ACPS | ALXnow - Part 55

Morning Notes

Published September 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

COVID Cases in Alexandria Jump by 21 — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: Positive tests up 21 to 3,436 in the City; 7-day Positivity Rate down to 4.0%; 1 new hospitalization; Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Alexandria Democratic Committee Hosting Virtual Labor Day Picnic — “Thrilled to announce that the Biden Harris campaign’s National Political Director Erin Wilson will be joining the ADC as a special guest at our Labor Day Celebration!! You will not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from Erin about the upcoming 2020 election!” [Facebook]

News

Planning Commission Approves Density Compromise Despite Outrage from Civic Associations

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 2:45PM

Alexandria’s civic associations came out in force to speak against a loosening of zoning restrictions at public school properties. While the Planning Commission ultimately pushed forward a modified version of the zoning change, there was widespread agreement that the public outreach could have been handled better.

The change had been proposed in 2019 and was docketed for meetings earlier this year, but had disappeared as the pandemic led to those meetings being cancelled until it quietly resurfaced for the Sept. 1 meeting.

News

Local Methodist Church Offers to Bless Chromebooks Before School Starts

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 11:45AM

A local church is offering the ultimate tech support: a divine blessing for local students’ laptops.

This Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:30 p.m.,Trinity United Methodist Church (2911 Cameron Mills Road) is planning to host an Outdoor Blessing of the Chromebooks & Ice Cream Social (Social Distanced Edition).

News

ACPS Cuts Down 150-Year Old Tree to Make Way for Concession Stand

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2020 at 3:30PM

ACPS cut down a 150-year-old oak tree to make way for a concession stand on September 2, 2020. (Courtesy photo)

Alexandria City Public Schools today cut down a 150-year-old oak tree to make way for a concession stand as part of the renovation of Parker-Gray Stadium at T.C. Williams High School.

“Shame,” Alexandria activist MacArthur Myers told ALXnow. “A crime has been committed.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 2, 2020 at 9:00AM

17 New COVID-19 Cases and No New Fatalities — “The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 3,395, including 62 fatalities.” [City of Alexandria]

Beyer Says Trump Defense of Wisconsin Shooter is Purely Political — “This is why Trump is defending a person charged with murder, it’s plain as day.” [Twitter]

News

ACPS to Require Digital Meal Passes at Food Distribution Points

By James Cullum

Published August 31, 2020 at 3:30PM

Starting September 8, Alexandria City Public Schools will require a new digital meal pass or family pin for anyone picking up meals at its food distribution points around the city.

The school system has given away free food at more than a dozen schools and neighborhood popup locations for months. Up to this point, however, no registration was required and the food was free.

News

Superintendent: Black Student Voices Must be Heard in T.C. Williams High School Renaming Discussion

By Vernon Miles

Published August 28, 2020 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Public Schools said the renaming of T.C. Williams High School is a conversation that must prioritize the school’s Black voices.

At a school board work session last night (Thursday), the board expressed universal approval of the planned vote on a name change for T.C. Williams High School later this year, but also pushed back against the vocal advocates for the change who accuse the school system of dragging its feet.

News

City Updates Zoning Ordinance to Allow Density Boost for Schools

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated August 25, 2020 at 10:54AM

(Updated 10:50 p.m.) When the City of Alexandria builds new schools, a new ordinance change (Item 9) could mean they’re a little larger than they used to be.

A new ordinance proposed for the Tuesday (September 1) Planning Commission meeting would “streamline and modernize the zoning regulations,” according to a staff report.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 25, 2020 at 9:00AM

New Virginia Majority Wants to Suspend Evictions to April 2021 — “Do you live in SD-39 (parts of Alexandria, southern Fairfax County & northern Prince William County)? Your community needs YOU to urge Senator George Barker to support legislation to stop evictions in Virginia through April 30, 2021.” [Facebook]

Beyer Continues Daily Stream of Anti-Republican/Trump Social Messaging — “Still thinking about when Trump wanted to inject people with bleach.” [Twitter]

News

ALXnow’s Top Stories This Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 5:27PM

Alexandria has put another summer work week to rest.

As the City Council enjoys a legislative break, the School Board conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the renaming process for T.C. Williams High School. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., and the board advocate a public engagement process that could result in the board voting to change the name this December, followed by a vote on a specific name next spring. A group of community activists, however, believe that the name should be taken off immediately, since ACPS acknowledged Williams was an avowed racist and segregationist.

News

Alexandria Tutoring Consortium Launches Virtual Literacy Fundraising Campaign

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 11:35AM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 2:31PM

The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium has launched a fundraising campaign to continue a virtual program that teaches young children how to read.

The 24-year-old nonprofit needs $22,000 to fund a leveled reading program that started after its personalized literacy tutoring program was shifted online after the pandemic hit the city in March. So far, Burke and Herbert Bank donated $1,000 to kick things off, and donations can be made on the ATC website.