Reopening Planning Process; Curriculum Writers Needed This Summer

- News and Announcements

Day 72 — Summer Learning

We are just a few days away from the beginning of our summer learning program and we are excited to see everything coming together smoothly. This has been a demanding and complex project for our curriculum experts to reconfigure and we have every confidence our students and families will find it truly beneficial. 

Several months ago, our staff was charged with creating an unprecedented summer learning experience that will continue to engage and enrich our children during the month of July. We are confident that at the end of the three weeks, our children will be better prepared to start the 2020-21 academic year. 

I would like to share a new and valuable academic partnership with Virginia Tech. We will be working collaboratively to strengthen our STEM curriculum across all grades and drawing on the expertise at this world class university. This partnership is grounded in our work to ensure our students have equitable access to opportunities and resources they need to succeed. 

On Friday, June 26, our School Board approved our Strategic Plan, “Equity for All 2025,” which will remove barriers for our students to thrive and achieve their goals regardless of their circumstances. This strategic plan is bold and courageous with racial equity at the heart of our work. We will be sharing more about this significant milestone over the next few months. 

In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and take a few days to relax before the start of summer learning on Monday!

Sincerely,

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

ACPS Announces Significant STEM Partnership with Virginia Tech

ACPS is proud to announce a new STEM partnership with Virginia Tech that will bring world-class experts into its teaching and learning planning.

ACPS will work alongside Virginia Tech teaching and learning experts to strengthen key areas of preK-12 academics. These areas were identified through a yearlong consulting process with the university.

Read more about the partnership.

ACPS Adopts Five-Year Plan Focused on Ensuring Equity

ACPS has pledged to provide an equitable, high quality education which is accessible and engaging to all students in a five-year strategic plan approved by the School Board last Friday.

Equity For All 2025 is being heralded as a bold and courageous roadmap that is timely and will position ACPS as a national leader in redefining preK-12 education as a deliberately inclusive and supportive experience where all succeed.

Going forward, racial equity will be at the center of every decision that the school division will make.

“This plan could not be more timely or critical as our nation grapples with the action needed for anti-racism. It is time to say enough is enough. We have to act now to end the historical inequities within our public schools. This plan is bold, courageous, and aims to tackle our equity issues head-on,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.

See the full news release.

Read more about the ACPS Strategic Plan: Equity for All 2025.

Planning Process for the Reopening of Schools

ACPS is working to develop our plans to reopen schools safely in the fall. As ACPS works to reopen schools, it is critical that we seek feedback from our leaders, staff, students, families, and community so that we can collectively put forth our very best ideas and actions for what is possible, achievable and essential when reopening. Please be assured that ACPS is committed to seeking input and feedback at every stage of this process.

On June 26, ACPS staff shared with the School Board an outline of the process that ACPS is using to develop plans for the reopening of schools in the fall. The purpose of the presentation was to provide all stakeholders with an overview of the planning efforts to date as well as the next steps essential for reopening schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For more information, see the Planning for the Reopening of Schools section on the ACPS-at-Home website.

Watch video of the presentation to the School Board on June 26.

See the presentation: Enhanced Continuity of Learning Plan 4.0: Reimagining Schools (PDF).

Have questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions.

Curriculum Writers Needed This Summer — Apply by July 4

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is seeking teachers and specialists interested in writing curriculum during the summer of 2020. Summer curriculum writing projects will include collaboration with other teachers and will be focused on developing ACPS curriculum materials in Canvas. 

Curriculum products will include lesson planning resources, performance assessments, formative assessments, and other resources as identified in each content area.

Teachers will be paid a stipend of $180/day (6 hours) for a maximum of seven (7) days for the successful completion of assigned curriculum products upon review of Curriculum and Instruction Specialists. Curriculum writing will take place from July 13 through August 7, 2020. 

Interested teachers and specialists should complete the online application for summer curriculum writing. The application deadline has been extended to July 4, 2020. Teachers selected for curriculum writing will be notified by July 7, 2020.

Complete the online application. 

If you have questions about curriculum writing, please contact the instructional specialist in your content area:

Watch Friday’s Board Meeting 

During the School Board meeting on Friday, June 26, the Alexandria City School Board discussed:

  • 2020-2021 Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School Academic Calendar Revision
  • Equity for All 2025: Revised Strategic Plan
  • Continuity of Learning Plan 4.0: Reopening schools planning

If you missed it live, you can still watch it. Watch the School Board meeting and see the agenda.

Information on how to give feedback to the School Board can be found on the School Board Meetings webpage.

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 100.0 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:

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.