Ipads need to be charged daily. Try to come up with a system so mornings won't be frantic. Do you have a set time and place to plug it? Sometimes young minds still need those explicit directions, especially at the beginning of the year. Students can keep up with announcements and assignments on iPads.  Not a bad idea to look and see what they can show you.  

First Day Photo Gallery: Here is a collection of photos from the opening day submitted by students, staff and families.

This week's school board meeting will include the first day report, initial enrollment statistics and other updates from our first day of school.

Have you reviewed your information in ParentVUE as part of the Annual Online Verification Process (AOVP)? Click here to review and update your information. Every family needs to verify the information so it 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. 

If you forgot how to log in or need help logging in please go to https://www.apsva.us/family-access-center/ for assistance.

Updated COVID-19 booster doses are coming. Demand is expected to exceed available appointments during the first few weeks. Please check vaccines.gov to search for appointments in and around Arlington, which includes pharmacies and other medical providers.

FREE Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available for children as young as 6 months old! Visit the County website or go directly to the VAMS portal to schedule an appointment. 

Walk-ins and appointments are still available at Arlington Mill and Walter Reed Community Centers for older children, teenagers and adults. Visit the County website for details. 

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.

 Helpful Links for Families: 

• Report a positive test
• Get clearance to return
• Find out where to get vaccinated

Transportation will continue to make minor modifications to bus schedules over the next few weeks, which is our normal practice at the start of each year to ensure the best possible service. Any changes will be communicated in advance, and we thank you for your feedback and patience.We have over 2,500 families already actively using the WherestheBus tool to track their bus arrival. If you haven’t done so, take advantage of this service.

If you have concerns about your student’s bus schedule or want to share feedback, please contact Family Information Line on school days at 703-228-8000 and select option 1 for Transportation Services.

Arlington Transit has made all travel for APS students on ART buses free with a registered iRide SmarTrip card too. Students with existing iRide SmarTrip cards can automatically participate in the fare free program and do not need to perform any additional steps. If a student would like the option to participate in the fare free program but does not have an iRide SmarTrip card, they will need to either contact the School Transportation Coordinator (STC) at their middle school or high school or visit a Commuter Store. The initial number of iRide SmarTrip cards will be limited but additional cards will be available in October.