July 31, 2020

Short Update on School Reopening

Dear Neighbors,

Public schools will be all-virtual for the first term of the fall 2020-2021
school year. The first term runs from Monday, August 31st through Friday,
November 6th, at which point the Mayor, DC Health, and DC Public Schools
(DCPS) will reevaluate the District's coronavirus data to determine whether
it will be safe enough to introduce a hybrid model of virtual and in-person
learning for students. As an educator myself, there is no doubt that
in-person learning provides students with the best opportunity to learn and
develop critical social skills and peer relationships. However, amid
increasing numbers of [1]new coronavirus cases in the District and a
growing national public health crisis, the safety of our students, their
families, our teachers, and building staff is paramount. And by this
metric, the Mayor has determined that an all-virtual first term is the only
sound option.

Unlike the spring semester, DCPS is now better equipped for virtual
instruction after spending the summer months problem solving, planning, and
working with over 200 teachers to further develop and transfer the
curriculum to their online platform. DCPS has made some technical changes,
implemented new attendance procedures, and restructured the school day to
include more direct and one on one instruction. There will also be an
additional focus on the social needs and emotional health of students.
Based on parent feedback, DCPS has structured the school week so there will
be greater predictability for students and their families and a new
schedule of learning checks throughout the day and semester will help
identify those students who may be falling behind. Further detail on DCPS's
planning is available online: [2]Reopen Strong.

Access to technology will be critical to the fall term's success. To help
DCPS evaluate student access to laptops and tablets for full time virtual
learning, parents are asked to share their student's technology needs
through the following online survey: [3]Request A Technology Device.

Regards,

Mary

[4]

Please see [5]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [6]marycheh.com

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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