Reopening Survey; Return to 40-Hour Work Week

- News and Announcements

Day 76 — Summer Learning

Today, I am encouraging you to take part in what is surely one of the most important surveys ACPS has ever conducted. Your answers will guide us as we decide how and when to open school buildings, how and when virtual learning becomes necessary and preferable, and how we strike an acceptable balance between the two. As you know, there are no easy answers to the situation we find ourselves in and with the ever-changing landscape we must remain flexible to last-minute pivots. Please complete this survey by July 12 to allow us the time we need to properly prepare our path forward. You will find a video to watch and the link to the survey below.

On Thursday, we are holding the first of four public hearings scheduled throughout July and August to shape the planning for the reopening of schools, otherwise known as Enhanced Continuity of Learning 4.0. We welcome your input to this conversation around the reopening process.

By now, I hope your students are all enjoying our Summer Learning program and are finding it beneficial. We are delighted with the enthusiasm and dedication we are seeing from both our staff and students. We are so proud to offer such a robust solution to address learning loss while also preparing students for the coming academic year. Thank you to all students and staff who are taking part in making this such a success.

Sincerely,

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

ROUNDUP OF THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR

Take a look back at a memorable year for ACPS with this video of our highlights.

Reopening Survey: Let Your Voice be Heard

As ACPS works to reopen schools, it is critical that we continue to seek feedback from our community — staff, students, families, and community partners — so that we can collectively put forth our very best ideas and solutions for what is achievable.

Please take a few minutes to complete our Reopening Survey by July 12. The anonymous information that you provide will be used to determine the current likelihood of students and staff returning in the fall. These estimates, along with all federal, state, and local guidelines, will assist in further developing our detailed reopening plans.

The health and safety of our students and staff are our priorities as we consider two likely models for reopening schools on September 8, 2020:

  • A model where we remain fully virtual with refinement based on feedback from students, staff and families from school closures in March through June 2020; OR
  • A hybrid model where there is both in-person and virtual learning adhering to social distancing and social gathering guidelines.

We are aware that the situation we are facing is unprecedented, constantly changing, and requires a degree of flexibility from all of us. You will be asked to make a decision about your commitment to return to school in late July. By that time you will have a clear idea of our anticipated reopening plans for the fall to assist you in your decision.

Thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to complete this Reopening Survey.

TAKE THE STAFF SURVEY NOW

Dr. Hutchings encourages you to do your part: Take the Reopening Survey by July 12!

School Board Public Hearings for 4.0 Continuity of Learning Plan

Please mark your calendars for a series of Special Called School Board Meetings on the planning for the reopening of schools in fall. This is also known as the Continuity of Learning Plan 4.0.

  • July 9, 2020, at 7 p.m.
  • July 10, 2020, at 12 p.m.
  • August 6, 2020, at 7 p.m.
  • August 7, 2020, at 12 p.m.

Watch these meetings live.

Sign up to speak at one of the meetings.

Return to 40-Hour Work Week Begins July 13, 2020

Beginning on Monday, July 13, all 12-month ACPS employees will return to a regular 40-hour week to coincide with phase three of the governor’s reopening plan for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

However, only designated essential personnel will continue to work on-site and other staff will continue to work remotely. To establish if you are categorized as essential personnel, please ask your immediate supervisor.

Please know that self-care and maintaining a work-life balance remains a priority for ACPS staff. The 40-hour workweek is extremely flexible. This means an individual may work a daily schedule that best fits the remote work environment while balancing the needs of home.

If your work responsibilities permit, this can mean working four days a week instead of the typical five. Staff should continue to use professional discretion and balance work and home requirements accordingly.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we transition to phase three. We appreciate all you do for ACPS. Should there be any question about your work hours, please contact your immediate supervisor for assistance.

Summer School is Underway!

On Monday, ACPS kicked off four weeks of unprecedented summer learning in an effort to address academic loss. Students across all grades and from all schools embarked on this ambitious and robust program. So far we have had a wonderful response with our teachers reporting enthusiastic engagement and classes full of smiling faces.

Over the summer, ACPS will continue to offer video lessons on ACPS-TV, local cable channel 71. Monday through Friday, we will be showing two-hour blocks of educational programming from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. each day.

Welcome to Our New Head Varsity Football Coach

After a nationwide search, T.C. Williams High School Athletics is proud to announce that Rodney Hughey has been selected as the next Head Varsity Football Coach. Coach Hughey comes to T.C. Williams after 10 years at Livingstone College in North Carolina, where he was the Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Before Livingstone College, Coach Hughey was Assistant Head Coach and Defense Coordinator at Northern Iowa Community College. Coach Hughey was a standout college athlete at Concord University and finished his playing career with the Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers.

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.