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⚡️Friday Five: Have a Fun Summer Break! ⛱️
⏰ Today's newsletter is 401 words , a 2-minute read . 1. Have a Great Summer! Thank you to the APS community for a fantastic school year! On behalf of all of us at APS, we wish you and your students the best summer yet. Congratulations to every student for all that they accomplished. We look forward to seeing everyone back starting Mon, Aug. 26, for the new school year! View APS students shining bright at D.C. United and sharing summer plans in the Superintendent’s Summer Message See APS Graduate profiles on social media using #APSGrads24 View the links to livestreams of Graduation Ceremonies 2. Summer Resources for Food, Fun, Reading and More APS is sharing a guide provided by the Dept. of Human Services detailing the many food resources available in Arlington . The information is also available in Spanish . Also, here are links to summer reading programs, Parks & Recreation and more. Join the Arlington Public Library Summer Reading Challenge to complete 21 days of reading! Adventure Begins at Your Library! June 1-September 1 Stay Active and Engaged at Camp – Learn more about Arlington Summer Camp View Parks and Rec Events for Teens – Ballin’ at the Mill Late Night on July 5 3. Summer School 2024 Begins July 8 We look forward to welcoming students signed up for Summer School on July 8! Welcome letters with information about Summer School will be sent the week of June 17. Additional information about the program, transportation and more will be available for enrolled students in ParentVUE the week of June 27. If you have questions, call Contact APS at 703-228-8000 (option 6). Learn more . 4. Barcroft Elementary Gets New Hoops! Barcroft Elementary has new hoops! The foundation for the Washington Wizards and Mystics donated four new basketball hoops and a ribbon-cutting was held today to unveil the new 🏀 courts. Thank you to the Wizards and Mystics and to Alex Brosseau, a Barcroft parent, who had the idea and made it happen for the kids! 5. Ending on a High Note! APS Students Take Home Big Awards Twenty-one APS students win 2024 National Scholastic Art Awards APS Students Receive Three National Cappies Awards at the Kennedy Center OTHER NEWS & NOTES School Board Meeting on June 20 – Board Celebrates First Collective Bargaining Agreements, APS Strategic Plan, CIP and More. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! ⛱️ Friday 5 is on vacation until August 21
Friday, Jun 14 2024
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Superintendent's Update: Have a Great Summer! ☀️
As we kick off summer break, I leave you with a video message featuring students from across APS sharing their summer plans , along with highlights from APS Night at D.C. United. Thank you to the H.B. Woodlawn Chorus and Career Center JROTC for representing APS on the big screen! I am incredibly proud of our students for all they have achieved this school year . On behalf of all of us at APS, thank you for your engagement and support. This is my final weekly message for this school year. I will resume my updates on August 14 . Until then, we will be working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year . Have a great break! With Gratitude, Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent Arlington Public Schools
Wednesday, Jun 12 2024
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Friday Five: APS Launches New Customer Service Platform
⏰ Today's newsletter is 650 words , a 3-minute read . 1. APS Launches New Customer Service Platform APS is excited to launch a new customer service platform called Let’s Talk to make it easier for staff and families to stay connected and access the information and support you need through phone calls and emails. New Features The main APS phone line , 703-228-8000, includes options for various departments, including the Welcome Center, Transportation, HR and more. The Contact Us form on the website has been updated to include various departments to provide more ways to access support and information needed. We appreciate your patience during this transition. 2. Discovery Students Lead Eco-Friendly Initiatives for Green Flag Award Discovery Elementary School is striving to earn the Eco Schools US’s Green Flag Award from the National Wildlife Federation. There are over 65 students in the Eco Action Team, working together to create wildlife homes for birds on the school grounds. Eco Action students have been learning about birds, including hearing from a speaker from the Long Branch Nature Center about bird adaptations. Students made bird feeders from pinecones and placed them around the school campus. As a culminating project, students assembled birdhouses to create permanent structures for birds in their habitat. We look forward to seeing the new birds that join our Discovery community! 3. Carlin Springs Students Shine at Studio PAUSE Art Showcase The local Studio PAUSE Art Showcase featured Carlin Springs student artwork last week. Thank you to Sushmita Mazumdar, artist and founder of Studio PAUSE, and our PTA for supporting the event. Student artists and poets created books, Zines, paperfolding and other forms of multimedia expression. Themes centered around families, food, original characters, music, fashion and much more. Students were proud to bring their families to the gallery and view the showcase of unique work capturing the humor, values, traditions and interests of our students. 4. 🐝VIDEO: Every Student Counts—Sustainability at Fleet Students at Alice West Fleet Elementary School engage in sustainability lessons throughout the year. In the spirit of summer and getting outdoors, this week’s Every Student Counts video highlights Fleet’s partnership with Arlington’s Master Gardeners to teach students about gardening and pollinators and their role in protecting the environment. Watch as AETV visits the class when a professional beekeeper shares her craft and skills with students. 5. June APS All Stars Announced As we close out the school year, APS is proud to announce its final round of APS All Stars for the school year! This month, we recognize: Ana Granados, Campbell Elementary School Matthew Pesesky, Cardinal Elementary School Nicole Johnson , Williamsburg Middle School Erin McCormack, Syphax Education Center The Superintendent will surprise the final All Star recipient of the school year next week! APS All Stars continues next month to award summer school staff. Nominations and additional information will be available next month. Engage with APS! School Board Adopts 2024-25 Budget: The School Board adopted its FY 2025 budget at its June 6 meeting. The budget, totaling $826,324,295 , aligns with the School Board’s budget direction, limits new spending, and maintains core services amid significant budget constraints. Read more here . School Board Draft Resolution Adopting Payment of Prevailing Wage: The School Board is considering a draft resolution for the payment of a prevailing wage. The draft is posted (under "Public Comment on Drafts") for public comment through July 8, and the School Board will adopt the final resolution on July 18. Proposed 2025-34 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): Last night, the School Board presented its Proposed CIP to provide funding for high-priority facilities and infrastructure projects such as finalizing safety and security vestibules and kitchen renovations, competing turf field replacements, advancing the Career Center (to be named Grace Hopper Center) construction project, and more. There is a Public Hearing on June 11 prior to final adoption on June 20. Learn more . OTHER NEWS & NOTES School Board Member Bethany Zecher Sutton to Host Virtual Open Office Hours on Mon, June 10
Friday, Jun 07 2024
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Superintendent's June 5, 2024 Update
Dear APS Families, It is hard to believe we are approaching the final week of the 2023-24 school year! There are a few items that I want to share with you as we wrap up the year. Student Devices and Summer Learning: This summer, students will again have the option to take their devices home to continue accessing a variety of digital applications that support their learning and enrichment . Elementary students who keep their devices will need to return them on the first day of school. Starting Fri, June 7, families who do not want to hold onto the devices over the summer can opt-out through ParentVUE and leave the devices in the student’s homeroom. (To opt out in ParentVUE, click on “Edit Information” on the student information tab and scroll to the bottom of the page.) Please keep in mind that: Students enrolled in summer school must take their devices home to use during summer school and return them on the first day of school. Middle and high school students should also hold onto their devices over the summer and exchange them for new devices at their middle or high school. If you have any questions, please call your school or contact APS at 703-228-8000. FY25 Budget Adoption and 2025-34 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): The School Board is expected to adopt its FY25 budget on Thu, June 6. Full details on the development of the FY 2025 budget are available on the APS website . Additionally, the School Board will present their proposed 2025-34 CIP on June 6 with a Public Hearing to follow on June 11. Visit Engage with APS for more information . Next Wed, June 12 will be my final message of the school year. I will resume my weekly updates on Wed, Aug 14, 2024. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! I hope you have a safe, joyous end to the year and an amazing summer break. Sincerely, Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent
Wednesday, Jun 05 2024
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APS Celebrates Pride Month
This June, APS celebrates LGBTQIA+ Pride Month . Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, honor its history and reaffirm our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, families and staff. In APS, we recognize and celebrate the identities and experiences of all individuals. By acknowledging Pride Month, we demonstrate our support for LGBTQIA+ students and families, affirm their identities and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Here are a few reasons why recognizing Pride Month is important: Promoting Inclusivity : Pride Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our community and promote inclusivity. By recognizing and embracing LGBTQIA+ identities, we foster a culture of acceptance and respect for all individuals. Educational Opportunities : Pride Month offers valuable opportunities for education and discussion about LGBTQIA+ history, rights and issues. By engaging in meaningful conversations and learning experiences, we can increase awareness and understanding among students, staff and families. Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth : For LGBTQIA+ students, seeing their identities acknowledged and celebrated can have a profound impact on their well-being and sense of self-worth. By showing support during Pride Month and beyond, we help create a supportive environment where all students can thrive. Building Community : Pride Month celebrations provide opportunities for our school community to come together in solidarity and celebration. By participating in Pride Month events and activities, we strengthen bonds, build relationships, and demonstrate our commitment to supporting one another. We encourage families to participate in Pride Month events or simply be an ally to LGBTQIA+ individuals. Remember, your actions can make a difference. Together, let's celebrate Pride Month with pride, compassion and a commitment to fostering a school community where everyone feels valued, respected and supported. Thank you for your dedication to making APS an inclusive and welcoming school community and a model for other school communities to follow. Resources: GLSEN: The Educator's Guide to LBGTQ Pride Library of Congress: LGBTQ+ Resources PBS: LGBTQ+ Identity: Classroom Resources Facing History: 10 Resources for Teaching LGBTQIA+ History NEA LGBTQ+ Resources National Council for Social Studies: Celebrate and Support LGBTQ2IA+
Monday, Jun 03 2024