Message from the Superintendent: A Cautious Step Forward in Our Return to School Plan

Superintendent Matthew Haas

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:

Continue reading

ACPS COVID-19 Dashboard

Impact of COVID-19

ACPS recently launched the ACPS COVID-19 Dashboard to provide our students, parents, employees, and community members with an accurate and current account of the impact of COVID-19 across our school division.

Our dashboard will report the number of confirmed cases experienced by students and staff who are learning or working in person, as well as contractors who work in our buildings. Continue reading

Office of Community Engagement Releases More Fall 2020 PD Opportunities in Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally Responsive Teaching

From our foundational CRT module sessions to a division-wide virtual CRT & The Brain book study, start or continue your learning in Culturally Responsive Teaching this fall through the Office of Community Development’s CRT professional development series.

To find out more about and register for these and other PD offerings from the Office of Community Engagement, click on the “CRT 2020-2021 PD” featured link on the Professional Development web page, or visit the internal ACPS PD Offerings page. Please contact Leilani Keys, ACPS Equity Specialist, with questions.

Don’t Let Your Password or Personal Information Be “Phished”!

internet phishing

The Department of Technology takes digital security very seriously. If you receive an email that asks for your ACPS password or a credit card number, please delete that email ASAP! If you are unsure if the email message is legitimate or have questions about the security of our email system, please reach out to the ACPS service desk at 434-975-9444 or servicedesk@k12albemarle.org.

These emails are called “Phishing” emails and can be harmful! Continue reading

Feedback Requested on Demographic Survey Questions

We Want Your Feedback

Equity and inclusion are important values to Albemarle County Public Schools. As such, the school division would like to collect demographic information as a standard part of future community surveys. The intention would be to help the school division determine which voices are represented in survey results and which ones we need to pursue through alternate strategies.

The school division has drafted an initial list of demographic survey questions. We anticipate that survey takers will be able to answer our demographic questions in under two minutes. As part of our review process, we are asking employees to review the draft demographic survey questions, and then provide feedback, including suggestions for improvement, by Tuesday, October 20. Continue reading

Next Round of Division PLC Meetings: Oct. 16 or 23

PLC

The next round of Division PLC (DPLC) meetings is coming up on October 16 or 23, depending on your group. Please refer to the Division PLC 2020-21 document for key information about the purpose and structure of DPLCs as well as the meeting schedule and Zoom links.

Please email leadcoaches@k12albemarle.org with any questions.

Technology Pop-Up Alert Messages

Alert Notification

The Department of Technology is now able to have important pop-up messages appear on ACPS student and staff laptops and iPads. This communication strategy will be used when a major ACPS system is not working or is experiencing technical difficulties (e.g., Zoom, Schoology or Seesaw). We want you to be aware of this new communication strategy in case we use pop-up messages in the future. Please make sure your students and families are aware that we may use pop-up messages.

This Friday, October 16, we will send a test pop-up message to all ACPS student and staff laptops and iPads. Continue reading

High School Educator Presentation: ACPS High School Redesign – Today @ 4:30 p.m.

ACPS Logo

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 | 4:30 to 6 p.m. | Zoom Meeting Link

High School Educators: You’re invited to join us to learn about High School Redesign in Albemarle County. We hope you can join us this afternoon at 4:30 for an update on the Academies of Albemarle, Center II, and new initiatives designed to support student learning. Learn more »

Second Quarter Accommodation Requests

ACPS Logo

With the School Board’s decision last night to move to Stage 3 for the second quarter, staff who are requesting accommodations should now proceed with submitting these requests as previously communicated.

Impacted staff who may need accommodations include PK-3, ESOL, and Special Education teachers, and the respective teaching assistants who serve these student groups. Employees in other assignment areas serving those groups also should submit an accommodation request if they feel they are unable to work in person for the second quarter. Continue reading

Content Opportunities Course for K-5 Teachers: 2nd Meeting on Oct. 12

ACPS PD

Monday, October 12, 2020  | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Registration

Attention all K-5 teachers: You’re invited to the second meeting of our Content Opportunities Course on October 12 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