SY21-22 Virtual Instruction
This page is now archived because it relates to information for a previous school year.
The best place for our students to learn is in the classroom, together with their classmates and teachers. However, we know there are students who have a documented medical condition who need to continue virtual learning. To support these students, DCPS offers virtual instruction for a limited number of students who meet medical eligibility requirements. Virtual learning based on medical need is available across all grades for the 2021-2022 School Year for students who meet the criteria.
Each student in a household that needs virtual learning should complete online registration and submit a form signed by their doctor. For more information about the SY21-22 school year, including health and safety measures, click here.
How to Register for Virtual Learning
Consistent with a District-wide policy, families who need virtual learning must provide a medical consent form signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
Students are eligible if:
1
Their medical professional says they have a medical condition that requires virtual learning.
2
If they are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination and their doctor recommends they receive virtual learning.
3
If a student is not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination and it would place an individual in the student’s household at high-risk (based on CDC list) if the student were to attend school in-person.
Please note that only students who are not vaccine eligible may register for virtual under #2 or #3. Families are encouraged to complete the virtual learning registration process as soon as possible.
Part III of the form requires the student’s healthcare provider to certify that the student is ineligible for the vaccine. If the student’s healthcare provider indicates that the student requires virtual learning based on the student’s medical condition, then they may register for virtual learning regardless of vaccine eligibility.
Follow the steps below to complete the online registration process.
- Complete student enrollment for SY21-22. You may submit enrollment forms electronically online or complete them at the school you will attend next year.
- Download the appropriate medical consent form prepared by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) or pick up a copy from your school.
- Contact your child’s medical provider so they may complete and sign the medical consent form for virtual learning. Forms must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner, or they will not be accepted.
- Complete the virtual learning registration process by emailing your student’s medical consent form signed by their doctor to medicalconsent@k12.dc.gov. You can just take pictures of the signed forms and send the photos via email if you do not have an electronic copy. The form will ask for your student’s ID number. If you do not have the ID number, please contact your school.
- Our Student Health Services team will follow up with you if your form is incomplete, or to notify you if your form has been accepted.
Virtual Learning Medical Consent Forms
- Student Condition, Distance Learning Required
- Student Condition, Distance Learning Recommended
- Household Member Condition, Distance Learning Recommended
The Virtual Learning Experience
If you choose virtual learning for your student with a medical need, please note:
- Virtual students are taught by DCPS teachers, but they may be teachers in a different school depending on virtual enrollment numbers. Virtual students do not give up any re-enrollment or feeder rights.
- DCPS offers a rich learning environment for students who need to participate in virtual learning, but we cannot guarantee access to all DCPS courses or programs (e.g., a dual language seat, courses outside of graduation requirements). Students will still have access to all required courses for graduation.
- Virtual students will need to make a semester commitment to virtual. If a student’s medical situation changes, DCPS cannot guarantee a seat will be available for in-person learning until the start of the new semester in late-January 2022.
- Attendance expectations mirror in-person learning attendance requirements and virtual students are expected to attend live instruction in SY21-22.
- Virtual students are not eligible for in-person activities, including extracurricular and athletic activities, and before or aftercare.
Frequently Asked Questions: Virtual Learning SY21-22
Are all students eligible for virtual learning?
Yes. All DCPS students in grades PK-12 who provide a medical consent form signed by their doctor/nurse practitioner are eligible for virtual learning. Students with medical needs unrelated to COVID-19 should follow the guidelines for the Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP).
What if my child does not have a medical need for virtual instruction, but I prefer to keep them in remote learning?
DCPS believes that the best place for a student to learn is in the classroom and that is why we are open for every student, every day with their teachers and classmates. Virtual learning in SY21-22 is limited to students with medical needs. All other students are expected to attend school in-person.
My child does not have a medical need, but their sibling/parent/caregiver does. Can I still register my child for virtual?
Yes. There is a medical consent form for the student’s health care provider and the household member’s healthcare provider to complete: Household med cert_recommended_FILLABLE.pdf.
What if I register for virtual learning but then I change my mind?
Registering for virtual learning is a semester commitment. If your child’s health condition changes and you no longer need virtual learning, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to return to in-person learning until the start of the second semester which begins at the end of January 2022.
What medical conditions qualify for virtual learning?
Medical eligibility is determined by each child’s healthcare professional.
What if I don’t have access to a medical provider?
Families can review this list of primary care providers that offer services to children at this link.
Can my child attend in-person part of the time, and virtual part of the time?
DCPS believes that the best place for a student to learn is in the classroom and that is why we are open for every student, every day with their teachers and classmates. Virtual learning is a full-time alternative to in-person learning. DCPS is not offering hybrid schedules.
My child is in a dual-language program, Montessori program, or specialized high school. Will the virtual program provide these options?
DCPS offers a rich learning environment for students who need to participation in virtual learning, but we cannot guarantee access to all courses or programs. However, virtual students in grades 6-12 will have access to all courses required for graduation.
What is the attendance policy for virtual students?
Virtual students are expected to attend live instruction every day.
What if I want to register for virtual but I do not have a device or internet for my child at home?
We are committed to providing all students enrolled in virtual learning with the tools to participate fully, including a technology device or internet access support. If you need a device or internet, please contact your current school.
How will virtual students access breakfast and lunch?
Virtual students are eligible for meals and can pick up multi-day meal kits on Mondays and Wednesdays at four schools from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit https://dcps.dc.gov/food for more information.
How do I register for virtual if I am new to DCPS?
First, please enroll in your new school for the 2021-2022 School Year. Only enrolled DCPS students are eligible to register for virtual learning. More information about enrollment is available at enrolldcps.dc.gov.
If I have more questions about virtual learning, who should I contact?
For general questions on virtual learning in SY21-22, you can reach out to the Office of Integrity at dcps.cio@k12.dc.gov, or 202.442.5885 (Option 2). If you have questions about medical eligibility for virtual learning, or about any of the medical consent and certification forms, please contact the Health team at medicalconsent@k12.dc.gov.
Updated: January 13, 2022
