📅 Calendar Update: Changes to Elementary Parent-Teac...

Dear APS Families and Staff,   The School Board has approved a revision to the 2026-27 school year calendar that changes the schedule for elementary  parent-teacher conference days in October and March.   Under the revised calendar, elementary students will have a full instructional day on Wednesday, an early-release day on Thursday and no school on Friday during each conference period. The Friday no-school days will provide dedicated time for elementary parent-teacher conferences.   The revised schedule is:   October 2026 Wed, Oct. 7: Full instructional day for elementary students Thu, Oct. 8: Elementary early-release day Fri, Oct. 9: No school for elementary students; parent-teacher conferences  March 2027 Wed, March 17: Full instructional day for elementary students Thu, March 18: Elementary early-release day Fri, March 19: No school for elementary students; parent-teacher conferences Previously, elementary students were scheduled for three consecutive early-release days during each conference period. The revised schedule provides more dedicated time for conferences, supports meaningful family engagement and reduces the scheduling and transportation challenges associated with multiple early dismissals.   Please make note of the updated 2026-27 school year calendar ​

Friday, Aug 28 2026

What's Up Wednesday! Aug. 26, 2026

Aug. 26, 2026 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •⏰ Today's newsletter is 1,029 words, a 5-minute read.   A MESSAGE FROM DR. DURÁN The countdown is on! The first day of the 2026-27 school year is just a few days away, and we are excited to welcome our students back to school on Monday, Aug. 31. Across APS, our staff are hard at work preparing classrooms, schools, buses, meals, technology and everything in between. But the most important part of that preparation is getting ready to welcome your student. Along with transportation information, the Back-to-School Packet and other important school-year to-dos shared in this message, these final few days are also a good time to help your student feel ready for the transition back to school. A new school year brings excitement and possibility, but it can also bring some nerves and uncertainty. Whether your student cannot wait to get back or needs a little more time to feel ready, that is okay. Here are three things I encourage families to keep in mind: Talk about what your student is looking forward to. A new teacher, seeing friends, joining an activity or learning something new can give students a positive place to focus as the first day approaches. Make space for questions and worries. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is listen. Remind your student that they do not need to have everything figured out on the first day and that there are caring adults at school ready to help. Start with belonging. Every student should feel welcomed, valued and connected at school. Encourage your student to introduce themselves to someone new, include someone who may be standing alone or reach out to a trusted adult when they need support. The first day is just that: a beginning. There will be time to learn new routines, build relationships, make mistakes, ask questions and grow throughout the year. To our families, thank you for your partnership and for trusting us with your students. And to our students, we hope you know how much we are looking forward to seeing you. We will see you Monday. We’re glad you are here, and we are excited for the year ahead. See you Monday! Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY Transportation Updates: What Families Need to Know: New routing software is being implemented for the 2026-27 school year, with some additional stops added following a review of student crossing locations and routing operations. HUB stop maps will be published after the start of school, as in previous years, to allow Transportation to make final adjustments and provide families with the most accurate information. Families should review their transportation details carefully, especially those attending countywide and option schools. Routes, stops and ride times may have changed since last year. If an assigned route or stop does not work for your student, please contact Transportation. Transportation will continue adjusting service throughout the year based on ridership, route efficiency and operational needs to support safe and reliable service. Stopfinder, APS’ new bus tracking system, will not be available divisionwide at the start of school. A pilot will begin Sept. 8 before expanding to additional schools this fall. Bus service will operate as usual during the transition.   Need help? Contact the Transportation Call Center at 703-228-6640, Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. or via email at transportation@apsva.us. Please have your student's name/ID, school, route number, bus stop and contact information ready.   Share Your Story for APS Heritage Month Celebrations: Throughout the year, APS recognizes federally designated Heritage Months by celebrating the cultures, traditions and experiences of our students, families and staff. We invite you to submit a short video sharing a tradition, story, music, art or reflection about your culture or heritage. First up is Hispanic Heritage Month! Visit the APS Heritage Months webpage to learn more and submit your video for our upcoming celebration. When recording, please film horizontally (landscape mode).   Back to School Packet: The Back-to-School Packet is now open in ParentVUE! All families must complete it to review and update important student information, emergency contacts, health information, select opt in and opt out choices. Families must complete and submit the packet to access ParentVUE, to access upcoming important information, including student schedules, bus assignments, attendance, and more. For questions or support, contact your school’s registrar or bilingual family specialist.   Student Rights and Responsibilities: The APS Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook is an important resource for all families to review for the new school year. It explains student rights, expectations, school rules, attendance, behavior, safety, and available supports. Families and students should review the handbook together so everyone understands what to expect and how we can work together for a safe, respectful, and successful school year.   Applying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals: The Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application is available! Eligible families should apply each school year to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.  Apply for Free & Reduced-Price Meals Families at CEP schools do NOT need to apply because all students at these schools receive meals at no cost: Abingdon, Barcroft, Barrett, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Drew, Randolph, Jefferson, Kenmore, and Wakefield. For questions contact the Food and Nutrition Services office at 703-228-8000 option 4.   In Case You Missed It: Preparing for a Safe School Year: Safety and preparedness are year-round priorities at APS. Over the summer, teams across the division worked together to prepare our schools for the year ahead. Watch this short video for a behind-the-scenes look at the people and work helping keep our schools safe, secure and ready for students and staff. ARLINGTON COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES & UPCOMING EVENTS 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival at Tyrol Hill Park Saturday, September 05, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association (ASHPA), Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff's Office, and Arlington County Fire Department invite you to the 5th annual Hispanic Heritage Community Festival at Tyrol Hill Park. Come and celebrate during this family event with music, popcorn, snow cones, and an opportunity to meet and chat with Arlington County Officers, Deputies, County staff, and Arlington's community leaders. Connect Your Community to Social Safety Net Resources Faith communities are often among the first places residents turn when they need support. Arlington County invites faith leaders, Arlington families, County staff, volunteers, and congregants to the Interfaith Resource Fair on Social Safety Net Services, an open-house style event on September 9, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 2100 Washington Blvd., Lower Level. Stop by anytime to meet County staff, learn about available resources and referral pathways, and explore opportunities for collaboration. RSVP by August 28  

Wednesday, Aug 26 2026

A Message of Support for Our APS Students and Families

A Message of Support for Our APS Students and Families Dear APS Families, We know that recent immigration enforcement activity in our area is causing fear, uncertainty and stress for some members of our community. Some families have been directly affected, while others may be worried about what these developments could mean for their loved ones. We want every APS family to hear this clearly: You are an important part of our community. Your students belong in our schools, and we are here to support them. Our schools are more than places of learning. They are communities where students should feel safe, cared for and connected to adults they trust. During uncertain times, that sense of belonging is especially important. APS remains committed to serving every student who lives in Arlington. APS does not ask for or require information about a student's immigration or legal status. Student information is protected in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable laws and policies. Discrimination, bullying and harassment will not be tolerated. Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and to feel that they belong in their school. Please encourage your student to report any instances of discrimination, bullying or harassment by emailing report@apsva.us or through one of the other available reporting avenues. We want every student to continue coming to school every day. If circumstances are making it difficult for your student to attend school or participate fully, please contact your school so we can work with you and provide support. If Your Family's Circumstances Change We recognize that a sudden change within a family can affect many parts of a student's life. If a parent or guardian is no longer able to care for a student and the student is temporarily staying with a relative, family friend or another caregiver, please contact the student's school as soon as you are able. We want to help make the transition as smooth as possible and ensure students continue to have access to school, transportation, meals, learning and other needed supports. We understand that a new or temporary caregiver may not know how to navigate APS. You do not have to figure it out alone. Our school staff can help answer questions and connect families and caregivers with available APS and community resources, including support for basic needs. Please Make Sure Your Information Is Current It is especially important that the information APS has for your family is accurate and up to date. Please take a moment to review your information in ParentVUE, including your emergency contacts and the individuals authorized to care for or pick up your student. Having up-to-date information helps your school know whom to contact and who is authorized to support your student in an unexpected situation. If your family needs assistance completing or notarizing documents related to a change in caregiving arrangements, please contact your school registrar, or the APS Student Registration Office for assistance and guidance at 703-228-8000 opt. 1. Parents and legal guardians listed in a student's Synergy account may also request an alternate identification process when visiting their student's school. We want our parents and guardians to continue to feel welcome and connected to their school communities. Support Is Available Please know that there are people throughout APS ready to support your family. School counselors and social workers are available to support students who may be experiencing fear, anxiety, changes at home or other challenges. Bilingual Family Specialists are also available to help families communicate with their schools, understand school processes and connect with resources and support. If your student is struggling or your family's circumstances have changed, please reach out to your student's principal, counselor, social worker, Bilingual Family Specialist or another trusted staff member at your school. You do not need to wait until a situation becomes an emergency to ask for help. Additional information and support are available through our Immigration Resources for Families page. We know that uncertainty can be difficult for students and families. We may not have every answer immediately, but we will listen, we will care, and we will work with you to identify the support available. Our diversity is one of Arlington's greatest strengths. Every student and family contributes to who we are as a community. During a time when some of our families may be feeling especially uncertain, we want you to know that APS remains committed to providing schools where every student is welcomed, valued, cared for and knows they belong. Sincerely, Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent

Thursday, Aug 20 2026

Introducing What's Up Wednesday!

Aug. 19, 2026 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •⏰ Today's newsletter is 735 words, a 3-minute read.   A MESSAGE FROM DR. DURÁN Dear APS Families and Community, The countdown is on! In just a few weeks, our schools will once again be filled with students, families and the energy, excitement and joy of learning that make the start of a new school year so special. Today marks the first of our weekly community messages for the 2026-27 school year, with one important change. Our Friday messages are moving to Wednesdays. We heard feedback about the amount of information families receive throughout the week, so What’s Up Wednesday is designed to bring important APS news, reminders and upcoming events together in one place and at a time that is more helpful for families. As you read this week’s message, please pay special attention to the Back-to-School Packet in ParentVUE. Completing the packet is an important first step in preparing for the new year and is required before families can access bus route information and student schedules in ParentVUE. We are looking forward to welcoming our students back on August 31 and beginning another year of learning, connection and opportunity together. Dr. Francisco Durán Superintendent SCHOOL BOARD NEWS New School Board Platform: APS is transitioning from BoardDocs to Diligent, a more accessible and user-friendly platform for accessing School Board meeting agendas, materials and other information. Diligent will launch before the next School Board meeting. Visit the School Board’s Diligent page for the latest updates, step-by-step instructions and resources to help you navigate the new platform. WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY Download the new ParentVUE App today!  https://www.apsva.us/parentvue-canvas/   Step 1: Download the NEW ParentVUE App Families are strongly encouraged to download the new ParentVUE app for the 2026–27 school year. The previous ParentVUE app will no longer be available to use. How to get started: Visit your phone’s app store. Search for ParentVUE and download the new app. Select Arlington Public Schools as your school district. Log in using your existing ParentVUE username and password.   (Note: ParentVUE can be accessed from a computer or tablet.)   Back to School Packet: The Back-to-School Packet is now open in ParentVUE! All families must complete it to review and update important student information, emergency contacts, health information, select opt in and opt out choices. Families must complete and submit the packet to access ParentVUE to view upcoming important information, including student schedules, bus assignments, attendance, and more. For questions or support, contact your school’s registrar or bilingual family specialist.   Student Rights and Responsibilities: The APS Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook is an important resource for all families to review for the new school year. It explains student rights, expectations, school rules, attendance, behavior, safety, and available supports. Families and students should review the handbook together so everyone understands what to expect and how we can work together for a safe, respectful, and successful school year.   Applying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals: The Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application is available! Eligible families should apply each school year to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch. Apply for Free & Reduced-Price Meals Families at CEP schools do NOT need to apply because all students receive meals at no cost: Abingdon, Barcroft, Barrett, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Drew, Randolph, Jefferson, Kenmore, and Wakefield. For questions contact the Food and Nutrition Services office at 703-228-8000 option 4.   Back-to-School Routines: Think Connected Back-to-school routines work best when mornings, after-school time and bedtime work together. A consistent bedtime can make mornings smoother, a calmer morning can help students start the school day ready to learn and a predictable after-school routine can make it easier to wind down at night. Three tips to get started: Start with sleep: Set consistent bedtimes and wake-up times now to help students adjust before school begins. Prepare the night before: Pack backpacks, choose clothes and organize anything needed for the next day to make mornings less stressful. Create an after-school rhythm: Build in time for a snack, movement or downtime, homework and preparation for the next day. ARLINGTON COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES & UPCOMING EVENTS School Health Fair: Getting ready for the new school year? Join Arlington Public Schools and Arlington Public Health for a free Health & Wellness Fair. Students can get school entry health exams, school vaccinations, and community resources, all in one place. Thu, Aug. 20, 2026 | 1 to 4 p.m. Long Branch Elementary School 33 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201  

Wednesday, Aug 19 2026

Arlington Public Schools Announces Free Summer Meals...

School is out, summer meals are in! Arlington Public Schools is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability or age, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.  Community Meal Sites July 6- July 31 The following schools will be open meal sites for the community. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, at the sites and times listed below. Children must remain on-site while consuming their meals. Carlin Springs: Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Lunch 11:50 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Kenmore: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.   Lunch 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Wakefield: Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.  Lunch 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Legal Notices: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Thursday, Jun 18 2026