Have you reviewed your information in ParentVUE as part of the Annual Online Verification Process (AOVP)? Click here to review and update your information. We need every family to verify the information we have is accurate and current. This requires you to log into ParentVUE. More information about the process, including videos and letters in English and Spanish, is available here. Contact the school for help accessing ParentVUE if you need it.

Those positive tests are starting to happen so check out the new APS COVID Protocols for 2022-23. Here are the current APS guidelines about what to do when Covid comes a-calling: https://www.apsva.us/health-safety-information/. 

Key points:

• Masks remain optional
• If your student tests positive, report it to the school online
• Students who test positive will isolate for 5 days and may return on Day 6, wearing a mask until Day 10. Students unable or unwilling to mask must provide two negative tests.
• Students sent home with COVID-like symptoms must provide documentation to return
• Per updated CDC guidance, close contacts are not required to quarantine

NEW Academic Support for Middle and High School Students: the new academic support available for secondary students called PAPER. PAPER provides 24/7 on-demand virtual tutors available to students for assistance with homework, essay review and other academic support in multiple subjects and languages. Teachers have been promoting this service directly to students. Details online. It is a great resource!

COVID Testing Continues—Opt In Now: Our in-school weekly COVID testing program is available to all students. This testing helps with early detection of positive COVID cases at school, and is available to returning and new students whose parents/guardians either reaffirm their initial consent or complete a new consent form online. Complete information and opt in forms are online. View the updated COVID-19 Protocols and FAQ online.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This year’s theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation” as we celebrate Latino Americans who have enriched our community. This year’s celebration includes an Oct. 13 School Board recognition of school-based Latino leaders and high school students selected for their extraordinary achievements.

Join APS on Wed, Sept. 28 as the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) kicks off the first in a series of community conversations to share our new Equity Profile Dashboard and lead conversations about how APS is expanding this tool and using data on student demographics, academic performance and more to strengthen equity, access and opportunity for all students in APS. Read more about the event. These sessions are virtual and you can register online.

APS has a variety of resources available to support student mental health and wellbeing, as well as to help those who may be experiencing emotional distress or crisis. Our SOS Suicide Prevention program teaches students how to respond when someone around them says or does something that could be seen as a desire to hurt themselves. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988. Learn more about how APS responds to support students, as well as mental health resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

APS Fall Athletics Season is Underway: Safety Reminders – As the fall season begins, we are excited to support our student athletes. APS is issuing this reminder to all families to help maintain a safe, fun and positive environment for all at our high school athletic events. Please support our local athletes and help by reinforcing these important expectations with your students when they are attending an APS event.

Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) Meeting

Tuesday, September 20, 2022: 7pm – 9pm

Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Boulevard, Room 454, Arlington, VA 22204or attend via ZOOM

Register here: https://forms.gle/hz92F4oszWQaSzD6A

This meeting will be a hybrid meeting, so registrants can choose whether they wish to attend in person or via Zoom. The business portion of this meeting will be recorded through Zoom.

During each meeting, ASEAC welcomes comments from the public regarding the needs of students with disabilities in APS. See the ASEAC Public Comment Guidelines at https://www.apsva.us/special-education-advisory-committee for information about submitting public comments.  Any person who would like an interpreter and/or any person with a disability who needs accommodation to access the meeting should contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us at least four business days in advance of a meeting to request assistance.