ACPS | ALXnow - Part 63

Morning Notes

Published May 11, 2020 at 9:00AM

Governor Asked Northern Virginia Leaders for Letter on Stalling Reopening — “He asked for this formal communication to demonstrate unity across the diverse Northern Virginia region, which is critical to a continued successful mitigation strategy… He appreciates their willingness to work with him on this responsible, data-driven and health-based approach.” [Washington Post]

City Sets Up Frozen Meal Delivery System For Residents Aged 60+ — “Spouses of individuals over age 60 and disabled adults living with someone aged 60 and older also may be eligible. Meals are prepared by Jeffery’s Catering and delivered twice a week by Senior Services of Alexandria. A total of 14 meals are delivered each week. For more information call 703-746-5999.” [Facebook]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 8, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 8, 2020 at 9:23AM

The Dunham family outside their Del Ray home for First Thursday. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Family Says Lack of Information Contributed to Nurse’s Death — “Some family members who have loved ones at Silverado are also upset, complaining they are being kept in the dark. A woman whose mother is at the facility asked that News4 conceal her identity. She says families need more information about the outbreak such as how many staff and residents have tested positive and how many have died.” [NBC4]

Beyer Blames President for U.S. Coronavirus Outbreak— “Tens of thousands of Americans – over 73,000 – have now died from a pandemic that has hit our country so much harder because this President ignored warnings from health officials over and over again. This is so dangerous.” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated May 7, 2020 at 1:35PM

Walking along the Potomac River at Founders Park in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Fairlington UMC Warns Against Phishing Scam — “Remember the phrase ‘fishers of men?’ We have PHISHERS again. They are sending emails and TEXTS from ‘Janine Howard’ asking you to go out and buy ebay cards for them. Don’t do it. If you’d like to make charitable donations, call or go to our website.” [Facebook]

Burke & Herbert Bank Issues More Than 1,100 PPP Loans — “Today Burke & Herbert Bank, which has been serving the northern Virginia business community for more than 167 years, announced that nearly 1,100 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling approximately $136 million in aid for local businesses have been approved for the Bank’s customers. As a result, an estimated 10,000 individuals in the local community will remain employed or return to the businesses’ payroll.” [Zebra]

News

ACPS Opens Two Food Distribution Pop-Ups, Asks for Shutdown Feedback

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2020 at 10:30AM

Packed lunches at T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School), March 16, 2020. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools has added two more mobile pop-up breakfast and lunch distribution locations for “grab and go” meals for children over the age of two.

The new locations are The Fields of Alexandria at 4309 Duke Street and Bennington Crossing Apartment Homes at 441 North Armistead Street.

News

Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Awards $505K in First-Year Scholarships

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2020 at 2:00PM

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria recently awarded $505,000 in first-year college scholarships to 181 T.C. High School seniors.

Although the annual Scholarship Fund Spring Gala was canceled due to COVID-19, just like the remainder of the school year, students were notified by email that they received the awards. The top prize of $40,000, however, was presented to T.C. senior Foziya Mohammed via Zoom by scholarship sponsors U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and his family.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2020 at 9:00AM

ACPS Nurses Helping Out Health Department — “When Megan Costanza, a nurse at the T.C. Williams High School Clinic got the call to say her skills were needed by the Alexandria Health Department’s Coronavirus task force, she didn’t hesitate.” [ACPS]

Carpenter’s Shelter Raising Funds for Giving Tuesday — “#GivingTuesdayNow and Do More 24 have synched efforts to help organizations like Carpenter’s Shelter raise money during this unprecedented time. Advanced giving is open, so please support Carpenter’s Shelter by donating!” [Facebook]

News

T.C. Senior Painting Map of U.S. on George Mason Elementary Blacktop

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2020 at 3:15PM

Gabriel Pineda thought his Eagle Scout project was going to be easy, until he got to George Mason Elementary School and saw that the old ma of the United States painted on the blacktop that he remembered was completely gone.

At first, the 17-year-old wanted to do a touch-up project on the map he played on as a young boy, but it was removed when the playground was resurfaced a couple of years ago. Instead, Pineda decided to completely repaint the entire 35-foot square map from scratch.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor, Sheriff Hand Out Diplomas to High School Seniors — “Yesterday, we announced three more deaths [from covid-19]. We have 26 deaths in the city. Every day, it’s another shoe falling. But this, this is something so positive.” (Washington Post)

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Creating Local Business Grant Program — “AEDP will pull $2 million out of its ‘Alexandria Investment Fund,’ local incentive cash for retaining and attracting businesses, and then pair that money with federal funding the city received through the CARES Act.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated April 29, 2020 at 9:39AM

Tenants and Workers United Organizes Rent Protest in Arlandria Friday — “Join our Caravan. THIS FRIDAY at 4:30 P.M.” ️[Facebook]

Here’s an Updated List of Alexandria’s Nonprofit Needs — “This list is updated on a regular basis, so check back regularly to see the latest items needed to support our most vulnerable populations during this critical time. Thank you for caring for our community!” [Volunteer Alexandria]

News

How GW Middle School Administrators and Students Adjusted to the Pandemic

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2020 at 5:35PM | Updated May 2, 2020 at 2:35AM

George Washington Middle School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A couple weeks ago, Jesse Mazur stopped his car outside George Washington Middle School and thought about how quickly things changed.

It’s a disorienting feeling for the 44-year-old principal who has — one way or another — been in schools most of his life, and inside the hallways are completely empty. Since March 13, Mazur and his staff have had to adapt to a new normal of remotely teaching more than 1,500 students for the remainder of the year.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2020 at 9:00AM

Teacher Runs 20 Miles to See Students — “My daughter really misses school and interacting with her friends and teachers, so when Ms. Shannon surprised her Ellie was overwhelmed with excitement. She couldn’t believe that it was actually Ms. Shannon in person.” [Zebra]

T.C. Williams Class of 2020 Making Documentary — “The class of 2020 is making Titan history. Across the city of Alexandria, Titan seniors will be recording their stories all on the same day, May 1. Here’s how it will work: On May 1, anytime between 12:00AM-11:59PM, seniors will answer these questions in 3 short videos of up to 60 seconds each: What do you love? What do you fear? What do you hope for?” [ACPS]