February 4 School Board Presentation: Stage 4 Recommendation

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Division Compass

As a reminder, at the School Board meeting on February 4, Superintendent Haas recommended to the Board that the division progress to Stage 4 of our Return to School plan beginning March 1. Under this proposal, students in Grades PK-3 would attend school four days a week, and students in Grades 4-12 would attend school two days per week. The School Board will vote on the recommendation during their next meeting on February 11.

In case you missed the February 4 meeting, we wanted to provide links to the full video recording as well as the slideshow presented that evening and references for the data and issues discussed by Dr. Vergales. Continue reading →

Annual Leave Overages Update & Holiday Bucket Reminder

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Division Compass

UPDATE: Annual Leave Overages

We previously announced that we temporarily disabled the conversion of annual leave at or above 320 hours that normally occurs at the end of an employee’s birth month through February 28, 2021. In recognition that 12-month employees may not be able to take time off for the immediate foreseeable future, we will be extending this suspension through December 31, 2021. Continue reading →

Superintendent Recommends a Move to Stage 4

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Division Compass

At this evening’s special School Board meeting, Superintendent Haas recommended to the Board that the division expand the ability of parents to choose in-person instruction for their child beginning Monday, March 1. Under this proposal to progress to Stage 4, Pre-K students and students in Grades K-3 would attend school four days a week, and students in Grades 4-12 would attend school two days per week. The School Board will vote on the recommendation during their business meeting next Thursday, February 11. Continue reading →

Inclement Weather Decisions

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Division Compass

In advance of the winter weather forecast for our area this Sunday and Monday, we want to make sure you are aware of the various scheduling options we will consider and how to find out about school schedule changes. Teachers and staff are encouraged to take home any materials they may need in case we close schools to students, in which case all learning will occur virtually.

The most complete resource for information is our Closings, Delays & Early Dismissals web page, which explains our inclement weather decision-making process and details our scheduling options, our decision and communication timelines, all of the ways you can find out about schedule changes, and more. Continue reading →

ACPS Will Return to Stage 3 on Monday, Feb. 1

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Division Compass

Dear Colleagues:

As I reported to you earlier this month, two of the public health measures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were increasing following the holiday period, placing us in a higher risk category for the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in our county. It was on this basis that I determined that the safest course for our students, families and staff was to revert to all-virtual instruction.

I also said we would continue to work with the health department and closely monitor these public health measures and report back to you today on our plans for next week. Continue reading →

Employee Vaccinations Begin Tomorrow by Invitation Only

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Division Compass

In collaboration with the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) and the Regional Emergency Operations Center, both Albemarle County and Charlottesville City school divisions will be operating a vaccination clinic for school division employees beginning tomorrow, January 28. This clinic will supplement the health district’s current vaccination program.

Employees will be scheduled to receive COVID-19 vaccines this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 28-30, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School.

The first group of employees scheduled for this clinic are those that meet the following criteria: Continue reading →

COVID-19 Vaccination Update from the Blue Ridge Health District

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Division Compass

Today the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) shared a detailed update with the community regarding its COVID-19 vaccination efforts: BRHD COVID-19 Vaccination Update. We wanted to pass along this information, as well as a link to the new Albemarle County COVID-19 Hub, a data dashboard hosted by the county. Continue reading →

COVID-19 Testing Available to All Employees

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Division Compass

Any school division employee can arrange to be tested for COVID-19 as the result of an opportunity made available by the county’s infection control team. PCR tests via throat or nasal swab are being offered, at no cost, on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. Testing is being conducted at Jessup House, located at 614 East High Street in Charlottesville, and, in most instances, results will be available within 48 hours. Continue reading →

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: VAMS Registration & Immunization Intention Form

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Division Compass

The CDC has dispatched emails to all ACPS regular full-time and part-time employees from the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). The email, entitled, “Please register in VAMS to schedule an appointment,” is marked [EXTERNAL] because it comes from a sender outside of the k12albemarle network. Rest assured: This email is not spam; it is a legitimate email.

Within the email message from the CDC’s Vaccine Administration Management System, you will find a link to schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccination. (Note: Substitutes, coaches, and other temporary employees will receive the same information by early next week.) Continue reading →

Update on Our COVID-19 Vaccine Program: Please Complete Intention Form by Jan. 19

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Division Compass