Volume 1, Issue 6
News from ACPS
Board Meeting Highlights
Following are highlights from the regular school board meeting on December 14, 2023. You can view the full Dec. 14 meeting agenda in ESB. You can also watch a recording of the Dec. 14 meeting on our YouTube page.
Policy Review & Revisions
Virginia Code requires all school board policies to be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed. On December 14, three policies were presented for action:
- BCE, School Board Committees
- BDDL, Remote Meetings
- BHB, School Board Member Development
And, six policies were presented for information:
- BDA, Regular School Board Meetings
- BDD, Electronic Participation in Meetings from Remote Locations
- BDDA, Notification of Meetings
- BDDG, Minutes
- BCF, Advisory Committees to the School Board
- BDDF, Voting Method
Questions? Contact Dallas Hitt.
Academic Guide Updates for 2024-25
The board received an update on the middle and high school academic guides for the 2024-25 school year. No programming changes were recommended for the Middle School Program Guide, and five programming additions were proposed for the High School Program of Studies.
Questions? Contact Jay Thomas.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Annual Report
The 2023-2024 SEAC Annual Report was presented. The report highlights primary concerns and specific recommendations of the advisory committee, as well as results from the 2023 SEAC Family Survey.
Questions? Contact Katy Compel.
High School Schedule & Workload
In a follow-up conversation on the high school schedule and workload, board members and school division leaders determined that now is not the time to change to a “7+1” academic model. The division will maintain the current eight-period class schedule and explore more creative opportunities for teachers to work with students while protecting student choice and improving their learning experience. On December 15, the following message was shared with students in grades 8-11 and their families: Update: Exploring Changes to the High School Schedule.
Questions? Contact Jay Thomas.
Southern Feeder Pattern Elementary School Schematic Design
Division staff and VMDO Architects presented the schematic design for the new Southern Feeder Pattern Elementary School. Approval to proceed to design development will be requested at the January 11 school board meeting.
Questions? Contact Lindsay Snoddy.
FY 25 Budget Development and Compensation Update
Staff presented preliminary revenue and expenditure assumptions, including a review of the competitive market for compensation. Staff also shared data gathered from community engagement activities for the board’s discussion and consideration.
Questions? Contact Maya Kumazawa.
News from VDOE
TeacherDirect Newsletter
TeacherDirect is a weekly newsletter designed to provide a direct line of communication between the Virginia Department of Education and classroom teachers and educators. Subscribe to TeacherDirect to receive weekly updates from VDOE via email!
Some highlights from the December 13 issue include:
- Virginia Licensure Online System
- VSTE Certified Coach Program
- Effective Early Literacy workshop on January 9
- Summer 2024 Online Literacy M.Ed. Cohort
- And more!
Virginia Education Update Newsletter
Virginia Education Update is a weekly newsletter from Dr. Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction, that serves to communicate official information from the Virginia Department of Education to school divisions.
The December 7 edition contains items that may be of interest to teachers and other school division employees, such as:
- Complete Lexia Interest Form for Additional ALL In Reading support
- Virginia Literacy Act Cycle III Instructional Program Review Application Window
- Call for Proposals – Paid Internship Scholarship for Aspiring Educators
More News from ACPS
Recent News
In case you missed it, check out this recent press release:
December 15, 2023 | School Board Appoints Former Albemarle County Educator to Represent Rio Magisterial District on Interim Basis
Game Changer Award: Nominate a Colleague by Jan. 19
WHAT IS A GAME CHANGER?
A “Game Changer” is someone who affects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something. Employees who are moving the needle in the area of instruction or helping to remove barriers that prevent students from receiving a quality education are Game Changers, and we want to recognize them!
Game Changers reflect well on their families, students, colleagues, and their community. Collectively, Game Changers serve as positive role models for current and future generations of students and educators.
ABOUT THE AWARD
This year, the Department of Instruction has implemented a “Game Changer Award.” Nominees can be anyone within a school (teacher, school counselor, etc.) or the division (instructional coach, equity specialist, etc.). Each quarter, three winners will be selected for the award.
Any ACPS employee can submit a nomination! Nominations for 2nd quarter will close on January 19.
Questions? Contact Chandra Hayes.