As we approach the start of the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, September 8, we understand that staff may need to request leave or other accommodations because they are unable to fulfill the duties and work expectations of their positions. Human Resources has provided information about accommodation requests; leave requests; separation of employment; outstanding contracts; and important dates and deadlines in the following document: Return to School Accommodation and Leave Requests.
Dear Colleagues:
As Dr. Haas noted in his message to you earlier this month, our school division is looking into the possibility of providing child care for our teachers and essential classified staff when schools reopen on September 8. This one-time program would operate only as long as the primary form of instruction provided to students is virtual. At their meeting yesterday, the School Board approved this method of instruction for the first nine weeks of the new school year. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
Just a short while ago, our School Board approved a return to school plan for September 8 that will have most of our students beginning the new year with virtual instruction. There will be provisions for students who do not have internet access or whose internet access is not adequate for virtual learning. These students, along with some who have special needs and some who are English Learners, will be able to come into schools to work with learning coaches in accessing virtual instruction assignments. Continue reading
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 | 5 p.m. | Zoom Meeting Link
In an effort to help provide up-to-date information as our school division and community prepare for the start of school, please join us for a panel discussion about COVID-19 and children via Zoom on Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m. The panel will feature two physicians who are faculty members in UVa’s Department of Pediatric Medicine and Eileen Gomez, School Health Coordinator for ACPS. They will provide current information and be available for questions. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
The early results from our employee survey are making it understandably clear that there is a great deal of concern and even fear among many of you regarding a physical return to school in September.
I got a personal view of how you feel this past Friday at one of our schools. I was visiting with employees and sharing some of their job responsibilities to give me more insight into their working conditions. It caused me to think about the risk any one of these employees could face in September, especially those with underlying health conditions or with connections to someone at risk. Continue reading
The school division recognizes that due to the disruptions to personal and work schedules related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are not able to take time off. We previously announced that the conversion of annual leave at or above 320 hours that normally occurs at the end of an employee’s birth month has been temporarily disabled. In recognition that employees may not be able to take time off for the immediate foreseeable future, the suspension will be extended until February 28, 2021. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
You are very much on my mind these days.
One truth that our community relearned since the COVID-19 shutdown on March 13 is that you can close buildings and bus routes, even such special events as graduation, but student learning growth and development still goes on. That’s because of what each of you have contributed to our students and families and to our mission. That hasn’t closed down.
I continue to admire your dedication and professionalism and I want you to know how important it is to me that our division take every possible action to protect your health and safety this school year. We will not open buildings without that assurance. Continue reading
As a reminder, Summer Phase 2 begins on Monday, July 6. During this phase, our 12-month employees who have been teleworking will begin to transition back to their workspaces. The expectation is that all staff will be working back on site by July 20 (15 work days prior to the return of the teaching staff). Please contact your supervisor to discuss what your balance of in person vs. telecommuting work will be as you transition back to the office. This will vary by position.
As you physically return, all employees should follow the Phase 2 guidelines for returning to work, including: Continue reading
At its retreat on Friday, the Albemarle County School Board voted to reopen schools on Tuesday, September 8. Details around the opening of schools, including instructional schedules and school bus route information, are expected to be finalized by July 9. Continue reading
In case you missed it …
The school division has published a news release addressing two topics covered at this afternoon’s special COVID-19 meeting of the School Board—calendar options for the 2020-21 school year and guidance presented by the Return to School Task Force: Continue reading