Coming Up in December 2023: Community Engagement and Calendar Reminders

Learn about calendar reminders and upcoming community events for December. Find out when the ACPS Community Outreach team will be in your neighborhood!

Free Teen Skate Night

Fri., Dec. 1, 6-10 p.m.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue)

Each first Friday of the month, Alexandria teens can skate for free at a designated recreation center. Learn about a variety of programs for youth ages 11-17 offered by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. 

The Scottish Walk Christmas Parade and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Sat., Dec. 2

Walk parade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boat parade: 5:30 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria

Visit Old Town Alexandria for the 52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, featuring a parade of Scottish clans and Scottie dogs, as well as the 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon on the Potomac River. Enjoy more festive happenings throughout the weekend.

The Parent’s Role in Special Education

Tues., Dec. 5, 12 -1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Virtual session via Zoom

Join the ACPS Anne R. Lipnick Special Education Parent Resource Center for this virtual session to learn practical tips and effective strategies to support your child’s special education journey.

Stop. Look. Listen. Addressing Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Wed., Dec. 6, 6:15-8 p.m.

Alexandria City High School (ACHS) - King Street Campus (3330 King Street)

ACPS middle school and high school families are invited to come together for a conversation about mental health and substance abuse in the community. We will be discussing the risks associated with fentanyl, vaping and marijuana, and sharing strategies on how to help prevent your child from using drugs. The workshop will be presented in Spanish with English interpretation services. Dinner and childcare for children ages 3-8 provided with your online registration.

Transportation Open House

Fri., Dec. 8, 2023, 10 a.m.-12 p.m

ACPS Pupil Transportation and Fleet Management Office (3540 Wheeler Avenue)

Participants will have the opportunity to interview with ACPS staff, learn about ACPS employment opportunities and meet members of the Transportation and Fleet Management Team. Preregistration is strongly encouraged, and it is required to schedule an interview on site.

ESL II — Conversation Club for Intermediate ESL Speakers

Mondays and Wednesdays in December, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street)

The Alexandria Library builds community by providing opportunities to learn, explore, create and connect. The ESL II Conversation Club is a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration is required. 

ALIVE! Pop-Up Food Distributions

• Thurs., Dec. 14, 4:30-6 p.m.

William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue)

• Sat., Dec. 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Cora Kelly Elementary School (3600 Commonwealth Avenue)

• Thurs., Dec. 21, 4-6 p.m.

Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road)

ALIVE! is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency and basic needs support to children, families and individuals living in poverty and with hunger in the City of Alexandria. ALIVE! will distribute bags of food to Alexandria City residents. No ID is required. Make sure to check out the ALIVE website for more information about the Food Hubs.

Musical Stories for Kids!

Sat., Dec. 16, 4-6 p.m.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue)

The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra presents Aesop’s Fables, with narration in English (4 p.m.) and again in Spanish (5 p.m.), and an “instrument petting zoo” at each conclusion. Join us for a joyful journey in two languages that blends music, culture and education that families will cherish!

Winter Break
Mon., Dec. 18, 2023 through Mon., Jan. 1, 2024

All ACPS schools will be closed for the Winter Break. Classes will resume on Tues., Jan. 2, 2024.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Thurs., Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The regularly scheduled School Board meeting will take place. School board meetings are held in person in the School Board Meeting Room at 1340 Braddock Place unless noted otherwise. Members of the public may attend in person or via Zoom. Please visit the School Board webpage for any updates to the meeting schedule.