Schools | ARLnow.com

Murphy Proposes Budget With $13.6 Million Funding Gap

Published February 19, 2015 at 5:00PM

Murphy’s proposal, which he will present to the Arlington School Board tonight (Thursday), calls for a total of $561.1 million of spending, a $21.7 million or 4 percent increase over FY 2015.

With a projected enrollment bump of 1,413 students next fall, Murphy’s budget calls for a $14.6 million spending increase just to handle the increased capacity, plus another $3.2 million to open Discovery Elementary School in north Arlington. Murphy also included $8.1 million in teacher step pay increases, a directive from the School Board.

APS to Open On Two Hour Delay Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published February 17, 2015 at 10:15PM

Arlington Public Schools will open on a two hour delay Wednesday, the school system announced tonight (Tuesday.)

From APS, via email:

Dozens of Students Sent Home from Barcroft With Stomach Bug

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 17, 2015 at 1:05PM | Updated February 17, 2015 at 4:42PM

The contagion prompted school officials to cancel after-school activities on Friday, including a PTA-sponsored “Sweetheart Dance.” Students were sent home with a letter on Friday advising parents on how to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal illness.

“This communication is being sent to let you know that Public Health has been receiving an increase in reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness in members of the Barcroft school community,” the letter reads. “If your child develops vomiting or diarrhea, we recommend that you keep your child home for 24 hours after the symptoms stop before sending your child back to school.”

Federal Gov’t, Arlington Public Schools Closed Tuesday

By ARLnow.com

Published February 16, 2015 at 9:15PM | Updated February 16, 2015 at 10:06PM

“All Arlington Public Schools and Offices will be closed on Tue, Feb. 17,” APS said in an email. “Essential personnel are to report to work at their scheduled time. Extracurricular activities, interscholastic games, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”

All APS pools will also be closed on Tuesday.

School Board Plans More Meetings, Engagement in Wake of TJ Decision

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 6, 2015 at 3:15PM

In response the Arlington County Board’s decision to say “not now” to APS’ plan to build a new elementary school next to Thomas Jefferson Middle School, the School Board delivered a joint statement last night, agreeing to work with the county to find creative solutions to fit the hundreds of new students coming to the county every year.

“We appreciate the County Board’s commitment to partnering with the School Board to provide a minimum of 725 new elementary school seats in South Arlington not later than the start of school in September 2018, using a combination of interim and permanent solutions,” the School Board’s statement reads. “This commitment increases the variety of options available. The County Board has offered to provide technical support to identify and evaluate County buildings and private commercial spaces that might help meet our capacity needs on an interim basis.”

APS: 100 Students Aren’t Vaccinated

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 3, 2015 at 3:30PM

The number represents only 0.4 percent of the 24,529 students currently enrolled in APS. There are only two reasons a student is allowed to attend school without receiving proper immunizations: medical or religious reasons.

“For a medical exemption, a letter must be written from a licensed medical provider stating specifically from which immunizations a child is exempt,” Arlington School Health Bureau Chief Marian Harmon said in an email. “For a religious exemption, the parent must complete the religious exemption form for immunizations and have it notarized.”

County Board Rejection of TJ Elementary School Leaves APS Scrambling

By Ethan Rothstein

Published January 28, 2015 at 5:40PM | Updated January 28, 2015 at 8:16PM

A County Board vote Tuesday night threatens to turn elementary schools south of Route 50 into virtual trailer parks — as Arlington Public Schools administrators scramble to come up with ideas, studies and public support for new school construction.

The County Board voted 4-1 to say “not now,” to the School Board’s request to build a new elementary school on county-owned land next to Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Libby Garvey, a former School Board chair, cast the dissenting vote.

APS to Students: Stop Being Mean to Us on Twitter

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2015 at 11:00AM

Yesterday @APSVirginia tweeted a “friendly reminder” for those mentioning it in tweets to “be respectful.”

“We remove followers who don’t,” the school system said. “Our technology policies apply in the Twitterverse.”

APS to Open on Two Hour Delay

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2015 at 7:05AM

Arlington Public Schools are opening on a two hour delay this morning due to concerns about icy conditions.

From APS:

TV Meteorologist Gets in Twitter Fight with APS

By ARLnow.com

Published January 12, 2015 at 1:00AM | Updated January 12, 2015 at 10:24AM

Arlington Public Schools has yet to announce any sort of delay Monday, despite concerns about freezing rain.

ABC 7 meteorologist Steve Rudin doesn’t think that’s such a good idea.

APS To Open on Two Hour Delay, Again

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2015 at 7:45PM

With Arlington and the D.C. region under a Wind Chill Advisory, the two hour delay on Thursday is intended to help protect students from the extreme cold.

APS issued the following statement about the decision tonight.

Arlington Schools to Open Two Hours Late Wednesday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 6, 2015 at 9:40PM

School bus stuck in the snow, January 2015 (staff photo)

Arlington Public Schools will open on a two hour delay tomorrow (Wednesday).

APS says predicted frigid temperatures may cause a refreeze on roads and sidewalks overnight, making driving and walking dangerous. The delay comes after APS was roundly criticized for opening on time this morning, in the midst of a snow storm.