Friday 5 for January 13, 2023

1. Attendance Notification Changes Begin Tuesday

Beginning Tue, Jan. 17, APS will send text and voice notifications to all families regarding unverified absences beginning at 11 a.m. Additionally, all middle and high school families will receive three additional text message alerts at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to notify them if a student has an unverified absence for a specific period. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we implement these changes.

2. Electric School Buses Get Rolling in Arlington

Some of the yellow school buses in Arlington are going green! That’s because APS, in partnership with Arlington County, have just put into service the first two of three Thomas Built emissions-free, battery-powered electric school buses (BESB). The BESB purchases were made possible by a $795,000 Clean School Bus Program grant from the state. Each new Arlington bus replaces one with a diesel engine, providing students with a quieter, cleaner ride to and from school.

3. Social and Emotional Learning Survey Results Virtual SessionsAPS students in Grades 3-12 recently participated in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey. Next week, there are two virtual presentations to review the survey results and answer questions. These presentations will explain SEL terms, provide specific examples of the skills involved and include tips for parents to help their children develop healthy, productive social-emotional skills.

– Secondary Parent Information Session: Tue, Jan. 17, 2023 – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
– Elementary Parent Information Session: Thu, Jan. 19, 2023 – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.Register | View elementary session flier | View secondary session flier

4. APS Students Named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars

Ambica Sharma, a Washington-Liberty High School student, and Julia Westwater Brodsky, an H-B Woodlawn student, have been named among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. They were selected out of nearly 2,000 applicants based on their science projects. Both students will advance and compete to be one of the 40 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. Congratulations to our 2023 Regeneron STS Scholars!

5. Arlington Tech Students Speak at US Department of Education Conference

Two Arlington Tech juniors, Ainsley Meck and Ananya Sinha, recently spoke at the US Department of Education’s conference “You Belong to STEM.” They spoke at the Opening Session and then participated in a panel later. Both students shared the influences in their lives that led them to an academic focus in STEM fields. Conference attendees were primarily policymakers, leaders and educators in STEM education.

Other News & Notes

Reminder: Mon, Jan. 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day—No School

Next Week: Virginia Principal Appreciation Week!

ACPS is hiring school crossing guards. Learn more and apply!