Friday 5 for February 24, 2023

1. Superintendent Proposes FY 2024 Budget
Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán proposed an $803.3 million FY24 budget on Thursday. The budget prioritizes increased academic and mental health support for all students, continued investment in compensation for teachers and staff, and further enhancements to school facilities and operations. View last night’s presentation and the FY 2024 Proposed Budget-at-a-Glance pamphlet to learn more and view key dates as well as ways to engage. The School Board is set to adopt the proposed budget on March 30 and act on the final budget on May 11.

2. Provide Feedback on the English Learner Five-Year Strategic Plan
The APS Office of English Learners is developing a Five-Year Strategic Action Plan to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of English Learners. The Five-Year Plan is posted on the Engage with APS webpage for community review in five languages. In addition, a recording of the Feb. 15 webinar that provides an overview and background on the plan’s development process is available in English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic and Mongolian. For additional information, visit the English Learners Strategic Action Plan webpage. Community feedback has been extended to March 7.

3. H-B Woodlawn Teacher Receives Grant for Music Direction Mentorship Project
The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts awarded grants to eight high school teachers in the DMV to support their efforts to bring new and exciting performing arts experiences to their students. H-B Woodlawn teacher Hope Lambert received funding for a music direction mentorship project for a student-directed production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” in the spring of 2023. The grantees and their students are invited to participate in a celebratory day of learning at Wolf Trap and an evening performance opportunity at The Barns at Wolf Trap in April.4.

4. Community Conversations on Substance Use
APS invites families to join us for the upcoming community conversations at our high schools, providing information about opioids, fentanyl, and naloxone, as well as warning signs of substance abuse. The meetings are also open to elementary and middle school families. All meetings take place from 7 – 8 p.m.:
– Yorktown: Mon, Feb. 27
– Wakefield: Wed, March 1
– Washington–Liberty: Thu, March 2
Arlington Career Center met with Spanish-speaking families in January and will have another session on March 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. H-B Woodlawn is holding an event for current families as part of an upcoming PTA meeting.

5. Arlington Tech Student Speaks at International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly
Arlington Tech junior Ananya Singh spoke at the eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. Along with high school, college and post-graduate students as well as academics around the world, Ananya spoke about the importance of exposing girls to STEM opportunities and supporting their passion for STEM programs. She also shared the role Arlington Tech has played in fanning her passion for STEM. Ananya traveled to New York City to participate in the assembly, which was held at the United Nations.

Other News & Notes
Next Week: Celebration of Arlington’s World Languages, Diversity & Cultures
Deadline Approaching: Nominate an Honored Citizen
Reminder: Attendance is Important – View APS Resources
APS All Stars Announced for February 2023