Author Archives: Division Compass

End-of-Year Message

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Superintendent Pam MoranDear Colleagues,

As another remarkable year of accomplishment by our students concluded this week, I wanted each of you to know how deeply grateful I am for your service to our school division. I often have written to you about how visiting schools is one of the joys of being superintendent because of the opportunities these visits give me to talk with and be impressed by our students. There’s another opportunity I value—the chance to see so many of you interacting with our students and going well beyond your job description to make each student successful. Continue reading →

Connecting Mathematics to Other Subject Areas Grants (Grades 9-12) – Due Nov. 4

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NCTMThe National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is accepting applications to its Connecting Mathematics to Other Subject Areas Grants for Grades 9-12 Teachers program, which supports senior high classroom materials or lessons that connect mathematics to other fields. For 2017-18, individual grants up to $4,000 will be awarded to current high school math teachers. Materials may be in the form of books, visual displays, computer programs or displays, slide shows, videotapes, or other appropriate medium. The focus of these materials should be on showing the connectivity of mathematics to other fields or to the world around us. The application packet must be postmarked by November 4, 2016. Get the details »

Check out the complete list of NCTM funding opportunities »

benefitsFOCUS: Summer break is here! Beaches, Barbeques, and BE ready for Open Enrollment in August!

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benefitsFOCUSWhat’s the BIG news?

We recently went out to bid for our medical, dental, and pharmacy vendors and will wrap up that process in the next few weeks. Because we want to have all of the details worked out before we begin communications leading up to our August Open Enrollment period, we’re giving you a quick heads-up now that Open Enrollment will be held August 1st through August 19th.

What’s Open Enrollment??? Continue reading →

2016: Congratulations Graduates

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ACPS Supt's BlogGraduation Days: It’s always inspiring to watch our young people graduate and we have graduated over 1000 graduates in recent days. I ended the past week with the last of 5 graduation ceremonies. Most people know little about our shared regional services provider for special needs learners but a week ago I began graduations with a ceremony honoring 2 graduates at the Ivy Creek School. Read more of the Superintendent’s June 7 blog post »

Summer Work Opportunities

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ACPS Summer Work OpportunitiesThe Department of Instruction currently is lining up summer work opportunities in support of various curricular projects that are ongoing or will be started. If you’re interested, please visit the Summer Work 2016 form and let us know! You can find more detailed information, including dates and pay for each opportunity, by clicking on the “Summer Work Chart” link within the form.

Literacy Leaders’ Summit – RSVP by June 8

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Literacy Leaders' SummitAre you passionate about the literacy development of students? Join a team of ACPS educators on June 22 to reset the vision and mission for literacy teaching and learning in our school system. RSVP to this special event »

For more information about this voluntary summit, contact Maureen Jensen at mjensen@k12albemarle.org.

“An organizational mission statement reflects the shared vision and values of everyone within the organization; it creates a great unity and a tremendous commitment.”

(Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Therapy Dogs Work Wonders for Struggling Readers

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School Library Journal“Each and every day, librarians try to promote student literacy in positive and personal ways, while at the same time integrate the latest technologies. But what happens when those modern approaches are not enough to motivate students to pick up books? One low-tech, viable option: canine companions!” Keep reading in School Library Journal as library media specialist Mae Craddock and language arts teacher Michelle Harley of Burley Middle School describe the experience (and success!) of using therapy dogs to engage at-risk readers.

Family Engagement in Early Math Education

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HFRP LogoOver the next three weeks, Harvard Family Research Project is focusing on family engagement in early mathematics education within their FINE (Family Involvement Network of Educators) Newsletter. This week, the series, Formula for Success: Engaging Families in Early Math Learning, draws out important lessons for both practitioners and families around engaging families in children’s learning of mathematics anywhere, anytime.

Introducing Our New Teachers to Our Division By Looking at Student Work

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Share Your StoryWhat better way to help teachers new to Albemarle County Public Schools come to understand what we value and what our kids are capable of than to have them look at student work and talk to the consulting teacher about how this work came to be? We are looking for educators like you—novice to veteran—to come to our New Teacher Academy (NTA) with student work in tow (virtual, physical or hybrid) and ready to talk about how the project, product or creation came to be and what was learned in the process. Please take a few minutes to describe what you could share with our new teachers by completing this Google form.

Continue reading →

Albemarle County Beaches Will Open for Memorial Day Weekend

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Walnut CreekLocal residents can rediscover affordable family fun at Albemarle County’s three swimming beaches this summer. On Saturday, May 28, swimming beaches at Chris Greene, Walnut Creek, and Mint Springs open for the three-day holiday weekend. Beaches are open daily from Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day Weekend, except when Albemarle County Schools are in session. This year, swimming will be available daily beginning on Wednesday, June 8.
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