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APS to apply lessons from virtual learning program audit to planning for new online program

Published September 9, 2022 at 11:00AM

The Arlington Public Schools Syphax Education Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) The failures of the controversial Virtual Learning Program were “an indigestible meal that is going to make you sick,” an Arlington Public Schools auditor told the School Board this summer.

APS created the VLP in May 2021 for families who had reservations about resuming in-person school last fall as well as for students who prefer online instruction. But it quickly malfunctioned for a dozen reasons, according to the audit, prompting school leaders to “pause” the program for the 2022-23 school year and redirect online students to Virtual Virginia (VVA).

Nonprofit partners with county schools to provide food assistance to students in need

By Matt Blitz

Published August 26, 2022 at 11:30AM

Food for Neighbors volunteers (photo courtesy of Food for Neighbors)

A non-profit is teaming up with the county and schools to provide food assistance to students when classes start up again next week.

Food for Neighbors (FFN), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and Arlington Public Schools (APS) have announced a partnership where food, toiletries, and grocery gift cards will be collected and distributed to students in need on a weekly basis.

APS students eligible for free ART bus rides starting next week

By ARLnow.com

Published August 26, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated August 26, 2022 at 11:13AM

An ART bus and driver (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Middle and high school students at Arlington public schools will soon be able to ride Arlington Transit buses for free.

The new free ride program will begin next week, with the start of classes on Monday.

ACPD stepping up traffic enforcement for start of school next week

By ARLnow.com

Published August 24, 2022 at 11:45AM

A police officer keeps watch during Walk and Bike to School Day 2012 at Oakridge Elementary School (staff photo)

Signs and stepped-up enforcement are part of the police plan for bringing Arlington students back to the classrooms safely.

In advance of the first day of school for Arlington Public Schools students on Monday, the Arlington County Police Department is encouraging drivers to be especially cautious on local roads.

APS to mostly follow same Covid protocols as last year, with some updates

By Matt Blitz

Published August 23, 2022 at 1:45PM

Arlington School Board at the Aug. 18 meeting (image via APS)

Arlington Public Schools will follow mostly the same Covid protocols as last year, including optional masks, free weekly testing, and five-day quarantines.

At last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán reviewed the latest Covid protocols for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, which starts this coming Monday, Aug. 29.

The $38 million overhaul of the new Washington-Liberty annex is nearly complete

By Matt Blitz

Published August 18, 2022 at 3:45PM

The newly renovated Washington-Liberty High School annex (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The $38 million transformation of the Washington-Liberty annex is nearly complete.

Over the last three years, the nearly six-decade-old Arlington Education Center has undergone a complete overhaul to turn it into classrooms and school space for the burgeoning student body. This is the most significant renovation in the history of the building, which was completed in 1969 and previously used as the Arlington Public Schools headquarters. (The APS administrative offices are now located at Sequoia Plaza.)

Elementary students send 200 gift boxes to USS Arlington

By Buzz McClain

Published August 15, 2022 at 2:30PM

Gift boxes prepared by Oakridge Elementary students for those aboard the USS Arlington (via Del. Patrick Hope)

Hundreds of K-5 students at Oakridge Elementary School packed 200 gift boxes to seamen and Marines serving on the USS Arlington.

The boxes sent to those aboard the 684-foot-long amphibious transport ship, named after Arlington County in memory of those who lost their lives here on 9/11, included handwritten cards as well as candy, chips, crackers, chewing gum, toothbrushes, challenge coins, ear plugs and other items.

New Amazon STEM lab opens at Wakefield High School

By Mavis Chan

Published August 2, 2022 at 9:20AM | Updated August 2, 2022 at 1:57PM

Ribbon cutting for Wakefield HIgh School's new STEM-focused tech space (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The ribbon was cut Monday for Amazon’s new “AWS Think Big Space,” a STEM-focused tech lab, at Wakefield High School.

The lab is located on the ground floor of the school at 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street and is divided into several technology stations, including 3D printing, E-sports, cybersecurity, virtual reality, coding robots Sphero and robotics.

Juvenile arrests in Arlington down significantly during past school year

By ARLnow.com

Published July 7, 2022 at 10:40AM

Police outside of W-L High School during threat investigation in 2017 (file photo)

Arlington police made 75% fewer arrests of juvenile suspects during the recently-concluded school year compared to the last pre-pandemic school year.

That’s according to data supplied by the Arlington County Police Department, at ARLnow’s request. Arrests of adult suspects also declined, but only by 16%.

Black Parents of Arlington raises new concerns over APS performance gaps

By Mavis Chan

Published June 23, 2022 at 3:30PM

The title page of the report published by Black Parents of Arlington (courtesy of Black Parents of Arlington)

Black students in Arlington Public Schools still see lower passing rates and are more likely to be suspended than white students, an advocacy group found, as detailed in a new report.

Black Parents of Arlington, a local group founded in 2019 to advocate for the interests of Black students in the county, published “APS in Black: Measuring Educational Opportunities for Black Students” this past weekend.

Advisory committee raises concerns about APS proposed capital budget

By Mavis Chan

Published June 14, 2022 at 2:00PM | Updated June 14, 2022 at 4:17PM

The School Board work session reviews the Joint Facilities Advisory Committee report (screenshot via Arlington County)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) An advisory group meant to guide facilities planning has several concerns with Arlington Public Schools’ proposed capital spending plan, namely the cost of a new Arlington Career Center.

APS would only be able to construct the Career Center by nearly maxing out its debt capacity, according to a Joint Facilities Advisory Committee report published June 7.

UPDATED: Man worried about active shooter may have brought gun to middle school

By ARLnow.com

Published June 10, 2022 at 1:35PM | Updated June 13, 2022 at 9:50PM

Police on scene at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in June 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated on 6/13/22) A robbery at a convenience store may have led to a panic about an active shooter at a nearby Arlington middle school.

It started at the 7-Eleven at 201 S. Glebe Road. Police were dispatched there shortly before 12:30 p.m. for a report of a man with a weapon robbing the store. They were initially told that someone was injured inside.