PowerSchool Update Scheduled for Jan. 16-17

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Division Compass

The Department of Technology will be installing a newer version of PowerSchool during the January 16/17 weekend maintenance window. PowerSchool will be unavailable for periods of time during this normal Saturday night/Sunday morning maintenance time. This update has some significant changes to the PowerSchool user interface. We have held off on making changes to PowerSchool, as we know that the last nine months have been disruptive enough; however, in order to maintain a supported version of PowerSchool and provide some new features that we hope will be beneficial in our current environment, it is necessary to move forward with an update. Continue reading →

Zoom Link for This Afternoon’s COVID-19 Recovery Focus Group Meeting for Teachers

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Division Compass

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | Zoom

Attention Teachers: If you’re planning to participate in today’s focus group conversation from 4:30 to 6 p.m. regarding the future response of ACPS to COVID-19 and the impact of COVID-19 on student learning and social-emotional well-being and development, please click here to join at 4:30 this afternoon. Continue reading →

Archived Courses in Schoology & Two Action Items for Secondary Teachers

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Division Compass

In an effort to support students in preparing for state-wide tests, AP exams, or completing missing work, the Department of Technology, in collaboration with the Department of Instruction, will enable access to all archived courses in Schoology to all Schoology users, including students and teachers, on Friday, January 29. Continue reading →

Next Round of Division PLC Meetings: Jan. 15 or 22

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Division Compass

The next round of Division PLC (DPLC) meetings will be held on January 15 (elementary) or January 22 (secondary). Please refer to the Division PLC 2020-21 document for key information about the purpose and structure of DPLCs as well as the meeting schedule and Zoom links.

Please email leadcoaches@k12albemarle.org with any questions.

Content Opportunities Course for K-5 Teachers: 5th meeting on Jan. 11

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Division Compass

Monday, January 11, 2021 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Registration

Attention all K-5 teachers: You’re invited to the fifth meeting of our Content Opportunities Course on January 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The course, which we will offer monthly, aims to support implementation of inquiry-based curricula in science and social studies as outlined in the pacing guide. A great group of teachers, coaches and LTIs are collaborating to support this work, and participants are eligible for recertification points. Continue reading →

Instructional Guidance & Resources Regarding the Events of Jan. 6

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Division Compass

Dear Colleagues,

We witness events like yesterday with dual responsibility as citizens and as educators. To that end, I am sharing resources to support you as you help students to process the events of January 6. I have copied below the foreword from a resource provided by Facing History and Ourselves and highlighted in bold the operative phrase that speaks to the necessity of giving our students the opportunity to process their emotions as well as understanding with facts what happened: Continue reading →

Save the Date: COVID-19 Recovery Focus Group Meeting on Jan. 13

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Division Compass

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | Zoom

Greetings, ACPS Teachers:

I am writing to invite you to a second focus group conversation from 4:30 to 6 next Wednesday evening, January 13, to talk about the future response of ACPS to COVID-19 and the virus’s impact on student learning and social-emotional well-being and development. We will gather on Zoom with up to 300 teachers to share an overview and have small group conversations about our response going into 2021-22. Continue reading →

Activity Bank to Support Asynchronous Learning Updated for Jan. 4-8, Plus a Special Activity This Friday!

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Division Compass

Elementary Teachers: As a reminder, our instructional coaches and talent development resource teachers continue to create an activity bank to support asynchronous learning on Fridays. In light of the winter break and to afford teachers the opportunity to plan for the January 4-8 week of instruction before leaving for winter break, we have posted activities for that week in the ACPS Asynchronous Elementary Optional Seesaw Resources spreadsheet. Continue reading →

Important Zoom Information

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Division Compass

Updating Zoom Software

The Department of Technology recommends that all staff update the Zoom software to the latest version whenever possible. Having this software up to date when hosting Zoom meetings is beneficial, as it gives you the latest features and ensures your session is secure.

The screenshot below shows how to check for updates while in your Zoom software: Continue reading →