Hearst Family Update
November 6, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Hearst Families,
An enormous thank you to all of the folks who came out to help put up the tents in front of the school. It was a bit (read: a lot) more work than I know I had imagined and the team of John Tyson, Duncan Chaplin, Robin Reed and her dad, Mike Olson, Chris Tracy, Mark Farrell, and Claire Cinque were up to the challenge! With brains and brawn and the help of one wrench and a Mazda we now have two large tents in front of the building. Thanks, team, for making that happen!
I hope you're enjoying weekend and here's to many moments of joy in the coming week,
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
Upcoming Key Dates
- November 10 - PTA Meeting
- November 11 - Veteran's Day (no school for all)
- November 13 - Community Day (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) -- Please consider stopping by, even briefly, as students and parents find additional joy when a teacher attends these events
- November 15 - Cycle 2 of after school tutoring starts
- November 18 - Term 1 Grade Published by DCPS in Aspen
Quick Updates
Reminder: If you would like to view Bloomz announcements and posts in languages other than English, please visit this site that walks through how to change your preferred language: https://bloomz.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/62000200738.
Term 1 Family Survey
Girls on the Run 5k
We are only a few weeks away from the Girls on the Run 5k! If you'd like to come out to show support as a runner or volunteer for the event, don't forget to register!! General information for our end-of-season 5K celebration:
The Celebratory 5K will be on Sunday, November 21st at Anacostia Park, and the race will start at 8:00 am.
The registration fee for anyone who isn't participating in the program is $40 for standard registration.
There is a free garage close by as well as the Anacostia Metro stop.
Coaches and participating girls are automatically registered but families, friends, or anyone else who is interested in running the race or volunteering at the event can do so.
Packet Pickup
Avoid the lines and have your bib mailed directly to you. Choose the bib mailing option at checkout. Bibs will be mailed the week of November 1 and November 8.
Organizer: Girls on the Run Washington - DC
Website: https://www.gotrdc.org/5k
Dates: Sunday, November 21, 2021 to Sunday, November 21, 2021
Time: Arrival/Pre-Race Fun Festivities - 7:00 AM; Race Start Time - 8:00 AM
Location: Anacostia Park
FAQs From Families
Q: With kids 5-12 being able to be vaccinated now, can we take a step to protect those at the school who are still unable to get vaccinated due to age - the PK kids. Currently PK children eat inside if there is inclement weather. Is it possible to prioritize the unvaccinated age groups’ ability to eat under the tents, even in inclement weather?
A: The current plan is for all kids to be able to eat under the tents during inclement weather, including PK, as there will be space for this to happen. When we only had the small tents in the back plaza, there was not enough room for multiple grades to eat at the picnic tables. That being said, if PK does need to eat inside because of severe weather, please know that since the beginning of the year, the PK classrooms have had two portable HEPA filters in them given PK is napping with masks off in their classrooms. They are the only classrooms with two HEPA filters given this unique circumstance.
Updated: Asymptomatic Student Testing on Wednesdays
Starting the week of 11/8, our asymptomatic testing time will move to 9:45am on Wednesday. During a typical week, we will pull test a random sample of approximately 25% of students who have not opted out of testing. Knowing that some students in this group will not be able to produce a sample or their saliva sample will be rejected, this will allow us to ensure we are hitting the goal of testing 20% of our students each week. Know that we will attempt to test at least one student from each homeroom each week. Here are a few things to know about asymptomatic testing :
- Teachers will be provided with names of students to be tested and those students will be escorted by staff to our testing location.
- Because the test is a saliva test, students identified for testing cannot eat, drink, chew gum, or have on chapstick an hour before their testing window.
Families of kids who are tested will receive notification that their child was tested and information on how to access the online portal where they will be able to view results. Your child may indicate that they were pulled for testing but they were not given a letter with online portal log in information. If this is the case, this means that your child did not produce enough saliva to fill the test tube. Please reach out to Ms. Johnson (kestaganer.johnson@k12.dc.gov) with any questions and/or if you would like to opt your child out of asymptomatic testing. If you wish to opt-out your student from receiving any COVID-19 test at school, you must complete the available at osse.dc.gov/page/school-based-covid-19-testing and email it to the school at kestaganer.johnson@k12.dc.gov.
The website to access results is: https://shieldt3k12.pointnclick.com/ and our Agency Code is: HearstES and the website . As a parent, you should be able to enable notifications be sent to you if a testing result is available for your child.
We believe that the email you use to register on site has to be the primary contact's email used to enroll your child. You will also have to wait at least 12 hours until after the student was tested for the agency code to work.
News and Announcements from DCPS
COVID-19 Vaccine for Students
The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way for us to help stop the spread of the virus and keep our community safe. On November 2, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that children ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
To help DCPS families get vaccinated, free school clinics will open beginning November 8.
Any DC youth ages 5-11 can visit an elementary school site to receive their first dose, while students ages 12 and older should visit a secondary school location. There is no appointment needed, and the parent / guardian accompanying the student should bring a valid photo ID for themselves. Student IDs are not required, and second doses will be available at schools in December.
Parents who are unable to bring their child will have the option to print and sign a form allowing a trusted family member to accompany their child to the pop-up vaccine clinics. The trusted family member should bring the printed forms along with a photo ID.
You can see a full list of other locations for youth ages 5-11 to get the COVID-19 vaccine and their operating hours at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated.
We encourage all our families to take the life-saving step of getting the vaccine as soon as possible.
Thank you for prioritizing the health and safety of our school community, so that we can safely continue in-person learning throughout the year.
OSSE's 2021 Annual Special Education Parent Survey (12/31)
Supply Chain Issues and School Meals
While supply chain issues are nationwide, the Food & Nutrition Services team is committed to adapting our menu and operations to ensure our meals are delicious and maintain high standards in quality and nutrition. Currently, menus are subject to change. We apologize for any inconvenience that these product shortages might cause and sincerely appreciate your patience. As always, we welcome your questions and feedback.
POC: food.dcps@k12.dc.gov or (202) 299-2159
Holiday Travel Reminders
With the fall and winter holiday season approaching, please continue to review and follow DC Health travel guidance. We encourage families to limit travel as much as possible as part of our Stronger & Safer Together Pledge.
DCPS will continue with in-person learning throughout November and December, and schools will be closed for students on the following days per our school year calendar:
- November 11
- November 24-26
- December 23-31
Reminder: Impact Aid Survey (11/1) - Please complete!
The SY21-22 Impact Aid Survey will be available to schools and families in both paper and electronic format on Monday, November 1. Please send paper surveys home with students and share our webpage with parents to access the electronic surveys. All DCPS families are encouraged to complete one survey (paper or electronic) per child, not per household, to generate additional federal funds for DCPS.
Reminder: K-8 Family Curriculum Guides are Now Available
Reminder: DCPS Parent University
Servicio de interpretación en español disponible para todas las sesiones.
We are beyond excited to launch our Parent University fall calendar! Register for each session below or at bit.ly/dcpsparentursvp.
Check-in on Our Social Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
November 16th
Join families across the District and DCPS Central Office teams to learn how we can can collaborate to enrich your child's education.
Choosing the Right Program: Your Questions about Pre-K at DCPS Answered!
December 1st
Thinking about the Pre-K Lottery? Join us to learn more about what makes the DCPS Pre-K program unique!
Elegir el mejor programa para su familia: Pre-Kinder en las DCPS
December 8th
¡Únase a nosotros para obtener más información sobre lo que hace que el programa de prekínder de DCPS sea único!
News and Announcements From Other Organizations
DPR Opens Registration for 2021 Winter Programming
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the Bowser Administration and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced the registration for its 2021 Winter Programs will be available at noon on Monday, November 8, 2021.
Among new offerings for the season, DPR is bringing its Cooperative Play program for children ages 18 months to 4 years old to Ridge Road Recreation Center in Ward 7. There are also movie and game nights in addition to traditional programs.
Free in-person fitness classes return, as well as DPR Fun Days. When there are DC Public Schools closures for staff development, DPR offers a single-day camp.
Residents will also have an opportunity to register for activities including dance classes, boxing, basketball, and youth sports. Aquatic offerings including “Aqua Zumba,” swim classes and more will be available. Enrichment programming includes Mindful Meditation, musicianship, jewelry making, and senior-centered activities.
For more information and a full list of DPR programs, visit DPRPrograms.com.
Next W3EdNet Meeting -- Monday, November 8 at 7pm -- Deputy Chancellor Melissa Kim
Happy Halloween!
The next meeting of the Ward 3 - Wilson Feeder Education Network (W3EdNet) is on Monday, November 8 at 7pm via Zoom (link below).
We are very happy to host DC Public Schools Deputy Chancellor Melissa Kim and Social Studies Director Scott Abbott.
- This will be an opportunity to ask Deputy Chancellor Kim about such topics as COVID and schools (testing, outdoor lunches and education, vaccinations, virtual learning), overcrowding in schools and the recent community working group, and the upcoming budget cycle.
- Director Abbott will be talking with us about the new DCPS curriculum and instructional approach for elementary social studies and math.
Register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Upcoming meetings:
- Monday, December 13 at 7pm via Zoom: DCPS Director of School Finance Allen Francois to talk about DCPS budgeting and anything he can share on plans for a new budgeting model.
- Monday, January 10 at 7pm via Zoom: Council Member Christina Henderson will share her vision for education in the city and take questions.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Melody, Karin, and Brian
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The Ward 3 - Wilson High School Feeder Pattern Education Network (W3EdNet) is a group made up of PTO Board and LSAT members as well as other interested community members. We aim to work together to support schools in the Wilson feeder pattern, host community events of common interest, and advocate for better schools across the city.
Website: https://www.w3ednet.com/
Twitter: @W3EdNet
Email: w3ednet@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W3EdNet
Assistance Requested - SBOE STAR Framework Survey for Families & General Public
The D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) invites District families and residents to complete a 6-minute survey. The purpose of thisfamily/general public survey is to better understand D.C. residents’ experiences with the District’s school accountability system—the School Transparency and Reporting (STAR) Framework—as we consider what, if any, changes should be made to it. We recommend that you use a computer or tablet to fill out this survey. Thank you for taking the time to fill this out, and please know your identity will remain anonymous.
We ask that you submit responses no later than Monday, November 8 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please reach out to the State Board at darren.fleischer@dc.gov.
Please use the following links to start STAR Framework Family/General Public Survey:
- English Version: http://bit.ly/3n2iuk8
- Spanish Version: bit.ly/3FY7oVS
Thank you,
John-Paul
John-Paul Hayworth
Executive Director
DC State Board of Education
Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building
441 4th Street, NW Suites 530S & 723N
Washington, DC 20001
202-741-0888 – office
202-741-0884 – direct