{"id":16861,"date":"2020-09-08T22:56:15","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T02:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16861"},"modified":"2020-09-09T13:03:06","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T17:03:06","slug":"getting-connected-for-the-first-week-of-2020-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16861","title":{"rendered":"Getting Connected for the First Week of 2020-21!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It is official! Yesterday, we launched our new school year with our Virtual PLUS+ model on the first day of a unique fall semester! Well done to our students, our families and our staff on an enthusiastic start to the 2020-21 academic year.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we adapt to the new school year in a virtual environment, we know that there will be adjustments and uncertainties that we will all encounter in these first days. Please make your focus this week on connecting \u2014 both online and by completing your back-to-school forms. These are the two essential tools needed for our new learning environment. Once you are connected, our team is ready to support you with whatever you need to be successful, and I am sure we will all have gotten into the swing of things by week\u2019s end.<\/span><\/p>\n

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Parker-Gray School \u2014 one of the first public schools for African Americans in Alexandria. Students at the Parker-Gray School barely had what they needed to learn. In fact, they were lucky to have any school books, chalk or chalk boards. Members of the community provided chairs and basic equipment, and any African American student who wanted to continue their education past eighth grade had to potentially walk to Washington, D.C., or at least 21 blocks to catch a bus to school and back home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The story of Alexandria City Public Schools is long, complex and unique. Ours is a story of a community that faced adversity, racism, bigotry and neglect. With the odds against them, many of these early students went on to become champions for equality and civil rights, just as our students continue to do today. It is our duty to carry on their legacy. We must refuse to give up on any student and continue to fight for an equitable education for all regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, ZIP code, family circumstances and\/or educational ability.<\/span><\/p>\n

To do that we must acknowledge our racial inequities and also understand the history within our city that has contributed to the barriers that many of our young people still face today. On the first week of school for the 2020-21 academic year we welcomed students from 119 countries who speak 120 languages. We celebrate and honor our diversity. But the courageous fight for equity is far from over. In order to move on, we have to acknowledge that modern day segregation still exists and that our work is not yet done.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the legacy that we have a duty to fulfill for the sake of all our students, past, present and future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to the new school year!<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay informed \u2014 and have a great first week of school.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Watch the Superintendent\u2019s First Day of School Message<\/b><\/h2>\n

Welcome to the 2020-21 academic year! We hope you had a great first day of school. See the message below from Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.<\/span><\/p>\n

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See How the First Day of Virtual PLUS+ Went<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yesterday was a historic day for ACPS, with 16,000+ students online for the start of Virtual PLUS+ learning. Take a look at our video of classes across the district!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thank you for Sharing Your #ACPSFirstDay Photos With Us!<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yesterday we received dozens of photos from parents and guardians, showing their children smiling and ready for the first day of Virtual PLUS+.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a look at our <\/span>#ACPSFirstDay 2020 Facebook album<\/span><\/a> of all the photos we received!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Important Food Distribution Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n

The meal distribution sites and times will be changing starting today, Sept. 9. Our new hours will run from 8 a.m. until noon, but the pop-up site hours will remain the same. As a reminder, families\/students will not have to use their ACPS Digital Meal Pass until January 2021 at the earliest.<\/span><\/p>\n

New meal distribution sites are coming soon!<\/b><\/p>\n