First Alexandria Public School Students Start Hybrid Learning

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The first group of students started hybrid learning at Alexandria City Public Schools on Tuesday.

Students returning to school buildings on Tuesday included kindergarten through fifth grade receiving special education services in citywide self-contained programs, students in kindergarten through fifth grade receiving special education reading and math services in a self-contained setting, early childhood special education students, and students in kindergarten through fifth grade receiving English Learner services. Hybrid learning includes two days of in-person instruction and three days of virtual instruction for students who opted in through the Family Choice Form.

The next group to return will be those in grades 6 to 12 receiving special education citywide and self-contained reading and math services, and Newcomer English Learner students in grades 6 to 12 on March 9. Remaining students who opt into hybrid learning will return on March 16.

ACPS uses three key metrics recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for school operating decisions: new cases 100,000 people within the last 14 days, percentage of positive tests in the last 14 days, and ability to implement five key mitigation strategies. As of March 2, the total cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days for Alexandria is 196.2, classified as being higher risk for transmission in schools. The Alexandria's 5.2 percent positivity rate is classified as having moderate risk for transmission in schools.

The third metric, implementing five key mitigation strategies, is something ACPS assesses internally within schools. The five mitigation strategies are consistent and correct use of masks, social distancing to the largest extent possible, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfection, and contact tracing in collaboration with the local health department.

Families can find more back-to-school information for hybrid learning on the ACPS website.

Alexandria Police remind residents to be alert for students heading to and from school between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drivers are urged to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones.

Here are a few snapshots of the first day of hybrid learning: