Day 8 – Learning from Home Experience\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
As you are already aware, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that all schools will remain closed throughout the academic year in response to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.\u00a0 All of our students, staff and families are impacted by our school closures for the remainder of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, I would like to focus on our seniors who will not be afforded an opportunity to spend another year in ACPS. Furthermore, our seniors will unfortunately not be able to experience a traditional senior year at T.C. Williams High School. Our high school principal, Peter Balas, recently announced that due to our school closures for the remainder of the academic year that we have cancelled our National Decision Day celebration, Senior Prom and High School Graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As you can imagine, this is simply heartbreaking for our seniors and their families. It is important that we all be responsible and provide our contribution to slow down the spread of this deadly virus, including practicing social distancing and social gathering guidelines during this pandemic. Although we know we won\u2019t be able to recreate the senior experience in the traditional manner, we will work with our seniors and staff to create innovative experiences to ensure that our seniors still celebrate this time in their lives.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the coming days and weeks, we will also be working with the team of administrators and school counselors at T.C. Williams High School to review each of our seniors\u2019 transcripts and apply the flexibility outlined by the Virginia Department of Education to ensure that there is a clear plan towards graduation for every student in the class of 2020. Please be assured that all seniors who were on target for graduating in 2020 will still graduate, and we will continue to help each of our seniors realize their goals after high school.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to our graduating seniors, our continuity of learning plan will also make sure that all students have a way to successfully finish their courses for the year and transition to the next grade. This is an unprecedented time for us; however, we will continue to work towards meeting the social, emotional and academic needs of our students in ACPS.<\/span><\/p>\n It takes an entire community to ensure that our young people are successful. ACPS will advocate, educate and graduate our students through vision, integrity and passion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.<\/span> In yesterday\u2019s video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered some of your initial questions on the Governor\u2019s decision to close schools, including:<\/span><\/p>\n Watch the daily staff Q&A video, available at 2 p.m.<\/span><\/a> or see answers to these questions in the <\/span>updated FAQ<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Superintendent of Schools<\/span><\/p>\nYOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED<\/h2>\n
\n