Every seven weeks, Alexandria City Public Schools will evaluate where it stands on reopening schools, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings recently told the School Board.
The school system is currently hearing a backlash from many families of younger students over its VirtualPLUS+ model. Parents are saying their kids spend too much time looking at screens, and Hutchings recently told the Board that staff are working through solutions to provide “different experiences for some of our most vulnerable students, which are our youngest learners.”
Hutchings said that future in-person classes will adhere to CDC guidelines, students will be required to wear face masks and socially distance, and school facilities would undergo “special cleaning sessions.”
On Friday (September 25), ACPS will survey families and staff to see who is willing to go back to school. This is part of the school system’s “phased reentry.” He will present the board with an update on October 15.
“Along with guidance from the Alexandria Health Department and analysis compiled by our staff, we will use that survey data to help us make informed decisions about our next steps,” Hutchings said. “Every seven weeks we’re going to be re-evaluating where we are as a school division and informing the community where we will stand.”
