Alexandria City Public Schools to require masks in fall 2021 regardless of vaccination status By FOX 5 DC Digital Team Published The mask requirement was developed in partnership with the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health. The first day of school for ACPS in the 2021-22 school year is Aug. 24 for all schools except Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, which begins on Aug. 9. The mask policy will be one of several health mitigation measures in ACPS schools as the 2021-22 school year begins. These include daily online health screening, temperature screenings in school entrances, continued enhanced cleaning, and procedures to limit the number of visitors in school facilities.