Lack Of Staff Closes Alexandria City Schools On March 8

ALEXANDRIA, VA — More than 300 staffers had asked to take Wednesday, March 8, off, so Alexandria City Public Schools will close on A Day Without Women, leaders said. The unusually high number of requests may be attributed to the observance of International Women’s Day, a day that has also been deemed A Day Without Women, and leaders apologized if the decision causes problems for parents who must find child-care.

Schools will be closed for students on Wednesday, and it will be a teacher work day for school staff. This is in addition to the teacher work day that is on Friday, March 10.

Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley said on the school website that the decision to call off classes was not made lightly and is based solely on the district's ability to provide sufficient staff to cover all classrooms and the impact of high staff absenteeism on student safety and delivery of instruction. "It is not based on a political stance or position," Crawley said.

Students will not be required to make up the missed day since the mild winter has left days in the calendar to close without missing the state-required number of teaching days.

"We understand that when schools close there is an impact on families, who may have to find unanticipated childcare," Crawley said. "We apologize for this unforeseen burden on parents and thank you for your patience and understanding."

What is and isn't open on Wednesday at Alexandria schools:

• All Campagna Center Early Childhood Programs (Head Start, Early Head Start) and Campagna Kids After School programs will operate on the normal schedule. Campagna Kids Before School Program will be closed (Samuel Tucker and Polk Elementary School sites).
• All Rec programs at schools will continue to operate as usual.
• All ACPS scheduled after-school activities for March 8 will continue as planned.
• ACPS will provide breakfast at 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Elementary School, Jefferson-Houston School, Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology, William Ramsay Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and T.C. Williams High School.

These programs are open to all students whether they attend that school or not.

For more information on the cancellations, email the Office of Communications at news@acps.k12.va.us.

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