Alexandria City Public Schools

Morning Notes

Published May 18, 2020 at 9:00AM

Group to Sue City for Pollution Near Recycling Center — “After a 7 On Your Side Investigation aired about the amount of Styrofoam piling up along the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia, organizers with Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways, a new non-profit, has informed the City it plans on suing.” [WJLA]

DASH Bus Requiring All Riders to Wear Face Masks — “Based on guidance from the Alexandria Health Department, the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) will require all passengers to wear face coverings while using DASH buses beginning Monday, May 18, 2020. The measure will help protect DASH employees and passengers from contracting the COVID-19 virus and is consistent with the actions of the agency’s regional transit partners, including WMATA, Frederick Transit, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Transit. This precaution will remain in effect until further notice.” [DASH]

News

T.C. Seniors Launch Project to Give Graduating Classmates Moment in Spotlight

By Vernon Miles

Published May 14, 2020 at 3:15PM | Updated May 17, 2020 at 10:12PM

(Updated 5/17) T.C. Williams High School seniors in the class of 2020 may not have their chance to walk across the stage, but a small group of seniors are working to make sure their classmates still get a moment of public celebration.

The Instagram page tctitans_seniors has profiled 92 seniors in the school so far, sharing a picture with their post-graduation plans and other small bits of information about them.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 14, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor Hosting Weekly Virtual Town Hall Tonight — “Thursday evening (May 14th) beginning at 8 PM, I will be hosting another virtual Living Room Town Hall Meeting. ‬‪We will discuss the City’s on-going response to the COVID-19 outbreak and address any questions you might have. ‬‪Please post questions and join us Thursday night!‬” [Facebook]

Volunteer Alexandria Needs Household Donations — “Can you donate some canned goods, diapers, or kitty litter? During COVID-19, there is a great need for a variety of goods — many of which you may have around the house or be able to pick up in your next shopping trip.” [Facebook]

News

Alexandria Teachers Likely to See Pay Decrease in New School Budget

By Vernon Miles

Published May 8, 2020 at 3:15PM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Faced with a $7.4 million reduction in funding from the city and $4 million lost from the state, Alexandria City Public Schools is faced with dire cuts that will keep staffing levels but leave teachers with reduced pay.

“We are facing a global pandemic, but that does not change our priorities,” Superintendent Gregory Hutchings said at a virtual meeting on Friday. “We are staying true to actual budget priorities that were approved by the board as we make these revisions.”

News

Superintendent Hutchings Outlines Future of Schools Through Pandemic

By Vernon Miles

Published May 6, 2020 at 5:30PM | Updated May 6, 2020 at 5:54PM

In a video posted yesterday, Alexandria Superintendent Gregory Hutchings described the school’s approach to educating students at home and how those plans have evolved and will evolve throughout the pandemic.

“Our continuity of learning plan is how we teach and learn from home,” Hutchings said. “It ensures all our students are learning while we’re at home. The plan was initially meant to take us through spring break, but as you know… [Gov. Northam] decided all schools will remain closed through the academic year.”

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2020 at 9:00AM

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

Victory Center Property Sold to Townhouse Developer — “Winchester Homes plans to build 138 townhouses ranging from 1,700 SF to 2,600 SF on the site. Winchester has built over 20,000 residential units across the Mid-Atlantic, including six communities that have opened in the last year. The deal comes after the Alexandria City Council in May approved a rezoning of the site’s 7-acre eastern parking lot that allows for a mix of uses. Two weeks later, Stonebridge acquired the property from PGIM Real Estate for $43M.” [Bisnow]

Alexandria Woman Arrested for Breaking Quarantine in Hawaii — “Kauai police arrested 31-year-old Desiree Marvin of Alexandria and 36-year-old Hawaii resident Adam Schwarze after they ignored orders to immediately self-quarantine.” [Alex Times]

News

Elevated Gymnasium Approved at Ferdinand T. Day School

By James Cullum

Published March 16, 2020 at 3:15PM

City Council approved an elevated gymnasium at Ferdinand T. Day School on Saturday, March 14, 2020. (Image via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council on Saturday unanimously approved the construction of an elevated gymnasium at Ferdinand T. Day School in the West End.

“The gymnasium at Ferdinand T. Day looks cool,” Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre said. “I’m excited to see that move forward.”

News

BREAKING: ACPS Closing Monday Until After Spring Break

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated March 13, 2020 at 9:44PM

(Updated at 7 p.m.) Alexandria City Public Schools will be closing Monday until April 14 — after spring break — due to the coronavirus outbreak, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. announced in an email at noon on Friday.

ACPS has a plan to feed students on free and reduced lunch. Starting Monday, the school system will provide free emergency meals for “any child under 18 and any family who needs it.”

News

Alexandria Schools Remaining Open, Health Dept. Says COVID-19 Threat Low

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated March 13, 2020 at 12:15PM

Update at 12:15 p.m. — ACPS reversed its decision and announced that schools are closing starting Monday.

Earlier: Alexandria City Public Schools will remain open as school and health officials continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak, as neighboring school systems are closing their doors.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published March 11, 2020 at 9:00AM

School System Gives Parents Update on Coronavirus — “We are finalizing our operational and instructional plan should we need to close for any length of time… Anyone with a fever should stay home from school for at least 24 hours after the fever has gone without the use of medication. Individuals who need medical care should contact their primary care physician. Anyone who has come into contact with anyone confirmed with coronavirus should contact the Alexandria Health Department. Potentially impacted schools will be thoroughly cleaned overnight.” [ACPS]

CVS to Waive Prescription Delivery Fees — “CVS Health announced Monday that beginning immediately, the drugstore chain will ‘waive charges for home delivery of prescription medication,’ including locations in Alexandria… With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraging people at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to stay at home as much as possible, this is a convenient option to avoid coming to the pharmacy for refills of prescriptions.” [Patch]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 7:00AM

People enjoy the Mount Vernon Trail on a warm January day at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Schools Preparing for Coronavirus — “ACPS has partnered with the Alexandria City Health Department and local first responders to form a COVID-19 Task Force Planning Committee to work closely to monitor this evolving situation. We plan to provide updates as we progress with this planning and work.” [ACPS]

Reminder: Primary Day is Tomorrow — “On Tuesday, March 3, there will be a Democratic Party presidential primary election in the City of Alexandria. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]