Enthusiastic students welcome back peers for #APSBack2School. Ready for first day @GeneralsPride @WLHSIBProgram. The class of 2020 will be the first class to graduate from renamed Washington-Liberty. Photo via Arlington County Public Schools via Twitter
Thousands of students headed to the first day of school in Arlington amid many changes, including a new name for Washington-Lee High School – Washington-Liberty – that went into effect on July 1, 2019. The class of 2020 will be the first class to graduate from Washington-Liberty.
Message from Cintia Johnson, Interim Superintendent:
Throughout the upcoming year, we will continue to advance the work of the Strategic Plan toward our mission – to ensure all students learn and thrive in safe, healthy and supportive learning environments. In addition, the School Board and executive leadership team have identified three performance objectives to serve as core areas of focus for our work.
They are:
Increasing achievement for all student groups. This is performance objective #1 in our plan for a reason, and we’re putting the people, resources and practices in place to support increased achievement for all student groups toward eliminating the opportunity gap.
Supporting student well-being and mental health. Mental health and social-emotional growth is as important to our students’ success as preparing them academically. APS will continue to promote mindfulness and mental health in our classrooms to best support our students. This includes making sure that students know they have access to resources in their schools, including school counselors, psychologists and social workers.
Ensuring all students know they have an advocate in APS. Our students’ success depends on strong school communities, and it’s a priority to ensure every child can identify at least one school-based adult who supports and encourages their academic and personal growth. We instill in our staff the importance of those bonds – that they may be the reason a student comes to school every day.
I also want to remind you that APS is a safe place and a second home for our students. We are committed to ensuring all students are safe, secure and feel welcome, included and valued. Their safety is our number one priority because we know that when children feel safe and cared for, they are at their best and can focus on learning.