More Stories from the Week:
ACPS Receives National School Boards Association Magna Award for The Identity Project
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) was awarded a Silver Prize in the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Magna Awards program for the campaign to rename two schools in the 2020-21 school year, known as The Identity Project. ACPS is one of five schools in the 5,000-20,000 student-enrollment category to be recognized with a Silver Prize.
NSBA’s Magna Awards program recognizes school district innovation and creativity in helping increase student achievement. The 2022 awards program put the focus on equity in education as a means of breaking down barriers to learning. It recognized programs that remove barriers to achievement for vulnerable or underserved students based on race, ethnicity, gender, special needs, geography or socioeconomic status.
ACPS launched the Identity Project as a robust student and community engagement process to explore the division’s history, present and future and replace the names of two schools that were intrinsically linked to Alexandria’s racist past. In keeping with a unanimous School Board vote, the new names took effect on July 1, 2021, when T.C. Williams High School became Alexandria City High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School became Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School. The Identity Project also received a 2021 Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
“We are excited that the ACPS Identity Project has been honored with a Magna Award,” said Alexandria City School Board Chair Meagan L. Alderton. “This recognizes the contributions from our students, families, staff and community who came together to work on this historic change. With student voices at the center, we mobilized to educate our community about the past and to chart an inclusive path for the future. We now have school names that are reflective of the values of Alexandria City Public Schools. ”
Judging for the Magna Awards took into consideration whether the program supports its school board’s equity mission and vision for the division. Sustainability of the program as well as whether it could be replicated elsewhere by school divisions with similar conditions and resources was also considered. All winning districts will be featured in the April issue of the American School Board Journal.
ACHS Features Instruction 2 Industry Virtual Career Fair
Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students are invited to attend the upcoming Instruction 2 Industry Career Fair. This virtual expo is scheduled for Feb. 14-17, beginning at 4 p.m. each day. The event will provide students with the opportunity to become life, college and career ready. Students will be able to connect with industry leaders and professionals who have the background and knowledge of the needs of the future workforce.
Career and Technical Education Coordinator Dr. Tricia S. Jacobs said, “This is truly an event that will help ACHS students begin to think about and plan for life after high school.”
The virtual Career Fair includes exhibitors each day and follows this tentative event schedule:
Monday, Feb. 14
4-4:55 p.m. – Human Services
5-5:55 p.m. – Education & Training
6-6:55 p.m. – Health Sciences
Tuesday, Feb. 15
4-4:55 p.m. – Business Management
5-5:55 p.m. – Marketing
6-6:55 p.m. – Information Technology (STEM)
Wednesday, Feb. 16
4-4:55 p.m. – Arts, A/V, Technology & Communications
5-5:55 p.m. – Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Thursday, Feb. 17
4-4:55 p.m. – Government & Public Administration
5-5:55 p.m. – Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Alexandria City Public Schools is among six school divisions involved in this year’s virtual career fair. Students can register at www.bit.ly/2022I2Ireg.
School Board Meeting Summary
At its meeting on Feb. 3, the School Board addressed the following topics:
COVID-19 Update
ACPS Recruitment Plan Update
FY22 Q2 CIP Quarterly Report
CIP Reserve Account Balance Update, FY22 Quarter 2
For School Board meeting agendas and documents, visit Electronic School Board. You can also visit the School Board meeting webpage for information on how to view meetings live and participate.