{"id":16901,"date":"2020-09-23T04:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T08:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16901"},"modified":"2020-09-29T15:57:41","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T19:57:41","slug":"looking-ahead-discussions-on-reentry-plans-with-transition-announcement-planned-for-oct-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=16901","title":{"rendered":"Looking Ahead: Discussions on Reentry Plans With Transition Announcement Planned for Oct. 15"},"content":{"rendered":"
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en espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/a> | \u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/a> | \u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n

Last Thursday we shared our Virtual PLUS+ <\/span>attendance figures<\/span><\/a> with the School Board. Our first data review found that 93% of all students had been online and engaged in at least 50% of their classes in the first week.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the missing seven percent, we will certainly have students who have moved away from our division over the summer without withdrawing from ACPS, and therefore we can safely assume our participation will increase once we have the adjusted enrollment numbers in the coming weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does this tell us? It tells us that across all grade levels, our students are coming to class. In these early days, as we establish virtual learning routines, this is a critical starting point. Our teachers have been incredible by providing inspiring and challenging instruction which is key to keeping our young people returning in these unusual circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each week, we will collate this data for comparisons and analyze the trends emerging which will help inform our decisions and modifications to the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Monday, September 21, our Virtual PLUS+ Learning Advisory Team met to discuss celebrations, challenges and recommendations for the first two weeks of Virtual PLUS+. This week, we will also be meeting with principals and the ACPS Senior Leadership Team to identify trends and common themes that were shared during this Virtual PLUS+ Learning Advisory Team Meeting. The goal is to share some of that feedback next week and discuss some of the potential adjustments as a result.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, you will find details of our preliminary discussions around the phased reentry of students to our school buildings for in-person learning. Families, staff and students will be surveyed starting Sept. 25. Along with guidance from the Alexandria Health Department and analysis compiled by our staff, we will use that survey data to help us make informed decisions about our next steps. These next steps are currently scheduled for an announcement in mid-October.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week the School Board voted to consider the possibility of changing the name of Matthew Maury Elementary School, in addition to that of our only high school. Please do not miss the opportunity to learn more during our first <\/span>Community Read-In<\/span><\/a> on these school name changes for what will now be known as <\/span>The Identity Project<\/span><\/i><\/a>. It is sure to be an educational, fascinating and enlightening event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay informed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Looking Ahead: Planning for the Transition Back into our Schools<\/b><\/h2>\n

As we outlined in our <\/span>Virtual PLUS+ Continuity of Learning Plan (PDF)<\/span><\/a>, at the end of the first quarter and afterward every seven weeks we will reassess whether it is safe and feasible to reopen our school buildings to students. We will be sharing an update on this during the School Board meeting on Oct. 15.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discussions are currently underway about how we might consider bringing our students who attend our citywide special education programs \u2014 some of our most vulnerable students \u2014 back into our schools for some in-person learning opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

This month, we surveyed our preK-2 Specialized Instruction staff and have been examining in detail the processes and protocols that would be necessary for both staff and students to stay safe. This includes looking at social distancing requirements, the requirement to wear masks, special cleaning processes, transportation, nutritional needs and staffing numbers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are also having discussions about our youngest learners, especially our students in pre-K through grade 2. We are aware of issues around transition times and are working on some solutions to ensure greater success for our youngest students.<\/span><\/p>\n

We have gathered a team of 194 teachers who are providing invaluable input on feasible next steps. Next week, we will be surveying our staff and families to hear more directly about their experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our goal is to present our findings, along with input from the Alexandria Health Department, to the School Board on October 15, 2020 as part of our reentry reevaluation process. This will allow a two to three week window for families to make any needed accommodations or adjustments before we begin the next semester on Nov. 3, 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch Dr. Hutchings as he addressed the School Board on this subject last Thursday.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

View the Superintendent\u2019s First Week of School Update presentation (PDF)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

How the First Week Looked<\/b><\/h2>\n

Last Thursday, we shared our Virtual PLUS+ attendance figures with the School Board.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n