March 20-26 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), an annual, week-long health observance that inspires dialogue about drug use and addiction among youth. Substance Abuse Counselors (SACs) will sponsor NDAFW in schools and help students understand the myths about drugs and alcohol. During this week, SACs will provide drug and alcohol facts to help keep APS community safe. Click here to learn more.

The School Board will host a Public Hearing on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget on Thur., March 23. The public hearing provides the community an opportunity to share feedback on the proposed budget. Information on the process to sign up to speak and guidelines is available on the Sign Up to Speak at a School Board Meetingwebpage.   

The Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget is a needs-based budget that prioritizes increased academic and mental health support for all students; continued investment in compensation for teachers and staff; and increased enhancements to school facilities and operations.

Visit the FY 2024 Budget Development webpage to view the proposed budget, proposed budget presentation, and the FY 2024 budget development schedule. Questions and feedback on the proposed FY 2024 Budget should be submitted by emailing engage@apsva.us.

A few key takeaways from the EL Update:

• In the annual Spring WIDA (World Class Instructional Design and Assessment) ACCESS assessment for English learners, 54.1% demonstrated progress in 2022, up from 39% in 2021. Current year testing is being conducted through March 17, and results will be available in May or June. 
• One area of concern is that while more English learners are making progress, the percentage achieving English Language Proficiency (ELP) decreased in the same period, from 11.2% in 2021 to 10.2% in 2022. 
• The OEL continues investing in new resources and supports for students at all levels to ensure all English learners are making progress, including: 
• Provided new tools and resources to support elementary oral language development and literacy.  
• Launching Lexia English to support the oral language development of English learners at ELP levels 1 and 2. 
• Leading teams of teachers in developing new curriculum guides to support specialized instruction for English learners accessing Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). CKLA is a program that combines English language development (ELD) with other subject areas, such as social studies.
• The offices of English Learners and English Language Arts partnered to strengthen support for middle and high school English learners through co-teaching. 
• Making curriculum revisions for ELD science courses at middle school and planning a new recommended course sequence for English learners in high school science.

View the English Learner Update and learn more about the EL 5-Year Strategic Action Plan.

The 2023 Summer School Program will provide in-person strengthening math and language arts support, credit recovery and Extended School Year services for students meeting specific eligibility criteria.

- Eligibility is based on critical needs in literacy, math, or both. 

- Eligibility will be communicated during upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences.

- Registration closes May 1 for elementary and June 2 for middle and high school students.

Additional summer learning opportunities for grade-eligible students include New Work for Credit (virtual, fee-based) open to all rising 9th – 12th graders, and Boost Courses (virtual, free) for rising 6th – 12th graders. Learn about programs offered, eligibility and more.

APS is providing additional resources to raise awareness about opioids and specifically fentanyl, as this epidemic continues to affect youth in Arlington and nationwide. Many students do not realize that fentanyl is often hidden in other substances, and even a small amount, the size of a pencil tip, can cause a fatal overdose. Learn more about how APS is addressing this issue and the steps families can take to help educate students about the dangers of opioids and prevent substance use.

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will host Community Conversations on the Equity Profile Dashboard. The dashboard provides data and transparency related to student opportunity, access, and achievement. The community conversations will include key takeaways Your Voice Matters Survey (YVMS), social-emotional learning (SEL), school climate, and an engaged workforce. The community conversations will also allow the community to provide feedback on the dashboard.

The community conversations will be held virtually on the following dates:

• Wed., March 29, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
• Wed., April 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
• Wed., May 31, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

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!