Schools | ARLnow.com

Arlington SAT and ACT Scores Rise, Bucking National Trend

Published September 4, 2015 at 11:40AM

APS reported Thursday that its average SAT score in 2015 rose 27 points, to 1,680. The average score on the ACT, another standardized test, also rose.

“I am extremely proud of these results and appreciate the team effort and close collaboration by everyone to support our students,” Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy said in a press release. “In recent years, we have focused on academic planning through our Aspire2Excellence efforts, and it is clear that our students are stretching themselves in their academic choices as they move toward future college and career pursuits.”

Registration Open for After School Girls Running Program

By Heather Mongilio

Published August 26, 2015 at 11:00AM

Arlington students can now sign up for an after-school running program that helps build character.

Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia aims to help girls in third through eighth grades become more confident while also preparing them for a 5K run.

School Board Approves Salary Bump for Superintendent

By ARLnow.com

Published August 24, 2015 at 3:55PM

The Arlington School Board quietly and unanimously approved the raise at its Aug. 13 meeting. Labeled “Superintendent Salary Adjustment,” with no associated report online, the item was approved without further discussion as part of the Board’s consent agenda.

Murphy’s annual salary will increase by two percent, from $223,242.50 to $227,707.35, as a result of the vote. Murphy oversees a school system with more than 25,000 students and a $556 million annual budget.

Ashlawn Elementary to Face Parking Shortage for School Year

By Heather Mongilio

Published August 24, 2015 at 11:35AM | Updated August 24, 2015 at 5:57PM

(Updated at 5:55 p.m.) Ashlawn Elementary School is facing a lack of faculty parking after its parking contract with the Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association was not renewed this year.

The contract between Dominion Hills and Ashlawn allowed the school to lease parking spaces in the pool’s parking lot.

Preliminary Renderings of New H-B Woodlawn Building Released

By Heather Mongilio

Published August 17, 2015 at 12:35PM

Wilson Blvd entrance rendering (Via APS)

The new Wilson School, future home of the H-B Woodlawn and Stratford programs, will be a multi-story building with fanning terraces and more shared spaces.

The idea behind the new building was to use space as effectively as possible, and the project team and architects behind the new school kept the needs of both programs in mind with the new design, said Sean Franklin, a designer with BIG, one of the architecture firms behind the project.

More Challenges for Drew Elementary Following Principal’s Resignation

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 16, 2015 at 4:55PM

Drew Model Elementary School Principal Darryl Evans has resigned, citing family reasons and a desire to seek a job closer to home.

Evans led Drew Model for one year after coming to the school in the summer of 2014 after former principal Jacqueline Smith retired following a driving-under-the-influence arrest.

Barrett Elementary Starts Program to Promote Summer Reading

By Mariah Joyce

Published July 8, 2015 at 4:45PM

During the checkout hour, volunteers read stories to the children (courtesy photo)

Parents and teachers at Barrett Elementary have started a weekly outdoor library to encourage kids to keep reading during their vacation.

The program, Barret Book Blast, was created by the Family and Community Engagement committee at Barrett Elementary as a way to combat the seemingly inevitable “summer slide” in reading comprehension.

APS Mobile App May Be Saved from Budget Cuts

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 8, 2015 at 3:45PM

Despite budget cuts, Arlington Public Schools may get to keep its mobile app after all.

The school system originally planned to cut the app on July 1, in order to shrink its budget. The app cost about $12,000 a year to maintain, said Linda Erdos, APS assistant superintendent.

APS Equips Buses with ‘Stop Sign’ Cameras

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 8, 2015 at 1:45PM

Blowing past a school bus with its stop sign extended may result in a $250 ticket, if the driver is caught by one of Arlington Public Schools’ newly-installed cameras.

Some APS buses are now equipped with cameras to help police officers catch drivers who do not stop when a bus extends its stop sign. APS operates 165 buses to transport about 10,000 kids a day, said Dave McCrae, APS director of Transportation.

APS Adds Gender Identity to Nondiscrimination Policy

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 1, 2015 at 1:30PM | Updated July 1, 2015 at 5:38PM

The language is intended to prevent discrimination and harassment against transgender individuals.

The School Board also voted to ensure that all of its employment policies include protection against discrimination based on disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status and national origin.

School Board Funds Teacher Training for iPad, Laptop Initiative

By Heather Mongilio

Published June 30, 2015 at 12:30PM | Updated June 30, 2015 at 1:50PM

The funding was approved after an amendment to stop it failed one to four.

The professional development will help teachers be able to better incorporate digital tools, such as laptops or iPads, in lesson plans. It is part of the Arlington Public Schools’ digital learning initiative, which has the goal of equipping children in second to eighth grades with an iPad and high school students with Macbook Airs.

APS to Consider Adding Gender Identity to Nondiscrimination Policy

By ARLnow.com

Published June 30, 2015 at 10:30AM | Updated June 30, 2015 at 12:10PM

The proposal is on the School Board’s consent agenda for its meeting tomorrow morning. The policy would prevent Arlington Public Schools from discriminating against transgender individuals in its hiring process.

“The School Board seeks to employ highly qualified, well trained and committed teachers, administrators and support personnel to fill vacancies, without regard to race, national origin, creed, color, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, and/or disability,” the proposed policy states.