School Board Update

January 17, 2023

Arlington School Board

Arlington School Board

Arlington School Board

2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA, USA school.board@apsva.us 703-228-6015 apsva.us

Agenda for the January 19, 2023 School Board Meeting

A. CLOSED MEETING - NONE


B. REGULAR MEETING OPENING – 7 PM

1. Call to Order

2. Presentation of Colors: Arlington Career Center Space Force JROTC Cadets Corps

3. Recognitions: Bethany Zecher Sutton, New School Board Member and 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Literary and Visual Contest Winners


C. CONSENT ITEMS:

1. Minutes

2. Personnel Actions

3. Arlington School Board Code of Conduct for School Board Members

4. Revised School Board Member Liaison Assignments 2022-2023

5. Revised School Board Member Liaison Assignments to Arlington Civic Associations 2022-2023

6. Appointments to School Board Advisory Committee


D. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Board Announcements:

  • January 21 – School Board and Superintendent Retreat, 9 AM
  • January 26 – Closed Meeting, 5:30 PM, Board Conference Room
  • January 26 – Work Session on Gifted Services, 6:30 PM, Board Room
  • February 2 – School Board Meeting, 7 PM, Board Room

2. Superintendent’s Announcements and Updates


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. School and Community Relations (S&CR) and Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Update


G. ACTION ITEMS:

1. Final Fiscal Close-Out/Status Update


H. INFORMATION ITEMS: TBD


I. NEW BUSINESS:


J. ADJOURNMENT

January Schedule of Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Advisory Council and Committee Meetings

Please click on the link below to go to the January schedule:

https://www.apsva.us/post/january-schedule-of-board-meetings-work-sessions-and-advisory-council-and-committee-meetings-2/

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. There will be 20 slots reserved for speakers to sign up online in advance. Speakers will no longer have the option to select the call-in service. As of the November 10 meeting, speakers will only have the option to speak in person.


New this school year: There will be 10 slots reserved for speakers to sign up in person between 6:15 p.m and 6:45 pm. (No speaker forms will be accepted before or after these times).


Additional information will be posted at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/sign-up-to-speak/

Principal Appreciation Week

APS is fortunate to have some of the best principals around! Let's take a moment to thank them for their dedication as we celebrate Virginia School Principal Appreciation Week.

Superintendent’s Update: January 11, 2023

Please read Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán's update at: https://www.apsva.us/post/superintendents-update-jan-11-2023/
Attendance Notification Changes Begin Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Attendance Notification Changes Begin Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Beginning Tue, Jan. 17, APS will send text and voice notifications to all families regarding unverified absences beginning at 11 a.m. Additionally, all middle and high school families will receive three additional text message alerts at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to notify them if a student has an unverified absence for a specific period. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we implement these changes.
Attendance Notification Changes Begin Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Social and Emotional Learning Survey Results - Virtual Sessions

Social and Emotional Learning Survey Results - Virtual Sessions

APS students in Grades 3-12 recently participated in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey. Next week, there are two virtual presentations to review the survey results and answer questions. These presentations will explain SEL terms, provide specific examples of the skills involved, and include tips for parents to help their children develop healthy, productive social-emotional skills.
- Secondary Parent Information Session: Tue, Jan. 17, 2023 – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Elementary Parent Information Session: Thu, Jan. 19, 2023 – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Register | View elementary session flyer | View secondary session flyer
Social and Emotional Learning Survey Results - Virtual Sessions
APS Students Named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars

APS Students Named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars

Ambica Sharma, a Washington-Liberty High School student, and Julia Westwater Brodsky, an H-B Woodlawn student, have been named among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. They were selected out of nearly 2,000 applicants based on their science projects. Both students will advance and compete to be one of the 40 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. Congratulations to our 2023 Regeneron STS Scholars!
APS Students Named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars
Arlington Tech Students Speak at US Department of Education Conference

Arlington Tech Students Speak at US Department of Education Conference

Two Arlington Tech juniors, Ainsley Meck and Ananya Sinha, recently spoke at the US Department of Education’s conference “You Belong to STEM.” They spoke at the Opening Session and then participated in a panel later. Both students shared the influences in their lives that led them to an academic focus in STEM fields. Conference attendees were primarily policymakers, leaders and educators in STEM education.
Arlington Tech Students Speak at US Department of Education Conference
Electric School Buses Get Rolling in Arlington

Electric School Buses Get Rolling in Arlington

Some of the yellow school buses in Arlington are going green! That’s because APS and Arlington County have put into service the first two of three Thomas Built emissions-free, battery-powered electric school buses (BESB). The BESB purchases were made possible by a $795,000 Clean School Bus Program grant from the state. Each new bus replaces one with a diesel engine, providing students with a quieter, cleaner ride to and from school.
Electric School Buses Get Rolling in Arlington

ACPD is Hiring School Crossing Guards

Click on the link to learn more and apply: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CrossingGuardJobAnnouncement.png
Important Calendar Reminders Coming this Month

Important Calendar Reminders Coming this Month

January Calendar Reminders:


  • Jan 15 - 21: Virginia Principal Appreciation Week
  • Mon, January 16: Holiday - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Fri, January 27: End of 2nd Quarter
  • Mon, January 30: No School for Students (Grade Preparation Day)
Important Calendar Reminders Coming this Month
Virtual Academic Support for Secondary (6-12) Students (Paper)

Virtual Academic Support for Secondary (6-12) Students (Paper)

Arlington Public Schools has partnered with Paper to provide unlimited access to trained tutors so every student in grades 6-12 can ask questions, work through problems, and grow their confidence—at no cost to families.


Click here to read more.

Virtual Academic Support for Secondary (6-12) Students (Paper)
Nominate an APS All Star Today!

Nominate an APS All Star Today!

The APS All Stars program recognizes outstanding employees who go above and beyond their normal scope of work to ensure that all students thrive and excel. Learn more about the program and nominate someone today! We’ll recognize our next group of All Stars in October.

Nominate an APS All Star Today!
OPT In for APS School Talk Text Alerts

OPT In for APS School Talk Text Alerts

Did you miss the text message this morning about APS’ delayed opening?


Your school may not have your cell phone number on file, and/or you may not have opted into the text messaging service. Here’s how to do it:


Step 1: Make sure your school has your cell phone number in their database, designated as a cell phone. (Your cell number may already be listed as your home number or work number, but it must also be listed separately as a cell phone to receive texts.)


Step 2: Text the word YES to 67587 to opt-in.

OPT In for APS School Talk Text Alerts
Stay Safe from Illnesses this Winter

Stay Safe from Illnesses this Winter

Winter illness season is here. The flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID are illnesses to be aware of this season. To protect yourself and others, please keep your student home and notify the school clinic if they are sick. Read the full details on our website.
Stay Safe from Illnesses this Winter
Preparing for Inclement Weather

Preparing for Inclement Weather

With winter approaching, APS wants to remind families to review our inclement weather procedures and have a plan in place in the event of a change in operations:


- The first seven inclement weather days will be treated as traditional “snow days.” If the allotted days are used, APS will revert to full distance learning (virtual) days.
- NEW: Extended Day and Check-In programs will now close at the same time schools close in the event of an Early Release due to weather conditions (previously Extended Day remained open until 4 p.m.).
- Decisions impacting the following day will be announced by 6 p.m. Morning decisions will be announced by 5 a.m., as needed, based on conditions overnight.


You can learn more about the weather codes and other important details on our website.

Preparing for Inclement Weather
Complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application for Meal Benefits

Complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application for Meal Benefits

View updated information about meal prices for this school year. APS encourages families who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals to apply for meal benefits. Applications are available in ParentVUE, on the APS Food Services Webpage or online at www.myschoolapps.com.
Complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application for Meal Benefits
FLU/COVID-19/RSV PCR TEST

FLU/COVID-19/RSV PCR TEST

Please click on the link for more information on locations and scheduling an appointment: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ResourcePath-FLU_COVID_RSV-Community-Testing-Flyer.pdf
FLU/COVID-19/RSV PCR TEST

Monkeypox Information

As the school year begins, we recognize the concern in our community about how monkeypox could impact students, their families, staff, and teachers. We want to provide you with information to address this and to establish precautions APS will implement to promote the health and safety of our community.


According to the CDC, the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents is low at this time. The risk of monkeypox transmission in school settings is also currently low. However, anyone- including children- can be infected if they have close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox.


Click here to read more.

APS Updates COVID Guidance

APS Updates COVID Guidance

APS is making a few adjustments to COVID protocols based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Overall, most COVID-19 protocols have not changed. Primary changes are related to contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation procedures. View the updated COVID-19 Protocols and FAQ online. We will continue to adjust our protocols based on local conditions and the latest guidance and will communicate changes as needed.

APS Updates COVID Guidance

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

There are several ways to contact APS for help with your questions or to provide input. Who to call and how to engage depends on what you need.
- 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.

Disclaimer:

Arlington Public Schools does not control the content or relevancy of links to websites that are outside of the Arlington Public Schools network.