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Students Walk Out of School to Protest Gun Violence

Published March 14, 2018 at 11:05AM | Updated March 14, 2018 at 12:09PM

Washington-Lee student walkout on March 14

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Students at Arlington’s high schools walked out of class Wednesday morning to protest gun violence in the wake of the Parkland, Florida mass school shooting.

The 10 a.m. walkout was planned nationally, on the one month anniversary of the shooting, and in Arlington it was the second such protest in as many months. Washington-Lee, Yorktown, Wakefield, Langston and H-B Woodlawn were among the schools participating. Students at Kenmore Middle School also walked out, according to the school’s Twitter account.

UPDATE: Wakefield Falls Just Short in Basketball State Championship

By ARLnow.com

Published March 8, 2018 at 4:35PM | Updated March 8, 2018 at 6:00PM

Update at 5:55 p.m. — Despite leading for much of the game, Wakefield ended up falling just short to Varina, 64-60.

We love our boys. They just lost 64-60, Varina. We are 2nd place in the State Championship. The boys have to be part of the ceremony. Takes strength to fix your face and take that trophy. pic.twitter.com/t8FGX2nu0b

Yorktown High School Modifications Set For Approval

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 7, 2018 at 3:45PM

Yorktown High School modification plan presentation slide

The final design of Yorktown High School modifications that will increase the building’s capacity to 2,189 seats is set to be approved at the Arlington School Board meeting on Thursday (March 8).

Per the plan, at least six classrooms will be created by converting a computer lab, a computer alcove, and several teacher work rooms. A copy room will turn into a new “teacher collaboration space,” and other teacher work space and offices will also be reconfigured.

BREAKING: Arlington Schools, Federal Gov’t Closed Due to Wind Storm

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2018 at 5:20AM | Updated March 2, 2018 at 6:31AM

(Updated at 6:30 a.m.) Arlington Public Schools are closed today (Friday) due to weather concerns.

Elementary and middle schools were already scheduled to be closed due to parent-teacher conferences, but those conferences have been cancelled, as have “extracurricular activities, interscholastic games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds.”

Police Investigating Threat at Yorktown High School

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2018 at 9:55AM | Updated March 1, 2018 at 1:00PM

Police at Yorktown High School (file photo)

Update at 1 p.m. — Arlington County Police have issued a statement about the investigation via Twitter.

Yesterday, the police department was alerted to a potential threat of violence posted in a restroom at Yorktown High School. Police immediately began investigating the incident and at this time have determined that there are no credible threats to the safety of the school, (1/2)

APS Superintendent: Only One More Excused Walkout

By ARLnow.com

Published February 27, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated February 27, 2018 at 3:02PM

(Updated at 3 p.m.) With more school walkouts planned, Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy is drawing the line on excused absences for student protests

Murphy sent an email to parents today, following a walkout by high school students last week to protest gun violence and gun policies. Murphy said APS will allow and grant excused absences for another national walkout planned for March 14, but will mark unexcused any student who walks out for the entire day on April 20, as apparently is being planned, without parental permission in advance.

Class Sizes Would Increase Under Proposed APS Budget

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published February 23, 2018 at 9:45AM | Updated February 23, 2018 at 10:12AM

Class sizes at Arlington Public Schools may increase as the school system continues to see rising enrollment.

Superintendent Patrick Murphy proposed a fiscal year 2019 budget of $636.7 million at Thursday’s School Board meeting. That’s an increase of 3.8 percent from the 2018 budget, lower than the 5.4 percent increase from 2017 in to 2018. Murphy said APS is facing the same budget pressures as the county, which is projecting only a modest increase in tax revenue.

APS Superintendent: ‘Safety Is Always a Top Priority’

By ARLnow.com

Published February 22, 2018 at 3:50PM

That’s the message from APS Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy, in a letter to students, staff and parents.

In the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, Murphy noted that “all staff are trained on… situations involving an active shooter.”

Students Stage Walkouts At Arlington High Schools

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published February 21, 2018 at 2:45PM | Updated February 21, 2018 at 4:27PM

Student walkout at Wakefield High School in support of gun control legislation

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) Arlington high school students walked out of class Wednesday at about noon, joining nationwide protesters responding to a recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

Wakefield High School students made their way to the athletic stadium for a rally in favor of stricter gun control laws during a 30 minute class walkout. Administrators agreed to consider the walkout an excused absence, according to several Wakefield students.

Hospitalized Yorktown High School Student Has Died

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published February 16, 2018 at 5:15PM

Police at Yorktown High School (file photo)

The Yorktown High School student rushed to the hospital last Friday died Thursday night. An Arlington Public Schools spokesman confirmed the death.

Police remained at the high school on Friday after the student was found unresponsive in a bathroom at approximately 9 a.m. Initial reports indicated that the injuries were self-inflicted.

Taylor Elementary Teacher Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Possession

By ARLnow.com

Published February 13, 2018 at 6:35PM | Updated February 14, 2018 at 4:44PM

Luke Lloyd of Fairfax, Va. entered the plea Tuesday morning before Arlington General District Court Judge Frances O’Brien. He was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail, with 20 days suspended. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, pay a $500 fine and complete substance abuse treatment, we’re told.

Lloyd began serving the net ten day sentence on Friday. Most first-time marijuana offenders walk free, but Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos said her office pushed for a stiffer sentence.

UPDATED: Yorktown High School Student Rushed to Hospital

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published February 9, 2018 at 11:05AM | Updated February 18, 2018 at 2:56AM

Police at Yorktown High School (file photo)

Update at 4 p.m. — Arlington County Police released the following press release Friday afternoon.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on February 9, police responded to Yorktown High School for the report of a CPR in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that a student was located unresponsive in a restroom. Arlington County Fire Department medics transported the student to Virginia Hospital Center in critical condition. [Redacted]