In Episode 18, we have a conversation with the 2018 Arlington Public Schools Teacher Tim Cotman and Principal of the Year Kimberley Graves, about the award, their philosophies, challenges and success in the classroom, cultural competence and more.

Transcript: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Teacher-and-Pricipal-of-the-Year.pdf

In Ep. 17, we talk with Strategic Plan Committee Co-Chair Ted Black about the development of the 2018-24 Strategic Plan. This week, the committee released the draft plan in its entirety. Ted discusses the committee's work in drafting the plan and how the community can provide input.

Transcript: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Strategic-Plan-Draft-Transcript.pdf

Educators Erin Sonn and Alexandra Midland are on this week's pod to talk about Mindfulness - an new practice for educators. Educators spend their days (and often nights) creating powerful learning environments to best meet and nurture the needs of the Whole Child. However, they often neglect their own needs - the needs of the Whole Teacher. Learn what Mindfulness is and how it can better help observe and reflect on what’s happening in the classroom and why.

For additional details and more information about upcoming Mindfulness for Educators workshops, you can email Erin at [email protected] or Alexandra at [email protected].

Stress, anxiety and mental illness is an important topic especially for parents of teenagers. While stress is a normal part of life, it can become a serious mental health concern when it turns into anxiety or worse. Join licensed clinical social worker Natalie Edwards and co-facilitator Michelle Best of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) as we navigate this topic. Learn about signs and symptoms as well as resources and ways to help your child cope with stress and anxiety.

Resources: APS Website: https://www.apsva.us/mental-health-services/in-crisis-need-help-now/

Arlington Public Schools Parent Resource Center: https://www.apsva.us/special-education/parent-resource-center/

NAMI Northern Virginia: http://www.nami-northernvirginia.org/

Children’s Regional Crisis Response (CR2): https://family.arlingtonva.us/childrens-regional-crisis-response/

Transcript: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Teen-Stress-Anxiety-and-Mental-Illness.mp3.pdf

To prepare for the opening of the new Alice W. Fleet Elementary School and Drew Elementary as a full neighborhood school in 2019, and a new elementary school at the Reed site in 2021, Arlington Public Schools is putting in place plans to develop new elementary school boundaries between now and next November. In this episode, Lisa Stengle and Wendy Pilch talk about the current Elementary School Planning Initiative to redraw elementary boundaries.

Transcript: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Elementary-Boundaries.mp3.pdf

In this episode, we talk with Library Services Supervisor Theresa Flynn and Yorktown PTA President Kathy Mimberg about the 2018 Community Read. The 2018 Community Read is a community conversation with Newbery Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Matt de la Peña. His book Mexican WhiteBoy is a story of friendship, baseball, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions.

Transcript: https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Community-Read_Final.mp3.pdf

In our latest episode, we wrap up our new principals series by talking with Swanson Middle School's Renee Harber and Williamsburg Middle School's Bryan Boykin. Both principals are no strangers to APS having served at both the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as the Central Office. Among the topics discussed, Bryan and Renee talk about their advice for parents of students who are moving from elementary to middle or middle to high school and their holiday plans.

In part two of our series on new principals, we sit down with Yorktown High School Principal Bridget Loft and Barcroft Elementary School Principal Judy Apostolico-Buck. Although not new to APS or being a Principal, the pair took on new roles this year at different schools.

After a brief hiatus, The What's Up, APS? Podcast is back with a three part series featuring our new Principals. In Ep. 1, we talk with Ashlawn Elementary School Principal Breonna McClain and Carlin Springs Principal Eileen Delaney. Breonna has been with APS for several years and Eileen is new to APS.

In this episode, Strategic Plan steering committee co-chair Meredith Purple talks about the committee and the creation of the new 2018-24 Strategic Plan. Development of a new strategic plan is gearing up to define the APS mission, vision and core values, and articulate goals and aspirations for students, staff,and APS as a whole. Learn more at https://www.apsva.us/engage/strategic-plan/.