
It’s been an interesting week in Alexandria, with a preview of new Alexandria City Public Schools’ leadership and an announcement earlier today of another principal’s departure.
Two candidates are squaring off to fill the sizable shoes left in Alexandria City High School by the departing Principal Peter Balas. Alexander Duncan III, the Minnie Howard Campus administrator, and Marcia Rice, principal at Meadowbrook High School, answered a variety of questions Monday night in a Zoom meet-and-greet moderated by former ACHS principal John Porter.
Earlier today, Mount Vernon Community School Principal Liza Burrell-Aldana announced she would be resigning at the end of the month. The resignation comes just months after Burrell-Aldana was named Principal of the Year by the Washington Post.
The most-read stories this week were:
- Maryland man accused of placing peephole camera in bathroom of Alexandria restaurant
- Notes: Milkshake bar opening next month in Old Town, possibly bringing boys to the yard
- Here are the two Alexandria City High School executive principal finalists
- Prank call leads Alexandria Police into Old Town home with ballistic shields
- Alexandria ranked in top 20 places for families
- Here’s your guide to this weekend’s Portside in Old Town Summer Festival
- New maritime center at Waterfront Park opens this Saturday
- TONIGHT: Meet the two Alexandria City High School Executive Principal finalists on Zoom
- Covid funding could help restore ‘Green Book’ lodging in Parker Gray
- Alexandria leaders boiling mad over watered down stream restoration projects
Image via The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar/Facebook
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.