ACPS Seeks Input

ACPS Seeks Input on ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2016

This school year Alexandria City Public Schools launched its new strategic plan, ACPS 2020, with the mission of 'Every Student Succeeds.' ACPS would like to request that you spend between five and ten minutes to help ensure the success of our school division and the ACPS 2020 Strategic Plan by taking a short survey to give your feedback about several important issues that affect our schools and the facilities, activities and communications in our community.

You can take the survey at tinyurl.com/acps2020. The survey is available online in English, Spanish, and Arabic. An Amharic translation of the survey will be made available at your local school in paper format

You have until June 5 to share your feedback.

Your responses are completely confidential. We have partnered with independent research and communications firm K12 Insight to administer the survey and compile the results. No one at the division will know if you participate or will be able to connect you to your answers. K12 Insight’s final reports will share only the overall results, not individual comments or responses.

ACPS 2020 envisions a positive future for our schools and our students. By sharing your perspectives you can help make that future a reality. Thank you for stepping forward and making your voice count.

Should you have any questions regarding the survey, contact the ACPS Office of Accountability at 703.619.8032.

T.C. Williams Teacher "For the Love of Reading" Fund Needs Your Help

We are trying to get books in students' hands before an author visit in March. 

***For the next 3 days if donor's use the code SPARK their donation will be matched***

Thank you for your support!

For The Love Of Reading

My students need the book All American Boys so they can read about characters, places, and themes that reflect their lives.

My Students

For students who have yet to have books change their lives, they often don’t believe me when I say it has happened to me. 

While all the students in our school have access to the library, and plenty of them take advantage of the resources we have, some of them go home to book deserts.

This project aims to give them a book(All American Boys) that can be the beginning of their own library--something they can keep, write in, own. 

My Project

We are very excited to be able to participate in the NOVA Teen Book Festival and while we would love for all of our students to participate in the day’s activities, our targeted students would have no way of getting to and from the events of the festival. This project allows us to bring the festival to our students by bringing two young adult authors to speak at our school. We really want students to fall in love with Jason Reynold’s compelling stories, and we also want them to catch his vision--to believe their words can change people’s lives.

Bringing Jason Reynold’s to our school, and giving our students a chance to own one of his books and come to the author’s visit ready to really talk about it, could be the catalyst for getting some of our students to see themselves as writers.

And giving our students a chance to talk to him about his writing process could help them start to consider themselves as potential writers.

Here's the link: goo.gl/HvYaX5 

Literacy Tutors - Volunteers Needed

Volunteer Alexandria is teaming up with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium to recruit enough tutors this school year for 125 ACPS students. 
We need YOU to help us meet this challenge 
by signing up to tutor today! 

Students need a one-on-one volunteer tutor to help them reach and exceed their reading goals for the year. These students are at risk of falling below their grade level and will not be able to read to learn in third grade and 
beyond if they do not have a tutor to help them learn to read now. These students need YOU to step up and help them reach their goals this year! 

What volunteers need to know: 
· Volunteers choose which Elementary School is convenient for them 
· Volunteers are asked to tutor twice a week for 30 minutes or find a partner to split the sessions with 
· Volunteers tutor October-May 
· ATC provides volunteers with individualized lesson plans and materials 


Sign up to become a tutor! Please click HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000ZaD6OMAV&wrs=HOC0105-002-4da8cef7-45bb-46ee-9e85-c742d3d9dd51or 
visit www.VolunteerAlexandria.org 


and enter ‘tutor’ in the search field 

Patrick Henry Information and Update

ACPS updated its website with cost estimates for the project- http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news/good-news/gn2015043001.php 


Important upcoming dates:

May 7: The City Council will vote on the CIP Budget. The proposed budget includes almost $6 million for the Patrick Henry Rec Center, and $38.1 million for the new school.

May 14, 7 pm: The School Board will hear a presentation on the Patrick Henry feasibility study, including costs for each plan. These meetings are open to the public and it would be great to have many people from the neighborhood attend.

May 28, 7 pm: The School Board will vote on addition/renovation vs. new building at Patrick Henry.

If you are interested in contacting any School Board members or Council members directly, you can find their email addresses below. You can also e-mail all of the Council members and all of the School Board members at once using these online forms:

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/board/contactsb.php

http://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Departments <http://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Departments&group=MayorandCityCouncil&service=CNC_GROUP> &group=MayorandCityCouncil&service=CNC_GROUP

ACPS FACE Center Kicks off School Supplies Drive

ACPS FACE Center Kicks off School Supplies Drive

Alexandria, Va. – Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center and Community Partners for Children (CPC), an Alexandria nonprofit organization, will kick off their annual Back-to-School Drive for school supplies for students this Tuesday, July 29. Each fall, many Alexandria students of all ages face the prospect of starting school without adequate supplies.

“By coming together as a community, we can ensure all students have the basic tools to start the school year with confidence,” says FACE Manager Krishna Leyva.

In partnership with CPC and local businesses, FACE will collect backpacks, spiral notebooks, wide-rule notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, two-pocket folders, pencil pouches, scissors, rulers, and school supplies for all age groups. These supplies will then be distributed to ACPS students through each school’s social workers.

FACE is asking the community to donate new backpacks and school supplies by dropping them off in collection bins placed in local area businesses.

The Back-to-School Drive runs until Sunday, Aug. 24. Anyone wishing to contribute may help as follows:

• Donate new backpacks and school supplies by dropping them off in one of the donation boxes at the locations listed in the flier.
• Volunteer to help sort school supplies on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at T.C. Williams High School. To volunteer, email Krishna Leyva.

FACE thanks the local sponsors who support the drive and provide sites for the donation boxes. Donation boxes are located at the area businesses listed in the flier.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
Please drop off new school supplies at these area businesses.
The supplies will be distributed to children in the Alexandria City Public Schools. Thank you!

DEL RAY AREA

Cora Kelly Recreation Center – 25 W. Reed Ave.
Dept. of Community & Human Services – 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. The Dairy Godmother – 2308 Mount Vernon Ave.
Eclectic Nature Gift & Garden Center – 1503 Mount Vernon Ave. Grace Episcopal Church – 3601 Russell Rd.
Nature's Nibbles – 2601 Mount Vernon Ave.
Pork Barrel BBQ – 2312 Mount Vernon Ave.

OLD TOWN AREA

Alexandria Bar Association – 520 King St., Suite 202 Alexandria City Hall – 301 King St., Main Lobby & 2nd Floor Alexandria Fire Department – 900 Second St.
Altarum Institute – 2000 Duke St., Suite 200
Artfully Chocolate – 506 John Carlyle St.
Carlyle Place – 2251 Eisenhower Ave
Charles Houston Recreation Center – 901 Wythe St.
Delta Career Education Corporation – 99 Canal Center Plaza MPR Associates, Inc. – 320 King St.
McEnearney Associates – 109 S. Pitt St.
PTO Federal Credit Union – 501 Dulaney St., 1st Floor Volunteer Alexandria – 123 N. Alfred St., 1st Floor

OTHER ALEXANDRIA LOCATIONS

Alexandria Health Department – 4480 King St., 4th Floor Alexandria INOVA Hospital – 4320 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services – 2900 Business Center Drive
Congregation Agudas Achim – 2908 Valley Dr. Crave Frozen Yogurt – 3610 King St., Bradlee Center DASH – 3000 Business Center Drive
Lee Center – 1108 Jefferson St.

T.C. Williams High School – 3330 King St., Main Office Tempo Restaurant – 4231 Duke St.
William Ramsay Recreation Center – 5650 Sanger Ave.

THE FOLLOWING BURKE & HERBERT LOCATIONS
Carlyle – 1775 Jamieson Ave. Fairlington – 1705 Fern St.
King Street – 621 King St. Landmark – 155 N Paxton St. Main Office – 100 S Fairfax St. Monroe Ave – 306 E Monroe Ave.

ALL ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES
Barrett Branch – 717 Queen St.
Beatley Branch – 5005 Duke St.
Burke Branch – 4701 Seminary Rd.
Duncan Branch – 2501 Commonwealth Ave.

RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES
The Alexander – Apartments – 4390 King St.
The Asher – Apartments – 620 N. Fayette St.
Bell Dell Ray – Apartments – 625 East Monroe St.
Braddock Place – Condominium – 1200 Braddock Place
The Henry – Condominium – 525 N. Fayette St.
The Kingsley – Apartments – 500 Madison St.
London Park Towers – Apartments – 5375 Duke St.
Meridian at Braddock – Apartments – 1200 First St.
Park East – Condominium – 1225 Martha Custis Drive
Place One – Condominium – 5500 Holmes Run Parkway
Port Royal – Condominium – 801 N. Pitt St.
The Sentinel of Landmark – Condominium – 6300 Stevenson Ave. Whitestone at Landmark – Apartments – 250 S. Whiting St.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 

Backpacks

Spiral notebooks

Wide-Rule filler paper 

3 ring binders

2 pocket folders

Subject dividers

Pencil boxes

Scissors

Glue

Rulers

Pencils

Pens

Pencil sharpeners 

Erasers

Markers

Crayons

Highlighters

Tissues

For more information, contact Gerson Paniagua at 703-824-6865 or gerson.paniagua@acps.k12.va.us 

ACPS School Board Invites you to Meet & Greet with Superintendent Dr. Crawley

The Alexandria City School Board invites you to a MEET & GREET with ACPS SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Alvin L. Crawley

On March 6, the Alexandria City School Board officially selected Dr. Alvin L. Crawley as ACPS Superintendent. Dr. Crawley has served as interim superintendent since October 2013. You're invited to a Meet & Greet for the new superintendent on Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus. This is your opportunity to meet with Dr. Crawley and welcome him as he officially joins Alexandria City Public Schools. — MEET & GREET — Wednesday, March 26, 2014 7 to 9 p.m. T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus Media Center 3801 W. Braddock Road [map] Please RSVP for this event.

Message from ACPS on today's lockdown

At approximately 11:45 a.m. today, the Alexandria Police Department notified Alexandria City Public Schools that an incident had taken place in a residential area of the city. As a safety precaution, the police recommended putting six schools on lockdown: T.C. Williams High School, the T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus, Charles Barrett, Douglas MacArthur, George Mason and Matthew Maury elementary schools. All students and staff were safe throughout the lockdown period, which officially ended for all six schools at 1:30 p.m.

Thank you to our staff and students for responding calmly and quickly to the lockdown directive, to the Alexandria Police Department for ensuring the safety of our schools, and to our ACPS families and community members for your patience as we monitored the situation. Please be assured that your children’s safety is our No. 1 priority.

ACPS Calendars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 24, 2014

CONTACT: Kelly L. Alexander, Director Office of Communications and Public Relations 703-824-6635 • news@acps.k12.va.us

Alexandria City School Board Adopts 2014-15 Academic Calendars,Revises 2013-14 Snow Make-Up Days   Alexandria, Va. - The Alexandria City School Board has approved both the 2014-15 School Year Academic Calendars and a modification of the snow/weather make-up days for the 2013-14 school year calendars for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students. There are two Academic Calendars: the traditional calendar that the majority of schools follow and the modified calendar applicable to Mount Vernon Community School (2013-14) and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (2013-15).    The School Board voted unanimously to modify the current 2013-14 school year calendars to allow for more flexibility in making up days missed because of inclement weather. The calendars previously required weather-related closures beyond three days to be made up only by adding school days to the end of the year. The revised calendar, however, allows those days to be made up on the following specific teacher work days and professional days:   Traditional Calendar: March 14 and April 11, 2014 Modified Calendar: February 28 and March 21, 2014   Because Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 were the fourth and fifth weather-related closures of this year, students will now be required to attend school on March 14 and April 11 for traditional-calendar schools and February 28 and March 21, 2014 for modified calendar schools. If there are more than six weather-related closures, the administration may add minutes to the school day to make up lost instructional time in lieu of adding days to the end of the year.   The School Board also voted (7-2) to approve the 2014-15 academic calendars. The School Year 2014-15 calendars include 183 student days and 196 teacher contract days. Columbus Day is a student holiday, but a split professional development day and work day for teachers. Winter break has been extended to a full two weeks. In order to extend winter break by two days, Veterans Day will be a regular school day, and one teacher professional day in December has been eliminated.     Next school year, any weather-related closures beyond three days will be made up on January 30, March 9 and April 17, which are professional days or teacher work days. Any additional closures will result in days being made up by adding minutes to the school day under a structured plan as an alternative to adding days to the end of the school year.   To view the approved traditional and modified academic calendars for 2013-14 and 2014-15 online, visit http://www.acps.k12.va.us/calendars.

ACPS Partners with Fairlington Preschool to Open Two Inclusion Classes

ACPS Partners with Fairlington Preschool to Open Two Inclusion Classes

Alexandria, Va. - An open house on Thursday, Jan. 16, will celebrate a unique collaboration between Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and Fairlington Preschool, where ACPS opened two community partnership inclusion classrooms in September 2013. Each class includes 12 students: six with disabilities and six who are typically developing children.

 

“The ACPS Early Childhood Special Education team is very excited about the partnership we have established with Fairlington Preschool,” said Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator Jane Richardson. “This community partnership has provided ACPS students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in an inclusive community preschool environment. We believe that all children learn better together, and the program helps in fostering positive relationships between children with and without disabilities, as well as their families.”

 

Inclusion classes offer a variety of benefits to all children as they learn together. Children with disabilities experience stimulating, positive peer modeling from their typically developing peers. Equally important, typically developing children gain, through their interactions with children with disabilities, an understanding and acceptance of differences among people.

 

The classes feature mixed age groupings for 3 1/2- and 4-year-olds. Licensed ACPS Early Childhood Special Education teachers and paraprofessionals teach the community partnership classes. Including these classes, Fairlington Preschool has seven classrooms, which serve children ages 2 through 5.

 

ACPS offers special education preschool services at John Adams and Charles Barrett elementary schools, Jefferson-Houston School and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.

 

The public is invited to attend the open house, which will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 at Fairlington Preschool, 3900 King St. For more information, contact Richardson at 703-578-8217 or Fairlington Preschool Director Carol Keller at 703-671-3939.

Alexandria City School Board Announces Interim Superintendent

Alexandria City School Board Announces Interim Superintendent

Dr. Alvin L. Crawley Recommended as Interim Superintendent 

 

Alexandria, Va. — The Alexandria City School Board will approve a contract on Oct. 10 confirming Alvin L. Crawley as interim superintendent for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Dr. Crawley will begin his appointment on Oct. 14 and serve until a superintendent search is conducted and a new superintendent is selected.

 

“Our school board sought an interim superintendent who could lead our efforts to increase the achievement of all students and analyze our gap issues,” said Chair Karen Graf. “Dr. Crawley showed strong communication skills, professionalism and various educational experiences that we believe will serve Alexandria during the time he is here. He impressed us during a conversation on the importance of sound leadership during this interim phase when he said, ‘The students cannot wait for us; we need to serve them now.’”

 

Dr. Crawley received a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and education from Hampton University in Hampton, Va., and earned a master’s degree in speech and language pathology from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. He also has a doctorate in education, focusing on instructional leadership and administration, from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

 

“I have spent the last 33 years dedicated to children in many different communities, and I'm honored to be able to bring that same dedication to this community,” Dr. Crawley said. “I feel it is essential for an interim superintendent to engage in a collaborative fashion with the school board, community, administrators and the staff to ensure a productive and successful school year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team in Alexandria City Public Schools this year.”

 

Most recently, Dr. Crawley served as the interim superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools. He spent the majority of his career in education in Arlington Public Schools, where he held top roles including assistant superintendent of student services and director of special education. He has also worked in Boston Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools. His broad experience and credentials include special education, student services, instructional leadership development, talented and gifted and cultural competency roles. Dr. Crawley is a co-author of “Gaining on the Gap: Changing Hearts, Minds and Practice” and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.

 

Since the departure of former ACPS Superintendent Morton Sherman at the end of August, the School Board has worked diligently to appoint an interim superintendent. Acting Superintendent Margaret May (Margee) Walsh led the division through the first month of the new school year and will remain in this role until Dr. Crawley’s arrival. 

 

“Dr. Walsh has been a calm and steady presence in the schools and to her peers during this transition,” Graf commented. “We hope to continue to expand her contribution, seeing that it served our community so powerfully to have her institutional knowledge.”

 

The School Board plans to select a superintendent search firm by Oct. 17 and then immediately begin to develop a schedule for community and staff involvement in the search. Check the ACPS website for continued updates at:http://www.acps.k12.va.us/superintendent-search/.

 

For more information or interview requests, please contact Kelly Alexander at 703-824-6635.

T.C. Williams No Longer Among State's Lowest-Performing Schools

FROM ACPS:

T.C. Williams No Longer Among State's Lowest-Performing Schools

VDOE Announcement Confirms School's Exit from Priority Status

 

Alexandria, Va. - T.C. Williams High School is no longer among the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I and Title I-eligible Virginia schools, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced today in a news release identifying Priority and Focus Schools for the 2013-14 school year. T.C. Williams is one of 10 that exited Priority status.

 

"This news validates the many indicators of T.C.'s progress on its road to improvement," said Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Acting Superintendent Margaret Walsh. "I am confident that the school will continue to make great strides in student achievement."

 

VDOE designates the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I schools as Priority schools, and another 10 percent of Title I schools are identified as Focus schools based on the achievement of historically low-performing subgroups. Jefferson-Houston School remains a Priority school for the second consecutive year.

John Adams and Patrick Henry Elementary schools are identified as Focus schools for the second consecutive year. (Focus schools retain their designation for a minimum of two years, unless they are subsequently identified as Priority schools or no longer receive federal Title I funding).

 

VDOE, under the two-year No Child Left Behind Act flexibility waivers granted in 2012 by the U.S. Department of Education, established annual measurable objectives (AMOs) for reducing proficiency gaps between students in the commonwealth's lowest-performing and highest-performing schools. These objectives in reading and mathematics have replaced the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets schools were previously required to meet under the federal education law. To be designated as meeting all Federal AMOs, participation and performance targets must be met for both English and mathematics for nine subgroups. All schools, excluding those with a graduating class, must meet 36 targets to receive the status "Met All Federal AMOs."

 

Eight Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools (George Washington 1 Middle School; Charles Barrett, Douglas MacArthur, James K. Polk, Matthew Maury and Samuel W. Tucker elementary schools; Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy; and Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology) met all 36 Federal AMOs in both English and mathematics. This represents an increase of two schools when compared with last year's results. ACPS as a division met all 18 Federal English AMOs and 17 out of 18 Federal Mathematics AMOs.

 

"It is important to consider the increased rigor of Virginia's new reading and mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests before making conclusions about schools that missed annual objectives," Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said in the VDOE's news release. "Virginia has raised the bar to prepare students for the realities of the 21st century. Our challenge - from the superintendent's office to the classroom - is to make sure students have the instruction and interventions they need to achieve the commonwealth's college- and career-ready expectations, regardless of who they are or where they live."

 

Additional information on the progress of Virginia schools and divisions toward meeting the goals of the commonwealth's NCLB flexibility waiver is available on the Federal Accountability page of the VDOE website. Read the VDOE news release.

 

New from FACE

Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center Welcoming Families Back to School! As our students settle into the new school year, FACE would like to also welcome our families back to school. You may not be in the classroom every day, but each and every one of you plays a very important role in the educational process. In fact, four decades of research indicates that family engagement is one of the strongest components of student success.  But why?  Why is family involvement so important to your child's success? Because your child wants to please you!  It is part of a child's natural development to seek the approval of his/her parents. So if you hold education up as a priority and establish high expectations for your child, he/she will naturally strive to do his/her best.  Your involvement matters so much!  So welcome back to school. Let's make this year a great one! FREE FACE WORKSHOPS    Help Your Child Succeed in School: Navigating the School System  This workshop is designed to assist new and returning parents in their efforts to support your children's learning. Parents will gain valuable information and tools that will help you to: Best advocate for your child Navigate the school system Build a strong relationship with child's teacher/school Create a home environment that is conducive to learning Conduct successful parent-teacher conferences All workshops are FREE. A light dinner will be served and childcare and interpreters provided. Date Time Location 10/19/13 6:30p.m. Community Lodgings 607 Notabene Dr. - 22305 Register 10/23/13 6:30p.m. John Adams 5651 Rayburn - 22311 Register 10/24/13 6:30p.m. Brent Place Reynolds Street - 22312 Register 10/25/13 6:30p.m. Cora Kelly STEM 3600 Commonwealth - 22305 Register 10/26/13 6:30p.m. ARHA Ruby Tucker 322 Tancil Court -  22314 Register Alexandria Story Festival Saturday,September 28, 2013 T.C. Williams High School  3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302   10:00 am - 1:00 pm.   Meet ten great children's book authors! Participate in fun literacy activities! Get free books! Join us at this FREE event for families of children birth through middle school. Show your child how important and fun reading is.  Visit www.alexstoryfest.com for more information.  Your Opinion Matters: Middle School Survey    Alexandria City Public Schools is in the process of evaluating the George Washington and Francis C. Hammond middle school campuses.  Please take the opportunity to provide your feedback by completing the appropriate survey below.  You are welcome to share the following links with anyone who may be interested in participating.  All survey responses are requested byFriday, September 20, 2013. Parent Survey Parents of students currently enrolled at any George Washington or Francis C. Hammond Middle School are asked to participate in the parent survey by clicking on the "Parent Survey" link above. The survey is available in both English and Spanish. Community Survey Any members of our local school community are encouraged to participate by clicking on the "Community Survey" link above. The survey is available in both English and Spanish. New FACE Manager Dear ACPS Families, I am so happy to share with you that I have been promoted within ACPS and in addition to providing oversight to the FACE Center, I will also be coordinating volunteer and community partnerships for the school division. This is very exciting for me and I look forward to all the opportunities this new position brings. While I will miss seeing all of you so often, I am certain you will be well served by the new FACE Manger, Ms. Krishna Leyva.  She has a long history of working with students and families in Alexandria and is committed to carrying forward this movement which I have been so fortunate to have begun with each of you.  Sincerely, Shanna Samson Coordinator of Volunteer and Community Partnerships Volunteer! If you are interested in volunteering in your child's school, please register here. For questions regarding the volunteer process, please contact Linda Rodriguez at 703-824-6865 or     email Linda. The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is Now Accepting Class of 2013 Applications  Learn how to advocate effectively for your children's futures. For more information, visit the PLTI website. Register for SCAN's ENGLISH and SPANISH ABCs of Parenting Class To register, participants must call 703-820-9001to make an appointment for a one-hour intake interview at SCAN's office that includes program pre-test and review of class guidelines. Contact Information   Contact FACE Manager, Krishna Leyva at 703-824-6865 or Email Krishna

Family Night 2013    Participant Survey  If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete the survey so we know what worked and where we need to work harder. Family Resource Guide  Get contact information and follow up with all the great resources that are available to your family in the Alexandria community.    Family Night Photos  If you haven't already checked out the photos from Family Night, do so now!  What is FACE?  The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center of ACPS is our way of involving all of Alexandria in the educational experience of our youth. Through freeinformation, resources, workshops and fun activities for students and adults, the FACE Center connects you and your family to the academic achievements of students. Why is this important? Family engagement is critical to the success of every ACPS student. Your parenting at home, our joint communication, community volunteers in the schools and collaboration with the City's leaders and agencies all set the stage for academic success. With your involvement, we can be sure your children will come to school prepared to learn each day, behave appropriately and participate, earn good grades and test scores, aspire to take advanced-level classes, graduate from high school and go on to a successful adult life.