Dear Lyles-Crouch Families, The Alexandria City School Board voted in support of the ACPS Virtual PLUS+ model for returning to school this fall. ACPS asked the community to complete a survey of what supplemental supports families will require under this model and responses were due yesterday - Sunday, August 9. ACPS will process that feedback and information about community-supported child care options, with academic support, will be shared with families in the near future. While there are still elements of returning to school that we are waiting to hear about, some of what we do know, is that school will reopen virtually this fall on September 8. The day will mirror a traditional school day, following a bell schedule. Students will be graded on completed work and will receive synchronous and asynchronous lessons four days a week (Tuesday - Friday). Virtual technology will be expanded to ensure all students across all grades have devices and internet access prior to September 4. Dr. Zissios will address our community on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 pm to welcome new families and answer questions any of our families may have about the school year. Details about how to submit questions in advance and how to access the meeting will be provided shortly. This week, Wednesday August 12 at 7pm, we will hold another PTA meeting to hear a parent in our community, Danielle Epps, speak about anti-racism. We are pleased that Kennetra Wood, ACPS Executive Director of Equity and Alternative Programs (our guest speaker in June), will attend this meeting. Dr. Zissios will address our community for a few minutes prior to Danielle’s presentation, and share what she does know about how school looks this fall. However, since much information is still forthcoming, she will be able to go into more detail at the August 25 meeting. Please join us this Wednesday! And spread the word that Amharic translation services will be provided! August PTA General Membership Meeting Wednesday August 12 @7PM Please join us to hear from our special guest speaker Danielle Epps, a parent in our community, who will speak on the topic that in order to do anti-racism work, we need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Ms. Epps is an educator and communicator, fueled by a passion for activism and a natural talent for developing human connections. Danielle has over fifteen years of experience as a national media personality, has hosted a variety of radio programming, is a skilled on-camera interviewer and host, and is the author of a best-selling collection of autobiographical essays titled, “Empathy and Eyebrows.” Danielle brought these experiences and skills with her into the classroom as she embarked on a new vocation as an educator. Currently in her Master’s program at Johns Hopkins University, she seeks to be a voice for social justice, an active anti-racist, and an advocate for our children, especially those who are forced to view the world through the lens of childhood trauma. You are invited to a Zoom webinar: (The access information for this meeting has been updated from what was sent in the July 30 eroar) When: Aug 12, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: LCTA PTA Meeting Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/94317468026?pwd=NmN3MGV1M1Qxc3ZDdmhVSVZieGpJZz09 Passcode: lions Or iPhone one-tap: US: +13126266799,,94317468026#,,,,,,0#,,708059# or +16465588656,,94317468026#,,,,,,0#,,708059#Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 Webinar ID: 943 1746 8026 Passcode: 708059 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adn6IWM6QF Connect with the LCTA PTA 2020-2021 Connect with us for the 2020-2021 upcoming school year here. Complete the sections that interest you: Join the PTA!; enter your email to receive eRoar communications; add your info for our 2020-2021 directory; and/or opt in to participate in a telephone survey (How can the LCTA PTA represent me?). This year dues are not required for PTA membership (donation only), and PTA membership is not required to be included in the PTA Directory.