Dear ACPS Staff,
During the past several days we have heard concerns from parents and staff about keeping our schools open while the coronavirus response escalates in our region and around the country. Please know the safety and well being of our young people is always the top priority in ACPS. The mental, physical and emotional health of our students is at the forefront of our decision-making during this coronavirus situation.
At this time, we have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in our schools, and the Alexandria Health Department has not determined community-spread of the coronavirus in the City of Alexandria. We have a number of staff and students who are self-quarantining and will be out for several weeks. Closures in our region are also impacting our ability to fully staff our schools.
Although the Alexandria Health Department is not recommending schools to close at this time, multiple issues are impacting the ability for our schools to function effectively and efficiently.
Therefore, all ACPS schools will be closed as of Monday, March 16, 2020. We are currently planning to close until after spring break (April 13, 2020) and will continue to monitor the situation throughout this period of time.
Our food services team is making arrangements for students to be provided meals while schools remain closed. Additional details will be sent later today.
During our closure, a daily staff communication update will be sent out via ACPS Insider at noon. There will be a webinar held daily for staff at 2pm beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020. We will send more information with specific details about this by Monday, March 16, 2020.
Please make sure your contact information is current in our system so that you can receive all correspondence from the school division during this time. Please contact your registrar today if you need to update your contact information in our system. For more details, see the FAQ on the ACPS website, information below or visit our coronavirus webpage at www.acps.k12.va.us/coronavirus.
We thank you for your support during this difficult time! More details about operations during closure will be provided later today. Daily updates will begin on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
STAFF FAQs
Who is required to work while schools are closed?
Most employees will still perform their duties during the closure via telework. However, “essential personnel” will report to work in person.
If schools are closed (but city services remain open) the following essential personnel report to work in person (on a modified schedule):
- Director of Safety and Security Services
- Security personnel
- Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services
- Assistant Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services
- Maintenance Shop Supervisor
- Building Systems Manager
- Building Services Manager
- Building Engineers
- Custodians (except temporary, part-time)
- Maintenance Shop employees
All other personnel (including contract employees) will work remotely (as directed by their supervisor to perform their regular duties). Employees may be required to report on-site on an as-needed basis by the Department Director.
If a citywide quarantine is declared, the following essential personnel report to work in person (on a modified schedule):
- Director of Safety and Security Services
- Security personnel
All other personnel (including contract employees) will work remotely (as directed by their supervisor to perform their regular duties). Employees may be required to report on-site on an as-needed basis by the Department Director.
Please see Regulation EBCD-R for more information.
Will buildings be open for staff to continue to use?
Only essential personnel will be permitted to access school facilities during the school closure. Please make sure you take everything with you when you leave today.
What do staff need to do to prepare to leave the office today on March 13, 2020?
- Take everything home that you will need for the next few weeks. Staff will not be allowed back into school during the closure unless they are deemed essential staff.
- Empty all refrigerators.
Will I get paid? How will I get paid?
All employees will continue to be paid according to the individual contract.
All employees with direct deposit will receive their pay on the scheduled pay date. For those employees without electronic direct deposit to a bank may experience delays for paper check delivery.
We encourage all employees who currently receive their pay by paper check to sign up for electronic direct deposit with a bank immediately to ensure timely receipt of pay. For pay inquiries please see the payroll web page.
Will contractors be paid?
All contract employees will continue to receive pay during school closure or city wide quarantine.
What happens to SOL testing?
The ACPS SOL Writing main testing window was scheduled from March 17 through March 27, 2020. The ACPS SOL Non-Writing main testing window is currently scheduled from May 12 through June 5. The division is working collaboratively with VDOE to determine the best course forward in the interest of our students. Additional information will be shared directly with principals and school test coordinators as soon as it is received.
Will we be continuing to feed students?
ACPS School Nutrition Services continues to develop a plan for providing food for students in need. Further information about meal availability will be sent soon.
How can I get internet access at home?
Comcast is offering FREE 60 day service during the coronavirus crisis.
To sign up for Comcast Internet Essentials visit www.internetessentials.com.
- Free 60 day service and then $9.95/month
- New customers receive a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.
- For assistance call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Will CIP project work continue while schools are closed?
Yes. Project work will continue while schools are closed. The Facilities and Operations team, to include all Project Managers, will be managing projects and overseeing work during this time.
Will CIP projects remain on schedule?
Facilities and Operations will work diligently to keep all projects on schedule. Please note that there may be some unavoidable scheduling impacts during this time; in that case, all stakeholders will be updated.
Will I be able to reach the project manager assigned to a project associated with my facility?
Yes. Project Managers can be contacted via email and phone while schools are closed.
Will water testing continue while schools are closed?
No, testing will not continue while schools are closed. In order to obtain accurate test results, testing must be completed under the scenario of normal use. Testing will resume once schools are reopened. Remediation activities for identified elevated outlets will continue during this time.
How will Security operate at the schools during the closure?
Security will be provided using the typical non-school day procedures.
Will the facilities be cleaned during this closure?
Yes, the facilities will receive a heightened level of clean during this timeframe. Orchestration of effort will be done through the Maintenance and Custodial Services office.