Schools | ARLnow.com

School Board Candidate Blasts APS Distance Learning Decision

Published April 23, 2020 at 3:55PM | Updated April 23, 2020 at 4:22PM

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools is holding off on teaching new material until the fall, a decision that has raised the ire of some parents — and now one candidate for School Board.

APS made the announcement over spring break that fourth quarter material would be held until September, “as part of our commitment to ensuring equity of access to new learning for all students.” Instead, following the closure of all Virginia schools for the remainder of the academic year, students are engaging in distance learning that reinforces existing concepts.

Washington-Liberty HS Staff Undertake Secret Overnight Mission to Surprise Seniors

By Vernon Miles

Published April 22, 2020 at 5:05PM

Hundreds of Washington-Liberty High School students woke up Tuesday morning in Arlington to find their front lawns adorned with congratulatory messages.

Principal Gregg Robertson said administrators and faculty at the school missed their students and were heartbroken that seniors didn’t get to experience their full senior year due to the coronavirus closure.

Superintendent Slashes $54 Million from APS Budget Proposal

By ARLnow.com

Published April 17, 2020 at 3:45PM

The coronavirus pandemic will mean big changes to the Arlington Public Schools budget.

Interim Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Cintia Johnson presented her revised budget to the School Board via video conference last night, detailing plans to slash $54 million from what was once an ambitious budget calling for $725.8 million in expenditures.

APS Plan to Delay Teaching New Material Until Fall Irks Some Parents

By ARLnow.com

Published April 13, 2020 at 3:30PM

On Thursday, Arlington Public Schools revealed its plan for resuming remote learning following spring break, which ends today.

The summary: given the difficulty in ensuring that all students can learn new concepts at home during coronavirus pandemic, nothing new will be taught through the remainder of the school year.

Barrett Elementary Teachers Star in Music Video: “We’re Still Standing”

By ARLnow.com

Published April 1, 2020 at 12:30PM | Updated April 1, 2020 at 12:53PM

Virginia schools may be closed for the rest of the academic year, but Barrett Elementary staff members haven’t gone anywhere.

UPDATED: Arlington Plans for Entirely Online End to the School Year

By Vernon Miles

Published March 25, 2020 at 5:00PM | Updated March 26, 2020 at 10:53AM

A student looks at an iPad (file photo)

Arlington Public Schools, now in its second week of students staying home due to the coronavirus pandemic, is working to determine what the rest of the school year will look like.

Monday’s announcement by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam means that APS will be closed for the remainder of the academic year, with educational activities continuing to be held online.

Washington-Liberty High School Principal to Retire

By ARLnow.com

Published March 20, 2020 at 9:35AM

Dr. Gregg Robertson, the beloved principal of Washington-Liberty High School, is retiring at the end of the school year.

With students out until at least the end of spring break as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Robertson made the announcement yesterday via email. He said he is retiring to go back to teaching, this time at the college level.

APS to Offer Grab-and-Go Meals During Closure

By ARLnow.com

Published March 15, 2020 at 12:15PM | Updated March 23, 2020 at 9:50PM

Kenmore Middle School (photo via APS)

Update at 3/23/20 — The number of meal distribution locations has been expanded to five.

Earlier: Arlington Public Schools will be offering free breakfasts and lunches to those who need them during the month-long school closure.

APS Grapples with Wakefield Water Problems

By ARLnow.com

Published March 12, 2020 at 11:45AM

The timing could hardly be worse: during the coronavirus outbreak, as people are urged to frequently wash their hands, Wakefield High School is experiencing water pressure issues in bathrooms.

Emails sent to parents and staff report occasional but recurring water pressure problems that affect second and third floor bathrooms in particular. We’re told the issues cropped up again earlier this week.

School Board Faces $27 Million Budget Gap Despite Rise in Revenue

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2020 at 2:40PM | Updated February 26, 2021 at 4:24PM

Arlington County may have opted to keep the tax rate steady, or even cut it, but the Arlington Public Schools (APS) says it still needs to find a way to bridge at least a portion of a $27.6 million budget gap.

In total, Interim Superintendent Cintia Johnson’s budget comes out to $725.9 million in expenditures and only $698.4 million in revenue, assuming the transfer from the county to the school system remains as proposed by County Manager Mark Schwartz.

Yorktown High School Closed Due to Power Issue

By ARLnow.com

Published February 28, 2020 at 9:30AM

Yorktown High School students are enjoying a three-day weekend thanks to a power issue at the school.

An internal breaker blew, shutting off power to most of the building, according to Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia. APS is awaiting delivery of a part to fix the issue, and expects power to be restored by this afternoon.

JUST IN: APS to Close for Super Tuesday Primary

By ARLnow.com

Published February 25, 2020 at 9:00PM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 2:06PM

Voting underway at Abingdon Elementary (staff file photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 9:15 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools will close next Tuesday, March 3, due to the primary elections.

The Super Tuesday primary in Virginia is expected to draw large crowds to the polls, as voters cast ballots for the Democratic presidential nomination. With 23 schools serving as polling places, and citing the “safety and security of APS students,” the school system said it has decided to cancel classes and instead make Tuesday a teacher work day.