questions regarding staff leave:

  • Does the Governor’s new stay-at-home order mean I can’t leave for work-related travel for essential duties for ACPS?
  • I live in Maryland and a co-worker lives in the DC. How does this order impact us?
  • Am I an essential worker? 
  • What if I am stopped by police or other authorities? 
  • What is the new mandate for 10 paid days for COVID-19 leave?  
  • What if my spouse or child becomes sick with COVID-19 and I have to care for them?

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.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Changes to Food Distribution Next Week

There are a number of changes to food distribution during Spring Break.

Please know that our normal ACPS distribution centers and sites will not be open on April 6, 8 and 10 during spring break. The ACPS meal hotline will not be operating during spring break. ACPS will resume all normal food distribution on April 13.

  • On Friday, April 3, families will be able to pick up additional food at all ten ACPS food distribution sites to help them through spring break week.
  • On Saturday, April 4, the ALIVE! Food program will provide families with emergency subsistence food, enough for about one week for a family of four, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at John Adams Elementary School and Leonard ‘Chick’ Armstrong Recreation Center next to Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology. 
  • The City will be operating grab-and-go meal distribution from T.C. Williams High School (Chinquapin side) on Wednesday, April 8 and Friday, April 10 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (note the change in the start time).

ACPS will resume normal distribution at all ten sites on Monday, April 13.

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.