FAQ

We recognize the challenges to safety and security that transporting technology devices to and from school each day poses for students. As such, students will not need to transport devices to and from school. Students who have a DCPS device they are utilizing for virtual learning will bring devices back to school where they will remain for their in-person learning needs.

The role of the Student CARE classroom staff is to provide students a supervised virtual learning setting within a safe and consistent space (school building) to engage in their existing virtual classes – as such, a teacher is not required for this role.

We will identify school-based staff, central office staff, other DC government staff, and partners as potential groups to fill these roles. They will be identified in part by a staff survey that allows employees to request consideration for a virtual assignment in alignment with guidance from DC Health, the CDC, and federal and local laws.

We have designated additional training days for all staff to ensure they are prepared to support new health and safety routines and support students’ virtual learning. Adults in CARE classrooms will undergo an FBI background check, including a criminal background check and child abuse clearance check.

DCPS is fully committed to meeting all appropriate safety precautions, as detailed by DC Health, to ensure a safe reopening for students and staff. Meetings between DCPS and the WTU leadership on SY20-21 reopening have taken place since May 2020, and we are proud to have reached an agreement that represents our shared commitment to ensuring students have the high-quality education and supports they need to thrive. We look forward to expanding in-person learning opportunities throughout the District.

DCPS is committed to putting in place robust health and safety protocols for staff and students to help protect the safety and health of all. 

DC Health’s guidance does not require testing of staff and students to return to in-person learning. Instead, and aligned with this guidance, all DCPS schools will require daily symptom self-screenings prior to arrival where parents and guardians will be asked to proactively identify when their student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has been exposed by using the Ask, Ask, Look protocol prior to arrival each day. Upon arrival, students and staff will have their temperatures checked and will be assessed for visible signs of illness before entering the building.

Ensuring your child receives the right vaccinations at the right age is one of the most important ways to help them stay healthy and keep serious diseases at a distance. As such, an up-to-date immunization record is required for in-person attendance for Term 3.

Families who receive an offer for a classroom seat must have an immunization certification for their student submitted by their first day of in-person attendance. Students without documentation will not be admitted.

For more information on immunization requirements, visit our student health page.

This message is archived. For information on the Term 3 learning model, visit dcpsreopenstrong.com/schedule/term3.

To determine the best way to welcome staff and students back into our schools in Term 2, we prioritized:

• Providing a safe and supportive learning space for our youngest learners – where we see more challenges with virtual learning
• Offering in-person instruction for students with known opportunity gaps to mitigate learning loss
• Maximizing learning time and maintaining the integrity of the instructional program for all students – whether at school or at home.

Since secondary courses are built on semester schedules, middle and high school students will continue learning at home to ensure continuity of the learning experience and consistency in grading practices. DCPS will consider a transition to in-person learning for grades 6-12 in Term 3.

DCPS’ work to prepare for a strong reopening is grounded in prioritizing the health and safety of our entire school community. Using guidance issued by DC Health, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we developed a set of building readiness standards to ensure schools are prepared to welcome back students and staff. DCPS central office teams are working directly with schools to ensure they are prepared to welcome students and staff, and that building readiness standards are met for Term 2 in November. Those standards are listed here.

DCPS has also issued a comprehensive handbook and templates to support school planning, including guidance on Schoolwide Health & Safety Supports; Staff Health & Safety; Student Services, Procedures, Health & Safety; and COVID-19 Response Protocols.

Enhanced Cleaning will be the daily standard cleaning routines custodial staff complete with particular focus on all frequently touched surfaces in common areas and restrooms, including but not limited to doorknobs and push/pulls, light switches, elevator buttons, tables, sink faucets, toilets, chairs, and any other common area hard surfaces.

Deep Cleaning will continue to occur during scheduled school breaks and as needed, per DC Health guidance, related to any COVID-19 exposure. This includes all vertical and horizontal surfaces in the school building in addition to the practices outlined above, using additional dedicated time to thoroughly clean all surfaces students and staff may encounter inside the school building. 

Students will be scheduled in small groups that will stay in their classroom for most of the day. Students will eat breakfast and lunch in their classroom. Classrooms will have scheduled, staggered recess and dismissal times to limit interactions between classrooms.

Yes. In addition to ensuring schools’ indoor spaces are adapted based on health and safety guidelines, it is recommended that schools consider using outdoor spaces for learning where feasible. The tents that schools will be utilizing at arrival in the morning are portable and can be repurposed as coverage for outdoor learning and working space if space is available on school grounds.