Friday 5 for Jan. 6, 2023

1. Happy New Year! Mental Health Reminders & Resources

APS wishes everyone a Happy New Year! To ensure a strong and successful start, look out for one another and use the ACT model to respond when you see someone struggling: ACT means Acknowledge when someone is struggling, show them you Care, and Tell a professional so they get the help they need.  Visit our website to find a list of mental health resources offered by APS and beyond. Let’s make this year one where we prioritize the mental well-being of our students and work towards building healthy and fulfilling lives.

2. 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Literary & Visual Arts Literary Arts Winners Announced

Arlington Public Schools announces the winners of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Literary and Visual Arts contest. This year marks the 53rd year that Arlington County and APS have come together to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. APS students at all grade levels participated in the contest, and this year we received hundreds of entries from our schools and programs. Students submitted outstanding pieces of artwork, poetry and essays. Twelve entries were chosen in this year’s contest in the Literary Arts and Visual Arts categories. See the winners and learn more on our website.

3. Attendance Notification Changes Coming Soon

Beginning Tue, Jan. 17, APS is modifying its attendance notification process. The changes will allow families to receive earlier and more frequent, real-time notices if their student has an unverified absence from school and/or has missed a specific class period.APS will transition to the following process:

• Elementary: 11 a.m.: Daily call and text reporting unverified absences based on information reported by schools at 10:30 a.m.
• Secondary:
  • 11 a.m.: Call and text based on information reported by 10:30 a.m.
  • 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Text notification of unverified absences for specific periods, based on information reported at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
  • 5 p.m.: Call and text to recap unverified absences throughout the day, based on information entered by end of day.

4. Look Ahead –Calendar Updates

As we embark on the new year of 2023, here are a few key dates to remember.

– Jan. 15-21 – Virginia Principal Appreciation Week
-Mon, Jan. 16 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
– Fri, Jan. 27 – End of Second Quarter
– Mon, Jan. 30 – No School for Students (Grade Prep Day)
– Wed, Feb. 8 – Early Release (Countywide Professional Learning for Staff)
– Mon, Feb. 20 – Presidents Day Holiday

5. Arlington County Implementing Phase 2 of School Slow Zones This Spring

Arlington County is implementing phase 2 of its school Slow Zones around several APS schools. Phase 2 includes Barrett, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Kenmore, Alice West Fleet, Jefferson, Montessori School of Arlington, Arlington Career Center, Nottingham, Swanson, Williamsburg and Discovery. Here are a few ways that you can get involved:

–  Follow the speed limit: Whether you’re dropping students off or just driving through the neighborhood, remember that driving at 20MPH significantly lowers your crash risk.
– Share this flyer: Spread the word so that more community members are aware of new, lower speed limits around schools!
– Stay tuned: For updates, visit the Vision Zero website and sign up for our monthly Vision Zero Newsletter.

Other News and Notes:

January Schedule of Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Advisory Council and Committee Meetings

School Board Member Reid Goldstein to Host Virtual Open Office Hours on Mon, Jan. 9

Virtual Academic Support for Secondary (6-12) Students (Paper)