WEATHER ALERT: Buildings Closed, Alexandria Students ZOOMING Only on Thursday, January 20, 2022

ALEXANDRIA, VA – All ACPS schools and offices will be closed for in-person learning and activities on Thurs., Jan. 20, 2022, due to impending winter weather conditions. All staff will participate in a virtual workday.

All schools will implement synchronous virtual learning on Thurs., Jan. 20, 2022. Class times will include synchronous instruction via Zoom, which means live virtual instruction with teachers, as well as independent work. Please check your student’s Canvas or Clever account no later than 8 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 20, 2022, for specifics about your child’s schedule.

All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.

Please see www.acps.k12.va.us/weather for updates, details and answers to frequently asked questions. Students should have their computers/learning devices at home with them. Attendance will be taken through logging into Clever and Canvas. No new content will be taught and grades should not be assigned on virtual learning days.

Please see the information below about synchronous virtual learning (via Zoom) that is specific to your child’s school level:

• Elementary School
• PreK-8 Schools/Grades PreK-5
• PreK-8 Schools/Grades 6-8
• Secondary Schools (Middle Schools and High School)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION 

Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work. 

• We do not anticipate replicating the master schedule in its entirety, but our goal is for Pre-K-2 students to engage in two to three hours and students in grades 3-5 four to five hours of synchronous core content instruction including literacy, math, science/social studies and Encore and SEAL. 
• The remaining time will include independent attention to projects, assignments, choice activities and content-specific apps. 
• Students will need to be present for classroom whole-group lessons as well as any small-group instruction offered by the school staff. 
• Virtual office hours will be established by the teacher as needed. 
• The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their IEP requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development block.

PREK-8 SCHOOL SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION FOR GRADES PreK-5 (Jefferson-Houston, Patrick Henry)

Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work.  Please note that these are general schedules that may be adjusted based on the individual school’s instructional program. Teachers will provide customized schedules as needed.

• We do not anticipate replicating the master schedule in its entirety, but our goal is for pre-K – 2 students to engage in two to three hours and students in grades 3-5 from four to five hours of synchronous core content instruction including literacy, math, science/social studies and Encore. 
• The remaining time will include independent attention to projects, assignments, choice activities and content-specific apps. 
• Students will need to be present for classroom whole-group lessons as well as any small-group instruction offered by the school staff. 
• Office hours will be established by the teacher as needed.  
• The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their IEP requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development block.

PREK-8 SCHOOLS SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION FOR GRADES 6-8 (Jefferson-Houston, Patrick Henry)

Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work. Please note that these are general schedules that may be adjusted based on the individual school’s instructional program. Teachers will provide customized schedules as needed.

• The instructional model during the instructional block will consist of 25 minutes of synchronous whole group instruction with the teacher. 
• After whole-group instruction, students transition into asynchronous independent work for the remainder of the class period. 
• Each school will follow their daily bell schedule. 
• Students may access the zoom link for synchronous instruction and office hours from each teacher’s Canvas page. 
• The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their IEP requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development course.

SECONDARY SCHOOL SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION (Middle Schools and High School)

Synchronous virtual instruction will incorporate live instruction with teachers as well as time for independent work.  

• Each school will follow their daily bell schedule, which includes 4 blocks per day.
• The lunch time will remain the same.
• The instructional model during the instructional block will consist of 45 minutes of synchronous whole group instruction with the teacher.
• After whole group instruction, students transition into asynchronous independent work for the remainder of the learning block.
• Students may access the zoom link for synchronous instruction and office hours from each teacher’s Canvas page.
• The services for students with disabilities will be met in accordance with their IEP requirements in a virtual setting. Additionally, direct services for English learner students in a virtual setting will be provided by EL teachers in the general education classroom or in an English language development course.

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