School Board Update
February 21, 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 February 23, 2023 School Board Meeting
A. CLOSED MEETING ON PERSONNEL ACTIONS FOR THE MARCH 2 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING – 5:30 PM
B. REGULAR MEETING OPENING – 7 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Recognitions: School Board Appreciation Month
C. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
School Board Budget Calendar (Work sessions begin at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted):
February 23- Budget Work Session #1 (following Board meeting)
- March 7 - Budget Work Session #2, 5:30 PM
- March 14 - Budget Work Session #3
- March 21 - Budget Work Session #4
- March 23 - Public Hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, 7 PM
- March 30 - Board Action Item – School Board Proposed FY 2024 Budget
- March 31 - Joint School Board/County Board Budget Work Session, 3 PM, County Board
- April 18 - Budget Work Session #5
- April 25 - Public Hearing on School Board Proposed Budget, 7 PM
- May 2 - Budget Work Session #6
- May 11 - Board Action Item - School Board Adopted FY 2024 Budget
Important County Budget Dates:
- February 2023 – County Manager Presents Proposed County Budget
- March 28 - Public Hearings on the County Budget
- March 30 - Public Hearing on Tax Rate
- April 2023 - County Board Adoption of FY 2024 County Budget
D. SUPERINTENDENT’S PROPOSED FY 2024 BUDGET PRESENTATION
Please note: The School Board will not hear public comments at this meeting. Opportunities to comment on the proposed budget will be available at upcoming Board meetings, including Public Hearings on March 23 and April 25.
E. BUDGET WORK SESSION #1 (immediately following Proposed FY 2024 Budget Presentation)
F. NEW BUSINESS
G. ADJOURNMENT
Meetings are available for viewing live on the APS website:
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/
School Board Members Liaison Assignments
Once on the link, scroll to the bottom of the page. You will find the school's and civic associations' liaison lists.
2023 Honored Citizen Nominations
To read more and nominate someone, please click on the link: https://www.apsva.us/post/2023-honored-citizen-nomination/
Superintendent’s Update: February 15, 2023
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.
Every Student Counts – Project-Based Learning at Langston
Mark Your Calendar for the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Showcase
Innovation Students Collaborate with Bayou Bakery on Mardi Gras-Based Project
Feel Good Friday: Arlington Students Celebrate The Great 8!
Registration is Open for the 2023-2024 School Year
Register for kindergarten and attend an elementary school information session.
Registration for the 2023-24 school year for all new students entering kindergarten to 12th grade is open! Students entering Kindergarten must reach their 5th birthday on or before Sept. 30, 2023.
Each elementary school will host an in-person information session between February and March for new families. Learn about each school, connect with staff, and ask questions.
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 February.
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.