School Board Update

January 3, 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
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Welcome Our New Board Member

Welcome Our New Board Member

Welcome to our new School Board Member, Bethany Zecher Sutton. She is replacing our outgoing School Board Member, Dr. Barbara Kanninen.


Ms. Zecher Sutton has two daughters in Arlington Public Schools and has been an active community member. She served as chair of the APS Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning. She served on the PTA board at Randolph Elementary, a Title I International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school. She was the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished County Service Award from Volunteer Arlington & the Leadership Center for Excellence.


To learn more about Ms. Zecher Sutton click here.

Welcome Our New Board Member

January 5, 2023 School Board Meeting

The School Board Meeting scheduled for January 5, 2023, has been canceled. Our next meeting will be on January 19 @ 7 pm.


School Board meetings are broadcast live below, and the live feed is available on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41.

Work Session on January 10, 2023

Our second Work Session with the Advisory Committee on Teaching and Learning (ACTL), will be on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, @ 6:30 pm.


Meetings are available for viewing live on the APS website:

https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/school-board-work-sessions-meetings/watch-live-work-sessions/


Broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 70 & Verizon FIOS Channel 41

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/

Share Your Comments on Draft School Board Policies

Review and comment on draft APS policies that are available for public comment on the APS Engage website. Comments can be provided by January 14, 2023 on the following draft policies:


School Board Approves 2023-24 SY Calendar

School Board Approves 2023-24 SY Calendar

At the Dec. 15 School Board meeting, the board approved the revised Option 2 calendar. The approved 2023-24 School Year Calendar includes 180 instructional days, a start date of Aug. 28 and a shorter (8-days) Winter Break. View the approved 2023-24 School Year Calendar. View the full presentation.
School Board Approves 2023-24 SY Calendar

APS Elementary - School Wide - Student: Teacher Ratio Report SY 2022-23

Please click on the link below to go to the report:https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Elementary_Student_Teacher_Ratio_-Report_SY2022-23.pdf
Congratulations to Arlington’s 2022-23 Reflections Contest Winners

Congratulations to Arlington’s 2022-23 Reflections Contest Winners

Each year, the Arlington County Council of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) highlights the many talents of Arlington students in the annual Reflections contest. Reflections is a nationwide arts contest that encourages students to create works in dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts, based on a common theme. Visit our website to see the complete list of Arlington’s 2022-23 Reflections winners.
Congratulations to Arlington’s 2022-23 Reflections Contest Winners
County & Schools Collaborate on Opioid Response Efforts

County & Schools Collaborate on Opioid Response Efforts

Opioids and substance use continue to challenge communities across the entire nation. In Arlington, an innovative partnership between Arlington Public Schools (APS) and the County’s Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative (AARI) ensures that students, families, and school staff have the information and resources they need to prevent opioid and other substance use-related tragedies from occurring.

Learn more and read about our response efforts.
County & Schools Collaborate on Opioid Response Efforts
Randolph Teachers Bring Ancient Greece to Life for Students

Randolph Teachers Bring Ancient Greece to Life for Students

The second-grade team at Randolph Elementary School is making great connections by bringing ancient Greece to life for students through the new Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program. Teachers hosted a Greek Symposium at the conclusion of their CKLA unit, and student George Fiencke (aka Mr. George) brought in a special book to read to his class. Other end-of-CKLA unit connections this month included a medieval feast in fourth grade and a Codex project in fifth grade. CKLA is a PreK–5 program for teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking while engaging students in the study of literature, world and American history, and the sciences. Learn more about CKLA.
Randolph Teachers Bring Ancient Greece to Life for Students

Every Student Counts – Career & Technical Education

In the next video of our Every Student Counts series, APS explores the world of Career & Technical Education (CTE). In the video, you will see how CTE equips students with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and become lifelong learners.​ Students in CTE courses can secure an industry credential or State-approved license and engage in experiences such as resume writing, ePortfolios, job shadowing, externships, internships, and other work-based learning opportunities. Learn more online.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XNZCjHs4tQ
Important Calendar Reminders Coming this Month

Important Calendar Reminders Coming this Month

January Calendar Reminders:

  • 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
Attention Rising Middle and High School Families: Upcoming Dates

Attention Rising Middle and High School Families: Upcoming Dates

Middle School and High School Information Sessions provide a chance for families with students transitioning to the next chapter to learn about their neighborhood school and option programs of interest. View the upcoming schedule of in-person Middle School Info Sessions and High School Info Sessions available.


- Secondary Option Program Deadlines: Interested families must complete an online application and submit all required documents by Fri, Jan. 13, 2023, at 4 p.m. Learn more: Middle School I High School

Attention Rising Middle and High School Families: Upcoming Dates
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!
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.