{"id":16164,"date":"2020-03-17T12:50:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T16:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16164"},"modified":"2020-03-17T14:25:20","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T18:25:20","slug":"covid-closure-daily-update-for-tuesday-march-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16164","title":{"rendered":"COVID Closure Daily Update for Tuesday, March 17"},"content":{"rendered":"
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en espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/a> | \u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/a> | \u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 2 – Learning from Home Experience\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Our first day of our school division closure was pretty intense; however, our team was prepared and ready to learn new ways to provide support to our staff and families. Like many of you, my wife and I are adjusting to having our children at home all day and seeking to find the best daily routine for our household during the school closure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our schools have already shared some great examples of daily at-home schedules. Today, we will provide an easy-to-follow daily schedule that you can use or modify according to your family\u2019s needs. There are infinite resources available to help fill your student\u2019s day with enriching learning experiences both inside and outside of the home. One thing all experts appear to agree on is the need to create a structure for the day. Children, especially younger ones, function best when a predictable routine is in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Yesterday, ACPS began to fulfill 5,000 meal requests for our families. Many of our staff and volunteers including our T.C. Williams Principal Peter Balas and Alexandria Sheriff\u2019s Department assisted a team from our School Nutrition Services at the curbside pick-up and delivery where bags of food filled with nutritious grab and go snacks were distributed to our ACPS families. Bagels, breakfast bars, fresh fruit and milk are amongst the items being sorted in T.C.\u2019s cafeteria each morning.This process may need some adjusting over the next few days so please bear with us; however, we were able to provide hundreds of families with healthy meals. See more information about <\/span>food access<\/span><\/a> on the ACPS website.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sheriff's<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sheriff's<\/span><\/p>\n

We have received several questions relating to the school closures. We apologize if we have not been able to get back to each of you individually. It has been a busy time! However, we have added some of the responses to many of your questions to the <\/span>Coronavirus FAQ<\/span><\/a> and more will be added as the days go by. You can find the answers to your questions there or take a moment to view our daily <\/span>video Q&A, available at 3 p.m<\/b>.<\/span><\/a> You can <\/span>submit questions via the feedback form on the ACPS website<\/span><\/a> and they will be answered on our daily video Q&A and\/or the Coronavirus FAQ.<\/span>
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Missed yesterday\u2019s Q&A? You can find all Q&As posted on the ACPS-at-Home website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Again, we appreciate your patience and support during this very challenging time for our students, staff, families and community. ACPS is a resilient community of students, staff, parents, and families who will overcome these experiences with grace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
\n<\/span>Superintendent of Schools<\/span><\/p>\n

Sample Daily Schedules:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT<\/h2>\n

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) continues to advise that the general public in Alexandria is at low risk from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic because both cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria are directly related to other known cases. 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.<\/p>\n

Additional updates can be found at www.alexandriava.gov\/Coronavirus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FOOD ACCESS<\/h2>\n

ACPS Food Access<\/strong>
\nACPS is continuing to provide food over at <\/strong>no cost for any child<\/strong>\u00a0and<\/em> any family who needs it<\/strong> during the school closures. It is essential to stay healthy at this critical time.<\/p>\n

There are two ways to access food while schools are closed:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Individual Meals to Go:<\/strong> Any child – whether or not they are eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals – can pick up a meal to go in a bag. Stop by the Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School (door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick up a meal-to-go (8 a.m. – 10 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m for lunch). You do not need to fill out any forms to pick up a meal-to-go.<\/li>\n
  2. Family Meal Packs:<\/strong> You can order a family meal pack online and pick it up at the drive through pick-up point outside Chinquapin Recreation Center (Chinquapin Drive side of T.C. Williams High School, door 14) between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m the following day. If transportation is an issue, please remember to check the box to request free meal delivery. Fill out the form to request a family meal pack<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Food Resources in the City of Alexandria\u00a0<\/strong>
    \nFor food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit     www.hungerfreealexandria.com<\/a> or call \u202a703-662-1067.<\/p>\n

    WANT TO HELP?<\/h2>\n

    Food donations are NOT being accepted by ALIVE!<\/a> at this time in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. They are requesting financial contributions to buy food, and volunteers to sort food and to distribute food (screened through\u00a0Volunteer Alexandria<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund<\/a> if you are able.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Volunteer Alexandria is working on a plan for onsite volunteer registration at the ACPS food access point. We will let you know more details about this as soon as we have them. Community members who would like to volunteer should reach out to www.volunteeralexandria.org<\/a> or 703-836-2176 to register for any additional potential volunteer opportunities.<\/p>\n

    MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT<\/h2>\n

    Continuity of School Support and Academic Advisement<\/strong><\/p>\n

    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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Emergency Supports<\/strong><\/p>\n

    If there is a crisis or emergency during the time of the closure, students and families can access the supports below:<\/p>\n