September 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. This day commemorates the September 17, 1787, signing of the United States Constitution. If you teach social studies (or even another subject), take some time next week, September 19-23, to commemorate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Resources: Continue reading
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) designed TeacherDirect to establish a direct line of communication with classroom teachers and educators. The goal of TeacherDirect is to provide a way to share new instructional resources created by VDOE staff as well as make teachers aware of professional development and grant opportunities, and other information of special interest to teachers and their students. Continue reading
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is offering a FREE opportunity this November for teachers who are interested in adding an ESOL endorsement to their existing teaching license. The EducateVA ESOL Praxis Prep Workshop will be held in Harrisonburg on three consecutive Saturdays: November 5, 12 and 19. Tuition will be covered by the VDOE, and mileage will be reimbursed by the ACPS International & ESOL Program. For more information, please see the workshop flyer, and reach out to Lauren MacLean, ACPS Assistant Director of ESOL, World Languages, and Homeschool, if you plan to register. Space is limited to two participants per school division!
Our annual Making Connections professional learning event will be held Monday, November 7. Given the wide range of innovative practices and effective strategies implemented by educators and staff in Albemarle County, our programming this year will be a combination of workshops facilitated by visiting educators as well as ACPS teachers and administrators.
We are excited to expand this year’s Making Connections conference by including opportunities for support staff to participate in professional learning! We will host professional learning sessions for instructional staff at Monticello High School, while professional learning opportunities for support staff will be offered at Journey Middle School. Continue reading
The Department of Technology created this Technology Need-to-Knows for Short-Term Substitutes document to support substitute coordinators and assist teachers when creating sub plans. The document addresses technology resources that are available to substitutes; accessing materials using Google Drive; displaying materials using a Promethean Panel; and getting technical support. Please direct any questions to the Service Desk during normal business hours at 434-975-9444.
Teachers: Did you know that your classroom’s Promethean ActivPanel is essentially a giant computer? Just like your laptop, an ActivPanel needs frequent updates to keep it running smoothly. While these updates are managed centrally by the Department of Technology, your panel needs to be on in order to receive these updates. Therefore, it is considered best practice to leave your ActivPanel on at the end of the day. This is especially important now, as your panel may have several updates to install since it was off over the summer. Once any updates have been received and installed, your panel will automatically enter standby mode. Continue reading
The Paramount Theater cordially invites you to attend their annual Teacher Reception on Tuesday, August 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening. Meet and greet fellow educators, preview the 2022-23 arts education season, and learn about using The Paramount Theater as a classroom resource. All ACPS employees are welcome! An RSVP is encouraged: Please RSVP to Cathy von Storch at 434-293-1000 or cathyvonstorch@theparamount.net. Continue reading
The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation annually presents ACPS staff with the opportunity to apply for grants supporting innovative and community-oriented programs in our school division. If you have been hoping to start such a program in your school, please contact Helen Dunn, ACPS Legislative & Public Affairs Officer, with some information about what you would like to propose, and she will give you guidance on next steps.
We encourage all of our creative staff members to apply for these grants, which have historically led to some very special opportunities for our educators and students! Continue reading
Teachers who were reappointed by the school board on May 26 were sent contracts from the ACPSContracts@k12albemarle.org account on May 27. As a reminder, these contracts are due on Friday, June 10. If you have not already done so, please sign and date your contract and email it as a PDF to ACPSContracts@k12albemarle.org.
Questions regarding staffing should be directed to principals. Other questions can be directed to the HR Business Partners: Eirini Vlavianos for Elementary and Instructional Support, or Jennifer Weller Kim for Secondary.
This summer, we will offer a professional learning experience for elementary teachers focused on ST Math. The course will be facilitated through Schoology and will include three learning experiences that dive into the philosophy and context of ST Math, ST Math Chats for each grade level, and the pathway students follow through the learning objectives.
Teachers can sign up for the course through the Professional Learning Management System (PLMS). We will accept the first 100 teachers who register. Continue reading