{"id":17289,"date":"2021-03-19T11:49:39","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17289"},"modified":"2021-03-19T14:38:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T18:38:11","slug":"reopening-updates-and-spring-break-guidance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17289","title":{"rendered":"Reopening Updates and Spring Break Guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210319-spanish.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210319-amharic.pdf\">\u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1527\/ACPS-Express-20210319-arabic.pdf\">\u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>This Week\u2019s Headlines:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#return\">Return to School Update: \u201cA Day of Celebration\u201d<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#spring\">Spring Break Reminders and Health Guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#metrics\">Latest Community Health Metrics<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#virtual\">Virtual PLUS+ Phased Reentry Hybrid Instructional Plan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sfa\">Support Students Through The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria\u2019s Upcoming Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#nutrition\">A Round of Applause for Our Nutrition Director<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#cip\">Upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Community Meetings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#read\">Share A Story and Let Your Reading Shine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#food\">FOOD ACCESS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dear ACPS Families and Community,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday, we welcomed back our final group of students who have opted to return to our school buildings at this time. I was able to visit our students and staff throughout the day as they settled back into classrooms and were reunited with our team. I am happy to say, the day went smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At T.C. Williams High School, I was joined by School Board Chair Meagan Alderton, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and T.C. Williams High School Principal Peter Balas to tour classrooms and observe our safety protocols. We have a lot to be thankful for and I would like to give a special shout out today to our \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d staff who play such a critical role in keeping our students and staff safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I know many of you are hoping to transfer students from virtual to hybrid and are eager to know when that will happen. We will monitor and analyze over the next couple of weeks to determine our operations and opportunities for expansion. We plan to share more details about the ability to transition more families into hybrid learning in April, and we also plan to prioritize students who are experiencing significant social, emotional and academic learning challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, we have had several questions about outdoor lunch and usage of playground equipment at the elementary school level. Our team is focused on the return of our hybrid students to ensure that we are making the necessary adjustments to provide a robust hybrid learning experience. We will finalize our plans regarding outdoor lunch and access to playground equipment over the next few weeks. We will provide an update to our hybrid families on these topics after Spring Break.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I also wanted to provide some insight to fall 2021. ACPS is currently in the process of planning how schooling will look in the 2021-22 academic year. While many factors remain uncertain, we plan to be able to offer in-person schooling to as many students, as many days a week, as CDC guidelines will allow, and we are aiming for five days per week. Also, we remain cognizant of the fact that some of our families may wish to remain virtual for the upcoming school year. Our program of virtual learning has been robust for many families. If families that are uncomfortable returning their children to our school buildings this fall wish to continue with this format, we plan to be able to consider these individual requests as well. More details about our summer 2021 learning and the 2021-22 academic year planning will be shared in April.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, I wanted to highlight our COVID-19 related guidelines for Spring Break. While we understand the very real need to get away for a few days, we also ask that you consider the potential implications of non-essential travel. We have worked closely with the Alexandria Health Department on this, and today\u2019s newsletter includes a Spring Break Guidelines video on this subject, which we also shared with families and staff this past Wednesday. Please take the time to view this. I know you all understand the need to put safety first if our schools are to remain open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay safe, healthy and engaged.<\/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=\"return\" name=\"return\"><\/a>Return to School Update: \u201cA Day of Celebration\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This week, an additional 3,682 students across all grades joined their classmates who had already returned to our school buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dr. Hutchings visited our schools with School Board Chair Meagan Alderton. Mayor Justin Wilson, whose two children attend ACPS schools, dropped by to meet them at T.C. on Tuesday. He said, &#8220;Today is a day of celebration. We&#8217;re finally at a place where we have this very, very large group of students coming back into our schools. It&#8217;s also an opportunity for us to pay tribute to our educators, our support staff, as well as our families who have sacrificed so much over the last year but have worked so hard for this day. And we have got more work to do, no question about it, as we go forward until we get everyone back as normal as we possibly can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/525142189\"><b>VIDEO: See our students, teachers and staff back in classrooms<\/b><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/525142189\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17291\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1356\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM.jpg 1356w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM-260x145.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM-800x447.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM-179x100.jpg 179w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.22.07-PM-768x429.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1356px) 100vw, 1356px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"spring\" name=\"spring\"><\/a>Spring Break Reminders and Health Guidance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring Break is March 29-April 2, and our community&#8217;s health and safety remain at the forefront. As you plan your children&#8217;s time away from school, please consider the following advice to help our community stay healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS strongly discourages all non-essential travel, consistent with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) guidance, regardless of a person&#8217;s vaccination status. If you must travel for essential reasons, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/coronavirus\/travel-to-areas-with-widespread-ongoing-community-spread\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">follow VDH guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Our successful reopening depends on all students, families and staff being extra vigilant about implementing mitigating measures and not traveling unless it is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS has collaborated with the AHD to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3519\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">develop health guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that include mitigation measures that prioritize staff and students&#8217; health and safety at all times. With all of us working together to wear face masks, keep six feet of physical distance, and complete temperature screenings and the Daily Symptom Checklist, we will help keep our school doors open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Please watch the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5oQeXw29ww0\"><b>Health Guidance Update video<\/b><\/a><b> that was shared with the community on Wednesday:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5oQeXw29ww0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17292\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1354\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM.jpg 1354w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM-800x448.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM-179x100.jpg 179w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-18-at-2.35.01-PM-768x430.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1354px) 100vw, 1354px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Spring Break Food Distribution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During Spring Break, only the T.C. Williams, Hammond and Cora Kelly food distribution locations will be operating. Grab and Go meals will be available at these sites on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 7:30 a.m. and noon. There will be no pop-up site distribution during Spring Break.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"metrics\" name=\"metrics\"><\/a>Latest Community Health Metrics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the most current community health metrics connected to our ability to keep schools open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/key-measures\/pandemic-metrics\/school-metrics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexandria\u2019s latest K-12 school health metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the week ending on March 13, 2021:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/coronavirus\/key-measures\/pandemic-metrics\/school-metrics\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17293\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1598\" height=\"2223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313.png 1598w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313-431x600.png 431w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313-72x100.png 72w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313-768x1068.png 768w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313-1104x1536.png 1104w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210313-1472x2048.png 1472w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1598px) 100vw, 1598px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"virtual\" name=\"virtual\"><\/a>Virtual PLUS+ Phased Reentry Hybrid Instructional Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/5.0_VP-Reentry-Plan.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual PLUS+ Phased Reentry Hybrid Instructional Plan 5.0 (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was submitted to the Virginia Department of Education and provides a detailed update regarding the planning and implementation of the hybrid instructional plan for returning groups of ACPS students using a staggered timeline. The hybrid plan includes a combination of in-person and virtual instruction for students. It is designed to adhere to safety guidance provided by the Alexandria Health Department (AHD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the ACPS Levels of School Impact factors for transitioning between methods of instruction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"sfa\" name=\"sfa\"><\/a>Support Students Through The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria\u2019s Upcoming Events<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you help a Titan secure their dream of college? The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) is holding two exciting fundraising events in the coming weeks to support students in the Class of 2021. These students have faced the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID pandemic and its far-reaching economic impacts. We are calling them \u201cGeneration Resilient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFA is celebrating 35 years of investing in more than 5,000 Alexandria graduates by providing need-based financial support to realize college dreams. The SFA has received 300 applications from the Class of 2021. This year, more than ever, students and families are counting on all of us. Your support will help shape their future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u201cRemember the Titans\u201d at the Drive-In, March 27<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather the family and head to the Alexandria Drive-In to watch \u201cRemember the Titans\u201d on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriadrivein.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-In<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is partly the idea of Titan alumnus Allen Brooks, who gratefully received a scholarship from SFA years ago. The event is being supported that night by volunteer students in the T.C. Williams Key Club. Tickets cost $40 per car and can be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tickets.goodfynd.com\/vendors\/remember-the-titans-drive-in-movie\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchased online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>GALA 35&#8230;THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME, April 23-24<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexscholarshipfund.org\/for-donors\/gala\/\"><b>GALA 35<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will feature a Friday Night live Virtual Raffle &amp; Cocktail Hour (April 23), a Saturday Night Gala (April 24) including delivery of gourmet meals for sponsors, swag bags and special gifts along with our Online Silent Auction, and a LIVE Virtual Event. GALA 35 will also feature a Jack Taylor&#8217;s Alexandria Toyota Grand Prize Raffle, a LIVE Auction, entertainment and inspirational stories from our Class of 2021 scholarship recipients. Show your Titan pride and support by getting involved.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/e.givesmart.com\/events\/k2S\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Become a GALA 35 Sponsor or Purchase a Ticket<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/e.givesmart.com\/events\/k2S\/donateNewItem\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donate an item to the Silent or LIVE Auction<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/e.givesmart.com\/events\/k2S\/signUp\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Register to be a bidder in the Virtual Silent Auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"mailto:scholarshipfund@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact SFA to Purchase a Raffle Ticket<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the Grand Prize Raffle. $100\/ticket gets you one chance to win a 2021 Toyota RAV-4 or $25,000.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are unable to attend either of these events, you can still show your support by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/e.givesmart.com\/events\/k2S\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">making a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you wish to submit a check or auction item donation via mail, please mail to: The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, 3330 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID: EIN 20-0031464.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"nutrition\" name=\"nutrition\"><\/a>A Round of Applause for Our Nutrition Director\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17294\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/cynthia-e1616166613352.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"663\" height=\"812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/cynthia-e1616166613352.png 663w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/cynthia-e1616166613352-260x318.png 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/cynthia-e1616166613352-490x600.png 490w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/cynthia-e1616166613352-82x100.png 82w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When our school buildings closed last March, one of the division\u2019s major priorities became ensuring that those students who were at risk of going hungry were supplied with plentiful, nutritious food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS School Nutrition Services Director Cynthia Hormel led the division\u2019s charge, coordinating a huge multiple-site operation that has been critical to the well-being of our families.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since March 16, 2020, her team has distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to our children:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17295\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/food-stats.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/food-stats.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/food-stats-255x360.jpg 255w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/food-stats-425x600.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/food-stats-71x100.jpg 71w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To recognize Hormel\u2019s exceptional leadership and dedication, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nokidhungry.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No Kid Hungry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has awarded her the School Meals Hero trophy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shareourstrength.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Share Our Strength<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. After 25 years of successfully investing in local nonprofits and helping find the best approaches to eradicating poverty and hunger, Share Our Strength launched No Kid Hungry in 2010.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"cip\" name=\"cip\"><\/a>Upcoming Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Community Meetings<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Douglas MacArthur Modernization &#8211; Virtual Community Meeting<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Douglas MacArthur Modernization Project team invites you to join a virtual community meeting on <\/span><b>Wednesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Join this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/96094662800?pwd=bFIyZTZ5QVEwVzBSbTB1TlNRMVZjUT09\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn about updates on the Douglas MacArthur Elementary School demolition process. Learn more about the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/acps.k12.va.us\/douglas-macarthur-modernization-project-virtual-community-meeting-march-1311270?e=364fd8024d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meeting details<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The High School Project &#8211; Virtual Community Meeting Design Concepts Review<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The High School Project team invites you to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/91611601588?pwd=WHRnWjEwSUlRTkRlMUlRdHFvTy9zUT09\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 to view the updated design concepts for the new Minnie Howard building. This virtual meeting is an opportunity for the community to give feedback that will inform the School Board in the new concept selection process. The School Board will choose the concept for the new Minnie Howard building at the April 8, 2021 virtual School Board meeting. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/acps.k12.va.us\/high-school-project-community-meeting-march-25?e=364fd8024d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about this meeting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"read\" name=\"read\"><\/a>Share A Story and Let Your Reading Shine<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17296\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/acps-reads.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"628\" height=\"283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/acps-reads.png 628w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/acps-reads-260x117.png 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/acps-reads-222x100.png 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is time for ACPS Kids Read! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We invite all ACPS students to submit read-aloud videos for broadcasting on ACPS-TV, cable channel 71. Through the ACPS Kids Read program, students have the opportunity to record themselves reading to an audience of other ACPS students. We encourage reading your stories in a variety of languages. Entries should be submitted by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May 15, 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students should choose their favorite book, find a comfortable location to record, read the book while being recorded, edit their video if they want to add their name and the book title, and upload their read-aloud video. We encourage parents to help students by keeping the recording device (phone, tablet, computer) steady while filming. Learn more about the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ZWVBlMBdJfh4r3AiGSFQy71x-BdgX8kZ\/view\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS Kids Read program (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and this exciting opportunity to share your love of reading.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"food\" name=\"food\"><\/a>FOOD ACCESS<\/h2>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">ACPS has multiple distribution meal site locations throughout Alexandria for all ACPS students and children over the age of two. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/schoolclosurefood\">See a map and list of food distribution locations and times<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Spring Break Food Distribution<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring Spring Break, March 29-April 2, only the following food distribution locations will be operating:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">T.C. Williams High School<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Francis C. Hammond Middle School<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab and Go meals will be available at these sites on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 7:30 a.m. and noon. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There will be no pop-up site distribution during Spring Break.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>April 5 Food Distribution<\/strong><br \/>\nMonday, April 5 is a Teacher Work Day and there is no school for students. However, all food distribution sites and community pop-up locations will be open at their normal times (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/schoolclosurefood\">9 a.m. to noon for school sites, and various times for pop-up locations<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ACPS Express 3\/19\/2021: Reopening Updates and Spring Break Health Guidance \u2022 Scholarship Fund of Alexandria\u2019s Upcoming Events \u2022 Upcoming Capital Improvement Program Community Meetings \u2026and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":17290,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acps","category-coronavirus"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-02 12:08:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17289"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17300,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17289\/revisions\/17300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}