School Board Update
February 28, 2023
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 2, 2023 School Board Meeting
A. CLOSED MEETING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE – 5:30 PM
B. REGULAR MEETING OPENING – 7 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Presentation of Colors: Arlington Career Center Space Force JROTC Cadets Corps
3. Recognitions: Posse Scholars
C. CONSENT ITEMS:
1. Minutes
2. Personnel Actions
3. Revisions to School Board Policies D-1.33 Community Activities Fund, D-1.31 Financial Management-Budget Savings, D-2.30 Financial Management-General, D-2.31 Financial Management-Revenue Sharing, D-2.33 Financial Management-Additional County Revenue, D-2.34 Financial Management-Reserve Funds, D-2.35 Financial Management-Budget Direction, D-2.36 Financial Management-Budget Development, D-9 Internal Audit, and J-14 Student Fees, Fines and Charges
4. Establishment of the ACTL – Sub-subcommittee on Dual Language Immersion and Appointment of the Chair
D. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Board Announcements:
- March 7 – Closed Meeting, 5:30 PM, Board Conference Room
- March 7 – Budget Work Session #2, 6:30 PM, Board Room
- March 8 – Policy Subcommittee Meeting, 8 AM, Board Conference Room
- March 14 – Closed Meeting, 5:30 PM, Board Conference Room
- March 14 – Budget Work Session #3, 6:30 PM, Board Room
- March 16 – 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. English Learners Update
G. ACTION ITEMS:
1. Revisions to School Board Policy K-14.1.10.31 School and Police Relations
2. Campbell Elementary School Kitchen and Entrance Renovations Construction Contract Award
H. INFORMATION ITEMS:
1. Montessori Public School of Arlington Playground Relocation Construction Contract Award
I. NEW BUSINESS:
J. ADJOURNMENT
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 have the option to speak in person or use the call-in service.
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/
March Schedule of Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Advisory Council and Committee Meetings
2023 Honored Citizen Nominations
To read more and nominate someone, please click on the link: https://www.apsva.us/post/2023-honored-citizen-nomination/
Nominations are due by close of business on March 13.
Superintendent’s Update: February 22, 2023
Superintendent Proposes FY 2024 Budget
Provide Feedback on the English Learner Five-Year Strategic Plan
Community Conversations on Substance Use
- Wakefield: Wed, March 1
- Washington-Liberty: Thu, March 2
- Arlington Career Center met with Spanish-speaking families in January and will have another session on March 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. H-B Woodlawn is holding an event for current families as part of an upcoming PTA meeting.
APS is Hiring! Join Us for the In-Person Job Fair
PreK Application Assistance (Walk - In Wednesdays)
programs, eligibility, fees and required documents at http://apsva.us/earlychildhood
February 2023 APS All Stars Announced
Arlington Tech Student Speaks at International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly
H-B Woodlawn Teacher Receives Grant for Music Direction Mentorship Project
Learn about the Home Address Confirmation Process
APS is launching the Home Address Confirmation Process (HACP) to verify the home address of fifth and eighth-grade students in preparation for the 2023-24 school year that requires families of current fifth and eighth-grade students to resubmit or update the home address documents they initially provided during registration. This new process allows APS to maintain accurate student records and to comply with Virginia law and our admissions policy. The deadline to submit these documents is March 15, 2023. If documents are not received by March 15, 2023, or if there are complexities for which additional support is needed, APS will work with those families to help and resolve issues. Learn more online and watch this brief video overview.
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.
Stay Safe from Illnesses this Winter
Preparing for Inclement Weather
- 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.
Complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application for Meal Benefits
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.
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.
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.