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Williamsburg Middle School Principal Gordon Laurie Resigns

Published March 13, 2017 at 4:45PM

Williamsburg Middle School (photo via APS)

Tipsters reported that Laurie had not been seen in school since February 24, and that earlier this morning they spotted that his office had been cleaned out. The tipsters mentioned that rumors were swirling about the reason for his departure.

In a letter this afternoon to Williamsburg parents, students and staff, Superintendent Patrick Murphy said Laurie has resigned for personal reasons after 15 years with APS. An APS spokesman did not elaborate on the exact reasons behind Laurie’s resignation.

Late Night for Parents Trying to Sign Up for APS Extended Day Program

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2017 at 9:00AM

Extended Day registration opens at midnight on March 1, meaning that those fighting for a spot in the popular program stayed up late trying to register — until APS finally notified parents that it was closing the registration indefinitely until the problems can be fixed.

The issues occurred less than 12 hours after the Arlington County website went down due to technical issues that affected numerous sites around the web on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear if the Extended Day glitch was related.

Arlington School Bus Collides With Car in Dominion Hills

By Chris Teale

Published February 28, 2017 at 3:50PM

A car and an Arlington County school bus carrying students collided Tuesday afternoon near Upton Hill Regional Park.

A red SUV and the school bus collided just after 3 p.m. at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and Patrick Henry Drive. Neither vehicle appeared to sustain much damage other than a few small dents and scratches.

Yorktown Discrimination Allegations Prompt ‘Record’ Public Comments at School Board Meeting

By Tim Regan

Published February 23, 2017 at 10:15AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USIbfgnRwTk

Dozens of students, teachers and community members spoke at the Feb. 16 Arlington School Board meeting, many voicing concern about incidents of intolerance at Yorktown High School.

The Children’s School Plots Move, Possibly Parting Ways With Integration Station

By Tim Regan

Published February 17, 2017 at 11:00AM | Updated February 17, 2017 at 11:35AM

The Children's School's current home in Ballston (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) A co-op child care center for Arlington Public School employees has plans to move to a new space in Ballston, possibly splitting it up from a special needs program it has long integrated with.

The Children’s School’s board of directors this week signed a letter of intent to relocate its program to 4420 N. Fairfax Drive for the 2017-2018 school year.

Yorktown Principal Announces Retirement

By Tim Regan

Published February 16, 2017 at 11:30AM | Updated February 16, 2017 at 11:57AM

Pasi announced his plans in a recent email to parents.

“As you might imagine, this has not been an easy decision to make,” he wrote in his email. “I have given it serious thought, however, and after 20 years here in Arlington as the Yorktown principal, and nine years as a principal elsewhere before coming here, I believe the time is right.”

APS Considering Locations for New High School

By Tim Regan

Published February 15, 2017 at 4:55PM

Tier two: Reed site in Westover

Arlington County’s new public high school could end up at one of nine proposed sites.

Arlington Public Schools is scheduled to hold a joint meeting with its Advisory Committee on Instruction (ACI) and Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital (FAC) programs tonight (Wednesday) to share options in consideration for the new school. The meeting, to be held at the Syphax Center at 7 p.m., is part of a four-month process to determine the instructional focus of the school.

Yorktown Principal’s Letter Regarding Sign Issue

By ARLnow.com

Published February 14, 2017 at 5:45PM

While the “Patriots Know” signs remain up in classrooms, according to an Arlington Public Schools spokesman, Pasi apologized for the “distress” the issue — which has received national attention from conservative media — may have caused.

“We sincerely regret any distress this may have caused our students, parents or anyone in the Yorktown community,” Pasi wrote. “We want our focus to continue to be instruction, while at the same time providing a safe and supportive environment for discussion, consistent with the YHS and APS mission, vision and core values.”

Video: Yorktown Student Talks About Sign Controversy on Fox News

By ARLnow.com

Published February 14, 2017 at 11:20AM | Updated February 14, 2017 at 5:51PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEArGmAjJg4

The controversy over a sign posted by teachers at Yorktown High School has taken an even bigger national stage.

FCC Commissioner Questions APS Backup Fiber System Plan

By ARLnow.com

Published February 13, 2017 at 4:15PM

Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, a Republican appointed by President Obama, says the APS plan, first reported by ARLnow.com, is an example of wasteful “overbuilding” under the federal E-rate program.

E-rate is funded via Universal Service Fund fees and is intended to make “telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries in America.”

Glebe Elementary Closed Due to Power Outage

By ARLnow.com

Published February 13, 2017 at 11:30AM

Glebe Elementary students were bused to Washington-Lee High School this morning after a power outage closed the school.

The school sent the following letter to families.

APS Beginning Planning Process for New High School

By ARLnow.com

Published February 10, 2017 at 10:00AM

That’s according to the Arlington Public Schools website, which details a planning process that will soon be kicking off for the new school.

A four-month process is planned to determine the instructional focus of the school, concluding in June with a staff recommendation to the School Board. Via APS: