{"id":16878,"date":"2020-09-16T04:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T08:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16878"},"modified":"2020-09-16T17:14:43","modified_gmt":"2020-09-16T21:14:43","slug":"zoom-hours-for-our-youngest-learners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16878","title":{"rendered":"Zoom Hours for Our Youngest Learners"},"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

Our first week has passed and I am thrilled to see the strides we have made in the few days since the start of the 2020-21 school year. In spite of a pandemic, our ACPS staff and leaders have worked extremely hard to ensure that we had the best Virtual PLUS+ opening possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

I could not have asked for more from our incredible team of dedicated educators and support staff. If you missed it, check out The Washington Post’s coverage of how the first day went across our region featuring <\/span>T.C. Williams High School Geometry Teacher Danielle Thorne<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

To our families and students, I thank you for embracing Virtual PLUS+, which nobody chose but most accepted as the only feasible path forward at the current time. The early weeks are certainly a process of testing, refining and taking stock of what works well and what less so.<\/span><\/p>\n

Virtual PLUS+ is not set in stone. We remain adaptable and flexible and continue to keep an open mind as we review constant feedback from staff, families and students. But we do ask you to give our Virtual PLUS+ learning experience the test of time. Things that did not work well for you yesterday may improve tomorrow. As with all new and unfamiliar routines, it is natural to have doubts to start, and with each passing day things often become easier. If changes are necessary, we will absolutely make refinements and we will remain methodical and strategic with our approach so that we are able to make changes with fidelity. We need to be considerate and thoughtful about the impact our decisions will have on students, families and staff prior to making adjustments so we understand the implications.<\/span><\/p>\n

To that point, I would like to thank you for all the constructive feedback we have received so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

One issue that has already been flagged is the concern, particularly from our families with our youngest learners, that screen time is too long. Keeping little ones engaged over an extended period is difficult enough in the classroom, let alone in a virtual setting. It is hard for our students and our teachers and also families and child care providers. Be assured, we are looking at this carefully and have established a Virtual PLUS+ Advisory Team to consider all concerns. Our school leaders met with staff on Monday to discuss praise, concerns and possible solutions regarding delivery of instruction with our Virtual PLUS+ learning approach. Our team is reviewing this anecdotal and experiential data to make an informed decision about what specifically needs to be refined. We look forward to sharing our findings and next steps on this matter early next week. We are also working on plans to make learning more accessible for our students with special needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I am pleased to share our community outreach plans surrounding the process to consider a name change for T.C. Williams High School. We have a series of virtual read-ins planned through September and October that will give the context to help us all understand the history of our city and our school division.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

Are Kindergarten Zoom Hours Too Long?<\/b><\/h2>\n

We have received many questions about the length of time our youngest learners are expected to engage in live, synchronous learning. Your concerns are being heard and addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last Thursday, our <\/span>School Board discussed the issue<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Members of our senior leadership team met with our staff on Monday to discuss division-wide areas of concern, including instructional time with our youngest learners and we look forward to sharing our findings with families and staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we are all new to this virtual learning experience, it is understandably most unfamiliar for our youngest students. We know screen time, concentration levels and the lack of physical movement are all issues that are particularly challenging for those in grades K-2. We are also aware of recognized screen time guidelines. We are cognizant of balancing all these factors with the need to provide a quality education during this period.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please know that we are developing a process to respond to what we are learning and to make the necessary refinements to our instructional delivery. We are continuously discussing virtual instruction and the structure of the day, including coordination of breaks, with our school leaders and teachers, especially our teachers for early learners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have established a Virtual PLUS+ Learning Advisory Team to help guide us on what students are experiencing in the classroom. The team, which will meet on Mondays, will consist of a teacher representative from each grade level from every elementary school. The advisory team will also include teacher representatives from Encore, Specialized Instruction, English Learners (ELs), and Talented and Gifted (TAG), as well as core and elective teachers from the secondary schools. A chairperson from each elementary grade level and secondary core and elective area\u2019s Virtual PLUS+ Learning Advisory Team will serve on the division\u2019s Teaching, Learning and Leadership Team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both teacher groups will focus on: early learners, students with special needs, EL students, secondary students, technology challenges, and any other areas identified throughout our Virtual PLUS+ learning experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our commitment is to refine our practices as well as monitor our progress with staff and students so that the Virtual PLUS+ experiences are personalized, engaging, age appropriate and interactive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virtual PLUS+ is designed to be an evolving and collaborative model and we welcome all feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for your continued support, flexibility and understanding as we embark on this journey together!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information, visit the <\/span>Virtual PLUS+ Learning Advisory Team<\/span><\/a> webpage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introducing MAP Growth, an Academic Screener for Grades 2-12<\/b><\/h2>\n

This year has been challenging both academically and emotionally for our students. Despite everyone\u2019s best efforts, the pandemic and the subsequent closure of school buildings has created the risk of a heightened learning loss. Our successful summer learning program will have mitigated this to some degree. Read about our efforts to monitor the mental health of our students in this <\/span>Washington Post article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This academic year, teachers will be administering the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Screening assessment for all students in grades 2-12. It involves two short 20-question tests in areas of reading and math. The purpose is to determine what students know and therefore what they are ready to learn next. Scores will never be used for grades, only to tailor instruction to the needs of students.<\/span><\/p>\n

MAP will be given three times this school year, with the first assessments taking place in mid to late October.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information, see the <\/span>Virtual PLUS+ Student Assessments webpage<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Latest Food Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n

Distribution of free meals is available across Alexandria for <\/span>all<\/i><\/b> children aged 2-18 and all ACPS students, provided under a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).<\/span><\/p>\n

Meal distribution at Mount Vernon Community School began on Monday and distribution at Patrick Henry K-8 School will begin on Sept. 21. Distribution at these sites is from 8 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new pop-up meal distribution location at 2727 Duke Street, behind Bank of America, began on Monday and runs from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

For all food distribution locations and times, see the <\/span>Virtual PLUS+ Food Access webpage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Redefining the Titans: T.C. Williams Community Outreach Begins<\/b><\/h2>\n

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This week, we are getting started with our robust public community engagement process which will begin with our community education and engagement program around the possibility of changing the name of T.C. Williams High School.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are critically aware that there is a pressing need in our schools, our community and our nation to find ways to talk about race constructively and respectfully. One of the ways that we can move forward is by acknowledging our own history, while refusing to allow that history to define who we currently are as a school division in the present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Please consider joining us for a series of \u201cRead-Ins\u201d which will help set the scene for a full, frank and informed community discussion.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

We are delighted that <\/span>Douglas S. Reed<\/span><\/a>, professor of government and director of the MA Program in Educational Transformation at Georgetown University, has agreed to host these Read-Ins. Prof. Reed is the author of <\/span>Building the Federal Schoolhouse<\/span><\/i><\/a>, a highly-regarded historical account of public schooling in Alexandria. He will be joined by Kennetra Wood, ACPS executive director of alternative programs and equity, who has spearheaded our program to teach <\/span>racial justice to our students<\/span><\/a> and will play a critical role in shedding light on how the history of ACPS is impacting present programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

This series of read-ins will focus on Alexandria\u2019s history to provide context for the name change discussion that our students, staff and community will be having over the coming months. The series will offer an opportunity to consider and discuss how Thomas Chambliss Williams’ actions reveal the man he was, the role our city leaders played in the fight against integration, and the civil strife percolating across the city at the time of the Titans\u2019 victorious 1971 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All three read-ins will be offered in English with real time translation in Spanish, Arabic and Amharic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The series will also be recorded and made available on the <\/span>Community Read-ins page<\/span><\/a> of the ACPS website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read-In #1: Thomas Chambliss Williams, the Superintendent
\n<\/b>Sept. 24, 6-7 p.m. on Zoom
\n<\/span>Dr. Douglas S. Reed will present from his book, <\/span><\/i>Building the Federal School House<\/span><\/i><\/a> and discuss ACPS Superintendent Thomas Chambliss Williams.
\n<\/span><\/i>At the first read-in of the series, Dr. Reed will speak about seminal moments in the career of T.C. Williams – from the firing of a cafeteria worker to his stubborn resistance to integration, and his use of special education to further segregate Alexandria’s students – actions that reveal the man behind the name and title. ACPS Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Programs Kennetra Wood will co-host and identify ties to systemic racism rooted in our system. There will be a short question and answer period following the discussion. <\/span>Join us on Zoom<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read-In #2: Alexandria\u2019s Role in Massive Resistance and School Segregation
\n<\/b>Oct. 1, 6-7 p.m. on Zoom
\n<\/span>Dr. Douglas S. Reed will present from his book, <\/span><\/i>Building the Federal School House<\/span><\/i><\/a> and discuss Virginia\u2019s \u201cMassive Resistance\u201d to school integration and the role Alexandria played in this effort.<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span>At the second read-in of the series, Dr. Reed will discuss how Alexandria City took part in Virginia\u2019s Massive Resistance, and what role our town leadership played in fighting the integration of our schools. This discussion will offer a glimpse into what it was like for Alexandria students during this difficult time in our history. ACPS Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Programs Kennetra Wood will co-host and identify ties to systemic racism rooted in our system. There will be a short question and answer period following the discussion. <\/span>Join us on Zoom<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read-In #3: The Real Story Behind \u201cRemember the Titans\u201d
\n<\/b>Oct. 8, 6-7 p.m. on Zoom
\n<\/span>Dr. Douglas S. Reed will present from his book, <\/span><\/i>Building the Federal School House<\/span><\/i><\/a> and put the Remember the Titans story into context.
\n<\/span><\/i>At the third and final read-in of the series, Dr. Reed will take a deeper dive into the Titans story, setting the stage by discussing riots, protests, systemic injustice, and the resulting civil rights crisis in Alexandria City. This is the un-Disneyfied tale of the merger of our black and white high schools, our integration plan, and a winning football team. ACPS Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Programs Kennetra Wood will co-host and identify ties to systemic racism rooted in our system. There will be a short question and answer period following the discussion. <\/span>Join us on Zoom<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more details on the topics being covered in each read-in, and to find other ways to access the events, please visit the <\/span>ACPS Renaming of Schools page<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

ACPS Awarded $500,000 to Improve School Security<\/b><\/h2>\n

ACPS has been awarded $500,000 in grant funding to improve school security across the division.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This funding will allow for the following:<\/span><\/p>\n