Category Archives: Safety & Wellness

A Reminder from Human Resources: Employee Assistance Program

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Albemarle BeWell

We know that life can be stressful—whether you’re facing personal, family or work challenges. As such, our Human Resources team would like to remind everyone of a valuable resource available to all employees for free. GuidanceResources, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is available to you and your household members. The program is a confidential, free benefit that offers short-term counseling as well as information and resources on emotional, financial, legal, family and work-life issues. Continue reading →

Flu+ Vaccine Clinics Now Underway

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fall leaves with bandage that reads: Get the shot, not the flu

All Albemarle County employees (including part-time, temporary, substitutes, interns, and student teachers) and all public safety volunteers (Fire Rescue, Police, Sheriff’s Office) are eligible to receive flu and other vaccinations with no out-of-pocket cost, even if you are not covered on the County health plan. On-site flu clinics are now available! Continue reading →

Visitor Management: Safety & Security Updates

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ScholarChip logo

This post has been updated to reflect that installation of intercom systems at school entrances is still underway.

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! We wanted to take this opportunity to share a new visitor management practice with you. Effective immediately, visitors to our schools will need to sign in through a new visitor management system, called ScholarChip, located in the front office of each school building. Continue reading →

Effective August 9, Masks Required for All Employees When Indoors

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Face Mask Required Sticker

Beginning Monday, August 9, all ACPS employees, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a face mask when inside a school or school division office. Previously, masks were not required in schools or offices if a person was fully vaccinated and students were not present. This new requirement is based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recently recommended that masks be worn by anyone inside a school, regardless of vaccination status, in communities where there is substantial or high transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Continue reading →

Health Policy Update on Tobacco Use

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no smoking no vaping sign

At their business meeting last week, the Albemarle County School Board approved Learning for All, the school division’s new five-year strategic plan. Among the updates to the division’s previous plan is the adoption of equity, excellence, family and community, and wellness as our core values.

In keeping with this commitment, the board also improved its policy on the use of tobacco and nicotine vapor products. Continue reading →

Summer of Self-Care Is Underway!

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Summer of Self-Care

After such an unusual and stressful year, ACPS encourages all employees to take some time this summer to relax and rejuvenate. We invite you to visit our Summer of Self-Care web page for some summertime inspiration: You could grab a 7-day free pass to ACAC; support your health and well-being by taking a Self-Care Self-Assessment; sign up to win a free art kit; try out a new recipe; challenge yourself to hike a beautiful trail in the Shenandoah National Park; treat yourself to a free scoop of ice cream; or all of the above! Check out the calendar of events (ACPS login required) on our Summer of Self-Care web page for more activity suggestions and access to special offers for ACPS staff.

Mask Policy Reminder

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Face Mask Required Sticker

Dear Colleagues,

As you may have heard, earlier this month, Governor Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This updated guidance, detailed in Executive Order Seventy-Two (effective May 14) and Executive Order Seventy-Nine (effective May 28), continues to require masks to be worn in K-12 public schools by all students, teachers, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. 

In partnership with our local health department and area physicians, Albemarle County Public Schools will continue to enforce our Policy on Masks and Acceptable Face Coverings through at least the end of the 2020-21 school year. Continue reading →

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Related Supplies for Staff

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face masks

As we move into Stage 4, we wanted to send a reminder of the personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies available to staff. Please review the ACPS COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protocol (ACPS Google login required) for details on PPE available to staff as well as PPE care and use.

The following PPE is available to all staff members through the School Supply Liaison at each school or your department head: Continue reading →

First Dose Vaccine Update & Volunteer Opportunity

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ACPS COVID-19 Vaccine Program

First Dose Vaccine Update

If you have indicated a desire to be vaccinated, but have not yet been able to make an appointment for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should have received an email from the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) prompting you to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. The email includes a link to schedule your appointment through Eventbrite. If you have not already done so, please register for an appointment through the link in that email as soon as possible. Continue reading →