School was closed for “traditional snow days” in January, but this month students aren’t so lucky as classes go to “synchronous learning” tomorrow.
According to a message send out by Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, all schools will implement synchronous virtual learning for students while staff will participate in a virtual workday due to snow.
The snow is expected to continue until at least 4 a.m. tomorrow. The National Weather Service said 1-3 inches of snow accumulation is possible tonight with 2-4 inches tomorrow. Tomorrow that snow is likely to turn to freezing rain.
The full message from ACPS is shared below:
Dear Alexandria City Public Schools Families and Staff,
All Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and offices will be closed for in-person learning and activities on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. All schools will implement synchronous virtual learning for students. Staff will participate in a virtual workday.
Class times will include synchronous instruction via Zoom, which means live virtual instruction with teachers, as well as independent work. Teachers will also provide virtual office hours. Please check your student’s Canvas or Clever account no later than 8 a.m. for specifics about your child’s schedule.
Students in grades 3-12 should have their computers or learning devices at home with them. Attendance will be taken through logging into Clever and Canvas. No new content will be taught and grades should not be assigned on virtual learning days.
All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.
Inclement Weather Meal Distribution Information
The ACPS Office of School Nutrition Services will provide lunch meals to all children under the age of 18, without charge at John Adams Elementary School and the Alexandria City High School King Street Campus. Please view the meal distribution location and times below.
Alexandria City High School
3330 King Street – Door #34
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
John Adams Elementary School
5651 Rayburn Avenue – Door #7
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Synchronous Virtual Learning Information
Please see information below about synchronous virtual learning (via Zoom) that is specific to your child’s school level:
- Elementary School
- PreK-8 Schools/Grades PreK-5
- PreK-8 Schools/Grades 6-8
- Secondary Schools (Middle Schools and High School)
Elementary School Synchronous Virtual Instruction
Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work.
- We do not anticipate replicating the school schedule in its entirety, but our goal is for PreK-2 students to engage in two to three hours and students in grades 3-5 four to five hours of synchronous core content instruction including literacy, math, science/social studies and Encore and social, emotional and academic learning.
- The remaining time will include independent attention to projects, assignments, choice activities and content-specific apps.
- Students will need to be present for classroom whole-group lessons as well as any small-group instruction offered by the school staff.
- Virtual office hours will be established by the teacher as needed.
- The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner (EL) students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development block.
PreK-8 School Synchronous Virtual Instruction for Grades PreK-5 (Jefferson-Houston & Patrick Henry)
Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work. Please note that these are general schedules that may be adjusted based on the individual school’s instructional program. Teachers will provide customized schedules as needed.
- We do not anticipate replicating the schedule in its entirety, but our goal is for PreK-2 students to engage in two to three hours and students in grades 3-5 from four to five hours of synchronous core content instruction including literacy, math, science/social studies and Encore.
- The remaining time will include independent attention to projects, assignments, choice activities and content-specific apps.
- Students will need to be present for classroom whole-group lessons, as well as any small-group instruction offered by the school staff.
- Office hours will be established by the teacher as needed.
- The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner (EL) students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development block.
PreK-8 School Synchronous Virtual Instruction for Grades 6-8 (Jefferson-Houston & Patrick Henry)
Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work. Please note that these are general schedules that may be adjusted based on the individual school’s instructional program. Teachers will provide customized schedules as needed.
- After whole-group instruction, students transition into asynchronous independent work for the remainder of the class period.
- Each school will follow their daily bell schedule.
- Students may access the Zoom link for synchronous instruction and office hours from each teacher’s Canvas page.
- The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner (EL) students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development course.
Secondary School Synchronous Virtual Instruction (Middle Schools and High School)
Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work.
- Each school will follow their daily bell schedule, which includes four blocks per day. Students should access their teachers Canvas page for the daily schedule.
- The lunch time will remain the same.
- The instructional model during the instructional block will consist of 45 minutes of synchronous whole group instruction with the teacher.
- After whole group instruction, students transition into asynchronous independent work for the remainder of the learning block.
- Students may access the Zoom link for synchronous instruction and office hours from each teacher’s Canvas page.
- The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their individualized education plan (IEP) requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner (EL) students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development course.
Additional Information
Please visit the ACPS website for the most up-to-date information.
Thank you and please stay safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt
Superintendent
