ACPS Decisions and Status

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a sense as to where things may be headed for ACPS in terms of in-person learning? I feel like most surrounding school districts are in the process of deciding, with more info circulating than in our district.

I know ACPS just had the parent surveys, though I didn’t find they asked a lot of probing questions geared at reopening. Do you all think some students will be brought back in person? Is Oct. 15th still the date when we’re supposed to hear something?

[Anonymous]

I just came on to see if there were any threads with insights into ACPS! I guess not. October 15th is still the presentation to the school board. My kindergartner needs to be in school. All of our neighbors pulled their kindergartners and enrolled in parochial or private, so they're all in person.

[Anonymous]

So, it’s just a presentation on the 15th, not an actual vote or decision?!

Our 1st grader is struggling with this virtual stuff and we are considering a smaller private if there are no signs of a shift towards in-person learning.

[Anonymous]

I can't tell if waiting this long to present and vote on a plan is really smart or really stupid.

[Anonymous]

They need to figure something out and fast for the K-2 group. They realized that it is too much screen time but still haven't changed the daily schedule, which they should be able to do. I mean I am surprised my child K teacher hasn't quit too. I want to be hopeful about some sort of in-person learning but I am skeptical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to figure something out and fast for the K-2 group. They realized that it is too much screen time but still haven't changed the daily schedule, which they should be able to do. I mean I am surprised my child K teacher hasn't quit too. I want to be hopeful about some sort of in-person learning but I am skeptical.

We kept hearing there would be schedule changes based on parent feedback, but it continues with endless screen time for k-2nd and not enough breaks. They should have made adjustments by now. Just got a notice about teachers starting online assessments for students this week. Can’t even imagine what that will be like!

Why do we continue carrying on business as usual and pretending to replicate life in a classroom? This is all so ineffective. I don’t see any learning happening like this. A lot of effort on the teacher’s part for little return on their investment of time and energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to figure something out and fast for the K-2 group. They realized that it is too much screen time but still haven't changed the daily schedule, which they should be able to do. I mean I am surprised my child K teacher hasn't quit too. I want to be hopeful about some sort of in-person learning but I am skeptical.

+1

[Anonymous]

I get the feeling that in person instruction for all is not in the plan, even if they present plans to return. The division has put the focus on Virtual+. At least one building is under construction with no end in sight. It's too bad. Kids are back in school all over the country.

[Anonymous]

My take away from the announcements thus far is that they are looking at bringing back certain special ed kids (all grades) and possibly K-2 kids - I think that will be dependent in part on parent survey responses. But that might be wishful thinking on my part. I really hope they find a way to bring the younger kids back. Our MS and HS kids are doing fine with the virtual learning but I feel terrible for my neighbors with young elementary kids. If it were me, I'd do everything possible to get the young ones back. Here is what I'm basing my take away on (from the ACPS website):

As we outlined in our Virtual PLUS+ Continuity of Learning Plan (PDF), at the end of the first quarter and afterward every seven weeks we will reassess whether it is safe and feasible to reopen our school buildings to students. We will be sharing an update on this during the School Board meeting on Oct. 15.

Discussions are currently underway about how we might consider bringing our students who attend our citywide special education programs — some of our most vulnerable students — back into our schools for some in-person learning opportunities.

This month, we surveyed our preK-2 Specialized Instruction staff and have been examining in detail the processes and protocols that would be necessary for both staff and students to stay safe. This includes looking at social distancing requirements, the requirement to wear masks, special cleaning processes, transportation, nutritional needs and staffing numbers.

We are also having discussions about our youngest learners, especially our students in pre-K through grade 2. We are aware of issues around transition times and are working on some solutions to ensure greater success for our youngest students.

We have gathered a team of 194 teachers who are providing invaluable input on feasible next steps. Next week, we will be surveying our staff and families to hear more directly about their experiences.

Our goal is to present our findings, along with input from the Alexandria Health Department, to the School Board on October 15, 2020 as part of our reentry reevaluation process. This will allow a two to three week window for families to make any needed accommodations or adjustments before we begin the next semester on Nov. 3, 2020.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like they are going to spend the entire year conducting surveys and evaluations, such that a decision will never get made. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they are going to spend the entire year conducting surveys and evaluations, such that a decision will never get made. Sigh.

+1. Lots of surveys but no work on buildings to prepare. I think it’s just smoke and mirrors. ACPS doesn’t plan to provide in person instruction this year. Makes me want to move to one of the many places schools are open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they are going to spend the entire year conducting surveys and evaluations, such that a decision will never get made. Sigh.

+1. Lots of surveys but no work on buildings to prepare. I think it’s just smoke and mirrors. ACPS doesn’t plan to provide in person instruction this year. Makes me want to move to one of the many places schools are open.

You mean places like North Carolina? https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/us/school-teac...eath-trnd/index.html

[Anonymous]

ACPS still has problems with how its Virtual Plus classes operate. I just listened to the librarian take 17 minutes to take attendance for library encore including being critical of an ESL student who barely knows any English for his response to his name being called out for attendance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they are going to spend the entire year conducting surveys and evaluations, such that a decision will never get made. Sigh.

+1. Lots of surveys but no work on buildings to prepare. I think it’s just smoke and mirrors. ACPS doesn’t plan to provide in person instruction this year. Makes me want to move to one of the many places schools are open.

You mean places like North Carolina? https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/us/school-teac...eath-trnd/index.html

“None of the quarantined students have developed any symptoms or tested positive, Bailey said. The health department told the administration it believed Davis did not contract the virus from the school.”

So what’s your point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they are going to spend the entire year conducting surveys and evaluations, such that a decision will never get made. Sigh.

+1. Lots of surveys but no work on buildings to prepare. I think it’s just smoke and mirrors. ACPS doesn’t plan to provide in person instruction this year. Makes me want to move to one of the many places schools are open.

You mean places like North Carolina? https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/05/us/school-teac...eath-trnd/index.html

“None of the quarantined students have developed any symptoms or tested positive, Bailey said. The health department told the administration it believed Davis did not contract the virus from the school.”

So what’s your point?

That's SO reassuring.