Restorative Practices Resources

teen high fiving therapist in support group circle

Restorative Practices are designed to strengthen relationships between individuals and within communities through an intentional focus on managing behaviors. Most restorative work is done proactively to build healthy communities and strengthen ownership of behaviors. The Department of Student Services invites you to visit their Restorative News SharePoint site for a collection of resources on discipline, threat assessment, restorative practices, and STEP (Short-Term Education Plan), plus monthly news articles! Continue reading

Celebrate Black History Month With Us!

February is Black History Month

Black History began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of this historical month, was one of the first scholars to study the history of people of African descent in the United States. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

As we serve ACPS students throughout the month of February and beyond, let us celebrate Black History and the contributions of countless individuals who have contributed to our shared American history. Continue reading

New VDOE Website

VDOE Facebook Logo

You may have noticed that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has redesigned their website. The new VDOE website, including a new ChildCareVA site, launched on December 13 and includes an intuitive, modern navigation that aims to provide easy access to information and resources on dozens of topics. The redesign also incorporates a variety of features to enhance communication between the VDOE, schools, childcare providers, parents, and the general public.

With the launch of the new VDOE site, most links to VDOE content changed. Continue reading

Participate in Hour of Code This December 5-11!

ACPS Hour of Code Logo

Celebrate Computer Science Week this December 5-11 by participating in Hour of Code! Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code” to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with one-hour coding activities, but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. The Learning Technology Team encourages all ACPS students to participate in Hour of Code! Continue reading

Making Connections 2022 — It’s a Wrap!

Making Connections 2022

To all who participated in Making Connections this year: Thank you! As Superintendent Haas highlighted in his November 11 Weekly Check-in, we had a successful day of learning together at both Albemarle and Monticello high schools. Special thanks to all of our wonderful and talented staff who volunteered their time and efforts to present and share throughout the day. Without you, Making Connections 2022 would not have been possible! Please continue reading to watch a video of our day together, access materials from Making Connections presentations, and provide your feedback about the event. Continue reading

Digital Citizenship Week Is Oct. 17-21

common sense district badge

ACPS is now certified by Common Sense Media as a Common Sense District! As part of this digital citizenship certification, schools are teaching students how to use technology in safe and healthy ways, addressing topics like maintaining a healthy digital footprint and staying safe in an online community. As a division, we would like to highlight the importance of this work during National Digital Citizenship Week, October 17-21.

In honor of Digital Citizenship Week, the Department of Technology’s Learning Technology team has launched a Digital Citizenship Week website featuring short, fun, and easy-to-access extensions to the existing digital citizenship curriculum. Continue reading

September 17 Is Constitution Day & Citizenship Day

Constitution Day, September 17

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

June Is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

Pride Month

According to U.S. Census Bureau, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States… The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”

In Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), student-led organizations providing affinity and advocacy for LGBTQIA students exist at all secondary schools.* These student organizations have leaned in to help ACPS achieve its strategic goal of “Affirming and Empowering Communities,” including respecting and championing the diversity of life experiences of all students. Continue reading

Reaffirming Our Values & Commitments to Our Students & to One Another

Superintendent Matthew Haas

Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for all you are doing to support our students, families, and each other! I appreciate you taking a few minutes to read this important message.

The recent racially-motivated violence in Buffalo and the discovery of the shooter’s “hit list” that contained an elementary school is another painful reminder of the importance of both our nation’s commitment to anti-racism and the difficulty of its implementation. Across our nation, more and more communities are scarred by violence against our national cultures and values, most especially, but not exclusively, violence that targets our Black communities. Continue reading