Superintendent’s Nov. 16, 2022 Update

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Dear APS Families:

This has been a difficult week for the entire APS community as we grieve the loss of Washington-Liberty student Braylon Meade and Yorktown 2022 graduate Alexander Gil. I extend my deepest condolences to their family and friends, as well as the staff who have worked closely with them through the years. Our school counselors and other mental health staff are there to help students who need extra support.

Below are updates as we head toward the Thanksgiving holiday next week:

Reminder: The MLK Literary and Visual Arts Contest Closes Friday – I hope we receive many entries from student artists and writers at every school and grade level. Learn more online. 

Every Student Counts: Why We Do Assessments –This fourth episode in our Every Student Counts series illustrates how Collaborative Learning Teams use data to guide student support.  Look as teachers and staff at Long Branch and Barrett elementary schools, as well as Dorothy Hamm Middle School, show how the process works and the importance of assessments.

TONIGHT: Equity Community Conversation #3 – The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion will host a virtual event this evening focused on college and career readiness at 7 p.m. The Equity Profile Dashboard provides data and transparency related to student opportunity, access, and achievement. This conversation is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the data and data that should be incorporated into the next iteration of the dashboard. To register, visit Equity Profile Dashboard Community Conversations.

Congrats to November All Star Award Recipients – Earlier today I had the opportunity to surprise five outstanding All Stars nominated by community members, students and peers. Join me in congratulating these outstanding staff:

• Veronica Perez, Art Teacher, ATS
• Alexis Robinson, First Grade Teacher, Long Branch
• Ann Irby, Benefits Specialist, Syphax Education Center
• Teresa Smiroldo, Administrative Assistant, ASFS
• Charlotte Hoffer, Third Grade Teacher, Ashlawn

 Do you have a staff member you’d like to recognize? Learn more and access the nomination form.

Thank You Instructional Assistants, Nurse Aides and Substitutes – Today is National Education Support Professionals Day and I would like to thank the instructional assistants who support our teachers so that every student receives the best possible education. Thursday is School Health Aide Appreciation Day. Join me in giving thanks to our 37 dedicated School Health Aides for they work to maintain safe and healthy schools. Last but not least, Friday is Substitute Educators Day. APS is deeply grateful to our substitutes who play a vital role in ensuring the continuity of education when staff are absent.

As a reminder, next week we are closed Wednesday – Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Have a great week!

Dr. Francisco Durán
Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools