Friday 5 for March 17, 2023

1. Wakefield Student Places Second at TSA Competition

Dr. Tiffany Casey, engineering instructor at Wakefield high school, and several of her students attended the Technology Student Association (TSA) Regional competition at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. APS congratulates Milton Cruz Batres as he placed second at Regional for Video Game Design for Wakefield High School. This is Wakefield students’ first year attending the regional competition and having a chapter. Congratulations to all the members who attended: Esam Abdelaziz, Winter Flynn Hansen, Bryant Gultom, Fabiola Matas Lopez, Marcos O’Connor, Samuel Surafeil, and Kevin Velasques-Lazaro.

2. Carlin Springs Food Services Wins Virginia School Breakfast Award

Carlin Springs Food Services staff were honored last week for receiving the 2023 Virginia School Breakfast Club Award. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented the award! We are SO proud of the cafeteria staff and the outstanding job that they do at our school every day! Click here for more details. Congratulations!

3. Next Week is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

March 20-26 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), an annual, week-long health observance that inspires dialogue about drug use and addiction among youth. Substance Abuse Counselors will sponsor NDAFW in schools and help students understand the myths about drugs and alcohol. During this week, SACs will provide drug and alcohol facts to help keep APS community safe. Click here to learn more.

4. APS Spelling Bee Winners!

The following 5 students won the spelling bee at their school. They also passed another spelling test round and qualify for another regional round that takes place this weekend virtually. We wish them luck to advance to another round!- Ruby Kadera, Kenmore- Zoe Kilronomos, Arlington Traditional- Ben Marshall, Tuckahoe- August Spadola Jolley, Arlington Science Focus- Charles Thomson, Montessori

5. March 2023 APS All Stars Announced

Members of the Superintendent’s cabinet and a team of School & Community Relations staff surprised five employees with the APS All Star award for March. This monthly recognition program awards staff who go above and beyond to serve students and schools. There have been several hundred entries this school year, and we were thrilled to receive many student nominations. Congratulations to:– Megan McKeown, Swanson Middle School– Kristen Moretti, Shriver Secondary Program– Kevin Miles, Montessori Public School of Arlington– Vanessa Ventura, Syphax Education Center– Tara Colgan, Arlington Community High School Read what makes these stars shine and nominate an All Star staff member today!   

Other News & Notes
School Board Member Cristina Diaz-Torres to Host Virtual Open Office Hours on March 20