[00:00:03] >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. [1. Meeting Called to Order by Chair Alderton] I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:04 P.M. WELCOME TO THIS VIRTUAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON MAY 6TH, 2021. I'M GOING TO READ THIS INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC. ON MARCH 12TH, 2020 VIRGINIA GOVERNOR RALPH NORTHAM DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO COVID 19 PANDEMIC. AS A RESULT THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD ELECTRONICALLY PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 2.2-3708 FOR PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FOR TH CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ITS LAWFUL PURPOSES DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. ALL MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE PARTICIPATING VIA ZOOM WITH FOUR MEMBERS IN PERSON AND THE BOARD MEETING ROOM. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REMAIN VIRTUAL AND MAY BE ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC TO THE LIVE BROADCAST ON COMCAST CHANNEL 71 IN ALEXANDRIA. THROUGH THE LIVE STREAM ON ACPS WEBSITE OR VIA ZOOM BY FOLLOWING THE LINK POSTED AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA. ALL RIGHT. LET'S MAKE SURE WE'LL SEE WHO IS HERE. ONE ABSENT. ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA FOR MAY 6TH, 2021. HOWEVER, WE WANT MOVE -- OKAY. MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE WE ADOPT THE AGENDA FOR MAY 6TH. >> I WILL REORDER IT FIRST. I DO WANT TO CHECK, THOUGH, MADAM CLERK -- WE DON'T NEED TO DO AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA. WE'RE JUST REORDERING. >> JUST REORDERING IT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> JUST WANTED TO CHECK. OKAY SO I WILL REORDER THE AGENDA AT THIS MOMENT. I MOVE THE ITEM, CLASS OF 2021 IN PERSON COMMENCEMENT TO AFTER THE CONSENT [2. Adopt the Agenda for the May 6, 2021 School Board Meeting] CALENDAR. OKAY. NOW I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. >> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE WE ADOPT THE AGENDA FOR MAY 6TH. >> I THINK THAT WAS MISS LORBER. I WILL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE. YES. ONE ABSENT. OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO GO INTO A CLOSED MEETING AT THIS TIME. [3. Closed Meeting] SO I DO NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO THIS MEETING AND DO I HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ABLE TO DO THAT? >> YES. MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THE BOARD CONVENE CLOSED MEETING FOR CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND BRIEFING BY STAFF MEMBERS O CONSULTANT PERTAINING TO [4. Certification of Closed Meeting] ACTUAL OR PROBABLE LITIGATION FOR SUCH CONSULTATION BRIEFING WOULD EFFECT THE NEGOTIATING OR LITIGATING POSTURE OF THE BOARD SPECIFICALLY THE BOARD WILL BE DISCUSSING THE SETTLEMENT MATTER. >> SECOND. >> OKAY. I HAVE MR. SUAREZ WHO SECOND MISS GENTRY'S MOTION. [00:05:07] AND WE WILL GO INTO CLOSED. >> PURSUANT TO CODE I MOVE THE BOARD CERTIFY TO BEST OF EACH MEMBERS KNOWLEDGE [5. Observe a Moment of Silence] ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MEMBERS IDENTIFIED BY THE CLOSED MEETING WAS CON FEASTED BY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION HEARD DISCUSSED OR CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD IN IS CLOSED MEETING HELD ON MAY 6TH, 2021. >> SECOND. >> GREAT I HAVE MISS GREENE WHO SECONDS MISS GENTRY'S VOTE. AND ONE ABSENT. WE MOVE ON WE WILL HAVE A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE. [SILENCE] >> OKAY. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO COMMUNICATIONS AND ADDRESSES TO THE BOARD. AND WE ARE GOING TO NOW RECOGNIZE OUR ACPS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, TEACHER OF THE [6. Recognition of ACPS Principal of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Member of the Year] YEAR AND STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DR. HUTCHINGS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH MADAM CHAIR. AND WE ARE SO EXCITED, ONE, TO HAVE ALL OF OUR PEOPLE OF THE YEAR HERE WITH US TODAY. AND WE'RE GOING TO START OFF WITH OUR PRINCIPAL OF THE KORET PETERS. WE WILL READ AN OVERVIEW OF PETERS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AND PRINCIPAL AT FRANCIS C. HAMMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE 2020, 2021ACPS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR HONOREE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MISS PERRETTE PETERS. SHE'S IN SIXTH YEAR AS PRINCIPAL OF HAMMOND AND THE KNOWN AS STUDENT FOCUS LEADER WHO IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A SAFE, WELCOMING AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL. HIM AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE SARAH MURPHY SAID MISS PETERS IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL BECAUSE SHE SHOWS EVERYONE HOW TO BEHAVE AND ACT IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT. SHE IS VERY RESPECTFUL TO STAFF, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. MISS PETERS LOOKS TO EMPOWER OTHERS AND BUILD OTHERS CONFIDENCE. AND I HAVE TO SAY PERSONALLY, MISS PETERS DEMONSTRATES THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER A PART OF OUR TEAM. AND TO BE AS -- TO LEAD AS THE -- I WAS GOING TO SAY SUPERINTENDENT. GAVE YOU PROMOTION MISS PETERS. >> YOU CAN SPEAK THAT INTO EXISTENCE. >> I KNOW YOUR ASPIRATION. SUPERINTENDENT IN THE MAKING. BUT SHE CONTINUES TO BE THE EPITOME OF WHAT WE CALL VISION, INTEGRITY AND PASSION IN REGARDS TO PRINCIPALS HERE IN ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO MISS PETERS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FEW THANK YOUS. I KNOW I SAID QUITE A FEW THANK YOU WHEN YOU CAME AND GAY ME THAT AWARD. THERE'S ONE PERSON THAT I DID WANT COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT I DID WANT TO THANK PERSONALLY. DEFINITELY THE SCHOOL BOARD, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED ME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSISTENCY. JUST ALLOWING ME TO REMAIN AT HAMMOND AND THE CONSISTENCE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE. BUT AT THE TIME DR. MAN WASN'T THERE. I DOESN'T HAVE TO GIVE HIM SOME KUDOS. HE'S SUPPORTED ME THREE MY EVOLUTION AT HAMMOND. DR. MAN YOU ALWAYS HAVE A WAY OF ASKING QUESTIONS AND PLANTING SEEDS THAT HAVE TRULY MADE ME THINK DEEP LEVEL LEADERSHIP. YOU WENT THROUGH LESSON PLANS WITH ME. GOING THROUGH CLASSROOMS WITH ME. AND YOUR SUPPORT HAS DEFINITELY HELPED ME TAKE HAMMOND FROM RECONSTITUTION AND I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER FROM RECONSTITUTION TO FULL ACCREDITATION AND YOU WERE THERE WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAYSIDE BY SIDE DEFINITELY DOING THE WORK WITH ME. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING ALL OF MY CALLS AND LISTENING TO EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW THAT TURNED HAMMOND AROUND. I SAID A LOT OF THANK YOU WHEN YOU CAME AND GAVE THE AWARD. I WANTED A SPECIAL MOMENT TO THANK DR. MAN FOR HIS SUPPORT DURING THAT TIME. [00:10:04] >> THANK YOU MISS PETERS. ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR MISS PETERS, OUR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR. >> NEXT UP WE HAVE OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR. MISS VEL MA ZEFRON. SOON TO BE ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL. I LOVE SAYING THAT. ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL. THE 2020-2021ACPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS VELMA ZEFROM. SHE'S TIRE WORKED TO ADD VALUE TO THE PROGRAM SINCE SHE STARTED IT. THE PROGRAM BEGAN WITH 70 STUDENTS IN TWO-YEAR PROGRAM AND TODAY THE PROGRAM HOSTS NEARLY 100 STUDENTS IN A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM INCEPTION, MANY OF THE STUDENTS HAVE PURSUED RELATED PROGRAMS AND COLLEGE AND HAVE ENTERED THE FILM AND MEDIA INDUSTRY AS AWARD WINNING PROFESSIONAL. WE GOT TO MEET A FEW OF THEM AT YOUR BIG REVEAL. FORMER STUDENT CHESTIN MAGUIRE REMEMBERS I FOUND A SUBJECT MATTER I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT AND COLLEGE THAT THANKS TO HER ADVICE AND GUIDANCE HELPED ME CHART A SUCCESSFUL CAREER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MISS ZEFRON AS OUR NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR HAVING THE FAITH IN ME AND OF COURSE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR PRINCIPAL, PETE. WHO WAS NOT MY PRINCIPAL BEFORE BUT ALSO ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND MENTORING ME FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS. THANKS TO ALL MY STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAVE BEEN WITH ME FOR THE PAST 21 YEARS AND WILL BE WITH ME UNTIL I DIE, I GUESS. THANK YOU, AGAIN. >> MADAM CHAIR. >> ROUND OF APPLAUSE. >> CAN I MAKE A LITTLE COMMENT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT MISS ZEFRON TAUGHT MY SON ALEX. I THINK HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST YEARS INFLUENCED HIM HIS WHOLE LIFE. SO THRILLED WHEN I SAW SHE'S GETTING THE AWARD. SHES A DEFINITELY BE ONE OF THE STARS IN HIS LIFE. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE MOMENT INTRODUCE OUR SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR MR. ALEX WINERT. ALEX WINERT KINDERGARTEN CARE PROFESSIONAL AND HE'S OUR ACPS2020-2021 SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR. WINERT HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IN HIS ROLE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPLETING MASTERS IN TEACHING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CURRIE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. BEFORE ACPS MR. WINERT WAS MENTORING AND GUIDING YOUTH THROUGH AMERICORPS AND 4-H CLUB, KINDERGARTEN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT. SAID ALEX IS COMMITTED TO WHOLE SCHOOL. ALSO HE HELPED ESTABLISH A ROBOTICS CLUB WITH OUR ART TEACHER FRANK ALSIMRANO. HE TRAVELLED WITH THE CLUB AS THEY MADE IT TO THE FINALS LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND HE HAS WORKED WITH ONE OF OUR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS MISS APRIL ROGERS TO SET UP A SUCCESSFUL MORNING RUNNING CLUB. HE WAS GIVING KID MOVING AND EXERCISING BEFORE MOST TEACHERS ARRIVED AT SCHOOL. HE'S AN ASSET TO OUR SCHOOL, AND WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM ON OUR TEAM. LET US CONGRATULATE MR. WINERT AS OUR SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR. [APPLAUSE] I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MISS RACHEL FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO WORK IN THIS CAPACITY. FOR ALL MY FELLOW EDUCATOR WHOSE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD FOR SO MANY YEARS. IT TOOK ME FOUR YEARS TO GET A JOB IN SCHOOL FOR ME THAT SEEMED LIKE ETERNITY. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FELLOW EDUCATORS. EVERY DAY I FEEL LIKE I'M PART OF A AWESOME TEAM. DOESN'T JUST MEAN WITH WORKING WITH STUDENT BUT WORKING TOGETHER WITH MY FELLOW EDUCATORS. SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. IT'S GREAT A GREAT JOURNEY SO FAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN. MR. WINERT YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT WHEN THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION JOINED US LAST WEEK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR HONOR. [00:15:02] >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR HONOREES. MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU DR. HUTCHINGS. CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, EVERYONE. I DO BELIEVE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAID THIS, BUT EVERY ONE OF THESE CELEBRATED INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED PLAQUE AND FLOWERS AT THEIR SCHOOL. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THOSE. AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE VIDEO TO SHOW. AMAZING. YES, OUR SUPER HEROES EVERY DAY. THANK YOU ALL. OKAY. [7. Public Comments] SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. EACH SPEAKER GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THE CLERK WILL TIME SPEAKERS AND THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE WHEN YOU'RE TIME HAS EXPIRED. SO IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT THIS POINT, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND USE THE RAISE HAND BUTTON SO WE CAN EASILY FIND YOU. OUR FIRST SPEAKER FOR THIS EVENING MISS ERIKA MILLMAN. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> OKAY. GOOD EVENING. THANKS FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPOKE. I WANT TO GET UNDERSTANDING OF ACPS'S PLAN FOR FILLING NEW CLASSROOM CAPACITY RESULTING FROM REDUCED SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE HEARD AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING THAT WALK-THROUGHS WERE BEING CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE CLASSROOM CAPACITY AT THREE FEET. I WATCHED THE ACPS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH EDUCATION SECRETARY AND HEARD ACPS TO OFF AS MANY FAMILIES AS POSSIBLE HYBRID EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR BY CONDUCTING TARGETED OUTREACH BASED ON THE PRIORITIZATIO MATRIX. SECRETARY CAR DONA CLOSED THE ROUND TABLE BY SAYING EVERYDAY A CHILD IS NOT IN SCHOOL IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY. HOW WILL ACPS INTEGRATE THE CONCEPT EXPRESSED IN THE ROUNDTABLE? TO WHICH EVERYONE NODDED IN AGREEMENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. IF THERE'S NEW CAPACITY AT THREE-FEET DISTANCING AND THE TARGETED OUTREACH DOES NOT FILL THOSE SEATS WILL ACPS OFFER THIS NEW CAPACITY TO EXISTING HYBRID STUDENTS? EVEN IF ACPS CAN'T OFFER TO EVERY SINGLE ONE. ACPS USE ANY INNOVATIVE METHOD TO INCREASE CAPACITY FURTHER SUCH AS OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS OR OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SPACE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF KIDS FOR WHOM VIRTUAL IS REALLY, REALLY NOT WORKING. IT IS CRITICAL TO BE EQUITABLE AND OFFERING ALL FAMILIES A CHANCE AT HYBRID THIS YEAR. IF ACPS MAKES THE BEST EFFORT THEY CAN AND THERE'S STILL CAPACITY AND TIME; IT DOESN'T SQUARE WITH THE SENTIMENT EXPRESSED TO CONCLUDE EFFORTS TO GET KIDS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE LOGISTICS WOULD BE HARD OR THE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER. [00:20:07] THERE ARE KIDS FOR WHOM VIRTUAL SO DISTRESSING AND SO UNSUCCESSFUL EVERY DAY THAT PARENT WOULD GLADLY ACCEPT ANY ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON DAYS. EVEN IF IT MEANT THAT IN-PERSON DAYS WERE NOT ALWAYS IN THE SAME A CLASS WITH THE SAME TEACHERS OR AT THE SAME LOCATION. THERE MAY NOT BE A LOT OF THESE FAMILY. BUT THE SCHOOLS KNOW WHO THEY ARE. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON THOSE KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MISS MAILMAN. MOVING ON WE HAVE MISS MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN, WHO IS A PARENT. DO WE SEE MISS MCLAUGHLIN. LET'S SEE. >> YES I DO SEE MISS MCLAUGHLIN. CAN YOU HEAR? >> I AM SPEAKING TO NIGHT TO URGE YOU TO INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS ADMINISTRATORS, READING SPECIALIST INTERVENTIONIST BEFORE INVESTING LARGE SUM OF MONEY K-2 READING CURRICULUM. ALSO TAKE SOME OF YOUR VERY PRECIOUS TIME TO LEARN SOMETHING KNEW ABOUT HOW BRAINS BECOME READING BRAINS ORRORT GRAPHIC MAPPING. THERE'S A HUGE BODY OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE CURRENTLY REFERRED AS THE SCIENCE OF READING THAT WAS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS OF EDUCATION AND TEACHER PREP PROGRAMS. THIS KNOWLEDGE IS CRITICAL FOR TEACHERS TO DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW READING HAPPENS. WITH THIS DEEPER UNDERSTANDING THEY WILL THEN BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO SUCCESSFULLY TEACH MORE KIDS TO READ. EXCELLENT TEACHER EXCEL MORE AND STUDENT FALLING OFF THE READING CLIP STOP. THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD NOT BE TIED TO ANY ONE CURRICULUM. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE. I GUARANTEE THERE'S AT LEAST ONE TEACHER IN EACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FINDING HIS OR HER WAY INTO THE SCIENCE OF READING KNOWLEDGE THAT WOULD LOVE TO CO FACILITATE A BOOK STUDY OR SERIES OF CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS VIEWING AND DISCUSSIONS. THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE AND IT IS REALLY COOL KNOWLEDGE TO GAIN. AS WE ALL KNOW AFTER THIS CRAZY YEAR ANYTHING TO OPTMIZE TEACHING AND LEARNING IS PROBABLY NECESSARY. I AM NOT TRYING TO SELL A PROGRAM. I AM BEGGING YOU THE TRULY INVEST IN YOUR TEACHERS WITH VOICES THAT BEYOND THE ILA. GIVE YOUR TEACHER THE GIFT THEY ARE TRYING TO INSTILL IN STUDENTS. THE LOVE OF LEARNING, AND CONTINUED GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE. AND PERHAPS, LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND INCLUDE CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION TEAMS IN THIS JOURNEY AS WELL. IT CONTINUES TO BE ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR OUR STUDENTS. TEACHING READING IS CERTAINLY NO EXCEPTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MISS MCLAUGHLIN. >> WE DID NOT U.S. ANY WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THIS MEETING. JUST A REMINDER IF YOU WISH TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT A MEETING, YOU CAN SPEAK OR YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT THE COMMENTS BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE MEETING. IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING WRITTEN ONES. YOU SUBMIT THEM THE DAY PRIOR. AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK YOU DO THE SAME. AND YOU CAN DO THAT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PAGE. OKAY. WE SHOULD HAVE REPORTS FROM OUR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES IF THEY ARE HERE TODAY. [8. Report from Student Representatives Lorraine Johnson and Ashley Sanchez-Viafara] HARD FOR ME TO SEE ON ZOOM. >> HELLO. >> HI, HOW ARE YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> OR GOOD EVENING, I GUESS IT'S KIND OF 6:00. BUT GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY AN EXTRA SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES ESPECIALLY MISS ZEFRON. SHE'S BEEN MY TEACHER FOR THREE YEARS. IF SHE'S STILL ON SHE'S THE ABSOLUTE BEST TEACHER IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD. AND WITHOUT HER I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE AN EXACT PICTURE OF WHAT I WANT TO DO IN LIFE AND EVERYTHING. >> AND YEAH SHE'S JUST ABSOLUTELY THE BEST AND I LOVE HER SO MUCH. WHAT WAS I GOING SAY. WE HAD DISCUSSION DAY ON MONDAY. AND ITS SO AMAZING AND SO SUCCESSFUL. WE GOT TO TAKE PICTURES WITH OUR FRIENDS. WE GOT TO -- WE HAD OUR DECISION DAY SHIRTS. [00:25:01] WE GOT TO WRITE ON THEM AND HAVE OTHER SENIORS WRITE ON THEM LIKE WHAT WE WOULD DO WITH THE YEARBOOK AND EVERYTHING. IT WAS SO FUN AND TOTAL SUCCESS. I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR STUDENT LEADERSHIP PEOPLE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THEIR PLANS FOR GRADUATION IS. WELL THANK YOU MISS JOHNSON. VINCE -- >> SINCE I CAN SEE YOU ON CAMERA. YOUR HAIR LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. IT REALLY DOES. >> THANK YOU. >> MISS SANCHEZ. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. ON APRIL 28TH WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH SECRETARY OF EDUCATION WHICH WAS AN ABSOLUTE HONOR. HIS CREATIVENESS INSPIRED LORRAINE AND I TO REIMAGINE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TO REMAIN SUSTAINABLE AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES. IT REALLY BROUGHT ME TO REFLECT A LOT ABOUT JUST BEING STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES AND THE WAY WE CAN IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT. YOU KNOW BEING REPRESENTATIVES WE ONLY CONSTITUTE AS ONLY A FEW OF THE MANY PERSPECTIVE AND THOUGHTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND I BELIEVE IT'S CRUCIAL TO INCLUDE THE EXPERIENCES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF ALL STUDENTS IN ORDER TO CREATE GREATER EQUITABLE OUTCOMES AND POSITIVE IMPACTS. AND WE'RE VERY DIVERSE SCHOOL DIVISION. WE HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY ESPECIALLY IN THE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES THAT WE'RE IN TO RESHAPE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENT THE BEST PRACTICES WHICH WILL UPLIFT STUDENT AND INCREASE RESPONSIVENESS IN ADDITION TO EMPOWERING THEM. TO SPEAK THEIR TRUTH AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS. SO TO CONTINUE SUSTAINABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH ACPS. WE DEVELOP ACTION PLAN WHICH WE CAN IMPLEMENT BEGINNING WITH OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE AND FELLOW STUDENT LEADERS. WE'RE EXCITED VERY EXCITED TO BE TAKING ON THIS VERY INTANGIBLE PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY WISH TO START -- RESTART THE SUPERINTENDENT'S STUDENT LEADERSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGAIN FOR THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR AFTER WE LEAVE AND CREATE A PATHWAY FOR THEM. AND AFTER LISTENING TO SECRETARY CAR DONA HIS WORDS INSPIRED ME IN QUOTING HIM WE MUST CONTINUE WITH THE LOVE OF URGENCY THAT CREATES RESPONSIVENESS AND RESOURCES," REALLY BROUGHT ME TO THINK OF THIS AS URGENCY. IT'S ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY TO ENSURE WE'RE CREATING A SCHOOL DIVISION AND A COMMUNITY THAT IS CENTERED AROUND WHAT THEY NEED IN THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY SHOULD BE PRESENTED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH IN AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND YOU KNOW DEFINITELY AGREE. I HAVE TO SAY HAVING YOU ALL AS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES YOU KNOW, EVERY WEEK HEARING FROM YOU INSPIRES ME AND I'M SURE IT INSPIRES THE SCHOOL BOARD INSPIRING YOUR TEACHERS. WE'RE JUST PROUD OF YOU GUYS. AND JUST TO RESPOND TO THE DECISION DAY. IT WAS SO FUN SEEING STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL THAT DAY AND EVERYBODY HAD THEIR SCHOOL T-SHIRTS ON. YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING. KEEP IT UP. AND JUST THANK YOU AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND HOW YOU CAN SORT OF START REACHING DOWN TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO KEEP MOVING WITH THIS THEME OF STUDENT VOICE. THANK YOU. [Consent Calendar] [00:30:05] >> ALL RIGHT. SO WE NOW HAVE TO ADOPT OUR CONSENT CALENDAR. [19. Class of 2021 In-Person Commencement] DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I MOVE WE ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. >> SECOND. >> OKAY MY ANDERSON SECOND MR. SUAREZ'S MOTION. I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR. I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE. SORRY TO BE LATE, EVERYONE. >> IT'S TOTALLY FINE. WE ARE WE MOVED UP THE CLASS OF 2021 IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT. THAT'S THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA. >> I CAN INTRODUCE THIS ONE. >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF DR. HUTCHINGS WOULD. >> I'M SORRY, EVERYBODY. WE SWITCHED. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY I'M SO EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEXT GROUP. COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CAME AND SAID WE NEED TO SPEAK TO THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SHARE OUR VISION FOR OUR GRADUATION. AND ONE I WAS OVERJOYED THAT THEY DECIDED TO LIKE REACH OUT TO US TO SAY WE REALLY WANT TO EXPRESS WHY WE NEED IN-PERSON GRADUATION. AND WE WANTED TO GIVE YOUR KIND OF INCITE AS WELL AS PLAN AND I SAID HOLD ON WAY, A PLAN TO DO THIS. THEY SAID, YEAH. DR. HUTCHINGS WE HAVE A PLAN. WE ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING YOU ALL WITH SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I JUST HAVE TO SAY AS WE SAT THERE AND LISTENED TO OUR STUDENT JUST LIKE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THEM TONIGHT, I WAS SO PROUD TO SEE THE ACTUAL HARD WORK THAT NOT ONLY OUR STUDENT DOES BUT ALSO OUR STAFF AND PROVIDING YOU ALL WITH THE FOUNDATION AND INTRODUCING MATERIAL TO YOU ALL. WE GOT TO SEE COME TO FRUITION. AND THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS WORK. THAT DAY I KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE OUR SENIORS SPEAK BEFORE THE BOARD SO THAT THIS ACTUALLY A PUBLIC RECORD THE SHOW HOW TALENTED OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AND TRULY NOT ONLY PROBLEM IDENTIFIERS BUT PROBLEM SOLVER. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PRESENTATION. I WILL TURN THINGS OVER TO THE TEAM. THEY CAN BEGIN THEIR PRESENTATION. I HAVE TO SAY ONCE AGAIN I'M PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I WISH YOU COULD SEE ME SMILING THROUGH THIS MASK. I REALLY AM. I'M SMILING AND I CAN'T STOP. I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS NOT ONLY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU BUT FOR ALL OF STUDENTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADER. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR STUDENT ADVISORY GROUP FOR GRADUATION. >> IF I COULD JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF INTRODUCTION TO OUR WONDERFUL STUDENT TEAM; THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME. BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2020 WE STARTED MEETING AS A COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT WHAT OUR OPTIONS WERE FOR GRADUATION, SOMETHING THAT COULD BE LAST YEAR AS YOU ALL KNOW WE HAD A VIRTUAL GRADUATION ENTIRELY VIRTUAL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. AND WHEN WE STARTED OUR MEETINGS JUST TRYING TO BRAINSTORM WHAT WE COULD POSSIBLY DO AND THIS WAS ALL PREVACCINATION PERIOD OUR STUDENT GROUP WE WOULD HEAR FROM FOUND OUT THAT SOME OF THE ADULTS WERE ALREADY MEETING TO DO SOME BRAINSTORMING AND THEY SAID WE HAVE A PLAN. AND THEY WERE VERY INSISTENT AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHAT YOU WILL SEE TONIGHT IS A PRESENTATION THAT THEY MADE FOR IN-PERSON GRADUATION CEREMONY. THEY PLANNED IT AROUND THE PARKER GRAY MEMORIAL STADIUM UNDER CONSTRUCTION. BUT THE WONDERFUL PART OF THEIR WORK IS THAT THEY THIS CAN BE TRANSPLANTED TO ANY LARGE SPACE. YOU WILL SEE WONDERFUL EVIDENCE OF PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AND MEET SOME WONDERFUL STUDENTS IN THE CLASS OF 2021. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. BURGIS. >> THANK YOU. YES MY NAME THE KARAM BURJAS. I'M THE SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT. ME ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE STUDENT ADVISORY GROUP ON GRADUATION HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON PUTTING TOGETHER A LOGISTICS AND PLANS FOR IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. I WILL QUICKLY GO THROUGH INTRODUCTION. NYLA FOX. KIERNAN ALNAND. ELLA KAHL. MIRANDA SEDEHISGA PRESIDENT. [00:35:02] MADDY OEHLER AND TYLER URBAN OUR TECHNICAL ADVISOR SOMETHING HE IS ROLE HE TOOK ON VOLUNTARILY AND HE HAS BEEN COMPLETE VALUE TO THIS GROUP IN ALL ASPECTS. >> JUST INTRODUCTION. BACK IN DECEMBER INNED A KIDNAPS WITH -- ACCORDANCE WITH RESTRICTION FOR COVID 19CONCEPT THAT UTILIZE AVAILABLE SPACE THAT ALSO COMPLIED WITH SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR THE CLASS OF 2021 WE DEEMED WAS INCREDIBLY NECESSARY. THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATION DEMONSTRATES OUR PROCESS AND INITIAL PLANS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER FOR PARDON MEER GRAY MEMORIAL STADIUM. THAT'S STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WE BEEN SPENDING WEEKS SOLIDIFYING A NEW VENUE WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT AS WELL. BUT LIKE YOU SAID THE PLANS CAN BE ADOPTED TO MANY LOCATIONS EASILY AND THE SAME METHODOLOGY AND FINDING ARE USED TO ASSESS AND PLAN FOR THE NEW VENUE AS WELL. JUST TO ADD TO THAT EVERY DETAIL IS CARRIED OUT WITH ALL GUIDELINES AND EXCEEDS MULTIPLE GUIDELINES FOR DISTANCING AS WELL. ALL OF THE NUMBERS ARE BASED ON MATH, DISTANCING PROTOCOLS AND BLUEPRINTS AND SCHEMATICS THAT THE CITY HAS PROVIDED US. >> I'M TYLER URBAN. HERE'S JUST A SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE PARKER-GRAY MEMORIAL STADIUM. IS THE FIRST VENUE WE LOOKED AT WHEN WE WERE THINKING ABOUT AN IN-PERSON GRADUATION. IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT. THERE YOU ARE. OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF THE DIAGRAMS AND PLANS ON THIS PRESENTATION WERE CENTERED AROUND THAT. HOWEVER, AS THEY HAVE SAID BEFORE THEY ARE BEING TRANSLATED TO THE NEW VENUE. WE BEGAN WITH THE SITE FEASIBILITY STUDY. AND SO FOR THAT WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH SPACE WE WERE WORKING WITH ON THE STADIUM. WHAT WE HAD DONE WAS TAKEN THE RENOVATION PLANS FOR THE STADIUM AND MEASURED THE DISTANCES OF ITS LENGTH AND WIDTH AND WE CAME UP WITH 204 FEET AND 524 FEET. HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO GET US TO A POINT WHERE WE COULD WORK WITH LIKE SPACING AND SEATING. WE HAD TO -- WE HAD TO USE A LITTLE BIT OF GEOMETRY TO FIGURE OUT THE EXACT RECTANGULAR AREA IN THE MIDDLE SO WE WOULD HAVE AN EASY SHAPE TO WORK WITH. AND AS YOU CAN SEE WE DID GET ALL OF -- WE USED ALL THE MEASUREMENTS AND DID THE GEOMETRY. THAT LEFT US WITH 65,280 SQUARE FEET IN THIS INNER RECTANGULAR PORTION FOR THE STADIUM. THE NEXT STEP IN OUR PROCESS WAS TO DETERMINE AN OCCUPANT SEATING ARRANGEMENT. WHAT WE HAD TO DO WITH THAT WAS DETERMINE HOW MANY SEATS WERE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE BASED OFF OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES. THE SEATING CAPACITY WAS CALCULATED BASED ON THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 6 FOOT APART SPACES THAT COULD FIT ON THE INNER RECTANGULAR PORTION OF THE FIELD. AND SQUARE PACKING ARRANGEMENT WHILE NOT FITTING THE MOST SEAT AS OPPOSED DIAGONAL PACKING ARRANGEMENT IS EASIER TO SET UP AND CONSIDERED OPTIMAL. THIS GIVES US A TOTAL OF 1,89 ON THE STADIUM 54 LONG BY 45 WIDE. HOWEVER, WE DID COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS FULL SQUARE PACKING WAS NOT FEASIBLE DUE TO THE FACT PHYSICAL DISTANCING CANNOT BE MAINTAINED. A SEATING CONFIGURATION WITH AISLES IS NECESSARY AND WAS DEVELOPED. AND SO THIS JUST ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT WE USED TO CALCULATE THAT NUMBER. [00:40:06] IT WAS JUST AN ONLINE TOOL WE USED OUR RESOURCES AND WE FIGURED OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIT. AND SO FOR OUR AISLES, WE DEEMED THAT WIDTH WISE AISLE WERE BETTER FOR VOLUME OF PEOPLE MOVING AND SHORTER DISTANCES TO TRAVEL FOR ANY ONE PERSON. A PACKING CONFIGURATION WITH AISLE ALLOWS THE SAFE PHYSICALLY-DISTANCED MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE THROUGH THE GRID OF SEATS. AND AS OPPOSED TO LENGTHWISE LAYOUT HAVING EVEN MORE SEATING, THIS CONFIGURATION WAS THE MOST OPTIMAL, BECAUSE OUR GRADUATING CLASS-SIZE IS APPROXIMATELY 925 PEOPLE. AS YOU CAN SEE THERE'S 945 TO 980 DEPENDING ON THE ED -- THAT'S HOW MANY SPACES THERE ARE. WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO ABOVE THAT OR BELOW THAT. THIS IS WHAT WE ENDED UP AS THE MOST FEASIBLE LAYOUT. >> THE NEXT TWO DIAGRAMS THAT WE CREATED REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN SEATING CONFIGURATION WITHOUT AISLES AND WITH AISLE. BETWEEN EACH CHAIR THERE'S ABLE -- STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE SIX-FOOT DISTANCING REQUIRE. IF ONE PERSON GET OUT OF THEIR SEAT THEY WOULD THEN GO INTO A DIFFERENT BUBBLE AND THEN BREAK THAT SIX-FOOT DISTANCING REQUIREMENT. ON THE NEXT SLIDE IT SHOWS HOW WE DEVELOP THE AISLE ARRANGEMENT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. AND WE EXCEEDS THE DISTANCING REQUIREMENT NECESSARY. STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE 6 FOOT DISTANCES REQUIREMENT. HOWEVER IF THEY WANTED TO GET OUT OF THEIR SEAT THEY WOULD THEN GO INTO A DIFFERENT BUBBLE AND BREAK THAT CONFIGURATION. IN THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE HOW WE REMEDIED THE SITUATION AND WE EXCEED THE DISTANCING REQUIREMENT NECESSARY. WE MADE AISLES 12 FEET IN DISTANCE SO SIX FEET FROM EACH CHAIR. MAIN THAT THAT SIX FOOT DISTANCING. THIS IS A CLOSE UP VISUAL TO REPRESENT HOW THAT WOULD WORK. SO, YEAH. >> I'M THE SENIOR CLASS SECRETARY AND ON THE FOLLOWING SLIDES I'M GOING TO PRESENT OUR RESEARCH AS IN-PERSON GRADUATION AS IT PERTAINS TO THE PARKER-GRAY MEMORIAL STATION. OUR PLANNING FUNCTIONS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS EVENT IS FEASIBLE ON ANY LARGE OUTDOOR VENUE, BASED ON THE MODEL THAT WE HAVE ON THE PARKER-GRAY MEMORIAL STATION WE WOULD HAVE ALL GRADUATES ATTEND ONE CEREMONY. OUR 90 SPACE SEATING CONFIGURATION, FOR A TOTAL OF 945 TO 960 SPACES WITH AQ DATES OUR GRADUATING CLASS TYLER WAS DISCUSSING EARLIER. WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE MORE SPACE P AVAILABLE THAN PROJECTED WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT SOME STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE IN-PERSON GRADUATION. AND ON THE FOLLOWING SLIDE, WE HAVE INCLUDED A 900 SPACE SPITING CONFIGURATION THAT ALLOWS FOR FAMILY SEATING MODEL AND THE PROPOSED GUEST MAXIMUM IS TWO MEMBERS OF ONE'S IMMEDIATE HOUSE HOLD WHICH COMPLIES WITH DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, BUT INCLUDING THE STUDENT THAT'S 2,835 ATTENDEES. WE COULD GO AS FAR AS TO ALLOW A FOUR GUEST MAXIMUM WOULD WHICH AMOUNT TO A TOTAL OF 4,725 ATTENDEES, WHICH IS WELL WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S RANGE OF UP TOP 5,000 PEOPLE ATTENDING OUTDOOR EVENTS. SO, BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM GOVERNOR NORTHAM AND OUR OWN CALCULATIONS, THIS SEATING CONFIGURATION IS THE MOST FEASIBLE OPTION FOR AN I DON'T TELL DOOR GRADUATION. USING THIS SET UP WE HAVE INCREASED EASE OF EXECUTION AND INCORPORATION THIS OPTION ALLOWS FOR A ONE GRADUATION CEREMONY IN WHICH THE WHOLE CLASS IS PRESENT AND NOT ONLY MEETS BUT EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM OF 6 FOOT DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS. >> ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF GRADUATION THAT WE INITIALLY DEEMED IMPORTANT IN OUR PLANNING WAS THE GRADUATE WALKING ACROSS THE STAGE AND GETTING YOUR DIPLOMA, HAVING YOUR 5 SECONDS OF FAME, IF YOU WILL. SO, WE HAD DEVELOPED THAT, STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO WALK, GET OUT OF THEIR SEATS AND INTO THE AISLE NEXT TO THEM, WALK DOWN AND WALK ACROSS THE STAGE AND THEN FILE BACK IN BEHIND THEM AS THEY CAME IN AND REPEAT THAT PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE MULTIPLE ROWS AND THEN UNTIL IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT, TO [00:45:06] THE OPPOSITE SIDE. >> HELLO, I'M HE WILL LA, I'M THE SENIOR CLASS TREASURER AND I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL VIEWING THAT WE WANT TO INCLUDE IN OUR GRADUATION. SO, ON A NORMAL YEAR A STUDENT WOULDING ALLOT PED NINE DWESS TO THEIR GRADUATION, OF COURSE WITH THE C.D.C. GUIDELINES, WE'RE SAYING TWO IS THE MAXIMUM FOR US THIS YEAR WHICH MEANS THERE ARE THOS OTHER PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE IN-PERSON IN THIS GRADUATION. BUT WE DO WANT TO ADD REMOTE VIEWS LOCATIONS THAT WE COULD SET UP A MULTI-SCREEN SET UP SO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND EXTRA FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WATCH THIS, WE CAN HAVE PEOPLE IN CARS OR OUTSIDE, WEARING MASKS, SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN LAWN CHAIRS OR PICNIC NG BLANKETS. WE ALSO REALIZE NOT EVERYBODY WILL BE COMFORTABLE IN IN-PERSON GRADUATION, SO WE WANT TO MAKE THE STUDENT'S GRADUATION JUST AS SPECIAL AT HOME. WE WANT EVERYTHING TO BE AVAILABLE ON THE ACPS WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY IS INCLUDED, ESPECIALLY THE GRADUATES WHO ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH IN-PERSON. >> SO, WITH THAT ALL BEING SAID, OUR OVERALL RECOMMENDATION, FOR GRADUATION NO MATTER THE VENUE WAS TO HAVE THAT SINGLE SESSION CEREMONY, WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE CLASS. THAT WAS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAD THROUGHOUT THIS PLANNING PROCESS. AND, IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE DEVELOPED SEATING ARRANGEMENT AND LAYOUT THAT INCLUDES THE AISLES AS WELL AND THE GUEST SEATING ACCOMMODATION, WE UNDERSTAND THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS PEOPLE WANTED TO HAVE THEIR LOVED ONES THERE FOR GRADUATION, THAT'S A RECOMMENDATION AS WELL AS THE REMOTE VIEWING OPTIONS ADS WELL. I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR CEREMONY IS APPROVED TO BE AT THE PARK ON JUNE 12TH AT 9:30 A.M., THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE OUR CEREMONY TO GRADUATE AND I'M EXCITED FROM A STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE ASPIRATIONS FOR AN IN-PERSON GRADUATION ACTUALLY BE A REALITY. IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS FOR GRADUATION, THIS INCLUDES THE FINALIZATION OF LOGISTICAL DETAILS, THERE ARE PEOPLE, WE DID PUSH FOR FIRE WORKS, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER, SINGER KATIE PERRY, WE'RE STILL IN TALKS WITH HER AS WELL. AS WELL AS COMMUNITY ORIENTED INITIATIVES, WE WANT TO MAKE IT A CITY-WIDE EVENT SO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAN BE INVOLVED. SO, YEAH. >> YES, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO KIND OF GIVE A SHOUT OUT OR THANK THE ALEXANDRIA DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION PARKS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES, THERAPY A TREMENDOUS HELP THROUGHOUT OUR VENUE SEARC PROCESS. THEY WERE OUT THERE WITH US AND, DR. CARDONA, AS WELL AS AND I THINK SHE'S HERE. THEY WERE ALL OUT OUT AT THE VARIOUS VENUES LOOKING AT WHAT WAS FEASIBILITY AND WHAT WAS NOT. THEY WERE EAGER AND AVAILABLE TO HELP. SO THANK YOU TO IS A. >> IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'LL BE HAVING A SENIOR CHAT WITH THE PARENTS OF THE SENIOR CHAT ON FRIDAY MAY 7TH AT 8:00 A.M. TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE CONVERSATIONWISE THE TITAN COMMUNITY AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE, I HOPE YOU ALL AT HOME ARE AS EXCITED AS US FOR GRADUATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL. WHAT AN AMAZING PRESENTATION. I'M VERY IMPRESSED. WE DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU OR COMMENTS AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MISS GREENE. >> THANK YOU CHAIR, I SERVE AS THE REP TO THE GRADUATION COMMITTEE AND I JUST WANT TO TELL TO IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH THE STUDENTS AND THE STAFF AND SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION. I MEAN, OUR SENIORS HAVE BEEN SO RESILIENT AND SO HARD WORKING. [00:50:01] AND THEY COME WITH THIS, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN ATTITUDE, SO IT MAKES YOU COME WITH THAT SAME ATTITUDE AND IT'S JUST BEEN AMAZING. AROUND I THANK MR. BALIS FOR WANTING ME ON THIS COMMITTEE. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. I'M SO EXCITED AND THANKFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE GRADUATION THAT YOU DESERVE. SO KEEP UP THE HARD WORK AND KEEP UP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU HAVE BRIGHT FUTURES AHEAD OF YOU, SO THANK YOU. >>> ABSOLUTELY. MISS JOHNSON? >> HI, I JUST WANTED TO SAY FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME HOW MUCH I LOVE MY SENIOR CLASS. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS FOR THINKING OF THIS PLAN AND PRESENTING IT TO THE BOARD AND EVERYTHING, AND I'VE BEEN TELLING THE BOARD ALL YEAR ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE MY CLASS AND FINALLY YOU GUYS GET TO SEE THE GREAT THINGS WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AND THAT THE FUTURE'S IN GOOD HANDS, SO THANK YOU GUYS, CONGRATULATIONS. >> IT IS ABSOLUTELY IN GOOD HANDS. MISS SANCHEZ? >>> YEAH, JUST ECHOING WHAT EVERYONE SAID, THIS PRESENTATION WAS SO WELL THOUGHT OUT. SO DETAILED. AND LIKE, I'M SO, SO, EXCITED. LIKE SO EXCITED FOR GRADUATION AND SHOUT OUT TO THE ENTIRE SENIOR LEADERSHIP CLASS, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING. FOR REAL. AMAZING AND I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE SO FAR FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE TRADITIONED BEFORE COVID AND JUST MAKING SURE IT'S JUST ENGAGING FOR EVERYONE AND WE HAVE A SENIOR YEAR. SO, IT'S VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS COME TO LIGHT AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE. IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL. >>> EXCELLENT. >> OKAY. THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. I THINK WE'RE ALL EXCITED FOR GRADUATION. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THESE KIDS YOU KNOW, WALK ACROSS THE STAGE. SO. GOOD NEWS, GUYS. >> OKAY. SO, WE CAN MOVE ON NOW TO OUR HYBRID RE-OPENING UPDATE. [20. Hybrid Reopening 5.0 Update: Spring, Summer, and Fall Reopening Updates] WHICH IS GOING TO INCLUDE A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPRING, ABOUT SUMMER AND FALL RE-OPENING. SO, I'LL TURN THAT OVER TO DR. HUTCHINGS AND TEAM. >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. >> AND AS OUR TEAM PREPARES TO GO INTO OUR PRESENTATION, I JUST WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS JUST ABOUT OUR TEAM AND I TRIED TO REITERATE THIS EVERY TIME I GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THE BOARD OR THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE SO MANY HARD WORKING STAFF MEMBERS. I KNOW THAT YOU ALL KNOW THIS FIRST-HAND, BUT THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST CHALLENGING TIME FOR MOST STAFF EVER, IN THEIR LIVES. AND THEY CONTINUE TO COME TO WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY, GIVING 100%, WHEN WE GET DOWN, WE PICK EACH OTHER UP AND DUST OURSELVES OFF AND KEEP IT MOVING. AND I JUST HAVE TO COMMEND OUR TEAM, OUR TRANSITION TEAM, OUR THOUGHT PARTNERS, ALL THE STAFF WHO PROVIDED INPUT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN DO THIS. AND I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY IT IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. AND OUR TEACHERS, AS YOU ALL KNOW, YOU ROCK. YOU ARE LIKE EVERYTHING TO US. AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO CONSISTENTLY ON A DAILY BASIS. WE VALUE AND APPRECIATE YOU. NOT JUST NOW, BUT TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK, BUT EVERYDAY. WE DO WANT TO HONOR YOU BECAUSE NATIONALLY THIS IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. BUT JUST KNOW WE APPRECIATE YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY IN ALEXANDRIA SCHOOLS. I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR CHIEF OF TEACHING AND LEARNING LEADERSHIP TO GET STARTED WITH OUR PRESENTATION THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH, DR. HUTCHINGS AND GOOD EVENING, MADAME CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS. WE DO HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION FOR YOU THIS EVENING AND FOR THE PUBLIC. IN TERMS OF ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS, WHAT IS THE CURRENT HEALTH GUIDANCE ON THE CENTER'S FOR DECEASE AND CONTROL AND PRESENTATION AS WELL AS THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ALONG WITH THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT. AND, AS MADAME CHAIR INDICATED, WE DO HAVE SOME SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL RE-OPENING UPDATES AND I WOULD LIKE TO QUICKLY MENTION THOSE FOR THE PUBLIC. THE FACED REENTRY PROCESS TIMELINE, SEAL SUPPORT MONDAYS, THE APRIL 2021 [00:55:06] VACCINATION POLL, THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE STAFF TRANSITIONS WHACK TO IN-PERSON. PREK-12 LUNCH LOGISTICS. SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM UPDATE AS IT RELATES TO STAFFING. AND AUGUST SCHOOL OPENING UP DATE AS IT RELATES TO STAFFING. AND THEN, INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUMMER LEARNING AND FALL OPENING 2021 LEARNING CHOICE FORM AND THEN WE WANT TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW AND OPTION FOR FAMILIES IN THE FALL WHICH IS THE ACPS VIRTUAL VIRGINIA ROADMAP AND OVER VIEW. FALL SPACE NEEDS AS WELL AS AIR PURIFIERS UPDATE. WE HAVE A LOT OF UPDATES TONIGHT. >> SO, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN THE HEALTH INDICATORS UPDATE AND INTRODUCTION OVER TO DR. JULIE CRAWFORD. >> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING ALL, APPRECIATE THE TIME THIS EVENING. AND BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL UPDATES RECENTLY FROM THE GOVERNOR ON AN AMENDED ORDER PUD AND ALSO THE C.D.C. AS THEY RELATE TO SOCIAL GATHERINGS OR FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS, WE WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVENING TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS, BUT MOSTLY OUR VIEWING PUBLIC TO REITERATE WHAT OUR MASKS WEARING POLICY IS. BECAUSE WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK. JUST AS A REMINDER, FACE MASKS ARE STILL REQUIRED AT ACPS BUILDINGS, OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND SITES IN-DOORS AND OUTDOORS, WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS LIKE LUNCH TIME. AS WELL AS APPROVED MASK BREAKS WHEN WE HAVE OUR STAFF MEMBERS WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERHAPS GET OUTSIDE AND TAKE THAT MASK OFF. WE WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE THAT IS OUR MASK POLICY AND TO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING, SUPPORT, AND COOPERATION IN ENFORCING THIS POLICY CONSISTENTLY. WE KNOW IN THE MITIGATION MEASURES SUCH AS WEARING MASKS HAS REALLY HELPED US IN KEEPING OUR CASES TO A MINIMUM AND PREVENTING SPREAD IN OUR SCHOOLS WHEN WE HAVE HAD CASES. I WANT TO THANK PEOPLE FOR CONTINUING TO WEAR THE MASKS AS COMPLYING WITH OUR FACE MAVK POLICY AND JUST SUPPORTING AND PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER. ALONG THESE LINES, I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE THE BOARD A BRIEF UP DATE THAT WE COPPED OUR WORK WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS IT RELATES TO VACCINATIONS. WE KNOW, CURRENTLY, ALEXANDRIA CITY IS PROVIDING VACCINATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE 16-17 YEARS-OLD. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP SOME FAMILY DAYS OR STUDENT DAYS, SO THAT WE CAN REALLY SET ASIDE TIME FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO BE ABLE TO COME TO THE SCHOOL TO GET VACCINATED. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD, WE HAVE OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT THERE'LL BE AN AUTHORIZATION APPROVAL FOR THAT VACCINE TO GET TO STUDENTS 12 TO 15. WE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT POPULATION TO OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS. AGAIN, ANY FAMILIES INTERESTED, WE WANT TO TRY AND REMOVE ANY BARRIERS TO BE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN COME AND GET VACCINATED. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU THOSE TWO UPDATES. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THE AMAZING TEAM OF ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, I'M CHRISTINA AND I'M THE. I'M REALLY GLAD THIS WEEK TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE'VE SEEN A BIG DECREASE IN CASES OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. FOR THOSE OF YOU UNFAMILIAR WITH THESE SCHOOL METRICS, WE LOOK AT THE CORE INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES PER 100,000 PEOPLE IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS AND THE PERCENT OF MOW LECHE COLLAR TESTS THAT ARE POSITIVE OUT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TESTS PERFORMED. THIS WEEK, WE SEE THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW CASES IN THE PAST 7 DAYS HAS BEEN ABOUT 58 CASES PER 100,000. WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN WHEN I PRESENTED TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THIS NUMBER WAS ABOUT 117. AND THE PERCENT OF MOLECULAR TESTS IS JUST BELOW 3% WHICH IS THE LOWEST WE'VE SEEN SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. [01:00:02] WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR SECONDARY SCHOOL INDICATORS, AS SUCH SE CHANGE IN NEW CASES PER 100,000 POPULATION. THE PERCENT OF HOSPITAL BEDS OCCUPIED, AND THE PERCENT OF HOSPITAL BEDS OCCUPIED WITH COVID-19 CASES. OUR HOSPITAL BED CAPACITY IS ABOUT P 80% AND OF THOSE OCCUPIED BEDS, ONLY 4% ARE OCCUPIED BY COVID-19 PATIENTS. SO, OVERALL, OUR INDICATORS STILL INDICATE THAT WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION WITHIN ALEXANDRIA SO THIS IS MUCH BETTER NEWS THAN A FE WEEKS AGO. BUT, WHILE I PRESENT POSITIVITY IS LOW AND WE GO WITH THAT HIGHER INDICATOR OF 57.9%. AND THAT'S STILL SUBSTANTIAL BECAUSE IT'S ABOVE 50%, SO WE REALLY WANT TO GET IT LOWER. GOOD NEWS, VACCINE IS NOW WIDELY AVAILABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THOSE OF YOU UNAWARE, A LOT OF VACCINATION SITE ARE OFFERING WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VACCINES VISIT OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE. AND NOW, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MISS PETERS, PRINCIPAL OF. >> I'M THE PRINCIPAL OF FRANCIS HE HAMMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE WITH YOU THE UPDATE OF OUR TIME LINE AND PROCESS OF REENTRY OF OUR STUDENTS AT SOCIAL DISTANCING. MATRIX IT INTERNALLY IDENTIFY STUDENTS FOR HYBRID INSTRUCTION AND NOW THE FOCUS OF OUR WORK HAS BEEN ON PREPARING FOR PHASED REENTRY AT 37 FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING. WHEN PLANNING FOR PHASED REENTRY OF STUDENTS, THAT'S COLLABORATION AMONG MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS TO INCLUDE OUR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS, AS WELL AS THE FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT, FOO AND NUTRITION SERVICES AND CUSTODIAL STAFF. I WILL SHARE WITH YOU HOW EACH DEPARTMENT INDIVIDUALLY SUPPORTS REENTRY AND THE TIMELINE OF THE COMPLETION OF THEIR ASSIGNED TASKS. OUR FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON BUS TRANSPORTATION AND OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE THEY TRANSITION TO 3 FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING THEY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DIVISION TO INCLUDE SCHEDULING OF BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL NEW HYBRID STUDENTS. OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO PREPARE ACCURATE BUS ROUTES AND BECAUSE THIS BUS TRANSPORTATION IS TAKING PLACE FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DIVISION IS TYPICALLY TAKES FIVE TO 10 DAYS. SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTODIAL TEAMS TO ADJUST THE SPACING FOR THREE FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING. OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT PROVIDED AN UPDATE TO SCHOOLS AND SPACING CAPACITY AT 3 FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THIS WAS COMPLETED ON MAY 4TH. OUR SCHOOL AND NUTRITION SERVICES HAS BEEN IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS ON SPACE AND CAPACITY AS WELL. AND CAFETERIA MANAGERS AND PRINCIPALS CONFIRMED FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES, LUNCH PLANS AND FOOD ORDERS AND THIS WAS COMPLETED ON APRIL 30TH. IN COLLABORATION WITH VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OUR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TAMES HAVE BEEN PLANNING AND COLLABORATING WITH FAMILY TOSS PROVIDE HYBRID LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. SCHOOL OFFICIALS WILL CONTINUE TO CONTACT FAMILIES AND STUDENTS BASED ON OUR HYBRID PRIZIZATION MATE TRICKS. AS WE PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED STUDENTS IN PRIORITIES 1-4 AND NOW, WE'RE SEEING STUDENTS PRIORITIZES 5-7. THOSE WERE STUDENTS WHO HAD TECHNOLOGY, AND STUDENTS UNABLE TO AQ SET TECHNOLOGY. AND THEN, 7 NEW STUDENTS, ENROLLED AS OF JANUARY 2021. >>> OUR DEPARTMENT OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION SUPPORTED REENTRY WITH THE FOCUS OF STUDENTS IN OUR CITY WIDE PROGRAM. THE CITY WIDE PROMISE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HAS EXPANDED TO FOUR DAYS OF IN-PERSON LEARNING IN PREPARATION FOR THIS EXPANSION, DR. STONE AND HER TEAM HAVE HELD MYTHS WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS AND TEACHERS, AND COLLABORATED WITH EACH FAMILY AND TEACHERS ENSURING THAT INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR EACH SCHOOL STAFF. A COLLABORATION OF ALL THESE DEPARTMENT V) DRIVEN OUR TIMELINE FOR OUR ENTRY. OUR FIRST TIMELINE OCCURRED THIS WEEK ARE WITH PRE-K-5 STUDENTS. THE CONFIRMATION OF TEACHERS RETURNING FOR HYBRID INSTRUCTION WHICH WAS COMPLETED ON APRIL 20TH. [01:05:02] THE IDENTIFICATION AND COME FIRMATION OF NEW STABILITYS BASED UPON OUR HYBRID PRIORITIZATION MATRIX PRIORITIES 5-R7 WAS COMPLETED ON APRIL 23RD. THE UPDATE AND POWER SCHOOL FOR NEW HYBRID STUDENTS AND COMMUNICATION OF THIS LIST TO TRANSPORTATION WAS COMPLETED ON APRIL 26TH. AND CLASS INFORMATION AND LISTEN TO PARENTS AS OF APRIL 30TH AND THIS WEEK WE PHASED IN HYBRID STUDENTS AT THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL PHASE IN OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS WHICH IS OUR SECOND TIMELINE AS OF APRIL 27TH, SECONDARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAMS CONFIRMED TEACHERS RETURNING FOR HYBRID INSTRUCTION. AS OF APRIL 30TH, WE CONFIRMED NEW HYBRID STUDENTS BASED UPON OUR HYBRID PRIZIZATION MATE TRICKS, AS OF MAY 3RD, WE UPDATED POWER SCHOOL FOR NEW HYBRID STUDENTS AND CONFIRMED AND COMMUNE KALTED THE LIST FOR TRANSPORTATION. AND AS OF TOMORROW, OUR CLASS INFORMATION AND COURSE ASSIGNMENT LIST WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO OUR PARENTS. AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL WELCOME OUR NEW HYBRID STUDENTS AT 3-FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING ON MAY 11TH. WE WILL WELCOME OUR COHORT A STUDENTS AND MAY 13TH WE WILL WELCOME OUR CO-HEART B STUDENTS. AND NOW, MR. SAMSON WILL SHARE AN UPDATE ON. >> THANK YOU, MISSION PETERS, I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE FOR ALL OF IT YOU ON OUR SUPPORT MONDAYS. FIRST, I REALLY DO HAVE TO GIVE A PRETTY BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SCHOOL TEAMS, TRANSPORTATION, FINANCES, HUMAN RESOURCES FACILITIES, FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE AND MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THESE STUDENTS. THESE ARE STUDENTS IDENTIFIED WITH INTENSIVE NEEDS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM PROCESS AND DEEMED THAT INTERVENTION SCHOOL DAY MONDAYS WAS ANOTHER WAY TO TRY AND ASSIST THESE STUDENTS AND GIVE THEM THE ACADEMIC OR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL. AS YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE OVER ALL, WE HAD THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT WERE ABLE TO TAKE IN STUDENTS ON MONDAYS INCREASED FROM WEEK ONE TO WEEK TWO, PARTICULARLY AS WE FINALIZED A FEW DETAILWISE TRANSPORTATION. AND THEN, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS. AND SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE STUDENT ARE RECEIVING ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS BUT ALSO SOCIAL EMOTIONAL INTERVENTIONS, MANY ARE RECEIVING BOOTH. AND IT'S REALLY BEING ABLE TO BE GIVE THEM THE FEEDBACK FROM THE STOOL SHALL HAS BEEN THAT THEY'RE GETTING REALLY, QUALITY, INDIVIDUALIZED TIME WITH SOME OF THESE STUDENTS THAT REALLY HAVE NEEDS BASED UPON THE PANDEMIC OVER THE LAST YEAR. AND IT'S IMPORTANT, I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PROVIDES SUPPORTS TO THESE STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS INTENSIVE NEEDS SINCE MARCH OF 2020, EITHER VIRTUALLY, AND THEN AS WE'VE BEEN CYCLING STUDENTS IN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION WEAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE AND MORE SUPPORT TO HAD STUNTED SHALL EITHER ON THE CO-HEART A OR CO-HEART B DAYS. SO WE REALLY ARE MEETING STUDENT'S NEEDS THREW THE MONDAYS BUT ALSO THE INFORMATION WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE VIRTUALLY OR FOR HAD THOSE INPERSON DAYS. AND I'LL PASS ONTO MISS WALTON TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR STAFF VACCINATIONS. >>> THANK YOU, I AM THANK YOU TO THE BOARD MEMBERS AND DO DR. HUTCHINGS FOR PROVIDING THIS TIME FOR ME TO REPORT ON OUR VACCINATION RESULTS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR ACPS. AND THE INFORMATION REPRESENTED HERE IS FOR APRIL 2021. WE ARE DOING A MONTHLY VACCINE POLL WITH OUR STAFF. IN TERMS OF BACKGROUND, AS THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE ABOUT OUR VACCINATION POLL WAS EARLIER IN MARCH. HOWEVER, ACPS HAS ESTABLISHED A MONTHLY VACCINATION POLL PROCESS FOR ALL STAFF TO REPORT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS. WE GATHER THIS DATA SO THAT WE CAN REPORT TO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THEY'RE COLLECTING DATA FOR SCHOOL DIVISIONS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT. I WANT TO BE SURE TO CLARIFY THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS BASED ON COUNTS ONLY. WE DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT STAFF RESPONDING ON OUR POLL. IN TERMS OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE POLL, IT GETS OUR STAFF SIX CHOICES THAT THEY [01:10:04] MAY RESPOND ON. THE FIRST ONE MOST, IMPORTANTLY, IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO DISCLOSE ON THEIR VACCINATION STATUS. AND THEN, WE ALSO ASK THAT THEY REPORT IF THEY DO NOT INTEND OR WISH TO TAKE THE VACCINATION. IF THEY'RE WAITING FOR A FIRST APPOINTMENT FOR THEIR VACCINATION. IT AND, WHETHER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST DOSE AND WAITING ON THE SECOND APPOINTMENT, OR THEY'VE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE AND THEY HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEIR SECOND DOSE. AND THE FINAL QUESTION AS RELATED TO OUR MORDERNA AND PFIZER, IS THAT THEY COMPLETED THE FULL TWO-DOSE VACCINE SERIES. WE DID RECENTLY UPDATE THAT POLL TO ADD THE CHOICE FOR THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE. THE PARTICIPATION ON JOHNSON & JOHNSON HOWEVER REMAINS AT A VERY COUNT AS YOU COULD SEE FROM THE NUMBERS. OUR STATISTICS WE'RE REPORTING IN THE POLL ARE BASED UPON OUR TOTAL STAFF COUNT. SO, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE ALMOST 50% OF OUR STAFF CURRENTLY REPORTING AS FULLY VACCINATED. NOW, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO HAVE THIS POLL BE A MANDATORY COMPLETION SO AS WE'VE INCREASED THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER WITH POLL RESPONSES, THE MAY RESPONSE WILL FOCUS ON THOSE 39% OF THOSE STAFF WHO DID NOT RESPOND SO THAT WE CAN BRING OUR DATA REPORTING UP TO 100%. AND I THINK THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE. AS PART OF THE MAY VACCINATION POLL, HR WILL BE ENGAGING WITH STAFF CONFIDENTIALLY TO ENCOURAGE RESPONDING AND BRINGING OUR RESPONSE RATE UP TO 1 HON% OF STAFF. I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, OUR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, AND SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING THOSE POLL TOOL FOR US. AND MAKING AN ACCESSIBLE EASY TOOL FOR OUR STAFF TO USE. AND WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DR. WILKINS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS. I'M DR. WILKINS CHIEF OF STAFF AND I'LL BRIEF THE TRANSITION OF STAFF RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE FOR INPERSON INSTRUCTION. INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF WAS PENDING THE RE-OPENING OF OUR SCHOOLS AND WE MONITOR THE SITUATION ON A MONTHLY BASIS. DURING THIS TIME WE SURVEY OUR STAFF FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OR CHILD CARE NEEDS AND MONITOR THEIR STATUS ON A MONTH TO MEEN BASIS AS W CONDUCTED THE PHASED REENTRY OF OUR SCHOOLS. THIRD, WE MONITORS OUR FEDERAL LEGISLATION REGARDING COVID-19 RELATED WORK CONDITIONS. IN THAT PROCESS WE KNOW THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT MANDATE DATED PAID LEAVE FOR CHILDCARE NEEDS WOULD EXPIRE ON MARCH 21ST, 2021. WE NEXT SET THE DATE FOR THE RETURN TO STAFF TO OUR SCHOOLS AS MAY THIRD 2021. WE CHOSE THIS DATE TO CREATE AND PLAN A PHASED PERIOD FOR THE TEACHERS AND SCHUL STAFF TO ARRANGE CHILDCARE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN POINT NUMBER FIVE, WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF WITH CHILDREN AND WE KNOW THAT FINDING CHILDCARE TAKES TIME. WE WANTED TO BE SURE TO GIVE OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF THE DESIGNATED TIME FRAME TO MAKE SKILLED CARE. WE HANDLED THESE CLAIMS FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM IN-PERSON LEARNING ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS THROUGH ENGAGING THE EMPLOYEE IN AN INTERACTIVE PROCESS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. AS WE MOVE INTO MAY WE'RE RETURNING TO OUR ROUTINE ACCOUNTABILITY PRACTICES. THIS MEANS THOSE EMPLOYEES WITH PERSONAL HIMONT OR FAMILY CARE NEEDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE OUR NORMAL REEFER AND ABSENCE POLICIES FOR THE ACCOMMODATIONS TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES. WE HAVE ABOUT 95% OF OUR STAFF AVAILABLE FOR WORK IN THE WORKPLACE. WE'RE PLEASED TO SEE THE JOY AND MANY SMILES AS STAFF RETURN TO SEE THEIR STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES. >> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TONIGHT I BRING AN UPDATE TO A TOPIC RAISED AT THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING [01:15:43] REGARDING OUTDOOR LUNCHES. AS WE TRANSITION TO 3 FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE CLASSROOM FOR INSTRUCTION WE STILL MUST REMAIN AT 6 FEET OF SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR LUNCH. SCHOOL HAVES BEEN WORKING TO ACCOMMODATE THE 6 FEET OF DISTANCE FOR LUNCH BY EATING IN THE CLASSROOMS WHERE WE CAN MAINTAIN 6 FOOT CRITERIA AND SOME OF US ARE EATING IN THE CAFETERIA WHERE WE HAVE SPACE AVAILABLE TO STILL MAINTAIN THAT 6 FOOT DISTANCE. AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO CANNOT MAINTAIN 6 FOOT DISTANCE IN THE CLASSROOM OR CAFETERIA, WE'RE EATING OUTDOORS AND THIS IS CONTINGENT ON SPACE ABILITY AND OUTDOOR COMMENT. WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE USING THE OUTDOOR DINING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS PICNIC TABLES IN COURT YARDS AND ALSO IN AREAS AROUND THE SCHOOL AND THE CHILDREN ARE LOVING IT. AND WE ALSO HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE BRINGING TOWELS AND BLANKETS SO THEY CAN SIT PICNIC STYLE IF THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE SPACE OR PICNIC. ON INCLIMATE WEATHER DAYS WE MUST PIVOT INSIDE AND THE STUDENTS CANNOT EAT OUTSIDE AT THAT TIME, SO THEY WILL BE USING A COMBINATION OF THE HALLWAYS OR SOME COMBINATION OF CLASSROOMS IN THE CAFETERIA, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO SAY WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN BACK WITH US NOW, AND THINGS ARE GOING VERY WELL. NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TOO MRS. HARDAMAN. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO WORK WITH ACPS, I'M EXCITED TO SAY RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 325 CONFIRMED LICENSED STAFF AND WE EXCEEDED OUR APPLICATION NEEDS FOR SUPPORT STAFF WE HAVE 134 FOR APPROXIMATELY 70 POSITIONS. WE STILL NEED TO BOOST UP THE NUMBER FOR OUR NEED ON LICENSED STAFF THIS WEEK WE SENT OUT AN E-MAIL THAT INVITED THEM TO APPLY FOR THE SUMMER LEARNING FOR ALL PROGRAM. SUMMER SCHOOL LICENSED STAFF AND SUPPORT STAFF WHO COMMIT TO WORKING IN-PERSON, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AN INCENTIVE OF $500 FOR EVERY TWO WEEKS AS A ONE-TIME BONUS. THE OTHER INCENTIVE IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK THE ENTIRE SUMMER, YOU COULD WORK BLOCKS OF THE SUMMER AND STILL HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY AND TIME TO DO ALL OF YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES. WE WILL TRANSITION TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS WEEK WE COMPLETED OUR INTERNAL TRANSFER FAIR AND NOW WE'RE IMPLEMENTING ALL THE PLACEMENTS FOR NEXT YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD AN INVITATION AND RESERVATION ONLY JOB FAIR SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 14TH. AND THAT'S GOING TO BE USED TO FILL ALL OUR LICENSED POSITIONS. WE WILL BE INVITING THOSE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE MET IN THE 10 JOB FAIRS THAT WE PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEAR FOR THE 92 FDE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER THERE ARE 10 OF THOSE PENDING HIRES GOING THROUGH THE ON-BOARDING PROCESS. >>> AND THAT'S AN UPDATE FOR STAFFING FOR AUGUST. AND I WOULD LIKE TO TRANSITION TO MISS VERGUS. >> I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TALKING ABOUT OUR LEARNING CHOICE FORUM THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON. AND I'LL TALK ABOUT IT TONIGHT BUT IT'S BEEN QUITE A BIG TEAM THAT HAS PUT THIS TOGETHER. AND SO, WE'RE LAUNCHING OUR LEARNING CHOICE FORM FOR SUMMER P LEARNING AND FALL OPENING NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 11TH. AND THE CLOSE DATE IS MAY 24TH. WE'LL BE SENDING IT ELECTRONICALLY TO FAMILIES WHETHER THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY IT WILL BE OFFERED TO EVERYONE VIRTUALLY BUT FEN FAMILIES ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON THEY'RE RECEIVING A SEPARATE LETTER AND THAT'S GOING OUT THIS WEEK. FOR FALL OPENING, WE'RE ASKING FAMILIES IF THEY WANT THOUGH PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON LEARNING FIVE DAYS A WEEK OR VIRTUAL VIRGINIA THAT'S BEING OFFERED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT FIVE DAYS A WEEK THROUGH THE SEMESTER. ALL THE PROGRAMS SUMMER LEARNING, IN-PERSON, AND VIRTUAL VIRGINIA ARE POSTED ON OR ACPS WEBSITE TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN MAKING THEIR CHOICE AND WE'RE PUTTING OUT FOUR INDIVIDUAL VIDEOS IN FOUR LANGUAGES TO HELP FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND AND THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THEMSELVES. WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS AND MARIAH'S GETTING PRAISE BECAUSE SHE'S HELPED US SO MUCH. WE'VE ALSO HIRED A TEAM TO HELP US MAKE OUTREACH CALLS SINCE WE HAVE THIS WINDOW FROM THE 11-24TH AND OF COURSE WE HAVE OUR HELP LINE TO ASSIST FAMILIES TO HELP WITH THESE FORMS AS WELL. [01:20:02] WE HAVE AN OUTREACH PLAN TO HELP FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE THE INFORMATION. AND THAT'S IT FOR ME. >> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, AGAIN. BEFORE WE ACTUALLY GO INTO AN OVERVIEW OF VIRTUAL VIRGINIA, I WOULD LIKE TO FRAME THE PRESENTATION FOR OUR SCHOOL BOARD AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC AND FOR OUR FAMILIES. AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY KNOW IS THAT, THIS PAST YEAR THE PRIMARY METHOD OF DELIVERING INSTRUCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN VIRTUAL. AND WE KNOW THAT HAS HAS WORKED FOR SOME FAMILIES BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED FOR MANY FAMILIES AND THEREFORE IF WE KNOW THAT WHAT OUR FAMILIES DESIRE AND PREFER IS FIVE DAYS A WEEK IN-PERSON TEACHERS AND OTHER IN-PERSON SUPPORTS AND SERVICES. SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO THIS EVENING IS PA PROVIDE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF VIRTUAL VIRGINIA WHICH AS WAS INDICATED IT IS A PROGRAM THAT IS ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND I DESCRIBE IT AS PROVIDING A ZITI OF ONLINE COURSES K-12 FOR FAMILIES. AND IT'S ONE OF THE OPTIONS IN THE LEARNING CHOICE FORM THAT SHE JUST DESCRIBED. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FAMILY ARE FULLY INFORMED AND HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THE FALL. IN ADDITION, WE WANT TO PRY PROVIDE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE PART OF THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM. IN THE SUBSEQUENT WEEKS WE WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ESPECIALLY AROUND HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE COURSES, THE TYPE OF MENTORS AND SUPPORTS THAT FAMILIES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO AS WELL AS ANY OTHER LOGISTICS. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DR. EVERSON WHO IS LEADING THIS PROJECT ALONG WITH MISS SANDERS TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA. >> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU SO MUCH DOCTOR FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE. I'M DR. EVERSON I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ONLINE LEARNING FOR ACPS. I ALSO SERVE AS THE CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE SATELLITE CAMPUS. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS WORK WITH THE. I'M JUST GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH A HIGH LEVEL FOR THE NEXT FEW SLIDES. AS WAS MENTIONED, VIRTUAL VIRGINIA IS OFFERED THROUGH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AN FAMILIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN A VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL OPTION. STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN VIRTUAL VIRGINIA COUNT TOWARD THE SCHOOL DIVISIONS AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP AND THEREFORE THOSE NO LOSS FOR PER PUPUL FUNDING. FOR STUDENTS THROUGH K-5 THE TUITION IS 2450 PER COURSE PER YEAR. GENERALLY STUDENTS IN DRATS 6-12 ENROLL IN AN AVERAGE OF SIX TO EIGHT COURSES PER YEAR. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA DOES OFFER COURSES AT THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVS, INCLUDING ADVANCED PLACEMENT, WORLD LANGUAGES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA WILL NOT OFFER EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN THE IN-PERSON LEARNING CHOICE. >> THIS SLIDE IS LOOKING AT THE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA PERIMETERS. AS HE MENTIONED IT IT'S OFFERED THROUGH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ALL VIRTUAL TEACHERS ARE LICENSED AND CREDENTIALED IN THE COMMON WEALTH, ASSESSMENT SUCH AS SAL'S, WISE EXAMS AND. SIMILAR, ACE WILL ARRANGE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ALL ACPS REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA IS AVAILABLE FIVE DAYS PER WEEK FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA'S CURRICULUM IS ALIGNED WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STANDARDS. HOWEVER THIS CURRICULUM IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE ACPS CRIPPLE LOAM FOR PACING AND SEQUENCING. THE ACPS INSTRUCTAL SPECIALIST WILL BE CONDUCTING A CROSS WALK TO ENSURE A SEEMLESS. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA COURSES UTILIZE COURSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE TO MAXIMIZE INTERACTIVITY OF EACH CLASS. EACH COURSE CONTAINS VIDEO SEGMENTS, AUDIO CLIPS, WHITE BOARD INTERACTION, MULTIMEDIA ACTIVITIES AND ONLINE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL AS TEXT. [01:25:04] INSTRUCTORS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TELEPHONE AND ONLINE COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ADDITIONALLY, SOME SECONDARY COURSES HAVE OFFERINGS AVAILABLE BETWEEN 6-9:00 P.M. WHICH ALLOWS ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR OUR OLDER STUDENTS. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES AT THE TIMES THEY'RE SCHEDULED AND REQUIRED TO VIEW THE RECORDED SESSION IN THE EVENT THAT THEY'RE UNABLE TO ATTEND A PARTICULAR COURSE ON A PARTICULAR DAY. THERE ARE STRICT TIMELINES FOR COURSE COMPLETION AND THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF OUR EXISTING ONLINE PROGRAM AS WELL. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA TEACHERS ENGAGE IS REGULAR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEY TEACH STUDENTS ACROSS THE ENTIRE COMMON WEALTH, THEREFORE IT IS LIKELY THE ACPS STUDENTS ELECTING TO OPT INTO THIS VIRTUAL OPTION MAY ATTEND VIRTUAL CLASSES WITH STUDENTS IN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THIS SLIDE IS EXAMINING, THE ACPS SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS. IF STUDENTS CHOOSE TO OPT IN TO IN-PERSON, AS IN IF THEY EXIT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA AND TURN IN-PERSON, THEIR TEACHER WILL CHANGE. FAMILIES WILL OPT IN FOR A FULL SEMESTER GIVEN THE NEED FOR ACPS TO PAY TUITION ON A PER SEMESTER BASIS. OUR SST WILL ENSURE THAT THE EL NEEDS ARE SUPPORTED IN THESE COURSES. THE LOCAL SCHOOL AND SCHOOL DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING A MENTOR FROM THE BASE SCHOOL TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF EACH ACPS VIRTUAL STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN VIRTUAL VIRGINIA AND AGAIN THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF THE CURRENT MODEL THAT WE USE WITH OR ACPS ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAM. ACPS SCHOOL STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT, VIA VIRTUAL VIRGINIA. ADDITIONALLY, ACPS WILL COMMUNICATE WITH ALL FAMILIES TO PROVIDE, TIMELY, ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT INFORMATION TO MAKE THE DECISION THAT IS BEST FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. ACPS IS ALSO IT RESPONSIBLE FOREIGN SURING THAT STUDENTS WHO ELECT OR PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL VIRGINIA WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE RELEVANT TECHNOLOGY NEEDED FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL COURSE LOADS. THE LAST SLIDE BOX LISTS THE BELL SCHEDULES FOR THE IN-PERSON SCHOOLS. IF A STUDENT TRANSFERRED BACK FROM VIRTUAL VIRGINIA FOR THE IN-PERSON SETTING FOR THE FIRST BULLET POINT ABOVE, FAMILIES NEED TO BE AWARE FOR THE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTIONS. VIRTUAL VIRGINIA FOR GRADES K-5 AND GRADES 6-12. THIS SLIDE SHOWS A SAMPLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR K-5 AND VIRTUAL VIRGINIA AS YOU COULD SEE BUILT IN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL ACADEMIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH MORNING AND AFTERNOON MEETINGS, IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN THE SKILLS NEEDED IN DAILY LIFE. THIS ALSO ALIGNS WITH OUR ACPS GOALS REGARDING OUR OWN EMPHASIS ON SEAL INSTRUCTION. THE LEARNING TIME ENDS AT 1:00 P.M. WITH A 45 MINUTE LUNCH AND RECESS AND FIVE MINUTE BREAKS IN BETWEEN CLASSES. LASTLY, THE 6-12 INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE HAS STUDENTS ACCESSING ELECTIVE COURSES FROM 8-4:00 P.M. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND ADDITIONAL COURSES SIMILAR TO THE K-5 P SCHEDULE, THERE ARE BUILT IN BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE LEARNING DAYS. ON FRIDAYS, STUDENTS WILL SYCHRONOUS SUPPORT FOR A TARGETED. >> NOW I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DR. HEART TO DISCUSS FALL SPACE NEEDS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, BOARD AND COMMUNITY. I'M GOING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR FALL SPACE NEEDS PLANNING. AS SHARED EARLIER, WE ARE PLANNING TO USE ALL OF OUR AVAILABLE SPACE WITHIN ACPS COME THE FALL. WE CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AND PLANNING WITH THE CITY PARTNERS ON USE OF CITY-OWNED SPACE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL TONIGHT ABOUT WHAT THAT ENTAILS. WHAT WE HAVE FORMERLY REQUESTED IS USE OF EIGHT RECREATION ALPHA SILTS OWNED BY THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA. THOSE FACILITIES INCLUDE CHICK ARMSTRONG, OHS WALLED SURRANT, MOUNT VERNON COMMUNITY CENTER AND WILLIAM RAMSEY COMMUNITY CENTER AND WE'VE ALSO INDICATED AN INTEREST IN USE OF TWO FACILITIES WHICH WE ARE DEEMING PRIORITY TWO [01:30:06] AND THOSE ARE MANNING J LEE AND CHARLES HOUSTON. CURRENTLY OUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE COMPLETING WALK THROUGHS AND WORKING ON LOGISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH USING THESE FACILITIES. AND WE'RE AND OUR TEAMS MEETING WEEKLY ON THIS EFFORT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST QUICKLY SHARE THAT WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT IN SHARING EARLY ON THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE FALL DUE TO US OFFERING FIVE DAYS A WEEK INPERSON LEARNING. WE WILL CONTINUE MEASURES. AND IF WE DO MAKE THAT DECISION AS WE AND WE'RE CONTINUING OUR VACCINATION OUTREACH ADS WELL IN THE CASE THAT WE DO NOT STAY FAST WITH THE THREE FEET OF SOCIAL DISTANCING. LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR AIR PURIFIER INSTALLATION. AS WE SHARED ON OUR APRIL 22ND BOARD MEETING WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE INSTALLATION OF AIR PURIFIERS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THOSE INSTALLATIONS WERE CLEATED ON MAY THIRD IN ALL FACILITIES. THEY'RE INSTALLED IN CLASSROOMS AND COMMON AREAS IN OUR SCHOOLS. WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR BUILDING LEADERSHIP TO INSTALL THOSE IN AREAS THAT NEED THEM OR ARE BEST SERVED BY THOSE PARTICULAR AIR PURIFIERS. AND NOW I'M TURNING OVER TO DR. HUTCHINGS. >> THANK YOU, TEAM. I JUST WANT TO SAY, ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND WANT TO REITERATE A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE GO INTO Q AND A. ONE IN PARTICULAR IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO FIVE DAYS IN THE FALL. AND WE'RE EXPECTING FOR OUR STUDENTS TO RETURN BACK TO IN-PERSON. WE'RE REALLY ENCOURAGING THE FAMILIES TO TAKE THE IN-PERSON OPTION. WE'RE PRYING THE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA OPTION JUST FOR FAMILIES WHO MAY HAVE HEALTH CONDITIONS AND IT'S NOT SOLELY FOR HEALTH CONDITIONS BUT THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT SHOULD BE USED FOR. BUT WE'RE OPENING IT UP FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO IN-PERSON. BUT WE'RE STRONGLY ENCOURAGING THEM TO SEND THEM INTO OUR SCHOOLS. I WANT TO STATE AND REITERATE THIS, I KNOW THIS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, BUT IF FAMILIES ARE CHOOSING THE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA OPTION, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO PAY THAT TUITION UP FRONT. SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW YOU COULD JUST COME AND GO, WE HAVE TO PAY THE SEMESTER UP FRONT AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED, WE'VE BEEN INFORMED BY VIRTUAL VIRGINIA BECAUSE WE HAD QUESTIONS AROUND TRYING TO HAVE STUDENTS TRANSITION IN NINE WEEKS VERSUS AT THE EPODE OF A SEAMIEST AND WHAT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA STATED TO US IS THAT THEY WILL WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR SERVICES THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE NORTH RECEIVING, SO ONE COMMITMENT WE'RE ASKING OUR FAMILIES IF THEY CHOOSE THAT VIRTUAL OPTION THAT THEY REMAIN IN THAT LEARNING MODEL THROUGH THE SEMESTER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT THAT FEE. I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE THE FACT THAT IF OUR FAMILY IT IS CHOOSE TO LEAVE THAT VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION, AND GO INTO OUR IN-PERSON LEARNING AFTER THAT SEMESTER, THAT THEY'RE TEACHER WILL CHANGE. BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT LEARNING DELIVERIES. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE RECEIVING VIRTUAL LEARNING, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT FROM THE IT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA TEACHER, IF YOU COME IN-PERSON, YOU'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THAT FROM A ACPS TEACHER. WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT TEACHER. WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS COMING OUR WAY IN REGARDS TO VACCINATIONS, WE HAVE HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS IN PLACE, WE ARE PREPARED FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS IN THE FALL. WE'RE GETTING PREPARED FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE BACK INTO OUR BUILDINGS IN THE FALL FIVE DAYS A WEEK. AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR OUR FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SELECTING THAT IN-PERSON OPTION. I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID JUST RECENTLY IN REGARDS TO THE THREE FEET AND PROVIDE CLARITY AROUND THAT. IF WE ARE STILL REQUIRED TO DO THREE FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING, OR NOT REQUIRED BECAUSE WE'RE RECOMMENDED TO DO THE THREE FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING BY THE C.D.C., THEN, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE UP TO THAT EXPECTATION IN THE FALL IF WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS, WE WILL [01:35:04] BE SURE THAT WE ARE INCORPORATING ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF, BUT HAVING ALL STUDENTS BACK INTO OUR BUILDINGS FIVE DAYS A WEEK, IF THAT PROVISION IS STIL THERE, THAT GUIDANCE OR RECOMMENDATION IS STILL THERE, THERE'LL BE COMPLICATIONS TO DO THAT FOR EVERY SINGLE ROOM, JUST BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS ARE SMALL AND SOME ARE ALREADY OVER CAPACITY AND WE STILL WANT TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE THAT OPTION TO COME FIVE DAY AS WEEK AND NOT B IN A SITUATION WHERE WE'RE DOING A HYBRID OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT OR TRYING TO LEASE ADDITIONAL SPACES. RIGHT NOW, I'M HOPEFUL, EVEN WITH THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION THAT'S COME OUT THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE QUESTIONS THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE COMMON WEALTH OF VIRGINIA. SO WE MAY NOT BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION IN THE FALL AND I HOPE WE'RE NOT ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO SOCIAL DISTANCING. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BRING THAT UP NOW BECAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THAT IS A SITUATION THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIVE UP TO THAT GUIDANCE IN THE FALL AS WE BRINGS BACK OUR KIDS FIVE DAYS PER WEEK AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES TO BE AWARE OF THAT. BUT WE WANT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHEN WE START IN AUGUST. SO, I WANT TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS MADAME CHAIR TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DR. HUTCHINGS, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PASS IT OVER TO MISS JENTRY. >> HELLO, AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY, LOTS OF INFORMATION. SO, I THINK THE SLIDE THAT IS MOST RELEVANT TO SOME OF MY QUESTIONS WOULD BE SLIDE EIGHT, SO IF YOU WANT TO PUT THAT ONE UP, YOU CAN. IT'S A TWO-PARTER, I THINK THE FIRST QUESTION'S PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD, WHICH IS, I THINK IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR EVERYONE TO GET A CLARIFICATION ON ANY OF THE STAFF THAT AT THIS POINT THAT 95% OF STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE FOR THAT REMAINING 5% OF STAFF THAT WHAT IS POTENTIALLY HAPPENING WITH THAT STAFF IS NOT THAT THEY ARE BEING DISMISSED OR FIRED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT IS IN FACTS JUST THAT THEY WOULD BE ASKED TO IT USE ONE OF THE LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICIES THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS AND HAS HAD IN PLACE FOR YEARS AND IF YOU CAN CLARIFY THAT AND THE OTHER CLARIFICATION I WAS HOPING THE STAFF COULD GIVE INFORMATION ON IS, WHEN THINKING ABOUT THIS, AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT STAFF IN THE BUILDINGS, WE'VE REALLY BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LOGISTICAL ASPECTS OF IT. AND AS WE WERE WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF IT. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HASN'T ALWAYS HAD AS MUCH AIR TIME, SHALL WE SAY, ARE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS. AND SO, JUST THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF STAFF REMAINING VIRTUAL VERSUS RETURNING TO IN-PERSON VERSUS, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A TEACHER THAT DOES, AGAIN, NOT EVEN IN COVID TIMES, BUT JUST THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE, IF THERE'S A TEACHER ON AN EXTENDED LEAVE, WHAT KIND OF PROCESS WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR THAT. AND JUST UNDERSTANDING THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AROUND THAT. AGAIN, THINKING AS DR. WILLKINS, THERE WAS A FEDERAL PROSIGNIFICANTS THAT WAS IN PLACE AND ENDED MARCH 31ST. US, NOW BEING OVER A MONTH OUT OF THAT TIME PERIOD. SO, THOSE ARE MY TWO QUESTIONS FOR NOW, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MISS GENTRY FOR ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS. >> TO ANSWER YOUR FIRST QUESTION AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU RAISED THIS, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THIS AS WELL WITH SOME OF THE EMAILS COME THROUGH THAT STAFF ARE BEING TERMINATED AND THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLERICS WE HAVE NOT TERMINATED ANY OF OUR STAFF FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, ONE THING THAT WE ARE COOING DOING WITH YOUR STAFF MEMBERS THERE ARE FMLA PROVISIONS DO ALLOW [01:40:01] FOR STAFF TO TAKE LEAVE DURING THIS PARTICULAR TIME IF THEY'RE UNABLE TO RETURN TO OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, THAT'S NOT A TERMINATION. THEY'RE STILL EMPLOYED WITH US. IF YOU WANT TO ADD TO GET INSIGHT AROUND OUR FMLA AND OTHER OPTIONS STAFF MEMBERS ARE BEING ACCORDED AT THIS TIME. >> ACPS DOES HAVE THE NAM MEDICAL LEAVE ACT LEAVE PROGRAMS REFERRED TO AS FMLA BOTH FOR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH SITUATIONS BUT ALSO FOR CARING FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 1 YEAR. IT ALSO COVERS CARING FOR ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS OR ANY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT MAY BE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD THAT IS PART OF THEIR FAMILY AND HAS HEALTH NEEDS. IF DURING THE, IF THEY ARE TAKING TIME OFF FOR A HEALTH RELATED NEED WHETHER THEY ARE OWN OR FAMILY MEMBER'S, THEY'RE ALSO ABLE TO USE THEIR ACCUMULATED LEAD AND IN ADDITION TO OR FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACPS OFFERS A HEALTH CARE LEAVE AND A CHILD CARE LEAVE, THOSE ARE ALSO ABLE TO, THE EMPLOYEE IS ABLE TO USE THEIR ACCUMULATED LEAVE BENEFITS, WHETHER THAT'S SICK LEAVE OR THEIR PERSONAL ANNUAL LEAVE ON THOSE PROGRAMS. AND THEN AS A VERY LAST ALTERNATIVE, IF THEY NEEDED TO BE OUT OF WORK AND NONE OF THE OTHER QUALIFICATIONS WILL COVER THEM, WE HAVE AN UNDESIGNATED LEAVE OF ABSENCE. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF LADDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAM TOSS SECURE THE EMPLOYEES WITH A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND WE ABSOLUTELY ARE WORKING WITH EMPLOYEES ACTIVELY HELPING THEM GET THROUGH UNDERSTANDING WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CHOICES AND IF THEY CHOOSE ONE VERSUS THE OTHER HOW DOES THAT EFFECT THEM. BUT, ABSOLUTELY NOT A TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. >> THANK YOU, AND TO ANSWER THE SECOND QUESTION, MISS GENTRY IN REGARDS TO THE FINANCES COMPONENT. IT IS IMPORTANT, AS YOU MENTIONED THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHEN A TEACHER IS ON A VIRTUAL STATUS, MEANING THAT THE TEACHER IS AT HOME OR AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION OTHER THAN THE CLASSROOM, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE HIRE A CLASSROOM MONITOR TO BE IN THE CLASSROOMS TO HELP MONITOR STUDENTS, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY TEACHING, BUT THAT IS AN EXPENSE THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THAT CLASSROOM MONITOR IN THAT SPACE. HAVING TEACHERS RETURN BECOMES A COST SAVINGS OVER TIME BECAUSE WE'RE NOW REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CLASSROOM MONITORS NEEDED IN OUR CLASSROOMS. AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, HE SHARED THIS DURING THE SESSION WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CLASSROOM MONITORS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THE MONITORS COST ABOUT $150,000 PER WEEK, EVERY TIME WE BRING STAFF IN, THAT NUMBER DECLINES, RIGHT? THAT MEANS THE NUMBER OF CLASSROOM MONITORS DECLINE AND THE NUMBER THAT WE'RE PAYING FOR CLASSROOM MONITORS DECREASES OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. SO, I'M THANKFUL FOR TO BRINGING THAT UP, MISS GENTRY, BECAUSE WE DID NOT EXPLICITLY STATE THAT IN OUR PRESENTATION. >>> THANK YOU. MISS ANDERSON? >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. I WANTED TO ASK A COUPLE OF THINGS RELATED TO SORT OF FILLING OUT OF THE CHOICE FORM FOR RETURNING FOR THE SUMMER, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE? DID I MISS THE TIMELINE FOR WHEN PEOPLE WOULD KNOW WHETHER THEY WOULD BE VIRTUAL OR NOT? ARE YOU ONLY GOING TO BE RECEIVING THE LETTER AND I GUESS, WHEN WOULD YOU KNOW, BECAUSE SOME PARENTS ARE NOT WANT TO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER SCHOOL BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE VIRTUAL BECAUSE THEY'RE TIRED OF HAVING THEIR KIDS ON THE SCREEN AND THE SECOND THING ABOUT FILLING OUT THE OPTION FORMS, I'M A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE 47% IS ALL WE CAN SAY ABOUT OUR STAFF BEING VACCINATED BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES. I THINK AS A PARENT, I WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING A CHOICE WHEN I DON'T KNOW IF MORE THAN 47% OF THE TEACHERS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FILL OUT THE FORM BEFORE WE GET ANOTHER REPORT, I JUST WANTED TO REGISTER THAT AS A CONCERN. >>> IN REGARDS TO OUR REPORT ON THE ACTUAL SURVEY, I DON'T KNOW, DOCTOR, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT. >> I'M HAPPY TO TAKE IT. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. AND ACTUALLY, THE FORM WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT TUESDAY WITH A CLOSE DATE OF [01:45:04] MAY 24TH. BUT THIS WEEK, THE TEACHING/LEARNING LEADERSHIP TEAM SENT OUT THE LETTERS TO THE FAMILIES THAT ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. SO, THEY WOULD HAVE THAT FIRST AND SO THEY CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ABOUT WHETHER THEY WOULD PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY OR IN-PERSON. SO, WE DID THAT FIRST KNOWING THAT THE FORM IS COMING UP. NOW, OF COURSE, WITH SENDING THEM OUT ELECTRONICALLY AS WELL AS IN MAIL, FOR OUR FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE E-MAIL, THAT'S CHALLENGING, WE HOPE THAT THEY GET THEM PRETTY QUICKLY, BUT THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF SENDING THEM OUT THIS WEEK SO YOU WOULD KNOW IF YOU WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY MADE THAT CHOICE. AND THEN WE'LL DO THE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILIES HAVE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL, THEY WILL KNOW, IN THE SYSTEM, IT WILL SAY WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE BEING INVITED. >> AND I THINK WE DO HAVE PRINCIPAL REPS ON HERE, IT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR OUR PRINCIPAL LEADS TO JUST SHARE WHAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE DOING NOW IN REGARDS TO CONTACTING THOSE FAMILIES WHO ARE RECEIVING THAT INVITATION TO BE IN SCHOOL SORRY IN-PERSON FOR OUR SUMMER LEARNING OPTION. SO, I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. I'M GOING TO GO FIRST, WE HAVE OUR; T, OUR SCHOOL TEAMS, EVERYONE IS REACHING OUT TO FAMILIES USING EXISTING SCHOOL DATA TO INVITE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER LEARNING. AND IS A IT'S BEEN A SCHOOLWIDE EFFORT TO BE SURE FAMILY ARE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF SUMMER LEARNING AND DEFINITELY HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND WHY THEY SHOULD BE A PART OF SUMMER LEARNING, AND I'M SURE, DR. MAZOR IS WITH ME, SO I'M SURE THEY'RE DOING THE SAME AT GW AS WELL WITH THEIR STUDENTS AND HOW TO SUPPORT THEIR TRAJECTORY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR. SHARE FROM THE ELEMENTARY PERSPECTIVE. >> DOCTOR, MAZOR SINCE YOU ARE ON HERE, CONGRATULATIONS ON RECEIVING HIS DOCTORATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA? >> IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES. >> WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU, WE'VE WATCHED YOU WORK TIRELESSLY, NOT ONLY DURING THE POP BUT JUST BEING A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND A FATHER AND HUSBAND AND STILL GETTING THAT DOCTOR ATE, SO WELCOME TO THE CLUB AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> SO, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE WANTED TO SPEAK TOO, I KNOW WE'RE DOING SIMILAR THINGS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, BUT IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE INSIGHT ABOUT THE ELEMENTARY? >> SURE, I'LL HOP IN. THANK YOU. IN ADDITION TO WRITTEN COMMUNICATION THAT GOES OUT THROUGH OUR NEWS LETTERS AND OF COURSE, ELEMENTARY TEACHERS OFTEN USE A MORE PERSONAL WEEKLY CLASSROOM APPROACH. WE'VE BEEN HOSTING PARENT COFFEES, WE'RE CERTAINLY TALKING UP SUMMER LEARNING AND WE'RE INCLUDING AT THIS POINT GEARING PEOPLE UP TO RECEIVE AND RESPOND QUICKLY IN A TIMELY FASHION FOR THE UPCOMING SURVEY NEXT WEEK. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. MOVING ONTO DOCTOR REESE. >> IT'S GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE TAG TEAM THROUGH THE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I DEPARTMENTALLY HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, BUT I WANTED TO ASK IN TWO SETS HERE. I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE STAFF TRANSITIONING BACK TO IN-PERSON. IF I COULD GET A FOLLOWUP CLARIFICATION ABOUT THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT SOME TEACHERS MAY WANT TO CONTINUE TEACHING BUT FOR MEDICAL REASONS THEY JUST CANNOT RETURN IN-PERSON AND I'VE HEARD SOME ANECDOTAL STORIES THAT THERE'S NOT SPACE IN SOME BUILDINGS FO SOME TEACHERS TO HAVE THE SPACE TO WORK. JUST THINKING ABOUT THE WAY ACPS OPERATED PRE-PANDEMIC, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE GUARD RAILS THERE FOR WHEN STAFF NEEDED TO TAKE MEDICAL LEAVE. TELEWORK WASN'T AN OPTION WE WERE PURSUING PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC. I KNOW THAT WILL SOME PARENTS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT NOW THEY'RE [01:50:04] LOOKING AT SCHOOLS TRYING TO FIND A LONG-TERM SUB, OR THAT KIND OF THING. IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN ALLOW THE TEACHERS WITH THE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES RIGHT NOW TO CONTINUE TEACHING BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENT'S BECAUSE OF THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. MAYBE YOU COULD SPEAK TO IF THAT WAS SOMETHING YOU LOOKED INTO. IF TEACHERS THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO RETURN RIGHT NOW ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE VIRTUALLY EITHER. >> FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO SAY RIGHT NOW WITH OUR PUSH TO GET OUR STAFF BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, IT WAS A HUGE EFFORT TO WORK WITH THEM AND WE PROVIDED SEVERAL OPTIONS AND TRIED TO WORK WITH EACH OF THEM. WE'RE NOW AT 95% OF STAFF INTO OUR SCHOOLS, WHAT WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION TOO. US, MAKING CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS WHEN WE SERVE A LARGE STAFF POPULATION WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE SEVERAL SACRIFICE TO GET BACK INTO THAT SCHOOL BUILDING, I CAN GUARANTY THAT EVERYONE WE GOT BACK INTO THAT SCHOOL BUILDING WOULD SAY, I HAVE A CONCERN TOO, AND I NEED TO GO HOME AND GO VIRTUAL LIKE EVERYONE ELKS. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT OURSELVES IN A SITUATION AS AN ORGANIZATION TO ALLOW FOR, CERTAIN PEOPLE TO REMAIN VIRTUAL. ONE THING THAT WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY OUT OF THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC IS TO REVISIT OUR TELEWORK POLICY AND HOW THAT CAN WORK, WHAT THAT CAN LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW, SETTING UP A STRUCTURE SO THAT IT COULD ACTUALLY WORK. NOT JUST MAKING IT UP RIGHT NOW TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT REALLY WORKING THROUGH WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE, WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE FROM THAT, WHOSE ELIGIBLE AND WHOSE NOT, HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE PEOPLE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, SO IT'S NOT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BUT HAVING SET PERIMETERS AROUND IT. I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE DOING THAT AS A TEAM. WE TALKED ABOUT INTERNALLY, THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE MORE OPTIONS, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP WITH RETENTION, AS WE TALK ABOUT RECRUITING AND OBTAINS STAFF IN ALEXANDRIA SCHOOLS. WE GRAPPLED WITH IT, WE'RE HAVING SOME OF THOSE SAME CONCERNS AND WHAT WE'VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION OF IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR TIME IT'S DIFFICULT TO DO THAT WHEN WE'RE NOW WORKING WITH ABOUT, I WANT TO SAY ABOUT 130 STAFF STILL NOT ABLE TO BE BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS. WE'VE WORKED WITH ALL OF THE CURRENT PROVISIONS THAT WE HAD TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE DOESN'T HAVE A JOB. THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE REALLY ADAMANT ABOUT. BUT, WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY RIGHT NOW TO AFFORD THAT FOR SOME AND NOT FOR OTHERS. I DON'T KNOW IF DR. WILLKINS OR MISS WALDRON WOULD LIKE TO CHIME INTO THIS CONVERSATION? >> DOCTOR, I THINK YOU SUMMED IT UP VERY WELL. I DO, WANT TO UNDER SCORE THAT THE FUTURE OF TELEWORK IS UNDER REVIEW AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPLORING AND HOPEFULLY DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT WORK OR ACPS. IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE PAST YEAR OF THIS REMOTE WORK IS THAT TELEWORK DOES PROVIDE SOME ADVANTAGES AND SOME SUPPORT THAT BENEFIT A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS TELEWORK PROGRAM A LITTLE MORE PERMANENT PERHAPS EXPANDED IN SOME WAY THAT'S FAIR AND EQUITABLE I THINK WE WILL, AGAIN, CONTINUE TO IMPROVE TO MAKE OUR WORKPLACE ONE OF THE BEST WORKPLACES TO BE. THANK YOU, DR. HUTCHINGS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. AND I DO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A CHALLENGING SITUATION. AND IN TRYING TO BALANCE THE DIFFERENT NEEDS. SO, I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION. I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION. IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU? I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT IF YOU COULD MAYBE SLIDE FOUR CAN COME UP ABOUT THE PHASING OF STUDENTS BACK IN. AND THIS IS A BIT OF A TWO-PART QUESTION. IT SAYS THAT THE THERE THAT YOU ARE STILL WORKING ON THE SCHOOL TEAMS NEAR THE BOTTOM THERE, SCHOOL TEAMS WILL BEGIN PRIORITIZING GROUPS 5-7. [01:55:04] THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO ORIGINALLY SELECTED VIRTUAL AND MAYBE INTERESTED IN TRANSFERRING BACK TO HYBRID. I'M DO WE THINK THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HYBRID PROGRAM? THAT HASN'T BEEN CLEAR TO ME AND FROM TALKING TO PARENTS, I'M HEARING STORIES OF PARENTS WHO ARE NOT REALIZING THAT THEIR CHILD MAY HAVE ON OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK RIGHT NOW. WHEN I'M HAVING A CONVERSATION, THEY'RE SAYING, DO YOU THINK THERE'S A CHANCE MY KID COULD BE ABLE TO JUST TRANSITION NOW, BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE THAT FOR MY CHILD, AND THEY HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE SCHOOLS YET, AND I ENCOURAGED THEM TO CONTACT THE SCHOOLS AND I'VE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE SCHOOL NEWS LETTERS HAVE ENCOURAGED PARPTS TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE DIVISION. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S THE ISSUE OF CAPACITY THAT IS VARIABLE AT EVERY CLASSROOM LEVEL. ARE WE ABLE TO OFFER EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSITION INTO THE HYBRID MODEL OR NOT? AND THEN, THE OTHER QUESTION, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE PRINCIPALS ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF THE FOUR DAYS. BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD THE PUBLIC SPEAKER TONIGHT, SOME OF OUR FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY OUR FAMILIES WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE, SOME OF THE FAMILIES WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THEY SEE IN THEIR CHILD'S CLASS AND THEY FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT AT THAT TIME CAPACITY, WHY COULDN'T MY CHILD COME IN FOUR DAYS A WEEK. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE STEPS THAT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THANKED AND IF YOU COULD HELP THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND WHY I' GETTING THE SENSE THAT MIGHT NOT BE FEASIBLE, IF YOU COULD HELP ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE OF TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT WORK IN THE FINAL QUARTER. >> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM OUR PRINCIPALS IN REGARDS TO THE PROCESS BECAUSE SCHOOLS AND THAT PARTICULAR SITE THAT YOU WERE REFERENCING. SCHOOLS ARE AT VARYING LEVELS WITH REGARD TO THE FAMILIES INTERESTED AND NOT INTERESTED TO RETURNING TO SOME FORM OF IN-PERSON. SOME COULD ALREADY BE AT LEVEL 6 OR 7 WHERE OTHERS ARE STILL AT LEVEL 4 OR 5 BECAUSE THEY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE THOSE UPPER LEVELS WHO WANTED TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON, SO IT VARIES. BUT, I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR US TO HEAR FROM OUR PRINCIPALS ABOUT THE PROCESS IN GENERAL. AND THAT CAN ALSO DOVETAIL THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FOUR DAYS. BECAUSE AS WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH ALL 7 LEVELS AND TRYING TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY, THOSE EMPTY SEATS THAT SEEM EMPTY TODAY WILL NOT BE EMPTY TWO WEEKS FROM NOW. THAT'S A KEY POSITIVITY THAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR FAMILIES. IF WE COULD HAVE OUR PRINCIPAL LEADS TO SPEAK ON THAT. >> I WANTED TO RESPOND BRIEFLY, BUT IN TALKING TO THE PRINCIPALS, THE PROCESS, WAS, AND THEY'VE REALLY BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROBABLY FOR THE PAST 22 WEEKS, IT'S BEEN A VERY INTENSE, HANDS-ON PROCESS, PRINCIPALS ARE NODDING. PRINCIPALS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, COUNSELORS, THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN CALLING PARENTS, RIGHT. WHAT'S OCCURRING WITH SOME FAMILY SUNSHINE THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED MORE TIME TO THINK AND GET BACK WITH THE SCHOOL. ALSO SOME FAMILIES HAVE SAID, WE WOULD PREFER NOT TO BE HYBRID BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THREE FEET AND SAFETY. THE PERCENTAGE WE'RE AT 81%, WE'RE AT 91%. AND I WANTED TO START FIRST BECAUSE WE JUST TALKED TODAY ABOUT ONCE YOU SATURATED CALLING ALL THE FAMILIES, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP. BUT EVERY SCHOOL, EVEN TC THEY HAVE ALL ENGAGED IN TREMENDOUS OUTREACH IN ALL OF THOSE LEVELS. MAY BE, IF MR. PASKEL IF YOU WOULD SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PROCESS BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT DIFFERENT LEVELS BUT ALL SCHOOL HAVES BEEN MEETING THAT EXPECTATION. >> THANK YOU. SURE, AND DOCTOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT AND YOUR INQUIRY. WE'RE ALL INTERESTED IN HAVING AS MANY KIDS COME BACK FOR AS MANY DAYS AS [02:00:03] POSSIBLE. THE COMMUNICATION CYCLE IS ONE CHALLENGE. YESTERDAY, I JUST RESET, I STARTED ANEW, E-MAIL TO 44 FAMILIES WHO WOULD BE IN OUR 1-4 PRIORITY GROUPS. THOSE ARE FAMILIES WHO DIDN'T RESPOND TO A COMMUNICATION A MONTH AGO. AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF THEM. WE JUST KEEP TRYING. WE'RE NOT LETTING IT DROP, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP CALLING UNTIL WE CAN GET THEM ALL BACK IN. SECONDARILY, WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PRIORITIZATION AND WORKED THROUGH IT IN SOME CASES AND I'M HAPPY TO REPORT ALTHOUGH WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T PROMISE A WAITING LIST, WE WERE ONE OF THE SCHOOLS, AND I THINK MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE THIS TOO, THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDING THE NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CALLED TO SAY, IF THERE'S ROOM, PLEASE CONSIDER ME INTERESTED. AND I CAN SAY THAT THE 30 FAMILIES THAT WERE ON OUR LIST, ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SESSION AND JUST YESTERDAY, I RECEIVED ANOTHER, I WOULD SAY A RANTING REQUEST AND IN MOST CASES WE'RE ABLE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. SO, BEFORE WE GO TO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER IT WOULD BE FEASIBLE TO BRING BACK MORE STUDENTS, WE'RE REALLY TRYING HARD TO GO BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE REACHING EVERY SINGLE FAMILY AND NO ONE IS FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS. IGRID, I'LL PASS IT TO YOU. >> WE HAVE OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, I'M MAKING PHONE CALLS TO PARENTS. WE HAVE A LARGE SCHOOL, SO WHEN YOU HAVE A SCHOOL OF 950, YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS TO CALL IT'S TAKING TIME. BUT WE HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THE MATRIX, THERE ARE SOME CLASSES IT DEPENDS UPON WHICH CLASSES, THERE ARE SOME CLASSES WHERE THEY ARE FULL IF AND SOME THAT ARE NOT AS FULL BECAUSE IT DEPENDS CLASS BY CLASS AND VARIES ON WHO WANTS TO COME BACK AND WHO DOES NOT. SOME OF THE RESPONSES THAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE PARENTS ARE WE'RE ALREADY IN A ROUTINE, WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN WEEKS OF SCHOOL YET AND WE DO NOT WANT TO DISRUPT OR CHILD AT THIS TIME. SOME PARENTS HAVE PULLED THEIR KIDS. AND WE ALSO HAVE SOME PARENTS WHO HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR DAY CARE IF THEY DIDN'T SEND THEIR CHILD EVERYDAY. SO THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSS OF DAYCARE. BUT, FOR THE MOST PART FAMILIES SAYING THEY'RE FINE AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO RETURN. WE HAVE SOME CLASSES THAT ARE FULL AND SOME THAT ARE NOT. IT WOULD SET UP AN EQUITY ISSUE IF WE WERE SENDING STUDENTS FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND NOT, I THINK IT'S GOING TO SET UM INEQUITY ISSUES IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, SOME CHILDREN BEING ALLOWED TO DO IT BUT THE NEXT CLASSROOM OVER, WE DON'T HAVE THE SPACE FOR CAPACITY TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING AT OUR SCHOOL AND I'M HEARING IT FROM SOME OF THE OTHER PRINCIPALS AS WELL. >> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE KEY TAKE AWAY FROM THIS CONVERSATION, IS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO BE REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT MAKING SURE WE GET TO EACH GROUP, A LOT OF TIMES WE RUSH THROUGH AND WE SAY, YOU DIDN'T REPLY NOT SURVEY, YOU DIDN'T RESPOND, WE'RE MOVING TO THE NEXT GROUP. AND WE HAVE THE PRIORITIZATION PUT IN PRAYS TO TRY AND INTENTIONALLY WORK WITH OUR VULNERABLE STUDENTS FIRST. IT REQUIRES DIRECT PHONE CALLS BECAUSE SOMETIMES WITH OUR FAMILIES IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO READ AN E-MAIL. WE HAVE TO START TALKING ABOUT THEIR PARTICULAR CHILD'S NEED. AND IT COULD BE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISABILITY, IT COULD BE BECAUSE THEY'RE LACK AND BEHIND IN REGARDS TO THEIR ACADEMIC LOSS BECAUSE OF THE YEAR. IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION FOR EVERY STUDENT, SO WE CAN'T USE A BLANKET COMMUNICATION THAT GOES OUT, IT'S A LOT MORE INDIVIDUALIZED WHICH TAKE AS LOT OF TIME. NOW, IN TALKING ABOUT THAT, KEEP IN MIND, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND WORKING WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. OUR STAFF AND OUR TEACHERS ARE STILL IN THE WORK, DOING, THEIR DAILY WORK TOO. IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAVE ALL DAY EVERY DAY TO DO THIS. MONDAYS ARE TYPICALLY THE DAYS WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST TIME TO DO THIS SO, WE'RE [02:05:09] LIMITED FROM BEING ABLE TO DO THIS 24/7 BECAUSE PEOPLE DO HAVE CONTRACTS AND WE CAN'T EXTEND THEIR HOURS AND SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST TIRED. SO EVEN IF WE COULD PAY THEM, THEY SAY I'M TIRED, I NEED TO BE WITH MY FAMILY OR I GOT TO COOK OR NEED TO DO WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO IN THEIR HOMES. IT WOULD BE EASY TO GO TO FOUR DAYS IF WE PUT A CUTOFF BACK IN MARCH AND SAID, ANYBODY IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, THESE ARE THE KIDS WHO GET TO STAY NOR QUARTERS. THEN ALL THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN THIS PRIORITIZATION MATRIX WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPTION TO GET SOME OF THIS IN-PERSON LEARNING EVEN IF IT'S JUST TWO DAYS AWEEK, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE HAVING SIGNIFICANT VARIANTS AND CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW DURING THIS PANDEMIC. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I'M GOING TO THROW IN A COMMENT TO ADD TO THAT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I RECOGNIZE TODAY IS, YOU KNOW, THE PARENT RESOURCE CENTER, AND THE FACS CENTER IS WORKING WITH TO FINE TUNE AND COMMUNICATE TO FAMILIES. AND IT'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN, BUT THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL LAYER WHEN YOU HAVE 33%, 30 PLUS% OF THE STUDENTS THAT YOU SERVE ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. YOU KNOW, WRAPPING THAT INTO THE EFFORT AND OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION TO REACH THOSE FAMILIES BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE A LETTER, IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, A PHONE CALL, IT TAKES A WHOLE LOT MORE EFFORT. OR, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO FIND SO MANY WAYS TO REACH PEOPLE AND IT'S AN INTENSIVE WORK. SO, THAT JUST SORT OF, HAVING THOSE MEETINGS, AND BEING INVOLVED IN THOSE MEETINGS, AND HEARING WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY DR. HUTCHINGS, I HAD THOSE THOUGHTS. WE'RE GOING TO GO ONTO MISS GREENE. >> THANK YOU. SO, THAT WAS ACTUALLY A GREAT SEGUE INTO MY QUESTION. AND YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN WIDELY REPORTED AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT, THAT THERE IS THE HESITANCY WITH MINORITY PARENTS SENDING THEIR STUDENTS BACK. AND I WAS WONDERING, IF, SINCE WE'VE SEEN, WE'RE BRINGING IN THIS SECOND WAVE OF STUDENTS NOW, HAVE WE SEEN THAT THAT HAS GOTTEN BETTER? PARTICULARLY WITH VACCINATIONS BEING MORE READILY AVAILABLE? AND I APPRECIATE THE OUTREACH THAT'S GONE INTO IT, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW FROM A MINORITY PERSPECTIVE, ARE WE SEEING MORE OF OUR MINORITY STUDENTS COMING BACK INTO THE SCHOOL AND IF NOT ARE WE DOING ANYTHING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE OUTREACH THAT WE'RE DOING TO GET THEM BACK? AND ALSO, IS THERE ANY DATA AVAILABLE THAT CAN SHOW, YOU KNOW, WHO IS BY ETHNICITY WHO IS COMING BACK INTO THE HYBRID MODEL? >> WE'LL BE ABLE TO RUN A REPORT ABOUT SPECIFICS WITH WHO, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THEM IN NOW, WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT REPORT BUT WE CAN EASILY DO THAT BECAUSE ONCE THEY'RE ENROLLED INTO HYBRID, THAT GOES INTO OUR SYSTEM AS A HYBRID STUDENT VERSUS A VIRTUAL STUDENT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. I THINK THAT IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO GET OUR STUDENTS AND PARTICULARLY OUR MINORITY STUDENTS AND STUDENTS OF COLOR AND SOME OF YOU ARE STUDENTS WITH CHALLENGES BACK IN, THAT'S THE REASON WHY MANY OF THEM ARE AT THE TOP FOUR LEVELS AND WHY SOME SCHOOL ARE STILL STUCK IN LEVEL FOUR, BECAUSE WE'RE SPENDING THAT TIME TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RETURN NOW. AND TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE. EVEN JUST LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS AT ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND WE WERE TALKING TO SOME OF THE PARENTS, OR I HEARD FROM SOME OF OUR PARENTS AROUND WHY, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE THINGS FROM RELIGIOUS REASONS AS TO WHY KIDS AROUND COMING BACK AND GETTING VACCINES AND CONCERNED TO FEAR, STILL, AND I HADN'T HEARD THAT RELIGIOUS COMPONENT BEFORE UNTIL LAST WEEK. BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE REASONS AND IT VARIES BY OUR SCHOOLS AS TO WHY. AND WE ONLY CAN FIND THAT OUT BY HAVING A REAL-LIFE CONVERSATION WHETHER VIA [02:10:09] PHONE OR KNOCKING ON DOORS TO GET INFORMATION AS TO WHY YOUR CHILD CANNOT COME BACK. BUT, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION, MISS GREENE, I THINK IF WE WANT TO OPEN TO OUR PRINCIPALS TO SHARE PERSONAL INTERACTIONS FROM OUR SCHOOLS. >> ARE THOSE KNOCKS ON DOORS HAPPENING? IT IS EVERYONE HELPING OUT TO GO AND REACH OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN? >> YES, AND THEY CAN SHARE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW, BUT ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE DOING FROM OUR FACE SCHOOL CENTERS, BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR PRINCIPAL LEADS SPEAKING ABOUT THEIR PARTICULAR SCHOOLS, BUT WE HAVE OUR MEETINGS EACH WEEK, OUR PRINCIPALS AND THEIR STAFF AND OUR FACE COMMUNITY AND HATS OFF TO OUR FAMILY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM, THEY'RE GOAL GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO TRY AND REACH OUR FAMILIES IN WAYS THAT WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. EVERYONE DOESN'T HAVE AN E-MAIL. WE NOW KNOW WE HAVE TO UPGRADE OUR SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS E-MAIL, REAL EMAILS, OR ACCURATE EMAILS IN PLACE BECAUSE IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING WENT OUT, BUT IF IT'S NOT ACCURATE TO YOU, YOU DIDN'T GET IT EVEN THOUGH IN OUR SYSTEM IT SAYS YOU DID. WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH THROUGH THIS PROCESS, BUT IF THE PRINCIPALS WANTED TO SHARE, THIS IS WHAT SOME OF THE COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN SAYING IN OUR MEETINGS AROUND THE AMOUNT OF OUTREACH AND SOME OF THE FORMS OF OUTREACH THAT YOU ARE DOING. I SEE MISS B"YNUM. >> THIS IS AWFULLY IRONIC THAT THIS TOPIC CAME UP BECAUSE I LITERALLY GAVE PERMISSION TO MY DEAN OF STUDENTS AND MY COUNCILOR TO GO TO HOMES TOMORROW. BECAUSE WE DO HAVE CHILDREN WHO WE DESPERATELY NEED BACK THIS SCHOOL AND WE'RE CAPITALIZING ON THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'VE BUILT THROATED THE YEARS, WHOEVER HAS THE PARTICULAR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FAMILY DOES THE OUTREACH AND MAKES THE PHONE CALL AND PUSHING ON THE CAPITALIZING ON THE RELATIONSHIP WE BUILT, SAYING WE REALLY NEED TO GET YOUR BABY BACK IN SCHOOL. AND WE'VE GONE THROUGH OUR LIST OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS AND WE'RE TRYING SO HARD BECAUSE WE DO HAVE CHILDREN THAT WE NEED BACK IN SCHOOL AND FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS, ABSENCES, HAVEN'T BEEN TO SCHOOL OR SUFFERING ACADEMICALLY OR ON THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SIDE AND WE'RE REALLY PUSHING, ONCE AGAIN, SAME THINGS'S HAPPENING AT FERDNAND AND IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THERE ARE JUST SOME FAMILIES THAT ARE HARD TO REACH AND YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS TO COME TO GETTING IN THE CAR AND DRIVING OVER. >> THANK YOU. PRINCIPALS, I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR YOU. SOCIAL WORKERS, PARENT LIAISONS, THEY'RE SENDING ME STUFF, Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO TEXT ME ANYMORE. I GET IT. MISS GREENE GETS IT TOO, I'M TELLING HER NOW. EVERYBODY GETTING TO HEAR ME BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN PUSHING. IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THE ADDITIONAL OUTREACH AND NOT OUR TYPICAL OUTREACH. BUT, DO YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PARENT LIAISONS AND OUR FACE? >> I THINK I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT SIMULTANEOUS TO THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN PREPARING FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE FORM TUESDAY OUR PHASED IN OUTREACH TEAM HAS WORKED OVER THE LAST MONTH HAVE BEEN TRAINING STAFF AND PUT STAFF IN PLACE AND WE'VE ALSO IDENTIFIED FUNDING AND THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON CALLING FAMILIES AFTER HOURS AND THE WEEKENDS TO GET THEM INTO THE SYSTEM. SO WE HAVE ABOUT 1500 FAMILIES WITH NO E-MAIL ADDRESSES, THAT'S SORT OF THE FIRST PHASE, AND ONCE WE GET THOSE FAMILIES, HOPEFULLY MOST OF THEM IN THE SYSTEM WITH AN E-MAIL, THEN WE'RE GOING TO START WORKING ON GETTING THEM INTO SCHOOL, WHICH TAKES A LITTLE LONGER, BUT WE HAVE A WHOLE PLAN IN PLACE AND WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE THAT PROJECT COMPLETED BY JUNE SO WE CAN HAVE EVERYONE IN [02:15:04] OUR SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE AN ACCOUNT OR E-MAIL AND THAT WILL HELP FOR YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS. WE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON THAT THEN WE'RE DOING THIS FORM AND IT WILL BE HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME. THAT SAME STAFF WE HAVE IN PLACE WILL BE DOING THE SAME KIND OF OUTREACH AS WE'RE DOING OUR FORMS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT PROJECT'S GOING ON. >> I LOVE OUR PRINCIPALS, THAT YOU JUST TEXT THE SUPERINTENDENT. THAT RELATIONSHIP IS GREAT, AND I APPRECIATE IT, AND I LOVE Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR, I JUST WANTED TO START OFF WITH A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS PETERS, HOUR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, IT WAS SO AMAZING TO SEE YOU AND THE SUPPORT STAFF FOR THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE OUR DR. MAZER, THAT'S HUGE. I JUST WANTED TO SQUEEZE THAT IN BEFORE I ASKED MY QUESTION. THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. I HAVE THREE AREAS, IF THAT'S OKAY ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS. THE QUICKEST ONE IS THAT I APPRECIATED THE STAFF, IT'S ABOUT THE THREE AREAS OF FOCUS ARE THE STAFF, THE FORMS AND THE VIRTUAL LEARNING. >> WITH THE STAFF, DR. HUTCHINGS, DO YOU MIND ADDRESSING I KNOW THERE'S BEEN RUMORS OR CONCERNS OF PARENTS ABOUT WHAT IS THE INTENT OF TEACHERS TO COME BACK THIS COMING FALL AS THEY KNOW IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR AND I THINK THERE ARE RUMORS BUBBLING UP THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH YEAR IN TERMS OF TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. IF WE COULD WORK WITH ACCURATE INFORMATION. UP TO YOU DR. HUTCHINGS, IF THAT'S A QUESTION FOR DR. WILKINS QUESTION OR YOURSELF. >> I KNOW WE JUST TALK ABOUT THIS RECENTLY, SO, ONE THING IN PARTICULAR, WE'RE NOT SEEING A HUGE UPTICK IN REGARDS TO RESIGNATIONS IN ACPS AT THIS TIME, AND I HOPE, TEACHERS THAT YOU DON'T RESIGN. THAT'S WHY WE'RE TRACKING SELF CARE, WE'RE TELLING YOU TO TAKE TIME OFF AND TELLING YOU TO ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS, WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A PANDEMIC TOO. WE ARE SEEING OUR TYPICAL RETIREMENTS IN NUMBERS. I KNOW WE WILL BE PROVIDING AN HR REPORT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH OR THE FIRST MEETING IN JUNE SO WE'LL HAVE MORE SPECIFIC DATA BUT WE'RE STILL FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH YOUR TRANSFER FAIRS AND ALL OF THE TYPICAL HR EVENTS AND DATA COLLECTION THAT WE DO ANY OTHER YEAR. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE NOT SEEING AN UPTICK THAT IS YOU KNOW, EXTREME OR VERY DIFFERENT THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST. AND WE HOPE THAT IT WILL REMAIN THAT WAY AS WE MOVE FORWARD. BUT, DR. WILKINS, IF YOU ARE BACK. >> THIS IS DR. WILKINS, THAT'S CORRECT, IN FACT OUR TREND RIGHT NOW FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN DOWN, WE ARE RETAINING MORE STAFF AND IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY GOOD YEAR AS FAR AS RETAINING OUR TEACHERS, BUT WE'LL PROVIDE A REPORT LATER FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS. >>> I'LL JUST REITERATE THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID IS ACCURATE, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY HUGE NUMBERS, AND WE ARE STILL WORKING ON CREATING THE PIPELINE OF CANDIDATES SO IF WE DO HAPPEN TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO LEAVE WE HAVE CANDIDATES THAT WE'RE STILL CONNECTING WITH THROUGH OUR VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS AND VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY SECOND AREA OF FOCUS WAS THE FORMS AND THANK YOU DR. HUTCHINGSS FOR EMPHASIZING THE WORK THAT WE'RE USING TO REACH HARD TO REACH FAMILIES. I THINK THAT WAS REALLY EXPLICIT AS TO THE WORK BEING DONE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE STAFF DOING THAT EXTRA OUTREACH. MY QUESTION, THEN, IS THAT DR. HUTCHINGS, I KNOW IT'S YOUR HOPE THAT THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE COMING BACK AND I APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS IN THAT, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS IN REGARDS TO THE FORMS THEMSELVES, HAS THERE BEEN DISCUSSION OF [02:20:03] WOULD IT MAKE MORE SENSE OF MAKE CANNING THE ASSUMPTION THAT EVERYONE'S COMING BACK AND USE THE FORM AS AN OPT OUT OPTION. AND MY SEXED FOLLOWUP QUESTION IS THAT FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE OPTING OUT, I IMAGINE IT'S DUE TO I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHAT IS THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IN TERMS OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OR JUST ENSURING THAT FAMILY ARE FULLY INFORMED WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THE DECISION AND THEY KNOW OBVIOUSLY THEIR CHILD'S SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT TO US AS A DIVISION. >> OUTREACH THAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE VIDEOS AND THINGS WE'RE DOING. BEFORE I TURN IT OVER, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT ONE REASON WHY WE'RE NOT DOING THE WHOLE OPT OUT TYPE THING IS BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO KNOW IF FAMILIES AREN'T SELECTING THE VIRTUAL, WHY. SO WE CAN HAVE INSIGHTS INTO IS IT BECAUSE IT'S A HEALTH CONDITION, IS IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU ARE AFRAID TO RETURN BACK TO SCHOOL, BECAUSE THAT INFORMATION WILL BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR US. BECAUSE WE MAY BE ABLE TO SIMPLY CONTACT THOSE FAMILIES AND REITERATE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING WITHIN THE SCHOOL TO HELP MITIGATE THE CONCERN THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE. BUT, MISS BERGYS CAN SPEAK TO THE COMMUNICATION AND THE INITIATIVE OF STAFF FORTH COMING FOR THE SURVEY. >> WE'RE CREATING INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS NOT FOUR LANGUAGES TO SHOW HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM AND IN ADDITION ON YOUR WEBSITE WE HAVE ALL THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE A BRANCH LODGIC THAT WOULD TAKE YOU THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AND FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING THERE'S ALSO THAT SAME BRANCH LOGIC. IF YOU ARE PICKING VIRTUAL LEARNING, THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE AGREEING TO, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO OFFER YOU, SO THERE'S A VERY EXPLICIT LODGIC MODEL THAT COMES ALONG WITH EACH QUESTION SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR COMMITTING TO WHEN THEY PICK VIRTUAL FOR INSTANCE. A LOT OF THOSE PIECES THAT WE CREATED, IN FACT, WE ALSO PUT SOME OF THE DRAFT LANGUAGE AND THE DRAFT FORM QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT ON TUESDAY WERE ATTACHED TO THIS PRESENTATION SO YOU COULD SEE, IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING, BECAUSE IT SORT OF SHOWS, IF YOU ARE COMING IN PERSON, HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS, IF YOU ARE COMING IN VIRTUALLY, HERE THE QUESTIONS YOU GET. BUT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSLATING AND GETTING ALL THAT INFORMATION READY FOR TUESDAY. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION, BUT I THINK WE'RE TRYING MANY METHODS TO BE SURE THAT FAMILIES ARE VERY WELL INFORMED AND EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE COMMITTING TO IF THEY'RE DOING IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL FOR THE FALL AND FOR SUMMER LEARNING WHAT THAT ENTAILS AS WELL, AND ALSO IN THE LETTER WE'RE SENDING OWL WE'RE VERY MUCH ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST PROGRAM WE WANT YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, WE WANT YOU TO BE THERE. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, YOU'LL SEE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. >> VIRTUAL VIRGINIA WHICH SEEMS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND A GOOD WAY TO, STREAMLINE OUR RESOURCE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN PARTNERSHIP AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SOMETHING THAT ALREADY EXISTS VERSUS STARTING FROM SCRATCH. NUMBER ONE, I'VE KNOWN FROM THE PAST WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING SOMETIME IT IS REQUIRES A LEARN LITERACY SKILL I'M JUST WONDERING IS THERE AN AQ DEMONSTRATE MICK THRESHOLD THAT THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO MEET IN ORDER TO ACCESS THAT, AND IF SO, WILL THAT BE TAKING AWAY SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO USE IT AS A VIABLE OPTION, THAT'S ONE, AND THE SECOND ONE IS THAT, I'M JUST CONCERNED AS TO WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS THAT OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS, IT DIDN'T SEEM FRIENDLY TO THOSE GROUPINGS, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TRANSLATING TO OTHER LANGUAGES AND THERE'S NO MENTION ON THE WEB SITED FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR EL AND I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SFESHL NEEDS POPULATION AND HOW WE'RE BEST SUPPORTING THEM. SGLL >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, AND YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION FOR EL AND STUDENTS WITH SPECIALABILITIES ON THE [02:25:03] WEBSITE, WE AS A SCHOOL OR A LOCAL AGENCY HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TOLL STUDENTS, IT'S NOT PROVIDED THROUGH VIRTUAL VIRGINIA. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE ENCOURAGING OUR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY OUR FAMILIES WHERE THERE'S A LITERACY CHALLENGE WITHIN THE HOUSE HOLD, I'M SORRY, WITH THAT PARTICULAR STUDENT OR IF THERE'S ANY DISABILITY THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WE REALLY ARE ENCOURAGING THEM TO DO IN-PERSON. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW AND AS WE'VE BEEN SAYING THIS THIS WHOLE YEAR THAT IN-PERSON REALLY IS THE BEST LEARNING MODEL, YOU KNOW, OUT THERE. RIGHT NOW, IT'S STILL THE BEST LEARNING MODEL. IT DOPED WORK, SOME PEOPLE DO BETTER VIRTUAL, BUT OVERALL IT IS THE BEST LEARNING MODEL, SO WE WANT TO STILL ENCOURAGE THOSE FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN-PERSON. AND THIS IS ANOTHER PUSH FOR THE SUMMER WITH OUR IN-PERSON LEARNING THIS IS WHY WE'RE DOING A TARGETED REALLY, APPROACH FOR IN-PERSON SUMMER LEARNING. WE'RE TARGETING AND BEING INTENTIONAL A ABOUT THE STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THOSE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL OR ACADEMIC LEARNING CHALLENGES CURRENTLY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION FOR THEM TO HELP CATCH UP. IT I DON'T KNOW IF MISS WARNER WANTS TO CHIME IN IN REGARDS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION AND WE ALSO MAY WANT TO HAVE DR. NICKERSON SPEAK TO THE EL BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH ON OUR TEACHING LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS AND WORKING THROUGH WHAT THE SUPPORTS WILL LOOK LIKE IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO TALK FAMILIES INTO COMING IN-PERSON IN THE FALL. >> SO, I COULD JUST MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND BETHANY AND TERRY, ACTUALLY, DR. HUTCHINGS YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF ANSWERING THAT QUESTION, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY WE PUT THAT INFORMATION ON ONE OF THE SLIDES, YOU WERE RIGHT MRS. NOLAN, RELATED SERVICE ARE NOT PROVIDED BY THE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA. AT THE SAME TIME, IN TERMS OF EL LEARNERS, THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OR GIFTED LEARNERS, THOSE NEEDS STILL MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL DIVISION. WHAT THAT MEANS IS, DR. NICKERSON AND MRS. WARNER THEY WILL STILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PROGRAMS, THOSE I.E. P'S, THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS AND SPECIAL SERVICES ARE STILL BEING PROVIDED LOCALLY. I DON'T KNOW IF EITHER ONE OF THEME WOULD WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE VERY CLEAR TO OUR PARENTS AND AS MISS VERGOS INDICATED THAT NEEDS TO BE ONE OF OUR FAQ'S SO PARENTS UNDERSTAND THOSE SERVICE ARE NOT PROVIDED THROUGH OUR VENDOR. >> THANK YOU, IN TERMS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE IS SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION HAS SNIFBT EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE IN WHAT WE CALL OUT OF DISTRICT PLACEMENTS. STUDENTS WHO ATTEND OTHER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. MANY OF THOSE OTHER SCHOOLS PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. THOSE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE A CASE MANAGER HERE IN ACPS WHO WOULD OVERSEE AND COORDINATE AND ENSURE THAT THOSE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED. AND WE WOULD IDENTIFY SERVICE PROVIDERS TO WORK WITH THOSE STUDENTS. WE LUCKILY HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE LAST, YOU KNOW, 15 MONTHS WORKING WITH STUDENTS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND WE WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE STUDENTS THROUGH THAT PROCESS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, MISS NOLAN, AND I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID, WE WILL PROVIDE EL SERVICES FOR ANY STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL VIRGINIA AND FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE NOW OF PROVIDING EL SERVICES VIRTUALLY. BUT, AGAIN, OUR PREFERRED MODEL IS IN-PERSON, WE BELIEVE THAT'S BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS. >> THE CONTENT, SIMILAR TO HOW WE PROVIDE TRADITION EL SERVICES NOW. IT WOULD BE WORKING WITH THE CONTENT AND USING ALL THE EL BEST PRACTICES TO TRY AND MAKE THE MATERIAL MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR STUDENT. [02:30:01] >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. >> AND, LAST COMMENT I'LL SAY IS DR. HUTCHINGS, I THINK WHAT YOUR COMMENT SHARED THAT IT'S ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT AND I'M THANKFUL THAT THERE'S AN EMPHASIS AMONGST THE SCHOOL STAFF TO GET AS MANY STUDENTS IN-PERSON AS POSSIBLE. IN TERMS OF PARENTS NOT HAVING E-MAIL ADDRESSES OR WHAT HAVE YOU BECAUSE IT DOES SOUND LIKE THAT'S THE BEST OPTION PARTICULARLY FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THANKS FOR BEARING WITH ME WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK. >> MAYBE WE WON'T LET YOU DO THAT AGAIN, NO, JUST KIDDING. >> SO, NOW I HAVE MISS LORBORE. MISS LORBAR. >> PLEASE CALL ME WHEN IT'S MY TURN. AND IT'S LIKE, I WAS GETTING LIKE, WHEN AM I EVER GETTING MY TURN, BUT THE GOOD THING IS THAT BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS ASKED ALL THE QUESTIONS, YOU WOULD THINK I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION LEFT. I HAVE THREE THINGS, TWO ARE VERY SIMPLE A CLARIFICATIONS. I JUST WANT TO BE SURE I UNDERSTAND. NUMBER ONE: FOR SUMMER SCHOOL, IN OTHER WORDS, BASICALLY, THE IN-PERSON STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS INVITED TO BE IN-PERSON? AND OTHER FAMILIES SHOULD NOT EVEN THINK, THERE SIMPLY OR EQUITY'S SAKE IF WE DON'T FILL THE IN-PERSON SLOTS WE CAN'T THEN START FILLING UP IN-PERSON SPOTS FOR PEOPLE NOT TARGETED, YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN INVITED FOR IN-PERSON HAD LEARNING IN SUMMER SCHOOL TO GET IN-PERSON LEARNING FOR SUMMER SCHOOL? >> THAT'S ACCURATE. IT'S INVITATION ONLY. AND I'LL GIVE YOU INSIGHT AS TO WHY THAT'S THE CASE FOR THE SUMMER. ALL OF OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS ARE HAPPENING AND THEY WILL BE IN SESSION DURING THAT TIECHLT ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS, ONE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, THE ENTIRE BUILDING IS NOT. SO, WE DO HAVE LIMITED SPACE AND WHAT WE DECIDED IS THAT WITH THE LIMITED SPACING BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION, WE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FOR MANY YEARS, YOU ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DEFER MAINTENANCE, WE MADE A VOW TO NOT PUT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE LIMITED SPACE, WE NITTYED TO ENSURE THAT OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING THAT IN-PERSON SUMMER LEARNING INSTRUCTION. AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THAT SAME MATRIX SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. SO, WE MAY GET TO SOME STUDENTS YOU KNOW, WHO ARE WHY LOWER LEVEL OF THE PRIORITIZATION CHART. WE STILL MAY GET TO THOSE STUDENTS IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS, IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON THE SPACING IN THOSE BUILDINGS. >> WOULD THERE BE HYBRID, THEN, FOR THOSE? >> NO, THERE WILL NOT BE HYBRID. NO HYBRID IN THE SUMMER OR FALL, IT'S IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL. >> SECOND QUICK QUESTION. THE VIRGINIA VIRTUAL ACADEMY FROM THE STATE, I HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT ACPS WAS GOING TO OFFER IT'S OWN VIRTUAL ACADEMY, AND I'M PLEASED IF YOU ARE NOT, I JUST ASSUMED, I'M NOT DELIGHTED WITH THE VIRGINIA VIRTUAL ACADEMY, BUT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING A LOT OF OUR TIME AND RESOURCES OF PLANNING OUR OWN VIRTUAL ACADEMY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME BACK IN-PERSON. IS THAT CORRECT, THE VIRGINIA VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS WHAT IS BEING OFFERED FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS VIRTUAL. >> INITIALLY WE WERE WORKING TO HAVE OUR OWN VIRTUAL ACADEMY, WHICH WE WILL STILL WORK TOWARDS FOR THE FUTURE AS A PATHWAY, IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE WAY WE ANTICIPATED THIS UPCOMING YEAR. BUT WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE NOT UTILIZING OUR STAFF NOW IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO TRY AND GET A NEW VIRTUAL ACADEMY ACPS DURING A PANDEMIC AND TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK INTO THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS, SO THAT IS WHY WE PIVOTED TO THE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA OPTION. AND ALSO ONCE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA BECAME A PARTNER WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IT NO LONGER HAD AN IMPACT ON OUR ADM FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND THAT WAS A HUGE REASON AS TO WHY WE WANTED TO JUST CONTINUE WITH THE [02:35:01] VIRTUAL VIRGINIA THIS UPCOMING YEAR. >> I SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT MISS NOLAN RAISED REGARD SHALL THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY, BUT AGAIN, I'M HOPING IT WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY PUSH VIRTUAL LEARNING AS HARD AS WE CAN. MY THIRD THINK IS THE ACTUAL QUESTION, QUESTION, IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING TONIGHT, DR. HUTCHINGS, YOU SAID THAT IN THE FALL WE'RE GOING BACK TO FIVE DAY AS WEEK IN-PERSON LEARNING ONCE AGAIN, AS LONG AS SPACE PERMITS. AND, I THOUGHT THAT THE IDEA WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO START USING ALL OF THESE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES, THAT'S WHY WE'RE GETTING THESE OTHER FACILITIES TO LEND US SPACE SO THAT WE WILL NO MATTER WHAT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON LEARNING TO EVERYBODY. IS THAT ACCURATE? >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CLEAR THAT UP. THAT WAS NOT MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, THAT'S NOT BASED ON SPACE. WHAT I MENTIONED IN REGARDS TO SPACING WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO GO TO FIVE DAYS PER WEEK THIS FALL AND BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO OUT TO SEEK TO HAVE ALL THESE ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE AND SPACES, WE WANT STUDENTS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ABIDE BY ANY 3-FOOT GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE FALL. I'M FOREWARNING ALL OF US THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FOLLOW SOME OF THAT GUIDANCE IN ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS AND ALL OF OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS BECAUSE WE'RE PUSHING FOR FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BACK INTO OUR BUILDINGS. THERE WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE, BECAUSE NOW WITH SOME OF THE ENOUGH INFORMATION THAT'S COMING OUT, THERE ARE MANY CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES BEING CHANGED. SO, HOPEFULLY BY THE TIME WE GET TO AUGUST, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION I HOPE AT ALL. >> I JUST WANT TO BE SURE, I UNDERSTAND, WHY DID I THINK, I KNOW, DR. HEART AT SOME POINT EXPLAINED ABOUT THESE ADDITIONAL SITES. WHERE ARE THOSE GOING TO BE USED, I JUST FOR SOME REASON THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO BE USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM SPACE. >> SO, SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL SPACING THAT DR. HEART MENTIONED DURING THE PRESENTATION THIS EVENING IS IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE RECREATIONAL SPACES THAT WE HAVE SO THAT THEY'RE STILL IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDING BUT IT'S EXPANDING THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO OUR SCHOOLS. SO, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO STILL HAVE THE RECREATIONAL SPACES OR ANY SPACE CONNECTED TO OUR SCHOOLS TO HAVE THAT IN PLACE. BUT WE'RE NOT EXPLORING WARE HOUSES OR ANY MAJOR STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA. THE REASONING FOR THAT IS WE WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO A LEASE NOW AND LET'S SAY, THE C.D.C. GUIDELINES CHANGE OVER THE SUMMER, WE WOULD STILL BE OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR THOSE LEASES AND WE JUST DO NOT THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD FINANCIAL DECISION ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL DIVISION SO SIGN CONTRACTS WITH SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY AROUND THE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE FALL. THAT WE WILL JUST HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT WITHIN OUR OWN BUILDINGS THAT WE KNOW WE OWN THAT WE'RE NOT PAYING ADDITIONAL FEES TO USE. BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH THE CITY TO USE THE CITY'S SPACE CONNECTED TO OUR SCHOOLS. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. I'M ALL DONE. >> YOU ARE WELCOMED. >> MR. SUAREZ? >> THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION. THIS HAS BEEN VERY INSIGHTFUL AND REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE PARTICULARLY THE DISCUSSION AROUND THIS ISSUE OF REACHING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND ENGAGING WITH THEM MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE, AND SO FORTH, I GUESS I DID WANT TO FOLLOW UP, THIS WASN'T MY ORIGINAL QUESTION, BUT IT SORT OF EVOLVED OUT OF MISS NOLAN'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE OPT OUT VERSUS OPT IN. AND I TOO WONDER WHY WE DO NOT DO AN OPT OUT FOR THE EXACT REASONS THAT YOU [02:40:08] SUGGESTED, DR. HUTCHINGS, FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. NUMBER ONE IS, I THINK PERSONALLY THINK AN OPT OUT IT PUTS THE BURDEN ON THE SCHOOL DIVISION TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH EVERY FAMILY TO CONFIRM THAT THEY REALLY DON'T WANT TO ATTEND IN-PERSON. AND SO, SORT OF GIVEN THE NEEDS OF OUR KIDS TO GET THEM BACK IN-PERSON, PARTICULARLY, THE HIGHEST NEED LEARNERS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE REALLY WANT TO PUT THAT BURDEN ON OURSELVES TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO REACH EVERY STUDENT WHICH I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO DO, BUT I KNOW IT SORT OF PLACES THE DEFAULT POSITION IN A PLACE WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE FIGURE OUT WHAT EVERYONE'S INTENTION IS. SO, I THINK THAT'S A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US, SO, I JUST WANTED TO OFFER THAT THOUGHT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. BUT THEN, A RELATED POINT, IS MAYBE, I MISUNDERSTANDING, IS IF FOLKS DO NOT OPT OUT, THEN MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WILL BE IN THIS VIRTUAL ACADEMY EARLIER? >> YOU ARE SAYING IF A FAMILY DOES NOT OPT OUT THEY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY THAT'S NOT CORRECT. IF A FAMILY DOESN'T OPT OUT, AND WE'VE DOWN THE OUTREACH THEY'RE AUTOMATICALLY IN-PERSON. >> SO, IT IS A DEFAULT, THEN, THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN-PERSON. OKAY. >> IN-PERSON, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE FIRST SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST INSTANTLY, SAYING YOU HAVE TO CONTACT US TO BE OPTED OUT. WE WANT TO CONTACT ALL THE FAMILIES AND IF WE STILL CAN'T GET AHOLD OF YOU, YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN-PERSON. >> OKAY. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I AGREE WITH 100%. I GUESS MY OTHER QUESTION IS FOR THE CURRENT SITUATION WHERE YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE EQUITY ISSUES AROUND IF WE HAVEN'T REACHED SOMEONE AND WE GO TO THE NEXT PERSON IN THE CUE AND FAMILIES ARE EASIER TO RESEARCH. I GUESS I'M SORT OF WONDERING, I GUESS, MY CONCERN IS, I'M SURE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS HAVE THIS CONCERN IS IF THERE ARE OPEN SEATS THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING THERE AND THERE ARE ALWAYS KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE HIGHER NEEDS THAN OTHERS. AND SO, TO ME, THAT'S SORT OF THE POINT OF THE PRIORITIATION MATRIX, I GUESS THIS IS A QUESTION FOR MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS FOR YOU, DR. HUTCHINGS, IS WHERE DO WE DRAW THAT LINE? I KNOW THESE ARE TOUGH QUESTIONS AND THERE'S A LOT OF BALANCING, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE CLASSROOMS WITH THREE OPEN SEATS FOR TWO OPEN SEATS THAT AREN'T BEING USED, IT SEEMS LIKE A MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS. THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP WAS THE TELEWORK COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE YOUR FORWARD-LOOKING COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO A TELEWORK POLICY BEFORE LOOKING. I'VE LEN REFLECTING A LOT DURING THE POP ON THE FUTURE OF WORK AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, NOT JUST IN EDUCATION, BUT IN MY PROFESSION, LAW, ALL SORTS OF PROFESSIONS AND THERE'LL BE A LOT OF CHANGES AS A RESULT OF THCHLT AND I'M REFLECTING BACK TO THE FACT THAT NEST YEAR AND EVEN THIS YEAR, RIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE MAY NOT GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF FMLA OR OTHER ISSUES AND YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU RATHER A CHILD HAVE CONTINUITY WITH THEIR HOME ROOM TEACHER OR THEIR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WHOSE TEACHING OR WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A SUB. AND I REMEMBER FOR MY ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL DAYS, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD SUBS OUT THERE, BUT, IT'S REALLY HARD TO BE A GREAT SUBAND YOU KNOW, EVERYONE REMEMBERS, THE STORIES FROM THEIR CHILDHOOD WHERE THE SUBCOMES IN AND THE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IS NOT GOOD, AND EVERYONE'S GOOFING OFF AND NO ONE'S DOING THE WORK. IT SEEMS LIKE TO YOUR POINT, DR. HUTCHINGS, THIS IS A GREAT TIME, AND I'LL [02:45:03] SAY THIS TO THE BOARD MEMBER, I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE POLICY ON THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. SO THAT WE CAN EXPLAIN WHEN IT'S OKAY TO DO TELEWORK AND IF SOMEONE'S CHEMISTRY TEACHER IS NOT FEELING WELL, WE NOW HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO CREATE A VIRTUAL LESSON. WE HAVE A CLASSROOM MONITOR IN THE CLASS REM, BUT THE TEACHER WILL BE ON THE ZOOM SCREEN AND THE TEACHER WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE. FOR THE SCHOOL DIVISION AND I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ACPS FOB FORWARD LOOKING ON THAT AND THINKING PROACTIVELY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WORK AND ALL THESE TYPES OF ISSUES. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF WORK SESSION ON THIS TO MY BOARD COLLEAGUES, I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. MY FINAL COMMENTS ARE RELATED TO STAFFING ISSUES. WHICH IS, I DO SHARE THE CONCERN FROM MS. ANDERSON THAT WE DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT ALL OF OUR STAFF AS TO THE VACCINE. AND IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM WHAT WE'VE HEARD THERE ARE 130 STAFF MEMBERS WHO WE STILL DON'T KNOW, THEY'RE STILL NOT INTENDING TO RETURN, AND THERE MAYBE VARIOUS REASONS FOR THAT AND SO FORTH, SO, I WOULD JUST SAY, REITERATING THE TYPES OF REQUESTS I TYPICALLY MAKE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE BOARD TO HAVE THE DATA ON WHOSE NOT RETURNING. AT THE LEVEL OF WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS, WHERE 130 STAFF MEMBERS NOT WILLING TO COME COME BACK JUST TO UNDERSTAND AND AS A BOARD PLAN FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO STOW PROACTIVELY STAY ON TOP OF THAT. AND IN SO, I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND ANY THOUGHTS FOR COMMENTS YOU HAVE ON ANY OF THOSE THREE AREAS ARE APPRECIATED. >> ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS I HOPE WE HAD A LITTLE MORE TIME ON THE TELEWORK CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT'S A LOT MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT SOUNDS BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THE IMPLICATIONS THAT COME OUT OF IT AND WHO GETS IT AND WHO DOESN'T. AND DOING IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, WE'RE STILL FOCUSSING ON TRYING TO OPEN THE SUMMER AND THE FALL. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THE STAFF WOULD BE ABLE DO THAT NOW. I THINK IF I WENT BACK TO ANYBODY ASKING TO DO THIS NOW, THEY WOULD SAY, BYE, DR. HUTCHINGS, THE RETENTION RATE WILL THEN GO DOWN. I DO THINK TO YOUR POINT THAT IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND SET SOME GUIDELINES AND MAYBE A TIMELINE AS TO WHEN WE DO THIS. I JUST THINK THAT TRYING TO DO SOMETHING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, I THINK WILL BE EXTREME FOR US. BUT WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HAVING BOARD MEETINGS THIS SUMMER THAT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL TO US, I THINK WE DID SOME LAS YEAR, >> I DO THINK IT COULD BE A BOARD LEVEL CONVERSATION WITH THE POLICY FOLKS WHO COULD MAYBE HELP US HELP THE BOARD SORT OF THINK THROUGH POLICIES THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED DURING THIS TIME FRAME, AND YOU KNOW, THEN THE BOARD COULD BE A SUPPORT FOR STAFF AS THEY'RE SORT OF THINKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES. BECAUSE I DO APPRECIATE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFICULT POLICY QUESTIONS AROUND WHO GETS THIS, HOW MANY DAYS DO THEY GET IT WHEN CAN THEY HAVE IT ALL THOSE SORTS OF THINGS ARE VERY DIFFICULT QUESTIONS, SO I GUESS MY VIEW IS THE SOONER WE CAN START THAT CONVERSATION, THE BETTER, BUT I'M NOT SAYING MY INTENTION IS WE GOT TO CHANGE THE POLICY NOW, I'M JUST THINKING STARTING THOSE CONVERSATIONS IS USEFUL SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. AND THAT CAN TAKE WHATEVER FORM THAT WOULD NOT BE IMPOSING ON STAFF AND REASONABLE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOU RAISING THAT TOPIC, AND A LOT OF TIMES [02:50:09] THESE REALLY INNOVATIVE FORWARD-LOOKING CONVERSATIONS GETS PUSHED TO THE BACK BURNER BECAUSE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY THAT HAPPENS IN EVERY PROFESSION EVEN NOT DURING A PANDEMIC. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU RAISING THAT ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT. >> AND I AGREE. THAT SHOULD BE A BOARD CONVERSATION AND THERE SHOULD BE IN REGARDS TO STAFF INPUT TO SEE WHAT THEY WANT. WE NEED TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SO THAT THE BOARD DOESN'T COME UP WITH POLICIES THAT AREN'T EMBRACED OR USED BY THE STAFF. SO, I THINK THAT'S THE TIME THIS COMMITMENT WILL TAKE, I THINK IT'S WORTH A DISCUSSION BOARD LEVEL IN REGARDS TO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POSSIBILITIES OR OPPORTUNITIES. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO THROW MYSELF IN AND THEN IT LOOKS LIKE DR. REEF HAS ONE LAST QUESTION AND I THINK AFTER THAT, WE SHOULD DEFINITELY WRAP IT UP BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE, A LOT MORE THIS EVENING. SO, MY QUESTIONS ARE ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE CITY WIDE CLASSROOMS. SO, I JUST WANTED AN UPDATE ON HOW THE SHIFT TO FOUR DAYS A WEEK OF IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION HAS GONE AND I WANTED TO KNOW HOW MANY FAMILIES CHOSE TO RETURN AND HOW MANY WE'RE CURRENTLY SERVING IN-PERSON. WE BEGAN THE RETURN TO FOUR DAY PER WEEK INSTRUCTION THIS WEEK WITH OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK. IT'S GOING GREAT. I'VE NOT HEARD ONE PROBLEM AREA SO FAR, AND IN MY WORLD NO NEWS IT GOOD NEWS. BUT DR. STONE AND HERE TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD ALONG WITH THE STAFF FROM TRANSPORTATION WITH SCHOOL NUTRITION TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND TEACHERS AND SCHOOL-BASED STAFF HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES. WE'RE GOING TO SEND OUT THE NEXT SET OF TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION TO THE SECONDARY FAMILIES, I BELIEVE, TOMORROW, I BELIEVE MISS RUNKLE IS ON THIS CALL IF SHE WANTS TO CLARIFY THAT, THINGS ARE GOING VERY WELL AND KIDS ARE HAPPY TO BE IN THE BUILDING AND STAFF IS BACK AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THE STUDENTS. WE'RE RETAINING THE SUPPLEMENTAL STAFF, THE CERTIFICATED NURSE'S ASSISTANCE AND THE REGISTERED MANY STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOMS HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND THEY'VE DECIDED TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN HOME. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> I APPRECIATE YOU. WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA, I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD AND SAY I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS USING VIRTUAL VIRGINIA BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING ON THEIR WEBSITE AND AS HAS BEEN SAID THEY DO NOT ASSUME THE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE 504, I.E. P OR OTHER DOCUMENTED SERVICES. AND AS JUST STATED, WE HAVE WITH REGARDS TO THIS IS THE CITYWIDE PROGRAM AND THERE [02:55:19] ARE STUDENTS BEYOND THE CITYWIDE PROGRAM WHO I'M SURE HAVE MEDICAL REASONS THAT THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COME BACK SO THEY WILL STILL SOUND VIRTUAL. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF VIRTUAL VIRGINIA AND SOMEHOW WE'RE GOING TO USE OUR STAFF TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES FROM THE FEEDBACK I RECEIVED. I'M THINKING ABOUT JUST OUR STRATEGY PLAN IN GENERAL. AND HOW WE'RE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE OUR STUDENTS. ALSO LOOKING AT HOW VIRTUAL VIRGINIA. AND OUR EL TEACHERS AND OUR SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION TEACHERS, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK? I'M JUST CONCERNED THAT THIS MAYBE A BIG HOLE NEXT YEAR. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY HAVE AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW, I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO REALLY THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT MAYBE SOM OTHER MAYBE A CHERT OPTION, MAYBE A HOME BOUND INSTRUCTION. SOME OTHER OPTION DOING A BETTER JOB OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF THIS FAMILY. IT'S HARD TO HAVE A SENSE OF HOW IT'S GONE THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A SURVEY OR FROM EL FAMILIES FOR EXAMPLE, I JUST HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT IT SO, I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE DISCUSSING THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE FALL IN THE FUTURE. >> YOU MAY WANT TO MENTION A RESPONSE. YOU MAY WANT TO GET SOME INSIGHT BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS INTERNALLY AS WELL. >> DOCTOR, I WANT TO SEPARATE SOME OF THE COGS BETWEEN CITYWIDE AND NON-CITYWIDE BECAUSE VIRTUAL VIRGINIA WOULD NOT BE AN OPTION FOR STUDENTS WE WOULD LOOK AT SOME SORT OF VIRTUAL OR HOMEBOUND, THOSE SERVICES WOULD MAKE I.E. PT DECISIONS AND WE WOULD BE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I ALSO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I BELIEVE THAT MANY OF OUR CITYWIDE FAMILIES NOT RETURNING RIGHT NOW WILL RETURN IN THE FALL. MANY OF THEM ARE WAITING TO GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED. AND THE VACCINATION POOL IS OPENING UP. THE AREA THAT I THINK IS MORE OF A CONCERN IN THE ISSUES THAT YOU'VE RAISED ARE THOSE STUDENTS WHO ACCESS THE GENERAL EDUCATIO CURRICULUM AND WOULD REMAIN VIRTUAL. I DO NOT EXPECT THAT TO BE A VERY LARGE POPULATION. WE HAVE MOST OF MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE RETURNING. AND I HAVE RECEIVED NEXT TO NO COMMUNICATION FROM PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED THEIR SERVICES IN THAT MANNER TO BE VIRTUAL NEXT YEAR. SO, I THINK THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL CASE BY CASE SITUATIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO ACCESS THE GENERAL EDUCATION CRIPPLE CURRICULUM AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, BUT I MAY BE NAIVE. >> I'LL JUST FOLLOWUP BY SAYING A PARENT REACHED OUT TO ME TODAY WITH THIS CONCERN. SO, I KNOW THERE ARE SOME FAMILIES OUT THERE, SO IF WE COULD LOOK AT IT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> I THINK I WOULD ADD FOR EL STUDENTS AS WELL ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ACCESS THE GENERAL EDUCATION AS WELL. WE HAVE VARYING LEVELS OF ENGLISH. STUDENT WHO MIGHT BE AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU EVERYONE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT AND ROBUST DISCUSSION. SO I'M GLAD WE GOT TO HAVE IT TODAY AND OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION BECAUSE IT AIN'T OVER, RIGHT? BUT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP POWERING THROUGH LIKE WE HAVE. SO, THANK YOU EVERYONE. >>> OKAY. [21. Adjustments to Secondary Grading Practices for SY 2020-2021 in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (memo uploaded 5/4/21)] WE DO HAVE SOME NEW BUSINESS TO DEAL WITH TODAY SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING TO OUR SECONDARY GRADING PRACTICES FOR THE REMAINDER. >> WE STILL HAVE A WHOLE WORK SESSION AND A CLOSED SESSION AND WE HAVEN'T FINISHED THE MEETING YET. >> THANKS MARGARET. >> FAIR FEEDBACK, MARGARET. >> I WAS ON MUTE, AND THAT WAS MY HUSBAND SAYING ARE WE DONE YET? SORRY. >> OKAY. >> SO, TURNING IT OVER TO HEAR ABOUT OUR ADJUSTMENTS TO GRADING AS WE FINISH UP THIS SCHOOL YEAR. OKAY SO AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO TURN THINGS OVER TO OUR TEAM WORKING THROUGH [03:00:04] THIS SECONDARY GRADING PRACTICES, I BELIEVE IT'S MR. SAMSON AND DR.MAN, AND MER. SO, AT THIS TIME I'M ASSUMING I'M TURNING OVER TO MR. SAMSON BUT I MAYBE WRONG. >> MR. ABERZAZE. >> MS. ABERZEZE LEFT US. >> OKAY. WE'LL GET STARTED. WE JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH A BRIEF UPDATE. YOU SHOULD HAVE THE BOARD BRIEF THAT OUTLINES THESE CHANGES FOR YOU AS WELL. BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO EXAMINE SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH OUR GRADING PRACTICES. LOOKING AT THE YEAR THAT EVERYONE HAS HAD IN PARTICULARLY THE AFFECT THAT IT HAS HAD ON OUR STUDENTS AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY'VE FACED THROUGH BEING FULLY VIRTUAL AND THEN TRANSITIONING BACK FOR SOME OF OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS, SOME OF THOSE FAMILY AND LIFE STRESSORS THAT HAVE OCCURRED. SO WANTING TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHERE WE COULD HAVE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY THAT COULD CENTER THE GRADING ON THIS CONCEPT OF MASTERY OF CONTENT AND PROVIDING STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF SOME OF THOSE CORE STANDARDS AND CORE ASPECTS OF THE WORK. AND SO NOT TO SAY THAT WE AREN'T ASSESSING LEARNING, WE'RE NOT PROVIDING GRADES. BUT WE'RE FOCUSING ON WHAT WE ARE GRADING AND HOW WE ARE GRADING ON THOSE CORE AREAS. WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH OUR PRINCIPALS ON REALLY LOOKING AT EXAMINING WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR US. SO YOU'LL SEE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU A COUPLE OF THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, PARTICULARLY A COUPLE OF THINGS AT TC WILLIAMS, WE WANTED TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THOSE COURSES THAT RECEIVED A FINAL GRADE FOR THE YEAR AT THAT POINT. AND EXAMINE THOSE FINAL EXAMS AND SEE IF THE FINAL EXAM THAT THEY TOOK, IF WE OMIT THAT FINAL EXAM AND IT THEN CAUSES THE STUDENTS AVERAGE TO BE HIGHER, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DELETE THAT FINAL EXAM GRADE, RECALCULATE THAT FINAL GRADE AND THEN COMPLETE A GRADE CHANGE. I KNOW THAT MS. RUNCKEL AND HER TEAM ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT SOME OF THIS WORK AND REVIEW. WE WANT TO HAVE A DEADLINE TO BE COMPLETED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL BY MAY 28TH. THEN AS WE MOVE INTO THE SECOND SEMESTER, AND WE'RE UPCOMING TO FINAL EXAMS AT THE END OF THE YEAR FOR ALL OF OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS, WE FIRST OF ALL, JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT FOR COURSES THAT DON'T HAVE FINAL EXAMS WILL HAVE THE 25% PER QUARTER FOR EACH OF THOSE TO CALCULATE THE FINAL GRADE FOR THOSE YEAR LONG COURSES. AND 50% FOR SEMESTER LONG. AND WE'VE ALREADY PROVIDED FORMULAS. FOR EXAMS IN JUNE, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO COUNT THOSE EXAMS IF IT RAISES THE STUDENTS FINAL GRADE FOR THE COURSE. THAT REALLY PARALLELS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THAT SEMESTER ONE FINAL REVIEW. THE LOWEST WOULD BE A 50%. WE REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE FINAL EXAMS WOULD BE PROJECT BASED OPPORTUNITIES. AND WE WOULD JUST HIGHLIGHT THAT NOT EVERY COURSE AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL NEEDS TO HAVE A FINAL EXAM PER OUR GRADING REGULATIONS. THEN FINALLY, AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT SECTION, WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE REASSESSMENT AND MAKE UP OPPORTUNITIES. SO WE RECENTLY COMPLETED THE THIRD QUARTER. AND WE WANT STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ANY POTENTIAL REASSESSMENTS THAT THEY STILL FEEL LIKE THEY COULD GO INTO A REASSESSMENT AND DEMONSTRATE MASTERY FOR UP TO A MAXIMUM REVISED GRADE OF 80%. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ABLE TO COMPLETE ANY MAKEUP WORK THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO DO FROM THE THIRD QUARTER WITHOUT PENALTY ON THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS FRIDAY, MAY 21ST. FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THOSE REASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES AUTOMATICALLY FOR ANY ASSESSMENTS FOR WHICH A [03:05:03] GRADE OF D OR LESS WAS EARNED. AND WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO EARN UP TO AN 80% FOR THOSE GRADES. AND THEY CAN DO THAT FOR TEST CORRECTIONS OR MEDIA, ET CETERA. IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, SENIORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO COMPLETE THESE REASSESSMENTS, OR MAKE UP WORK BY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2ND. THAT'S IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SENIOR END OF YOUR CALENDAR. PRETTY MUCH TO THAT LAST DAY PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF FINAL EXAMS. AND LASTLY, SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY HEAVILY WEIGHTED GRADED CATEGORY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE ASSESSMENTS, WHEN THEY HAVE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN THOSE CATEGORIES THAT CAN HELP DEMONSTRATE A STUDENT'S OVERALL MASTERY SO NOT ONE SINGLE ASSESSMENT MAKES OR BREAKS A STUDENTS GRADE. WITH THAT, WE'LL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. WE'VE GOT PRINCIPALS AND STAFF THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE. >> OKAY. DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I THINK I JUST WANT TO SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE THE STAFF DIGGING IN TO DO THIS. I THINK, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HAVING GRACE WITH THE STAFF. AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE, AND HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE DECIDED TO PUT IN SOME PARAMETERS AROUND GRADES FOR OUR STUDENTS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE WE GOT INTO THIS SITUATION. AND SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE THIS TIME TO, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY REASSESS HOW WE ASSESS DURING THIS SITUATION. BUT I'M ALSO EXCITED FOR THE WORK THAT THIS LEADS US INTO, WHICH IS REALLY DIGGING IN TO OUR GRADING PRACTICES. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE AN EQUITABLE SCHOOL DIVISION, WE HAVE TO DO THAT WORK AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT. SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO, YOU KNOW, THE COMMITTEE THAT IS BEING FORMED TO MAKE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD NEXT YEAR. BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY BIG AND IMPORTANT WORK AND WE CAN'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. I SEE MR. MAZER. MR. MAZER, YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP? >> YES, I DO. MR. SAMPSON DID A REALLY NICE JOB PRESENTING THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD. IF I COULD JUST MAKE ONE POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE BULLET POINTS THAT HE ARTICULATED WERE BROUGHT BACK TO OUR STAFF LEADERSHIP FOR CONVERSATION AND DISCUSSION. AND REALLY THIS IS THE FINAL VERSION THAT DOES REFLECT THE BELIEFS AND SENTIMENT OF OUR STAFF IN TERMS OF HOW WE SHOULD BE ASSESSING STUDENTS AND PROVIDING MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO FIND SUCCESS. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAZAR. HMM? OH, EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU, DR. MAZAR. >> I DON'T WANT EMAILS FROM YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. OKAY. SO WE ARE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM OF NEW BUSINESS, WHICH IS A LITTLE FUN. [22. Resolution for VASS Superintendent of the Year] AND THAT IS WE HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR SITTING AT THE DAIS. SO WE'LL WORK ON THAT. SO THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS EVERY YEAR LIKES TO RECOGNIZE EIGHT REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE YEAR. FROM THOSE EIGHT REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENTS, A SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR IS SELECTED. DUE TO THE EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP OF THE 133 PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS THAT WE HAVE, AND THE ROLES THAT THEY'VE PLAYED IN SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES DURING THIS PANDEMIC, THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF I'M SORRY. VAS HAS DECIDED TO HONOR ALL 133 SUPERINTENDENTS AS VIRGINIA SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE YEAR. SO HE IS GOING TO BE OUR SUPERINTENDENT. HE'LL BE RECOGNIZED AT A SPRING CONFERENCE THIS YEAR. [03:10:01] AND ALSO, HE'S GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED TODAY BY HIS BOARD. WITH THIS BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED EVERYONE SEE THAT? WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED RESOLUTION FOR DR. GREGORY HUTCHINGS. OKAY. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ THE RESOLUTION? SUSAN SAID YES. >> YES. >> OKAY. SO WHEREAS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF VIRGINIANS ACROSS MOST PROVIDED VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION SINCE THEN AS INPERSON TEACHING AND LEARNING EVOLVED. AND WHEREAS AUTONOMY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT NEW INSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE AND THE FORMAT WHICH INSTRUCTION WOULD BE PRESENTED. EVEN WITHIN A PANDEMIC, THAT SERVE ALL CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. AND WHEREAS, PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS UTILIZED GUIDANCE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL CASE DATA IN FULFILLING LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES LIKE NO OTHER TIME IN THEIR CAREERS. DEFINITELY NO OTHER TIME IN THEIR CAREERS. AND MEALS TO CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC. AND WHEREAS, TRADITIONALLY VASS SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE YEAR SELECTED VIA TO DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP FOR LEARNING, PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WHEREAS WHERE ALL 133 VIRGINIA SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE EXTRAORDINARILY EXHIBITED THESE QUALITIES DURING THE 20202021 SCHOOL YEAR. AND WHEREAS THE VASS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGREE TO SUSPEND THE AND UNANIMOUSLY AGREE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ALL VIRGINIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS AS SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE YEAR FOR 20202021. AND WHEREAS, VASS IS APPRECIATIVE OF THE VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION AND THE HONOR PROVIDED TO EACH DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT BY HAVING HIS OR HER RESPECTIVE SCHOOL BOARD PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO BE RECOGNIZED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY FOR WHICH HE OR SHE SERVES AND LEADS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE ALEXANDRIA CITY SCHOOL BOARD DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE DR. GREGORY C. HUTCHINGS, JR. AS VIRGINIA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR FOR 202021. WE WILL ADOPT THIS. >> MADAM CHAIR I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION. >> SECOND. >> SECOND. >> OKAY. I THINK I HAVE MS. GREEN WHO SECONDS MS. ANDERSON'S MOTION. SO WITH THAT I WILL CALL FOR A VOTE. MEGHAN ALDERTON, YES. CINDY ANDERSON. >> YES. >> GENTRY. >> YES. >> JACINTA GREEN. >> YES. >> MARGARET LORBER. >> YES. >> VERONICA NOLAN. >> YES. >> REEF. >> YES. >> SUAREZ. >> YES. >> AND HEATHER THORNTON. >> YES. >> THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH A VOTE OF 90. DR. HUTCHINGS, ALL OF THOSE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, OKAY THEY WERE WORTH IT. JUST DON'T FORGET IT. OKAY. >> I WANT TO ADD MY ONE COMMENT ON THE RECORD. I WANT TO SAY THE BOARD IS ALSO THE BOARD OF THE YEAR, SERIOUSLY. BECAUSE THIS PROCESS AND EVERYTHING THAT I HAD TO ENDURE FOR THE PAST YEAR [03:15:05] WITH OUR STAFF WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. AND ONE THING THAT I DO KNOW, AND I WANT TO JUST SAY THIS PUBLICLY, THAT THERE WAS NEVER A MOMENT THAT I FELT LIKE I DID NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT AND THE COMFORT OF THE BOARD. AND I HAD MY MOMENTS. I MEAN, I HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS THAT THE COMMUNITY DIDN'T GET TO SEE. BUT MANY OF YOU DID GET TO SEE BEHIND THE SCENES BECAUSE AS SUPERINTENDENTS, WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS, TOO. WE'RE NOT SUPERNATURAL. WE BELIEVE WE'RE SUPER HEROES. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE HUMANS. AND I JUST APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT, THE LOVE, THE COMFORT THAT YOU ALL HAVE PROVIDED ME THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE TIME. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> HEREHERE. YOU'RE WELCOME. >> WE LOVE YOU, MARGARET. >> ALL RIGHT. SO NEXT UP, OH, IT'S MY REPORT. OKAY. SO IT IS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. WHICH WE'VE ALREADY SAID. [23. Report from Meagan L. Alderton] I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH THANK YOUS THAT WE CAN GIVE TO TEACHERS IN ANY YEAR LET ALONE THIS PAST YEAR. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR JUST CONTINUING TO SHOW UP. BECAUSE YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB. IT NEVER HAS BEEN. THIS YEAR YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID SAY TO DR. I DON'T KNOW WHY I WAS THINKING OF DR. DURANT. ONE OF THE THINGS I DID SAY SO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION IS, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR IF THIS ISN'T THE YEAR THAT HAS REVEALED TO US HOW IMPORTANT OUR EDUCATORS ARE, THERE WILL NEVER BE A TIME WHERE WE'LL GET IT. AND SO, YOU KNOW, LET'S CONTINUE TO JUST LIFT UP EDUCATORS. AND IT'S REALLY TIME FOR US TO ELEVATE THIS PROFESSION AND GIVE IT THE RESPECT THAT IT DESERVES. SO THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT. TODAY IS ALSO NATIONAL NURSE APPRECIATION DAY. ANOTHER SET OF UNSUNG HEROES. SO THANK YOU. IF THERE ARE ANY NURSES OUT THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE WATCHING. BUT THANK YOU. BECAUSE YOU ARE DEFINITELY UNSUNG HEROES AS WELL. OUR ADD DELETE BUDGET WORK SESSION IS ON MAY 20TH, AND THEN 27TH. AND WE'LL HAVE OUR FINAL ADOPTION OF OUR BUDGET ON JUNE 3RD. WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THESE BUDGETS ON MAY 20TH AT 5:00 P.M. AND THAT WILL BE DURING THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. WE'VE BEEN ON DOES DR. HUTCHINGS HAVE A REPORT? [24. Report from Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.] >> DITTO TO WHAT YOU SAID. OUR NURSES, YOU ALL ARE SPECTACULAR AND WE DO APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR KEEPING OUR BUILDINGS HEALTHY AND SAFE. AND NOT JUST FOR OUR STUDENTS BUT FOR OUR STAFF. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR DEDICATION. AND I KNOW IT'S A SELFLESS JOB THAT I KNOW SOMETIMES IS NOT RECOGNIZED. BUT OUR NURSES HAVE SOME OF THE BIGGEST HEARTS OUT THERE. THEY'RE IN THIS SERVICE TO HELP PEOPLE. AND WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. MS. GREEN SAID WE NEED TO CLAP. OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? [25. Announcements] OKAY. I SEE MS. NOLAN. >> THANK YOU. APOLOGIES THAT MY HAND IS NOT BEING RAISED. I ALWAYS TRY TO BE MINDFUL OF THIS MOMENT IN TIME. I THINK THIS IS ONLY THE THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT I'VE MADE IN MY SIX YEARS. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON. AND WE STILL HAVE ANOTHER MEETING AFTER THIS ONE. I DO HAVE A FEW COMMENTS THAT I'D LIKE TO MAKE. BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT SHARE WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY. I DID WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO SHARE THAT ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING MOMENTS I'VE HAD AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER OCCURRED THIS WEEK. THIS PAST MONDAY THE CITY COUNCIL DURING AN INCREDIBLY DISJOINTED AND PAINFUL TO WATCH MEETING VOTED TO REMOVE OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS LONG BEEN ESTABLISHED AS A TOOL THAT PROMOTED SCHOOL SAFETY, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, MENTORSHIP, AND WAS A SUCCESSFUL DETERRENT TO SITUATIONS. DESPITE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE POLICE CHIEF, OUR TALENTED [03:20:01] TEAM OF PRINCIPALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNTLESS TEACHERS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD THROUGH A VOTE, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR STUDENTS WHO SHARED HOW THESE OFFICERS ARE THEIR LIFE LINE REGARDLESS OF ALL OF THE EXPERTISE AND OF THOSE ON THE GROUND PROVIDING THEIR COMMENTARY, THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINED THAT THEY KNEW BETTER THAN OUR EXPERTS WITHOUT SERVING THE LARGER COMMUNITY, AND MADE A DECISION THAT FRANKLY IN MY OPINION, THEIR BACKGROUNDS DON'T I ALSO FIND IT SOMEWHAT IRONIC THAT THEIR INSISTENCE OF POLICE PRESENCE AT THEIR OWN MEETINGS DESPITE THEY DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS NECESSARY AT OUR SCHOOLS. IT'S STILL PUZZLING AFTER A 2.5 HOUR EXCHANGE BY THE COUNCIL EXACTLY WHAT PROBLEM THEY WERE TRYING TO SOLVE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST OTHERWISE NOT TO MENTION IT WAS DISTURBING TO WITNESS THE MISUSE OF DATA THAT ENTERED INTO THE COUNCIL'S DISCUSSION. FOR EXAMPLE, WITHIN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THERE'S NO CORRELATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SROS AND SCHOOL DISCIPLINE. DESPITE BEING THE LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE AND SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER OUTCOMES THAN SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT HAVE SROS PRESENT WITHIN THEIR BUILDINGS. I AM SO DISHEARTENED THAT SUCH INCREDIBLE LEADERS, ESPECIALLY OUR TEACHERS, OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND OUR PRINCIPALS WHO WE ENTRUST WITH ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY WERE NOT LISTENED TO AND WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH THE RESOURCES THAT THEY CLEARLY STATED THEY THEMSELVES NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS. NOT TO MENTION THE ENORMOUS WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH STAFF, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD AND ROBUST MRU THAT COULD HAVE TRACKED THE DATA TO SHOW POSITIVE OUTCOMES. IT WILL BE A LOSS TO THE STUDENTS AS A RESULT. WHILE I HOPE WE DON'T EXPERIENCE INCREASES IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS OR POLICE CALLS AND REFERRALS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE PRESENCE OR INVOLVEMENT OF SROS. WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE DISCUSSION SO THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS. I'M FULLY WEAR OF THE NATIONAL NARRATIVE REGARDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND IT IS INDEED AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION. I GIVE CHIEF BROWN HOMAGE AS MANY COMMUNITIES COULD LEARN FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP. I'M EXTREMELY WELL VERSED IN THE HISTORY OF POLICING. I'VE ACTUALLY TAUGHT ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES AS AN ACADEMIC PROFESSOR. AND THE DAMAGING CONTRIBUTIONS IT'S PLAYED TO SYSTEMIC RACISM IN OUR SOCIETY. IT'S EQUALLY DAMAGING TO NOT HAVE A NUANCED CONVERSATION WHEN DISCUSSING THIS TOPIC. AND DISCUSSING WHILE A BAD POLICE OFFICER IS HARMING TO A TEACHER, IT'S EQUALLY AS THE POSITIVE IMPACT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS AN INSPIRING TEACHER AND SCHOOL POLICIES THAT ARE CREATED THROUGH A RACIAL EQUITY LENS. I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS MOMENT TO HONOR THE EXPERTS WHO THOUGHTFULLY AND BRILLIANTLY EXPRESSED THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION. I'M INCREDIBLY SADDENED BY THE DISRESPECT YOU WERE SHOWN BY CITY COUNCIL. YOU DESERVE BETTER. AND ACPS AND I STAND WITH YOU. WE AS A BOARD CANNOT GET THIS BE A PERMANENT DECISION. WE MUST FIGHT TO REESTABLISH THIS PROGRAM SO THE SAFETY AND SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS REMAINS PARAMOUNT. AND WE ARE USING THE EXPERTS OF THOSE ON THE GROUND LEADING THE OFFICIALS TO GUIDE THE ROUTE THAT WE TAKE. ABOVE ALL, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT IN TIME TO THANK THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED OUR STUDENTS WITH. IT'S BEEN A LIFE LINE TO STUDENTS AS THEY THEMSELVES TESTIFIED. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING. APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, MS. NOLAN. OKAY. WE'VE GOT A WORK SESSION TO MOVE INTO. >> MADAM CHAIR. >> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD. >> THERE'S SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY TOMORROW. >> OH. >> SO WE WANTED TO THANK THE SCHOOL NUTRITION STAFF AS WELL. FOR SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY. WE HAVE IT, RIGHT? ARE YOU GOING TO POST IT OR AM I GOING TO POST IT? OKAY. >> IF I COULD JUST ADD, ESPECIALLY AMAZING ALL THEY'VE DONE DURING THIS PANDEMIC WITH THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION. IT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE. >> ABSOLUTELY. I GIVE A HAND TO THAT. THE AMOUNT OF MEALS THAT HAVE BEEN PREPARED. OVER A MILLION MEALS TO ALLOW FAMILIES TO HAVE FOOD FOR CHILDREN MULTIPLE TIMES [03:25:12] A DAY EVERY DAY THIS YEAR, AND SNACKS. IT'S INCREDIBLE. IT'S FABULOUS. AND THANK YOU. BECAUSE LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THEY SHOWED UP TO WORK TO DO THAT. >> THEY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO HAD TO FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE FOOD COULD NOT PEOPLE COULD NOT GO ON WITHOUT FOOD. IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE. >> YES. SO THANK YOU. OKAY. WORK SESSION. WE CAN'T DO CLOSED FIRST. I MEAN, I THINK IT WILL JUST I DON'T WANT THE STAFF TO HAVE TO LIKE YOU'LL GET TO GO HOME AFTER WORK SESSION. >> OKAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL A RECESS BEFORE WE GO INTO THE WORK SESSION BECAUSE WE ARE ALMOST FOUR HOURS IN AT THIS POINT. SO HOW ABOUT WE TAKE A RECESS. IT'S 8:44 AND WE CAN BE BACK READY TO GO BY 8:50. THANK YOU, GUYS. OH. I'M SORRY. DO WE NEED 15 MINUTES? OKAY. 10 MINUTES. SO THAT'S 8:54. [RECESS] . ALL RIGHT. SO I'M GOING TO CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER AT 10:10 P.M. THAT SOUNDS CRAZY. AND I WOULD LIKE FOR WE DO HAVE A CLOSED MEETING. [26. Closed Meeting] SO I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO READ US INTO CLOSED, PLEASE. >> I CAN. >> GO AHEAD. >> SURE. LET ME JUST SCROLL. OKAY. MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THE BOARD CONVENE A CLOSED MEETING FOR CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY A PUBLIC BODY REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REGARDING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PER COUNCIL. AND PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE AWARD OF A PUBLIC CONTRACT INVOLVING THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUND AND SCOPE OF SUCH CONTRACT WHERE DISCUSSION IN AN OPEN SESSION WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE BOARD. AND MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THE BOARD CONVENE A CLOSED MEETING FOR THE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACTUAL MATTERS FOR ONE SPECIFIC PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. >> SECOND. >> OKAY. I HAVE MS. GENTRY I'M SORRY, MS. GREEN WHO SECONDS MS. GENTRY'S MOTION. I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE VOTE. MEGAN ALDERTON, YES. JACINTA GREEN. >> YES. >> MICHELLE REEF. >> YES. >> CHRISTOPHER SUAREZ. >> YES. >> AND THORNTON. >> YES. >> THE VOTE IS 90 AND WE ARE GOING INTO CLOSED. >>> OKAY. MS. GENTRY, WILL YOU READ US CERTIFY OUR CLOSED MEETING. >> CERTAINLY. PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE I MOVE THAT THE BOARD CERTIFY THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION BY WHICH THE CLOSED MEETING WAS CONVENED AND ARE LAWFULLY EXEMPTED BY THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT WERE HEARD AND DISCLOSED IN THE BOARD IN THE MEETING HELD MAY 6, 2021. >> SECOND. >> I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE VOTE. MEGHAN ALDERTON YES. CINDY ANDERSON. >> YES. >> GENTRY. >> YES. >> JACINTA GREEN. >> YES. >> VERONICA NOLAN. >> YES. >> MICHELLE REEF. >> YES. >> CHRISTOPHER SUAREZ. >> YES. >> AND HEATHER THORNTON. >> YES. >> OKAY. NOW MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. [27. Certification of Closed Meeting] >> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE WE ADJOURN. >> SECOND. >> CHRIS WAS EAGER. >> YES. YES. >> MR. SUAREZ WAIT. >> I THINK IT WAS JACINTA. >> MR. SUAREZ MOTION. I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE FINAL VOTE. MEGHAN ALDERTON, YES. CINDY ANDERSON. >> YES. >> MARGARET LORBER. >> YES. >> MICHELLE REEF. >> YES. >> CHRISTOPHER SUAREZ. >> YES. >> AND HEATHER THORNTON. >> YES. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.