COVID Closure Staff Update for Wednesday, April 1

- News and Announcements

Day 13 – Learning from Home Experience 

No joke… it’s Census Day! Press pause on whatever you are doing and fill out your census form online! Schools rely on the census to assess how many students we need to serve and we get allocated federal dollars accordingly. So by filing out your census, you are supporting our public school system.

On Monday, March 30, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order to slow down the spread of COVID-19. This greatly limits the non-essential movements of everyone. If you are an essential staff member who needs to come into our buildings to work, please make sure you read the FAQ on the Governor’s order and carry the ACPS letter, linked below, that permits you to travel between work and home.

However, this will not impact ACPS food distribution centers. We are still providing breakfast and lunch to our ACPS students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We know this is a vital service and that our students need to have access to healthy food to be able to learn. In fact, we know it is so important that today, we are launching two more pop-up food distribution sites in the east end of Alexandria. 

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.

  • 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 up to four grocery bags of food 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. There will be an additional opportunity (to be determined) during the week of April 6-10 for families to have access to food from the ALIVE! Food program.
  • 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).

The Governor also confirmed that the U.S. Department of Education has approved waivers for the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests this year. We know that many of you have questions regarding third and fourth quarter grading. This is not a simple topic, so bear with us — we will provide our recommendation regarding grading to staff on Thursday, April 2 and discussing with the School Board at our weekly board meeting on Friday, April 3. 

Finally, don’t miss the virtual book club set up by librarians from T.C. Williams High School and the Minnie Howard Campus. Once you have completed your census form, you can always pick up a good book and share it!

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

Sincerely,

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

GOVERNOR’S STAY AT HOME ORDER – DOCUMENTATION YOU MAY NEED

Expectations for traveling for work

On Monday, March 30, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order to slow down the spread of COVID-19. This greatly limits the non-essential movements of everyone including our staff and families.

However, as a school division, many of our staff and contractors still need to travel on work-related business while remaining respectful of the Governor’s executive order.

For those traveling to Virginia from Maryland or Washington, DC, be aware these areas are also under stay-at-home orders which vary slightly. Please familiarize yourself by consulting the respective government’s website. While each jurisdiction’s order is different, each order allows for work-essential travel.

The ACPS Human Resources Department has issued a letter (PDF) for essential staff who do need to travel. It is advised that you print this letter and keep it in your vehicle or on your person, should you be required to produce it to authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I an essential worker?
Please clarify this with your supervisor as soon as possible.

What if I don’t have a printer?
Please save the letter to your phone. 

What if I am stopped by police or other authorities?
Please offer the HR letter and if this does not suffice, please contact your supervisor by phone.

Additional Pop-Up Food Distribution Sites in East Alexandria

ACPS now has two additional pop-up food distribution sites to serve our students:

  • 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

See full information about our nutrition services during the coronavirus closure on the ACPS-at-Home website.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

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

  • Why is the census important for schools
  • What resources are in place to support families in need at this time
  • What emergency safety net services are in place?
  • Is the Teen Wellness Center Still Open?

Watch the daily Q&A video, available at 2 p.m.

We welcome you to send us your questions.

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.)

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.