Elementary Teachers: As a reminder, our instructional coaches and talent development resource teachers continue to create an activity bank to support asynchronous learning on Fridays. In light of the winter break and to afford teachers the opportunity to plan for the January 4-8 week of instruction before leaving for winter break, we have posted activities for that week in the ACPS Asynchronous Elementary Optional Seesaw Resources spreadsheet. Continue reading
Dear Colleagues:
Similar to what we’re seeing throughout Virginia and across the country, our local number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and percentage of positive test results have been on the rise following the Thanksgiving holiday.
As we approach our winter break, the Blue Ridge Health District is asking all residents to plan safe and joyous holiday celebrations. Continue reading
Updating Zoom Software
The Department of Technology recommends that all staff update the Zoom software to the latest version whenever possible. Having this software up to date when hosting Zoom meetings is beneficial, as it gives you the latest features and ensures your session is secure.
The screenshot below shows how to check for updates while in your Zoom software: Continue reading
When teaching about holidays and religions, a recent article in Teaching Tolerance (Favorite Holiday Poster Projects Aren’t Inclusion: An educator and mother recommends strategies for supporting all students’ religions and cultures, during the winter holidays and year-round) offers these helpful tips: Continue reading
With the presentation to the School Board last night regarding plans for Stage 4, staff who are requesting Stage 4 Accommodation and Leave Requests should proceed with submitting these requests as previously communicated.
ADA accommodation requests for Stage 4 should be submitted by December 17 to COVIDworkrequests@albemarle.org so that we may begin processing them as we assess division needs. Continue reading
The Department of Technology is excited to share with you the latest edition of Learning Tech Quarterly. This newsletter is filled with resources that cover a wide range of themes, including assessment, student engagement, and searchable collections of classroom activities.
If you need help or would like to explore the resources in this newsletter with a shoulder partner, please reach out to your school’s assigned Learning Technology Integrator.
At tonight’s School Board meeting, the Board will hear the plans associated with implementation of Stage 4 of our Return to School plan. This will be an overview of Stage 4, focusing on the instructional plan, operations, and staffing. Tonight’s meeting will not include a recommendation by Superintendent Haas as to when we would progress to Stage 4. Continue reading
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
The Department of Technology is pleased to highlight a global event, the Hour of Code! Last year, our division reached over 5,000 hours of code!
We encourage teachers to have their students participate in coding activities this Friday, December 11, as part of their asynchronous work. Visit our Hour of Code website to access resources by grade level. If you would like support in implementing Hour of Code activities, please reach out to your school’s assigned LTI.
Monday, December 14, 2020 | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Registration
Attention all K-5 teachers: You’re invited to the fourth meeting of our Content Opportunities Course on December 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The course, which we will offer monthly, aims to support implementation of inquiry-based curricula in science and social studies as outlined in the pacing guide. A great group of teachers, coaches and LTIs are collaborating to support this work, and participants are eligible for recertification points. Continue reading