{"id":16496,"date":"2020-05-14T22:09:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T02:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16496"},"modified":"2020-05-15T15:15:32","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T19:15:32","slug":"covid-closure-daily-update-for-friday-may-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16496","title":{"rendered":"COVID Closure Daily Update for Friday, May 15"},"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 40 \u2014 Learning From Home Experience<\/b><\/p>\n

We are almost ready to begin kindergarten registration. We had planned to open our online enrollment today, however, we are transitioning our entire process to a system that is 100% virtual and we need a few additional days to ensure we have a smooth start and provide our families with the excellent customer service they deserve. Kindergarten registration will now begin on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both parts of the registration process \u2014 the forms and the document verification process \u2014 can now be completed online. Signing up our youngest learners for what I hope is a lifetime of a high-quality education, is a moment to be cherished. It is always an exciting time for both families and educators and I am humbled each time a family entrusts ACPS with the education of their child. It is, indeed, a privilege and honor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although we do not have all of the traditional kindergarten open houses planned, our team is working on innovative ways you and our prospective students can learn about their elementary school. We will be sharing more about our innovative approaches to learning about our schools in the near future. In the meantime, please take a look at the school\u2019s <\/span>social media accounts<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>contact the PTA<\/span><\/a>, or even <\/span>email the principal<\/span><\/a>. And please, if you have friends who are joining the ACPS family for the first time, be sure to forward this newsletter to them. We look forward to welcoming them soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

It seems fitting today as we begin to welcome our newcomers that we also acknowledge those who are leaving us and heading off to college in the fall. Last week, the <\/span>Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA)<\/span><\/a> notified 181 Titan seniors of scholarship awards totaling $505,000. As you may know, 25 years ago I was one such senior who went off to college with help from an SFA award. And for that, I will be forever grateful.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this positive note, I wish you all a relaxing weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Kindergarten Registration Begins on Wednesday, May 20\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have a rising kindergarten student at home, it\u2019s almost time to start registering them for elementary school in September.<\/span><\/p>\n

Normally this is done in person, but given the Governor\u2019s stay-at-home order currently in place across Northern Virginia, we have moved the entire process online, including document verification. Both the online forms and the presentation of documents need to be completed before your child can begin school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is what you need to know to register, along with a sneak peek at life in kindergarten.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Enroll<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Find your zoned school.<\/b> If you don\u2019t know the school for which you are zoned, use the<\/span> Attendance Zone Locator<\/span><\/a> to find your school.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Gather the required documents<\/a>.<\/b><\/li>\n
  3. Fill out the <\/b>online registration forms<\/b><\/a>, available starting May 20.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    See the <\/span>Registration FAQ<\/span><\/a> for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Do you know a parent or guardian of a rising kindergartner? Forward this information to them so they can <\/span>sign up to receive ACPS news and updates<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Students Grow During Their Kindergarten Year<\/b><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \u201cEvery day is an opportunity to learn something new and nothing makes a teacher happier than seeing how eager students are in the classroom! From recess to math centers, learning takes all forms in kindergarten and we find ways to keep it fun and engaging. My favorite moments are when you can almost see a concept ‘click’ or connect in a child’s mind and they proudly recognize they are learning. In kindergarten, we set the foundation for lifelong dual-language learners.” \u2014 Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher Claudia Cardenas, Mount Vernon Community School<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe kindergarten year is much just like the seasons. Much of what you teach them takes seed in the fall. It seems to lay dormant beneath the surface during the winter and just as spring emerges with the budding of the trees and blooming of flowers, all those seeds of knowledge begin to sprout. Children who were quiet and very introverted become social butterflies. Children, whose first language was not English, find new confidence in expressing themselves through spoken and written English. Students can maneuver through classroom routines with little adult guidance and show new found independence.\u201d \u2014 Kindergarten Teacher Stefanie Mills, Patrick Henry K-8 School<\/span><\/p>\n

    Video: A Day in the Life of Kindergartners<\/b><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Announce Awards Totaling $505,000<\/b><\/h2>\n

    There was shock, there were tears, there was gratitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For T.C. Williams High School senior Foziya Mohammed, the Zoom call telling her she was the recipient of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) top award was a dream come true.<\/span><\/p>\n

    On that video conference was Virginia Senator Mark Warner, his wife Lisa Collis and their daughters Madison, Gillian and Eliza. Their family foundation, The Collis-Warner Foundation, will provide the funding for the $40,000 scholarship.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cI am just shocked right now and so excited,\u201d Foziya said. \u201c I was worried about how I would afford a 4-year degree, and this scholarship will make that a certainty. I can now afford college and then go on to work or attend graduate school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cI would tell other students that hard work pays off and to try new things and find what you love! Thank you so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    She has now changed her plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College and switched to the University of Mary Washington instead. The scholarship, coupled with financial aid received from the school, means she will receive a full ride for four years.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What makes Foziya all the more remarkable is that she arrived in the U.S. from Ethiopia just a few years ago aged 12 and struggling to learn English.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Senator Warner said, \u201cOur family established this scholarship based on a deep appreciation for the lifelong value of a college education, and the belief that this should be available to committed, hardworking students no matter their financial circumstances.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cWe could not be happier than to have our first scholarship award go to Foziya Mohammed, a young woman of obvious talent and grit. Congratulations, Foziya!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Foziya is one of 181 Class of 2020 students who have been notified they will receive scholarships totaling $505,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Read more about her story<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fundraising this year has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Yet given the economic uncertainty that so many of our families face, donations are needed more than ever and fundraising continues.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In lieu of the annual Spring Fundraising Gala which had to be canceled, the SFA is holding an <\/span>online silent auction<\/span><\/a> to raise funds. The online auction is currently live and will conclude on May 30 at 8 p.m. Items up for bid include Noah Lyles\u2019 signed running spikes and an eight-night stay at a vacation home in the Tennessee mountains.<\/span><\/p>\n

    One lucky winner will take home the grand prize of either $25,000 or a new 2020 Toyota RAV4 donated by Jack Taylor\u2019s Alexandria Toyota.<\/span><\/p>\n

    See registration and information for the online auction<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED<\/h2>\n

    In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. ceded his time for a webinar. In this one-hour webinar, Dr. Fran Prolman, an experienced educator and published author, speaks with ACPS families about successful strategies to cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic while working and learning from home.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Watch the webinar: Staying Sane While Teaching Your Own Children<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Food Distribution \u2014 Hammond Food Site Closed Today<\/h2>\n

    The food distribution site at Francis C. Hammond Middle School will be closed on Friday, May 15 while ACPS staff conduct a deep clean of the building for precautionary reasons. Meal distribution at all other school sites and community pop-up locations will remain in place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Any student or family planning to collect meals from the Hammond Food Site on Friday should plan to pick them up from an alternate site that day. A list of all food distribution sites can be found on the <\/span>ACPS-at-Home website<\/span><\/a>. Hammond will be open for food distribution as usual on Monday, May 18. <\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two.<\/p>\n

    GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Grab and Go breakfast, lunch and snack meals are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the following locations:<\/p>\n