Dear APS Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, here are updates to be aware of:
Spring Assessments: I know our schools are working hard to coordinate the end-of-year assessments and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which are administered to students in grades 3-12 May 16 through June 14. Additional information can be found online. Your school has also communicated specific dates to staff and families. Please help students do their best by making sure you don’t schedule appointments or days out of school on their test dates, and ensuring they have plenty of rest and a healthy breakfast before their tests.
COVID Status in Arlington—MEDIUM Community Level: Arlington has seen rising cases of COVID in our community and schools since mid-March. Outbreaks in schools have occurred due to this rapid increase in community transmission. Given current case volume and the ongoing outbreaks, masks are strongly recommended indoors at school to reduce transmission. Please continue to be vigilant, have your student wear a mask, participate in testing if exposed or symptomatic, and get vaccinated. Even if you think your student’s symptoms may be due to allergies or other causes, please ensure they get tested to rule out COVID-19 before coming to school.
Registration Dates for Extended Day: Extended Day registration for Summer School is open now; registration for the 2022-23 school year opens for returning families May 24 and continues through June 7. Additional details are available online.
Review the ARP/ESSER Fund Allocation Plan: As part of the FY 2022 Budget, APS allocated American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Funds to help safely reopen schools and address the impacts of COVID-19. The plan is posted online, and APS is seeking feedback as part of the required periodic review cycle. Input on the plan is requested via engage@apsva.us by Wed, May 18.
School Nurse Day: Today is National School Nurse Day—thank you to our wonderful School Nurses! We take time today to recognize the contributions that the public health nurses serving our school clinics make every day to support the health and learning of our 27,000+ APS students. This has been a challenging year to work in either a school or healthcare setting—our school nurses are at the intersection of both. Join me in thanking them today!
I also want to remind you that the FY 2023 Budget will be approved during this Thursday’s School Board meeting, and the Board will also vote on the proposed Bell Schedule Changes which will affect start and end times for some schools for the upcoming school year.
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!
Sincerely,
Dr. Francisco Durán
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools
