School Board Update
March 8, 2022
Arlington School Board
Email: school.board@apsva.us
Website: www.apsva.us
Location: 2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA, USA
Phone: 703-228-6015
Twitter: @APSVaSchoolBd
Agenda for the March 10, 2022 School Board Meeting
The agenda for the March 10, School Board Meeting is posted on BoardDocs at:
https://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/vpublic?open. Subject to change.
Meetings are available for viewing live on the APS website and broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41.
A. CLOSED MEETING – if needed
B. REGULAR MEETING OPENING – 7 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Presentation of Colors: Arlington Career Center AF JROTC Cadets Corps
C. CONSENT ITEMS:
1. Minutes
2. Personnel Actions
3. Revisions to School Board Policies J- 5.4 Leaving School Grounds, J-6.3.6 Prohibited
Substance Use, J- 6.3.8 No Tobacco Policy, J-6.7 Search and Seizure, J-7.4 Student Code
of Conduct, K-7.3 No Smoking Policy, M-1 Reporting Serious Incidents
D. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Board Announcements:
- March 15, 2022 – Closed Meeting, 5:30 PM, School Board Conference Room
- March 15, 2022 – Budget Work Session #3, 6:30 PM, Board Room
- March 22, 2022 – Budget Work Session #4, 6:30 PM, Board Room
- March 23, 2022 – Virtual Policy Subcommittee Meeting, 8:30 AM
2. Superintendent’s Announcements and Update
E. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Sign Up to Speak at a School Board Meeting at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/sign-up-to-speak/. Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda is limited to 1 hour. Speakers have 2 minutes to comment.
F. MONITORING ITEMS:
1. English Learners Update
G. ACTION ITEMS:
1. Changes to the Dual Language Immersion Program Model
2. One-Time Employee Bonus Payment
3. Fall 2022 Elementary Boundary Process Update
H. INFORMATION ITEMS:
1. Revisions to School Board Policies B-3.7.30 Legal Representation
2. Revisions to School Board Policies I-1.32 Standards and Requirements, I-6 Curriculum, and
I-7.2.1 Special Education Programs and Services
3. Revisions to School Board Policy J-6.8.1 Student Safety – Bullying/Harassment Prevention
I. NEW BUSINESS:
J. ADJOURNMENT
Budget Work Session #2
Budget work session #2 is tonight, March 8 at 5 PM. The agenda is posted on BoardDocs at:
https://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/vpublic?open. Subject to change.
FY 2023 Budget Development
Superintendent’s March 2, 2022 Update: Mask Guidance & March Celebrations
Public Comment at School Board Meetings
Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda items will be heard at the beginning of the meeting and will be limited to 1 hour.
At each meeting, the Board will hear from a maximum of 30 speakers and each speaker will have up to 2 minutes to comment. All speakers must sign up in advance and indicate whether they want to speak in person or to call into the meeting. A lottery process will continue to be used to select speakers if more requests than available slots are received.
Additional information will be posted at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/sign-up-to-speak/
Share Your Comments on Draft School Board Policies
- I-7.4.1.32 School Special Activities
- I-7.2.2 Gifted Services
- I-8.1 Grouping
- J-5.1.30 Attendance
- J-5.1.31 Full Day Attendance
Celebrate Arts in the Schools Month!
High School Gold Exhibit
March is Women’s History Month
We also encourage families to play along with our weekly "Tuesday Women’s Trivia" on our social media platforms. For a special bonus question, click here.
Highlighting APS Social Workers!
Your Voice Matters! Survey Launches Next Week
Elementary School Options and Transfers
- Kindergarten registration for the 2022-23 school year is open. Find your neighborhood school here.
- Families interested in attending a Pre-K/Elementary option school or program for the 2022-2023 school year must apply online between February 1 and April 15, 2022, at 4 p.m.
- The lotteries for secondary (middle and high) option schools/programs were held on January 31, 2022. View the recording here. Families who applied will be notified of their acceptance or placement on the waitlist after 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb 7, 2022.
Click on the link to read more: https://www.apsva.us/school-options/
Apply Now to be a Substitute
APS All Stars
APS is highlighting five outstanding staff members each month all school year long to recognize the many ways staff make a difference in our community and to highlight their great work.
These individuals demonstrate excellence in collaboration, equity, inclusivity, integrity, innovation, and stewardship. They are the members of your team who are the first to pitch in, who bring a positive attitude to their work, and go above and beyond to support their colleagues, and to serve students and families.
They also embrace the mission and vision of APS to ensure all students learn and thrive in safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments. (Mission)
All employees (of every scale and employee group) are eligible for nomination. These are employees who make a difference and contribute to creating an inclusive, supportive learning community that empowers all students, no matter their role or position. (Vision)
As a token of appreciation, APS All Stars will receive a $75 Amazon gift card (graciously donated by Amazon), a photo opportunity with the superintendent, and a meal on the superintendent with other All-Stars.
School Board Open Office Hours
For the 2021-2022 school year, the School Board will hold Open Office Hours twice a month on Monday evenings or, due to holidays, Tuesday mornings. Open Office Hours is a forum for Board members to listen to comments and concerns, and to discuss various topics with community members. Each Board member will share what they heard during Open Office Hours with the entire Board and the Superintendent.
Board members will meet individually with participants to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to share their opinions. To participate, individuals must sign up ahead of time using the SignUpGenius link that will be posted on the APS homepage and at https://www.apsva.us/contact-the-school-board/open-office-hours/.
COVID In-School Testing
COVID - 19 Health and Safety Information
Arlington County Public Health Division COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Scheduling
Arlington County’s Public Health Division is offering free walk ins and scheduled appointments to individuals 12 and up. View schedule at https://www.arlingtonva.us/covid-19/vaccines/registration/
Please note: Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive their free COVID-19 vaccine.
How to Contact APS
- NEW Family Information Line (703-228-8000) – APS now has a central Family Information Line to assist families with questions concerning transportation, Virtual Learning Program, registration, Extended Day food services, technology, or general questions. This line is open on school days from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Transportation will take calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you call and are sent to voicemail, leave a message and someone will respond to you within 24 hours.
- Engage with APS – engage@apsva.us remains the contact for providing input on current APS initiatives.
- Contact Your School – For specific school-based issues or concerns regarding students, families are encouraged to contact their child’s school directly so the issue can be quickly resolved.
For more information on who to contact, please visit the Contact APS webpage.