{"id":9476,"date":"2021-02-26T13:10:38","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T18:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/?p=9476"},"modified":"2021-02-26T13:10:38","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T18:10:38","slug":"updated-school-health-guidelines-and-faqs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/updated-school-health-guidelines-and-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Updated School Health Guidelines and FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>This Week\u2019s Headlines:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#metrics\">Latest Community Health Metrics<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#guide\">Back-to-School Guides and Videos for Hybrid Learning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#guidelines\">Updated School Health and Related Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Updated Hybrid Learning FAQs: Students with Disabilities, Child Care<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vaccine\">Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#bhm\">Black History Month: Teaching and Learning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#renaming\">Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#substance\">Substance Abuse Services for our Students<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#textbooks\">Public Review of Recommended New English\/Language Arts Textbooks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#assessments\">Important Changes to Local Alternative Assessments<\/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;\">I hope by now that those of you returning to school buildings in the coming weeks are feeling confident and familiar with our procedures and routines. Please be sure to check out the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17233\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">special edition newsletter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sent out on Wednesday which contains valuable resources that will help our families prepare in the best way possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On another note, we are getting closer to choosing the new names for both T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. Next Thursday, I will be presenting the top three names for each school from 14,947 poll participants. I will also be offering my recommendation. The final names that I will be putting forward met the Alexandria City School Board policies and were deemed suitable for naming a school. Careful consideration went into public opinion, suitability to the campus and student population, and our community. There will be a Public Hearing on this topic on March 18, and the School Board will make a final decision at the April 8 School Board meeting.<\/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=\"metrics\" name=\"metrics\"><\/a>Latest Community Health Metrics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alexandria\u2019s latest community health metrics as of Feb. 25, 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-17249\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/CDC-School-Metrics-20210225.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1598\" height=\"1343\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"guide\" name=\"guide\"><\/a>Back-to-School Guides and Videos for Hybrid Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following family resources were shared in a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/?p=17233\">special edition of ACPS Express<\/a> this week. Please feel free to pass these along to your families of hybrid students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Video: A Day in the Life for Our Hybrid Early Childhood and Elementary Students<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This video shows what an elementary and pre-K student\u2019s school day will look like. Similar videos for middle and high school will be shared in the March 5 edition of ACPS Express.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/516009947\/f51df56f00\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9477\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1618\" height=\"906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM.jpg 1618w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM-800x448.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM-179x100.jpg 179w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-24-at-11.26.37-AM-1536x860.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1618px) 100vw, 1618px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Back-to-School Guide and Checklist<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This handy guide contains information families need to know to be prepared for the first few weeks of school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the guide in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">English (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Spa.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">espa\u00f1ol (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Amh.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u12a0\u121b\u122d\u129b (PDF)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Ara.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u0628\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629 (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9478\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1650\" height=\"1275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1-260x201.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1-776x600.jpg 776w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1-129x100.jpg 129w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng1-1536x1187.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1650px) 100vw, 1650px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9479\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1650\" height=\"1275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2-260x201.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2-776x600.jpg 776w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2-129x100.jpg 129w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/back-to-school-guide-checklist-Eng2-1536x1187.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1650px) 100vw, 1650px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Videos: Reopening School Buildings &#8211; Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following 15-minute videos answer the top questions about reopening and hybrid learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>English<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/acpsk12\/videos\/263297865198697\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on Facebook<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/OdB0UJbhCyU\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Students with Disabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/acpsk12\/videos\/135088998411693\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on Facebook<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xRSBZHwrNKY\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spanish<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ACPSespanol\/videos\/284001603070719\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on Facebook<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/XA1dSX2gZdo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch on YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amharic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Eo695II2Tzs\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Arabic<\/b>: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/m3pWjK-C70s\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"guidelines\" name=\"guidelines\"><\/a>Updated School Health and Related Guidelines<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS has updated its extensive COVID-19 School Health and Related Guidelines to prepare for hybrid learning and adhere to current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and the Alexandria Health Department.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">View the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3519\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS COVID-19 School Health and Related Guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get information on topics such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student and Staff Health Screening Protocol During COVID-19<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protocols for Students Who Become Ill at School<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevention and Mitigation Strategies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230; and more.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"faq\" name=\"faq\"><\/a>Updated Hybrid Learning FAQs: Students with Disabilities, Child Care<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have updated our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3491\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to include more information on the following topics:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/cms\/lib\/VA01918616\/Centricity\/Domain\/1554\/FAQ-special-education-hybrid.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students with Disabilities and Hybrid Learning (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/3363\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virtual PLUS+ Child Care and Other Child Care Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"vaccine\" name=\"vaccine\"><\/a>Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open to All<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vaccinate.virginia.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaccinate Virginia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is encouraging all those who have not yet done so to preregister for the COVID-19 vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vaccinate.virginia.gov\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17250\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-4.44.41-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1974\" height=\"1106\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"bhm\" name=\"bhm\"><\/a>Black History Month: Teaching and Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17254\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/bhm.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1136\" height=\"642\" \/><br \/>\nGraphic created by Nilda Rivera, student at Mount Vernon Community School<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How have ACPS schools been creating learning opportunities for students around Black History Month? We reached out to librarians to find out what they have been sharing with teachers and students throughout February.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">John Adams Elementary School Librarian Emily Godfrey shared, &#8220;Our fourth grade team has created a virtual wax museum filled with historical and current African American heroes. Students have researched the life of their figure and are currently working hard on their WeVideo presentations. The library has supported this project by providing research materials and resources for each of the figures.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johnna, a fourth grader in Jeretha Thomas\u2019 class at John Adams, chose to research Katherine Johnson for her biography project. Johnna presented her project in costume and created a bottle biography doll.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17255\" src=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Johnna.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"288\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The K-3 students at John Adams have spent the month working on a Guided Inquiry unit around the Civil Rights Movement in their Library Encore classes. Students have immersed themselves in information, engaged with each other in conversation, inquired to gain a deeper understanding and reflected on their research process.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, librarian Matthew Hayes said they have been using the website <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storylineonline.net\/books\/trombone-shorty\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storyline Online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to share meaningful books on Black History. He said, &#8220;Some of my favorites are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/QitquEL48Co\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trombone Shorty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, read by Angela Bassett and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JvKaVLLXa30\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent Party Jazz<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, read by Viola Davis.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus library, LaGina Gross organizes &#8220;Monday Moments,&#8221; &#8220;Tuesday Trivia&#8221; and &#8220;Friday Film Fest,&#8221; highlighting achievements of African Americans as activities for students to participate in during their lunch hour. Gross also created a virtual flipbook for her students to access e-books from the school library collection, live events and virtual collections from Alexandria&#8217;s Black History Museum, National Museum of African American History, and other Black History resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Library Media Specialist Nilda Rivera at Mount Vernon Community School created a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/1lsHvdaoINQjbtIO6aC9k24ROHxx8qeBJQEy3y_-wEto\/edit#slide=id.gbb00c27252_0_3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual library<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for students (click on the pictures to lead you to reading recommendations.) She expanded those resources to share with families, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/history\/topic\/african-american-heroes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Geographic Kids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pebblego.com\/biographies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PebbleGo biographies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storylineonline.net\/books\/trombone-shorty\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storyline Online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and book titles from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myon.com\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyOn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Epic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Rivera includes resources in Spanish and English. She recommends these two books for families to explore at home: \u201cLittle Leaders: Bold Women in Black History\u201d and \u201cLittle Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History\u201d by Vashti Harrison.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The librarians at T.C. send a weekly newsletter to staff. February has been dedicated to Black History Month, providing school library resources and resources from the community, some of which students have been able to pick up curbside. Laurel Taylor and Beth Ebenstein-Mulch said, &#8220;We started a weekly Wake Up and Read Wednesday tweet series, and this month we have been featuring Black young adult fiction authors.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"renaming\" name=\"renaming\"><\/a>Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals interested in speaking on the name recommendations for T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School should sign up for a virtual school board meeting to be held on March 18 at 4 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sign up to speak, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/acpsweb.wufoo.com\/forms\/sef82mh1chbm0j\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">register online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by noon on Thursday, March 17. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only remarks related to the renaming of schools will be heard at this Public Hearing.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Speakers who wish to comment on other topics must sign up for public comments at another School Board Meeting or submit written public comments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public hearing participants will need to log in to the virtual meeting by 4 p.m. through a link provided by the Clerk of the Board.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the State of Emergency due to COVID-19 remains in effect, virtual School Board Meetings are being held instead of in-person Board Meetings. As a result, public hearing comments will be held virtually during School Board Meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"substance\" name=\"substance\"><\/a>Substance Abuse Services for our Students<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS offers substance abuse services through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/341\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Student Services and Equity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance Abuse Counselors work with school staff to help educate students and their families on the dangers of using substances on their developing brains and bodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Accessing Services and Referrals<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students can access ACPS Substance Abuse Services through referrals made by their school counselor, teacher, school administrator and other school professionals. Students and their family members can also make referrals in order to ensure at-risk students are supported for future success. See more information on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/2127\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS Substance Abuse Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Resources for Preventing Substance Use<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With today\u2019s current pandemic, substance abuse prevention and treatment are key in reducing significant health effects of COVID-19. Smoking and vaping are both connected to negative respiratory and immune impacts that can lead to an increased likelihood in developing a severe case of COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alexandriava.gov\/SAPCA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you explore further resources about preventing youth substance use and abuse and supporting positive youth development. For substance education and prevention, we recommend students and families explore curriculums about substance use, vaping, and habits that promote health and wellness. Go to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/everfi.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EVERFI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.catchyourbreath.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Catch Your Breath<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn more about staying healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Narcan<br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know? Narcan\u00ae (also known as Naloxone) can save the life of someone who is overdosing from opioids. It can stop an overdose and restore normal breathing until emergency response can arrive. You can also request Narcan to be mailed to you by emailing your name and mailing address to opioids@alexandriava.gov. There is no cost for the Narcan or mailing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><a id=\"textbooks\" name=\"textbooks\"><\/a>Public Review of Recommended New English\/Language Arts Textbooks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACPS will adopt new English\/Language Arts textbooks for grades 6-12 (including Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Courses) to be used starting the 2021-22 school year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Textbook evaluation committees have reviewed materials and put forth recommendations for the School Board to review. As part of the process, ACPS will also offer a public review of the recommended textbooks from Feb. 16-March 1, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although ACPS buildings are still closed because of COVID 19, the following review options are available to the public:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Online (strongly encouraged):<\/b> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Electronic-Access-Textbook-Resource-Samples.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See instructions for access to the materials (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In person (by appointment only):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Anyone who wishes to schedule a review appointment should contact Candace Pannell, <\/span><a href=\"mailto:candace.pannell@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">candace.pannell@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/Textbook-Public-Viewing.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the instructions for in-person viewing of materials (PDF)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><a id=\"assessments\" name=\"assessments\"><\/a>Important Changes to Local Alternative Assessments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on emergency flexibility issued by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACPS will administer Local Alternate Assessments (LAAs) in place of the Virginia Studies (Grade 4 History), Civics and Economics (Grade 8 History), and the Grade 8 Writing SOLs in spring 2021. The Local Alternative Assessments will be administered from mid-March to early May 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The LAAs allow for virtual or in-person administration so that all students may be assessed regardless of their instructional delivery setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a great increase in the flexibility in the timing of assessments with instructional staff able to administer assessments in alignment with the pacing of the curriculum. Finally, the LAAs are aligned with instructional best practices and the ACPS instructional vision for authentic performance-based assessments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please know we are carefully preparing and doing all we can to minimize any potential difficulties in administering these assessments in-person and virtually. We understand through our shared experiences that we may have unavoidable technical difficulties. We thank you for your continued support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please direct any questions regarding the decision to implement LAAs in spring 2021 to <\/span><a href=\"mailto:clinton.page@acps.k12.va.us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinton.page@acps.k12.va.us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. More information can be found on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doe.virginia.gov\/testing\/local_assessments\/index.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VDOE website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>HEALTH REMINDERS<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Feel Well?<\/strong><br \/>\nContact your primary health care physician.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Have questions, concerns or feedback?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\" data-cke-saved-href=\"https:\/\/www.acps.k12.va.us\/Page\/345\">Contact us<\/a> or contact your direct supervisor.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>HR Questions?<\/strong> Contact <a href=\"mailto:hr@acps.k12.va.us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-cke-saved-href=\"mailto:hr@acps.k12.va.us\">hr@acps.k12.va.us<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Latest Community Health Metrics \u2022 Back-to-School Guides and Videos for Hybrid Learning \u2022 Updated School Health and Related Guidelines \u2022 Updated Hybrid Learning FAQs: Students with Disabilities, Child Care \u2022 Pre-Registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open \u2022 Black History Month: Teaching and Learning \u2022 Renaming Schools Public Hearing on March 18 \u2022 Substance Abuse Services for our Students \u2022 Public Review of Recommended New English\/Language Arts Textbooks \u2022 Important Changes to Local Alternative Assessments<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9480,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-announcements"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-26 15:52:42","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9476"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9483,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9476\/revisions\/9483"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acpsk12.org\/staff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}