Student Services: Parent - Guardian Resources

School administration sometimes need the support of the Superintendent's office to address certain actions exhibited by students. As a result, disciplinary hearings are scheduled and facilitated with the intent of problem solving the situation. These hearings are facilitated by the superintendent's designee and participants can expect to discuss the following questions (at the very least) as they team and students works toward a resolution:

• What did you do?
• What did you want to happen? Did it work?
• What have you thought about since?
• Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
• Do you want to make things right? 

School administrators interested in scheduling a discipline hearing should use the discipline hearing documentation link located on the internal staff page, to requesting a hearing.

if you have questions about this process, please contact Kevin M. Kirst, Executive Director of Student Services at (434) 296-5820or via email at kkirst@k12albemarle.org  

Albemarle County Public Schools is responsible for providing instructional services for public school students who must be temporarily confined at home or in a health care facility. Albemarle Schools is also responsible for providing homebased services to a student enrolled in the school division who is confined in another county or city in Virginia and to qualified students confined in another state, if those students meet homebound eligibility requirements.  Students must be enrolled in a public school in Virginia in order to receive homebound instruction.

The goals of homebased services are to sustain continuity of instruction and to facilitate the student returning to school.  Homebound or homebased instructional services are not a guarantee that the student will progress in the academic program.

Homebound or homebased instruction is designed to provide continuity of educational services between the classroom and home or health care facility, for students whose medical needs, both physical and psychiatric, do not allow school attendance for a limited period of time. Homebound or homebased instruction may be used to supplement the classroom program for students with health impairments whose conditions may interfere with regular school attendance (e.g., students receiving dialysis or radiation/chemotherapy; or students with other serious health conditions).

The Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program provides individualized educational services for eligible students, 16 years of age and older, as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. The program prepares qualifying secondary students to earn a high school equivalency (GED) credential while also developing career and technical skills.

Albemarle County Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, engaging and caring place for students and staff to learn, work and play. The need for disciplinary policies and procedures comes from a desire to treat all people in our school community with fairness and dignity as they face everyday challenges in our schools. One of the main purposes of this work is to promote the idea that we can all improve. We can learn to use more responsible behavior while supporting students learning to do the same. Being responsible in Albemarle County Schools is the process of getting our needs met while respecting and allowing others around us to get their needs met at the same time. 

Albemarle County Public Schools' Restorative Discipline Handbook is titled "Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide to Develop and Promote School Cultures of Responsibility". 

The Center for Learning and Growth is the location of the Albemarle County Public Schools alternative learning program. Educational services are provided by FOCUS Teachers, specially trained in restorative practices. The program provides specialized short-term intervention to students requiring alternative placement in grades 6-12. The program is located on the campus of the Ivy Crrek School.

Parents of children who reside in Albemarle County can request from the Superintendent that their child(ren) attend a school different than the one the child(ren) are expected to be enrolled at. While there is no fee for parents to take advantage of this allowance, parents are expected to be responsible for the transportation to ensure their child attend the approved school. This same allowance is available to Albemarle County employees who reside in Albemarle County and are parents or guardians of students enrolled in Albemarle County Public Schools.

For more information about this process or to submit a transfer or change of venue request, please visit our Transfer Requests page.

Tranfer request decisions are made by a small team of professionals with the final decision being determined by Dr. Jesse Turner. 

Dr. Jesse Turner
jturner@k12albemarle.org
Director of Student and Family Support
(434) 296-5820
 

School health programs in Albemarle County Public Schools support the physical and emotional well-being of students through school nursing services and health education that covers a range of developmentally appropriate topics and other services that promote a healthy learning environment. Please visit the School Health Services webpage for more detailed information. 

Physical restraint and seclusion may only be used by the Albemarle County School Board (“School Board”) staff for the purpose of behavioral intervention in accordance with School Board policy and the Virginia Board of Education Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia. The School Board encourages the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports to reduce and prevent the need for the use of physical restraint and seclusion.

Albemarle County Public Schools utilizes Crisis Prevention Institute's (CPI) Non-Violent Crisis Intervention as it's system for professional leanring provided to idenitifed staff who are required to receive both de-escalation interventions as well as restraint training. 

Staff who only require training in de-escalation techniques, can utilize modules created by Old Dominion University for the Virginia Department of Education.

Any questions or concerns about seclusion and restraint policy, procedures or training can contact Kevin M. Kirst, Executive Director of Student Services at (434) 974-5779 or at kkirst@k12albemarle.org 

Albemarle County Public Schools provides a Foster Care Liaison to assist students who are in the care of a foster family. The foster care liaison can work with the students and their guardians to arrange transportation to and from school, create an IEP and IEP team if needed and determine the best next steps for the student.

Kevin M. Kirst
kkirst@k12albemarle.org
ACPS Foster Care Liaison
(434) 974-5779

Student Safety Coaches are professionals that help to promote safety and well being in Albemarle County Public Schools.  Student Safety Coaches provide support services within our middle and high schools to create safe school environments by creating relationships with students and staff. Through these relationships they offer problem solving and restorative options when students face challenges, assist school administrators in identifying risks and offer guidance as part of school based teams on how to handle crisis situations.  

Albemarle County Public Schools recognizes that adolescence is a time of both growth and challenge. We understand that some of our students may face issues related to substance misuse and abuse, and we want you to know that our approach is rooted in compassion, understanding, and a commitment to helping every student thrive.

We firmly believe that seeking help and treatment is a courageous and a positive step forward. Our community is here to support students and families through these challenges by connecting you with trusted resources, professional guidance, and a network of care both within and outside our school. We encourage open conversations at home and are committed to ensuring that our students have access to the support they need to make healthy, informed choices.

Together, we can foster an environment where every student feels understood and empowered to seek the help they deserve. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or administration if you have any concerns or need further assistance.

Resources for Families:

• Find Treatment - by SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  The United Stated Department of  Health and Human Services website for confidential and anonymous resources for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States.
   
• Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent's Guide to Substance Abuse Prevention
  Parenting can be the greatest job on earth—and the toughest. You want your children to be healthy, but you worry about what they will do when faced with the decision to try drugs or alcohol. This guide offers information that can help you raise children who understand the risks of substance use.
   
• Marijuana Talk Kit: What you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana by the Partnership to End Addiction.  This guide helps parents to set the stage to have an open dialogue with thier teen — about any issue,  but marijuana in particular. Teens are likely asking parents some tough questions and challenging  parents on the topic of marijuana. 
   
• StartYourRecovery.org 

  Start Your Recovery is a trusted resource created in collaboration with leading experts in substance use treatment from nonprofit, academic, and government institutions. This site helps students and families:

  • Find local treatment programs vetted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  • Filter for options tailored to adolescents and families, including low-cost and no-cost programs.
  • Access support groups and non-clinical resources suited to their needs.
     
• USAgov - https://www.usa.gov/substance-abuse 
  USA.gov is an official website of the United States government. It is an interagency product administered by USAGov (formerly the Federal Citizen Information Center), a division of the U.S. General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Service.
   
• Vaping: What Families Need to Know to Protect Children, Teens and Young Adults 
  A comprehesive guide including basic info and risks re: vaping nicotine and THC, signs a child is using and tips for responding.
   
• Virginia Cannabis Control Authority - Talking About Cannabis for Teens

Per Virginia Code, Albemarle County Public Schools has a threat assessment team in each school in order to assess individuals and students whose behavior may pose a threat to the safety of the school. Each team include people with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement. The team works to provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff on recognizing threatening behavior, identify members of the school community to whom threats should be reported, implement threat assessment policies and procedures, and collect data as required by regulations.