May 10, 2025 Newsletter
May 10, 2025
In This Edition:
1.Last Day to Vote - School Board Caucus!
2.Parent's Corner:Parents Can Just Say No to APS iPads
3.Aspire Literacy Program Loses AmeriCorps Funding
4.School Board Meeting Recap
5.Happening Soon
Meet Your School Board Candidates + VOTE TODAY
Today voting in the caucus that helps decide Arlington County's next School Board member will conclude. While the position is technically non-partisan, the Arlington County Democratic Committee runs an endorsement process which has been underway both online and in person for the last two weeks.
Meet the Candidates:
June Prakash and Monique "Moe" Bryant are both in the running. We sent them five key questions about their priorities for APS, from grading policies to budget concerns. Read their answers here.
How to Vote:
You can cast your vote in-person today:
Saturday, May 10: 10AM - 6PM
Location: Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School
Why It Matters:
Since 2003, every candidate who has secured this endorsement has gone on to win in November. In other words, this is the election that counts. Concerningly, we’ve been told as of today that only 2,000 people have voted, representing less than 2% of the Arlington electorate.
One More Thing:
We continue to believe it's time to rethink the partisan endorsement process for a non-partisan seat—more open access, more diverse voices, and more inclusive participation for candidates and voters, especially our federal workforce living here in Arlington (due to the Hatch Act, federal employees may not be a candidate for nomination or election to public office in a partisan election). But until the system changes, this is the one we've got. And your vote still matters.
Learn More about the Candidates and the Process at the Arlington County Democratic Committee website.
Parents Corner: Parents Can Just Say No to APS-Issued Devices
(Editor's Note: From time to time we publish op-eds, which are the unedited perspectives of APS parents, teachers, or community members on a topic of interest or concern to APS.)
Believe it or not, there's a simple solution to managing device use in our classrooms—and it doesn’t require a committee or board vote. It can be as easy as emailing your child's teacher(s) and requesting that the device no longer be used for non-essential activities.
I did this for my 3rd-grade daughter, and I wish I had done it sooner. She struggles with anxiety and attention issues, and apps like Lexia and Reflex were only increasing her stress. Because she moves at a slower pace, she often made limited progress on these platforms. On some days, Lexia would drop her to a lower level, leaving her in tears. She also missed out on collaborative, hands-on learning with her peers and felt further discouraged hearing other students boast about completing all the levels. It was damaging to her confidence and her overall well-being.
The breaking point came when she came home in tears—again. I realized this had been going on since first grade, and it wasn’t fair. I finally emailed her teachers to say that we no longer approved the use of the iPad, except for state-mandated testing or research for specific assignments. The response from her team of teachers was pleasant and our wishes have been happily respected. While her peers are using their devices she is given non-digital enrichment activities to choose from, or a similar assignment in the subject area the iPad is being used for.
Many parents, both publicly vocal and quiet, have expressed concern over APS device use, especially in grades K–5. They're worried about devices replacing teacher instruction, stressful educational apps, unmonitored screen time, and the impact on mental health. My daughter also told me that iPads are often used for free time after finishing work or during indoor recess. This sends mixed messages. With the new “Away for the Day” cell phone policy, what does it say when students are still given school-issued devices to use during breaks? Are we encouraging less screen time or not?
I understand that as students move into middle and high school, devices become more necessary. Still, middle-schoolers should be doing most of their work offline, with devices used only when truly needed. High-schoolers will use their computers for much more, but there needs to be more enhanced security and the inability to "jailbreak" these devices that allow uncensored and unrestricted access to the internet. Also having an APS high school student has allowed me to see that access firsthand.
Ultimately, every parent should feel empowered to advocate for how—and when—their child uses school-issued devices. Especially for our youngest learners, it’s okay to say, “This isn’t working for my child.” Hopefully, if more parents make this request, we will see a change and APS will move away from the overuse of devices in the classrooms.
Arlington Non-Profit Providing Literacy Programs Loses AmeriCorps Funding
Aspire! is an after-school learning program working to expand learning opportunities to help historically under-served 3rd through 8th grade students in South Arlington fulfill their potential through after-school and summer learning programs. Aspire is committed to closing the opportunity gap and offers its programs at no cost to families. APE strongly supports this organization and its efforts to address the literacy crisis. Unfortunately, Aspire just learned that it lost AmeriCorps funding, equaling a $470K loss, threatening Aspire's core programming. We encourage you to:
Sign up for an upcoming volunteer night and dedicate an hour of your time to read with their students.
Share Aspire’s new website with others and invite them to learn more about Aspire’s programs.
Financially support Aspire to help increase opportunities and close the literacy gap in Arlington!
Raise funds for Aspire via a fundraising toolkit.
Tell usabout other great organizations that are working with APS students.
May 1st School Board Meeting Recap
Highlights from the May 1st School Board Meeting include:
Monitoring report from the Office of Safety, Security and Emergency Management (read more here from ArlNow)
Revisions proposed to Program of Studies for Secondary English Learners
Various APS Policies and PIPs were discussed including Transportation
Read the full recap here.
Happening Soon
Thursday, May 15, 7:00–10:00 PM
School Board Meeting. Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
(Action Item - Adopt FY 2026 Budget – Tentative)
Monday, May 19, 6:00-8:00 PM
Virtual Open Office Hours with Zuraya Tapia-Hadley. Sign up available on Friday, May 16th.
Monday, May 19, 6:30-8:00 PM
ACPD’s Spring 2025 Quarterly Community Meetings . Lubber Run Community Center, Hickory Room, 300 N. Park Dr. Join on Teams.
Thursday, May 22 6:30–8:00 PM
ACPD’s Spring 2025 Quarterly Community Meetings. Arlington Mill Community Center, Room 527, Sides A+B, 909 S. Dinwiddie St. Join on Teams.
Thursday, May 29 Work Sessions
2:45 PM Work Session on Inclusive Practices (Special Education). Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
6:30 PM Work Session on Advisory Committee End-of-the-Year Reports with ACTL, SAB, BAC, and FAC. Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
Thursday, June 5, 7:00–10:00 PM
School Board Meeting. Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 PM
Work Session on the Pre-Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
Tuesday, June 10, 7:00-9:00 PM
Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) Meeting. In-person and virtual, location TBD. Sign up form.
Thursday, June 12, 7:00–10:00 PM
School Board Meeting. Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. Watch live.
Monday, June 9, 6:30–8:30 PM
Facilities Advisory Council (FAC) Meeting. Location TBD. More info.
