Schools | ARLnow.com

APS Projected to Surpass 30K Students by 2022 Amid ‘Unprecedented’ Growth

Published February 5, 2016 at 3:50PM | Updated February 5, 2016 at 4:56PM

The number of PreK-12 students enrolled in Arlington Public Schools is expected to surpass 30,000 in 2022 after steadily rising for years, according to APS in its newly released enrollment report.

School officials say 25,238 students were enrolled as of Sept. 30, 2015, the first time since 1969 that APS has reached the 25,000 student milestone. By 2017, the school projects 27,491 students will have enrolled, an increase of 4.5 percent over the previous year. And steady growth continues from there: The school says its student body will grow by at least 2.5 percent until the 2021-2022 school year, when it’s expected to surpass 30,700 students.

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Backpack Mail’ at Arlington Public Schools Going Paperless

By ARLnow.com

Published February 5, 2016 at 11:05AM

The so-called backpack mail for parents of elementary and middle school students is being phased out in favor of an electronic system, following a successful pilot program, according to APS spokesman Frank Bellavia.

The system, called Peachjar, is specifically designed for schools. It sends electronic flyers to parents’ email inboxes, thus cutting costs and staff time that would otherwise be spent making paper copies and distributing them.

Could APS Students Telecommute During Snow Days?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2016 at 10:45AM

Care-free snow days, however, could eventually become a thing of the past.

APS is likely, in the near future, to consider the idea of having students “telecommute” from home when school is cancelled. They would do so from their school-issued computers — APS is in the process of outfitting every high school student with a Macbook Air and every second- through eighth-grader with an iPad.

Arlington Public Schools to Remain Closed Friday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 28, 2016 at 11:30AM | Updated January 28, 2016 at 1:16PM

School offices will be open on time but students will not have classes, APS said. The last school day for students was Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The last time APS students had this many days off in a row as a result of weather? During the “Snowmageddon” blizzard of 2010.

Arlington Public Schools to Remain Closed Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2016 at 5:40PM

The school system made the announcement around 5:30 p.m.

Students are now entering their second week off; schools have been closed since last Thursday. Students have a scheduled off day on Monday due to a teacher grade preparation day.

Arlington Public Schools to Remain Closed Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 25, 2016 at 3:10PM

Students last attended classes this past Wednesday, Jan. 20, before schools were closed on Thursday due to Wednesday night’s snowfall and traffic disaster. Schools remained closed Friday, in anticipation of the weekend blizzard, and have remained closed since.

School offices will be closed Tuesday, but may reopen Wednesday, APS said.

Video: Wakefield Nails Buzzer Beater to Remain Undefeated

By ARLnow.com

Published January 13, 2016 at 9:25AM

The proof is in the pudding! Parks with game winner! 42-41 over Marshall – Boom! pic.twitter.com/OO4C5vqvWZ

— Wakefield Warriors (@WakeAthletics) January 13, 2016

School Activist Running for Arlington School Board

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2016 at 9:45AM | Updated January 7, 2016 at 11:09AM

Tannia Talento announced her candidacy at last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.

A first-generation immigrant from Guatemala, Talento and her husband, Gary, currently have two children in Washington-Lee High School.

UPDATE: County Board Approves Thomas Jefferson Site for New School

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 15, 2015 at 3:45PM | Updated December 16, 2015 at 10:56AM

Update at 10:45 a.m. — The Thomas Jefferson site has been approved. From Arlington County:

At its Dec. 15 Recessed County Board Meeting, the Arlington County Board voted 5-0 to approve the use of the northwest portion of the Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Community Center site (currently a parking lot) as the site for a new south Arlington elementary school. the Board’s action came in response to the Arlington Public School Board’s request that the site be approved.

APS to Host Summit on Sexual Violence in High Schools on Saturday

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 12:15PM

Arlington Public Schools is hosting the SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else) National Summit at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street) this Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m.

SafeBAE is a virtual organization that is focused on students by raising awareness about sexual assault and educating them about their rights under Title IX to prevent dating violence. Its programs are designed to give students resources and skills to advocate for consent and safe relationship education.

Yorktown to Offer Spring PSAT for Students With Disabilities Following Federal Complaint

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 1, 2015 at 6:00PM

Typically taken by high school sophomores and juniors, the PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. Those with do exceptionally well could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and win college tuition money.

Michelle Buehlmann filed the federal complaint in early October after her daughter was unable to take the PSAT earlier this fall.

School Board Approves Stratford Middle School Design

By Jennifer Currier

Published November 18, 2015 at 1:30PM

The Arlington School Board approved the proposed design for the forthcoming Stratford Middle School in Cherrydale at its meeting Monday night.

The project includes an addition to and renovation of the existing building at 4100 N. Vacation Lane. The building is currently home to the H-B Woodlawn and Stratford programs, which will be moving to the new Wilson School in Rosslyn once both projects are complete.