In Response to the Events of January 6, 2021

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Division Compass

Dear Colleagues:

I was born on the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. While I was too young of course to realize it, 1968 was a remarkably traumatic year for our nation and families of seemingly unending division, violence and hopelessness.

While many of the wounds from that time remain unresolved, and while we have since endured 9/11, a pandemic, recessions, and escalating racial hatred and injustice, we have not witnessed an assault on our nation’s most cherished values that struck at the heart of our democracy like the events of yesterday. Continue reading →

Instructional Guidance & Resources Regarding the Events of Jan. 6

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Division Compass

Dear Colleagues,

We witness events like yesterday with dual responsibility as citizens and as educators. To that end, I am sharing resources to support you as you help students to process the events of January 6. I have copied below the foreword from a resource provided by Facing History and Ourselves and highlighted in bold the operative phrase that speaks to the necessity of giving our students the opportunity to process their emotions as well as understanding with facts what happened: Continue reading →

2021-22 Calendar Survey Now Open: Please Participate by Jan. 15

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Division Compass

Dear Colleagues:

The Joint Albemarle County/Charlottesville City Schools Calendar Committee has launched the calendar development process for the 2021-22 school year. Each year, this committee partners to produce a school calendar that supports our shared goals to engage students, improve opportunities and achievement, and get the most productivity out of our resources.

As part of this process, we are reaching out to you for feedback on an initial draft of the ACPS 2021-22 School Year Calendar. Continue reading →

Update on Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) Leave Provisions

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Division Compass

You may remember the leave programs we rolled out in the spring under legislation known as the FFCRA—the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act. The FFCRA mandated two kinds of leave: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Expanded FMLA. While the mandated leave programs under the FFCRA expire on December 31, 2020, Albemarle County will voluntarily be keeping these programs in place until March 31, 2021, pursuant to the recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which includes the coronavirus stimulus and relief. Continue reading →

Save the Date: COVID-19 Recovery Focus Group Meeting on Jan. 13

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Division Compass

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | Zoom

Greetings, ACPS Teachers:

I am writing to invite you to a second focus group conversation from 4:30 to 6 next Wednesday evening, January 13, to talk about the future response of ACPS to COVID-19 and the virus’s impact on student learning and social-emotional well-being and development. We will gather on Zoom with up to 300 teachers to share an overview and have small group conversations about our response going into 2021-22. Continue reading →

Activity Bank to Support Asynchronous Learning Updated for Jan. 4-8, Plus a Special Activity This Friday!

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Division Compass

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 →

Staying Safe and Enjoying the Holidays

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Division Compass

Stay Safe with masked gingerbread cookies

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 →

Important Zoom Information

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Division Compass

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 →

Guidance on Teaching About Holidays & Religion

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Division Compass

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 →

Stage 4 Accommodation and LOA Requests: Additional Info

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Division Compass

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 Requests

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 →