Arlington Public Schools | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published November 9, 2020 at 6:00AM | Updated November 9, 2020 at 8:53AM

Arlington, MoCo Hire Consultant — “Montgomery and Arlington counties have hired a consultant to develop alternatives to the flight paths at Reagan National Airport that have led to dramatic increases in noise complaints from residents across the region. ‘This will be a game changer,; said Ken Hartman… Montgomery County’s point person on the airplane noise issue.” [Washington Post]

Biden Breaks 100K Mark in Arlington — “It likely won’t be the highlight of his political career, but Joe Biden will go down in history as the first presidential candidate to win more than 100,000 votes in Arlington. Biden garnered 102,510 of them, according to unofficial tallies reported immediately after the election… Trump’s performance, both in total votes and in percentage of the vote, slightly outperformed his 2016 tally in Arlington.” [InsideNova]

Schools

APS Makes Decision Not to Participate in Winter Sports

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 6, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated November 6, 2020 at 3:59PM

A high school swimming competition in 2014 (file photo)

(Updated at 4 p.m.) While many schools in Virginia will start their winter sports seasons next month, Arlington Public Schools will not follow suit.

Some parents and a School Board member urged Superintendent Francisco Durán to reverse course on this decision during the School Board meeting held that night. They argued that other jurisdictions in Virginia — including neighboring Fairfax County — are gearing up to play sports, and that not participating harms students in the short- and long-term.

News

New Traffic Garden Teaches Kids the Rules of the Road, in Miniature

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 6, 2020 at 9:30AM

Without in-person school, play dates and activities, many kids have lost their primary sources of social interaction and exercise due to COVID-19.

But volunteers in Arlington say a new traffic garden, a space where kids can play and learn how to travel roads safely, could restore some of the lost opportunities for play.

Schools

School Reopened Wednesday for Some, Others Delayed Until 2021

By Jo DeVoe

Published November 5, 2020 at 2:00PM | Updated November 5, 2020 at 9:20PM

(Updated at 9:20 p.m.) At long last, some children in Arlington Public Schools were able to walk the halls and see their teachers.

Wednesday was the first day of in-person school for about 230 children with disabilities in 33 APS buildings and programs, and administrators were happy to see them back. The day went smoothly, from health and safety protocols to transportation and technology operating as planned, said Superintendent Francisco Durán.

Schools

JUST IN: No Return to Classrooms in 2020 for Most APS Students

By ARLnow.com

Published November 2, 2020 at 6:25PM | Updated November 2, 2020 at 10:33PM

Arlington Public Schools headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:30 p.m.) Most Arlington Public Schools students will not return to classrooms until 2021.

Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán announced today that the planned “Level 2” return for younger and technical education students “will pause through the remainder of this calendar year.” On the other hand, the “Level 1” return for students with disabilities will proceed as planned this coming Wednesday.

Opinion

Ed Talk: Separate But Equitable

By Maura McMahon

Published October 30, 2020 at 3:05PM

To paraphrase The La’s, “There they go! There they go again!”

APS has again embarked on an elementary boundary process that dismisses student demographics, one of the six guiding principles in APS’ boundary policy. This isn’t surprising. But it is disheartening that APS’ new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO), Arron Gregory, supports APS’ approach.

Schools

Group Organizes Against School Bond, Say APS Reopening Takes Priority

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 30, 2020 at 11:55AM | Updated October 30, 2020 at 12:23PM

A group of Arlington Public Schools parents has organized to vote ‘no’ on the $52.65 million school bond.

In recent days Vote No Arlington launched a last-minute online campaign against the county’s 2020 public school bond, to voice their frustration with how APS is handling the return to school.

Schools

DEVELOPING: APS Return to School Plan Hits Snag

By ARLnow.com

Published October 27, 2020 at 8:45PM

Arlington Public Schools headquarters (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

While students with disabilities are still set to return to classrooms next week, further return-to-school phases are now on hold.

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán made the announcement in an email to families Tuesday evening.

Schools

Survey: A Majority of APS Teachers Prefer Remote Teaching for Now

By Jo DeVoe

Published October 26, 2020 at 11:00AM | Updated October 26, 2020 at 11:28AM

A 61% majority of Arlington Public Schools teachers prefer to continue distance teaching or telework, according to a survey recently conducted by APS.

Almost 4,300 employees, or 63% of APS staff, completed the survey. Teachers and assistants had the highest participation rates, 87% and 86% respectively, and while teachers had a stronger preference for distance learning over in-person teaching, assistants were split 50-50.

Schools

APS Likely to Add Four New Holidays Next School Year

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2020 at 3:35PM | Updated October 22, 2020 at 4:29PM

The Arlington Public Schools Syphax Education Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools is set to add four non-Christian religious holidays to its calendar during the next school year.

The school system is currently surveying families, community members and employees about the draft calendar, which calls for a school year that starts on Aug. 23 and runs through June 17.

News

Remote Schooling Is Causing Employee Burnout, Arlington Firm Says

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2020 at 11:45AM

Working parents are increasingly feeling burnout from juggling a job and remote schooling, according to a new survey commissioned by an Arlington-based consulting firm.

“A new national poll of the U.S. workforce indicates that 65 percent of employees with children in remote learning situations are feeling burnout,” said a press release from Crystal City-based Eagle Hill Consulting.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 22, 2020 at 6:00AM

Crystal City Parking Lot Staying Put — “Crystal City has been a scalding hot market for new development ever since Amazon.com Inc. moved in — but one well-positioned lot will continue to sit empty for the foreseeable future. Gould Property Co., which owns a small parking lot at 2661 S. Clark St., filed a request with Arlington County last month asking for permission to maintain the property as surface parking through early 2026.” [Washington Business Journal]

Westover Apartment Building Named — “Kathleen Sibert, who led the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) from 2008 until earlier this year, will remain a permanent part of the organization through a facility named in her honor… Located in Westover, Sibert House is designed to provide permanent-supportive housing and a foundation to help individuals achieve better health, overcome substance abuse and mental illness, obtain job security, and attain their goals.” [InsideNova]