Hearst Family Update
November 19, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Hearst Families,
It's been a whirlwind of a week in which it felt that COVID cases were swirling all around us and as you've likely seen, today we were notified of our first positive student case of the school year that will result in students quarantining at home. Staff and families of kids that are close contacts have been notified and will be following the guidance provided by DC Health around the case. If you have any questions or concerns about the case, please do let me know and I'll do my best to address them.
Once again, I thank you for your vigilance in observing all of our safety protocols as that is one of the things that allowed us until today to be the only school in DCPS without a positive case. Especially with the traveling that we anticipate students and staff will do over the Thanksgiving holiday, it's important that we continue to be vigilant ourselves and with kids about mask wearing, hand washing/sanitizing, and distancing, in order to continue to keep our community safe.
On a lighter note, two very similar yet separate moments of joy occurred for me this week, both on Wednesday as I was walking with students to their classes. As we were walking, the two students, both without a word, slipped their arm through mine and we walked arm in arm the rest of the way to their classes. Both were small moments during an otherwise busy and stressful day and grounded me in what's important, the human connection and particularly connections and relationships with kids. During these times when it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all that we have going on in our lives, I wish you your own moments of joy and connection each and every day.
Hope you enjoy the weekend,
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 24-26 - Thanksgiving Break (no school for students)
- December 3 - Virtual Open House, 9:00-9:45am
- December 8 - PTA Meeting
- December 15 - LSAT Meeting, 4:30-5:30
- December 23-January 2 - Winter Break for Students and Teachers
Quick Updates
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your generous donations to the Owl Fund this year!
Reminder: Below is a pdf copy of the Ask, Ask, Look form is here and we'll have more printed for you at arrival on Monday morning.
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.
SY21-22 School Expectations
Each year, representatives from each class come together to create school rules based on the various rules they have in their classes. Below are the school rules/expectations that the Rules Creation Committee (Eden, Maura, Darcy, Kensington, Megan, Lucy, Coco, Lyra, Declan, Sadie, Penelope, and Sully) developed for this school year. They will be posted in our common areas and we will reinforce these expectations with kids, particularly during times like recess and lunch when groups of students from different classes and grade levels may interact.
21-22 School Expectations
- Be kind and respectful to everyone and everything
- Follow COVID rules and be safe
- Have fun and try your best
Reminder: 2021 Kennedy Center Scrollathon
During the two week Opening Festival of the Kennedy Center’s River Pavilion REACH, Steven and William Ladd’s Scrollathon engaged 750 D.C. participants, including Hearst students, onsite in the Sardar Classroom and offsite in the community. Each participant made a work of art to keep that they associated with a personal story and shared that story with their peers, demonstrating how contemporary art can become a lens for personal storytelling. Participants then collaborated by contributing scroll components to the collaborative artwork, adding their initials to a small wooden dowel in the center and giving the community permanent representation in the artwork. Inspired by the colors of Potomac River it overlooks, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow spans 20 feet and is created of over 10,000 hand-rolled scrolls. Watch a video on the making of the artwork here! We hope the kids are proud of their contribution to one of the Nation’s most interactive and inspiring arts and culture destinations.
Reminder: Term 1 Family Survey - Deadline Extended
Reminder: Girls on the Run 5k
We are only a few days 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 Thanksgiving approaching and families potentially traveling, what is the current guidance on quarantining and testing after travel before returning to school.
A: Guidance was shared in updates last week and the previous week. In case you missed it, you can visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/page_content/attachments/Travel_Guidance_DCHealth_COVID-19_Update_2021.8.6_ForPosting%20%281%29.pdf or see directly below.
Domestic Travel
Fully vaccinated people
• Fully vaccinated people (or people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days) can travel within the United States without the need for pre- or post-travel COVID19 testing or travel-related quarantine, as long as they do not have symptoms of COVID19.
• It is recommended to bring your vaccination card with you while travelling in case documentation is requested.
• People who have tested positive for COVID-19 more than 90 days ago and who are not fully vaccinated should follow directions for Unvaccinated people.
Unvaccinated or Partially vaccinated people
• Unvaccinated people are recommended to:
o Get a COVID-19 test 1-3 days before leaving on their trip.
AND
o Get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after returning home from their trip.
AND
o Self-quarantine for 7 days after returning home.
▪ Even if test is negative, you should still self-quarantine for a full 7 days.
▪ If your test is positive, stay home and isolate
▪ If no test is done, unvaccinated people should self-quarantine for 10 days after returning home.
o Avoid being around unvaccinated people at high-risk for severe COVID-19 for 14 days after returning from travel whether or not you had post-travel testing.
Reminder: 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
Health & Safety Update
Water Fountains
After consultation with DC Health, and in collaboration with the Department of General Services (DGS), DCPS will turn water fountains back on in all schools. This process will take place over the next month and follow a schedule that prioritizes our largest schools first. Although the fountains were turned off at the beginning of the pandemic, filters were changed, and water was routinely tested. As fountains are turned back on, fountains will be flushed twice (first by the plumber and then the custodial team) prior to use. School custodial teams will also include water fountains in their enhanced cleaning routines in alignment with DC Health guidance. As school communities adjust to using the water fountains again, we encourage students and staff to bring a reusable water bottle to school to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Reminder: 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. DC Health on Twitter shares the status of doses available each evening as school sites open, tickets are distributed to families, and clinics may reach capacity -- https://twitter.com/_DCHealth.
While vaccine consent forms are available at pediatric clinics, you can also now access them online at these links:
Additionally, information has been posted for student athletes 12 and older at https://www.thedciaa.com/covid-19-vaccine-mandate and https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines/#covid-19-vaccine-for-ages-12-and-student-athlete-requirement.
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.
Reminder: Annual Lead in Water Sampling Program
Reminder: OSSE's 2021 Annual Special Education Parent Survey (12/31)
Reminder: 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: 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.
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
Bowser Administration Highlights Thanksgiving Events in the District
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the Bowser Administration and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to share a cornucopia of events to bring communities together and to provide Thanksgiving resources to hundreds of District families during the holiday season.
Events include dinners, turkey and holiday basket giveaways, as well as providing coats to those in need at various recreation centers across the District. Listed below are a few of the many activities offered this month through Mayor Bowser and DPR and its community partners.
Friday, November 19
Friendsgiving Parkview Dinner
Parkview Recreation Center (693 Otis Pl NW)
Time: 5 p.m.
Ridge Road Turkey Giveaway
Ridge Road Community Center (830 Ridge Rd SE)
Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 20
Annual Turkey Basket Giveaway in partnership with Project Giveback
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave NE)
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Holiday Basket Giveaway with Hands Up Outreach Ministry
Parkview Recreation Center (693 Otis Pl NW)
Time: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Turkey Basket and Coat Giveaway
Bald Eagle Recreation Center (100 Joliet Street SW)
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
21st Annual Feed Those in Need Event
Fort Davis Recreation Center (1400 41st St SE)
Time: 9 a.m. – food prepared on site and distributed in the community
Monday, November 22
Roving Leaders (Ricardo Duren) Annual Turkey Giveaway
Brentwood Recreation Center (2311 14th St NE)
Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Roving Leaders Langdon Park Turkey Basket Giveaway/ Lethal Shooter Backboard Unveiling
Langdon Park Recreation Center (2901 20th St NE)
Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Emery Turkey Basket Giveaway
Emery Heights Community Center (5701 Georgia Ave NW)
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Many of the events are already reserved for community members, but some may still have availability. For more information on events, visit DPR.events.