. More information. Many students are doing very well in full-time distance learning and wish to continue in this model or a variation of it. The bus stops and routes will look very different than normal to adjust to 11 riders per bus. Current CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH)/Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidelines necessitate hybrid schedules and reduced classroom capacities to maintain the physical distancing and limited mixing of student groups. In addition to providing professional development for staff on core vocabulary, the Assistive Technology Team is partnering with our Autism/Low-Incidence Disability Specialists and the Parent Resource Center to launch a Project Core Parent Series, a 12-part series of learning modules that aims to build capacity to support students of all ages with disabilities and complex communication needs who are emerging in their communication and literacy skills. But today’s column won’t dwell on the negative aspects of those months and how bad 2020 … APS is proudly celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Most schools have communicated that it is. The Gifted Services summer programs webpage offers a variety of opportunities for families. Transportation Services is working hard to re-engineer routes and stops to serve students, with significantly reduced capacity per bus. The deadline for families to make their selections is Friday, April 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Once the window closes, your selection cannot be changed until the end of the first quarter for elementary students, and the end of the first semester for middle and high school students. this past week. The Superintendent’s presentation included an update on the revised plan; the selection process for families; distance learning instruction for elementary and secondary students; support for Special Education students, English Learners and Gifted students; and a health and safety planning update. Stress and Mental Health: Wed, Jan. 13: 2-3 p.m. Know What Your Teen Knows: Thu, Jan. 14: 6:30- 8 p.m. were enrolled in grades K-12 in 2019-20 and received less than 4.4 on the overall composite score on the 2019-20 ACCESS for ELLs 2.0;or. The Office of Special Education (OSE), English Language Arts (ELA) and the Arlington Tiered System of Support (ATSS) along with the PRC collaborated to offer seven virtual sessions for families. Or, using the Bilingual Family Liaison (BFL) list above, contact the BFL at your middle or high school. I have several updates this week as we prepare for the new school year, beginning on September 8 in full-time distance learning for all students. Gifted Services Gifted Services in Action @APSGifted Non-winners Of A Race Since October 29, 2020 Allowed 2 lbs. This helps to ensure all students have a consistent experience and allows APS to better monitor learning and provide support efficiently and effectively. APS continues to plan for Level 2 and 3 transitions in January, as health, safety and operational metrics allow. I will share more details on our work and present the recommended instructional model at the School Board meeting this Thursday. “We support and applaud the Superintendent for his leadership in prioritizing the health and safety of staff and students and his decision to take a pause and begin the school year virtually,” said Arlington School Board Chair Monique O’Grady. More information regarding distribution of these materials will be coming from individual schools. All projected dates are subject to health, safety, and operational metrics and may be changed as necessary. The Governor’s press conference is available online, with a press release summarizing expectations for in-person learning transitions by March 15. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on children and families who are the most vulnerable—and on the organizations that serve them. Sincerely, When the sign ups are closed, we will split the players on 2 or 3 different practice servers (or more). The health screening tool is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Mongolian and Spanish. Vaccine Updates – APS is collaborating with the Arlington County Government to ensure all APS teachers and staff have an opportunity to receive the vaccine in Phase 1B. Try to prepare a quiet location in your home where your student can spread out their device and other learning materials on a table or desk. The biweekly messages are designed to keep families informed and up-to-date during distance learning. This example shows, again, the teaching of the content and the language in tandem. After many months of planning, I am announcing the updated return timeline for families that have selected the hybrid/in-person instruction model. La PTA de Educación Especial (SEPTA) y APS organizaron una Asamblea el 19 de agosto para abordar preguntas de la comunidad sobre apoyos de Educación Especial. APS has a phone line that can help you. Orange – Level 2 which provides in-person instruction for PreK to Grade 3, select, Yellow – Level 3 provides in-person instruction for all students in a hybrid instructional model, Green – Level 4 denotes a 100% capacity with no public health restrictions ​. Arlington International Racecourse kicked off what is likely the track's final horse racing season on Friday. Families that need assistance or are unable to update the selections for their student(s) should contact their child’s school because staff are able to update the selections for families remotely if families experience issues accessing ParentVUE. Elementary will continue as synchronous on that date. While all families will receive the screener seven days per week, only those who are participating in athletics or other school-sponsored activities will be required to complete it on Saturdays and or Sundays. Students participate in distance learning Monday-Friday with supervision and support provided by Extended Day staff. Our ability to continue moving ahead depends on all of us wearing masks, staying home when sick, and following all the other mitigation strategies recommended by Public Health to reduce the spread of the virus. The presentation can be found on Board Docs. We are also planning for a distance-learning-only option for students who are in high risk health categories or are not comfortable returning to school in person. Please email Dan Corcoran danjcorcoraniii@gmail.com if you would like to attend. On August 25 the Office of Special Education provided a professional learning opportunity to transportation staff. Once the school year begins, if you experience an outage or other challenges preventing you from connecting to distance learning on any given day, contact your student’s school or teacher by phone before 11 a.m. if possible. As return-to-school planning continues, we want to update you on changes to the instructional learning model for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade elementary students, which will take effect once in-person learning transitions begin. Season 1 Winter Athletic Competition We know that the virus will be with us for some time, and that there is no zero-risk scenario for schools in the foreseeable future. New Parent Academy Resources – We have posted new videos on the Parent Academy, including an Introduction to Student Mental Health for Parents of Secondary Students, and others. The concurrent model changes detailed below ONLY apply to 3rd-5th grade students and will take effect once it is determined that hybrid/in-person learning transitions can begin (return dates to be announced). The survey of teachers closed on July 20, and the survey for all other staff closed yesterday, July 27. If you were unable to participate, you can watch the Town Hall online. This update is based on the varying size of classrooms across schools and the results of the space and capacity planning just completed by Facilities.We are committed to serving all students who want to be back in the classroom five days a week as safely as possible. Teachers will be able to deliver synchronous instruction on days that were previously identified as asynchronous, since the grade level will move together as a unit and the class and teacher remain together for hybrid in-person and distance learning. Schools will also note and document the services the students were receiving before schools closed in March in the Prior Written Notice (PWN), so services can resume when schools open back up to the normal 5 days/30 instructional hours per week. Update includes New APS COVID-19 Dashboard, Timeline and Metrics. Information about both models, in-person learning and the K-12 full distance learning program, is available on our website, as well as in the “Resources & Links” tab in ParentVUE. Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán recorded a video message in English and Spanish to review the instructional models and selection process underway. Gifted Services APS Parent Academy Our Transition Services team, Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP), and Parent Resource Center (PRC) are sponsoring a Transition Series this year, which will feature monthly transition topics. We will continue to monitor health data in September, with the goal of beginning to transition some students to in-person instruction in early October, which is the mid-point in the first quarter of the school year. Families can continue to access our self-help guides on the website and dial 703-228-2570 for additional support. To honor them, we will hold in-person, outdoor events for the graduates of comprehensive high schools and programs, June 11 – June 18, on school grounds. Also, in case you missed it, AETV captured some of the many great back-to-school moments in this first day video. We remain committed to providing all students the best educational experience possible, with the academic and social-emotional support they need to learn and grow during these challenging times. We are also providing a second kit with basic school supplies for students who need them, at cost, and are looking at options for partners to help support this effort. All students will have devices and internet access for the start of the school year. We are aware that some families are not receiving screeners for all of their students, and some screener texts and email notices are arriving late. Career and Technical Education instructional delivery. Is your student currently awaiting COVID-19 test results? I am also glad to report that the reduced distancing has allowed some elementary hybrid classes to transition to a single classroom, versus having classes split into two groups with the teacher and assistant rotating between the rooms. The top factors influencing the level of comfort in returning for both groups were whether public health regulations will be followed, disinfection of facilities, and availability of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Visit our website for the latest timeline; APS COVID-19 Dashboard (as of Fri. Feb 5); and timeline for transitioning Level 1 students who have been attending classes in person since Nov. 4, from in-person support to in-person instruction. Schedule Updates in March and April – To better support both students and teachers, we are adjusting the schedule as follows: School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Update – As we reopen for more students in March, I want to make families aware that APS is currently pausing having SROs return to school buildings, pending our review of a new Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) body camera policy. The middle school Computer Science and Robotics students will be issued MacBooks to ensure equity in accessing these high school credit courses. Some families have noted excellent teacher and staff support through regular check-ins and open office hours. Below is return-to-school information to help families prepare. Parent/guardian consent will be required in advance of student testing, and additional information regarding the school sites and consent process will be shared with families via School Talk later this week. For additional information, please visit the Eligibility section and the FAQ section of the Gifted Services webpage. Our goal remains to resume instructional schedules that are as close to the normal school day as possible, while also providing a fully remote, K-12 distance learning program for students who need it. As we begin the second quarter via distance learning instruction, the Department of Teaching and Learning invites you to learn about resources and strategies for support special education and Gifted students and English Learners. UPCOMING EVENTS: The Parent Resource Center (PRC) Is sponsoring/co-sponsoring several wonderful events over the next few weeks. We held our 12th and final meeting yesterday, focused on cleaning and air quality (presentation available here), as we prepare to return safely in person when possible. Maintain appropriate physical distance between myself and others, as much possible (at least 10 feet with physical activity and 6 feet for all other cases). Seats will be marked for student use. Additional details will be shared as new information is ready and this important topic will be a focus at the August 13 School Board Work Session. March 5 will be a no school day for 3rd-12th grade students as well as PEP students at the Career Center. Additional Family Communications This Week – Over the coming days additional return-to-school information will be shared regarding the hybrid/in-person student returns, including: We know every transition brings different emotions for all, and that many have looked forward to this transition for some time. These changes seem to have addressed the issues for most students. Additional information on meal services and indoor and outdoor lunch guidance is available online. If you have multiple students, you will need to complete this process for each student, by selecting their name in the box located in the upper-left corner of the screen in ParentVUE. For additional information, please visit the FAQ section of the Gifted Services webpage. Distance Learning will continue for all students during inclement weather events providing there is no interruption in power or network connectivity. Families will have until July 20 at 5 p.m. to select one of the two instructional delivery methods. For the fall, all Virginia schools will deliver new instruction to all students, whether through distance learning or in-person. Request Quotes. Secondary students will be notified of eligibility by their counselors by mid-May and may take a maximum of two strengthening classes, as recommended by their counselors. One of the roles of RTGs is to model critical and creative thinking strategies from the APS Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies Framework (CCT Framework) and then support teachers in their implementation of strategies to add additional rigor and engagement in lessons. This has helped to make our transition to in-person instruction as smooth and successful as possible and gives us a strong foundation to build on in the future. In the example below, from a middle school English learner class, the students were learning US history and using their new vocabulary and grammar. New questions and answers are noted by date in the FAQ. New APS Parent Academy Videos Available Sending my gratitude and best to all of you as we begin. Due to limitations on classroom space, staffing, and scheduling needs, families will be unable to change the instructional delivery model they selected for their student until after school resumes for Level 3 students. The numbers below are for Nov. 1, 2020 through Jan. 21, 2021. The students will be engaging in distance learning with adult support in APS school buildings. The start of the school year will be fully virtual for all students. Thank you for continuing to work collaboratively with us to support all students, by sharing your questions, comments, and ideas. Student Health Symptom Screener Launches March 1 – A daily health screening will be required for all students attending in-person instruction. The School Board voiced its support for the plan with the understanding that APS will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and look to transition some students back to school buildings with the modified, hybrid schedules in early October, if possible. At an Illinois Racing Board meeting last week (Sept. 17), board members discussed the future whether or not Arlington Park Racecourse will have live racing dates next year. At last week’s School Board meeting, I presented more information on the distance learning experience, scheduling and how we plan to deliver services to English Learners, students who require special education services, and gifted instruction. All APS families will receive letters in the mail next week providing additional details on the program, how to request promotional codes, and how to apply.Once you receive those letters, if you experience problems with your codes or have special circumstances, please reach out to your summer school or school administrators. REVISED STUDENT GROUPING LEVELS AND TIMELINE For additional information and updates, please check the FAQ on the website before sending us a new question, as the FAQ and instructional model pages are being updated daily, based on the questions we are receiving. of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education. Back-to-School Night for elementary schools will move to September 16. For the 2020-21 school year, Arlington Public Schools (APS) will provide families the opportunity to select the instructional delivery method that works best for their student(s), due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Special Education Fall Guidance can be found here, and includes information on considerations for IEP Teams, Recovery Services, ATSS and Student Support Processes, and Re-opening FAQs. Transportation will be provided for all Level 1 students on Tuesday, Nov. 24. In the event your student cannot connect on Tuesday, parents should call the school by 11 a.m. to report the connectivity issue. Given Governor Northam’s press conference this morning, I will announce the dates in my Return-to-School Update this coming Tuesday. Thanks to the work of the Arlington County Public Health Division, staff who were first to receive vaccine appointments in mid-January are now scheduling their second dose appointments. Superintendent Feedback included a desire for more small-group instruction and more non-digital materials for young learners, as well as a better balance between synchronous and asynchronous instruction for secondary students. School begins remotely in distance learning for all students two weeks from today, on September 8. All VPA applicants moving on to the state adjudications will audition on Friday, January 8th (PM) and Saturday, January 9th. In accordance with state guidance, we are continuing to provide in-person support for Level 1, students with disabilities, focusing on consistent implementation of health mitigation measures to protect staff and students. All races will start 5-10 minutes after their announcement on discord. The first slide of each presentation will include the link to the recording. Our goal is to complete that review and ensure the use of the footage complies with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and there are clear expectations for when body cameras are used in schools. Now that we have reached the midpoint of the first quarter, please see the following information about ongoing services, supports and opportunities for our students with disabilities, English Learners and Gifted students. Students who do not use the bus will have their slot reassigned. I will provide more details on the plan for distance learning, including information about Special Education, English Learners and Gifted Services. As students and teachers become accustomed to the new learning environments, we are excited to see language growth continuing for our English learners. The following is important transportation information for families: Bus routes that typically carry a heavy load of bus riders will require several trips back and forth to school. Global Protect connections and troubleshooting. Concurrent Instruction Model for 3rd-5th Grade Students Schools have communicated details regarding this transition to Level 1 families, and transportation information for Level 1 students is available in ParentVUE. Students new to APS and rising 7th graders are still required to have their physicals, TB test/screen and immunizations before the start of school on Sept. 8. Even though there are only a few students in each building, we ask that community members refrain from using school grounds or using the school as a cut-through during school hours. I continue to work closely with the Arlington County Public Health Division and regional superintendents to align our plans. Each RTG created a short Flipgrid video to introduce themselves to their communities and welcome everyone back to the new school year. As a reminder, we are re-launching the APS Parent Academy, beginning next week. 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