Superintendent playing Lego’s with kids
More fun with Lego’s
Teacher doing fall themed lesson with music
My final fall school visit was to Integration Station where the students were in full fall and Halloween spirit! Reading books, learning letters and getting outside to play 🎃. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Dr Duran with students at Langston in civics.
Administrators at Langston
Thank you to Langston for a great visit. We discussed the school’s amazing students and their focus on strengthening co-teaching support. I also visited classes learning about civics, social studies, and more. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
students sitting in reading cirlce
students in the reading circle with Dr. Durán
I had a terrific visit to @drew.apsva.us this morning, where I read to students. This was a great way to start the weekend. #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School
Dr. Durán at Yorktown talking to students.
Dr. Durán at Yorktown observing students as they learn.
Teacher and classroom at YHS.
I visited @yhs.apsva.us this morning. I stopped by classrooms where curiosity and collaboration were on full display. I am proud of the energy and creativity at Yorktown. In addition, it is "Teacher Dress Like a Student Day." #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School
Kids high five
Artistic wall of collections
Students at recess
New courtyard
I ended my Friday visits at Glebe @glebe.apsva.us where students and staff showed off their favorite sports teams, displayed their artistic talents, and explained what they love about Glebe: amazing teachers and great friends! I also saw the beautiful new courtyard.
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
H-B Woodlawn @hbwprogramaps.bsky.social is truly a special place. I visited today during lunch and talked to students about the power and importance of kindness and acceptance. I also had the chance to hear the talented chorus singing a welcoming song. 🎵 #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
students and staff engaged in learning
students and staff engaged in learning
students and staff engaged in learning
My second visit today took me to @drew.apsva.us, where I sat with students engaged in a puzzle activity in Ms. Mallory's kindergarten class. It was great to explore a variety of classrooms where students are settling into the new school year.
#OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School
high-fiving a studnet
students sitting in class.
Ms. Slaters fourth-grade class learning.
small group learning
I had a great morning visiting @randolph.apsva.us. I saw students in action across the school and even visited Ms. Slater's fourth-grade class, where students were learning history.
#OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School
Science experiment
Cafeteria staff
Students at lunch
Students learning
I loved visiting Arlington Science Focus today @asfs.apsva.us! I had the chance to watch students participating in science experiments, pop in on lunch, and connect with staff. Thank you for the warm welcome. #APSBack2School
#OneTeamOneAPS
Ms Heidig
Students sharing their progress
Students raising hands
Playground
At Taylor @taylor.apsva.us, I saw the brand new playground under construction and met with Ms. Heidig, an amazing educator who has taught at Taylor for over 40 years! We also visited several classes to hear about progress students are already making. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Superintendent speaks to 6th graders
Sixth graders share goals
CLT talks about next steps
Superintendent and principal with students
Today at Dorothy Hamm Middle School, I talked to Collaborative Learning Teams and visited several classrooms. I also had the chance to meet 6th graders and learn about their goals aspirations. What an amazing community! #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Back to School Night was a success! We are grateful for such engaged families and excited for a great year ahead! #APSBack2School
Teacher helping student
Kids doing math
Fifth graders
Teacher supporting students
I enjoyed visiting the outstanding students, teachers and staff at Long Branch @longbranch.apsva.us today. It was inspiring to see so much Lion Pride, especially among the fifth grade students who shared what it means to be leaders in the school. Thanks to all! #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Teacher with vegetables for donation
Math instruction
Teacher engaging students
Front office toss challenge
At Tuckahoe @tuckahoe.apsva.us, I observed lessons, tried the front-office “toss”challenge, and learned how students and staff are giving back to our community. Students help grow a garden and donate fresh produce to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). 👏 #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Students in Mr Sullivan’s class
Students in Mr Sullivan’s class
I visited Escuela Key and met with Jeremy Sullivan’s 4th grade class yesterday. His students engaged with me in a Q&A and shared all they are learning. We also talked about the superpowers they are gaining in the immersion program. @escuelakey.apsva.us
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Meeting with Barrett teachers
Barrett teacher and students
Superintendent and staff member
It was great to see the excellent instruction and family engagement happening at Barrett yesterday. I met with coaches, saw the unveiling of their vision and values banner, visited a parent group, and connected with students and staff. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Second week of school ✅ Papagayos learned routines and expectations this week in 2 languages !
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Kids preparing for egg drop
Teacher innovators
Appreciation sign and students in new library for Barcroft
Library discussion
Barcroft Eagles @barcroft.apsva.us are soaring high in the second week of school! Today, I saw the newly refreshed library, met teachers designing new clubs for 4th and 5th grade, and talked to students about their egg drop experiments. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Dr. Duran and Principal Peter Bales posing with students.
Students putting their phones into a cell phone pouch.
Students entering school for the day as Principal Bales organizes entry.
Wonderful day to be at Wakefield! It’s the first day of the cell phone pouches and is running smoothly. I also had the chance to read the morning announcements with journalism students, Olive, Immy, and Cara. Good morning, @wakefield.apsva.us! #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
Students learning in class
Teacher teaching students
Students, staff and Dr. Duran standing in front of a green screen
Dr. Duran being interviewed by students in front of a green screen
Gunston Middle Schoolers are learning and active. Today, I was interviewed by Mr. Costner’s class who shared thoughtful questions and showed great poise. I also loved witnessing student geography class and student collaboration. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS @gunston.apsva.us
Students learning in class
Students learning in class
Students learning in class with Dr. Duran sitting with students
Students learning in class
Today at Oakridge, I visited with Kindergarteners and Fifth graders. What a joy to see the positive energy and see the work students are doing in science, art and more. #APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS @oakridge.apsva.us
A teacher holds a book at the front of the classroom while students sit on the rug facing a screen that reads “Read Aloud Chapter 3.”
A group of teachers and staff stand together in a classroom, smiling and giving thumbs up in front of bulletin boards for reading and social studies.
Two young students play at a sensory table filled with sand and colorful toys, focusing intently on their activity.
I enjoyed seeing the Hoffman-Boston All Stars shining brightly today. I had the opportunity to meet staff, join the awesome fifth-grade Collaborative Learning Team meeting, visit a PreK class, and listen to a read-aloud. #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School @hoffmanboston.bsky.social.
Students sit on the floor in front of a screen for an art lesson. The principal and Dr. Durán stand at the front of the room while a teacher sits nearby.
The principal, Michelle McCarthy, kneels beside a student’s desk, smiling and talking with a child while classmates work in groups at nearby tables.
An educator leans over to help two students at a classroom table while other children at the same table work on assignments.
Jamestown students are ready to learn. I loved the energy in the art classroom, greeting various grade levels, and seeing the joy in music class. Have a great year, Jamestown! #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School @jamestown.apsva.us
Four elementary students sit at their desks, one raising his hand to answer a question while classmates smile and look toward the teacher.
A teacher stands near a group of students seated at tables in a classroom decorated with a colorful Virginia map and student work.
A teacher sits on a chair at the front of the room leading a morning meeting while a group of students sits on a colorful rug listening attentively. A whiteboard easel beside her displays the day’s agenda.
A classroom of young students sits at small white desks while three adults, including the principal and staff, stand at the front of the room greeting them.
Discovery Elementary is off to a great start! I reminded students about new opportunities to become great readers this year and talked to them about their goals for the year. #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School @discovery.apsva.us
Students sit in rows of desks, focused on writing assignments in a classroom decorated with world maps, cultural items, and posters in Spanish.
Two students sit at a desk working on assignments in a classroom decorated with educational posters and two globes.
A teacher stands at the front of a classroom beside a screen displaying a “Back to School Survey” while talking with students.
A group of middle school students stand by a row of blue lockers, adding colorful sticky notes to the doors during an interactive activity.
I had a wonderful time visiting @williamsburg.apsva.us this morning. I observed Spanish classes, saw eighth graders getting to know one another and met both new and veteran teachers and staff. #OneTeamOneAPS #APSBack2School
Dr. Durán gives a high five to a smiling student in a brown shirt while other students wait in line in the cafeteria.
A Cardinal Elementary teacher speaks into a microphone in the cafeteria as 2nd grade students line up at tables.
Dr. Durán leans down to high five a young student sitting on a classroom rug while classmates and the teacher look on and smile.
A group of Cardinal Elementary teachers stand in a colorful classroom space, smiling and talking during the visit.
I had a wonderful visit to Cardinal Elementary! I joined a 2nd-grade class as the teacher shared excitement about the start of school, stopped by Ms. Natsios’ class and saw students enjoying lunch together in the cafeteria.
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS @cardinal.apsva.us
Ashlawn 5th grade teachers sit around a table with laptops and papers, collaborating during a planning meeting while one teacher speaks.
Dr. Durán and a staff member walk outside near a fenced construction site at Ashlawn with framing visible on the building.
Ashlawn students sit together at round cafeteria tables, eating lunch and talking under bright windows and high ceilings.
It was a pleasure visiting Ashlawn today! I joined the 5th-grade team during their planning meeting, toured the construction work underway at the school, and stopped by to see students enjoying lunch together.
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS @ashlawneaglesaps.bsky.social
Ms. O’Connor smiles while 5th grade students read and work on activities sitting on a colorful rug, with a large screen showing an owl in the background.
Kindergarten students stand on a colorful rug while Ms. Prystawik and staff guide them in an activity near the classroom’s smartboard.
Ms. V stands at the front of her 4th grade classroom teaching about lychee while students at desks taste and take notes.
Ms. O’Connor’s 5th grade students sit at round tables working on assignments in a bright classroom with bulletin boards labeled Math, ELA, and Science.
I had a great time visiting Campbell Elementary today! I joined Ms. Prystawik’s kindergarten class, stopped by Ms. O’Connor’s 5th-grade class, and even got to see Ms. V’s 4th graders taste-testing lychee as part of their learning.
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS @campbell.apsva.us
A group of 4th grade students standing together in Ms. Ramirez’s class, one student speaking while others listen and smile.
Dr. Durán shakes hands with a Carlin Springs staff member during a SPED planning meeting, with other staff seated around the table.
A Carlin Springs staff member in a blue uniform stands inside the school’s new kitchen surrounded by stainless steel appliances.
Ms. Ramirez’s 4th grade students gathered at the front of the classroom, smiling and sharing what they love about their school.
I enjoyed my visit to @carlinsprings.bsky.social today! I joined the SPED team during their planning meeting, visited Ms. Ramirez’s 4th-grade class, where students shared why they love their school, and toured the brand-new kitchen.
#APSBack2School #OneTeamOneAPS
