Hearst Summer Update
July 20, 2020
Principal's Message
Good evening, Owls,
As you likely heard, DCPS has not yet released the back to school plan for the upcoming school year, saying that they will do so on July 31st. Because of the delay in the announcement, I'm going to move both of the Hearst town hall meetings about the new school year to the afternoon of July 31st. Links for the meetings as well as the Summer Bridge meeting on the 31st are below in the Upcoming Key Dates section.
In the announcement last week, DCPS said it was considering two options for K-5. One is a hybrid option that would have kids in school two days a week and engaging in virtual learning three days a week. The second option is an all virtual option. PK students have the hybrid option but there was no all virtual option for PK in the plans shared last week. City officials were clear that health indicators will determine whether or not DCPS will offer in-person options or be only virtual at the start of the school year on August 31.
To help us plan for the upcoming school year, I'm asking that all returning families complete this survey by next Monday, July 27. The survey is non-binding but will give us a sense of what options you are considering for your kids for the first term of school, August 31 - November 6. There is also a space on the survey for you to pose questions that you'd like me to answer in the town hall meetings on the 31st.
Thank you for your continued partnership and I hope you're all having a safe summer,
Jen
About Us
Email: attendance@hearstes.org
Website: www.hearstes.org
Location: 3950 37th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, United States
Phone: (202) 282-0106
Facebook: facebook.com/hearstes
Twitter: @hearstes
News and Announcements from Hearst
Quick Updates
James and the Giant Peach -- Viewing Party
SAVE THE DATE -- July 25, 2020, 7:00 PM
Check Bloomz often for the private Youtube link, which will be shared soon!
We're awaiting guidance from DCPS about student item pick up. If your family is not returning to Hearst for the coming school year, please reach out to Principal Geoffroy (jennifer.geoffroy@k12dc.gov) and we can arrange for a time to pick up your child's items in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Key Dates
- Friday, July 31, 1:00-2:00pm - Hearst Zoom Town Hall Meeting re: 2020-2021 School Year: https://virginia.zoom.us/j/91442969652?pwd=a1B0RnNJRzA5b0dCN1hZSXUwUXpVZz09
- Friday, July 31, 2:30-3:30pm - Hearst Zoom Summer Bridge Meeting:
https://virginia.zoom.us/j/97820510103?pwd=MWVUcDduSjZzOGVjaFpKUzV3ckpmZz09
Friday, July 31, 4:00-5:00pm - Hearst Zoom Town Hall Meeting re: 2020-2021 School Year: https://virginia.zoom.us/j/93376928485?pwd=MjA0cmh3MHFmcmlYRXlkV09SK1dPdz09
- August 10 - 20 - DCPS Summer Bridge at Hearst for incoming 3rd graders
- Wednesday August 12 (PM) Zoom/Teams town hall meeting with updates on school opening
- Wednesday August 19 (PM) Zoom/Teams town hall meeting with updates on school opening
- August 24 - 28 - Instructional Staff return for professional development
- Friday, August 28 - Final school opening communication to families
- August 31 - First day of the 2020-2021 school year for K-5 students
- September 3 - First day of the 2020-2021 school year for PK students
News and Announcements from DCPS
Immunization Policy for In-Person Attendance
As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, District health care providers have recorded an extremely low rate of pediatric immunization administrations. According to DC Health, the rate of pediatric immunization administrations has dropped by 70 percent in the District as families have avoided or not had access to well child care during the emergency period. Due to this, many children in the District are not fully immunized, creating a high risk for an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable infectious disease such as measles among our students. DC Health has advised that such an outbreak of another infectious disease could be as much, or even more, of a public health risk for school communities than COVID-19 itself, and would add another complex obstacle for school operations this year.
District law and regulations require schools to verify immunization certification for all students as part of attendance (DC Official Code § 38–501 et seq. and DCMR 5-E § 5300 et seq.). Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, all schools will be required to enforce this District immunization law by requiring immunization certification as part of school attendance, including notifying and potentially removing non-compliant students from in-person instruction after a 20-school day period until they obtain the necessary immunizations (DC Official Code § 38–505).
Please carefully review the attached Immunization Policy for In-Person Attendance which provides guidance on the implementation of this law beginning next school year. To prepare schools and families for this policy, OSSE is encouraging school leaders to review this policy and ensure immunization compliance is part of planning for the start of school. We request your assistance with communicating immunization requirements to families now to ensure their children are protected from vaccine-preventable infection, and to give them as much time as possible to make appointments with their health care providers and receive necessary immunizations before the start of school. DC Health will continue to encourage District health care providers to notify patients of missing immunizations and prioritize immunization appointments.
Kids Ride Free SmarTrip Replacement Cards
Reminder: Enrollment for SY20-21
DCPS is excited to open enrollment for School Year 2020-2021 to our families and welcome new students to our community. This year, we are launching an electronic submission process for SY20-21 enrollment, and the enrollment packet can be found here.
For more detailed information on changes in enrollment, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. As always, we are ready and eager to support you with any enrollment questions you may have, especially if you need help with the new electronic submission process. Please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Hinchey (manik.hinchey@k12.dc.gov) or the DCPS Enrollment Team at enroll@k12.dc.gov or (202) 478-5738.
Reminder: FREE Student Tutoring Services Available
News and Announcements from Other Organizations
Grocery and Meal Sites
Grocery sites and meal sites continue to operate across the District. At dozens of sites, anyone under the age of 18 can walk up for a free meal, Monday through Friday. Additionally, families can continue to access free bags of fresh groceries at schools across DC.
Find a full list of meal and grocery sites HERE.