ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After several fights that injured students and staff at Alexandria City High School's King Street Campus, classes will be held virtually for the rest of the week.
In a letter to families late Wednesday night, Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced that though the incidents included a small number of students, in-person instruction would be suspended out of an abundance of caution at all four ACHS campuses.
According to Kay-Wyatt, there were multiple student altercations at the King Street campus Wednesday. And after investigating further, the school district learned that there were possibly more fights planned for Thursday and Friday.
Instead, students will have asynchronous instruction. All course materials will be found on Canvas, and students must log in for their attendance to be counted.
Winter break begins after Friday, Dec. 20 for Alexandria public schools, so students will not return back to in-person instruction until Jan. 6, 2025.
“Please be assured that we are actively working to resolve these issues, and we will continue to collaborate with staff, families, and the community to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all of our students,” Kay-Wyatt wrote in the letter.
ACHS administration and the superintendent’s office will be working together Thursday and Friday to make a plan to prevent and respond to fights when students return after break. It will include, Kay-Wyatt said, “severe consequences for any disruptive behavior.”
The full plan will be shared with families and staff on Friday before winter break officially begins.
Any students or staff who are stressed or concerned about the incidents will be able to attend support circles at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday held by the Department of Student Services and Equity. Students and families can also use CrisisText and CrisisLink lines 24/7 for immediate assistance. Text “CONNECT” to 85511 or call 703-527-4077 to use those resources.