ACS Connect
A Message from Superintendent Jeff Mayo
ACS Families,
I am incredibly excited for another Arlington Awesome year at ACS! To our returning families, welcome back! To our new families, we’ve been preparing for you! We can’t wait for you to see what ACS is all about.
Don’t forget, next Tuesday, August 3rd, is Enrollment Verification at your child’s school. Please view times and information by visiting our website. We look forward to seeing you!
As we look ahead to the start of the 2021-2022 school year, I want to recap our COVID-19 health and safety protocols that we have revised this year. While certain practices will be modified from last year, we’re cognizant that COVID-19, particularly the rise in Delta variant cases, will still affect our families and employees. I want you to be reassured that just like last year, ACS is prepared and equipped to offer a safe and productive learning environment for all students and employees.
I’m looking forward to the return of ALL families on our campuses. Our theme this year is to Recharge. Reset. Reconnect. That last point – Reconnect – is one I’m particularly eager to see come to fruition. We’re ready to Reconnect with you; for you to Reconnect with each other. I believe the plan laid out below will help us do just that.
I look forward to working alongside you for a great school year ahead. Thank you for your support of Arlington Community Schools!
Jeff Mayo, ACS Superintendent
Health & Safety Standards
Despite our full return to the classroom, ACS won’t cut corners when it comes to keeping our buildings clean and will implement layered prevention strategies to keep students safe. Our cleaning services provider, SKB, will continue its heightened cleaning protocols and use of enhanced cleaning supplies to sanitize and disinfect the buildings. The “Red Shirt Custodian” will be in charge of regularly disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and serve as a visible reminder of sanitation efforts. Clorox 360º machines will also be on hand to use in classrooms of positive cases and as needed.
More Measures:
- Hand sanitizing stations and cleaning wipes will once again be supplied in all classrooms and common areas.
- Frequent handwashing will be encouraged and allowed throughout the school day in the building.
- When and where practical, 3-foot social distancing will take place.
- Nearly 60 HVAC units were replaced over the summer break for better air quality and energy consumption in addition to the upgrades we made last year.
Safety Compliance Assistants will be located in each building to ensure the safety measures we’ve put into place are followed. And of course, our nurses will be available to assist students with immediate medical needs.
Masks
Masks will be optional for all students and employees; however, the CDC and health department does recommend masks for unvaccinated individuals. Please remember that wearing or not wearing a mask is a personal choice, and we expect everyone to respect the choices of others.
While there are no current plans to require masks for those on campus, ACS Policy 6.403 Student Communicable Diseases does give the superintendent the authority to reinstate mask wearing if rising COVID-19 cases or any other communicable disease necessitate it.
Positive Cases, Quarantine & Remote Learning
Students who share a class with a known positive case of COVID-19 will be notified by the district. Any known positive case on our campuses will also be reported to the health department by the school nurse. The health department will be primarily responsible for contact tracing and contacting those who have been exposed to a positive case. As always, all students who are sick or showing signs of COVID-19 are asked to stay home from school to prevent others from getting sick and to keep our schools open.
Earlier this month, the State Board of Education amended a policy to allow for remote learning for the sole purpose of students in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. In cases of quarantine, families must contact the school nurse to complete the required documentation. Once approved, students in quarantine may work remotely from home on assignments in Schoology, SeeSaw or as directed by their teacher(s).
As a reminder, all students ages 12 and over are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Returning this year
Week At a Glance – Teachers will provide a Week At a Glance so families know what to expect in the upcoming week. This is meant as an overarching guide and preview of what’s to come educationally in the classroom.
Visitors – Principals will establish school guidelines and protocols for visitors. As always, all visitors must check in at the front office and review the COVID-19 screening, but we’re excited to see you back on campus.
Full Capacity Sports & Extra-Curricular Activities – Our student athletes and performers will be able to Reconnect with their fans and audiences at full capacity! Athletics will follow TSSAA and TMSAA guidelines. All other activities will follow district health and safety protocols.
Bus Transportation - Bus transportation will be provided at full capacity to eligible students zoned for ACS. Masks will be optional. Bus numbers and routes for the school year will be available during the first week of August.
Water Fountains – Water fountains will be operational this year. If students still want to bring their own water bottles, that is still permissible as we have water bottle fillers on every campus.
Free Breakfast & Lunches – Thanks to the USDA, all breakfasts and lunches will be free this upcoming school year.
Back to School Hub – Check out our Back to School Hub to be first day ready!
Arlington Community Schools
Email: info@acsk-12.org
Website: www.acsk-12.org
Location: Arlington, TN, USA
Phone: 901-389-2497
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arlingtoncommunityschools
Twitter: @acs_system
UPCOMING EVENTS
- AHS New Student Orientation - August 2nd from 3:00-7:00 PM
- AMS New Student Orientation - August 5th at 6:00 PM
- AES & DES New Student Orientation - August 6th at 1:15 PM
- New Student Registration/Enrollment Verification - August 3rd
- First Day of School - August 9th
- ACS Board Meeting - August 24th at 5:30 PM