|
|
|
|
|
Meeting Date:
|
2/5/2021 - 7:00 PM
|
|
Category:
|
School and Community Relations
|
|
Type:
|
Info
|
|
Subject:
|
Phase II Identity Project Update: Community Poll Number One
|
|
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
|
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments. Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
|
|
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
|
Funding included in the FY22 Combined-funds Operating Budget.
|
|
File Attachment:
|
|
|
Agenda Item Summary:
|
To select new names for T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School that are in keeping with ACPS’ values and that have broad community support. Poll number one was conducted and data was shared with the School Board clerk and the superintendent to identify nine semi-finalist names for each school.
|
|
Background:
|
On Nov. 23, 2020, the Alexandria City School Board voted to change the names of T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School, citing the fact that neither name was aligned with ACPS’ values of equity and diversity.
ACPS Policy FF states that the naming of schools or facilities can
1. honor individuals that have made an exceptional contribution to a particular school, school program or the school division as a whole; or
2. recognize places or events of historical significance for their contribution to the community or their impact or related to the school facility itself
3. cannot be named after a current ACPS employee
4. should not cause confusion with other public facilities in Alexandria, adjoining jurisdictions or other areas of the Commonwealth
ACPS Reg FF-R outlines the process:
1. ACPS staff will present a timeline to the Board that allows for sufficient public engagement and outreach.
2. The decision-making process should not involve committees.
3. The Board Clerk will help compile the name requests as they come in.
4. The Board has the final decision.
This will be the first time that ACPS has been required to rename a facility/school. Renaming in ACPS schools has previously focused on:
1. Naming a new school/facility
2. Naming a wing of a building in honor of a donor
Following a robust community engagement and consultation process, ACPS moved into phase two of The Identity Project as it considered new names for both T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School. The second phase of The Identity Project — the selection of new names — ensures that students, staff, alumni, families and the community are all heard.
Most importantly, we want to keep the next generation and our students' voices at the heart of this process.
|
|
Recommendation:
|
The Board clerk vetted all submitted names and prepared a list of the top names for the superintendent’s consideration. The superintendent recommends the list of semi-finalists be distributed to the public through community-wide final polls (Identity Project Poll number two) for each school. Poll number two for each school will be launched on Fri., Feb. 5, 2021, and close on Feb. 19, 2021. The superintendent recommends the following names for final community consideration. The names are in alphabetical order, not by preference. Descriptions of each potential name can be found on the ACPS website.
|
|
Approvals:
|
|
Recommended By:
|
|
Signed By:
|
|
|
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|