{"id":16522,"date":"2020-05-20T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16522"},"modified":"2020-05-20T13:07:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T17:07:58","slug":"covid-closure-daily-update-for-wednesday-may-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16522","title":{"rendered":"COVID Closure Daily Update for Wednesday, May 20"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

en espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/a> | \u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/a> | \u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 43 \u2014 Learning from Home Experience<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s always so wonderful when, during trying times, we are able to share good news and champion our staff. Over the past week, I\u2019ve announced our ACPS Support Staffer of the Year, our Teacher of the Year and our Principal of the Year. All are truly worthy winners of this annual honor. The wonderful reactions from all winners, and those who supported them, have been a joy to witness. It is so important that we continue to recognize our exceptional employees. For a school division to be effective, it requires a staff who believe in the critical importance of our work. ACPS is fortunate to have that throughout.<\/p>\n

Teachers are one of the chambers of the beating heart of our school division. I embrace and cherish this since I was one for many years and still fulfill my love for teaching even today. Teachers are our ambassadors, on our front line, and our benchmark for success. Teachers help us to shape the future of our nation, and their role cannot be underplayed.<\/p>\n

Today, I would like to tell you a little more about Ashley Sandoval, our Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology physical education instructor, named 2020 Teacher of the Year. Sandoval, affectionately known as Miss Sando, is the kind of teacher we all want for our children. In her five years at Cora Kelly, she has demonstrated both excellence and commitment that has put her in a class of her own. She is universally loved at Cora Kelly where she has thrown herself into every area of school life with such enthusiasm. Congratulations, Miss Sando, and we look forward to your continuing to be an ambassador for education as our 2020 Teacher of the Year!<\/p>\n

Yesterday, T.C. Williams High School released plans for its alternative graduation plans for our seniors. Senior year of high school is one of the most important rites of passage in any student\u2019s academic career. While our school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have upended our traditional ending to a school year, our team has been hard at work trying to plan the most meaningful and special ways to recognize our seniors while also being responsible to ensure our duties to prevent the spread of any disease and ensure public safety and health.<\/p>\n

We will be holding a virtual Class of 2020 graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., the same date and time as the original graduation ceremony. The ceremony will include a keynote graduation address delivered by T.C. Williams High School Class of 2016 graduate, Noah Lyles, who is part of Team USA and was originally scheduled to compete in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer.<\/p>\n

Full details of the plans for graduation and senior celebration will be outlined in next Wednesday’s ACPS Express. I hope you will all join me in celebrating the very special graduating Class of 2020!<\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay informed!<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.
\nSuperintendent of Schools<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Ashley Sandoval, ACPS 2020 Teacher of the Year!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With so many wonderful teachers at ACPS, choosing just one each year is a challenging task. But we are delighted to announce that Ashley Sandoval, physical education teacher at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, is the 2020 Teacher of the Year.<\/p>\n

Sandoval, known to all as Miss Sando, is a much-loved and respected educator who goes above and beyond on a daily basis to support her students and her school.<\/p>\n

She was told the good news on Monday morning and celebrated later during a virtual meeting of the ACPS principals, led by Dr. Hutchings.<\/p>\n

Writing on Twitter afterward<\/a>, she said, \u201cI am in shock! I cannot believe I won teacher of the year in ACPS. I woke up to these awesome people and @DrHutchings on facetime in my living room!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA quick clothing change and I was happy to have this surprise. Thank you to everyone that has supported and nominated me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When earlier this year Sandoval was asked what teaching meant to her, she said she valued the opportunity to help prepare children for the future.<\/p>\n

She said, \u201cTeaching to me means creating the opportunity for students to grow their knowledge and skills to overcome any obstacles they may face in the future. As a health and physical education teacher, my teaching focuses on life, social, and physical skills needed for a student to be a valuable, safe, and healthy citizen in a community. I want my students to know and understand that they can achieve greatness in any dream or passion they may have through life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teachers, educators, students and parents at Cora Kelly gave their overwhelming support to her nomination.<\/p>\n

Angie, a fifth grader, wrote about how much her teacher did to help at school. \u201cI nominate Miss Sando for Teacher of the Year. I think she is great because of all the things she does for us here at Cora Kelly. She helps lead the safety patrols, she helps on announcements, and she also teaches us in gym with fun activities!\u201d<\/p>\n

Genesis, a fourth grader was grateful for all her teacher did to keep students safe. \u201cI think she is great because every single school morning she stands outside so we can be safe. Another reason she teaches us biking, fitness, swimming, team work. She also helps the Safety Patrols get their job done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sandoval has been at Cora Kelly since 2015 and along with her teaching responsibilities, she runs the Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings for the encore team and is an active member of our Instructional Council and School Improvement Team.<\/p>\n

This year, she worked to arrange swimming lessons for fourth graders at the Title I school.<\/p>\n

Principal of Cora Kelly, Jasibi Crews, said Sandoval was a worthy winner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could not think of a more deserving teacher,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dedication she has for Cora Kelly staff, students, and the community is unquestionable. Ashley is more than just an exceptional physical education teacher. Ashley is the kind of teacher who jumps in to help a colleague in need of support, whether it is to help with a lesson, provide an idea, or connect with a student. Ms. Sando, as our Cora Kelly Cougar students call her, will volunteer her time to plan a fun end of the year talent show and will make sure that field day is unforgettable. She knows every student’s name and embodies our inclusive, loving Cora Kelly way in all that she does.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch as Dr. Hutchings congratulates Miss Sando on Zoom, and Cora Kelly Principal Jasibi Crews surprises her at her home:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Your Questions Answered<\/h2>\n

In the last video Q&A, Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. answered questions on the school calendar and enrollment.<\/p>\n