COVID Closure Staff Update for Wednesday, May 20

- News and Announcements

Day 43 — Learning from Home Experience

It’s always so wonderful when, during trying times, we are able to share good news and champion our staff. Over the past week, I’ve announced our ACPS Support Staffer of the Year, our Teacher of the Year and our Principal of the Year. All are truly worthy winners of this annual honor. The wonderful reactions from all winners, and those who supported them, have been a joy to witness. It is so important that we continue to recognize our exceptional employees. For a school division to be effective, it requires a staff who believe in the critical importance of our work. ACPS is fortunate to have that throughout.

Teachers are one of the chambers of the beating heart of our school division. I embrace and cherish this since I was one for many years and still fulfill my love for teaching even today. Teachers are our ambassadors, on our front line, and our benchmark for success. Teachers help us to shape the future of our nation, and their role cannot be underplayed.

Today, I would like to tell you a little more about Ashley Sandoval, our Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology physical education instructor, named 2020 Teacher of the Year. Sandoval, affectionately known as Miss Sando, is the kind of teacher we all want for our children. In her five years at Cora Kelly, she has demonstrated both excellence and commitment that has put her in a class of her own. She is universally loved at Cora Kelly where she has thrown herself into every area of school life with such enthusiasm. Congratulations, Miss Sando, and we look forward to your continuing to be an ambassador for education as our 2020 Teacher of the Year!

Yesterday, T.C. Williams High School released plans for its alternative graduation plans for our seniors. Senior year of high school is one of the most important rites of passage in any student’s academic career. While our school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have upended our traditional ending to a school year, our team has been hard at work trying to plan the most meaningful and special ways to recognize our seniors while also being responsible to ensure our duties to prevent the spread of any disease and ensure public safety and health.

We will be holding a virtual Class of 2020 graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., the same date and time as the original graduation ceremony. The ceremony will include a keynote graduation address delivered by T.C. Williams High School Class of 2016 graduate, Noah Lyles, who is part of Team USA and was originally scheduled to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer.

Full details of the plans for graduation and senior celebration will be outlined in next Wednesday’s ACPS Insider. I hope you will all join me in celebrating the very special graduating Class of 2020!

Tomorrow, we encourage all our educators to join a Q&A session at 10:30 a.m. with teachers who have successfully gained recertification points by making video lessons for ACPS-TV.

We will now be offering two credits for the first lesson you submit that is approved. Any lesson after that will earn three credits. It’s a fun and worthwhile way to gain those credits.

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!

Sincerely,

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

Congratulations to Ashley Sandoval, ACPS 2020 Teacher of the Year!

With so many wonderful teachers at ACPS, choosing just one each year is a challenging task. But we are delighted to announce that Ashley Sandoval, physical education teacher at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, is the 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Sandoval, known to all as Miss Sando, is a much-loved and respected educator who goes above and beyond on a daily basis to support her students and her school.

She was told the good news on Monday morning and celebrated later during a virtual meeting of the ACPS principals, led by Dr. Hutchings.

Writing on Twitter afterward, she said, “I am in shock! I cannot believe I won teacher of the year in ACPS. I woke up to these awesome people and @DrHutchings on facetime in my living room!”

“A quick clothing change and I was happy to have this surprise. Thank you to everyone that has supported and nominated me.”

When earlier this year Sandoval was asked what teaching meant to her, she said she valued the opportunity to help prepare children for the future.

She said, “Teaching to me means creating the opportunity for students to grow their knowledge and skills to overcome any obstacles they may face in the future. As a health and physical education teacher, my teaching focuses on life, social, and physical skills needed for a student to be a valuable, safe, and healthy citizen in a community. I want my students to know and understand that they can achieve greatness in any dream or passion they may have through life.”

Teachers, educators, students and parents at Cora Kelly gave their overwhelming support to her nomination.

Angie, a fifth grader, wrote about how much her teacher did to help at school. “I nominate Miss Sando for Teacher of the Year. I think she is great because of all the things she does for us here at Cora Kelly. She helps lead the safety patrols, she helps on announcements, and she also teaches us in gym with fun activities!”

Genesis, a fourth grader was grateful for all her teacher did to keep students safe. “I think she is great because every single school morning she stands outside so we can be safe. Another reason she teaches us biking, fitness, swimming, team work. She also helps the Safety Patrols get their job done.”

Sandoval has been at Cora Kelly since 2015 and along with her teaching responsibilities, she runs the Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings for the encore team and is an active member of our Instructional Council and School Improvement Team.

This year, she worked to arrange swimming lessons for fourth graders at the Title I school.

Principal of Cora Kelly, Jasibi Crews, said Sandoval was a worthy winner.

“I could not think of a more deserving teacher,” she said.

“The dedication she has for Cora Kelly staff, students, and the community is unquestionable. Ashley is more than just an exceptional physical education teacher. Ashley is the kind of teacher who jumps in to help a colleague in need of support, whether it is to help with a lesson, provide an idea, or connect with a student. Ms. Sando, as our Cora Kelly Cougar students call her, will volunteer her time to plan a fun end of the year talent show and will make sure that field day is unforgettable. She knows every student’s name and embodies our inclusive, loving Cora Kelly way in all that she does.”

Watch as Dr. Hutchings congratulates Miss Sando on Zoom, and Cora Kelly Principal Jasibi Crews surprises her at her home:

Increasing TV Lesson Credits

To keep our TV lesson content coming in, we are announcing a change in the Recertification Credits.

We will now be offering 2 credits for the first lesson you submit that is approved. Any lesson after that will earn 3 credits. This is to make it worth your while taking the time to learn how to create lessons that we can post to the TV and online. This is backdated to the start of our TV lesson request so no one will miss out!

If you have not yet created a video lesson, this is a great way to earn recertification points. Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. to hear from our teachers who have now made two, three or more videos and are experienced enough to answer your questions. This is a time to hear from your peers.

Join us on Zoom at 10:30 a.m. on May 21

The session will be recorded and posted to the TV Learning Handbook on the ACPS-at-Home website so you can view it and review it at any time. And here is a list of ACPS-TV FAQs you may also find helpful.

We want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has already created a video lesson for us. Below is a list of our TV stars!

Corinne Nelson, Kelly J. Davis, Hattie Gore, Meredith Fortner, Holly Tate, Sarah Calhoun, Margaret Posey, Moises Cisneros, Justin Wood, Michelle Bullard, Sarah Bustard, Cheryl Chanaiwa, Emma Robash, Kelsey Martin, Khadijah Robaina, Sara Bycura, Christina Davin-Smith, Audrey Cate, Katherine Kivlin, Kourtney Keen, Lisa Lin, Colleen E. Lennon, Anna Harvin, Jessica Sayler, Latrania Martin, Kristin Orwig, Mary Reuter, Antje Hultgren, Nicolas McDonald, Christy Campos, Misty Boyd, Michelle Pineiro, Karla Kaplan, Mandy Bennett, Lawrence Hsin, Amy Christenen, Angela Lee, Laura Fontaine, Sarah Harrison, Erin Davidson, Anne Smith, Katherine Loiselle, Allison Crabb, Angela Lee, Alexis Fairbanks, Sarah Whelan, Heather Vankuiken, Michelle Hart, Faiza Jackson, Chandra Smouse, Elyse Lerman, Kristen Finnegan, Kara Mehrman, Kristin Hudson-Lansdell, Wendy Morciglio, Christine Waters, Carolina Cordova Cordero, Danesha Langley, Peter Jones, Erica Meili, Dawn Seto, Jolleen Tran, Ava Rinehart, Ellen Pattisa

Please keep your video lessons coming!

Your Questions Answered

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions on the school calendar and enrollment.

  • When is the last day of school?
  • Have you considered ending the school year before the anticipated date?
  • Will Campagna or the Recreation Department’s summer programming be allowed inside the school buildings?
  • Will you still have some version of Kindergarten Prep this summer?
  • Is Kindergarten Registration taking place as usual?

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

We welcome you to send us your questions.

Important Food Distribution Changes for Memorial Day Weekend

All food distribution sites will be closed on Memorial Day: Monday, May 25.

On Friday, May 22:

  • At school sites we will be providing 4 days of meals, for Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.
  • At pop-up sites we will be providing 2 days of meals, for Friday and Saturday.

All meals consist of breakfast, lunch and snack.

Food distribution sites will reopen on Wednesday, May 27.

See a list of all food distribution sites on the ACPS-at-Home website.

Health Insurance Assistance from Inova

Inova Partnership for Healthier Communities (PHC) wants to remind our families to reach out with questions or concerns about Medicaid health care, or if you wish to apply for coverage.

A hotline had been set up. Please call 703-698-2550 or text 703-479-0330.

A spokesperson said, “During these uncertain times, your family’s health is more important than ever. The team at Inova’s Partnership for Healthier Communities (PHC) is committed to providing free, one-on-one help to those who want to learn about, apply for, or renew Medicaid coverage. The PHC team is working as safely as possible during this health emergency, and will make sure your Medicaid application process goes as smoothly as possible, every step of the way.”

NO ACPS INSIDER ON MONDAY, MAY 25

ACPS Insider is taking a day off for the Memorial Day Holiday on May 25. We will return on Wednesday, May 27.

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:

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.