Dear Arlington Public Schools Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As we move forward into another exciting month of learning and growth, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the fantastic work of our staff and students as we have opened the school year. In this edition, you'll find updates on the inspiring achievements of our students, important resources, dates to remember, and a link to our new K-12 Teaching and Learning Newsletter (please subscribe!). I encourage you to take a moment to explore the contents and stay connected with the work happening in Teaching and Learning across APS.

I would like to congratulate our entire APS community on our achievement of receiving the highest designation possible for a school district in the Massachusetts Accountability System! More on this fantastic achievement below.

As we look forward to October, let us renew our commitment to fostering a nurturing and empowering environment for every student. Your support and involvement continue to be the driving force behind our success. Thank you as always for your partnership.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Dr. Elizabeth C. Homan

Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools

We are pleased to report that all schools in our district are either making significant progress towards, or are meeting or exceeding targets across the state’s multiple indicators to determine schools’ and districts’ accountability designations. Arlington Public Schools has received the highest possible district accountability designation of 'Meeting or Exceeding Targets'.

Notably, eight of ten of our schools earned 75% or above on their progress towards improvement targets, earning them meeting or exceeding designations. Only 22% of all schools across the state earned scores above this threshold. Overall as a district, Arlington earned 89% on their progress towards improvement targets, placing Arlington in the highest tier of districts statewide.

Please take a moment to read the press release linked below to learn more about our district's performance this year.

We are excited to be launching a monthly Teaching & Learning newsletter! Want to learn more about the great teaching and learning taking place across Arlington Public Schools? Click the big red 'Teaching and Learning Newsletter' button above to read our first edition and hear about each of our departments' visions for this school year. Look out for this button on the Superintendent's Monthly Newsletters to stay in the know about what is happening in the world of Teaching and Learning district wide, and subscribe to the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox each month.

APS will be attending the DESE Better Together Summit on October 26 in Marlborough, MA and we are looking for 3-4 family members to join us! The summit is a unique and powerful opportunity for family members and educators to talk about the lives of students, the success of schools, and ways we can be better together. Choose from more than 50 workshops, visit resource tables, and participate in other activities designed to help families and educators create the strong partnership relationship students need to thrive!

During the summit, you will:

• Reflect on the experiences students are having in school and the support they need from adults.

• Share your ideas about strong family school partnership: what's working and what could improve.

• Bring energy and focus to district family school partnership efforts.

To learn more about the summit visit this link. If you have any questions or would like to attend the summit please email familyengagement@arlington.k12.ma.us.

School officials, state representatives, town employees and community members all clapped as a green ribbon on a school bus was cut outside Arlington High School just before Town Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. The school bus pictured below is one of two new electrically powered vehicles the Town recently received as part of a program aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing clean transportation technologies. To read more visit Your Arlington for an article on the event by Brynn O'Connor.

Arlington Community Education (ACE) is pleased to offer employees discounted tuition for the 2023-2024 programming year. Town of Arlington and Arlington Public School Employees are eligible to enroll in one Arlington Community Education class per term (Fall, Winter, and Spring) at a 30% discount (excludes materials and supplies). Some classes are excluded. If you are a Town of Arlington employee and are interested in taking advantage of this discount, you can learn more here. You can browse ACE's Catalogue of Courses at the link below.

Arlington's SEPAC is a volunteer group of parents, guardians, and caregivers who are here to support families in navigating the resources and services available to your child. We also advise the district on matters pertaining to the education and safety of students with disabilities. To learn more, visit this link or the SEPAC website below!

The APS Communication Process Flier is your go-to resource for direction on all your questions and concerns regarding district matters. We believe that clear communication is vital for building a strong and thriving educational community. We encourage you to consult this tool when wondering who to go to first with your question or concern.

Flu Clinic dates have been finalized and will be taking place district wide. Please see all clinic flyers linked here.

In collaboration with Adaptive Sports New England, we will be offering another year of Wheelchair Basketball! Learn from former collegiate wheelchair basketball players Paul Ward, Franciscan Children’s Adaptive Sports Director and Ethan Linsky, Adaptive Sports New England Wheelchair Basketball Coach. Participants will learn chair skills, dribbling, passing, and shooting. Athletes must be able to propel their own chair and be between the ages of 5 and 21.

This year, Arlington Public Schools is partnering with Cartwheel Care, a virtual, short-term treatment and referral service to service our students and families who need therapeutic services. Cartwheel's care model includes individual and group therapy, parent/caregiver consultation, medication evaluation services, and free webinars and workshops for caregivers and all school staff. Referrals to Cartwheel are initiated and coordinated by school-based support staff (social workers and school counselors). For more information about Cartwheel services, contact your child's school counselor or social worker.

"Guiding Good Choices" Parenting Workshop Fall Series:
Tuesday nights (9/19 , 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24 ) from 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom

Guiding Good Choices (GGC) offers techniques and tools to help parents improve communication with their children; develop healthy family values and clear behavioral expectations; control and express anger constructively; strengthen family bonds and trust; and prevent children from engaging in substance use and other risky behaviors. Join our FREE workshops for parents and caregivers of children ages 9-14. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED