September 2, 2025 Newsletter
In This Edition:
1. Welcome Back!
2. Take Our Survey on APE's Priorities for 2025-26
3. Advisory Committee Looking for Representatives
4. School Board Meeting Recap
5. Happening Soon!
Welcome Back, APS!
It's that time of year! Grab your school supplies and your coffee, and catch up on any newsletter articles you missed to stay in-the-know and make this year the best one yet!
Missed an edition? Peruse our website for past issues.
If you haven't already, join our Facebook Group to meet other Arlington parents and community members and join the discussions!
Want to pen an op-ed on a topic of interest to the APS community? Reach out! We are always looking to publish the personal perspectives of Arlington's parents and teachers.
Take Just a Few Minutes and Fill Out Our Survey
The Arlington Parents for Education Board would like to get your feedback on our advocacy over the past school year, as well as how you would like us to prioritize our efforts going forward.
We have created a survey to get your feedback. It will only take 5-7 minutes to complete. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or other community member or all three, your input is extremely valuable to us, so please give us your thoughts!
Thank you!
The ACTL Needs More Volunteers
The Advisory Committee on Teaching and Learning, the APS committee comprised of volunteer representatives from all schools, needs more volunteers to help shape Arlington's district-wide policies regarding a wide range of curriculum and instruction issues. Chat with your PTA president or reach out directly to the committee to get involved.
August 21 School Board Meeting Recap
Highlights from the August 21st School Board Meeting include:
Audit Findings & Oversight: The Board reviewed audits of HR including overtime, and financial services including purchase card policies and information services. Findings included gaps in standard operating procedures, overtime overpayments, and challenges with equipment inventory. APS leadership outlined steps to improve customer service, modernize HR systems, and strengthen internal controls.
Title IX Policies: APS reported its response to the U.S. Department of Education regarding Title IX compliance. While federal court review is pending, the division stated it will continue to uphold current policies.
School Boundaries & Capacity: Staff presented data showing several elementary schools operating below capacity. Recommendations included refining policy on program capacity, special education and pre-K placement, and option school locations. No boundary changes will be implemented this fall.
Next Steps: The Board will continue audit follow-ups, review option school and capacity policies later this year, and begin discussions on potential school consolidations.
Read the full recap!
Happening Soon
Tuesday, September 2, 7:00 PM – Arlington Civic Federation Meeting – Candidates’ Forum. Hybrid via Zoom and in-person at the John T. Hazel, MD Conference Center, Virginia Hospital Center, 1701 N George Mason Drive.
Thursday, September 4, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - School Board Meeting. Syphax. Sign up to speak (closes Sept 3 at 4 PM) Watch live.
Tuesday, September 9, 7:00–9:00 PM – ASEAC Meeting. Syphax Rooms 454/456
Wednesday, September 10, 7:00–8:30 PM – ACTL Meeting. Syphax Building, Rooms 452/454/456.
Thursday, September 18, 7:00 PM – School Board Meeting. Syphax. Sign up to speak. Watch live
Thursday, September 30, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM – School Board Work Session. Syphax. Watch live
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Work Session on Planning Factors – Planning for Phase 2 Implementation
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Work Session on the HR Audit Report- Recommendations-Mid-Year Update on Implementation
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Work Session on the Feasibility Studies
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM Work Session on FY 2027-36 CIP Direction
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Closed meeting on the Discussion of Public Safety
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to APS School Calendars here.
