Dear APS Families,
Here are a few updates for this week:
APS Student Progress Dashboard – At the March 24 School Board meeting, I will provide a preview of the Student Progress Dashboard which will be posted online on Fri, March 25. The dashboard illustrates student progress in reading and math, beginning with the 2019-20 school year.
Families will be able to view overall student progress and trends based on the school division’s three primary universal screeners which are each administered three times per school year – Reading Inventory, Math Inventory and Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS). Families will be able to view the data based on school, grade level or student subgroup, including race and ethnicity, students with disabilities, English Learners (ELs), and ELs by proficiency. Teachers are using this data to identify students needing extra support and to determine appropriate interventions.
APS Summer School Update – The upcoming APS Summer School Program for students meeting specific eligibility criteria begins July 5 and will provide in-person strengthening support, intervention, credit recovery, and Extended School Year Services. Elementary families who have been notified that their students are eligible need to register by March 31. The middle and high school registration deadline is May 31; families will be notified of eligibility during May. More information and registration forms are available on the summer school website.
Inclusive History Panel – On Mon, March 28 from 7:30-8:30 p.m., APS is participating in a joint virtual panel discussion with neighboring Northern VA school divisions on the on the topic of Inclusive History. Learn more and register here.School Bell Times Survey – Please share your feedback on the School Bell Times Survey by March 28. As a reminder, the goal is to both improve operational efficiency by reducing variations in school start and end times and ensure that APS instructional minutes are on par with neighboring school divisions. Currently, APS instructional minutes are among the fewest compared to neighboring school divisions. To maximize instructional time, APS will add up to ten minutes to the school day for the 2022-2023 school year. The approved school year calendar for the 2022-2023 school year includes the equivalent of six instructional days built into the calendar for inclement weather. Adding up to ten instructional minutes to the school day will allow APS to add up to 5 more instructional days. Additional information is available online.
Other Survey Reminders:
- Your Voice Matters – Please take the 2022 Your Voice Matters Survey by April 10, using the link provided by Panorama Education. Your feedback is confidential and is so important to helping us improve in all areas.
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey – As a reminder, we will conduct an SEL survey for students in grades 3-12. The survey window is from March 21- April 8. Families will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s results in May. Additional information is available on the website. For support, email laura.newton@apsva.us. For questions regarding opt-out lists, email Xenia.castaneda@apsva.us
Congratulations to the March APS All Stars:
- Chris McDermott, Teacher, Williamsburg
- Kristen Patterson, Extended Day Staff, Discovery
- Alam Lainez, Bilingual Family Liaison/Instructional Assistant, Kenmore
- Lyzbeth Monard, Bilingual Family Liaison, Carlin Springs
- Morgan Payne, Pandemic Response Coordinator, Trades Center
Thank you to our outstanding staff – these individuals were selected out of more than 400 excellent nominations. Read more about the recipients and how to nominate staff.
Have a great rest of the week!
Sincerely,
Dr. Francisco Durán
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools
