[00:00:02]
VERY GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TODAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2021.
I AM CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:05 P.M.
WE WILL DO A ROLL CALL FOR THIS MEETING AND WE WILL VOTE.
DO HAND VOTES THROUGHOUT SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO USE OUR ELECTRONIC VOTING TOOLS.
SO WITH THAT SAID, I WILL GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ROLL TO MAKE IT EASY FOR CLERKS OR THE CLERKS THIS EVENING.
[4. Observe a Moment of Silence]
AND AT THIS TIME, I WILL CALL FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.[5. Adopt the Agenda for the September 23, 2021 School Board Meeting]
I DO NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA, PLEASE.MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING.
SECOND, ALL RIGHT, I HAVE MS. LORBER WHO SECONDS MS GREENE'S MOTION.
WE ACTUALLY DO NEED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TODAY, MS. GENTRY.
MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD PERSONNEL ACTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER ONE THROUGH TWENTY 2021 TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
ALL RIGHT, SO I HAVE MS, NOLAN, WHO SECONDS MS. GENTRY'S MOTION.
SO FIRST WE NEED TO VOTE TO AMEND THE AGENDA.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE WE DO THAT? OK, I WILL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
ALL RIGHT, SO WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR WHO ARE PRESENT, MISS ANDERSON IS ABSENT.
OK, SO NOW I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
THAT CHAIR, MADAM CHAIR, THAT WE ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
SECOND, OK, AND SO ALL IN FAVOR.
ALL RIGHT, SO MOVING ON NEXT, WE HAVE OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND ADDRESSES
[6. Public Comments]
TO THE BOARD.WE DO HAVE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS TODAY.
JUST A REMINDER EVERY SPEAKER IS GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
THE CLERK WILL TIME YOU AND ANNOUNCE WHEN YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.
IF YOU ARE ALREADY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND YOU'RE PARTICIPATING THROUGH ZOOM, IT REALLY HELPS IF YOU RAISE YOUR HAND SO THAT WE CAN SEE YOU WITH THE RAISE HAND BUTTON AND WE CAN FIND YOU EASILY.
SO WITH THAT SAID, FIRST UP, WE HAVE MISSED ROXANA GUERRA, WHO IS A PARENT.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUST VOICE MY CONCERNS.
I HAVE A CHILD THAT IS ATTENDING AT GW MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THESE.
FIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS AS WELL.
YOU GUYS MAY HAVE HEARD ALREADY, AND UNFORTUNATELY HE WAS HAD A SITUATION LAST WEEK THAT A SUBSTITUTE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND FOUND OUT BY A THIRD PARTY.
SO I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS GOING TO DO OR WHAT IS IN PLANS OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO TO HELP OUR CHILDREN, OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF, OUR TEACHERS, EVERYBODY BECAUSE WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED AS WE ALL KNOW THIS AND WE JUST NEED MORE STAFFING.
[00:05:02]
WE NEED SOME I DON'T KNOW SOME MORE HALL MONITORS AND GW.AND AS YOU GUYS WELL KNOW, SROS, WE NEED THEM.
FORTUNATELY, SOMETHING HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO AND THAT WAS UNFORTUNATE.
AND I JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY HIGH CONCERN FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN OR OUR STUDENTS AT CPS AND JUST HOPING THAT SCHOOL BOARD WILL LISTEN TO US PARENTS WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED HAVING THAT ANXIETY ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS, SENDING YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL, WE SHOULD NOT FEEL THAT THAT WAY FOR OUR, YOU KNOW, HAVING OUR CHILDREN AT THE SCHOOLS.
I JUST WANT TO PUSH MY OPINION ABOUT THAT AND HOPE YOU HEAR US AND.
WE JUST SCREAMING FOR HELP FOR OUR KIDS.
SO JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY OPINION AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE SINDY CARBALLO GARCIA.
GOOD EVENING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ME SPEAK TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS SINDY CARBALLO GARCIA.
I AM A 2020 GRADUATE OF ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW I'M A YOUTH ORGANIZER AT TENANTS AND WORKERS UNITED.
IN MY ROLE, I AM HONORED TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH LOW INCOME STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO ATTEND ACP AS WE RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT THIS UNIQUE YEAR BRINGS.
ALTHOUGH WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN IN THAT FACE TO FACE SETTING FOR 18 MONTHS AND IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF HAS BEEN DEEPLY TRAUMATIC FOR SO MANY TO.
MANY OF OUR YOUTH HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERELY INTERRUPTED SCHOOLING, PERSONAL LOSS AND GRIEF, SEVERE POVERTY, LACK OF ADEQUATE FOOD AND RESOURCES AS ALSO AS HOUSING INSTABILITY AND DEBILITATING STRESS.
I AM HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, YOUTH AND PARENTS OF COLOR.
JUST TO REITERATE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES NOW, AND THAT IS FOR THE NEED FOR IMPROVING, TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND THROUGH SCHOOL CLIMATE IN ORDER TO ADVANCE EQUITY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN CPS.
THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER BEFORE LAST SPRING.
REAL POSITIVE, REALLY POSITIVE PROGRESSIVE DECISIONS WERE MADE TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
ALEXANDRA JOINED THE GROWING NATIONAL LIST OF JURISDICTIONS THAT REMOVED POLICE FROM ITS SCHOOLS TO FOCUS ON RESTORATIVE SOLUTIONS INSTEAD OF PUNITIVE RESPONSES.
NOW WE MUST FOCUS ON AND INVEST IN FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING DATA DRIVEN RESOURCES THAT REALLY WORK LIKE THE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, PRACTICE PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
WE MUST FOCUS ON CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT AND GRADUATION GAPS IN BUILDING COMMUNITY AMONG STUDENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPPORTIVE SUPPORT STAFF.
A CPS MUST PRIORITIZE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION WITH A CLEAR FOCUS ON THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ISSUES OUR YOUTH FACED.
PROGRAMS LIKE THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE THAT CAN WE KNOW THAT CAN DRASTICALLY IMPROVE SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE, AND THERE'S DATA TO SUPPORT THIS IMPACT.
HOWEVER, A SUCCESSFUL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY WITH THE FIDELITY AND WITH ADEQUATE FUNDING AND RESOURCES IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE MORE THAN 4000 STUDENTS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT STUDENTS OF COLOR, INCLUDING EQUITY, INCLUSION, JUSTICE AND PROGRESS IN PROGRESS.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MISS GARCIA.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THIS ERIN MCGLINCHEY.
SO FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK SUPERINTENDENT HUTCHINGS, PRINCIPAL MASER AND BOARD MEMBER RIEF.
ALL THREE OF YOU HAVE COMMUNICATED YOUR COMMITMENT TO QUARANTINE STUDENTS ACCESS TO QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
I WANT TO POINT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LEAD ARTICLE LEARNING IN QUARANTINE AND REPORTING A POSITIVE COVID 19 TEST RESULTS.
[00:10:04]
THIS IS THE LEAD ARTICLE FROM THE SEPTEMBER 17 EXPRESS NOTES, AND THIS ARTICLE NOTES THE FOLLOWING.FIRST, THAT AKP'S WILL USE LIVE STREAMING FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED TO QUARANTINE, AND SECOND, THAT THE TEACHER WILL NOT.
THE TEACHER WILL NOT BE INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE LIVESTREAMING THE CLASS.
LIVE STREAMING CAN BE EFFECTIVE IF THEY HAVE AGO TESS TO AUDIO.
IT IS A MODEL MANY OF THE SCHOOLS ADOPTED.
THIS IS NOT THE MODEL THAT ACS STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY GETTING FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
MY SON HAS BEEN QUARANTINED TWICE.
I DON'T THINK HE IS UNIQUE IN THIS.
I WORKED BESIDE MY SON THROUGH BOTH QUARANTINES.
LIVE STREAM AUDIO HE RECEIVED WAS OFTEN INDECIFERABLE.
I DON'T THINK MY SON'S EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE.
IF YOU LOOK BROADLY AT THE LITERATURE THERE IS A SMALL, BUT GROWING LIST.
I LOOK TO THE MAY 2021 STUDY OF STUDENTS LEARNING THROUGH LIVE STREAM.
THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT ALMOST ALL INTERVIEW PARTICIPANTS FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO FOCUS ON LIVE STREAMING VIDEOS.
THIS REDUCED STUDYING PRODUCTIVITY.
I HAVE TWO CONCRETE SUGGESTIONS.
I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD TO REVISIT THE APPROACH TO TEACHING QUARANTINED STUDENTS AND I ASK THAT THEY CONSIDER FIRST PROVIDING TEACHERS WITH WIRELESS MICROPHONES SO THERE IS ACCESS TO INTELIGIBLE AUDIO.
AND I ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO CONSIDER RECORDING CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONS ON A ZOOM CLOUD SO THAT THE QUARANTINE STUDENTS RATHER THAN BEING TETHERED TO LIVE STREAMS CAN MOVE THROUGH ARCHIVE LESSONS.
THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BOARD DECIDES TO DO WITH THE LIVE STREAM AND NOTES TO COME.
NEXT UP WE HAVE IN PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT AND OUR FIRST COMMENTER IS MS. DEBORAH ASH.
>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU, BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I AM HERE TO ADDRESS THAT TWO WEEKS AGO THE BOARD PROPOSED BRINGING A PROPOSAL FOR A MANDATORY VACCINE FOR THE STAFF.
I WANTED TO STAND UP IN THE PLACE OF THE STAFF.
I BELIEVE IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE THAT SHOULD BE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
NOBODY SHOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE A VACCINE WHEN THEY DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS THAT ARE IN IT.
SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE BEEN READING IS THAT THEY USED FETAL TISSUE FROM ABORTED BABIES TO TEST THE VACCINE AND PUT IT IN.
THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF RESOURCES THAT ARE NOT PUBLIC.
THIS IS INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN HIDDEN FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PUSH THE VACCINES.
THEY WANT TO SAY THE EFFICACY IS BETTER THAN GETTING COVID.
THE RATE OF RECOVERY IS IN THE 90S.
THEY ARE DYING FROM A COMORBIDITY.
MAYBE SOMEBODY IS DYING FROM COVID, BUT IT IS LIKE PNEUMONIA.
WE GET SICK AND WE RECOVER AND SOME PEOPLE DIE.
I AM SAD FOR THOSE FAMILIES AND THOSE COMMUNITIES, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THE FEAR THAT EVERYBODY IS FEELING JUSTIFIES MANDATING A VACCINE THAT IS IRREVERSIBLE.
YOU ARE PUTTING IT INTO THEIR BODY.
WHAT IS NEXT? A SECOND VACCINE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PROPOSAL, BUT I DO HOPE YOU WILL POLL THE TEACHERS AND SEE WHAT THEY PREFER TO DO AS FAR AS THEIR HEALTH.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF MEDICINES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND ON THE MARKET FOR PEOPLE TO RECOVER QUICKLY.
I WAS GOING TO READ A NUMBER OF THINGS FROM LIBERTY COUNCIL.
[00:15:01]
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE BIG ONE HERE, BUT JUST TO POINT OUT THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON OF JANSEN USED THE FETAL CULTURES SPECIFICALLY PER.C6 TO PRODUCE AND MANUFACTURE THE VACCINE.MULTIPLE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH VAX SAYS MRNA BY MTEC AND MODERNA DO NOT CONTAIN FETAL CELLS, BUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MRNA TECHNOLOGY FETAL CELLS WERE USED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW A CELL CAN TAKE MRNA AND PRODUCE THE SARS COVID-2 SPIKE PROTEIN OR PRODUCE THE COVID-2 SPIKE PROTEIN.
THUS, BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA USED ABORTION-DE VIEFD CELLS TO TEST THE EFFICACY OF BOTH VACCINES.
>> I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
>> NEXT UP WE HAVE MR. CARTER ROBERTS.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD AND CHAIR AND DR. HUTCHINGS.
HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING THIS AFTERNOON? SEE, I COME TO THE TABLE EVERY TIME I SPEAK BECAUSE I SHOW YOU HOW YOU SHOULD BE TO OUR KIDS.
IF OUR KIDS DON'T SEE US AND WE ARE KNOWING OF THEM AND KNOW POSITIVE BEHAVIOR AND WE ARE EXCITED, EVERY TIME I SEE A TEACHER WELCOME A KID INTO THE CLASSROOM I'M LIKE, GOOD.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT BOTH SCHOOLS.
MY SON IS IN 9TH GREAT AND IN THE STEM ACADEMY.
MY DAUGHTER IS AT HAMMOND AND WITH THE FAMILY.
THE PRINCIPAL OVER THERE DR. -- IS SHE A DOCTOR YET? DR. FLEMING.
SHE TREATS THE KIDS LIKE FAMILY AND NOT A PRODUCT.
IF WE START DOING THAT AND IF WE START -- STOP WITH THE MANDATORY TESTING AND LET'S GET TO WHERE OUR KIDS ARE.
MY DAUGHTER HASN'T BEEN IN IN-PERSON LEARNING SINCE THE FIFTH GRADE.
WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR STANDARDS? WHAT ARE WE DOING TO BRING THEM UP AND HAVE THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE AND EXCITED TO GO TO SCHOOL? RIGHT NOW THEY ARE IN A PANIC.
DADDY, IF I GET YOU SICK, ARE YOU GONNA BE MAD AT ME? MY KIDS ARE VERY VOCAL.
IMAGINE A KID WHO IS SCARED TO SAY JUST THAT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BULLYING GOING ON AT TCWINGHAM -- I'M SORRY, THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOL.
WHAT ARE YOU ALL GONNA DO ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATORS WHO HAVE NO [INAUDIBLE].
ALWAYS BEING IN A PROGRAM OR NOT BACK IN SCHOOL IS NOT GONNA HELP.
SCHOOL KIDS ARE BRINGING THE KNIVES TO SCHOOL.
THEY ARE EMULATING WHAT THEY ARE SEEING IN DC AND MARYLAND.
NEXT UP WE HAVE MS. MARY GATIS.
>> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR ALDERTON AND VICE CHAIR NOLAN AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES, DR. HUTCHINS AND THE
[00:20:07]
COMMUNITY.THIS EVENING I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE POWER OF LOVE.
OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO SEE AND HEAR MORE MESSAGES OF LOVE.
WE SEE AND HEAR HATERS ALL OVER THIS SCHOOL DIVISION.
HATRED STIRS UP CONFLICT AND LOVE COVERS ALL WRONG.
WE SHOULD HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE OURSELVES.
LOVE IS THE ONLY THING THAT INSPIRES AND ENCOURAGES AND LIGHTENS YOUR HEART WHEN YOU NEED WISDOM AND ASSURANCE.
IT IS NOT PROUD AND IT DOES NOT DISHONOR ONE ANOTHER.
ALWAYS HOPES, EVEN IN A PANDEMIC, WHEN ALL OF US ARE TRYING TO DO GOOD.
ONE OF MY QUOTES IS EDUCATION IS AN ACT OF LOVE.
WHEN YOU MAKE DECISIONS, DO IT WITH LOVE.
SO WE HAVE SOME OTHER COMMENTS THAT ARE WRITTEN AND WILL BE POSTED TO TODAY'S AGENDA.
I WILL SHARE THEY ARE FROM MS. KIM BULGER AND MS. HEATHER ASHBURN AND MR. CHARLES AND MS. AMY SLATHEN.
BOARD, IF YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WRITTEN COMMENTS.
REMEMBER, IF YOU WISH TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK OR SUBMIT WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND USE THE LINK ON THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WEB PAGE.
NEXT UP WE HAVE OUR REPORT FROM OUR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES, MS. EMILY
[7. Report from Student Representatives Emily Milton and Sylvia Rahim]
NELSON AND MS. SILVIA RAHEEN.YOU CAN DECIDE WHO GOES FIRST.
I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH CELEBRATING OUR FIRST FOOTBALL GAME AT THE NEW FIELD.
WE WON 37-7 AGAINST JUSTICE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL AND THE NEXT GAME SCHEDULED FOR THIS SATURDAY AGAINST HERDON HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ADDITION OF THE LIGHTS IN ORDER TO HAVE HOME FOOTBALL GAME CREATES A HAPPY ANDEN LIVENED SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGES SCHOOL PRIDE.
NEXT THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WHICH WAS ON SEPTEMBER 18, AND THE RIBBON CEREMONY AT 5:30 WHERE THE PRINCIPAL, THE SCHOOL BOARD CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR WERE ALL PRESENT.
THE FRESHMEN, JV AND VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM PLAYED ON A NEW FIELD SINCE THE FIELD IS BEING RENOVATED.
ANOTHER THING TO CELEBRATE IS THE BAND WON OVERALL SECOND PLACE AT THE WOOD BRIDGE INVITATIONAL MARCHING BAND COMPETITION.
THEY WON FIRST PLACE IN MUSIC AND SECOND PLACE IN MARCHING AND SECOND PLACE DRUM MAJOR.
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD IS TO ATTEND THE ADVISORY BOOTH WHERE GRADE 6 TO 12 CAN GAIN LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE.
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON OCTOBER 14TH ON ZOOM.
THE YOUTH COUNCIL INFORMATION WILL BEHELD NEXT MONDAY ON SEPTEMBER 27TH WHERE ALEXANDRA YOUTH CAN BE A COUNCILMEMBER.
THIS WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH TO GET INVOLVED IN THE DECISIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.
CURRENTLY THE THEATER PRODUCTION IS PRODUCING A PLAY ON SOCIAL JUSTICE TITLED FACING OUR TROOPS AND 10-MINUTE PLAYS ON RACE AND PRIVILEGE.
WE FIND THIS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY SINCE THE ACPS EQUITY FOR ALL STRATEGIC PLAN.
THE PRODUCTION OF THIS PLAY WILL HELP WITH THE PLAN OF PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR RACIAL EQUITY AND EMPOWERING OUR BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS.
HOPEFULLY THIS PLAY PRODUCTION WILL PLACE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS OF COLOR WILL BE INTERESTED IN THE ARTS.
THE BLACK STUDENT UNION IS ANOTHER ENTITY TO IMPROVE THE RACIAL INEQUITY IN OUR SCHOOLS AND CREATES A SPACE FOR BLACK STUDENTS TO FEEL WELCOMED AND EMPOWERED.
WE ATTENDED THE FIRST MEETING AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME NEXT FOR THE CLUB.
>> HELLO, BOARD AND COMMUNITY.
[00:25:01]
I AM EMILY MELTON.THE ALEXANDRIA COUNCIL WILL HOLD A MEETING AT WILLIAM RAMSEY TENNIS COURTS AT 4 P.M.
IT IS AN OUTDOOR EVENT, BUT MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED.
THERE WILL BE A VIRTUAL SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM ON OCTOBER 13TH IN ENGLISH, ARABIC AND SPANISH.
THERE WILL BE BREAKOUT ROOMS AFTER THE INITIAL INTRODUCTION.
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, ALEXANDRIA IS HOLDING A FREE VACCINE CLINIC FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF AT ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL FROM 9:30 A.M.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AGES 12 AND UP AT THE TEEN WELLNESS CENTER AT ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL.
THE ALEXANDRIA SOCCER ASSOCIATION HAS THREE SOPHOMORE PROGRAMS AT GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ALEXANDRIA CITY HIGH SCHOOL AND WILLIAM RAMSEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FRANCIS C HAMMOND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMAZON.
THEY REVIEWED THE 2022 TOP SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ACPS WAS 12TH FOR MOST DIVERSE SCHOOLS IN AMERICA AND FIRST IN VIRGINIA.
ACPS WAS MOST DIVERSE HIGH SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA AND GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 21ST IN DIVERSITY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CATEGORY AND HAMMOND RANKED 32ND FOR DIVERSITY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CATEGORY.
ACPS RANKED 330TH FOR ATHLETICS IN AMERICA AND 10TH IN VIRGINIA.
WE WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THE FOUR CURRENT NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS AND THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE BUDGETARY SUPPORT AND ALLOWING STUDENTS TO SAY THE PSAT9, PSAT10, PSAT11 MERIT SCHOLAR, PSAT FOR 12TH GRADER THAT'S HELPS ALL FOR FUTURE COLLEGE READINESS.
SILVIA AND I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT OUR OPINIONS ON VACCINE REGULATIONS SINCE THEY WILL BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT.
I WILL START OFF BY SAYING I PERSONALLY HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE, AND I BELIEVE IMPLEMENTING A MANDATE FOR STUDENTS POSSIBLY AND STAFF IS A GOOD ADDITION TO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WILL CUT BACK ON MONEY USED ON TESTING AND PERSONALLY IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL SAFE AND I'M PRETTY SURE A LOT OF OTHER STUDENTS FEEL MORE SAFE.
>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING EMILY SAID.
I JUST WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE TIME OF 2020 AND HOW LONELY IT FELT BEING ON ZOOM AND NOT FEELING CONNECTED WITH MY TEACHERS OR MY PEERS, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT.
SO I THINK IN ORDER TO HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO POSSIBLY MANDATE THE VACCINE.
I UNDERSTAND IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE THOUGH.
IT IS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS.
>> I NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[Consent Calendar]
>> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> ALL IN FAVOR? MS. LORBER? SUSAN, WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR WITH MS. ANDERSON ABSENT.
>> MOVING ON TO OLD BUSINESS FIRST AND WE NEED TO RECEIVE OUR COVID UPDATE ON OUR
[10. Plan for COVID Testing for Students]
TESTING PLAN FOR STUDENTS.>> WE WILL DO STUDENTS AND STAFF.
WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS FOR TODAY.
WE WILL START OUT WITH THE STUDENT PRESENTATION AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE BOARD MEETING.
THERE IS THE RESOLUTION TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING SURVEILLANCE TESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS AND ENSURING THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THE BEST PRACTICES IN REGARDS TO HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATIONS.
TODAY WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME UPDATES WITH THAT AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS WITH
[00:30:02]
REGARD TO VACCINATION OF STUDENT ATHLETES.I WILL TURN THINGS OVER TO DR. CRAWFORD AT THIS TIME TO BEGIN OUR PRESENTATION, AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO GO INTO A PRESENTATION DISCUSSING VACCINATIONS AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON VACCINATION AND STAFF.
WE WILL START WITH THE STUDENTS AND THEN GO TO THE STAFF.
ARE WE GOING TO PUT THE SLIDES UP THERE?
CHAIR ALDER SON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. HUTCHINGS, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US TALK ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATES AND MEASURES SINCE THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE.
>> AS THE BOARD IS AWARE THERE ARE MANY MEASURES WE HAVE IN PLACE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO TRY AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF MEMBERS SAFE.
YOU HEARD ME SPEAK AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH REMAINS VERY STRONG.
I KNOW DR. GATY IS IN THE HALL AND I HOPE SHE WON'T MIND ME QUOTING HER.
LAST WEEK AND I MAY HAVE TOLD YOU THIS, BUT SHE SAID PRE-COVID WE THOUGHT WE WERE BEST FRIENDS AND NOW WE ARE DEFINITELY BFFS.
WE TALK EVERY DAY AND WE SHARE A LOT OF INFORMATION.
THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL BFF IN THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE ARE PLANNING VACCINATIONS TO BE OFFERED AT MINI HOWARD, GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FRANCIS C HAMMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL.
OUR STUDENT REP TOLD US THAT VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS 12 AND UP AT THE TEEN WELLNESS CENTER.
A SURVEY WILL BE GOING OUT TO OUR FAMILIES SPECIFICALLY WHO HAVE STUDENTS 12 AND OLDER AND ASKING IF THE STUDENTS IF THEY ARE WILLING AND INTERESTED TO BE VACCINATED DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF, WE HAVE KING STREET COVERED AND GW AND HOW ABOUT THE OTHER SCHOOLS? WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE 12-YEAR-OLD AND OLDER AT OUR K-8 SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS. THOSE STUDENTS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR SURVEY.
WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT SURVEY DATA AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS IN ANY OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE AVAILABILITY AND ARE ABLE TO GET TO THE SCHOOLS AND HAVE AVAILABILITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE.
I DO WANT TO NOTE BECAUSE LAST TIME WE SPOKE AS A BOARD WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEGINNING NEXT WEEK.
OUR PLAN IS ACTUALLY TO START ON OCTOBER 4TH.
I THINK THE SLIDE SAID AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE BOARD ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CATCH THE DETAILS ON THE SLIDE THAT IT WILL BE OCTOBER 4TH.
>> ALONG THE LINES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MITIGATING MEASURES AND UTILIZING EVERY STRATEGY TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS STAVE, WE MAY REMEMBER THAT IN THE SPRING WE HAD A NUMBER OF CASES RELATED TO ATHLETICS AND SEASONS THAT WERE INTERRUPTED WITH QUARANTINE AND SOMETIMES CANCELLATIONS DUE TO CASES.
WE BRING THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD THIS EVENING AND BEGINNING IN THE WINTER WITH SPRING SPORTS, THE ATHLETES IN THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ASSOCIATED SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION.
YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GET YOUR VACCINATION ON SITE AT ANY OF YOUR SCHOOLS OR RECEIVE TRANSPORTATION TO ONE OF THOSE SITES TO GET THE VACCINATION.
WE WILL BE ASKING THE BOARD FOR ACTION ON MANDATING THE VACCINATION FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.
I WILL SAY WE KNOW IN THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION THAT IS ALREADY UP IN THE CITY THAT OUR STUDENT POPULATION 12 TO 15 AND 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS ARE VERY HIGH UP ON WHAT THEIR VACCINATION RATE IS ALREADY.
I BELIEVE OUR ATHLETES ARE ALREADY LEADING THE CHARGE ON, THIS BUT WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THAT WILL BE THE EXPECTATION AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM IN GETTING VACCINATED.
ADDITIONALLY AS A CONSIDERATION WE ARE JOINING MANY OTHER SCHOOL DIVISIONS WHO HAVE IN FACT SAID THAT VACCINATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR STUDENT ATHLETES.
A FEW OTHER UPDATES THAT I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT AND HOPEFULLY THE COMMUNITY IS
[00:35:04]
TOO AND I HOPE AS I REVIEW THESE THE COMMUNITY AND THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE AND HEAR THAT WE HEAR THE COMMENTS WE GET AND WE HEAR WHAT THE PRINCIPALS AND THE STAFF ARE SAYING AND WE ARE TRYING TO RESPOND TO THAT IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY.ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXAMPLES IS THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE SYSTEM WE ARE USING CURRENTLY FOR A DAILY DASHBOARD.
IT WILL REPORT CLOSE CONTACTS AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHICS THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND BREAK OUT STUDENT AND STAFF CASES.
THE REASON I SAY THIS IS RESPONSIVE TO THE FEEDBACK WE ARE GETTING FROM THE COMMUNITY IS AFTER A NUMBER OF MONTHS OF BEING IN COVID WE ARE HEARING THAT THE GENERAL NOTIFICATION LETTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE TO BE TRANSPARENT AND RAISE AWARENESS OF CLOSE CONTACT THAT IT IS RAISING ANXIETY.
YOU FEEL DO I HAVE TO WAIT BY MY PHONE TO GET A CALL? WE WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE OUR LETTERS RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ARE DEVELOPING A SYSTEM WHERE LETTERS COME OUT OF THIS SAME TIME OF DAY.
YOU KNOW WHEN A COVID NOTIFICATION WILL COME OUT AND IT IS GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN WE HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING THIS WILL BE YOUR NOTIFICATION.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT IT YOU CAN SIGN IN AND CHECK IT OUT.
IF YOU ARE NOT -- NOT NOT INTERESTED, BUT IF IT IS TOO MUCH TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION FOR EVERY CASE YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD EVERY DAY.
YOU CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP DECREASE THE ANXIETY THAT MANY OF OUR FAMILIES ARE LIVING WITH RIGHT NOW AS WE ARE GOING TO SCHOOL AND HAVING CASES IN SCHOOLS.
THAT'S THE FIRST PART OF QUALTRICS.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CONTACT TRACING PROCESS AND THE CLOSE CONTACT INFORMATION.
THAT IS DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS WE CAN STREAM LINE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ACPS AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ALSO GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO OUR FAMILIES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THE THING IT SHOULD ASSIST WITH IS BECAUSE QUALTRICS SPEAKS TO THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IT IS HIPA COMPLIANT.
WE HOPE THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF MEMBERS AND THE COVID TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE DOING THE CONTACT TRACING IN THE SCHOOLS, THAT THIS WILL ASSIST THEM AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT IS TAKING THEM TO PULL ALL THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER.
THIS IS EXCITING TO HAVE THE UP-TO-DATE DAILY DASHBOARD AS WELL AS A STREAM LINED CONTACT TRACING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
>> ALONG THOSE LINES OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE TWO TOWN HALLS IN THE LAST WEEK.
HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE HAVE A THOUSAND PARTICIPANTS WHEN YOU PUT THE TWO TOWN HALLS TOGETHER.
WE WERE ABLE TO ANSWER A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS, BUT ALSO GO THROUGH WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF WE HAVE A CASE.
THEY PROVIDED A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE AND HELPED WITH THE TOWN HALLS.
WE MADE SURE WE ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS AND WE WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TOWN HALLS HEAR WHAT WE HAD TO SAY.
IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT AND WE WILL LOOK FOR WAYS TO COMMUNICATE ANY NEW INFORMATION.
BULLET NUMBER THREE, UPDATES IN THIS AREA, CONTINUED ACTION STEPS FOR SURVEILLANCE TESTING.
THE BOARD HEARD ME SAY AT THE LAST MEETING WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE A CONTRACT TO YOU TO SIGN.
THE ANTICIPATED TIMELINE IS ABOUT 14 DAYS AFTER THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE TESTING UP AND RUNNING AT THE SITE.
THE CONTRACT HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED AT THIS POINT.
THE VENDOR THAT I CAN NOT NAME BECAUSE OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS GOING THROUGH THE CONTRACT.
WE DO NOT HAVE THAT FOR YOU THIS EVENING.
HOPING THAT IT IS COMING IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO.
MY APOLOGIES TO YOU AND THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I TOLD YOU WHEN WE TALKED THE LAST TIME.
I KNOW IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS THERE IS BACK AND FORTH AND WE ARE GETTING THE BEST CONTRACT AND WE ARE PROTECTING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THROUGH THAT.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE CONTRACT FOR YOU THIS EVENING.
WHAT I CAN ASSURE YOU IS EVEN WITHOUT THE CONTRACT ACPS HAS TAKEN THE STEPS WE NEED TO WITH RESPECT TO LOGISTICS, SCHEDULING AND COMMUNICATION AND MOVING
[00:40:02]
THINGS FORWARD SO THAT WE ARE REALLY READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED.AND WE ARE IN THAT TWO-WEEK WINDOW THAT THE BOARD CREATED.
ANOTHER QUICK UPDATE HERE THAT RELATES TO THE TOWN HALL, WE HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS DURING THE TOWN HALL ABOUT OUTDOOR LUNCH AND LUNCH OPTIONS AND USE OF CAFETERIA.
WE JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD AND ANYONE LISTENING, IF YOU WERE NOT ON THE TOWN HALL, BUT WE DID TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR LUNCH OPTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT THE EMPHASIS WAS INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING KNOWING THAT THE OUTDOOR LUNCH IS NOT NECESSARILY -- THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO EVERY DAY WHETHER IT IS AIR QUALITY OR RAIN OR THE STORMS AND THE FLOODING THAT WE HAVE HAD.
WE ASKED OUR PRINCIPALS TO REALLY GET CREATIVE AND IDENTIFY LOCATIONS WITHIN THE SCHOOL THAT THEY COULD SPREAD OUT.
THE BOARD KNOWS EVERY SCHOOL IS DIFFERENT IN LAYOUT AND STUDENT SIZE AND STAFF SIZE AND WHO CAN SERVE DURING THE LUNCHTIME.
WE WANTED TO ASSURE THE COMMUNITY THAT ONE OF THE DISTANCING MEASURES IS IN FACT OUTDOOR LUNCH.
PRINCIPALS ARE WORKING WITH THE TLL LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE EXPERIENCING THE DISTANCING MEASURES.
WHILE TESTING, THE STATE TESTING PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING AND WE ARE CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION THAT HAS HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE OUR INTENTION IS TO JOIN THAT PROGRAM WHEN IT IS READY FOR US TO GO WHEN WE ARE MATCHED WITH A VENDOR.
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FULLY FUNDED INCLUDING THE ASSISTANCE OF STAFF.
WE WANT TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND USE VISSTA AS SOON AS WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.
AS THE BOARD HAS HEARD ME SAY SEVERAL TIMES, WE DON'T WANT TO DELAY.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE PURSUING THE OUTSIDE VENDOR.
THIS IS FROM A DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA HEALTH PRESENTATION.
THE SUPERINTENDENT IN VIRGINIA, AND THIS IS A TOPIC THAT CAME UP FREQUENTLY IN THE TOWN HALL.
I THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD AND ANYONE LISTENING THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT ALWAYS PUT TOGETHER IN THIS FORMAT.
WE ARE HEARING FROM MANY FAMILIES ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE PRESENTS.
WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND IT IS A LONGTIME AND A LONGTIME TO BE OUT OF CLASS AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE PURSUING THE VIRTUAL LIVE STREAMING.
I WANT TO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS THE RISK? WHY IS THE 14-DAY WHAT ACPS CONTINUING TO DO? IT IS THE GOLD STANDARD AND THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CDC AND THE BDH AND THE ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
YOU CAN SEE THE RISK FOR A 14-DAY QUARANTINE IS BETWEEN 0-3.
IF YOU MOVE TO A 14-DAY QUARANTINE YOU ARE SHORTENING THE AMOUNT THE STUDENT IS OUT OF SCHOOL AND THE RISK IS UP 12%.
BETWEEN 5 AND 12% MAY TEST POSITIVE AND 5 AND 10% AFTER DAY 7.
WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN SEEN FIRSTHAND AT ACPS.
IT IS NOT JUST A FACT ON THE SLIDE, BUT SOMETHING WE LIVED WITH IN THE QUARANTINE OF HAVING CLOSE CONTACT IN ACTUAL, POSITIVE CASES.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD NOTE IS THAT THE RESEARCH BEHIND THESE RISK PERCENTAGES ARE PRE-DELTA VARIANT.
THIS WAS DEVELOPED BEFORE THE DELTA VARIANT CAME OUT AND I DON'T KNOW THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON THE PERCENTAGES.
I OFFER THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONTINUE EDUCATION IN QUARANTINE AND KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE.
WE ARE NOT SEEING WIDESPREAD WHEN WE HAVE KIDS IN SCHOOLS, AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MEASURES WE ARE TAKING INCLUDING THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE WHEN WE HAVE A CASE.
AND THE NEXT SLIDE IS JUST A REMINDER OF CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> MADAM CHAIR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO INTO QUESTIONS FOR THIS PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION AND THEN QUESTIONS FOR THE STAFF PORTION?
LET'S GO WITH QUESTIONS FOR THIS PORTION AND THEN WE WILL HAVE STAFF QUESTIONS NEXT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE, DR. CRAWFORD.
THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITING STUFF IN THERE.
I AM EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE UPDATES TO THE DASHBOARD.
I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES.
[00:45:03]
I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT EXPLORING ANY POSSIBILITY AROUND OUTDOOR LUNCH AND GETTING CREATIVE WITH THAT.WITH REGARDS TO THE QUARANTINE PERIOD, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU EXPLAINING WHY WE ARE PUTTING THE PRIORITY ON THE 14 DAYS.
I THINK THAT'S THE GOLD STANDARD.
I THINK EXPLAINING TO FAMILIES WHY WE ARE DOING THAT IS IMPORTANT.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT SINCE WE ARE REALLY PUTTING THE EMPHASIS ON THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE PERIOD I KNOW WE HAD A PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKER AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE AUDIO AND THE LIVE STREAM.
I DON'T KNOW IF DR. HUTCHINGS YOU WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT AND I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION AFTER THAT.
>> THANK YOU, DR. RIEF, FOR ASKING THAT.
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUARANTINE TIME AND THE LEARNING AT HOME.
SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE UPDATES -- I WILL DO THAT NOW.
ONE IS THE CAMERAS WE CURRENTLY HAVE ARE CAMERAS WE HAD FROM LAST YEAR.
AND THEY ARE REALLY NOT CONDUCIVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
WE HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED SOME NEW CAMERAS, UPGRADED CAMERAS WITH TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION.
I BELIEVE IT IS ABERG TECHNOLOGY.
IT IS NOT OWL CAMERAS WHICH SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS OUT THERE.
IT HAS A 360 VISUAL AND TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION.
IT IS UPGRADED AND A LOT MORE SAVVY.
THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THESE CAMERAS INSTALLED IN ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS IN ACPS IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER.
WE ARE GOING INTO OCTOBER, EVERYBODY.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ACTION WITH THE CAMERAS LAST YEAR.
WITH THE PANDEMIC WE WERE NOT GETTING THE SHIPMENTS IN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND EVERYTHING WAS ON BACK ORDER AND EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO GET CAMERAS.
WE HAD TO TAKE WHAT WE COULD AT THE TIME WHICH WAS NOT THE BEST.
SAME THING WITH CHROME BOOKS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE.
THOSE WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE AVAILABLE.
I'M GLAD THOSE ARE BEING UPDATED.
YOU WILL HAVE NEW CHROME BOOKS, KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE FAMILIES.
I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING DISCUSSIONS AROUND WHAT DOES THAT LEARNING AND QUARANTINE LOOK LIKE? AND HOW CAN WE MAKE IT MORE ROBUST? TOMORROW I HAVE THE PLEASURE AT TEACHING AT SAMUEL TUCKER.
I WANT TO TRYOUT THIS CAMERA MYSELF.
I AM TEACHING A CLASS AT SAMUEL TUCKER TOMORROW.
IT IS ON MY CALENDAR SO IT WILL HAPPEN.
I TOLD YOU, IF IT IS NOT ON MY CALENDAR, IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
I AM GOING TO BE TEACHING TOMORROW JUST TO -- VERONICA KNOWS.
I AM GOING TO BE TEACHING TOMORROW.
ONE THING THAT I'M HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS IS HOW DOES THE INTERACTION HAPPEN BETWEEN THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT WITH THESE NEW CAMERAS? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS THAT MIGHT COME ALONG WITH IT? WE WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THE TERM CONCURRENT TEACHING.
FIRST OFF, THAT WAS A NEW TERM THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
I DID NOT LEARN IT IN MY GRADUATE PROGRAM OR DOCTORATE PROGRAM.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN STUDENTS ARE AT HOME FOR A QUARANTINE FOR A 14-DAY PERIOD, THAT WE HAVE THE MOST ROBUST LEARNING CONSTABLE.
THEY WILL HAVE TO RETURN BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.
AND IN MANY CASES IF A STUDENT HAS NO SYMPTOMS, THEY ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE.
THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.
WE JUST WANT TO WORK THROUGH THE LOGISTICS FOR THAT.
WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THAT IN OCTOBER, DR. RIEF.
WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ABOUT OUR LEARNING -- OUR ACADEMIC LEARNING AND TESTING AND ACADEMIC DATA.
MADAM CHAIR WILL SHARE SOME OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE THIS PAST WEEK TO SHARE OUR AGENDA FOR THE YEAR.
THAT'S ONE OF THE TOPICS FOR OCTOBER.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TEACHING TOMORROW.
THAT'S EXCITING TO HEAR WE WILL LOOK AT THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM FOR QUARANTINE.
THE OTHER QUESTION IS FOR DR. CRAWFORD.
ONE IS WHEN WE DO THE VACCINATIONS -- EXCUSE ME.
WHEN WE DO THE SCREENING TESTING, I WANT TO KNOW IF VACCINATED STUDENTS AND STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE SCREENING TESTING BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES HAPPENING.
THE OTHER THING IS CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT -- AND
[00:50:05]
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT, BUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK GOING ON.OUR ADMINISTRATORS ARE TAKING ON THE ROLE OF DOING THE CONTACT TRACING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECTLY.
I WANT TO KNOW IF WE'RE WORKING TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF OR IF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF.
HAVE WE TALKED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT OUR NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CONTACT TRACE SNG.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST QUESTION ABOUT THE TEST SCREENING, YES.
IT IS OPEN TO VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED.
THAT'S AN AREA WHERE WE SAW A CHANGE.
IF YOU GO BACK TO THE VISSTA PROGRAM BEGINNING IN APRIL, INITIALLY IT SAID UNVACCINATED STAFF AND STUDENTS.
WE RECEIVED THIS QUESTION FROM FAMILIES AND STAFF AND WE SAID REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE AND GET THE TESTING.
SECOND PIECE ABOUT CONTACT TRACING IF YOU WILL ALLOW ME TO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN, ARE THE ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVED? ABSOLUTELY.
THIS IS A CASE WHERE WE WORKED HARD TO TRY AND TAKE OFF ANY -- A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR OR EMPLOYEE, BUT WE CAN'T GET AROUND THE INFORMATION.
IF THERE IS A CASE IN THE CLASS WE NEED THE SEATING CHART.
REREACH OUT FOR THE BUS ROSTER.
WHERE WERE THEY IN LUNCH? WHERE WERE THEY IN THE COURSE OF THE DAY? WHAT DO SPECIALS LOOK LIKE IN THE LAYOUT OF THE CLASSROOM? ARE THEY ABLE TO DISTANCE? ARE THEY CLOSELY TOGETHER IN A CLASSROOM? SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS OR SCHOOL COVID TEAMS, IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE SCHOOL WHICH TEAM DOES IT.
100% THEY DO THE INITIAL CONTACT TRACING.
THEY DEVELOP WHO IS THE LIST OF WHO WAS BY THE POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL WHETHER IT IS A STAFF MEMBER OR STUDENT.
IF IT IS A STAFF MEMBER, A STAFF MEMBER IS ABLE TO SAY THIS IS WHO I WAS BY AND FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME.
IF IT IS A STUDENT, OBVIOUSLY WE UTILIZE THOSE THINGS.
WE LOOK AT THE SEATING CHART AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS.
AND THEN WE PROVIDE THAT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY MAKE CALLS TO THE FAMILY.
I KNOW DR. GATTY IS ON HERE, BUT I KNOW THEY ARE IN SURGE WITH THE CASES THEY HAVE TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THEY ARE EMAILING FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW YOU ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT AND HERE IS THE DATE OF EXPOSURE AND HERE IS THE ANTICIPATED DATE OF RETURN TO SCHOOL.
PART B OF THAT QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, WE HAVE CONTACT TRACING POSITIONS.
WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGES OF HIRING SO FAR AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH THE HIRING PROCESS.
I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE WE HAVE THE POSITION RIGHT NOW IN THE FUNDING.
IT IS A MATTER OF FILLING THEM.
I WILL SAY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY JUST GAVE US A GREAT IDEA THE OTHER DAY WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALLOWING SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO BE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
WE ARE TRYING TO BE CREATIVE AND REACHING OUT TO AREA UNIVERSITIES THAT MAY HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH OR OTHER PROGRAMS AND SEE IF ANYBODY NEEDS INTERN HOURS OR OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT WE CAN DO IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FILL THE CONTACT TRACING POSITIONS RIGHT AWAY.
SCHOOLS 100% PLAY A ROLE IN THAT AND THEY PLAY A REALLY LARGE ROLE.
THEY KNOW THEIR CLASSROOMS. THEY KNOW THE LAYOUT AND THEY DO THE INITIAL LIST.
WE PROVIDE IT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOES THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION OF EITHER CONTACTING FAMILIES BY PHONE OR EMAIL AND PHONE SOMETIMES AND THEY TAKE IT FROM THERE AND THEY LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE UPDATES TO THE CASE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VERY DETAILED AND EVER-CHANGING UPDATE.
I HAVE DREAMS OF THIS AS I'M SURE YOU DO AS WELL.
>> ONE THING I AM -- WELL, I AM HAPPY WITH A LOT OF THINGS, BUT I AM EXTREMELY
[00:55:04]
HAPPY THAT WE ARE ON A PLAN TO SPREAD THE KIDS OUT FOR LUNCH.NOW, YOU MENTIONED THAT WE -- THERE IS -- THE PRINCIPALS WILL BE WORKING WITH A TEAM OF PEOPLE TO POSSIBLY EAT OUTSIDE IF THAT IS A POSSIBILITY FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL.
IS THERE A TIMELINE FOR THAT? IS IT ON GOING NOW? ARE SOME OF THE SCHOOLS EATING OUTSIDE CURRENTLY? CAN YOU GIVE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL TO THAT? AND THE LUNCH MONITORS BEING HIRED, ARE THEY NOW IN PLACE AND WORKING?
>> WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING SOME OF OUR MONITORS.
WE HAD 138, I BELIEVE, WAS THE NUMBER OF MONITORS WE NEED.
I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE UPDATE IS AS OF TODAY.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING OUR MONITORS TO ASSIST.
SOME SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR OPTIONS.
AND THAT WAS HAPPENING PRIOR TO THIS.
ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS IT IS NOT THAT ACPS WAS AGAINST OUTDOOR LUNCH.
WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD A SUSTAINABLE PLAN IN PLACE.
BECAUSE LUNCH OUTSIDE IS NOT ALWAYS THE OPTION.
AS WE JUST SAW, FOR THE PAST FOUR WEEKS THERE WERE PROBABLY TWO DAYS THE KIDS COULD HAVE EAT -- EATEN OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF HEAT, RAIN, AIR QUALITY.
IT IS ACTUALLY HEALTHY TO BE OUTSIDE.
YOU GET DISEASE -- NOT DISEASE.
WE ARE ALREADY DOING SOME OF THE OUTDOOR OPTIONS AND THEY WERE CREATIVE OPTIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I WILL USE ONE AT GW.
STUDENTS WERE NOT NECESSARILY EATING OUTSIDE, BUT SOME STUDENTS WERE OUTSIDE DOING WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE TO DO, TALK, SOCIALIZE, WHILE OTHER KIDS WERE EATING AND THEN VICE-VERSA THEY SWAPPED IN AND OUT.
THAT LIMITED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE CAFETERIA AT A PARTICULAR TIME.
THESE ARE THE CREATIVE THINGS THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE DOING.
WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT EVERY SCHOOL IS NOT CAPABLE OF HAVING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE LUNCH.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO BE ADAMANT AT ALL TOO.
IT IS NOT ABOUT EVERYTHING BEING EQUAL AND EVERYBODY HAS TO DO THE SAME.
BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND BEING EQUITABLE, IT IS TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT CAN YOU DO IN YOUR SCHOOL THAT IS GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE THESE OPTIONS.
THE AUDITORIUMS AND THE LIBRARIES AND THE HALLWAYS AND THE OPEN SPACES TO ACCOMMODATE IN THE BUILDINGS.
WE WILL HAVE SOME NUMBERS FROM HR -- IF WE CAN'T SHARE THEM TONIGHT WE WILL GIVE YOU A FOLLOW-UP FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE NUMBER OF THE 138 MONITORS.
BUT THERE WAS A TEAM WORKING WITH THE PRINCIPALS ON LUNCH SO I WANTED CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
>> THE PRINCIPALS AND THEIR TEAMS. SO THEIR TEAMS INCLUDE THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAMS OR LEADERSHIP TEAMS OR DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, TEACHER LEADERS, PARENT/TEACHER ADVISORY REPRESENTATIVES.
IT VARIES WITH EACH SCHOOL BECAUSE EVERY SCHOOL HAS A DIFFERENT LAYOUT AND PROCESS.
AND THANK YOU DR. CRAWFORD AND DR. HUTCHINGS FOR THE UPDATES.
IT DEFINITELY MOVES US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THANK YOU FOR THE PLANNING AND THE EFFORTS TO KEEP THESE MITIGATIONS GOING.
I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDENT SIDE AND STARTING WITH THE -- I GUESS THE VACCINATION PIECE.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND FIRST OFF -- WE JUST HEARD FROM OUR LOVELY STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES THAT THEY WOULD RATHER BE VACCINATED.
WHAT IS THE REASONING BEHIND DOING A MANDATE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE STUDENTS, THE ATHLETES, BUT NOT PROPOSING THAT FOR THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION RIGHT NOW? I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS A REASONING BEHIND THAT OR IF WE ARE THINKING OF MOVING TOWARD THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION GIVEN, AS I SAID, LOS ANGELES IS DOING AND SOME OF THE OTHER MAJOR DISTRICTS.
I DO THINK THAT CONVERSATION IS ONE THAT WE SHOULD START HAVING.
[01:00:05]
I REMEMBER LOOKING AT HOW WE WERE TRACKING THE DATA.THERE IS A MISMATCH BETWEEN OUR NUMBERS AND THE CITY NUMBERS.
JUST WONDERING IF MAYBE GOING FORWARD AT THE BOARD MEETINGS AS WE IMPLEMENT THESE MITIGATIONS AND TALK THROUGH THESE THINGS AND MAYBE IT IS BROKEN DOWN BY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND HERE IS THE PERCENTAGE VACCINATED AND HERE IS WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE.
AND THEN WHEN WE GET THE SATELLITE TESTING GOING, HERE ARE THE PERCENTAGES.
BROKEN DOWN IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T VIOLATE PRIVACY RULES.
AT LEAST THE BOARD CAN SEE THE DATA AND TALK ABOUT IT IN A DYNAMIC WAY.
>> I'LL START WITH THE FIRST PART AND THEN IF YOU, DR. CRAWFORD, CAN TAKE THE SECOND PART WITH THE VACCINATIONS -- THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACPS AND THE CITY.
WITH REGARDS TO THE ATHLETICS, ONE OF THE REASON THAT'S WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO THE BOARD TO REQUIRE ALL ATHLETES TO BE VACCINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, I THINK NOVEMBER 8TH, BECAUSE IN WINTER SPORTS, FOR ONE IT IS INDOORS AND NOT OUTDOORS.
ATHLETES ARE NOT WEARING MASKS.
YOU DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES THAT WE DO IN A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY.
SCHOOLS WE ARE HAVING STUDENTS WASH HANDS AND WE HAVE HAND STATIONS AND DO SPACING WHEN NECESSARY.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THE BUILDINGS.
WE ARE DOING OUR CLEANING PROTOCOLS AND THE THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
MULTIPLE HEALTH AND SAFETY MITIGATION THAT'S ARE HAPPENING DURING A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY FOR OUR KIDS.
THE RECOMMENDATION TO DO THE ATHLETES IS THEY ARE HAVING THE CONTACT SPORTS.
IT IS INDOOR SO NO LONGER OUTDOOR SPORTS.
A LOT OF TIMES CERTAIN SPORTS CANNOT WEAR MASKS DURING THEIR PRACTICE OR DURING THEIR ACTUAL GAMES.
WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING SAFEST ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE.
THAT'S WHY THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ATHLETES.
I DO KNOW, DR. CRAWFORD, AND YOU CAN GO INTO DETAIL WITH THIS, BUT I KNOW WE HAD SOME HIGH PERCENTAGES THAT WERE VACCINATED.
YOU MAY WANT TO PROVIDE SOME MORE STATISTICS ABOUT THAT.
>> AND I THINK DR. GATTY WILL COMMENT ON THAT QUESTION IF THAT'S OKAY.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD A LITTLE PIECE OF INFORMATION TO WHAT DR. HUTCHINGS SAID ABOUT THE RATIONAL BEHIND VACCINATION OF ATHLETES.
IT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE OBSERVED OVER THE PAST YEAR.
SORT OF LOOKING ACROSS THE REGION AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE'VE SEEN THAT ATHLETIC TEAMS TEND TO BE A SOURCE OF OUTBREAKS.
THAT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF CLOSE CONTACT THAT MIGHT BE IN THE NATURE OF THE SPORTS OR SOME OF THE SOCIALIZATION THAT SOMETIMES GOES ALONG WITH ATHLETIC TEAMS. IT IS SOMETHING OBSERVED LAST YEAR AND EVEN OVER THE SUMMER AS PEOPLE WERE STARTING TO GET VACCINATED.
WE WERE SEEING THAT AS ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO OUTBREAKS.
THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT GROUP IS FOCUSED ON.
LAST WE MET WE HAD A MEETING ON THE STUDENT EDUCATION SYSTEM ON WHERE WE COULD PROVIDE THE HEALTH INFORMATION ON BEING VACCINATED OR NOT.
THAT'S JUST GETTING UP AND RUNNING THERE.
I DON'T HAVE THE FIGURES FOR YOU, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND DR. GADDY, LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE THIS, BUT THE LAST TIME WE LOOKED AT 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLD FULLY VACCINATED, I BELIEVE THAT GROUP IS AT -- AND AGAIN THIS IS FOR THE CITY, 70 PLUS PERCENT.
AND THE 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS AND I WILL MAKE SURE I AM GIVING THE RIGHT NUMBER, BUT I THINK IT WAS HIGHER.
I THINK IT WAS 78 OR 80% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.
WE HAVE ABOUT 3300 STUDENTS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 12 OR OLDER IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WE ARE SURVEYING THAT GROUP OF FAMILIES.
IS YOUR CHILD VACCINATED? WE CAN SEE HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO THE NUMBERS WE SEE ON THE CITY'S DASHBOARD?
[01:05:02]
IF NOT ARE THEY WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VACCINATION THAT WILL BE GIVEN ON SITE? WE WILL LOOK TO COLLECT SIMILAR INFORMATION FOR OUR FAMILIES THAT WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE WEEKLY TESTING.A COUPLE COMMENTS AND A SLIGHT FOLLOW-UP.
THAT'S GREAT, AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE CLARIFICATION AROUND THE REASON WHY WE ARE GOING TO PRIORITIZE ATHLETICS.
THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME AND THAT'S TOTALLY LOGICAL.
I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT ALL STUDENTS, AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO SEE THE DATA.
IF THE DATA IS 98% ARE VACCINATED 12 AND UP, THEN MAYBE WE DON'T NEED A BROADER POLICY.
BUT IF IT IS 75%, THEN MAYBE THERE IS A BROADER CONVERSATION AROUND THAT.
AND THINKING LONG-TERM AS WELL FOR 5 AND UP, THERE IS AN APPROVAL ON THE HORIZON AND THERE IS A BIG CONCERN ABOUT YOUNG CHILDREN STILL BEING UNVACCINATED.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUT FRONT OF THAT AND THINK ABOUT WHAT OUR LONGER TERM VISION IS IN TERMS OF VACCINATION AND SO MY ONLY REMAINING QUESTION IS THE PLAY BETWEEN THIS AND THE INSTRUCTIONAL PIECE.
THANK YOU FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL UPDATE.
WITH THE BETTER AUDIO QUALITY AND WORKING ON THE TEACHING AND THE LESSONS IN THIS NEW MODEL, I THINK THAT WILL IMPROVE INSTRUCTION.
I AM EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE EFFORTS THAT, DR. HUTCHINGS, YOU OUTLINED.
I AM WONDERING ON THIS QUARANTINE PIECE AND IT IS MAYBE A MEDICAL QUESTION FOR DR. GADDY.
MEDICALLY SPEAKING, IF WE DID GET OUR VACCINATION NUMBERS UP TO A VERY, VERY HIGH LEVEL, I'M WONDERING IF AT THAT POINT THERE WOULD BE A BASIS TO SAY THE QUARANTINE CAN BE ONLY SEVEN DAYS.
MAYBE WE CAN SHORTEN THE QUARANTINE AND GET THE STUDENTS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM MORE QUICKLY ON A MEDICAL BASIS BECAUSE WE ARE -- WE HAVE OUR TESTING REGIME, AND MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE TESTING TOO.
BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TESTING REGIME IN PLACE AND WE ARE ON THE BALL AND WE ARE VERY NIMBLE.
THAT COMBINED WITH THE VACCINATION NUMBERS, AT THAT POINT CAN WE SHORTEN THE QUARANTINE? LET'S DO IT AS GOOD AS WE CAN AND SHORTEN THE TIME FRAME IN A WAY THAT IS FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE.
I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.
I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY THINKING AROUND THAT.
IF THE VACCINATION RATES GO UP, YOU HAVE SHORTENED A LOT OF QUARANTINE DAYS TO ZERO.
IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU DON'T NEED TO QUARANTINE.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE BREAKTHROUGH CASES, YOU NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF WEARING YOUR MASK AND MAINTAINING YOUR DISTANCE AND WASHING YOUR HANDS AND BEING VERY VIGILANT TO GET TESTED AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ANY SYMPTOMS, BUT BECAUSE THE RISK IS MUCH LOWER OF HAVING COVID-19 TRANSMITTED TO YOU IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO QUARANTINE.
PARTICULARLY AFTER WE SEE THE FIVE TO 11-YEAR-OLD AGE-GROUP GET VACCINATED WHICH AT THIS POINT WE ARE THINKING WILL OCCUR LIKELY IN LATE OCTOBER.
IF WE ARE SEEING THESE HIGH VACCINATION RATES, ARE YOU GOING TO BE MUCH LESS IMPACTED BY QUARANTINE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION STATUS.
HAVING SAID THAT, THE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO QUARANTINE WOULD NEED THOSE 14 DAYS.
DESPITE THE FACT THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED OR MAYBE THERE IS THE TESTING AND EVERYTHING GOING ON.
FOR THAT PERSON WHO IS UNVACCINATED, THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF THE VIRUS DOESN'T CHANGE.
AND SO THEIR CHANCE OF THE TIMELINE THEY ARE ON TO MONITOR THEMSELVES FOR BECOMING ILL DOESN'T CHANGE.
WE WOULD STILL RECOMMEND THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TO QUARANTINE.
I WILL SAY IF YOU LOOK AT THE BDH DASHBOARD AND THIS IS FOR ALEXANDRIA AND NOT NECESSARILY ACPS, BUT IT IS UP TO 50% FOR 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS AND 96% FOR THE 16 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS BEING VACCINATED.
IF ACPS'S RATES ARE ANYWHERE NEAR THAT, THAT'S EXCELLENT.
[01:10:05]
BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING THESE NUMBERS CLOSELY, JUST POINT OUT THESE PERCENTAGES ARE BASED ON THE 2010 CENSUS DATA.THE 2020 CENSUS DATA WAS JUST RELEASED AND BDH SAYS THEY WILL AT SOME POINT BE SHIFTING OVER TO USING THAT 2020 DATA.
WE KNOW LIKELY THE POPULATION IN THAT AGE-GROUP HAS GROWN, SO I JUST DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE SHOCKED IF THEY SEE SOME CHANGES IN THOSE NUMBERS.
WE MAY BE USING THE CENSUS DATA TO GIVE AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
I THINK EVEN WITH A CHANGE IN THE CENSUS DATA WE ARE STILL GOING TO SEE THAT PARTICULARLY COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY WE ARE IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE WITH OUR VACCINATION RATES HERE.
>> THAT WAS ALL SUPER HELPFUL.
>> AND THE LAST QUESTION WE WILL HAVE BEFORE WE MOVE ON IS MS. EMILY MILTON.
>> MY QUESTION WAS FOR DR. CRAWFORD.
I KNOW HE MENTIONED THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS POSSIBLY DOING A PROGRAM -- OR SOME SORT OF AN INITIATIVE TO HAVE COLLEGE STUDENT INTERNS POSSIBLY WORK WITH THE CONTACT TRACING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR ALONG YOU WERE WITH THAT PLAN, BUT CURIOUS IF YOU CAN ELABORATE ON THAT MORE BECAUSE THAT IS INTERESTING.
AND WE ARE NOT FAR ALONG AT ALL.
WE WERE IN A MEETING YESTERDAY WHEN CHRISTINA, ONE OF THE IMMUNOLOGISTS WHO PRESENTS -- WE WERE BRAINSTORMING ACTUALLY ABOUT WHAT ARE WAYS TO STREAM LINE AND HOW COULD WE MAYBE REMOVE THE ACTIVITY IF POSSIBLE FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND THE SCHOOL COVID TEAMS. CHRISTINA SAID IT YESTERDAY.
WE ARE GETTING READY TO REACH OUT AND SAY IS THIS A POSSIBILITY? IT IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD OUR SCHOOL HEALTH TEAMS. WE THANK THE BOARD AND WE HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND WE GET A LOT OF OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS THROUGH THE PROGRAM SO LOOKING TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN A TIME OF GREAT NEED IS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE VERY INTERESTED IN AND APPRECIATIVE OF.
CHRISTINA'S CREATIVE THINKING AND IT WAS NOT SOMETHING I COULD COME UP WITH.
I COULD COME BACK IN A MORE DETAILED REPORT FOR YOU.
LET'S MOVE ALONG TO THE STAFF UPDATE.
WE WILL HAVE DR. MELANIE K WYATT.
I GUESS YOU ARE NOT NEW ANYMORE.
HAVE YOU BEEN HERE FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF.
DR. MELANIE K WAY YET IS HERE TO PROVIDE THE EMPLOYEE VACCINATION AND COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE.
IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE MONTHS AND I AM EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE GREAT TEAM.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR ALDERTON AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE EMPLOYEE VACCINATION AND COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE.
I HOPE EVERYONE CAN SEE MY SCREEN THERE.
FIRST I WILL BEGIN WITH A STAFF UPDATE.
WE HAVE 2,225 FULLY VACCINATED STAFF AND WE ARE DOWN TO 362 STAFF WHO REQUIRE WEEKLY TESTING.
THAT NUMBER WAS ORIGINALLY AT 422 WHEN WE DID OUR INITIAL SURVEY.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 93 STAFF VACANCIES.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS 362 EMPLOYEES WHO REQUIRE THE WEEKLY COVID-19 TESTING.
OF THAT 362, 15 ARE ADMINISTRATORS, LESS THAN 1% OF THE STAFF POPULATION AND 138 WHO ARE LICENSED STAFF AND THAT'S ABOUT 5% OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION.
AND 209 SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS WHICH IS ABOUT 8% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.
THAT NUMBER REPRESENTS 14% OF THE TOTAL STAFF POPULATION.
THIS NEXT SLIDE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE POSSIBLE STAFFING IMPACT IF THE STAFFING IS MANDATED.
THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THIS CHANGE MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS I AM ABOUT TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.
LESS ADMINISTRATORS WOULD LIMIT SCHOOL AND CENTRAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT.
[01:15:02]
THE POTENTIAL FOR LESS LICENSED STAFF WHICH MAY INCREASE THE CLASS SIZES.LESS SUPPORT STAFF SERVICES WITH THE POTENTIAL OF BUS DELIVERY AND PICK UP DELAYS AND POTENTIAL MEAL AND SERVICE PREPARATION AND DELIVERY DELAYS AND CLEANING EFFORTS.
>> BASED ON THE INFORMATION I SHARED THIS EVENING IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT ALL ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION FOR THEIR COMPLETED COVID VACCINATION STATUS BY NOVEMBER 15TH, 2021 TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYEES WHO ESTABLISH MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS MAY PARTICIPATE IN A WEEKLY TESTING.
AND THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO FAIL TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A LEAVE WITHOUT PAY OR THEY MAY BE SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.
THAT IS OUR UPDATE THIS EVENING AND I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
MY QUESTION IS DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA AMONG ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT YET VACCINATED, HOW MANY IN FACT ARE NOT VACCINATED FOR HEALTH REASONS OR RELIGIOUS REASONS? ARE WE ABLE TO GET A BETTER FIGURE ON -- YOU SAY WE ARE SUDDENLY LOSING ALL OF THIS PERSONNEL AND THAT ASSUME THAT'S PEOPLE WILL DECIDE, WELL, I DON'T WANT TO BE TESTED EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE A RELIGIOUS REASON OR A HEALTH REASON SO I WILL TAKE LEAVE OR I AM GOING TO KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE HAVE HEALTH REASONS OR RELIGIOUS REASONS THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE QUITE HESITANT AND PERHAPS WE WOULD RESPOND TO JUST A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION AND PERSUASION.
>> THAT NUMBER OF STAFF THAT ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED IS VERY SMALL AT THIS POINT.
THEY HAVE REQUESTED SOME SORT OF AN EXEMPTION.
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT NUMBER BECAUSE IT COULD POSSIBLY IDENTIFY WHO THE STAFF ARE.
THAT NUMBER IS SO SMALL SO TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE REQUESTS WE HAVE RECEIVED, IT IS VERY SMALL.
IT DOESN'T EXCLUDE A STAFF MEMBER WHO MAY COME FORWARD WITH THE REQUEST AND THEN WE WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH AND REVIEW THEIR REQUEST AND MAKE A DETERMINATION.
WITH THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION ABOUT EDUCATION.
WE INITIALLY SENT OUT OUR INITIAL SURVEY AND OUR WEEKLY REMINDERS AND WE PUT IN THERE INFORMATION WHERE STAFF CAN LOOK AT RESOURCES AND FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEEKLY TESTING SITES.
WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH US DIRECTLY.
[01:20:08]
WE GAVE THEM PLACES TO GO TO GET WEEKLY TESTS OR PLACES TO GO TO GET VACCINATIONS.WE PROVIDE THE LINKS FOR OUR STAFF TO GO AND RESEARCH THAT ON THEIR OWN OR TO REACH OUT TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT HERE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THE PROPOSAL.
I GUESS I HAVE ONE PRIMARY QUESTION.
I APPRECIATE THE BREAK DOWN BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LICENSE STAFF IN SUPPORT.
TO THE EXTENT THAT A RUNWAY -- THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLEXITY.
IT TAKES TIME TO GET THE TWO SHOTS AND WE WANT TO BE FAIR WITH THE EMPLOYEES AND BALANCE IT WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF KIDS.
THAT'S WHAT I AM PUTTING FIRST.
DO WE KNOW OUT OF THE 300 AND -- I GUESS -- 342 OR WHATEVER THE TOTAL IS, DO WE KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE STUDENT FACING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS? I AM LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CUSTODIAN WHO WORKS THE NIGHT SHIFT OR THE PERSON IN ACPS WHO SITS BEHIND A COMPUTER EVERY DAY.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNVACCINATED STAFF MEMBER WHO IS IN FRONT OF KIDS EVERY DAY AND DOES NOT HAVE EITHER A MEDICAL BASIS OR RELIGIOUS BASIS.
AND SO DO YOU HAVE A SENSE THAT A HIGH LEVEL WITH THOSE -- WITH THAT NUMBER?
>> IT IS A PRETTY -- IT IS HARD TO DETERMINE BECAUSE YOU INDICATED A STAFF MEMBER WHO SITS BEHIND THE COUNTER, BUT THE STAFF MEMBER IS IN THE BUILDING.
WHILE THERE MAY NOT BE DIRECT CONTACT ONE ON ONE SITTING IN A CLASSROOM, BUT THERE MAY BE TIMES THEY HAVE TO INTERFACE WITH OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING INTO THE CLASSROOMS AND THAT SORT OF THING.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS ALL STAFF MOVING FORWARD.
BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
>> AND ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD IS WE DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TOO WITH HOW WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.
SOME STAFF MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EXEMPTION AND MAY HAVE A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AND THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED AND THEY ARE IN FRONT OF KIDS.
MANY OF THE NUMBERS FROM THE 362, FROM THE FIRST REPORT WE GAVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS DIDN'T DISCLOSE.
THAT'S WHY THE NUMBERS ARE LOW NOW.
WE GAVE THAT OPTION TO NOT DISCLOSE.
NOW IF THE BROAD APPROVES THIS TONIGHT, IT IS REQUIRED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION.
I THINK IF WE CAN HOLD OFF UNTIL WE GET THAT MORE SPECIFIC DATA THAT WILL BE MORE HELPFUL TO YOU, MR. SUAREZ AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY.
OUT OF THE 362 WE COULD HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEGITIMATE EITHER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS THAT IS PREVENTING THEM FROM GETTING VACCINATED THAT THEY DIDN'T SHARE.
EVERYBODY DOESN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR MEDICAL CONDITION WITH THE SCHOOL DIVISION OR THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU BELIEVE, RELIGIOUSLY, SAME WITH POLITICS, THOSE ARE THINGS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DISCUSS IN SCHOOL, AND NOW WE ARE SAYING THAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH US TO BE EXEMPT.
I THINK IF THIS VOTE IS APPROVED WE WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE COME FORWARD WHO DIDN'T DISCLOSE ANYTHING PREVIOUSLY, AND I THINK THE DATA WILL BE MORE TELLING THAN THE CURRENT DATA WE HAVE.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE BASING IT OFF OF WHAT IF'S AND WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFICS.
>> THE RUNWAY YOU PROPOSED IS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE.
THE ONE THING I WANT TO LEAD WITH IS TO THE EXTENT AFTER ALL THAT, THERE ARE STILL SOME EMPLOYEES REMAINING WHO DON'T HAVE A RELIGIOUS REASON OR MEDICAL REASON AND THEY ARE INTERACTING WITH KIDS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR JOB LOOKS LIKE? IS THERE A WAY TO MODIFY A JOB.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AHEAD OF THE BALL, BUT SINCE WE DO HAVE A BIT OF RUNWAY HERE, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO THINK THROUGH THE SCENARIOS AND IT IS ALL HUNKY DORY.
I UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO FOR DEEPLY HELD REASONS THAT ARE NOT RELIGIOUS AND MEDICAL, HISTORICAL INEQUITIES IN SOCIETY AND THINGS DONE IN THE SOUTH AND TO PEOPLE OF COLOR IN HISTORY.
THERE ARE MANY, MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT GET VACCINATED, AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS SO HARD TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND WE NEED TO BALANCE ALL OF THESE THINGS.
IT CREATES DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.
IT IS NOT FUN OR EASY FOR ANYONE.
I APPRECIATE WHAT MS. GADDY SAID EARLIER.
WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS AND WE LOVE YOU AND WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY.
[01:25:05]
IT IS ABOUT THE KIDS AND KEEPING US ALL SAFE.THAT'S WHY WE ARE DOING THIS WORK.
THANK YOU, DR. HUTCHINGS AND THANK YOU, DR. KAYWHY FOR THE UPDATE.
I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP FROM EARLIER -- ACTUALLY.
I WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE MONITORS AND DR. HUTCHINGS SAID WE WOULD GET A REPORT ON THAT AND I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION AS WELL TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET AN UPDATE ON THE LUNCH MONITORS IN THE SCHOOLS, THE HIRING OF THOSE.
I CAN DEFINITELY GET YOU AN UPDATE.
WE WORKED HARD TO HIT THE HALFWAY RUNWAY PLUS.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHEN WE ARE HIRING THE STAFF MEMBERS WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS THAT OUR STAFF MEMBERS GO THROUGH OF MAKING SURE THAT WE BACK THEM THROUGH THE NORMAL HIRING PRACTICES AS WELL AS OUR VACCINATION AND WEEKLY TESTING.
WE ARE CONTINUING TO WELCOME THOSE EFFORTS AND WE HAD SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO VET MORE STAFF MEMBERS TO BE PLACED IN SCHOOLS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THOSE EFFORTS EVERY DAY AND WE WILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOL LEADERS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE TRULY SUPPORTING THEIR NEEDS AND EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE GREAT PRESENTATIONS.
I THINK WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION.
SO I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, IF I MAY.
MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE ACPS STAFF MEMBERS BE REQUIRED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION OF THEIR COMPLETED COVID VACCINATION STATUS BY NOVEMBER 15TH, 2021.
ONLY EMPLOYEES WHO SATISFACTORILY ESTABLISH MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS BY LAW MAY PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY COVID-19 TESTING IN LIEU OF VACCINATION.
DOCUMENTATION OF SUCH TESTING MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
EMPLOYEES WHO FAIL TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION BY NOVEMBER 15TH, 2021, MAY BE REQUIRED TO TAKE LEAVE WITHOUT PAY OR MAY BE SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.
I FURTHER MOVE, MADAM CHAIR, THIS REQUIREMENT BE ADDED TO GBE STAFF HELP UPON APPROVAL OF THE MOTION.
>> I HAVE MR. SUAREZ WHO SECONDS MS. GENTRY'S MOTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? MS. NIELSEN, WE HAVE ALL IN FAVOR AND MS. ANDERSON IS ABSENT.
WE WILL ALSO NEED TO PUT A MOTION ON THE TABLE TO REQUIRE THE VACCINATION STATUS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THAT BEGINNING NOVEMBER 8TH, 2021, THAT ACPS REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLETED COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS FOR ANY STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE DHSL WINTER AND SPRING SPORTS INCLUDING CONDITIONING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2021, 2022 SCHOOL YEAR.
>> I MS. LORBER WHO SECONDS MS. GENTRY'S MOTION.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE I CALL FOR THE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR, MS. NIELSEN AND MS. ANDERSON IS ABSENT.
AND THANK YOU TO THE SAVE FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND MOVING SO QUICKLY TO GET SO MANY THINGS DONE.
MOVING ON WE DO HAVE SOME NEW BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO.
WE HAVE SOME POLICY REVISIONS.
[11. Policy Revisions]
THIS IS SIMPLY INFO.WE WILL TURN IT OVER -- DO I TURN IT OVER TO MS. ABBRUZZESE? OKAY, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
OUR FAVORITE PART OF THE EVENING.
GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD AND DR. HUTCHINGS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL POLICY AND REGULATORY REVISIONS BEING PROPOSED TO REFLECT THE BDOE'S MODEL POLICIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN VIRGINIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THESE MODEL POLICIES AS WE WILL REFER TO THEM THIS EVENING WERE DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO THE AMENDMENT OF VIRGINIA CODE 22.1-23.3 BY THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2020.
THE REVISIONS HIGHLIGHT EIGHT COMMON ISSUES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE STATUTE REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS.
[01:30:02]
THE VIRGINIA CODE SECTION I JUST CITED A MOMENT AGO REQUIRES THAT SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THIS SCHOOL YEAR IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE MODEL POLICY.I'M GONNA SHARE MY SCREEN HERE SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE THE EIGHT ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED IN THE STATUTE.
THE EIGHT ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED IN THE STATUTE AND REVIEWED AND DEVELOPED THROUGH THE MODEL POLICIES ARE COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS, MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS.
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO BULLYING AND HARASSMENT, MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS, IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS, PROTECTION OF STUDENT PRIVACY AND THE CONFIDENTIALLY OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION, ENFORCEMENT OF SEX-BASED DRESS CODES AND STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SEX-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AND USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.
AND THE STATUTE DOES MAKE CLEAR THAT THE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS DOES NOT INCLUDE ATHLETICS.
JUST SO WE HAVE A SHARED DISCUSSION ON THE MODEL POLICIES THEY DO DEFINE TRANSGENDER AS A SELF-IDENTIFYING TERM THAT DESCRIBES A PERSON WHOSE GENDER IDENTITY IS DIFFERENT FROM THEIR SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF GENDER IDENTITY IN ADDITION TO TRANSGENDER MALE AND TRANSGENDER FEMALE SUCH AS NONBINARY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE EIGHT ISSUES, YOU CAN SEE THAT -- THEY ARE LAID OUT IN A STATUTE AND YOU CAN SEE THE GOAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE MODEL POLICIES IS FOR ALL CHILDREN TO HAVE A RIGHT TO LEARN FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.
AND THAT ALL PERSONS INCLUDING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE DIVERSE IN THEIR SEXUALITY AND GENDER IDENTITIES AND EXPRESSION AND/OR PRESENTATION AND HAVING INHERENT RIGHTS TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND A PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THOSE ARE THE OVERRIDING REVISIONS WE WILL GO THROUGH THIS EVENING.
IF WE TRANSITION TO OUR PROPOSED POLICY REVISIONS, I AM GOING TO STOP SHARING MY SCREEN SO THAT MS. NIELSEN CAN PULL UP THE POLICIES.
AS SHE DOES SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE A NOTE THAT WE DO ALREADY HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF EXISTING POLICY LANGUAGE THAT DOES ADDRESS THE EIGHT ISSUES LAID OUT IN THE STATUTE.
THIS EVENING'S PROPOSED REVISION COMPLEMENTS OUR EXISTING LANGUAGE SO THAT WE ARE FULLY COVERING THE EIGHT ISSUES LAID OUT IN THE STATUTE.
AND YOU CAN SEE ONLY EIGHT POLICIES REGULATIONS.
THESE ARE TO COMPLEMENT THE LANGUAGE IN THE POLICIES.
>> THE FIRST ONE I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IS GCL, AND THIS NEW LANGUAGE SPEAKS TO ISSUES NUMBER TWO AND THREE IN THE STATUTE.
THAT'S MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO BULLYING AND HARASSMENT.
THE NEW LANGUAGE LAYS OUT STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS REGARDING ISSUES FACING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS, LGBTQ PLUS STUDENTS AND A SEPARATE STATUTORY TRAINING THAT IS A REQUIREMENT.
OUR NEXT POLICY IS IGDA AND WE WILL LOOK AT THE TOP OF PAGE ONE.
IT SPEAKS TO ISSUE NUMBER ONE WHICH IS STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SEX-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AND SCHOOL FACILITIES.
YOU WILL SEE FOR ANY EVENT OR ACTIVITY INCLUDING EXTRACURRICULARS SEGREGATED BY GENDER IT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
ATHLETICS THAT ARE GOVERNED BY A SIMILAR OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION WILL BE OPERATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULES AND POLICIES OUTLINED BY THAT GOVERNING ORGANIZATION.
IF WE SCROLL TO PAGE 3 OF THIS POLICY, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT TO OUR REVISION IN SECTION THREE WHICH IS REGARDING MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES.
THIS REVISION SPEAKS TO ISSUE NUMBER EIGHT WHICH IS -- IT SPEAKS TO ISSUE NUMBER EIGHT WHICH IS ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND FACILITIES.
[01:35:03]
WE ARE EXPANDING OUR LIST OF CHARACTERISTICS SO THEY MATCH OUT WHAT WE HAVE IN POLICY AND COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS.WITHIN THIS REGULATION WE WILL LOOK AT PAGE 2 WHERE WE DISCUSS OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS.
THIS REVISION SPEAKS TO ISSUES NUMBER SIX AND EIGHT LAID OUT IN THE STATUTE OUT.
THERE IS A USE OF FACILITY AND THERE IS A PROTECTION OF STUDENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALLY TO SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
FOUR OVERNIGHT TRIPS, TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY WHILE THEIR CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION INCLUDING THEIR GENDER IDENTITY IS PROTECTED.
THAT IS ALREADY PROTECTING AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE DISCLOSED AND STUDENTS WHO REQUEST ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS, WE HAVE LAID OUT WHO THEY SHOULD REACH OUT TO TO MAKE THE REQUESTS AND ANY STUDENT THAT PARTICIPATE IN AN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITH AN OVER NIGHT TRIP WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THIS WITH THEIR OPTIONS.
UP NEXT POLICY JB, NONDISCRIMINATION AND EDUCATION.
WE WILL GO DOWN ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY DOWN.
THEY INCORPORATE THE TITLE 9 REQUIREMENTS AND WE ARE ADDRESSING GENDER.
THIS SPEAKS TO 2, 5 AND 6 WHICH IS MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND STUDENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALLY.
YOU WILL SEE IN SEVERAL POLICIES TONIGHT THAT IT IS STATING THAT IT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO USE NAME AND GENDER PRONOUNS THAT REFLECTS THEIR IDENTITY WITHOUT SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE.
A STUDENT OR A PARENT/GUARDIAN MAY REQUEST THE USE OF A NAME OR PRONOUN THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE GENDER IDENTITY.
YOU MAY INDEED ENCOUNTER SITUATIONS WHERE THE STUDENT'S REQUEST AND THE PARENT'S DESIRE DOES NOT LINEUP.
WHEN THAT OCCURS WE WILL WORK WITH EACH FAMILY INDIVIDUALLY TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT RESPECTS THE WISHES OF BOTH PARTIES.
IF WE SHIFT TO PAGE TWO OF THE SAME POLICY, THE NEW LANGUAGE SPEAKS TO ISSUES NUMBER 2 AND 8, ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AND FACILITIES AND A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND AGAIN WE WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO ALL STUDENTS AND THE FACILITIES THAT CORRESPOND WITH GENDER IDENTITY.
WE NEED TO MINIMIZE LOST INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
NEXT UP IS REGULATION JFC-R WHICH IS THE STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST NOTE BEFORE I HIGHLIGHT ANY LANGUAGE THAT THIS COMPLETE DOCUMENT INCLUDING THE DRESS CODE ARE GOING TO BE REVIEWED LATER THIS YEAR THROUGH OUR POLICY AND EQUITY AUDIT PROCESS.
THE ONLY REVISION YOU CAN SEE TONIGHT RELATES TO THE MODEL POLICY SO THEY CAN GO THROUGH THAT FULL PROCESS LATER THIS YEAR.
REGARDING STUDENT DRESS, LAYING OUT OUR DRESS EXPECTATIONS SHOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO DRESS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR GENDER EXPRESSION.
INCLUDING REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL-RELATED PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS.
AND THEN ON PAGE TWO, GOING TO THE BOTTOM OF PAGE THREE, SPEAKING TO ISSUE NUMBER THREE WHICH IS THE PREVENTION AND THE RESPONSE TO HARASSMENT.
WE ARE JUST EXPANDING OUR VERBAGE AGAINST HARASSMENT, BULLYING AND HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND RETALIATION.
MOVING ON POLICY JO STUDENT RECORDS.
ABOUT MIDWAY DOWN PAGE ONE, THE NEW LANGUAGE SPEAKS TO ISSUES 5 AND 6 WHICH IS IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS AND PROTECTION OF STUDENT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALLY-SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
AGAIN, WE ALLOW OUR STUDENTS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THEIR NAME AND GENDER PRO NOUNS THAT REFLECT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
[01:40:03]
ALL PERSONNEL WILL ADHERE TO THE CONFIDENTIALLY RELATING TO THIS INFORMATION.SCHOOL PERSONNEL NEED TO TREAT THIS INFORMATION RELATING TO A STUDENT'S GENDER IDENTITY AS BEING PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE AND WILL NOT DISCLOSE IT TO OTHER STUDENTS OR PARENTS.
ONLY TO STAFF MEMBERS WITH A WILL YOU GIT MAT INTEREST AND THAT IS DEFINED FURTHER IN THE POLICY.
>> IF WE LOOK AT PAGE FIVE OF THE POLICY AND SECTION FIVE, RECORDS RELATED TO GENDER, THIS SPEAKS TO ISSUE NUMBER FOUR IN THE STATUTE OUT WHICH IS MAINTENANCE OF A STUDENT RECORD.
IF WE SCROLL DOWN TO SECTION 5 AND PAGE 5, THERE WE GO.
WE NEED TO POINT OUT THAT ACPS IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN OFFICIAL EDUCATIONAL RECORDS THAT INCLUDE A STUDENT'S LEGAL NAME AND SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.
SOMETIMES THERE ARE PURPOSES FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING.
WE MUST MAINTAIN THOSE RECORDS.
IF A STUDENT IS A MINOR, PARENTAL CONSENT IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH WE DISCUSS WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED.
IT IS DISCUSSED IN OTHER POLICIES WHERE WE ALLOW THE STUDENT TO GO BY THEIR NAME AND PRONOUN AND THAT CAN BE DIFFERENT FROM THE FORMAL RECORD.
THE CERTAIN RECORDS WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN.
VERY MINOR CHANGE HERE, BUT IT COULD HAVE A LARGE IMPACT LATER AND THAT IS IN THIS FIRST SENTENCE.
WE WERE NOTING OUR TRANSCRIPTS CONTAIN INFORMATION AS SPECIFIED BY THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION.
THE REASON THAT SENTENCE IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE THE VIRGINIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 2160 -- I SHOULD SAY 216030 IS PROPOSED FOR REVISION.
AT THE MOMENT IT REQUIRES A TRANSCRIPT TO INCLUDE THE STUDENT'S LEGAL NAME AND GENDER.
HOWEVER, THE PROPOSED REVISION IS THAT GENDER WOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO BE LIST OWED A STUDENT TRANSCRIPT.
THE LEGAL NAME WOULD BE REQUIRED.
WHEN THE REQUIREMENT IS CHANGED LEGALLY, THEN OUR POLICY CAN CHANGE ALONG WITH IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOCUMENT THAT WHEN THESE POLICIES COME BACK TO THE BOARD AT THE NEXT MEETING YOU WILL SEE A NEW REGULATION.
THERE IS A FORM WITH CONTACT INFORMATION WHERE YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPT REQUEST.
THERE ARE RELEVANT DEADLINES INVOLVED IN THIS POLICY AND A NEW FORM THAT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AND FOLKS KNOW WHERE TO FIND THAT INFORMATION.
AND FINALLY WE HAVE POLICY JR THAT IS RECLASSIFIED AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL POLICY.
THAT'S IN THE HEADER FOR CLAIRE FEE SAKE.
THIS POLICY AS WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IN THE PACKET, IT TALKS TO ISSUE NUMBER TWO IN THE STATUTE WHICH IS MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND WE WANTED TO UPDATE ALL OF OUR LAPPING WEDGE SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN REVIEWED SINCE 2015.
LAYINGOUT THE TYPES OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES AND HELPS TO MAINTAIN THE SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
THOSE ARE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS FOR THIS EVENING RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF THE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND I AM HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
WE WILL SEE THIS ITEM UP FOR ACTION.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS.
I KNOW IT WASN'T AN EASY LIFT.
SO THAT'S IT FOR NEW BUSINESS.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CHAIR'S REPORT.
[12. Report from Meagan L. Alderton]
I HAVE A FEW THINGS.WE HAVE OUR SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT AT 7 P.M.. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU GUYS.
THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY BUDGET FORUM ON OCTOBER 18TH.
[01:45:08]
FOR THE COMMUNITY OUT THERE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO, PLEASE PARTICIPATE.THAT WILL BE A NEW AND BENEFICIAL ENDEAVOR, I BELIEVE.
THE JOINT CITY SCHOOLS SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE ON MONDAY.
THE CITY IS STILL OPERATING THESE MEETINGS UNDER THE EMERGENCY RULES SO THEREFORE IT WILL BE VIA ZOOM.
FOLKS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, YOU WILL ACCESS THAT MEETING ELECTRONICALLY.
SPEAKING OF WHY WE NEED EACH OTHER, DR. HUTCHINGS SAID SOMETHING UP HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS CONVERSATION, AND HE DID IT TO REMIND ME OF SOMETHING I SAID I WAS GONNA DO AND I TOTALLY FORGOT UNTIL HE SAID IT.
THIS IS WHY WE NEED EACH OTHER, EVERYBODY.
MY JOB IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY WAS TO SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THE -- WELL, IT IS NOT REALLY A RETREAT, BUT THE ALL-DAY AGENDA SETTING THAT VERONICA AND I DID WITH THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
WHAT I WOULD SHARE IS -- AND MS. LUCAS IS HERE AS WELL.
WE TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK AT OUR APPROVED BUDGET PRIORITIES.
I THINK THAT SYSTEMIC ALIGNMENT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE JUST GETTING BETTER AND BETTER AT THAT.
THIS WAS ANOTHER MEASURE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO THAT.
WE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT DISCUSSIONS AND WE WERE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE OUR BUDGET PRIORITIES AS FAR AS WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO HAPPEN IN THE SCHOOL YEAR.
YOU WILL SEE FOR INSTANCE NEXT WEEK WE WILL SEE MEETINGS BECAUSE, GUESS WHAT.
WE ARE COMING BACK FROM -- WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC, AND IT IS REALLY ESSENTIAL THAT WE UNDERSTAND AS A BOARD HOW WE ARE GOING TO TACKLE OUR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING WHICH WE KNOW IS A STEEPER ENDEAVOR MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
THOSE WILL BE THE FIRST ITEMS WE TACKLE.
AND WE PLAN TO, YAY, HAVE SOME RESOLUTIONS ON THE TABLE FOR SOME IMPORTANT ITEMS AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW WE HAVE A MAJOR TRANSITION THAT IS GOING TO OCCUR COMING IN JANUARY.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT REALLY IMPORTANT WORK DOES NOT GET LOST.
WE ARE MAKING IT CLEAR WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS AND MISSIONS ARE FOR THE NEW BOARD.
THAT IS A GENERAL SHARING AND KUDOS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED.
EVERYONE DOWN TO COMMUNICATIONS WHICH I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT SO THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND TELLING THE SAME STORY AND MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IN THAT AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD MOVEMENT FORWARD THANK YOU.
AND NOW WE HAVE THE SUPERINTENDANT'S REPORT.
[13. Report from Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr.]
I THINK THAT AGENDA SESSION WAS AMAZING.
WE GOT TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE YEAR.
I KNOW IT TOOK US ALMOST EIGHT HOURS -- MAYBE SIX, BUT IT WAS WORTH THE TIME.
ONE THING THAT IS PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IS OUR WORK.
IT IS SOMETHING THE BOARD HAS BEEN CHARGED TO DO AND I CHARGED OUR TEAM TO EMBRACE AND GET AHOLD OF.
AND NOW WE ARE SHOWING THAT WE ARE MODELING THAT FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM AND TO OUR SCHOOLS AND TO OUR CLASSROOMS. AND THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR KIDS IN A POSITIVE WAY.
THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR PARTICIPATING WITH US AND OUR EA PRESIDENT, LUCAS.
BEFORE I GET INTO MY COMMENTS I WANTED TO THANK JENNIFER ABBERZZASSE, ESPECIALLY ON THIS TOPIC.
SHE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH DARRELL SAMPSON.
MR. SAMPSON HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE BDOE AND HATS OFF TO HIM AND HIS
[01:50:13]
TEAM.HE HAS BEEN A VERY POSITIVE PARTNER WITH THIS.
WE NEED TOME BRACE THE FACT THAT WE ACCEPT ALL PEOPLE.
IT IS AMAZING WE ARE IN THIS SESSION AND IT IS NOT ABOUT THE POLICY AND IT IS WE SHOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE WHO THEY WANT TO BE.
I AM PROUD WE ARE WELCOMING ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT YOU WANT TO BE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO BE CALLED.
THAT'S YOUR CHOICE AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT AND EMBRACE THAT.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO SAY THIS IS WHO I AM AND ACCEPT ME FOR WHO I AM.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE INCIDENTS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN AND AROUND OUR SCHOOLS OVER THE PAST, YOU KNOW, FEW WEEKS.
YOU MAY RECALL LAST MONTH IN OUR COMMENTS DURING A PRE STATION ON OUR ESSER FUNDS.
WE HAD SPOKE ABOUT THE MAJOR FOCUS ON SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC LEARNING.
OUR MADAM CHAIR JUST ELUDED TO THAT A FEW MOMENTS AGO.
NEXT MONTH WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT NTFS.
SEAL IS SO IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME LIKE RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF AND OUR FAMILIES, WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC AND IT IS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE.
JUST LIKE A TYPICAL TIME OF YEAR WHEN PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, WE ALL EXPERIENCE IT AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT REACTIONS.
WE EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS.
I KNOW THE BOARD CAN ATTEST TO THIS AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT EMAILS WE RECEIVE AND DIFFERENT PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
IT IS NOT TYPICAL BEHAVIOR THAT WE ARE USED TO SEEING.
THIS PANDEMIC IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE.
IT IS IMPACTING OUR CHILDREN TOO.
I AM SO GLAD THAT WE ARE BEING PRO ACTIVE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS ARE AT THE FOREFRONT.
THAT'S ONE AREA I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT TODAY.
WE ALSO KNOW OUR STUDENTS ARE GETTING ACCLIMATED BACK TO SCHOOL.
OUR STUDENTS HAVE LITERALLY -- AS WELL AS OUR STAFF, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN ISOLATED FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.
IN SOME CASES KIDS HAVING SOME SOCIALIZATION HAPPENED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
FOR MANY THEY WERE JUST AROUND THEIR FAMILIES AND ANYONE IN THEIR HOMES AND THAT WAS IT UNTIL ON MONTH AGO.
THAT'S A MAJOR COMPONENT THAT WE HAVE TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT FOR A MOMENT.
I WAS TALKING TO A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND HE WAS JUST SHARING THAT OUR 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS, THE LAST TIME THEY WERE IN SCHOOL, THEY WERE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.
THEY HAD NO SOCIALIZATION WITH THEIR PEERS TO GROW, YOU KNOW? AND TO GET ACCLIMATED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL LIKE GOING TO THE 9TH GRADE OR THE MINI HOWARD CAMPUS AND THEN GOING TO THE KING STREET CAMPUS.
IT WAS RIGHT TO THE KING STREET CAMPUS AND TO THE BIG SCHOOLS INSTANTLY.
THEY ARE NOW SEEING PEOPLE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
THE PEOPLE THEY KNEW LOOK DIFFERENT.
SORRY IS THAT MY -- I WAS LIKE, WHAT IS GOING ON? THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO BREAK THE ICE.
WE HAVE SO MANY FUN OPPORTUNITIES AND JOKES.
AS I WAS SAYING -- AND NOW I FORGOT WHAT I WAS SAYING.
YES, THE EMOTIONAL LEARNING PIECE.
AS OUR STUDENTS ARE TRANSITIONING BACK, IT IS A TOUGH TIME TO TRANSITION BACK.
THEY ARE HAVING TO LEARN NEW SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES AND ALL OF THIS WITH THE MASKS AND THE FEAR OF BEING TOO CLOSE TO PEOPLE AND HAVING TO BE QUARANTINED FOR 14 DAYS AND HAVING TO HEAR YOUR TEACHER AND THEY HAVE ON A MASK AND THEY ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND FATAL EXPRESSIONS.
RESEARCH SAYS CHILDREN AND BABIES NEED TO SEE SMILES.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT.
THE SMILING WITH THE EYES AND ALL THAT, BUT I NEED TO SEE PEOPLE'S TEETH.
WE DON'T GET TO SEE PEOPLE SMILE ANYMORE.
[01:55:03]
WE REALLY DON'T.THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN AS WELL AS THE ADULTS AROUND US.
I WANT TO JUST SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY THAT OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR STAFF ARE TRAINED TO WORK WITH STUDENTS.
THEY ARE TRAINED NOT ONLY FOR THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECT, BUT FOR DISCIPLINARY ISSUES AND ASPECTS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
I HEARD SOME MESSAGES THAT THEIR PRINCIPALS CAN'T HANDLE CERTAIN SITUATIONS.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SUPPORTS IN PLACE AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE OUR SAFETY AND OUR SECURITY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS WHETHER IT IS SECURITY OFFICERS OR WHETHER IT IS OUR STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS HALL DUTY, LUNCH DUTY, BUS DUTY.
YOU KNOW, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT DUTIES THAT THE STAFF DO TO ENSURE ORDERLY ENVIRONMENTS.
I HATE TO USE THE WORD ORDERLY WHEN WE SAY THAT ABOUT STUDENTS.
KIDS DON'T HAVE TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS LIKE A PRISON.
RIGHT? THEY SHOULD BE FREE TO BE THEMSELVES AND TO BE CHILDREN AND NOT TO HAVE TO WALK IN STRAIGHT LINES.
I KNOW YOU NEED ORDER AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THAT'S WHY I AM NOT TEACHING ELEMENTARY.
I DO HAVE A LICENSE TO TEACH IN ELEMENTARY, BUT I NEVER TAUGHT ELEMENTARY.
I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW I AM TEACHING AND I AM A CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE.
I AM A CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE AND CERTIFIED TO TEACH.
ONCE AGAIN I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT, BUT I'M GONNA GET GOING.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF POINTS TO MAKE AND I KNOW JULIE OR MS. VERBOSE WILL GET ON ME.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OVER THE PAST MONTH OUR STUDENTS -- AS I SAID THEY ARE SUCCUMBING TO THE PRESSURES THIS NEW NORMAL BRINGS TO THEM AS WELL AS OUR STAFF AND THAT'S REAL.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE BEHAVIORS EXHIBITED.
WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO REBUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS.
IT IS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME TO PROVIDE THOSE SUPPORTS, WHETHER IT IS SOCIAL OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS.
I WAS TALKING WITH SOMEONE RECENTLY AND IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO A THERAPIST YOU GO TO YOUR FIRST SESSION AND YOUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT SOLVED AT THE FIRST SESSION, BUT IT TAKES TIME TO GET TO WHAT THE CORE ISSUE IS.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD OURSELVES UP AND THAT'S PARENTS AS WELL.
YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS GOING TO SUPPORT ME IN THIS SITUATION.
THEY ARE HAVING A CHALLENGING TIME AND IT IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR OUR TEAM.
WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE STUDENTS BEAK IN OUR SCHOOLS.
WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.
WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR SECURITY MEASURES.
IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT HAVING THE SECURITY OFFICERS WATCHING KIDS EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY.
IT IS ABOUT BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIPS.
THAT IS REALLY THE KEY TO ENSURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.
IT IS JUST TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES.
WE REALIZE THAT THIS IS A CRITICAL ROLE WE PLAY TO ENSURE THE SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT, NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS, BUT FOR THE STAFF MEMBERS EVERY DAY.
I WANT TO CONCLUDE -- AND I KNOW THIS IS A LOT ON THIS TOPIC AND WE WILL BE PAWKING ABOUT THIS ON MONDAY WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE JOINT MEETING ABOUT OUR SRO'S AND OUR SCHOOLS.
>> THAT WILL BE A DISCUSSION IN THE CONVERSATION.
THERE'S NOT ONE SOLUTION TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. WE CAN'T JUST DO ONE THING THAT WELL SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
IF WE COULD, I PROMISE YOU THAT THESE 12 PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY GOT IT.
IF THERE WAS ONE THING WE WOULD HAVE ALL DONE IT.
[02:00:07]
I TALKED ABOUT THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ACADEMICS AND I TALKED ABOUT THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT I TALKED ABOUT PROVIDING THE STUDENTS WITH THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING THEY NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION IN SCHOOLS.ANOTHER MEASURE IS THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.
IT IS ANOTHER MEASURE WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT.
I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT TAKES MULTIPLE MEASURES FOR US TO HAVE SAFEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE.
THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN MAKE US PREVENT ANYTHING FROM HAPPENING.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN ON MY MIND THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
I GET TO TALK TO YOU ALL AND WE'RE JUST CHATTING IT UP SO I KNOW IT IS ON YOUR MINDS AS WELL.
WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING THROUGH THIS AS A TEAM AND COLLABORATIVELY AND KNOWING THAT THIS IS OUR WORK WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ACADEMIC LEARNING.
AND YOU TALK ABOUT CONTACT TRACING AND DR. GADDY I HAVE TO CALL HER TO GET TALKING POINTS.
I CAN TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT ABOUT IT.
THAT'S MY PROFESSION AND THAT'S WHAT I LOVE TO DO.
IT WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP BEING INNOVATIVE AND WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TOO.
THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY.
I KNOW IT WAS A LITTLE MORE DEEP, BUT WE DID HAVE SOME HUMOR IN THIS AS WELL.
AS I GO I WANT TO SAY ONE THING TO MS. EMILY AND MS. SILVIA.
I WANT TO SAY, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
WHEN WE SEE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ADVOCATES AND ABLE TO SPEAK BEFORE A COMMUNITY AND REPRESENT THE STUDENT BODY, I MEAN THAT IS HUGE.
THIS IS WHAT WE WANT ALL OF OUR KIDS TO ASPIRE TO.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYBODY HAS TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT WE WANT THEM TO KNOW YOUR VOICE IS POWER.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHEN YOU SPEAK AND GIVE YOUR UPDATES I AM IN AWE.
I SAY, NOWY, THAT'S ONE THING THAT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE THE SUPERINTENDENT.
WE SEE YOUNG PEOPLE DOING GREAT THINGS FOR OTHERS.
IF WE GO OUT FOR A SELF-LESS MENTALITY, WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS SO HATS OFF TO YOU ALL.
AS WELL AS THE SCHOOLS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO WHO YOU ARE.
THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT FOR TODAY.
[14. Announcements]
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? MS. GREEN.I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY HOW GLORIOUS LAST FRIDAY WAS UNDER THE LIGHTS.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY GOT THE BALL RUNNING.
I KNOW WE TOOK IT OVER THE FINISH LINE, BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD 2013/2014, THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT GOT IT STARTED, WE NEED TO PUBLICLY THANK THEM.
I THINK THEY CALL THEMSELVES THE TC STADIUM INITIATIVE.
THEY GOT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER AND THEY HAD SIGNS AND THEY WENT ALL OUT.
AND THEN CITY COUNCIL AS WELL VOTING TO BRING THE LIGHTS IN.
IT IS AMAZING WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER ON AN INITIATIVE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
I SWEATED ALL MY CURLS OUT WORKING THE CONCESSION STAND ALL NIGHT WITH DR. RIEF.
IT WAS A REALLY, REALLY GOOD TIME.
EVERYONE WAS SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR COMMUNITY ENJOYING THE STADIUM WITH LIGHTS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
AND THEN SECOND, WE INDUCTED AT THAT GAME ON FRIDAY NIGHT OUR 2020/2021 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE CLASS AND THAT WAS ALSO TRULY AMAZING.
WE HAD THE 1971 TITANS, THE STATE CHAMPIONS, REMEMBER THE TITANS.
AND JUST SO MANY INCREDIBLE PEOPLE, FORMER CITY ATHLETES THAT WENT THROUGH THE
[02:05:05]
ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE DOING AMAZING THINGS TODAY.WE WERE ABLE TO INDUCT THEM INTO OUR ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED INCLUDING THE ATHLETIC HALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
SUSAN, OUR BOARD CLERK AND SHAW SHELL AND OUR STAFF LIAISON, INCREDIBLE EFFORTS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
IT IS ONE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE PUT -- THE INITIATIVE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD STARTED LIKE IN 2014, THEY GOT STARTED AND EACH YEAR IT IS BETTER AND BETTER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS NEXT CLASS IN 2022.
IF PEOPLE WANT TO NOMINATE PEOPLE FOR THAT, THE APPLICATIONS, YOU CAN SUBMIT UNTIL MARCH 31ST OF 2022.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD SO WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR WONDERFUL ATHLETES AT ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? ALL RIGHT.
WITH THAT I COULD USE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I VOTE THAT WE ADJOURN THE MEETING.
MS. GENTRY MOTIONS AND MS. LORBER SECONDS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.