News

ACPS and the City of Alexandria honor essential workers

By James Cullum
1/27

On Wednesday morning (March 19), cheering children honored the people who actually make Alexandria run at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

The event honoring essential workers marked the culmination of the fourth annual Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation Week.

Speakers included Sheriff Sean Casey, Assistant Police Chief Raul Pedroso, ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, MacArthur’s school nurse Ona Holmes, teacher Bobbi Wade, and ACPS bus driver Sampson McCorkle.

Kay-Wyatt thanked essential staff who provide student transportation, prepare meals, address student health concerns and safety.

“We come together today to shine the light in the extraordinary work of our essential workers,” Kay-Wyatt said. “And to show how much we appreciate your service, which not only benefits our students and our staff, but the entire Alexandria Community.”

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.