Meet the ACPS Partners: City of Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is fortunate to count dozens of dedicated businesses, community organizations and institutions of higher education as partners working with us each day to inspire students and address barriers to learning. 

The Meet the ACPS Partners feature aims to thank our partner organizations proudly. Through these question and answer style articles, ACPS also wants our school community to get to know who our partners are and the positive impact they have on our schools. Let us meet the partners:

City of Alexandria - Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA)

alexandriava.gov/Recreation 

Jamie Aylor, Program Manager

Schools Served: Francis C. Hammond Middle School; George Washington Middle School;

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School; Patrick Henry K-8 School; Charles Barrett Elementary School; Cora Kelly School For Math, Science and Technology; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School; Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School; George Mason Elementary School; James K. Polk Elementary School; John Adams Elementary School; Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy;

Mount Vernon Community School; Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School; Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School; and William Ramsay Elementary School.

Tell us about your organization. What is your mission statement? How do you work with ACPS students, families or staff?

We enrich the City of Alexandria by creating meaningful experiences through public space, cultural activities and programming. We provide after-school programming for youth ages five to 15 years old at eight recreation centers and three school locations. We also partner with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) through the LINK Club 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant program, which provides (three) LINK Club locations in partnership with RPCA.

How long has your organization been (officially/unofficially) partnering with ACPS?

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has been a longtime partner with ACPS. We have collaborated on multiple committees, initiatives and programming opportunities. ACPS and RPCA also work together to review facility requests for ACPS facilities and RPCA field usage.

If you could describe the impact of your work with ACPS in three words or less.

Intentional, Meaningful and Essential.

What is a recent bit of good news about your organization or a feel-good story that you can share about your work?

RPCA was recently recognized nationally for excellence in operation and service through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation (CAPRA), joining an elite group of park and recreation agencies across the country.

What is one thing most people might not know about your organization's work?

We have something for everyone, from the young to the young at heart. This includes programming, community service and volunteer opportunities, to serving on boards and committees that assist us in meeting our mission and surpassing our vision and goals.

How can community members get involved and support your organization's collaborative efforts with ACPS?

Attending public meetings to help shape the services and programs that we collectively provide for the Alexandria youth.