School buses in the City of Alexandria are likely to sit idle this September.
Since this spring, Alexandria City Public Schools leaders have been discussing, thinking and modeling — with input from many thought leaders and the community — different scenarios and safety measures to ensure equity in learning whether students are in classrooms or in their home living rooms.
Now, they've decided that due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, students will start the year with remote, virtual classes.
“Based on our understanding and assessment of ACPS constraints, community input + vision across each Cross-Functional Planning Team, we recognize that it is not feasible to open for in-person learning starting on September 8, 2020,” the school board announced today.
ACPS leaders will present their proposed virtual learning model to the School Board during the Aug. 7 meeting. They are sharing the proposed model with the community now and asking for feedback ahead of that Aug. 7 meeting.
According to a news release sent out Friday morning:
"Our most feasible model, Virtual PLUS+, is a robust online learning experience that will engage students 100% virtually and provide additional supports for students, staff and families.
The virtual academic program will include a structured bell schedule, daily live instruction with teachers, and additional academic supports for some of our most vulnerable students, including one-on-one or small group tutoring.
To enable students to fully participate in learning, all students in pre-K through first grade will receive age-appropriate technology in the form of electronic tablets, and students in grades 2-12 will receive Chromebooks. Childcare options will also be offered for those families who need it through the assistance of our community partners. We are working collaboratively with our community partners to provide more specific details about these child care options and will share additional information over the next couple of weeks."
The City of Alexandria is joining all other school jurisdictions in Northern Virginia in starting the school year with virtual learning.
The City of Falls Church, plus Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties are all starting the year with online learning. Most hope to bring students back in late 2020, if coronavirus numbers indicate it is safe to do so.
ACPS leaders acknowledged that it had to take the decision of other regions into consideration — many teachers and staff members working in Alexandria live in other jurisdictions, where their own children may be at home.
“That said, each school division has its own population and needs to be responsive to its student population and we need to make a decision that works for our students and families here in Alexandria. With 61 percent of our students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, we have one of the highest poverty rates in the region and our students rely on school for a wide variety of services, including access to food,” ACPS leaders said on the school district’s website FAQs about reopening. (See the full FAQs here.)
The school system will continue planning and considering options for community-based child care for young students and parents who need to work, continued meal distribution, better support for social and emotional learning, and expanded technology resources.
The following next steps come from the School Board’s powerpoint presentation on the process, thinking and planning behind the decision.
