Yesterday the Alexandria City Public Schools Board announced its plan for fall learning, which they are calling Virtual PLUS+. Essentially they are saying that no in-person school is intended for this fall, or for the foreseeable future, until the Coronavirus situation is resolved. I think it's a smart and safe move on their part.

What does this mean to us? It means that there is going to be no football this fall. It means the city is going to be spending a lot of money on special services for those who need them. Part of the plan includes providing tablets or chrome books to all ACPS students so they may learn virtually. Food services being provided are of course part of the plan as well. A lot of money is going to be spent, a lot of planning and adjustments are going to need to be made, and there isn't going to be any need for a new stadium or concession stand in the near future. Even in the long-term future, who knows? What kind of academic delays might this cause? What future adjustments will need to be made? No one knows. 

In other words, right now is NOT the time to break ground on a huge, expensive construction project- especially one that kills an important part of Alexandria history. These plans need to be shelved and revisited with fresh eyes once we truly know what the pandemic's long-term effects will be. Too much has changed since 2018. And when that re-visiting happens, the tree's continuing health and existence MUST be a part of any new construction plans! Please continue signing and sharing this petition- and write to the school board to share your beliefs on this matter. (You may do so here: https://acpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/m15ihgzj1ffvsg9/

Thank you!