School Board Update
January 12, 2020
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
Summary of the January 7, 2021 School Board Meeting
Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán provided an update on the return-to-school plan at the Jan. 7 School Board meeting. Read more details about the meeting at https://www.apsva.us/post/superintendent-provides-update-on-return-to-school-plan/
Next meeting: January 21
January Calendar for School Board Meetings and Work Sessions
The Arlington School Board’s January schedule of Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Advisory Council and Committee Meetings is now available at https://www.apsva.us/post/january-calendar-for-school-board-meetings-and-work-sessions-3/. For information, contact the School Board Office at 703-228-6015.
Citizen Comment at School Board Meetings
If the Board receives more speaker requests than can be accommodated in one hour, 30 speakers will be randomly selected from all requests received and will be notified of their selection.
The Speaker Request Form posted at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/sign-up-to-speak/ is activated by Friday afternoon of the week prior to the Board meeting. The speaker form is active until Noon on the Tuesday before the Board meeting. The schedule of regular School Board meeting is posted at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/.
Superintendent's Weekly Update
The Superintendent will provide a School Year 2020-2021 Update as a Monitoring Item at all upcoming School Board meetings. Watch School Board meetings at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/.
APS-SRO Work Group Virtual Community Engagement Session
APS is working with a Work Group and Youth Advisory Council as we review our school division’s relationship and operations with School Resource Officers (SROs).
The APS-SRO Work Group will hold a virtual community engagement session, Wed., Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. for the community to provide feedback and recommendations going forward on the relationship between APS and the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD).
Individuals interested in providing public comment during the community engagement session should complete the Speaker Request Form by Wednesday Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. There will be a maximum of 60 callers allowed to register for a time limit of two minutes per speaker. Speakers will be able to register until the registration deadline. If the maximum number of speakers is reached before the registration deadline, registration will close when the maximum number of speakers is reached.
Written comments are also able to be submitted by emailing them to engage@apsva.us. All written comments will be shared with all members of the SRO Work Group, but the names and email addresses will not be shared for privacy reasons.
The session will be broadcast live on Livestream. Anyone unable to watch the event live will be able to view the event recording after the event concludes.
For additional information on the SRO Work Group, please visit the APS and School Resource Officers section on the Engage webpage.
Superintendent’s Message on the Events at the U.S. Capitol
Dear APS Community,
I know that many in our community are still processing yesterday’s violence at the U.S. Capitol. These events were upsetting for all of us and are especially challenging to process in the midst of an already uncertain and challenging time. Together, we will work to ensure our children feel safe and supported, and that they understand that peaceful transition of power is fundamental to our democracy. We can do this by providing positive examples and reassurance to our students and each other.
Arlington Public Schools is here to support our students, staff and families who may need additional help to process these events. Students and families can contact their school counselors, social workers and school psychologists. We have also provided resources to teachers for talking to students today about violence and how to constructively engage with others who have differing views. We encourage staff and families to access supportive resources online for staff and parents.
Employees are encouraged to contact the Arlington EAP for support at 703-228-8720 or by email at EAP.Staff@apsva.us. When events challenge all of us, self-care is critical and enhances our ability to be appropriately prepared to address the needs of our students, families, and workplaces.
Now that the curfew for Arlington issued last evening has been lifted, we are resuming normal schedules for school activities and athletics. We continue to monitor and will keep you informed of any changes.
Sincerely,
Dr. Francisco Durán
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools
Board Member Update
Thank you to Tannia Talento and Nancy Van Doren for their dedication and service to our students and community. Their four-year term as a School Board members ended on December 31, 2020. Listen to their remarks at their last School Board meeting at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/view-school-board-meetings/
As of January 1, 2021, we welcome new Board members Cristina Diaz-Torres and David Priddy. Read more about them at https://www.apsva.us/school-board-members/
School Board Open Office Hours
Upcoming Open Office Hours:
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 with Barbara Kanninen from 8:30 to 10:30 PM
Monday, January 25, 2021, Time TBD
The schedule for Open Office Hours for the 2020-2021 school year is posted at https://www.apsva.us/contact-the-school-board/open-office-hours/.
Updates for the School Year 2020-2021
APS has the following information available for families:
- The APS COVID-19 webpage has the latest updates and new FAQs about instruction, technology, meals for students, family resources and more.
APS Broadcasting WiFi Network Outside of Four Schools: https://www.apsva.us/post/aps-broadcasting-wifi-network-outside-of-four-schools/?utm_source=wifi&utm_campaign=f5oct9
APS COVID-19 Dashboard: https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2020-21/aps-covid-19-dashboard/?utm_source=APS%20COVID%20Dashboard&utm_campaign=f5oct2
P-EBT Benefit Update for Families: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/pebt.cgi
APS to Launch Family Technology Call Center: https://parentacademy.apsva.us/
Explore Videos and Resources for Parents: https://parentacademy.apsva.us/
Comcast Internet Essentials Details: https://www.apsva.us/digital-learning/internet/
Food Resources from Arlington County: https://www.apsva.us/post/food-resources-from-arlington-county/
- Need assistance? See who to contact at https://www.apsva.us/post/who-to-contact-for-help/
Questions related to APS and the change in operations due to COVID-19 can be sent to engage@apsva.us