Nominations are open for the 2017-18 Golden Apple Awards, an annual program designed to honor outstanding teachers in public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City. Colleagues, students, and community members may submit nominations through February 1, 2018! Open the nomination form »
Author Archives: Division Compass
Have a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving
Dear Colleagues:
One of my first decisions as the new superintendent for Albemarle County Public Schools was to move the Wisdom Table into my office. It has been there ever since.
For many years, this modest, rectangular wooden table occupied a hallowed place in my grandad’s home in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. I remember it with great reverence, because it was where I would sit down with my grandfather to work out the youthful problems and challenges that complicated my early life. Continue reading
Share the Warmth: County Coat Drive Opens Nov. 27
The 2017-18 Albemarle County Coat Drive will launch on Monday, November 27! Due to your generosity, the county’s last three coat drives were very successful, with almost 1,900 coats donated to our friends and neighbors in need. The most recent drive yielded 760 coats, and we’re aiming to exceed that number this year! Collection bins will be placed at multiple locations, and the drive will accept donations through March 3, 2018.
Schools: Your participation is more than welcome! If your school would like to join the effort, please designate a “Coat Captain” to help gather donated coats, and then contact Blake Abplanalp in the Albemarle County Office of Facilities & Environmental Services for collection details: abplanalp@albemarle.org or 434-872-4501, ext. (7)3244. The school collecting the most coats will receive special recognition from the County!
2018-19 Budget Survey Open Through Dec. 3
Albemarle County Public Schools is beginning to develop the 2018-19 Superintendent’s Funding Request. As we embark on this budget development process, your input is of great importance to us. The 2018-19 Budget Survey is designed to help the school division understand how well we have communicated the annual budget process to our community and to determine the degree to which our community members support various research-based proposals for improving our services. The information that we collect will be analyzed and applied to the budget development process, and we will share the results! Take the survey »
Please complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 3.
Speak Up Survey – Participate by January 19
ACPS Educators: Each year the Speak Up Survey provides our district with rich data that helps us make important decisions for students. Through this survey, we learn how students use technology, what technologies are important to teachers, how our use of technology aligns with the needs of our families, and more. View a copy of the letter emailed to ACPS parents and educators on Nov. 16 »
In the past, we have received thousands of responses across the district, and this year, we’re aiming for 100% participation. Taking the survey is easy: Continue reading
Place Your Order for CATEC’s 16th Annual Thanksgiving Fundraiser by Noon on Nov. 16
CATEC’s Culinary students want to take the stress out of your Thanksgiving. Order your favorite Thanksgiving dish and support CATEC’s Culinary Arts program. View the menu »
Hurry, time is running out! All orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, November 16. (That’s tomorrow!) Supplies are limited and no late orders will be accepted. Place your order »
Three Principles of Writing Instruction in a Personalized Learning Classroom
“There is no right way—or place—to write. Similarly, there is no single right way to teach writing; effective writing instruction depends on the unique needs of each learner. In theory, this is a relatively easy idea to get behind. But in a traditional classroom setting, turning this idea into practice can be a challenge.” Keep reading in EdSurge »
What Superintendent Moran has to say: Continue reading
Great American Smokeout – November 16, 2017
November 16, 2017 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Carver Recreation Center
When trying to quit smoking, support can make all the difference. The Great American Smokeout will be held this Thursday, November 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carver Recreation Center, located at the Jefferson School City Center in Charlottesville.
Drop in for this FREE event! Continue reading
It’s Geography Awareness Week!
Geography Awareness Week is November 12-18 this year. What a great opportunity to talk with students of all ages about the impact that geography has on their lives, civilization, flora and fauna development—even music! Geography is an interdisciplinary learning path across content areas. Check out these resources »
Additional Thanksgiving & Winter Break Holiday Leave
As a reminder, on Thursday, April 27, the Albemarle County School Board granted 12-month employees additional leave in alignment with the state’s holiday schedule: Offices will close at noon on Wednesday, November 22 (4 hours), and again on Friday, December 22 (4 hours). See the full holiday schedule for the 2017-18 school year (for 12-month employees) »