ACPS | ALXnow - Part 59

Memorial Walkway Planned to Commemorate 100 Year Anniversary of Parker-Gray High School

Published July 24, 2020 at 10:25AM | Updated July 24, 2020 at 11:00AM

Alexandria’s Parker-Gray High School might be gone, but a new effort is underway to make sure it isn’t forgotten. To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of city’s former Blacks-only high school, a memorial walkway has been planned to grace the Alexandria African-American Hall of Fame at the former school site — now at Charles Houston Recreation Center.

Supporters can buy bricks that will be placed in the walkway outside Charles Houston to memorialize the students, parents and teachers who attended the school until it closed in 1979. The bricks range in price from $100 to $225 and support the Capital Youth Empowerment Program.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated July 23, 2020 at 10:31AM

View of the U.S. Capitol from Rivergate City Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Longtime Beverly Hills Resident Marilyn Whitehurst Dies — “Sweet, beautiful, kind, funny, and thoughtful with your contagious laugh, charming and unforgettable Southern accent, and always a twinkle in your eye, you will be dearly missed by all, Marilyn. Loved all the times you and the other Saints mom came to the Vineyard. Rest In Peace my dear friend.” [Facebook]

COVID-19 Cases Increase by 36 — “Positive tests up 36 to 2,618 in the City… Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

News

ACPS Still Undecided on Schools Reopening in the Fall

By Vernon Miles

Published July 22, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated July 22, 2020 at 10:54AM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

With Fairfax and Arlington’s school systems both announcing that they will be going fully digital in the fall, many parents are turning their attention to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) to see if they’ll follow suite.

Superintendent Gregory Hutchings’ answer: ACPS still doesn’t know.

News

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

By James Cullum

Published July 21, 2020 at 12:15PM | Updated July 21, 2020 at 1:34PM

A 150-year-old tree was cut down on the grounds of T.C. Williams High School so that a new concession stand can go in its place. (Image via Boyd Walker)

The tree is reportedly scheduled to be cut down this week, and a number of residents are saying they will tie themselves to the tree, or at least the opening to the construction fencing that has been erected around the concession stand, which is part of the modernization the Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium at T.C. Williams High School. It includes a new concession stand, bathrooms and storage space.

“Much consideration has been given to finding a way to save this tree which unfortunately is positioned in the middle of the site where the concession and restroom area will be,” ACPS spokeswoman Julie Allen told ALXnow in a statement. “When planning, the goal was to locate this facility as far as away from the neighborhood on Woods Avenue as possible to minimize its impact on residents. Although we understand and agree that losing a mature tree is regrettable, 31 new trees and other landscaping will be planted.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 21, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Says Acting Homeland Security Chief Should Resign — “Ordering the occupation of US cities, seeking the escalation of violence, and intentionally risking American lives over peaceful protests and graffiti is unfathomable and unacceptable. Acting Secretary Wolf must resign immediately or be fired.” [Twitter]

Del Ray Used Book Store to Open in August — “Piles and boxes of thousands of donated books crowd Donald Alexander’s house as he prepares to turn his vision for a used bookstore in Del Ray into reality.” [Alexandria Living]

News

MacArthur Elementary Redevelopment Headed to Planning Commission

By Vernon Miles

Published July 20, 2020 at 5:30PM

The coronavirus pandemic has put some of Alexandria City Public Schools’ plans on hold — like the redevelopment of T.C. Williams High School — but the fully developed plans for the modernization of Douglas MacArthur Elementary School are still moving full-steam ahead.

In the new plans, the current building from 1943 will be demolished and replaced with a new elementary school. The new school will be three stories with a synthetic playing field and outdoor play areas.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 20, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Warns of Trump Election Conspiracy in November — “Trump’s threat to defy the will of the American people by refusing to accept election results in November is particularly alarming given what is happening in Portland. Trump is not a king. All who swore an oath to defend the Consit(u)tion must reject this, regardless of party.” [Twitter]

November Election Less Than 100 Days Away — “Election day is just a little over 100 days away. For the first time in Virginia history, you can request a ballot in the mail with no excuse required!” [Twitter]

News

Families and Teachers Keep Active With Alexandria Summer School

By James Cullum

Published July 17, 2020 at 3:15PM

Like thousands of Alexandria City Public School Students, Robasson, who wants to be a doctor or lawyer when she grows up, has had to adapt. She’s learning in a house with her parents and Maxwell, her six-year-old brother. And although the school year officially ended in June, she is participating in summer school.

“Summer school is going well,” Robasson said. “We are relearning in summer school the things that we already have, and that’s because we don’t really have time to waste, and we need to have that fresh in our minds so that when we do get back to school we can get back to the things we need to.”

News

Virtual or Hybrid? School Board Getting ACPS Reopening Survey Results

By James Cullum

Published July 17, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated July 22, 2020 at 10:19AM

Updated at 5:30 p.m. — A previous version of the story said that families and staff made up the 60% who preferred a hybrid model. Staff were reportedly not asked the question

The survey results are in and 60% of Alexandria City Public School families prefer a hybrid model for reopening schools this fall. Only two options were presented to the community in the survey, meaning that when school reopens it will either remain completely virtual or there will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning.

News

Beyer Says Office Phone Besieged by Angry Constituents

By James Cullum

Published July 16, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated July 16, 2020 at 4:37PM

Alexandria’s Congressman Don Beyer is still working from home, and he’s not happy. He says is office is constantly inundated with calls from constituents angry about a host of issues.

“Did you watch that farce of a speech in the Rose Garden?” Beyer asked ALXnow over the phone. “It was pretty outrageous. You know, it depends on the day, but generally the phone rings off the hook from constituents. Ninety percent of our calls are from people upset with what’s happening with the White House, and since there is a new outrage every day – it’s literally day by day.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Doubles Down on Trump Stance on School Reopenings — “Trump has again overruled the nation’s leading public health officials for political reasons, this time on guidance for reopening schools. He is intentionally endangering American children because he believes it will help him get reelected.” [Twitter]

Planning Commission to Evaluate Increasing School Density — The Planning Commission’s September 2 docket has been posted to the city’s website, and it includes a discussion to allow for an increase in density for public school sites. Since last fall, the city and administrators have been coordinating on a plan to co-locate affordable housing on school grounds. [City of Alexandria]