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Weekly Updates from A+ Education Partnership
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It's already August, and schools are beginning to open for the year! Birmingham City Schools started back this week, and others are following suit next week. We've rounded up some important information regarding opening plans and COVID safety protocols:

- This week, the Alabama Department of Public Health released new guidance recommending universal masking in schools.

- al.com's Education Lab is tracking districts' plans for masking and COVID safety across the state. Click here to see them. 

- Governor Ivey and State Health Officer Scott Harris hosted a Q&A about the COVID vaccine and encouraged all who are eligible to get vaccinated ASAP. This is especially important as new information is available about the Delta variant affecting children. 
 

As always, we will continue to share timely information regarding COVID and schools. A+ wishes all schools across the state a safe and healthy start to the school year!
This Week at A+
 
> The Alabama Best Practices Center: The ABPC just wrapped up our first PLU Book Study! We are blown away by the response and the amount of learning that happened in 3 short weeks! Thank you to all who participated! Stay tuned into our social media for updates on future book studies.
 
 
 
> A+ College Ready News: Congratulations to Kristen Steele on her selection as the James Clemons HS Teacher of the Year AND the Madison City Schools' Secondary Teacher of the Year! Kristen is a 2021 graduate of the A+ College Ready Educator Academy and worked as an apprentice in the chemistry classroom at our summer training events. We look forward to Kristen sharing her passion and expertise with A+ College Ready and Alabama teachers in years to come.


 
> A+ Student VOICES Team applications are open! Do you know a high school student interested in learning more about advocacy and making positive change in their education system? Have them apply for this year's team by September 15! Apply here.


  STATE NEWS


Alabama Releases New School Guidance Regarding COVID Quarantines, Masking
(written by Savannah Tryens-Fernandes, al.com, August 2)


Here's Where to Find Your School's Mask and Reopening Plans
(written by Savannah Tyrens-Fernandes, al.com, July 27)


Birmingham Students 'Excited' for First Day as Districts Consider Masks
(written by Rebecca Griesbach, al.com, August 3)


Due to COVID, Fewer High School Grads Rate as College and Career Ready
(PARCA Report, August 3)


Alabama Schools are Making COVID-19, Mask Decisions. Parents Feel Left Out.
(written by Ruth Serven Smith, al.com, August 4)


'Where I'm Supposed to Be': Black Belt Program Finds Success in Rural Teacher Shortage
(written by Rebecca Griesbach, al.com, July 31)





NATIONAL NEWS



Students Need to be in Classrooms, With Masks, This Fall, Says Education Secretary
(written by Claire Lombardo, NPR, August 2)


How 100 Urban Districts are Wrapping Family & Community into Plans for Spending Federal COVID Relief Funding
(written by Alvin Makori, The 74, August 2)


Kindergarten Enrollment Dropped Last Year. Now Districts Wonder How Many Kids are Coming Back
(written by Claire Lombardo, NPR, July 29)


How Much Influence Do Principals Say They Have? A Lot.
 (written by Kara Arundel, Education Dive, August 4)

 


OPINIONS



Food for Thought: Providing School Meals to Every Child
(written by Jackie Kramer, NCEE, July 29)


No Child Deserves to be Left Offline This Year - Here's How Congress Can Help
(written by Nicole Turner Lee, Brookings, August 2)

 
One Simple Way for Principals to Boost Students' Unfinished Learning
(written by Heather C. Hill & Susanna Loeb, Education Week, August 4)

 
PODCASTS
 
The Virus Isn't Done With Schools
(from The Education Gadfly Show Podcast, Runtime: 23 min, July 2021)


RESOURCES
 
 
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The Gist is an education news roundup curated by A+ Education Partnership. Articles and opinions included in this publication are for information only and may not reflect the views of A+.

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