{"id":16747,"date":"2020-07-29T04:00:47","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T08:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16747"},"modified":"2020-07-29T13:46:52","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T17:46:52","slug":"reopening-planning-safe-steady-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16747","title":{"rendered":"Reopening Planning: Safe, Steady, Ready"},"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 91 \u2014 Reopening Planning: Safe, Steady, Ready<\/b><\/p>\n

After months of detailed planning, research and community engagement, we are just about ready to share our most feasible plan for reopening this fall. The pandemic has placed enormous constraints on how we are able to function and I want to reassure you that our team is doing everything possible to ensure we are maximizing our resources as well as carefully assessing the feasibility of every option available. Please look out for a special edition of ACPS Express on Friday, July 31.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week, 2,200 people joined our Community Chats, many who shared with us that they appreciated the chance to engage, albeit virtually. Hundreds of questions were submitted and are in the process of being answered on our <\/span>Reopening FAQs<\/span><\/a> webpage. In total, there were more than 22,000 views of the FAQs and community chats on the website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of these questions made us think in new and innovative ways as we continue to explore a multitude of scenarios. Many of the points raised will help us as we move forward through the 2020-21 academic year. Yesterday, we heard from our students during dedicated chats held to garner their thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each week, 150 staff, students, parents and community partners gather for at least four hours as part of the Cross-Functional Planning Teams to sift through ideas and come up with new options. There is no doubt about it, this has been a successful collaborative community effort. We are on the same page, advocating for our students and staff together. The incredible engagement our community has shown throughout these last few months has been both inspiring and reassuring. We want to thank you for being part of the planning process for reopening our schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing about this process has been easy for any one of us. Not a day has gone by since March 13 when this issue has not been at the forefront of my mind. And, I imagine you have all felt the same at some point since March 13.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In many ways, Friday\u2019s announcement will be just the beginning. Once the Virginia Department of Education approves our proposal that we are required to submit by Aug. 14, our hard work continues as we begin to prepare for implementation of our reopening plan. The week of Aug. 14, we will be sharing schedules, curriculum and expectations for both staff and students. I understand that you need information to plan for your lives and I understand that school is central to that process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This Friday also marks the end of our Summer Learning program. We hope your students have enjoyed this enriching and rewarding experience that will set them up for success for the 2020-21 academic year. See an overview in our <\/span>Summer Learning video<\/span><\/a>. Thank you to all who helped make this happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay informed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

How We Will Share News of Reopening Plans<\/h2>\n

On Friday, July 31, we will have special editions of Express and Insider which will explain the most feasible reopening model for ACPS in the fall based on constraints, input and alignment with our ACPS 2025 strategic plan. See <\/span>how we communicate<\/span><\/a> information around COVID-19 and encourage anyone who is not already signed up for our ACPS Express updates to <\/span>sign up online<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Happens Next?<\/h2>\n

ACPS is evaluating schedule options that are aligned to hybrid and virtual models, highlighting implications, feasibility and considerations across financial, operational, staffing, safety, etc. Over the course of two weeks, a scheduling team analyzed 18<\/span> example schedules and plans<\/span><\/a> from districts in Northern Virginia, the DMV, and across the U.S. to create schedule samples and division guidance to support school leaders in both hybrid and virtual models. Principals have been heavily involved in creating test school schedules specific for their buildings to identify the benefits and limitations of each model.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Each model\u2019s feasibility and practicality has been assessed using a <\/span>Day in the Life<\/span><\/i> activity. Feasibility criteria is centered on the following:<\/span><\/p>\n