While nothing will replace a traditional graduation, we now have comprehensive plans in place to celebrate our seniors and send them off to the next stage of their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n Our T.C. Williams High School families have already heard from their principal, Mr. Peter Balas, who has spent weeks working with a committee of staff, students and a Board member to formulate alternative plans that will be both memorable and safe. On June 13, at the same time as our original graduation ceremony, we will have a virtual graduation ceremony with budding Olympian Noah Lyles as the keynote speaker. The lights on the George Washington Masonic National Memorial will be shining the T.C. school colors across our great city for all to see that night. And we hope as many of you as possible will join in the celebration by lighting your own homes on June 13. This can be an amazing way for our entire city to celebrate our Class of 2020!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I don\u2019t think it\u2019s an exaggeration to say we have gone from a sense of great despondency to one of excitement when it comes to our Class of 2020 graduation. I want to thank Mr. Balas and our team for the creativity, effort and flexibility they have shown during this challenging process. Read more below.<\/span><\/p>\n In other news today, I am sharing an updated version of our <\/span>Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0<\/span><\/a> which we presented to the School Board on Friday and shared with you as a draft. The plan focuses on summer learning for all students through engagement and enrichment as we think ahead to how we best utilize our summer months and serve our students. As you know, times are far from what we had hoped and planned for but I can assure you, we are still able to provide our students with opportunities to reduce academic loss due to our school building closures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Academic loss during COVID-19 is real. This year, it has the potential to be combined with summer learning loss, too. It is important that we as a school division do everything within our power to ensure students\u2019 learning needs are being met, especially during these unprecedented times. Therefore, to minimize summer learning loss, we are offering summer learning and enrichment for all students for the first time. All students will be expected to participate in summer school; however, any family who does not wish for their student to participate will be required to complete the <\/span>opt-out form<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Many of our young people, especially the most vulnerable, will benefit from any summer learning experiences or engagement that we can offer, especially since many typical summer programs such as camps and summer recreational programs have been canceled. We are confident that we have developed a varied summer curriculum that both supports and challenges our young learners. Most summer opportunities are free to all students to prevent any barriers from student participation or engagement. This also includes all credit recovery classes for high school students. You can read about additional updates below.<\/span><\/p>\n Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.<\/span> Over the last few weeks and months, a lot of thought has gone into how to pay a fitting tribute to our Class of 2020 as it became clear a traditional graduation would unfortunately be out of the question for our T.C. Williams High School seniors. Principal Peter Balas led a team of staff that spent hours brainstorming ideas and diligently debating, refining and eventually short-listing several worthy options. Today we get to share the details with you and we hope you are as excited as we are.<\/span><\/p>\n Principal Peter Balas said, \u201cWhile our school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have upended our traditional ending to a school year, we have been hard at work trying to plan the most meaningful and special ways to recognize you while also being responsible to ensure our duties to prevent the spread of any disease and ensure public safety and health. So, I am excited to outline for you the plan for graduation recognition for the Class of 2020 of T.C. Williams High School.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Further details can be found at our <\/span>newly-launched Celebrating the Class of 2020 website<\/span><\/a>, dedicated to our Titan graduates.<\/span><\/p>\n Virtual Graduation Ceremony<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n We will still be holding our Class of 2020 graduation ceremony on the date and time originally scheduled: <\/span>Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.<\/b> This virtual ceremony will be featured on <\/span>ACPS-TV<\/span><\/a> local cable channel 71, <\/span>Facebook Live<\/span><\/a> and our new <\/span>Celebrating the Class of 2020 website<\/span><\/a>. The keynote graduation address will be delivered by T.C. Williams High School Class of 2016 graduate, Noah Lyles. Noah has made us all proud in his years at T.C. and beyond. Noah is part of Team USA originally scheduled to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this coming summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Caps and Gowns<\/b><\/a> \u2014 Send us your cap and gown photo!<\/b><\/p>\n All soon-to-be graduates will be getting caps, gowns and tassels delivered to their homes, if they have not yet already arrived. When your name is called during the graduation ceremony, we would like for two pictures to be on screen: your senior photo and a photo of you in your cap and gown. <\/span>Please submit your photo of you in your cap and gown as soon as you receive them, using this <\/b>photo submission form<\/b><\/a>.<\/b> Your cap and gown photo should only include you and may have a decorated cap. No other people should be included in your picture for the purposes of the ceremony. Any questions regarding caps, gowns or tassels can be answered by Patty Moran at <\/span>patricia.moran@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Light-Up Alexandria City<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n On Saturday, June 13, 2020, we encourage all residents of the most wonderful City of Alexandria to light up their homes in red, white and blue to support the graduating Class of 2020 from T.C. Williams High School. The George Washington Masonic Temple will be illuminated in red, white and blue on June 13 in recognition of our graduates. Let\u2019s light up the whole city! Do your part, as best you can, to light up your home in red, white and blue to honor our graduates! And don\u2019t forget to share your pictures with ACPS via <\/span>@ACPSk12<\/span><\/a> on Twitter using #TCW2020, or via the <\/span>ACPS Facebook page<\/span><\/a>. We will post these to the <\/span>Class of 2020 website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Class of 2020 Documentary<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Hundreds of videos have already been submitted by our seniors for inclusion in a very special Class of 2020 documentary being created by the ACPS Office of Communications, which will form a forever keepsake. You will be able to watch this video tribute following our virtual graduation ceremony. If you have any questions about this or would still like to submit a video, please email Susan Thomas at <\/span>susan.thomas@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Diploma Distribution<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n High school diplomas, jacket covers, and programs will be mailed to homes the week following the virtual ceremony.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Graduation FAQ<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n If you missed the Superintendent\u2019s graduation Q&A last Thursday, you can still <\/span>watch it<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n During this unprecedented time, ACPS is offering every student the opportunity to expand or refine their learning by providing summer learning through engagement and enrichment for all students. Summer opportunities will include virtual asynchronous and synchronous learning, learning kits, and enrichment in the arts. The educational programming will include the necessary support for students with disabilities, English learners and talented and gifted students.<\/span><\/p>\n Summer Learning will be for all students. \u200bFamilies who do not wish for their student to participate will need to complete the <\/span>opt-out<\/span><\/a> form. Most summer opportunities are free to all students. This also includes Credit Recovery courses at T.C. Williams High School (English, social studies, science and math). Other updates include:<\/span><\/p>\n The goal of summer learning is to engage, enrich, and prepare students for the anticipation of September 2020 and is based on the following principles:<\/span><\/p>\n ACPS has created a page on the ACPS-at-Home website where you can find all the details of the <\/span>Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0<\/span><\/a>, including specific pages for each grade level. <\/span>You can also find Frequently Asked Questions on this same webpage.<\/span><\/p>\n Please tune in to the <\/span>video Q&A session<\/span><\/a> on Thursday, May 28 for a full discussion of the Continuity of Learning Plan 3.0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions about staff evaluations.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch the Q&A video<\/span><\/a> or see answers to these questions in the <\/span>updated FAQ<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n We welcome you to <\/span>send us your questions<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n ACPS has teamed up with <\/span>The Synetic Theater<\/span><\/a> in Arlington to bring you a series of performances of children\u2019s classics.<\/span><\/p>\n You will be able to view these productions on ACPS-TV local cable channel 71, or <\/span>ACPS-TV online<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, an ACPS-at-Home Virtual Theater Marathon showing all three plays will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, with a matinee screening the following day, Sunday, June 14 at 1:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/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.<\/p>\n Find out more about this measure in this Board Brief<\/a>.<\/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 \u2014 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>\nGraduation 2020: Celebrating Our Seniors<\/b><\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nContinuity of Learning Plan 3.0\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Your Questions Answered<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Virtual Theater Night on ACPS-TV<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Temperature Screening at ACPS Buildings<\/h2>\n
WANT TO HELP?<\/h2>\n
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT<\/h2>\n
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HEALTH REMINDERS<\/h2>\n
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