Today, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce the additional safety precautions that will be operational for our food distribution sites and essential staff at all our schools sites beginning Monday, April 27. The health and safety of all those who work in and visit our facilities is of paramount importance. Right from the moment we closed our school buildings, we always implemented safety measures on all our schools sites in line with the CDC and Alexandria Health Department.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we all know, that guidance \u2014 particularly in the early days \u2014 changed rapidly and we quickly learned the importance of working with flexibility and speed in this situation. News released by the City of Alexandria on Tuesday was cautiously optimistic; the efforts we have all made to physically distance ourselves are working. Modeling by University of Virginia suggests we have<\/span> slowed the spread<\/span><\/a> of the virus in the Commonwealth. As of Monday, April 27, ACPS will be adding an extra layer of protection for staff and visitors. Anyone requiring access to an ACPS facility or school will be required to undergo a temperature check. We hope everyone understands the importance of this, even though it may cause a little inconvenience.<\/span><\/p>\n Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.<\/span> Starting on Monday April 27, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All those with a temperature of 100.4 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Find out more about this new measure in today\u2019s <\/span>Board Brief<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n On Tuesday, April 14, City Manager Mark Jinks proposed changes to his proposed Operating Budget for FY 2020-21. Jinks is proposing reducing the recommended City operating transfer to ACPS by $7.4 million. This amount is equivalent to the cost to ACPS to provide merit step increases, a 2% bonus for those at the top of their salary scale, targeted market rate adjustments, and a 1.5% decrease in the employee contribution to the ACPS supplemental retirement plan. Section 5 provides the details of these changes.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the School Board will make the final decision on how the cuts will be made.<\/span><\/p>\n Read the <\/span>City Manager\u2019s proposed budget changes in full (PDF)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We will be sharing more information regarding ACPS Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects next week.<\/span><\/p>\n This week, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) launched VA TV Classroom for students in kindergarten through grade 10. Tune in Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and see teacher-led instructional content.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Alexandria, we can access this through the <\/span>WETA PBS Kids channel<\/span><\/a> via antenna 26.3, Comcast 266, Cox 801, Verizon FiOS 472 or RCN 38. You can also watch online through the <\/span>WHRO Public Media website<\/span><\/a>. Access the detailed <\/span>daily schedule<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n More information can be found on the WETA website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you to all of our teachers who have made teaching through our television channels possible. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by our parents and students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our students need you!<\/b><\/p>\n Please, if you have not yet created a lesson for TV we encourage you to do so. It\u2019s fun and easy to do. If you\u2019ve missed our <\/span>TV training session on Zoom<\/span><\/a>, please check it out. For more information, please refer to the <\/span>ACPS\u2019 Learning Through the TV Handbook<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n A special shout out to the following ACPS-TV stars who have produced programming for our students:<\/span><\/p>\n In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions about Our Enhanced Continuity of Learning 2.0 plan and learning by television.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch the twice-weekly Q&A video<\/span><\/a> or see answers to these questions in the <\/span>staff FAQ<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We welcome you to <\/span>send us your questions<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n As of Monday, April 20, food distribution will start an hour later at all food distribution sites. <\/span>Food will now be distributed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday<\/b> at the five school sites. The times of pop-up mobile distribution will still remain the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n ACPS is providing breakfast and lunch meals for any ACPS student on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the following locations:<\/p>\n GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n ACPS has multiple \u201cgrab and go\u201d meal locations for any ACPS student or child over the age of 2 to pick up breakfast and lunch.<\/p>\n The sites are:<\/p>\n NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.<\/strong><\/p>\n Meals consist of cold breakfast and lunch, including fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches for multiple days per the student\u2019s need.<\/p>\n NOTE: No food distribution will occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays. <\/strong>The limited days for distribution is to support the practice of social distancing and to limit social gatherings.<\/p>\n Other Food Resources in the City of Alexandria Questions? Or Need Translation? OR<\/p>\n Call the FACE Center’s Bilingual Parent Information Lines:<\/p>\n Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the COVID-19 Response Fund<\/a> if you are able.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Community members who would like to volunteer should reach out to www.volunteeralexandria.org<\/a> or 703-836-2176 to register for any additional potential volunteer opportunities.<\/p>\n Continuity of School Support and Academic Advisement<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Emergency Supports<\/strong><\/p>\n If there is a crisis or emergency during the time of the closure, students and families can access the supports below:<\/p>\n We know that this is a challenging time. ACPS will continue to share information through the ACPS website, social media, and email. Please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to your student\u2019s school counselor or school social worker with any questions.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Feel Well?<\/strong> Have questions, concerns or feedback?<\/strong> Contact us<\/a> or contact your direct supervisor.<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Superintendent of Schools<\/span><\/p>\nTemperature Screenings for All Entering ACPS Facilities<\/h2>\n
City Manager\u2019s Proposed Operating Budget Changes<\/b><\/h2>\n
VA TV Classroom is Here to Help<\/b><\/h2>\n
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ACPS Learning through the TV<\/b><\/h2>\n
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nFOOD DISTRIBUTION CHANGES<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/strong>5700 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>4646 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>3600 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>1501 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\n10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n
\n11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n
\n10:45 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n
\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n
\n11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n
\n10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/strong>For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.com<\/a> or call \u202a703-662-1067.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Send us your question in Spanish, Arabic or Amharic:<\/p>\n\n
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WANT TO HELP?<\/h2>\n
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT<\/h2>\n
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HEALTH REMINDERS<\/h2>\n
\nContact your primary health care physician.<\/p>\n
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