May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

science learning, sharing cultural knowledge, and this year’s spelling bee 2nd place winner Claire Meng

According to the U.S. Census Bureau: 

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

In Albemarle County Public Schools, there are 782 students who identify as Asian and 12 students who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. We encourage you to continue to build partnerships and produce relevant curriculum that honors the culture and experiences of these students and their families! Continue reading

Celebrate Black History Month With Us!

elementary students seated around a table in school

February is Black History Month, a celebration of the achievements and brilliance of the African American community!  Black History Month was envisioned by Carter G. Woodson and his colleagues who founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and instituted a week-long celebration of Black history in 1926. In the late 1960s, due to the growing civil rights movement, the week-long celebration evolved into a month-long “Black History Month,” a recognition encouraging schools and communities to organize local celebrations, history events, performances, and lectures uplifting the history of African Americans. Continue reading

Elementary Art & Music Lessons to Support Instruction in Stage 4

Seesaw Logo

Elementary Teachers: Weekly art and music activities are currently being created by teams of elementary specialists. The first lessons to support Stage 4 instruction will be available in Seesaw this Friday, March 5.

Where to access: Weekly lessons are posted to the ACPS Friday At-Home Learning Elementary Seesaw & Weekly Specials Resources Google Sheet. Continue reading

Stage 4 Instructional & Technology Resources

3D Number 4

In preparation for a possible decision to transition to Stage 4 of our Return to School plan, the departments of Instruction and Technology collaborated to create a set of resources for teachers. In addition to these resources, we encourage teachers to reach out to your school’s assigned Instructional Coaches and Learning Technology Integrator to support thinking through instructional needs and approaches. Continue reading

The Paramount Theater Presents Arts Education Virtual Resources

The Paramount logo

Dear Educators and Administrators,

As we start this wonderful New Year filled with hope and promise, we feel a deep sense of awe and gratitude for your extraordinary work and dedication during this unprecedented time of teaching and learning. We are thinking of you, your students, and your school communities, and hope this finds you safe and well.

While currently The Paramount cannot welcome our school communities in person to experience live arts education performances, we hold steadfast to our mission and shared belief in the important role the arts play in our lives. Continue reading

Apology Regarding Recent Guidance for African American History Month

Black History Month heart logo

With regard to the recent Guidance for African American History Month, the writing team for this guidance would like to express our apologies for taking an official stance on the name or interpretation of Black or African American History Month. We recognize that language and interpretation of this month is owned by the community. Continue reading

Guidance for African American History Month

African American History Month

History and Purpose of African American History Month

African American History Month grew out of the efforts of Carter G. Woodson, a historian and native of Buckingham County. The meaning and scope has changed significantly since its inception in 1926; however, it still remains critical that we, as educators, make African American history and people more visible in our curricula. We believe that one of the most important shifts we can make is to use the month of February to commit and take action to center African American history, agency and excellence in our curricula and instruction throughout the year. Continue reading

Instructional Guidance & Resources Regarding the Events of Jan. 6

U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021

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