By Samuel Williams Jr.,
Special to the AFRO
D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) officials are taking no chances with potential COVID-19 outbreaks as they prepare to open.
DCPS used the summer ahead of the 2022-2023 school year to release important up-to-date COVID information for families through its new website, dcpsstrong.com.
Families currently have access to the latest DCPS COVID protocols including DCPS’ “Test to Return to School” policy, immunization requirements, and community clinics, along with critical updates from the Chancellor and the school district.
To attend school, officials decided to have families submit their student’s up-to-date immunization records online by Aug. 28 in advance of the first day of school on Aug. 29. Children will not be allowed to attend without submitting a Universal Health Certificate completed by a doctor.
“I am excited to welcome students in grades K-12 back into our classrooms on Aug. 29, and our Pre-K students on Sept. 1,” said Chancellor Lewis Ferebee.
“This school year, we will go deeper in creating joyful and rigorous learning experiences to accelerate the success of our students. We’ll continue to prioritize the needs of the whole child and their academic, emotional, and social development. I am thankful for all the DCPS staff whose commitment drives these efforts,” Ferebee said.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 30 and throughout that week, schools will be distributing rapid test kits as one of the first lines of defense. Then on Aug. 28, it is mandatory that all students from K – 12 take a COVID home test. Pre-K students must take their COVID home test on Aug. 31.
According to Ferebee, parents can still enroll their child in school if they have not already done so. First, complete the DCPS enrollment packet and be sure to provide proof of D.C. residency. Once the enrollment packet is complete, students or parents submit the packet to the school. Visit enrolldcps.dc.gov.
DCPS is taking extra precautions this year because of the prevalence of COVID in the school-aged population in the past academic year. Between Aug. 29, 2021, and June 23, 54 percent of all COVID cases in the District of Columbia schools were reported from the D.C. Public School (DCPS). Of those cases 50.9 percent of those reports occurred in elementary schools.
Private schools have also made health and safety measures a priority in light of the continuing COVID epidemic.
Earlier this month, the D.C. Health Department issued COVID vaccination requirements for all children 12 and older attending all private, charter, and parochial schools as well as public schools. Children are required to either be fully vaccinated, have a medical exemption on file, or obtain approval for a religious exemption.
Gabrielle Gregory, dean of Community Growth and Development at Archbishop Carroll Catholic High School, oversees COVID protocols for the school in Northeast D.C. and said testing is in place. “The administration and teaching staff are ready to go,” she said.
“This school year is all about building community back into our entire school body. COVID has robbed many of us of the joy of fellowship,” Gregory said. “We are hoping that this upcoming school year will be a time used for reminding us of all the importance of camaraderie, positive spirit, and the magnitude of God’s work within us all.”
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