Hybrid Learning Planned For March In Alexandria Schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Thursday, a timeline was presented for the transition to hybrid learning at Alexandria City Public Schools.

The new timeline calls for bringing back students who opt into hybrid learning from March 2 to 16. Hybrid learning will involve two days of in-person instruction per week for a student. Staff who are able to return will transition back to school buildings starting on March 1.

Here is the new return to school schedule:

• Tuesday, March 2: Reentry of hybrid students in grades K-5 receiving special education services in citywide self-contained full-day class programs, students in K-5 receiving special education reading and math services in a self-contained setting, Early Childhood Special Education students, and students in grades K-5 receiving English Learner services

• Tuesday, March 9: Transition Hybrid Students in grades 6-12 receiving special education citywide and self-contained reading and math services, and Newcomer English Learner students in grades 6-12
• Tuesday, March 16: Reentry of all remaining hybrid students in grades PreK-12

Families who completed the Family Choice Form in December could opt into hybrid learning when available or remain in virtual learning. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. told the school board Thursday that health metrics are improving and ACPS has been "adamant about following the Virginia Department of Health guidance as well as the CDC guidance, and following our community health metrics."

"We are seeing a consistent decline in our community health metrics, which is huge and this is a big deal. This is why we are now at the point where we are looking forward to our transition over the next six weeks," said Hutchings.

Dr. Stephen Haering, director of the Alexandria Health Department, provided an update on the metrics to the school board on Thursday. Two core indicators recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in school reopening decisions are the cases per 100,000 people in the last 14 days and percentage of positive PCR tests in the last 14 days.

On Thursday, Haering noted that there have been fewer cases in the last seven days compared to the seven days before that. However, the current rate of approximately 409 cases per 100,000 people is more than double the threshold between higher risk (50 to 200) and highest risk (greater than 200) of transmission in schools. Alexandria's percentage of positive tests in the last 14 days is between 5 and 8 percent, classified as moderate risk for transmission in schools.

The third core indicator, which Haering says schools can control, involves the CDC's five mitigation strategies: physical distancing, correct and consistent use of masks, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfection and collaboration with local health department on contact tracing.

The ACPS return to school timeline is dependent on the school district's revised health and safety metrics, which align with the Virginia Department of Health's recommendation.

"While we are confident that our reopening timeline is feasible, if our community metrics rise, we may need to consider delaying," states a Friday newsletter from ACPS.

The new return to school timeline comes as COVID-19 vaccinations continue for ACPS staff. On Thursday, the health department provided vaccinations to staff who did not get their first dose yet. Additional slots will be provided on Saturday, according to Hutchings.

Hutchings said staff are being asked about their vaccination status, although they will not be required to disclose this information. That will allow ACPS to have an idea of vaccination progress and to share overall percentages with the Virginia Department of Education.

In the coming weeks, ACPS plans to share details families will need to prepare their students' return, including scheduled classroom days, their teachers’ in-person availability, nutrition and transportation services, child care and after-school programs, and plans to keep everyone safe through mitigation measures.