COVID Closure Staff Update for Friday, May 15

- News and Announcements

Day 40 — Learning From Home Experience

I never cease to be impressed by the way that our staff are responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

We are almost ready to begin kindergarten registration. We had planned to open our online enrollment today, however, we are transitioning our entire process to a system that is 100% virtual and we need a few additional days to ensure we have a smooth start and provide our families with the excellent customer service they deserve. Kindergarten registration will now begin on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. 

Both parts of the registration process — the forms and the document verification process — can now be completed online. Signing up our youngest learners for what I hope is a lifetime of a high-quality education, is a moment to be cherished. It is always an exciting time for both families and educators and I am humbled each time a family entrusts ACPS with the education of their child. It is, indeed, a privilege and honor. 

Although we do not have all of the traditional kindergarten open houses planned, our team is working on innovative ways our prospective students can learn about their elementary school. We will be sharing more about our innovative approaches to learning about our schools in the near future. In the meantime, we encourage parents to take a look at the school’s social media accounts, contact the PTA, or even email the principal. If you have friends whose children are joining the ACPS family for the first time, be sure to forward this newsletter to them. We look forward to welcoming them soon.

It seems fitting today as we begin to welcome our newcomers that we also acknowledge those who are leaving us and heading off to college in the fall. Last week, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) notified 181 Titan seniors of scholarship awards totaling $505,000. As you may know, 25 years ago I was one such senior who went off to college with help from an SFA award. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

On this positive note, I wish you all a relaxing weekend.

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

Benefits Open Enrollment Until the End of May

If you are looking to switch health care providers, May is the month to do it.

This year, Open Enrollment begins on May 1 and ends on May 31, 2020. During this time, employees may review and change their benefits elections using Employee Self Service (ESS). Instructions for logging into and using ESS are available on Canvas under ACPS Human Resources. 

Due to COVID-19 and the closure of ACPS buildings, open enrollment meetings will not be held at schools and Central Office. However, all information will be available on the ACPS website and in Canvas, including opportunities for virtual open enrollment meetings.

The same as last year, ACPS offers three medical plans:

  1. UnitedHealthcare POS (Point of Service Plan)
  2. Kaiser HMO
  3. UnitedHealthcare QHP (Qualified Health Plan) with Health Savings Account. This plan has a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees to save pre-tax money to pay for eligible health expenses. 

See the Benefits webpage and Employee Self Service (ESS) for more information. If you have questions, contact HRBenefits@acps.k12.va.us.

YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET ANSWERED

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered more of your questions that came in through the School Board about the Revised Budget. 

  • What is the exact date that we will have final data from the state on the reduction of funding for FY 2021? 
  • Could a portion of the CARES Act funding be used to make up for the proposed $213 net pay loss for the affected teacher group in FY 2021? 
  • How will the community be able to weigh in on the revised FY 2021 budget to be recorded publicly?

Watch the Q&A video or see answers to these questions in the updated FAQ.

We welcome you to send us your questions.

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Announce Awards Totaling $505,000

There was shock, there were tears, there was gratitude.

For T.C. Williams High School senior Foziya Mohammed, the Zoom call telling her she was the recipient of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) top award was a dream come true.

On that video conference was Virginia Senator Mark Warner, his wife Lisa Collis and their daughters Madison, Gillian and Eliza. Their family foundation, The Collis-Warner Foundation, will provide the funding for the $40,000 scholarship.

“I am just shocked right now and so excited,” Foziya said. “ I was worried about how I would afford a 4-year degree, and this scholarship will make that a certainty. I can now afford college and then go on to work or attend graduate school.”

“I would tell other students that hard work pays off and to try new things and find what you love! Thank you so much.”

She has now changed her plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College and switched to the University of Mary Washington instead. The scholarship, coupled with financial aid received from the school, means she will receive a full ride for four years.

What makes Foziya all the more remarkable is that she arrived in the U.S. from Ethiopia just a few years ago aged 12 and struggling to learn English.

Senator Warner said, “Our family established this scholarship based on a deep appreciation for the lifelong value of a college education, and the belief that this should be available to committed, hardworking students no matter their financial circumstances.”

“We could not be happier than to have our first scholarship award go to Foziya Mohammed, a young woman of obvious talent and grit. Congratulations, Foziya!”

Foziya is one of 181 Class of 2020 students who have been notified they will receive scholarships totaling $505,000.

Read more about her story.

Fundraising this year has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Yet given the economic uncertainty that so many of our families face, donations are needed more than ever and fundraising continues.

In lieu of the annual Spring Fundraising Gala which had to be canceled, the SFA is holding an online silent auction to raise funds. The online auction is currently live and will conclude on May 30 at 8 p.m. Items up for bid include Noah Lyles’ signed running spikes and an eight-night stay at a vacation home in the Tennessee mountains.

One lucky winner will take home the grand prize of either $25,000 or a new 2020 Toyota RAV4 donated by Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota.

See registration and information for the online auction.

Hammond Food Site Closed Today

The food distribution site at Francis C. Hammond Middle School will be closed on Friday, May 15 while ACPS staff conduct a deep clean of the building for precautionary reasons. Meal distribution at all other school sites and community pop-up locations will remain in place. 

Any student or family planning to collect meals from the Hammond Food Site on Friday should plan to pick them up from an alternate site that day. A list of all food distribution sites can be found on the ACPS-at-Home website. Hammond will be open for food distribution as usual on Monday, May 18.

Temperature Screening at ACPS Buildings

Anyone requiring access to an ACPS facility or school will be required to undergo a temperature check to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Testing stations will be established at seven locations, at or close to ACPS meal distribution sites and locations where major summer construction will take place. Screening will take no more than three minutes to complete and will involve the use of a clinical forehead thermometer.

All those with a temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower (per Alexandria Health Department guidelines) will be given a dated wristband and be cleared to work as long as they are in possession of appropriate personal protection equipment consisting of masks and gloves.

Should an individual record an elevated temperature, that person will be informed that they are unable to report to work at an ACPS site and will be advised to call his or her supervisor.

Find out more about this measure in this Board Brief.

WANT TO HELP?

Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the COVID-19 Response Fund if you are able. 

Community members who would like to volunteer should reach out to www.volunteeralexandria.org or 703-836-2176 to register for any additional potential volunteer opportunities.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Continuity of School Support and Academic Advisement

School Student Support Team staff, including school counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, and school social workers will be available during school hours throughout the closure. Monday — Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. staff will be connecting with students and their families. The Department of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity staff members are also available during this time and can be contacted by voicemail and at student_services@acps.k12.va.us.

Emergency Supports

If there is a crisis or emergency during the time of the closure, students and families can access the supports below:

We know that this is a challenging time. ACPS will continue to share information through the ACPS website, social media, and email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s school counselor or school social worker with any questions.

HEALTH REMINDERS

Don’t Feel Well?
Contact your primary health care physician.

Have questions, concerns or feedback? Contact us or contact your direct supervisor.

HR Questions? Contact hr@acps.k12.va.us.

Stay Healthy!
Wash your hands regularly. Regular soap is OK.