{"id":9386,"date":"2020-11-24T10:22:12","date_gmt":"2020-11-24T15:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/?p=9386"},"modified":"2020-11-24T11:45:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-24T16:45:23","slug":"school-name-changes-approved-delay-in-transition-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/school-name-changes-approved-delay-in-transition-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"School Name Changes Approved &#038; Delay in Transition Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>This Week\u2019s Headlines:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#schoolnames\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School Board Votes to Change the Names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#meetings\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community and Staff Meetings on the Reopening of Schools: Dec. 1-2<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dear ACPS Staff,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, before we head off to enjoy a very different Thanksgiving holiday this year, I have two important developments to share with you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you are aware, on Nov. 5 ACPS, initiated our phased return of Citywide Program students to in-person instruction. We originally planned to expand our population of some students receiving specialized instruction and English Learner services to in-person learning throughout the months of November and December.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the upward trend data of positive COVID cases and increasing risk of transmission throughout the community based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/community\/schools-childcare\/indicators.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-Making K-12 School Metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in consultation with the Alexandria Health Department (AHD), I recommended that ACPS delay our transition of students into in-person learning until January 2021. Yesterday evening, the Alexandria City School Board amended their Oct. 21 motion approving a phased-in approach to in-person learning to include consideration of fluctuating community health metrics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>As a result of these new factors, ACPS will not, at this time, return any Students with Disabilities to in-person learning as originally planned, including those scheduled for Nov. 30. Students who have already returned to in-person learning will return to virtual learning for the time being.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, this will impact the original timeline proposed for the reopening of our schools and the return of all students to in-person learning. Planning for the reopening of our schools <\/span><b>will continue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and we will provide information regarding the adjusted timeline for all students as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are closely monitoring the upward trend of the positive COVID cases and transmission rates in the community and region. Daily <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/performance\/info\/dashboard.aspx?id=114883\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">metrics for the City of Alexandria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/key-measures\/pandemic-metrics\/school-metrics\/.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Department of Health\u2019s data on CDC K-12 School Metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be viewed online.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS works in partnership with the AHD regarding any decisions made that impact the health and safety of our students and staff. While the AHD does not make final decisions, they provide subject matter expertise and are involved in all ACPS reopening planning meetings. They are consultants and partners throughout this pandemic planning process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AHD uses <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/community\/schools-childcare\/indicators.html#thresholds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three key metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to guide and advise on ACPS decisions regarding closing or opening schools. These metrics serve as indicators and thresholds for school-based risk analysis. Two of these metrics are community-based metrics including community spread and positivity rates, while the third is the implementation of mitigation measures in schools. See the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/community\/schools-childcare\/indicators.html#thresholds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC indicators and thresholds for risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These metrics can all be found in one place on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3536\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to the two community metrics, ACPS implements five key health and safety mitigation measures including: consistent and correct use of masks; social distancing; hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; cleaning and disinfection; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/php\/open-america\/contact-tracing-resources.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact tracing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in collaboration with the AHD.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I sincerely apologize for the disappointment this delay may cause to families and our students. Our clear preference and priority is enabling students in all grade levels to return to in-person instruction if they choose as soon as community health metrics return to safe levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While circumstances remain challenging, please know our team is dedicated to working with our teachers and families to ensure that all students experience academic growth and receive necessary social, emotional, and academic learning supports as we navigate these challenging times. Instructional staff and specialists continue to work with students to support their virtual instruction. Students continue to receive their IEP services in the virtual setting. While we understand that this is not the ideal situation, we made adjustments to the Virtual PLUS+ model and will continue to do so to improve access to instruction, particularly for our youngest learners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I thank you for your understanding while we continue to navigate these difficult times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our goal is to ensure that all our students continue to have access to the educational resources and services they need at this difficult time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a reminder, I will be hosting a series of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/reentry-meetings\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community Meetings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for families, students and staff on Dec. 1 and 2, where I will be available to address concerns and answer any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please see my weekly video update, where I address this topic:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3513\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17074\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2020-11-23-at-4.55.13-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2148\" height=\"1204\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, today I wanted to make sure you had heard the news that our School Board last night voted unanimously to change the names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. See below for the full details and next steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wishing you all a peaceful, safe and healthy Thanksgiving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superintendent<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"schoolnames\"><\/a>School Board Votes to Change the Names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17075\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/MAURY-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"275\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last night, the Alexandria City School Board voted 9-0 in favor of changing the names of both T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School, consigning to history two individuals whose legacies have no place in ACPS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomas Chambliss (T.C.) Williams was a former ACPS superintendent who fought the desegregation of our schools, long after the Brown vs Board ruling which outlawed segregation in U.S. schools. Matthew Maury was an oceanographer who served in the Confederate Army, attempted to negotiate a slave trade with Brazil, and encouraged confederates to migrate to Mexico following the war.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a robust community engagement and consultation process, ACPS now has a mandate to move into phase two of The Identity Project as we consider new names for both schools.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last week, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. made the recommendation to the School Board that they vote to approve the changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking after the vote on Monday evening, School Board Chair Cindy Anderson said, \u201cThis is a historic moment. Thanks to the methodical and strategic process we undertook with The Identity Project, our community is more aware than ever before of why combating inequities is so fundamental to ensuring change. Today\u2019s vote is a symbolic step in the right direction, but we still have much work to do to see Equity for All as outlined in our ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now the work begins to consider new names for the two schools. The second phase of The Identity Project, designed to ensure community engagement in the process to decide the new names, will be outlined to the School Board in early December. The superintendent will present name recommendations to the School Board for both schools in April 2021, following the community engagement process. The new names will come into effect at the start of the new school year on July 1, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost estimates to implement the name change at T.C. Williams total about $325,000, while cost estimates for Matthew Maury are just over $5,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than 3,000 people responded to a survey asking their views on the name changes, with 75% in favor of changing the name of T.C. Williams High School and 72% in favor of changing the name of Matthew Maury Elementary School.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt was important that students of color felt involved and engaged in this process from the start. We are so often a marginalized voice and through this process we were able to have open and frank discussions, not just about a name change, but about the modern-day segregation that still exists in our school division,\u201d said School Board Student Representative Ashley Sanchez-Viafara.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School Board Student Representative Lorraine Johnson added, \u201cWe hope that this will be the start of further discussions around how we can change our systems from within.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The name of our only public high school has been the subject of debate for many decades, but this summer\u2019s civil unrest brought the matter to the forefront once more and in June triggered a petition of more than 100 signatures needed for the School Board to consider the request. Shortly after this, a petition was filed requesting that the name of Matthew Maury Elementary School also be changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Williams, who was superintendent from the 1930s until 1963, was a man who argued that Black and white students \u201clearned differently\u201d and should be kept segregated. One hundred years earlier, Maury held equally reprehensible views about race.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast forward to present day, and ACPS could not be further removed from this, proudly embracing students from more than 145 countries speaking 132 different languages. Our division\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/2025\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, puts racial equity at the heart of every decision that is made.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the School Board\u2019s decision to consider the name change, ACPS launched <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/identityproject\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Identity Project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure that all in our community understood our history and had a platform to express their opinions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A series of community conversations, student chats, history lessons and a survey helped spark an understanding of what was at stake. Part one of the Identity Project culminated in Monday\u2019s vote. The second phase of The Identity Project \u2014 to decide the new names \u2014 will be outlined to the School Board in early December. It will focus on ensuring that students, the community and the voices of the \u201871 Titans, whose story is immortalized in the Disney movie \u201cRemember the Titans,\u201d are heard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information on The Identity Project, visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/identityproject\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"meetings\"><\/a>Community and Staff Meetings on the Reopening of Schools: Dec. 1-2<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17076\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Community.Meetings.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"950\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS is hosting a series of virtual <\/span><b>Community and Staff Meetings on School Reopening<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on <\/span><b>Tuesday, Dec. 1<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Wednesday, Dec. 2<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join us to learn about the most current information on COVID-19 in the City of Alexandria, ACPS building and staff capacity, and our next steps for planning a return to school buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Meetings for Staff:<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuesday, Dec. 1 at noon \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/98258767305\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join on Zoom<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/96779537547\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join on Zoom<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Meetings for Families:<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/96292395961\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join on Zoom<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wednesday, Dec. 2 at noon \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/94389397247\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join on Zoom<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Meetings for Students:<br \/>\n<\/b><b>Middle and High School Students: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.<br \/>\n<\/span><b>Elementary Students:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 a.m.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/reentry-meetings\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the ACPS website for student meeting details<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panelists include ACPS Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. and Director of the Alexandria Health Department Dr. Stephen Haering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After these meetings, we are planning to share with families the link to the <\/span><b>Family Choice Form <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for each child, indicating their intent to return to the classroom in a hybrid model or continue with 100% virtual learning through our Virtual PLUS+ learning model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Temperature Screening at ACPS Buildings<\/h2>\n<p>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<p>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<p>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<p>Find out more about this measure in this <a href=\"https:\/\/esbpublic.acps.k12.va.us\/public_itemview.aspx?ItemId=13345&amp;mtgId=1584\">Board Brief<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>HEALTH REMINDERS<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Feel Well?<\/strong><br \/>\nContact your primary health care physician.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Have questions, concerns or feedback?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\">Contact us<\/a> or contact your direct supervisor.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>HR Questions?<\/strong> Contact <a href=\"mailto:hr@acps.k12.va.us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-cke-saved-href=\"mailto:hr@acps.k12.va.us\">hr@acps.k12.va.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>School Board Votes to Change the Names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School \u2022 Staff Meetings on the Reopening of Schools: Dec. 1-2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9387,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-announcements"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-16 19:05:18","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9386"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9390,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9386\/revisions\/9390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}