{"id":17042,"date":"2020-11-11T04:00:07","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T09:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17042"},"modified":"2020-11-12T16:22:57","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T21:22:57","slug":"reopening-with-safety-in-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17042","title":{"rendered":"Reopening with Safety in Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last Thursday, I was delighted to be able to personally welcome back the first cohort of six students to in-person learning. We deliberately started small with just a handful of kindergarten students with special needs from our citywide program, housed at one central location at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. So far, we are happy to report that all is going smoothly and it was wonderful to see students in our buildings once again, smiling and learning. We are still working collaboratively with our staff to mitigate some of the staffing constraints so we can extend in-person learning options to more students in the coming weeks and months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please know that we want to see every single student back in the classroom, where they learn best, as soon as is feasible. While we all want our lives to go back to the way they were before closing our school buildings on March 13, none of us have the ability to make COVID-19 disappear. We continue to listen to the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the Alexandria Health Department, and at the Virginia Department of Education as we transition our students to in-person learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

ACPS is being methodical, strategic and careful, which we know at times can be frustrating for our families, staff and community. It is my responsibility as superintendent to make informed decisions for all groups involved, which makes this complex situation even more difficult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, on Monday we held a webinar for all staff to discuss the importance of ACPS knowing their ability to return to work in person. An \u201cintent to return\u201d form was sent out to all staff to be completed by tomorrow, November 12. If staff indicate they are unable to return, we will be asking for clarification on why, such as if they have health conditions, they are 65 years old or older, they have someone in their household with health conditions, they have child care issues, and\/or they fear acquiring or transmitting the virus. This will be an important step in receiving the information we need to work through our staffing constraints and inform our transition to the next phase, and also help us to support our staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is not one answer that solves our challenges; however, we will pivot and adjust accordingly. We are customizing our decisions to our unique school community, around building capacity, staff\u2019s ability to return and health mitigations. Your grace and patience is still needed as we navigate these uncharted waters. Please stay safe, informed and engaged.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A Welcome Back to Our Most Vulnerable Students<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Last week, we were able to safely welcome a small group of six students with special needs back to the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

The six kindergarten students from our citywide special education program have been enjoying in-person classes at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School since Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are deliberately starting small to ensure we can manage safety protocols that limit the risk of infection to staff and students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although this was a group of only six students, we want to make sure we have thought through all health and safety measures before we expand our in-person learning to more students. We are working through all the pieces to get all our students back in school as soon as is feasible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This week we have sent out an \u201cIntent to Return\u201d form to our staff so we can better plan our reopening steps. We will be sending a similar intent form to families in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

See our updated <\/span>Reopening FAQs<\/span><\/a> with all the latest information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note that Specialized PPE (face shields, gloves or gowns), as seen in the photo above, is required only for certain staff, including those who are part of the citywide program for Students With Disabilities. These staff members are required to assist with restroom visits and feeding, in addition to instruction, and may not be able to maintain social distancing at all times. See our <\/span><\/i>Health and Safety Measures<\/span><\/i><\/a> webpage, which outlines who will use Specialized PPE. If you have more questions about the health and safety guidelines for each particular group of students, please see the <\/span><\/i>Virtual PLUS+ Phased Reentry Plan<\/span><\/i><\/a> document we shared on Oct. 21. <\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Identity Project: Renaming Survey Results and Work Session Reminder<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"\"It is less than two weeks until the School Board votes on whether to change the names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. This significant decision follows a thorough community engagement and education process that began in September.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you to all of you who participated in the read-ins, students forums and community sessions. All students at T.C. Williams and Matthew Maury got a chance to learn about the history of their school names and engage in discussions around them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 3,000 of you responded to the survey. 75% of those who responded said they wanted to change the name of T.C. Williams, while 72% were in favor of changing Maury\u2019s name.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

See what <\/span>we heard during the engagement process<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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

On <\/span>Monday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. <\/b>the School Board will hold a work session on The Identity Project. The survey results will be presented in full during this session. <\/span>Watch the Nov. 16 work session live on Zoom<\/span><\/a> or on the <\/span>ACPS website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following week, on <\/span>Monday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m.<\/b> the Board will vote on the name changes. <\/span>Watch the vote live on Zoom<\/span><\/a> or on the <\/span>ACPS website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Progress Reports and Report Cards<\/b><\/h2>\n

Quarter 1 progress reports for grades K-5 and report cards for grades 6-12 will be available in PowerSchool for both parents and students starting today. Elementary progress reports will also arrive in the mail the week of Nov. 16.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t log in to PowerSchool? Email <\/span>helpdesk@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

MAP Testing: Next Steps<\/b><\/h2>\n

We have now completed our fall administration of the MAP Screening Assessments in Reading\/English Language Arts and Math for grades 2-12. The MAP Screening data is only one source that teachers use to provide information to help make instructional grouping and planning decisions, understand possible learning loss, and support student goal-setting. MAP tests are not used for grading.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your child\u2019s teacher will participate in professional learning activities in the next few weeks to learn how to use and share information gathered from the assessments with students and families. This information will facilitate meaningful conversations between educators and families about how to best support student learning throughout the school year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students will take the MAP in winter and spring assessment windows later this academic year to determine growth and instructional effectiveness. <\/span><\/p>\n

FOOD ACCESS<\/h2>\n

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

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

Grab and Go breakfast and lunch meals are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7:30 a.m.\u00a0and 12 p.m. at the following locations:<\/p>\n