Arlington Public Schools students returned to class this morning as fall unofficially kicked off on the day after Labor Day.
No major problems have been reported thus far on the roads, just the normal “Terrible Traffic Tuesday” increase in traffic volume on local arterials and highways, as well as some crashes and other hazards.
In Arlington, drivers were asked to slow down and take note of new traffic patterns near new and newly-repurposed schools, including Dorothy Hamm Middle School in Cherrydale, The Heights Building on Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, and the Montessori Public School of Arlington on S. Highland Street. Another change this school year: the newly-renamed Washington-Liberty High School.
Arlington County Police, meanwhile, are out conducting high-visibility enforcement around school zones doay.
APS has been active on social media this morning, showing back-to-school scenes from around the county. A number of those posts are below.
Students bursting with energy @ASFSOnline. Ready for the new school year #APSBack2School Go, ASFS Lightning Bolts! #APSisAwesome pic.twitter.com/TFijOHsBLP
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
Lots of excitement at Abingdon as students wait to enter the building. #APSBack2School pic.twitter.com/JpRka2kkpJ
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
On the first day of school, Interim Superintendent @JohnsonCintia & @ArlingtonVaPD Captain Donahue are at the new Dorothy Hamm Middle School welcoming students & families back this morning! #APSBack2School pic.twitter.com/Rpg3wa86ZD
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
Big smiles for 1st day back at @SwansonAdmirals Students make us happy! @SwansonAPHall @APS_OEE @APS_SecondaryEd #APSBack2School pic.twitter.com/Tmg1q7p6pa
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
.@Ashlawneagles are already hard at work on day 1 and ready to have a great year. #APSBack2School pic.twitter.com/DC4zIGQ9tf
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
Enthusiastic students welcome back peers for #APSBack2School. Ready for first day @GeneralsPride @WLHSIBProgram pic.twitter.com/0Q8PJ5NdRx
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) September 3, 2019
Photos via Arlington Public Schools, Arlington County Police
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The Arlington-Aachen High School exchange is returning this summer and currently accepting applicants.
The sister-city partnership started in 1993 by the Arlington Sister Cities Association, which seeks to promote Arlington’s international profile through a variety of exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts. The exchange, scheduled June 17th to July 4th, includes a two-week homestay in Aachen plus three days in Berlin. Knowledge of the German language is not required for the trip.
Former participants have this to say:
_”The Aachen exchange was an eye-opening experience where I was fully immersed in the life of a German student. I loved biking through the countryside to Belgium, having gelato and picnics in the town square, and hanging out with my German host student’s friends. My first time out of the country, the Aachen exchange taught me to keep an open mind, because you never know what could be a life changing experience.” – Kelly M._

Learn about the new assessment of Arlington’s urban tree canopy and the many ecological and social benefits trees provide. Staff from the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) will share study results and compare canopy cover for different areas of Arlington.The webinar will include assessments of ecosystem services such as stormwater mitigation, air quality, carbon uptake, and urban heat islands. For background on Arlington trees see the “Tree Benefits: Growing Arlington’s Urban Forest” presentation at http://www.gicinc.org/PDFs/Presentation_TreeBenefits_Arlington.pdf.
Please register in advance to assure your place at the webinar, https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/29543206508863839.
About the Arlington County Civic Federation: The Arlington County Civic Federation (“ACCF”) is a not-for-profit corporation which provides a forum for civic groups to discuss, debate, inform, advocate and provide oversight on important community issues, on a non-partisan basis. Its members include over ninety civic groups representing a broad cross-section of the community. Communications, resolutions and feedback are regularly provided to the Arlington County Government.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, February 21,2023 at 7 pm. This meeting is open to the public and will be hybrid, in-person and virtually through Zoom. Part of the agenda will be a discussion and vote on a resolution “To Restore Public Confidence in Arlington County’s Governance”. For more information on ACCF and this meeting, go to https://www.civfed.org/.
Valentine Pop-Up at George Mason University
Valentine gifts for someone special or for yourself are here at George Mason University from noon -4pm on February 14, 2023. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Kingsbury Chocolates, find a handmade bag from Karina Gaull, pick up treats from Village
Standup Comedy Showcase Starring Matt Ruby (Comedy Central)
Dead Horse Comedy Productions brings together top comedians from the DMV and beyond for a live standup comedy show!
Matt Ruby, Headliner
Matt Ruby is a comedian, writer, and filmmaker from New York City. His comedy has been filmed by