Back to School Bash on Aug. 10 – Volunteers Needed!

Each year, Albemarle County Public Schools and Charlottesville City Schools join forces with several community organizations to offer free school supplies and backpacks to families in need. This year’s Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ting Pavilion in Downtown Charlottesville.

In order to make this special event a success for our families, we need volunteers! Continue reading

Spotlight on Equity Education, June 2024 Issue

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Our June issue of Spotlight on Equity Education highlights Pride Month and LGBTQ+ student voices. We’ve also included information about Albemarle County’s 21-Day Equity Challenge and Juneteenth resources and community celebrations. Plus, we’ve highlighted our culturally responsive teaching professional learning opportunities for this summer. Continue reading

Spotlight on Equity Education, May 2024 Issue

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This year, the Equity Education Specialists team has worked with over 500 educators, administrators and leaders on our new culturally responsive programming! We have gathered feedback along the way to ensure clear expectations and pathways for the book study, micro-credential, and our new program for certification. Our May issue of Spotlight on Equity Education features information about how you can move your work forward with the book study or micro-courses over the summer. Continue reading

Department of Instruction Reorganization

wooden blocks with 2024 changing to 2025

The school division has begun moving forward with a series of initiatives and actions in response to the recommendations from our 2023 Instructional Practices Audit. Bellwether, the national nonprofit that conducted the audit, presented ACPS with five broad recommendations to address deficiencies in the areas of instructional tasks, adult learning, curricular resources, strategic alignment, and stakeholder engagement.

In support of the recommendations, and with the goal of better serving the needs of all ACPS students, three key changes are coming to the Department of Instruction beginning in the 2024-25 school year: Continue reading

Spotlight on Equity Education, March 2024 Issue

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In this month’s issue of Spotlight on Equity Education, we’re highlighting the origins of Women’s History Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, both celebrated in March. We’re also spotlighting several female ACPS equity advocates and providing midyear updates about the Culturally Responsive Teaching micro-credential and credentialing programs. Plus, our 9th annual ACPS Equity Conference and Awards Luncheon is coming up on May 18, and registration is open! Continue reading

It’s Not Too Late to Start Your Culturally Responsive Micro-Credential

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The ACPS strategic plan sets the goal for all licensed staff to earn an ACPS Culturally Responsive Teaching Certification or Micro-Credential by 2026 (or, for new teachers, within three years of hire). Currently, we have over 380 credentialed educators in the division and nearly 200 on track to finish the first of three micro-credential courses by January! Please keep reading for information about how you can register to begin micro-credentialing this year if you didn’t start in September. Continue reading

Race Matters in School Communities: Join the Conversation

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The Counseling Alliance of Virginia (CAVA), in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, Families Helping Families, and ACPS Family Council, invites participation in a series of unique and powerful conversations to inspire positive changes for racial awareness, sensitivity and responsibility in our region. We are looking for a representative from each school in our division to engage in these honest and disruptive conversations, not only for personal development, but also to share insights and initiatives with their school community and parent-teacher organization (PTO).

The series, Race Matters in School Communities, includes eight monthly discussions facilitated by CAVA. The group will meet locally on the second Tuesday of the month, October through May, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dates are as follows: October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 12, April 9, and May 14. Dinner will be provided, and child care will be offered.

Registration is still open, but spaces are limited! Continue reading

Spotlight on Equity Education, August Issue

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In our first 2023-24 issue of Spotlight on Equity Education, we will introduce you to our new team members; tell you about Albemarle County Government’s 21-Day Equity Challenge; talk about the connections between Culturally Responsive Teaching and Responsive Classroom for our elementary educators; and share information and dates regarding culturally responsive certification and micro-credentialing for this school year. Continue reading