Day 41 — Learning from Home Experience
Today is a day of celebration! Today, we are announcing the ACPS Support Staffer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year. We will be celebrating them all week by highlighting their achievements in separate editions of ACPS Express. All of our winners, and indeed all of our ACPS finalists, are all so worthy of these acknowledgments.
Congratulations to…
Andrew (William) Sharpe, 2020 Support Staffer of the Year
Sharpe is a building engineer at T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus and has been an exemplary employee of ACPS for 36 years. He is also a proud Class of ‘78 Titan who holds to this day the school record for longest kickoff return for a 96-yarder set in 1978.
Ashley Sandoval, 2020 Teacher of the Year
Sandoval is a physical education teacher at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology. A dynamic and inspiring educator since joining in 2015, she has thrown herself into all areas of school life and is committed to the welfare of her students. This academic year she arranged swimming lessons for all fourth graders at the Title I school.
PreeAnn Johnson, 2020 Principal of the Year
An ACPS legend of 35 years standing, the James K. Polk Elementary School principal is a true leader who is much loved and respected by staff and students alike. Under her leadership, she has raised the academic bar at Polk year after year. She is also passionate about children’s health and in 2017 the school won the Let’s Move Active Schools National Award, the nation’s top physical education and physical activity distinction for K-12 schools.
Today, we highlight our Support Staffer of the Year. On Wednesday, we will feature our Teacher of the Year and on Friday you can learn more about our Principal of the Year.
Each year, we are faced with the near impossible task of selecting just three ACPS employees to acknowledge. However, I want to publicly thank each and every ACPS staff member for their commitment to our students and to the mission of our school division.
Another congratulations is in order today and that goes to our National Merit Scholar, Leah M. Nickelsburg. Leah, a senior at T.C., was awarded $2,500 by the prestigious academic organization that recognizes excellence in students across the U.S. Well done, Leah!
Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
Congratulations! Meet the Newly-Crowned ACPS Support Staffer of the Year
So much goes on behind the scenes to keep ACPS running smoothly from morning until night.
Our school division would be lost without the team of dedicated support staff who work so tirelessly.
Each spring, it is our pleasure to name one outstanding individual to be our Support Staffer of the Year.
This year’s deserving honoree is Andrew (William) Sharpe, a building engineer at T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus.
In a letter to the nomination committee, school nurse Randi L. Knight told how Sharpe was often the first person on site in the morning to prepare the school for the start of each day, and that everyone appreciated his diligence in keeping the building safe and secure.
She wrote of his humble disposition, which she said showed “a presence of strength, loyalty, trust, competence and consideration for the school environment and the people in it.”
Knight added, “My favorite thing to do is to make Mr. Sharpe laugh because when he does, his laughter is quite contagious and full of life.”
The father of five, who has supported all his children through college, was told the good news while taking part in his first ever Zoom meeting hosted by Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. and the ACPS Senior Leadership Team on Friday.
To get him on the call without giving away the surprise, Minnie Howard Lead Administrator for Campus Operations and Student Support Mark Eisenhour told him he was required to answer questions about building maintenance.
An ACPS employee for 36 years, Sharpe reacted with surprise and could not stop smiling. He admitted being speechless before managing, “I want to thank everybody who supported me.”
Our 2020 winner was raised in Alexandria and is a Class of ‘78 Titan with a proud school history as a star football player.
In fact, he still owns the school record for the longest kickoff return for a 96-yarder set in 1978.
He went on to play football for Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina before heading to trade school to get his engineering license in 1981.
Before joining ACPS in 1983, he spent two years working at the National Credit Union.
Peter Balas, T.C principal, led tributes, “Mr. Sharpe is a long-serving ACPS employee and this acknowledgment of his service is wonderful! I remember when I started teaching at Minnie Howard in 2001, I often called on Mr. Sharpe for help and he was always happy to help, which meant so much to me as a new teacher. I know that he does all he can to make the optimal learning environment for all students and staff. He is an institution at Minnie Howard and I know the staff will be ecstatic for this recognition of his hard work.”
Watch as Dr. Hutchings and division leadership surprise Mr. Sharpe on a Zoom call:
Congratulations to National Merit Scholar Leah Nickelsburg!
T.C. Williams High School senior Leah M. Nickelsburg has been awarded the prestigious academic honor of being named a National Merit Scholar.
Leah, who hopes to pursue a career in academia, was awarded a scholarship of $2,500.
Back in September, she and two other Titans, Riley M. Casagrande and James S. Grimes, learned they had made it down to the last 16,000 of 1.5 million applicants from 21,000 high schools nationwide.
The trio qualified by being among the highest scoring students in Virginia when they took the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) in 2018.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the $2,500 awardees are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
Peter Balas, principal of T.C., said, “We couldn’t be prouder of Leah for this distinguished honor. Leah is a model Titan in every way you would want for your students to be. In this time of uncertainty and loss, it is a great feeling to celebrate student accomplishments and Leah brings us that with her incomparable record of academic excellence.”
Leah will be attending Duke University in the fall.
Watch Friday’s Board Meeting
During the closure of school buildings, our School Board is meeting virtually each Friday at noon.
If you missed it live, you can still watch it.
Watch the School Board Meeting.
Information on how to give feedback to the School Board can be found on the School Board Meetings webpage.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PANDEMIC-EBT CARDS
ACPS is collaborating with the state to ensure all families who need it have access to food.
Any family with a student in ACPS who is already approved for Free or Reduced Priced Meals (FARM) will automatically receive a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food during the crisis.
If your financial situation has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or for other reasons, and you were not previously receiving Free or Reduced Priced Meals, please make sure you complete a FARM application. These applications can be completed online or requested through food@acps.k12.va.us. Once the application is completed (preferably online) or by completing an application and forwarding to School Nutrition Services either by scanning or mailing to 1340 Braddock Place, Ste 220, Alexandria, VA 22314, we will process your application. If your family is eligible you will be added to our existing list of families to receive the EBT card payment.
Questions? For more information, please refer to the Food Access section of the ACPS-at-Home website or visit the VDSS Pandemic EBT website.
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:
- Crisis Text and Crisis Link:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call: 703-527-4077
- Alexandria Safe Place
- Alexandria City 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services
- Alexandria City Health Department and AHD Contacts
- Inova Alexandria Hospital (ER)
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.