{"id":16326,"date":"2020-04-17T04:00:56","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T08:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16326"},"modified":"2020-04-17T15:54:36","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T19:54:36","slug":"covid-closure-daily-update-for-friday-april-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16326","title":{"rendered":"COVID Closure Daily Update for Friday, April 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 20 – Learning from Home Experience<\/b><\/p>\n

Welcome to the end of week one of the second phase of our Continuity of Learning plan. We will continue working to resolve any minor hurdles that occur and we ask for a little grace while we work through the kinks of our Continuity of Learning Plan 2.0. As you can imagine, there\u2019s always some new information or obstacle throughout this journey. We are so fortunate to have such hardworking and dedicated staff who give 100% each day on behalf of our young people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout this crisis, we have witnessed the enormous generosity of our community. Every single one of us has stepped up in extraordinary ways as we deal with multiple daily challenges and adjustments. Alexandria truly is a remarkable place to call home and I am grateful every day to be a citizen of our great City.<\/span><\/p>\n

This week, we have seen that generosity on display tenfold through our annual Spring2ACTion day of giving. Many of our wonderful <\/span>school PTAs, booster clubs and organizations<\/span><\/a> are raising funds of which a portion will go towards helping support ACPS families who are in particular need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations are still being accepted. If you are willing and financially able, please consider giving to one of the many organizations via the <\/span>Spring2ACTion<\/span><\/a> website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My thoughts this week also turn to The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, an organization very close to my heart that helped me secure my own dream of going to college. Unfortunately their major fundraiser, the Spring Gala, has been canceled this year, like so many of our favorite events. This, in a year when a record number of our high school seniors have applied for financial help. Given the circumstances, an <\/span>emergency online appeal<\/span><\/a> has been launched and I ask you to consider making a donation if you are willing and financially able to make some of our seniors college dreams come true.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the meantime, we look forward to doing even better next week with the implementation of our Continuity of Learning Plan 2.0 and ask that you stay healthy, stay safe and stay informed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Launches Emergency Appeal for Funding<\/b><\/h2>\n

Our Class of 2020 face a challenging end to their high school experience this year and those hoping to head to college may continue to face uncertainty. If you are willing or financially able, one way to help is by making a contribution to <\/span>The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately the major annual fundraising event, the Spring Gala, which typically raises $450,000, was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis. This, in a year in which the Fund received a record number of applications is heartbreaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

To make up for the shortfall, an emergency appeal is underway. Your donation can make a life-changing difference to a student and their family for generations to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next week, decisions on the allocation of scholarships will take place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe very families who live near or below the poverty level will be the hardest hit by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Class of 2020 has worked SO hard. Please help make college possible for bright, talented kids in Alexandria with financial need.\u201d – Priscilla Goodwin, board chair and Beth Lovain, executive director.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s Still Time to Spring2ACTion<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although the major day of giving was on Wednesday, Spring2ACTion is still gratefully accepting donations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of our wonderful <\/span>school PTAs, booster clubs and organizations<\/span><\/a> are raising funds, of which a portion will go towards helping support ACPS families who are in particular need during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some organizations, such as the Alexandria PTA Council<\/span><\/a>, are collecting donations to help fund the ACPS initiative to supply 700 individual WiFi hotspots to our families without internet access. These are going to households with students in grades 3-12 that ACPS has identified as not having internet access. Because many of our households have more than one student, these hotspots will provide access for more than 1,200 students.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are willing and financially able, please consider donating to one of the many organizations via the <\/span>Spring2ACTion<\/span><\/a> website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find your school PTA or organization to support<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>VA TV Classroom is Here to Help<\/b><\/h2>\n

This week, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) launched VA TV Classroom for students in kindergarten through grade 10. Tune in Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and see teacher-led instructional content.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Alexandria, we can access this through the <\/span>WETA PBS Kids channel<\/span><\/a> via antenna 26.3, Comcast 266, Cox 801, Verizon FiOS 472 or RCN 38. You can also watch online through the <\/span>WHRO Public Media website<\/span><\/a>. Access the detailed <\/span>daily schedule<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n