COVID Closure Staff Update for Wednesday, April 22

- News and Announcements

Day  23 – Learning from Home Experience 

If there is anything that tells us that school and learning continues swiftly, then it’s the reminder on the calendar that Advanced Placement (AP) exams are on the horizon. Please make sure you and your students are fully informed and prepared for AP success next month and that means keeping up to date with all the changes related to the closure of school buildings. The College Board has some great resources including free online classes that can be watched live or streamed through their YouTube channel. 

Can you believe that the people of Alexandria raised $2.45 million during Spring2ACTion last week? This amount was raised when economic uncertainty hangs like a cloud over all of us. I am again so proud to be part of our wonderful community that is always willing to step up to assist those in need. Thanks in part to several generous donors, last week we were able to start mailing out 700 Kajeet mobile hotspots to families we’ve identified as needing WiFi at home. This now means that all secondary school students will have internet access and Chromebook laptops. Equitable access to the internet has been a concern for us as a school division and we are delighted to be able to bridge this opportunity gap. I am so grateful for the work our technology team has done in collaboration with several departments and schools to bring this to fruition.

As our weeks continue moving on, let me remind you once more to stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.

Sincerely,

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

AP Exam Updates and Prep

AP exams begin on May 11. That’s less than three weeks away. The College Board has made several changes to account for the closure of school buildings this year.

It’s important educators and coordinators keep up to date by regularly checking Updates for AP Students and Schools Affected by Coronavirus. Once on the page, scroll down where you will find specific resources to help you.

On the College Board website, you will find:

  • AP Exam Schedule: Get details on exam dates and times, what’s covered and what’s not, the types of questions that may be asked, how those questions will be weighted, and more.
  • Taking the Exams: Get more information about exam features, the timing and expected tasks, and what to expect on exam day and beyond.

To support students in continuing their AP journey, the College Board is also offering optional free, online AP classes and take-at-home AP Exams accessed through its website and YouTube Channel.

In addition, if you use Twitter please make sure to follow Trevor Packer, Senior VP of AP at the College Board, for ongoing AP information and news.

In addition, educators and coordinators can view a recorded presentation given by Trevor Packer. To register to view this, you will need to use the 6 Digit School Code: 470051.

AP Prep on VA TV Classroom

During the week of April 27, VA TV Classroom will add a special hour from 3 to 4 p.m. called “AP Prep Week,” with content provided by Virtual Virginia — in collaboration with WHRO — focusing on a different AP subject each day. The hour will include two 30-minute segments. 

Find out how to watch.

Make sure your AP students’ personal information is correct

A number of students have an incorrect email address listed on their My AP account.  These students will not have access to information or receive a link to their AP test. Please continue to do your best to reach all students and remind everyone to keep their account up-to-date and accurate.

Students who need assistance in logging in to the My AP account can call 1-888-225-5427.

Have students with technology issues?

Now is the time to resolve technology issues. Students can check out our Chromebook and Technology Support, email our Technology Services Helpdesk at helpdesk@acps.k12.va.us or complete our Chromebook Help Request form.

Spring2ACTion

There was a remarkable response from the people of Alexandria last week to Spring2ACTion. Despite the economic uncertainty, 8,436 individual donors chipped in $2.45 million for the benefit of 156 nonprofits.

Thanks in part to those donations made to our PTAs and the Alexandria PTA Council, Kajeets are here. ACPS identified 600 households with more than 1,200 students that did not have internet access, a major hurdle in continuing education while school buildings remain closed. We are happy to report that last week we began mailing out 700 Kajeet mobile hotspot devices for those families. Letters and directions in multiple languages are included with the Kajeets. This means that all secondary students will now have internet access and Chromebook laptops.

To learn more about what’s been going on behind the scenes to keep our children at the forefront of online learning in the U.S., please read the AlxNow interview with Dr. Elizabeth Hoover, ACPS Chief Technology Officer.

Our students need you! Create a lesson for ACPS-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. 

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.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions about educational programming on ACPS-TV:

  • What is available on TV for preschoolers and kindergarten students?
  • What is available for grades 1 and 2?
  • Is it the same lesson at three different times each day or a new lesson each time?
  • Can any teacher create a video?
  • Can I use my phone to record a lesson?
  • Our encore teachers have put lessons together. Should they also submit those for the TV?

Watch the twice-weekly Q&A video or see answers to these questions in the staff FAQ. 

We welcome you to send us your questions.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Starting today, April 22, we are adding a sixth mobile pop-up food distribution site at the corner of Florence Drive and Four Mile Road in the Arlandria/Chirilagua community. Food will be distributed from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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ACPS is providing breakfast and lunch meals for any ACPS student on 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

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
  • 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 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.)

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.

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.