{"id":9550,"date":"2021-05-21T11:45:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T15:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/?p=9550"},"modified":"2021-05-20T15:30:14","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T19:30:14","slug":"open-enrollment-and-summer-teaching-positions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/open-enrollment-and-summer-teaching-positions\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Enrollment and Summer Teaching Positions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>This Week\u2019s Headlines:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#reminder:-open-enrollment-clos\">Reminder: Open Enrollment Closes May 28<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#acps-staff-employment-opportun\">ACPS Staff Employment Opportunities for Summer Learning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#last-chance:-learning-choice-f\">LAST CHANCE: Learning Choice Form is Due May 24 for Summer Learning and Fall 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#covid-vaccination-for-ages-12-\">COVID Vaccination for Ages 12+ on May 22<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#masks-still-required-in-prek-1\">Masks Still Required in PreK-12 Schools<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mental-health-awareness:-resou\">Mental Health Awareness: Resources and Our Efforts<\/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;\">It has been exciting to plan for Fall 2021 when we look forward to welcoming all students back for five days a week of in-person learning, or, for those who choose virtual learning, five days a week in Virtual Virginia. Families have a choice, and should complete the Learning Choice form by May 24 at 11:59 p.m. to tell us what their choice is for the Fall and for Summer Learning 2021. The information below has details about the Learning Choice Form and each of these options. Students of families who do not notify ACPS of their selections by May 24 will be enrolled in in-person learning for Fall 2021 and will not be enrolled in Summer Learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I am excited to share the good news that we have 10 new National Board Certified Teachers and one re-certified teacher. Achieving this certification is a considerable accomplishment and takes a great deal of commitment. Please help me congratulate these outstanding educators!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quick reminder that masks are still necessary at any ACPS school campus, grounds or events. The CDC recently clarified that schools should continue to use current guidelines and continue to have students and staff wear masks and social distance through the end of the school year. Also, we are pleased to offer an excellent opportunity to get more students and families vaccinated. On Saturday, May 22, the Alexandria Health Department will host a COVID vaccination clinic at George Washington Middle School for all who are 12 years old and older. Please see the information below and encourage our families to make an appointment. We are doing all we can to help keep our students, schools and community safe.<\/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 id=\"reminder:-open-enrollment-clos\"><a id=\"reminder:-open-enrollment-clos\" name=\"reminder:-open-enrollment-clos\"><\/a><b>Reminder: Open Enrollment Closes May 28<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health Insurance Open Enrollment ends on May 28. For details on Open Enrollment, visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/benefits\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS Benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> webpage and review the <\/span><b>Health Insurance Open Enrollment Guide.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Log into your <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/ESS\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employee Self Service (ESS) account<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to review your current benefits, and choose your health insurance benefits for next year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Reminder: participation in Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts requires new enrollment each year.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HR staff is available to help with benefit enrollment online via ESS. Please contact <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HRBenefits@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"acps-staff-employment-opportun\"><a id=\"acps-staff-employment-opportun\" name=\"acps-staff-employment-opportun\"><\/a><b>ACPS Staff Employment Opportunities for Summer Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summer is a great time to work at ACPS. The 2021 Summer Learning for All Program will be offered to all ACPS students. ACPS employees are invited to apply to work in the Summer Learning for All Program and can apply online. <\/span><b>Summer school licensed and support staff who commit to work in-person are eligible for an incentive of $500 every two weeks (this is a one-time bonus, not hazard pay).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Nn5pJyBY7Ql2y43_Hw6jq7OJMX4zfGLw\/view?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021 Summer Learning Job Descriptions (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdVAc25jbTQZd1BRqyEpkuDHlQ829lElCtcABjeZ5NjScRS7Q\/viewform\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021 Summer Learning Application \u2014 Licensed Staff<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc270DJt-Ou0TTZhcBTIRE9AYZmN_xq0MuRRzPPeK2kIp3Fhw\/viewform\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021 Summer Learning Application \u2014 Support Staff\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1N64lLg3f1h95Fi3q1ZNv2-nqSb6CZ2m7\/view?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021 Summer Learning Vacancy List (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1pgrwpDSD6Znv3mKnhjrRtRyVh5OeOfM1\/view?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS Selection Guidelines \u2014 Licensed Staff (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Questions? Contact <\/span><a href=\"mailto:acps.recruit@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acps.recruit@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-chance:-learning-choice-f\"><a id=\"last-chance:-learning-choice-f\" name=\"last-chance:-learning-choice-f\"><\/a><b>LAST CHANCE: Learning Choice Form is Due May 24 for Summer Learning and Fall 2021<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/547616426\/314e885740?embed_email_provider=mailchimp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" style=\"max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/videoapi-muybridge.vimeocdn.com\/animated-thumbnails\/image\/c273d62d-cff2-42b2-b98f-98b2034f6c33.gif?ClientID=vimeo-core-prod&amp;Date=1621007375&amp;Signature=ee62260661d2f59be04c88449c52d45a53ae8218\" alt=\"Learning Choice Form for Summer and Fall 2021\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/547616426\/314e885740\"><b>VIDEO: Learn more about the Learning Choice Form<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0 | <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/547645995\/0c5bdfb6f4\"><b>Video in Spanish<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/547666264\/afa4ad8ef8\"><b>Video in Amharic<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/547721500\/511500629c\"><b>Video in Arabic<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/acpsva.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_0kYgNqiqForg0eO\"><b>Learning Choice Form<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is due on May 24, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.! <\/span><b>This is<\/b> <b>the last day for families to inform ACPS of their selection for Summer Learning and the 2021-22 school year.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a family does not make a selection before the deadline, then <\/span><b>their child will be automatically enrolled in in-person learning for the first semester of the school year and will not be enrolled in Summer Learning.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families received the form by email on May 11, and are asked to complete it by May 24, 2021 for each child attending an ACPS school. This form has two important questions that every ACPS family must answer for each student:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Summer 2021: Will your child(ren) participate in the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/summer\"><b>Summer Learning for All<\/b><\/a><b> program? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The program will be offered <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">July 6-July 30, with a two-week extended virtual program Aug. 2-12 for students invited to participate.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>PreK-8th grade:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>High school:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 7:45 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Fall 2021: For the 2021-22 school year, <\/b><b>would you like for your child(ren) to participate five days a week in either ACPS in-person learning OR 100% virtual learning through Virtual Virginia?<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3691\"><b>Learn more about each of these options<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/acpsva.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_0kYgNqiqForg0eO\"><b>Learning Choice Form<\/b><\/a><b> will close at 11:59 p.m. on May 24, 2021. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision families make now for the fall semester of 2021-22 is important to our comprehensive planning. If families need to change their response after submitting it and before the May 24 deadline, they should call their school so that their selections can be updated in PowerSchool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3491\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help answer family questions about their options. <\/span><b>Help with the Learning Choice Form is also available by calling the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/virtualplushelpline\"><b>ACPS Helpline<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"covid-vaccination-for-ages-12-\"><a id=\"covid-vaccination-for-ages-12-\" name=\"covid-vaccination-for-ages-12-\"><\/a><b>COVID Vaccination for Ages 12+ on May 22<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17429\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Free-COVID-19-Vaccine-Clinic-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and other providers in Alexandria are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to residents ages 12 and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was previously approved for use in those aged 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines are currently only available for ages 18 and older.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AHD recommends that everyone ages 12 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are safe, effective and free. Get vaccinated to protect our families, schools and the community from COVID-19. No pre-registration, ID or insurance is required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AHD is coordinating with ACPS to host vaccine events for both public and private school families. Minors 17 years of age and younger must have a parent, guardian, or adult aged 18 or older designated by the parent or guardian present on-site to receive the vaccine. AHD is requesting appointments be scheduled for the May 22 vaccine clinic. Walk-ups and appointments will be accepted at the June 5 event. To schedule, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linkprotect.cudasvc.com\/url?a=http%3a%2f%2falexandriava.gov%2fVaccines&amp;c=E,1,nokfUjqXvCflskeJpBNPGVkzAGYXVWBBmT9825Ff65qWB6zDrgN49TgTWIyGkgSd7vS0v-Qj81xIMyCDo8BBdUZTVs2wtnKIIGL3pHQMXiGPCcbpNWu5qw,,&amp;typo=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alexandriava.gov\/Vaccines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or call 703-746-4988 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two AHD clinics held in ACPS schools are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pfizer Vaccine (First Dose, Ages 12+)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saturday, May 22, 1:00-3:30 p.m.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provider: Alexandria Health Department<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Location: George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ahd0522\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule Now \u2014 By Appointment Only<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pfizer Vaccine (First Dose, Ages 12+)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saturday, June 5, 1:00-3:30 p.m.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provider: Alexandria Health Department<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Location: Francis C. Hammond Middle School, 4646 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ahd605\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule Now \u2014 Appointments and Walk-ins Accepted<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For information on additional AHD vaccination clinics and providers, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/news_display.aspx?id=122292\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The City of Alexandria website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"masks-still-required-in-prek-1\"><a id=\"masks-still-required-in-prek-1\" name=\"masks-still-required-in-prek-1\"><\/a><b>Masks Still Required in PreK-12 Schools<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17430\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512_114043.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On May 14, Gov. Ralph Northam lifted Virginia&#8217;s universal indoor mask mandate to align with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/vaccines\/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new guidance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gov. Northam also announced that Virginia will ease all distancing and capacity restrictions on Friday, May 28, two weeks earlier than planned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to note that masks are still supported for K-12 school settings by the CDC, the state of Virginia and the Alexandria Health Department. The CDC <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/cdc-mask-guidelines-schools-remain-rest-school-year\/story?id=77725197&amp;cid=clicksource_4380645_3_three_posts_card_hed\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clarified over the weekend<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that it is still recommending <\/span><b>schools continue to use current guidelines and continue to have students wear masks and social distance until the end of the school year.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Executive Orders 72 Amended and its replacement, Executive Order 79 (effective on May 28, 2021 at midnight) <\/span><b>require<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that &#8220;all K-12 students, teachers, staff and visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on school property, regardless of vaccination status.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>ACPS will follow this guidance, requiring students, staff and visitors to wear masks while on ACPS property or attending ACPS events.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does that mean for ACPS staff and students?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Until further notice, both Alexandria<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/health\/info\/default.aspx?id=114727#:~:text=When%20outdoors%2C%20all%20individuals%20aged,as%20recommended%20by%20the%20CDC.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City Ordinance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Shared\/documents\/school-board-policies\/jhcf-r.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS\u2019 Regulation JHCF-R: Wellness Guidelines for the Alexandria City Public Schools (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> still require masks in facilities and on school property.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Masks should be worn at all times by ACPS students, staff, and visitors while at an ACPS facility\/school, buses, or special event \u2014 both indoors and outdoors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sports (to include spectators of ACPS events) and entertainment (proms and other events) are not included in the Governor&#8217;s Executive Order.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"acps-teachers-earn-national-bo\"><a id=\"acps-teachers-earn-national-bo\" name=\"acps-teachers-earn-national-bo\"><\/a><b>ACPS Teachers Earn National Board Certification<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/PhotoCollage_20210520_142726478-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1439\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has announced that 11 ACPS teachers have become certified or renewed their certification. National Board Certification is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education and indicates that teachers have met the profession\u2019s highest standards for accomplished practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Alexandria City School Board recognized their achievement at the May 20 Board meeting. Congratulations to all and thank you for your dedication to teaching and learning in ACPS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Newly National Board Certified Teachers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laura Beers (T.C. Williams, International Academy)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Theress Carrington (Samuel W. Tucker, Special Education)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Katherine Cherry (Mount Vernon, TIS)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christina Davin-Smith (Douglas MacArthur, Instructional Coach)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebecca De Louise (Samuel W. Tucker, 5th grade)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abigail Dillingham (James K. Polk, Visual Arts)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erin Flynn-Pace (Charles Barrett, Instrumental Music)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jennifer Kazanciyan (T.C. Williams, Science)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heather Rosner (George Mason, Band)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phillip Smith (T.C. Williams, International Academy)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Renewed National Board Certified Teacher:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erin Hudson (T.C. Williams, Social Studies)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"mental-health-awareness:-resou\"><a id=\"mental-health-awareness:-resou\" name=\"mental-health-awareness:-resou\"><\/a><b>Mental Health Awareness: Resources and Our Efforts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17432\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/yana-mhm-Facebook-post-mhm1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1201\" height=\"629\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlights that anyone experiencing a mental health condition should not feel alone. ACPS has a wide array of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/student-services\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">student services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and resources to support our community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the past year, ACPS has supported student mental health and wellness by delivering daily social-emotional and academic learning (SEAL) lessons. This has been a collaboration between schools, the Office of Student Support Teams, the Office of Equity and Alternative Programs and the Office of Instructional Support. Schools are using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ycei.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RULER curriculum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, resources provided by ACPS, or lessons developed by the school to meet their community&#8217;s needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, ACPS completed a universal social-emotional screener in the fall of 2020 in grades 3-12 to assess individual student needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results from this screening tool allowed for critical trauma-informed strategies to be incorporated into the daily SEAL lessons. Moreover, it helped identify students with higher levels of social-emotional and mental health needs who were then able to receive additional services and support from their school&#8217;s Student Support Team. The ACPS Office of Equity and Alternative Programs has developed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3094\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resources as we continue to have critical conversations about racial justice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the United States and the impact of systemic racism on the health and wellness of our students and community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Student Support Team staff members at each school are available to discuss student and family concerns about their child(ren). Every school in ACPS has a counselor, nurse, psychologist, and social worker dedicated to supporting its students. Families can contact their school or look at the information found on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3356\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office of Student Support Teams website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To comply with a Virginia law that went into effect on July 1, 2020, all ACPS staff have completed training on having conversations with students about mental health concerns and help them get support. This training also demonstrated how to engage in trauma-informed educational practices through modules created by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kognito.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kognito<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These research-based modules increase each staff member&#8217;s skills and comfort levels by supporting conversations about student mental health and wellness. Some of these <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/news_display.aspx?id=120043\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">modules are also available to the community<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through The City of Alexandria services through June 30, 2021, including training on mental health concerns and suicide prevention, LGBTQ youth, and one module designed to help high school students have discussions with their peers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Alexandria City Department of Community and Health Services also provides information and resources on youth <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/dchs\/adultservices\/default.aspx?id=97610\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Alexandria City provides <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/dchs\/adultservices\/default.aspx?id=50418\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-hour emergency mental health services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and resources for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/dchs\/info\/default.aspx?id=109758\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suicide prevention and intervention<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reminder: Open Enrollment Closes May 28 \u2022 ACPS Staff Employment Opportunities for Summer Learning \u2022 LAST CHANCE: Learning Choice Form is Due May 24 for Summer Learning and Fall 2021 \u2022 COVID Vaccination for Ages 12+ on May 22 \u2022 Masks Still Required in PreK-12 Schools \u2022 Mental Health Awareness: Resources and Our Efforts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9552,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-announcements"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-16 19:02:31","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\/9550","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=9550"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9554,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9550\/revisions\/9554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}