{"id":17248,"date":"2021-02-26T13:08:24","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T18:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17248"},"modified":"2021-02-26T15:26:50","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T20:26:50","slug":"updated-school-health-guidelines-and-faqs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17248","title":{"rendered":"Updated School Health Guidelines and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210226-spanish.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210226-amharic.pdf\">\u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210226-arabic.pdf\">\u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>This Week\u2019s Headlines:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#profdev\">No School for Students on Friday, March 5: Staff Professional Development Day<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#metrics\">Latest Community Health Metrics<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#guidelines\">Updated School Health and Related Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Updated Hybrid Learning FAQs: Students with Disabilities, Child Care<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vaccine\">Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sabine\">Trailblazing T.C. Student to Represent Virginia in Prestigious Government Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#bhm\">Black History Month: Teaching and Learning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#renaming\">Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#substance\">Substance Abuse Services for our Students<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#textbooks\">Public Review of Recommended New English\/Language Arts Textbooks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#assessments\">Important Changes to Local Alternative Assessments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#food\">FOOD ACCESS: Only T.C. Williams and Hammond open for food distribution on Friday, March 5<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dear ACPS Families and Community,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I hope by now that those of you with students returning to school buildings in the coming weeks are feeling confident and familiar with our procedures and routines. Please be sure to check out the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17233\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">special edition newsletter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sent out on Wednesday which contains valuable resources that will help you and your children prepare in the best way possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On another note, we are getting closer to choosing the new names for both T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. Next Thursday, I will be presenting the top three names for each school from 14,947 poll participants. I will also be offering my recommendation. The final names that I will be putting forward met the Alexandria City School Board policies and were deemed suitable for naming a school. Careful consideration went into public opinion, suitability to the campus and student population, and our community. There will be a Public Hearing on this topic on March 18, and the School Board will make a final decision at the April 8 School Board meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay safe, healthy and engaged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superintendent<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"profdev\" name=\"profdev\"><\/a>No School for Students on Friday, March 5: Staff Professional Development Day<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There will be no school for students on Friday, March 5. It is a Staff Professional Development Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food distribution on Friday, March 5 will only be open at T.C. Williams High School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School from 7:30 a.m. to noon. There will be no distribution to community locations by bus.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"metrics\" name=\"metrics\"><\/a>Latest Community Health Metrics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexandria\u2019s latest community health metrics as of Feb. 25, 2021:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/key-measures\/pandemic-metrics\/school-metrics\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17249\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1598\" height=\"1343\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225.png 1598w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225-260x219.png 260w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225-714x600.png 714w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225-119x100.png 119w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225-768x645.png 768w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225-1536x1291.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1598px) 100vw, 1598px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"guidelines\" name=\"guidelines\"><\/a>Updated School Health and Related Guidelines<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS has updated its extensive COVID-19 School Health and Related Guidelines to prepare for hybrid learning and adhere to current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and the Alexandria Health Department.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">View the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3519\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS COVID-19 School Health and Related Guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get information on topics such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student and Staff Health Screening Protocol During COVID-19<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protocols for Students Who Become Ill at School<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevention and Mitigation Strategies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230; and more.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"faq\" name=\"faq\"><\/a>Updated Hybrid Learning FAQs: Students with Disabilities, Child Care<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have updated our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3491\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to include more information on the following topics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/FAQ-special-education-hybrid.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students with Disabilities and Hybrid Learning (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3363\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual PLUS+ Child Care and Other Child Care Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"vaccine\" name=\"vaccine\"><\/a>Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vaccinate.virginia.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaccinate Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is encouraging all those who have not yet done so to preregister for the COVID-19 vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vaccinate.virginia.gov\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17250\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1974\" height=\"1106\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM.jpg 1974w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM-260x146.jpg 260w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM-800x448.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM-178x100.jpg 178w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM-768x430.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM-1536x861.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1974px) 100vw, 1974px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"sabine\" name=\"sabine\"><\/a>Trailblazing T.C. Student to Represent Virginia in Prestigious Government Program<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17253\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"994\" height=\"691\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead.jpg 994w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead-260x181.jpg 260w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead-800x556.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead-144x100.jpg 144w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabine_Mead-768x534.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 994px) 100vw, 994px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A T.C. Williams High School junior is the first ACPS student in history to be selected for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ussenateyouth.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States Senate Youth Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sabine Mead is one of two delegates representing the Commonwealth of Virginia this year after applying for the nationwide program that was founded in 1962.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next month, the 16 year-old will gain an insider&#8217;s view into the workings of the federal government during a week-long series of virtual seminars. Although the schedule for the week has yet to be shared, in previous years students have met with their senators, the leader of the Senate majority, and even the President.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sabine, who hopes to pursue a government career, will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt has already been an incredible experience,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/site\/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=8&amp;ModuleInstanceID=3912&amp;ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=13300&amp;PageID=9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more about Sabine\u2019s achievement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"bhm\" name=\"bhm\"><\/a>Black History Month: Teaching and Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17254\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1136\" height=\"642\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm.png 1136w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm-260x147.png 260w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm-800x452.png 800w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm-177x100.png 177w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm-768x434.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1136px) 100vw, 1136px\" \/><br \/>\nGraphic created by Nilda Rivera, student at Mount Vernon Community School<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How have ACPS schools been creating learning opportunities for students around Black History Month? We reached out to librarians to find out what they have been sharing with teachers and students throughout February.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">John Adams Elementary School Librarian Emily Godfrey shared, &#8220;Our fourth grade team has created a virtual wax museum filled with historical and current African American heroes. Students have researched the life of their figure and are currently working hard on their WeVideo presentations. The library has supported this project by providing research materials and resources for each of the figures.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johnna, a fourth grader in Jeretha Thomas\u2019 class at John Adams, chose to research Katherine Johnson for her biography project. Johnna presented her project in costume and created a bottle biography doll.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17255\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Johnna.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Johnna.png 512w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Johnna-260x146.png 260w, http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Johnna-178x100.png 178w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The K-3 students at John Adams have spent the month working on a Guided Inquiry unit around the Civil Rights Movement in their Library Encore classes. Students have immersed themselves in information, engaged with each other in conversation, inquired to gain a deeper understanding and reflected on their research process.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, librarian Matthew Hayes said they have been using the website <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storylineonline.net\/books\/trombone-shorty\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storyline Online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to share meaningful books on Black History. He said, &#8220;Some of my favorites are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/QitquEL48Co\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trombone Shorty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, read by Angela Bassett and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JvKaVLLXa30\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent Party Jazz<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, read by Viola Davis.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus library, LaGina Gross organizes &#8220;Monday Moments,&#8221; &#8220;Tuesday Trivia&#8221; and &#8220;Friday Film Fest,&#8221; highlighting achievements of African Americans as activities for students to participate in during their lunch hour. Gross also created a virtual flipbook for her students to access e-books from the school library collection, live events and virtual collections from Alexandria&#8217;s Black History Museum, National Museum of African American History, and other Black History resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Library Media Specialist Nilda Rivera at Mount Vernon Community School created a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/1lsHvdaoINQjbtIO6aC9k24ROHxx8qeBJQEy3y_-wEto\/edit#slide=id.gbb00c27252_0_3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual library<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for students (click on the pictures to lead you to reading recommendations.) She expanded those resources to share with families, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/history\/topic\/african-american-heroes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Geographic Kids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pebblego.com\/biographies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PebbleGo biographies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storylineonline.net\/books\/trombone-shorty\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storyline Online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and book titles from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myon.com\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyOn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Epic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Rivera includes resources in Spanish and English. She recommends these two books for families to explore at home: \u201cLittle Leaders: Bold Women in Black History\u201d and \u201cLittle Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History\u201d by Vashti Harrison.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The librarians at T.C. send a weekly newsletter to staff. February has been dedicated to Black History Month, providing school library resources and resources from the community, some of which students have been able to pick up curbside. Laurel Taylor and Beth Ebenstein-Mulch said, &#8220;We started a weekly Wake Up and Read Wednesday tweet series, and this month we have been featuring Black young adult fiction authors.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"renaming\" name=\"renaming\"><\/a>Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals interested in speaking on the name recommendations for T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School should sign up for a virtual school board meeting to be held on March 18 at 4 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sign up to speak, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/acpsweb.wufoo.com\/forms\/sef82mh1chbm0j\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">register online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by noon on Thursday, March 17. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only remarks related to the renaming of schools will be heard at this Public Hearing.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Speakers who wish to comment on other topics must sign up for public comments at another School Board Meeting or submit written public comments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public hearing participants will need to log in to the virtual meeting by 4 p.m. through a link provided by the Clerk of the Board.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the State of Emergency due to COVID-19 remains in effect, virtual School Board Meetings are being held instead of in-person Board Meetings. As a result, public hearing comments will be held virtually during School Board Meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"substance\" name=\"substance\"><\/a>Substance Abuse Services for our Students<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS offers substance abuse services through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/341\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Student Services and Equity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance Abuse Counselors work with school staff to help educate students and their families on the dangers of using substances on their developing brains and bodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Accessing Services and Referrals<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students can access ACPS Substance Abuse Services through referrals made by their school counselor, teacher, school administrator and other school professionals. Students and their family members can also make referrals in order to ensure at-risk students are supported for future success. See more information on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/2127\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS Substance Abuse Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Resources for Preventing Substance Use<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With today\u2019s current pandemic, substance abuse prevention and treatment are key in reducing significant health effects of COVID-19. Smoking and vaping are both connected to negative respiratory and immune impacts that can lead to an increased likelihood in developing a severe case of COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/SAPCA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you explore further resources about preventing youth substance use and abuse and supporting positive youth development. For substance education and prevention, we recommend students and families explore curriculums about substance use, vaping, and habits that promote health and wellness. Go to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/everfi.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EVERFI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.catchyourbreath.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Catch Your Breath<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn more about staying healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Narcan<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know? Narcan\u00ae (also known as Naloxone) can save the life of someone who is overdosing from opioids. It can stop an overdose and restore normal breathing until emergency response can arrive. You can also request Narcan to be mailed to you by emailing your name and mailing address to opioids@alexandriava.gov. There is no cost for the Narcan or mailing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"textbooks\" name=\"textbooks\"><\/a>Public Review of Recommended New English\/Language Arts Textbooks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS will adopt new English\/Language Arts textbooks for grades 6-12 (including Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Courses) to be used starting the 2021-22 school year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Textbook evaluation committees have reviewed materials and put forth recommendations for the School Board to review. As part of the process, ACPS will also offer a public review of the recommended textbooks from Feb. 16-March 1, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although ACPS buildings are still closed because of COVID 19, the following review options are available to the public:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Online (strongly encouraged):<\/b> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Electronic-Access-Textbook-Resource-Samples.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See instructions for access to the materials (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In person (by appointment only):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Anyone who wishes to schedule a review appointment should contact Candace Pannell, <\/span><a href=\"mailto:candace.pannell@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">candace.pannell@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Textbook-Public-Viewing.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the instructions for in-person viewing of materials (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"assessments\" name=\"assessments\"><\/a>Important Changes to Local Alternative Assessments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on emergency flexibility issued by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACPS will administer Local Alternate Assessments (LAAs) in place of the Virginia Studies (Grade 4 History), Civics and Economics (Grade 8 History), and the Grade 8 Writing SOLs in spring 2021. The Local Alternative Assessments will be administered from mid-March to early May 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The LAAs allow for virtual or in-person administration so that all students may be assessed regardless of their instructional delivery setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a great increase in the flexibility in the timing of assessments with instructional staff able to administer assessments in alignment with the pacing of the curriculum. Finally, the LAAs are aligned with instructional best practices and the ACPS instructional vision for authentic performance-based assessments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please know we are carefully preparing and doing all we can to minimize any potential difficulties in administering these assessments in-person and virtually. We understand through our shared experiences that we may have unavoidable technical difficulties. We thank you for your continued support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please direct any questions regarding the decision to implement LAAs in spring 2021 to <\/span><a href=\"mailto:clinton.page@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinton.page@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. More information can be found on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.virginia.gov\/testing\/local_assessments\/index.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VDOE website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"food\" name=\"food\"><\/a>FOOD ACCESS: Only T.C. Williams and Hammond open for food distribution on Friday, March 5<\/h2>\n<p>There will be no school for students on Friday, March 5. It is a Staff Professional Development Day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Food distribution on Friday, March 5 will only be open at T.C. Williams High School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School from 7:30 a.m. to noon.<\/strong> There will be no distribution to community locations by bus.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;<\/p>\n<p>ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/schoolclosurefood\">See a map of food distribution locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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<ul>\n<li><strong>William Ramsay Elementary School<\/strong><br \/>\n5700 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311<\/li>\n<li><strong>Francis C. Hammond Middle School<\/strong><br \/>\n4646 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology<\/strong><br \/>\n3600 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School<\/strong><br \/>\n1501 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mount Vernon Community School<\/strong><br \/>\n2601 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305<\/li>\n<li><strong>Patrick Henry K-8 School<\/strong><br \/>\n4643 Taney Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/li>\n<li><strong>T.C. Williams High School<\/strong><br \/>\n3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at our \u201cPop-Up\u201d sites located at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mason Apartments at 75 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/strong><br \/>\n11:20 to 11:50 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Community Lodgings at 607 Notabene Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Old Towne West Apartments (parking lot) at 500 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314<\/strong><br \/>\n11:20 to 11:50 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Corner of Florence Drive and Four Mile Road, Alexandria, VA 22305<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Fields at 4309 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bennington Crossing Apartments at 441 North Armistead Street, Alexandria, VA 22312<\/strong><br \/>\n11:30 a.m. to noon<\/li>\n<li><strong>2727 Duke Street (behind Bank of America), Alexandria, VA 22314<\/strong><br \/>\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE: No food distribution will occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays.<\/strong> The limited days for distribution is to support the practice of social distancing and to limit social gatherings. Meals for two days will be provided on Mondays and Wednesdays, and meals for three days will be provided on Fridays.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other Food Resources in the City of Alexandria:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/k12.us3.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=c264d43033e4f4ca3b673bfc6&amp;id=b08b02092b&amp;e=5f2372f074\">www.hungerfreealexandria.com<\/a> or call \u202a703-662-1067.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Questions? Or Need Translation?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Send us your question in Spanish, Arabic or Amharic:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Text ACPSMEALS to 797979 (English and Spanish)<\/li>\n<li>Call or text 703-927-6866 (Amharic)<\/li>\n<li>Call or text 703-927-7095 (Arabic)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>OR<\/p>\n<p>Call the FACE Center\u2019s Bilingual Parent Information Lines, available Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For Spanish\/English, call 571-775-9719<\/li>\n<li>For Amharic\/English, call 703-927-6866<\/li>\n<li>For Arabic\/English, call 703-927-7095<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SAFETY REMINDER:<\/strong> Please remember to observe social distancing practices while at the food distribution site by maintaining six feet of personal space between you and other families or individuals.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness like fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing or difficulty breathing on the day of food distribution or in the previous 24 hours should not visit a food distribution site but call a health care provider instead. If you do not have a primary care physician and are not enrolled in a clinic, you may CALL an urgent care center or emergency room.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h2>UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT<\/h2>\n<p>For all updates, see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/Coronavirus\">www.alexandriava.gov\/Coronavirus<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>HEALTH REMINDERS<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Feel Well?<\/strong><br \/>\nContact your primary health care physician. Don\u2019t have insurance? Contact Neighborhood Health at 703-535-5568.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Have questions, concerns or feedback? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\">Contact us<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ACPS Express 2\/26\/2021: Updated School Health Guidelines \u2022 Updated Child Care FAQs \u2022 No School for Students on Friday, March 5 \u2022 Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18 \u2026and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":17252,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acps","category-coronavirus"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-29 22:05:48","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17248"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17259,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17248\/revisions\/17259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}