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Day 17 – Learning from Home Experience
Welcome back from spring break! Yesterday, our staff were engaged in professional learning to help us navigate our “new normal” of teaching and learning from home. We will continue to support our students throughout the remainder of the academic year to be successful learners.
Back in March, we never expected to find ourselves needing to develop creative ways to ensure continuity of learning from home throughout the academic year. We know that for many parents, especially those with some of our youngest students at home, this is not an easy transition. For students in preK-2, our best advice for you is to focus on the learning activities provided and ask your child’s teacher for any additional support needed so we can assist when possible. You should have already received new Learning Activity Packets in the mail. If you did not, please contact your principal as soon as possible via phone or email. In addition, starting today, we are supplementing these Learning Packets with lessons and read-aloud sessions on TV. AlexTV Channel 70 is for pre-K and kindergarten students, and ACPS-TV Channel 71 is for grades 1 and 2. Both can be watched locally on Comcast or online.
We know that we cannot replicate our face-to-face learning experience while our school buildings are closed, however, we can continue to be innovative with our approaches to teaching and learning. It will take some time for us to get things completely on target and we must continue to practice empathy and grace throughout this journey, while striving to bring energy and passion to our remote learning experiences.
As we embark on the remainder of our academic year, ACPS Express will move to three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This week, because we have an ACPS Express edition going out on a Tuesday, our next edition will be Friday. My video Q&As will move to Tuesdays and Thursdays from now on. Please know we will continue to communicate regularly throughout the school closures to keep you informed.
In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools
PLANNING LEARNING FOR OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS
We know many of you with some of our youngest students at home are feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of providing adequate education for children who are too young to work independently. For students in preK-2, our best advice for you is to focus on the basics when it comes to academics and stick with what you know. Pick no more than a handful of the myriad of resources available. Ideally, use ones that you are already familiar and comfortable with. And try and switch up your day with a mix of activities and media.
- Utilize both ACPS-TV and PBS channels (see below on how to access)
- Dip into the learning packets
- Have older kids “teach” younger kids when possible
- Get outside when possible, while practicing social distancing
- Teach a new practical skill such as tying shoelaces, riding a bike without training wheels, or making a simple sandwich
Please do what you can, when you can, and for your own sanity, go easy on yourself by keeping expectations of both yourself and your child in check. We totally understand that these are tough times with an immense amount of pressure put on us all. Please don’t feel the need to fill your child’s every waking hour with stimulation. Being bored for a while can spark imagination and creativity and teach independence.
NEW LEARNING CONTENT ON ACPS-TV AND ALEXTV
Starting today, ACPS will be using ACPS-TV Channel 71 and AlexTV Channel 70 to give students in pre-K through grade 2 access to 3.5 hours of new learning content every day from 8 to 11:30 a.m. This will include:
- 90 minutes of new lessons taught by our teachers every day. These lessons will include read-alouds and learning activities taught by ACPS teachers and administrators.
- 1 hour of exercise that can be done at home
- 1 hour of age appropriate educational shows
AlexTV Cable Channel 70 is directed specifically at pre-K and kindergarten students and can be watched locally on Comcast or on the City of Alexandria website.
ACPS-TV Cable Channel 71 is directed specifically at grades 1 and 2 and can be watched locally on Comcast or on the ACPS website.
In addition, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will air instructional content for all grades from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday on local PBS station WETA. More information can be found in the VDOE news release (DOC).
SETTING REALISTIC GOALS FOR TEACHING WHILE WORKING FROM HOME
Here are wise words from our counseling team for anyone who is now trying to juggle the roles of parent, worker and teacher at home. All three are challenging and now many of us are having to take on this triple responsibility.
Many parents now find themselves torn between getting their own remote work done and supporting their children’s schooling efforts at home. How can you hope to accomplish what you need to accomplish when, in addition to meeting the challenge of learning new ways to work remotely, you’re also serving as a teacher, counselor, and principal in your own home? Not to mention all the laundry, cooking, and cleaning you’re trying to get done while keeping your head on straight. Stop, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of these tips below:
- Set realistic expectations for yourself! You are human. You are fallible. You are stressed and overwhelmed. Is there one thing you can take off your list? Maybe your yard won’t get weeded. Maybe you won’t vacuum this week. Or this month. Unless you like vacuuming! The point is, give yourself a break in any way you can.
- Set realistic expectations for your children, too. They are learning some important new skills as they try to learn and work independently. This will be harder for some kids than others. Your kids are also experiencing stress, and the brain just doesn’t work the same way under stress. Be as patient as you can be with them and with yourself.
- Remember that we’re all in this together, and we’ll get through it together. Reach out to your child’s school counselors if your kids need help or if you need help. By giving yourself, your child, and your expectations a break and taking stock of what is a must-have versus a nice-to-have, you and your family will be set up for a smoother path forward.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
In today’s Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. will answer questions about grading. The Alexandria City School Board has approved changes to the calendar for the third and fourth quarters. ACPS is also proposing changes to grading to prevent any student being penalized by the COVID-19 closures.
Watch the daily Q&A video, available at 3 p.m. or see answers to these questions in the updated FAQ.
NEW: Read the answers to these questions in our daily video transcripts, available in English, Spanish, Amharic and Arabic.
We welcome you to send us your questions.
CHANGES TO 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION DATES
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DATE CHANGE
Due to the Governor’s stay-at-home order, the start date for 2020-21 kindergarten registration will now be May 15, a month later than originally planned. Kindergarten registration is divided into two separate parts. Step 1 is the completion of the forms. Step 2 is the in-person verification of required documents. Both need to be completed for a child to be registered for the start of the next school year.
May 15, 2020: The online application process will open for forms to be completed online. Paper forms will be available at food distribution locations. Paper forms can also be printed from the ACPS website.
June 15, 2020 (subject to change, pending the lifting of the Governor’s stay-at-home order on June 10): In-person verification of required documents will start at schools. Appointments will be needed. More details to follow soon.
Find out more on the ACPS Enrollment web page and get your questions answered on the Registration FAQ for 2020-21.
PRE-K/VIRGINIA PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE REGISTRATION CHANGES
ACPS is continuing to register students for its Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) program. Please call 703-619-8026 or email vpiearlychildhood@acps.k12.va.us and a member of staff will contact you. Registration will be completed once the Governor’s stay-at-home order has been lifted.
CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION DATE CHANGE
Due to the Governor’s stay-at-home order, ACPS will not be officially enrolling new students arriving from outside Alexandria until June 15, 2020. Instead, students wishing to register with ACPS will be offered a learning packet with grade-appropriate activities, and will continue to be welcomed into the school community between now and June 15, 2020.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
ACPS is providing two days worth of breakfast and lunch meals free for any ACPS student on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the following locations:
- William Ramsay Elementary School
5700 Sanger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311 - Francis C. Hammond Middle School
4646 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 - Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
3600 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305 - Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
1501 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 - T.C. Williams High School
3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
GRAB-AND-GO MEAL LOCATIONS:
ACPS has multiple “grab and go” meal locations for any ACPS student or child over the age of 2 to pick up breakfast and lunch.
The sites are:
- Mason Apartments at South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Brent Place Apartments at 375 South Reynolds Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Ruby Tucker Family Center at 322 Tancil Court, Alexandria, VA 22314
10:45 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Community Lodgings at 607 Notabene Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - Old Towne West Apartments (parking lot) at 500 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
11:20 to 11:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
NO SIGN UP OR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE MEALS.
Meals consist of cold breakfast and lunch, including fresh fruits and vegetables and sandwiches for multiple days per the student’s need.
NOTE: No food distribution will occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The limited days for distribution is to support the practice of social distancing and to limit social gatherings.
Other Food Resources in the City of Alexandria
For food pantry locations and schedules in Alexandria, visit www.hungerfreealexandria.com or call 703-662-1067.
Questions? Or Need Translation?
Send us your question in Spanish, Arabic or Amharic:
- Text ACPSMEALS to 797979 (English and Spanish)
- Call or text 703-927-6866 (Amharic)
- Call or text 703-927-7095 (Arabic)
OR
Call the FACE Center’s Bilingual Parent Information Lines:
- For Spanish, call 571-775-9719, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- For Amharic, call 703-927-6866, Monday-Friday (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
- For Arabic, call 703-927-7095, Tuesday-Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
SAFETY REMINDER:
Please remember to observe social distancing practices while at the food distribution site by maintaining six feet of personal space between you and other families or individuals.
Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory illness like fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing or difficulty breathing on the day of food distribution or in the previous 24 hours should not visit a food distribution site but call a healthcare provider instead. If you do not have a primary care physician and are not enrolled in a clinic, you may CALL an urgent care center or emergency room.
Coping with COVID-19 Fear and Uncertainty
Check out the City of Alexandria webpage Coping with COVID-19 Fear and Uncertainty which includes the COVID-19 Wellness Resource Guide.
WANT TO HELP?
Please consider donating through ACT For Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund if you are able.
Community members who would like to volunteer should reach out to www.volunteeralexandria.org or 703-836-2176 to register for any additional potential volunteer opportunities.
UPDATES FROM THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The City of Alexandria has taken measures to further reduce risk, and encourages organizations and individuals to take action, as well. The AHD is reminding the community of the importance of social distancing by maintaining six feet of personal space whenever possible, and frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer. For other questions about COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional updates can be found at www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Continuity of School Support and Academic Advisement
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.
Emergency Supports
If there is a crisis or emergency during the time of the closure, students and families can access the supports below:
- Crisis Text and Crisis Link:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call: 703-527-4077
- Alexandria Safe Place
- Alexandria City 24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Services
- Alexandria City Health Department and AHD Contacts
- Inova Alexandria Hospital (ER)
We know that this is a challenging time. ACPS will continue to share information through the ACPS website, social media, and email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s school counselor or school social worker with any questions.
HEALTH REMINDERS
Don’t Feel Well?
Contact your primary health care physician. Don’t have insurance? Contact Neighborhood Health at 703-535-5568.
Have questions, concerns or feedback? Contact us.
Stay Healthy!
Wash your hands regularly. Regular soap is okay.