Keeping you informed about happenings around Alexandria City Public Schools
Snow, and lots of it, is on the way! Try to view it through the eyes of Scottish poet William Sharp (1855-1905): “There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance.” Have a safe, warm and fun weekend!
Snow Information
A National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning is calling for 10 to 20 inches of snow between late this evening and Sunday morning. School closing announcements, due to inclement weather, are made in the following order:
ACPS Hotline: 703-866-5300
ACPS Web Site: www.acps.k12.va.us
ACPS Emergency E-news: e-mail announcement
ACPS-TV, Channel 71 in the City of Alexandria
Local television and radio stations
The ACPS guidelines which pertain to school closings and inclement weather can be found at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/closings.php . Read more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2010/nr2009121804.php .
Board Notes
The School Board adopted a revised budget calendar, budget resolution, and meeting schedule which will allow an extra two weeks for the process. View it online at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/budgets/op2011/budget-calendar.pdf
An update on the Education Plan was presented. It includes detailed targets and metrics. Read it at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/board/strategic-plan/education-plan-division.pdf .
The Board adopted revisions to the Program of Studies for grades 9-12, new diplomas and new diploma requirements, and new course offerings for 2010-2011. Read more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/guidehs/proposals.pdf .
ACPS will move forward with Race to the Top by returning a signed Memorandum of Understanding to the Virginia Department of Education. View it at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/board/mou/mou-race-to-top.pdf .
Energy Education
A new energy awareness program could potentially save Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) an estimated $700,000 during the first year of implementation and net a total savings of $11 million over the next 10 years. The comprehensive energy conservation and management program will be conducted in partnership with Energy Education, a company that has helped more than 1,000 educational and ministerial organizations in 48 states save more than $1.8 billion dollars over a 23-year period. The United States Environmental Protection Agency named Energy Education 2009 Energy Star Partner of the Year. Read more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2010/nr2009121803.php .
Turn the Page
Building on the success of the first “Turn the Page” community reading event, the Alexandria PTA Council has announced the featured book for the 2010 program: “NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman.
“Turn the Page” is designed to encourage parents, teachers and community members from across the city to join together to read and discuss books related to the future of education. Read more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2010/nr2009121802.php .
Scholarship Fund
The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s application for graduating seniors in the T.C. Williams Class of 2010 was posted today on the Scholarship Fund’s Web site: www.AlexScholarshipFund.org . The deadline for submitting the application is 5 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2010. Read more at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2010/nr2009121801.php .
Calendar
Check out all the latest happenings, from PTA meetings to school assemblies, listed in the ACPS online calendar at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/events/ .
