Dear Colleagues:
In a short while, we will publicly announce a move to Stage 1, all-virtual instruction, for the week prior to winter break (December 14-18) and the week after (January 4-8). This week will be the last week of face-to-face instruction until Monday, January 11, when Stage 3 will resume. While there will not be students in our buildings, buildings will remain open to staff December 14-18 and January 4-8. Continue reading
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase across the country and in Virginia, Albemarle County’s positivity rate in testing for the illness remains at low-risk levels. The most recent statistics from the Virginia Department of Health put the rate here in our county at 2.2%, which falls within the low-risk category according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
On November 9, Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) entered Stage 3 of our Return to School plan. We are pleased to have our youngest learners back in our buildings for hybrid learning as well as additional secondary students for in-person access. With reports of increasing COVID-19 infections across our state and the country, I’d like to share with you the factors that will help us determine whether it is safe to continue with face-to-face instruction. Continue reading
Albemarle County Public Schools understands that, for many in our community, the COVID-19 pandemic has created new hardships or further complicated preexisting issues. We are here to serve our community, and we want to provide as much assistance as we can during this turbulent and uncertain time.
In an effort to increase our ability to help our community members, ACPS has launched a COVID-19 Hotline. The hotline is accessible by phone or email: Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
I want to congratulate all of you for your outstanding contributions leading up to our school division’s transition this week from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of our return to school plan. Through all of the challenges of the pandemic and its impact on student learning and on our own lives, your dedication to the health of our community and the learning needs of our students has been extraordinary.
We have learned a great deal from these experiences, not the least of which has been the importance of involving as many staff as possible in our decision-making process and the need to communicate early and often with you. These are the purposes of today’s message. Continue reading
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Zoom
Teachers and School Administrators: I hope today is a good day for you. I sure am proud of you. You have much to be proud of as you have carried the heavy load of teaching and learning and leading schools in a time that cannot be compared to any other. And the first quarter is in the books. Thank you.
I am writing to ask you to save the date for a Community Conversation on November 18 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Continue reading
As you are aware, ACPS adopted a Policy on Masks and Acceptable Face Coverings approved by the school board on August 27, 2020. After publication, some of our educators voiced concerns about students removing masks in the classroom and school buildings under the circumstances identified in the policy.
In response, we met with principals, teachers, COVID-19 Coordinator Eileen Gomez, and others to address the concerns, modify the policy, and develop a standard operating procedure for designating mask removal spaces in the school and articulating criteria for mask removal for relief, if and when a student needs it, and for eating. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) recognizes that your child care needs may change as the division moves to Stage 3 of our Return to School plan on November 9. We are happy to announce that ACPS will continue to offer the Staff Child Care Program (SCCP) in the second quarter of the school year at three locations:
The SCCP will operate each school day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Continue reading
In order to protect our employees from the COVID-19 virus, ACPS will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to staff. Please review the ACPS COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protocol (ACPS Google login required) for details on PPE available to staff as well as PPE care and use. Continue reading
Dear Families/Colleagues:
As I continue to talk with our public health experts, visit schools to talk with employees, and hear from our parents and students, I’m learning a great deal about the depth of challenges we all face. I’m also learning about the incredible talent, determination and caring of our families and staff, qualities that cannot be diminished by a virus. And, I’m learning that I have not said “thank you” enough.
I hope you will take a few minutes to watch my video message and hear what I consider to be a very important message for all of us: