Improving Teacher-Family Communications

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VoIP PhoneTo better communicate with all families across the division, teachers now are able to use their classroom phones to make long distance calls to the parents and guardians of their students. This change will make it easier for teachers to engage students’ families. It also recognizes the diversity represented across our school populations, especially given the number of families with cell phone area codes other than 434.

Long distance calling will require the use of a passcode that will be unique to each school. Continue reading →

Design, Making & Engineering PD Opportunities

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ACPS PDWe are providing multiple sessions throughout the school year to build skills and community around tools and technology in Albemarle County. These short courses provide teachers with the confidence and basic knowledge to try new things with students! Feel free to sign up for all topics, or just one or two. Each class is open to all grade levels and will be relevant for elementary, middle, and high school. Continue reading →

benefitsFOCUS: September Payroll Edition

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benefitsFOCUSWhat is this?

benefitsFOCUS is our way of communicating important Albemarle County employee benefits information to YOU! We’ll give you updates, tips, and head’s up announcements throughout the year to keep you in the loop. In this admittedly long (but very informative!) edition, we’ll tell you why you need to check your monthly earning statements via Greenshades (and what to look for when you do), what to expect for the new benefits plan year, and give you resources for accessing and using Greenshades like a pro! Continue reading →

Superintendent’s Weekly Check-in, September 28

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Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues:

A thought for next week: “Free public schools nourished the concept that what you know matters more than who you know. Common people coupled with an education, talent, and drive could counter social status and elitist contacts based on wealth or position. Only in America is there a Fanfare for the Common Man, instead of fanfares for some inherited royalty or elitist privilege. Public education celebrated the possibilities in the “common” diverse citizenry.” — George A. Goens

Happy Friday!

Yesterday I met with the Transportation Advisory Committee, a group of drivers, managers, and maintenance crew members with whom Jim Foley, Charmane White, and Chuck Leathers meet routinely to hear ideas and concerns for continuous improvement of our transportation services. Continue reading →

Summer 2019 Spanish Immersion Trip to Costa Rica; Info Session on Oct. 2

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Learn Spanish in Costa RicaAre you interested in being immersed in a different culture for two weeks? Are you interested in improving your Spanish-speaking skills? Would you like to have a deeper empathy for what our English Learners experience on a daily basis? Then this trip is for you!

ACPS teachers and administrators with ANY level of Spanish proficiency are invited to partake in a two-week authentic language and cultural experience with Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI), June 16-29, 2019, in Costa Rica. View a detailed itinerary »

Learn more by attending an informational session on Tuesday, October 2, at 4:30 p.m. We’ll meet in the ESOL Office located on the 3rd floor of the Northside Library at 705 Rio Road West. Continue reading →

Superintendent’s Weekly Check-in, September 21

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Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues:

A thought for next week: “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” — T.S. Elliot

Here’s a sequel (maybe a prequel) to the story I shared last week. Cheryl Harris at Sutherland emailed to tell me that she taught the Ms. Haas who is teaching my former student’s third grader in Virginia Beach. As Cheryl sublimely stated, “What a circle of positive relationship!” Continue reading →

Teachers Needed for Learning Management System Demonstrations – Respond by Oct. 12

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BlackboardThank you to all ACPS staff members who provided feedback about our current Learning Management System (LMS), Blackboard Learn. The results of our surveys are available on the Learning Technologies Blackboard page.

Based on this feedback, the Department of Student Learning and the Department of Learning Engineering, Access, and Design (LEAD) have issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to begin a search for a new LMS. Continue reading →

Superintendent Listening Tour Survey: Please Participate by Oct. 5

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Superintendent Matthew HaasDear Colleagues,

The 2018-19 school year is well underway, and I’ve now had the privilege of being your Superintendent for more than two months! I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in one of my 16 Listening Tour sessions or shared insights with me through the Online Feedback Form. Throughout the tour, nearly 400 students, parents, employees, and community members shared their insights. Continue reading →

Upcoming Central Virginia KidWind Challenge Events

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KidWind ChallengeAttention teachers of students in grades 4-12: Have you considered organizing a KidWind Challenge Team? This year’s regional event will be held right here in Charlottesville on April 8, 2019! Please consider attending the Coach Training Workshop on November 14 to learn more and receive free equipment to get started in your classroom. (Attending the workshop does not commit you to forming a team.)

The KidWind Challenge is the ultimate wind energy learning experience for students. Continue reading →