Review‌ ‌the‌ ‌latest‌ ‌information‌ ‌related‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌coronavirus‌ ‌disease‌ ‌2019‌ ‌(COVID-19)‌ ‌pandemic.‌ Our special education attorneys and advocates can help you and your child prepare for the return to school.

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)

  • The VDOE has updated their State Snapshot, which reflects the operating status of all school divisions in the state. There has been a decrease in divisions operating fully remotely and an increase in those operating in-person. The statistics are below:
    • In person:
      • 8: 10
      • 12: 15
    • Partial in person:
      • 8: 26
      • 12: 36
    • All hybrid:
      • 8: 25
      • 12: 30
    • Partial hybrid:
      • 8: 4
      • 12: 12
    • Fully remote:
      • 8: 67
      • 12: 39

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)

  • ACPS has welcomed back a small group (six students) of kindergarteners with special needs from their citywide program to in-person learning. It has gone well so far and everyone is working to continue learning and be safe.

Arlington Public Schools (APS)

  • APS has proceeded with Return-to-School Level 1. It returns approximately 230 students with disabilities in 33 different schools to in-person learning support.
  • APS has paused the start for Level 2 students, who were set to return Nov. 12, 2020. This decision was made based on increasing case incidences in the area, which poses a safety risk and could cause further disruption to schedules.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

  • Group 4 students have returned to in-person learning with success, including:
    • Students who attend Key Center and Kilmer Center
    • Secondary and elementary students who access the adapted curriculum
    • Elementary Comprehensive Services Sites
    • SLIFE students
    • English learner newcomers who entered the U.S. after June 2019
    • Elementary-age students attending Burke School
    • High school students enrolled in certain specialized high school career prep programs
  • This week, Group 5 students were scheduled to return, including:
    • Early Head Start (infants and toddlers)
    • Pre-K (3- and 4-year-olds)
    • Kindergarten
    • Intensive Support Needs (students instructed with modified curriculum for at least 50% of their core courses and in special education settings 50% or more of their instructional day)
    • Vision Program at Robinson Secondary School
    • Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) Programs at Canterbury Woods Elementary School, Frost Middle School, and Woodson High School students with 50% or more of core content areas in special education settings
  • However, due to the rise in cases, FCPS has announced that Group 5 students will remain virtual until at least November 30th. This was a last minute announcement made on Monday, November 16th.

Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS)

  • All grades 6–12 parents are asked to complete the FCCPS Learning Intention Form by Nov. 20, 2020.
  • FCCPS reopened with their kindergarten and 3rd grade students this week and it went well. They look forward to bringing back more students this week.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)

  • LCPS is asking parents of all students to indicate their choice of schooling for each child (hybrid or 100% distance learning) for the second semester through ParentVue. This must be completed even if your preference has not changed. The deadline is Nov. 20, 2020, at 8 p.m. ET.
  • LCPS has noted they are attempting to keep 6 feet of distance between desks in classrooms, but the School Board has determined that desks may be placed with 4 feet of distance between them if necessary to accommodate all of the students who select the hybrid model.

Prince William County Schools (PWCS)

  • PWCS is allowing parents to have the option to update their preferences of schooling choices for the third quarter. From Jan. 4–8, 2020, they will be able to make these changes through ParentVue.