March 15 Engage Updates: FY19 Budget Work Session and Public Hearing; Acceptable Use and Walk Zone Questionnaires; Dream, Explore Event

Proposed FY 2019 APS Budget Work Session TONIGHT
Observe the work session on the proposed FY 2019 APS Budget held at 6:30 p.m. tonight, March 15, in Room 101A in the Education Center (1426 N. Quincy St.). To watch online, visit aps2016.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/school-board-work-sessions-meetings/.

For more information, visit aps2016.apsva.us/budget-finance/.

Community Questionnaire on Issues Related to Devices Used for Student Learning has March 16 Deadline TOMORROW
A questionnaire is available through Friday, March 16, for residents to provide input on an APS Acceptable Use policy for devices used for student learning that will address such topics as internet safety, digital citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and shared ownership. This is the second of four Acceptable Use policies and is scheduled to be an information item at the March 22 School Board meeting and a School Board action item on April 5. The School Board adopted the first Acceptable Use policy that is specific to federal guidelines and filtering on Feb. 1. For more information and the two-part questionnaire, visit aps2016.apsva.us/engage/acceptable-use/. 

Elementary School Walk Zone Questionnaires will Close by March 19
As part of the process to create new attendance zones, develop recommendations for neighborhood and option school locations, and balance enrollment across all elementary schools by 2021, APS has worked with Task Groups—comprised of PTA and civic association representatives—for all elementary school sites. The Elementary School Walk Zone Questionnaires that will provide community input for APS staff on potential ways to safely expand elementary school walk zones have closed for six schools (Ashlawn, Discovery, Jamestown, McKinley, Nottingham, Tuckahoe) that will participate in a School Task Group Working Session today.

The remaining Elementary School Walk Zone questionnaires will close at midnight on the following dates (these vary according to the working session schedule for School Task Groups):

• Thursday, March 15: Arlington Science Focus, Arlington Traditional, Barrett, Glebe, Key, Tayloro
• Friday, March 16: Abingdon, Barcroft, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Claremont, Randolpho
• Monday, March 19: Drew, Fleet, Henry, Hoffman-Boston, Long Branch, Oakridge, Reed

For information, maps, and questionnaires for schools near you, visit aps2016.apsva.us/elementary-school-boundary-change/walk-zone-resources/. Overall information for the Elementary School Planning Initiative can be found at aps2016.apsva.us/elementary-school-boundary-change/. 

Proposed FY 2019 APS Budget Public Hearing on March 22
Community members can share their views on the Superintendent’s proposed FY 2019 APS Budget at a Public Hearing held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, in conjunction with the School Board meeting that night.  School Board meetings are held in the Education Center at 1426 N. Quincy St. and can be viewed via livestream at aps2016.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/.

For information about how to speak at a School Board meeting, visit aps2016.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/.

Dream, Explore, Create Your Own Path Event on April 14
Arlington Public Schools (APS) will host its third annual Dream, Explore, Create Your Own Path event on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie St.). All APS students and their families are invited to explore students’ individual paths, plan for their future, and connect with career professionals. Click here for additional information and to pre-register for the event.