October 8, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Schools, Ballot Boxes, & Eviction Protection

Dear Neighbors,

This week the Mayor, Chancellor, and DC Health announced that elementary
school students (prekindergarten - 5th grade) will transition to one of
[1]three learning models for Term 2 of the school year (Term 2 classes
begin November 9th):
* Small group instruction with a teacher present in the classroom;
* A "CARE" classroom where a teacher is giving virtual instruction to a
small group of students present together in a classroom (this is virtual
learning that allows for in-person socialization and play); or
* The current at-home virtual learning model

DC Public Schools (DCPS) is able to safely accommodate about 75% of
elementary students for in-person and CARE classrooms, and will operate a
lottery system to sort children into one of the three models. Classroom
seats will be prioritized for those students with the greatest need and who
are at the greatest risk of falling behind (students experiencing
homelessness, those with special needs, etc.). DCPS is in the midst of the
student match process now, and families will receive notice directly from
their enrolled school by the end of the month as to whether a student will
transition to in-person learning, group CARE learning, or will remain in an
at-home learning setting. Parents will always have the option for their
child to continue virtual at-home learning.

Much remains unknown and unclear about this process, and despite the
Council's best efforts, we have largely left in the dark about this
process. Nevertheless, I recommend reviewing the Mayor's [2]October 5th
Situational Update for additional operational and safety details (Term 2
information begins on slide 7). We have been told that students, staff, and
families will be notified immediately if someone in the school tests
positive for coronavirus and that schools are being advised and prepped for
virus risk reduction. This preparation includes outfitting and updating
school HVAC systems in accordance with [3]EPA Coronavirus Guidelines, and I
plan to join walk-through safety tours with school leadership of all Ward 3
elementary schools ahead of Term 2. I will share additional details as
become available and recommend that parents regularly check DCPS's
[4]Reopen Strong website for Term 2 posts and notices.

Regards,

Mary

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

A Note on Recent Gun Violence in Ward 3

Around 1:30 am Monday morning, a [7]young man lost his life to gun violence
on the 4900 block of Connecticut Ave, NW. Hours earlier, an Uber driver was
shot in the arm in an apparent robbery attempt in Tenleytown. In response,
the Metropolitan Police Department is saturating these areas by increasing
their patrols and presence along commercial corridors and nearby the sites
where violence and crime has occurred. Police have identified a white SUV
(plate number and make/model unknown) as being of interest in these cases,
and area camera footage is being reviewed for further detail.

Overall violent crime is down in the District, but it is completely
understandable why many may be fearful after such horrific incidents. As
the police's rigorous investigation and pursuit of the shooting suspects
continues, I will keep residents updated of any news and developments in
these cases. And, of course, if anyone has any information about any of
these recent incidents, please report it to the police by calling 727-9099
or by texting 50411. All calls will be held in confidence.

Legislative Update: Evictions Emergency Bill Passes the Council

Protections for Renters - Yesterday, Councilmember Cheh and Councilmember
Allen successfully introduced an amendment to the "[8]Fairness in Renting
Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020” that requires landlords to
provide photographic evidence, including a date and time stamp, to the
Superior Court when a notice is posted on a tenant’s property in evictions
proceedings. Importantly, if a landlord does not provide this evidence, the
Court must dismiss the proceeding.

This amendment is responsive to circumstances of fraud identified in a
recent [9]DCist investigation that demonstrated hundreds of circumstances
where local process servers were not delivering notices to residents for
summons to to the Superior Court for evictions proceedings. This amendment
is one way to ensure that renters are provided their tenant rights, but
should be viewed just as one step leading to a comprehensive review to
improve this process.

This amendment is one part of the "Fairness in Renting Emergency Act,"
introduced by Councilmember Cheh and Council Chairman Mendelson, that also
adds extensive renter protections, including:
* Authorizing the Superior Court to seal eviction records
* Establishing protections in the tenant screening processes
* Prohibiting evictions where less than $600 is owed

For more on yesterday's effort, please see "[10]D.C. Council Strengthens
Requirements For Notice Of Eviction Cases" by Jenny Gathright. For details
on the recent DCist investigation into process server fraud, please see the
article by Josh Kaplan below: [11]

From DCist - Thousands Of D.C. Renters Are Evicted Every Year. Do They All
Know To Show Up To Court?

"A nine-month investigation—which included observing week after week of
eviction proceedings in Superior Court, poring through more than 13,000
pages of court records, conducting nearly 60 interviews, and reviewing
hours of security camera footage—turned up more than 600 cases in just two
months where two process servers filed affidavits containing discrepancies
that, if brought to a judge’s attention, would likely result in the
eviction case being dismissed."

[12]Read the Full Story

Ballot Drop Boxes Are Open!

Vote Safe DC - Ballot drop boxes are open! Residents may drop ballots off
in any ballot drop box in the District at any time until 8:00 pm on
Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. The Board of Elections will collect
ballots from drop boxes twice per day. For voter registration, early
voting, and Election Day voting information, please see the [13]September
17th Ward 3 Newsletter.

Ward 3's ballot drop box locations:

[14]Guy Mason Recreation Center

[15]Chevy Chase Library

[16]Tenley-Friendship Library

[17]Cleveland Park Library

[18]Palisades Library

[19]Second District Police Station

Important Dates:
* October 21st: The Board of Elections advises that if you have not
received your mail-in ballot by this date, plan to vote in person
* October 27th through November 2nd: Early voting period, early vote
centers will be open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm
* Tuesday, November 3rd: Election Day, all voting centers will open from
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Leaf Collections Modified due to COVID-19

[20]

2020 Leaf Season - This year, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is
asking residents to bag their leaves for leaf collection. Due to
coronavirus safety concerns, the agency is unable to deploy the large crews
needed to operate the leaf vacuums, but DPW will be able to collect bagged
leaves left in the abutting tree boxes.

As leaf collections are composted, residents should only bag leaves in
paper bags. DPW will be providing each household that receives collections
with 20 free paper bags for the season beginning October 30th. For more
information, please see the [21]video above and/or [22]2020 Leaf Collection
Changes.

Good Statehood listening: What's With Washington Podcast

What Hamilton Got Wrong By Mikaela Lefrak

"In the second episode of 51st, we explore how the decision in “[23]The
Room Where It Happens” continues to shape D.C.’s culture and voting rights
today. The episode also looks at two other key events — a Philadelphia
mutiny, and a citywide reorganization by a controversial political boss —
and shows how they transformed Washingtonians’ voting rights over the
course of the city’s early history."

[24]Listen to the Podcast

The Wilson Aquatic Center to Open on October 13th

Swim with a Reservation - The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is
re-opening select fitness centers and indoor pools on Tuesday, October
13th. DPR facilities will operate at limited capacity with new health and
safety protocols in place, such as face mask requirements, enhanced daily
cleaning, and reservation requirements.

Reservations can be made online now through the following link: [25]DPR
Fall Program Season.

Lap Swim - What to Know:
* To ensure equitable use of lap swim lanes, individuals are allowed to
make a maximum of three reservations per seven day period (1 reservation
max per day)
* Lap swim reservations are available in 45 min increments
* Although facilities will be open, locker rooms and changing areas will
remain closed

To gain entry to a DPR Indoor facility during Phase Two, you must:
* Wear a face covering
* Present a valid state ID
* Have a valid, online reservation (walk-ins will not be permitted)

Remember, there is no recreation without an [26]online reservation!

Halloween & Dia de lod Muertos Guidance from DC Health

Halloween Safety - DC Health has issued new safety and health guidelines
for Halloween and Día de los Muertos festivities this year. According to DC
Health, traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is strongly discouraged,
as it involves close contact with others not from your household. Below,
the agency has categorized activities according to risk level and
recommends avoiding high risk activities to help decrease the spread of
COVID-19 while celebrating this Halloween. For the full guidelines, please
see: [27]#MaskUpDC.

Tips for Safe Treats:
* Wipe candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes before eating
* Make sure the wrapper is completely dry before opening
* Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats
* If giving out candy, do not allow children to select their own candy
from a bowl - Consider distributing candy with sanitized tongs or similar
method
* Use creative ways to distribute treats, such as using a candy “slide”
made of PVC pipe (See: [28]Candy Chute)

Low to High Risk Activities:

Low Risk
* Have neighborhood drive-through events where families can stay in their
cars and view Halloween displays similar to Christmas-light displays
* Have a “Trick-or-Treat Candy Hunt” with members of your own household
* Have an online costume party, costume contest or pumpkin carving via
video chat

Medium Risk
* Participate in one-way trick or treating where individually packaged
treat bags are lined up at edge of a yard or for children to grab-and-go
one at a time
* Hold a small group outdoor costume parade and/or contest with social
distancing and face coverings
* Create an open-air, one-way walk-through outdoor Haunted Forest with
social distancing (greater social distancing is necessary if screaming is
anticipated)
* Visit pumpkin patches or orchards with outdoor social distancing
* Hold an outdoor small group Halloween movie night with social
distancing

High Risk
* Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating
* “Trunk or treating” where children take candy from trunks of cars in
large parking lots
* Taking candy from communal candy bowls
* Going to indoor Haunted Houses
* Bobbing for apples

Apply to Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits

[29]

Extend Benefits - Unemployment Insurance (UI) offers workers 26 weeks of
initial benefits, but compensation can be extended for up to a year through
two 13-week extensions.

However, the 13-week extensions are not automatic and UI claimants need to
apply and file an application to receive extended support.

For additional application information and UI program details from the
Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, please see: [30]Extending UI
Benefits.

When the Contact Tracing Team Calls, Please Answer

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Local "Flower Lady" Beautifies Connecticut Ave

Neighbor Spotlight - Tree boxes in the Forest Hills neighborhood have
undergone a beautiful transformation thanks to the work of Ward 3 resident
and local gardener Kathy Sykes. Not only has Kathy's work added beauty and
color along Connecticut Avenue, but her plantings offer much-needed
resources for local pollinators and wildlife. Read more about Kathy, dubbed
the "Flower Lady," and her work in the excerpt below from the [31]Forest
Hills Connection:

"In August of 2015, my husband, Steve Vetzner, and I began gardening in the
tree box in front of the building where we live on Connecticut Avenue
between Albemarle and Appleton. The tree boxes are located on city property
and were barren and unappealing. When I was young, I helped my mother with
her garden. She was a wonderful gardener who brought joy to many people in
the neighborhood through her skills. I thought we could add color with
flowers and at the same time help save the pollinators that are responsible
for the food we eat.

Initially, a few neighbors of all ages from the neighborhood joined us.
Children, parents and grandparents would help with weeding, watering, or
sowing seeds. For example, one neighbor and her two and a half-year-old
daughter have been helping out for the past five years. An unexpected joy
of gardening has been meeting so many neighbors who share a love for
flowers. Several people have asked me to help them to create a pollinator
garden and offered to pay for the work. While I will not take money, I am
happy to share free advice as to what grows well in sun and shade...

If I could have one wish to improve the environmental sustainability for
the gardens and its inhabitants it would be have all neighbors stop
applying chemicals to their lawns and property. The chemicals do not remain
where they are applied and drift into neighboring gardens. In the past five
years, I have seen a major decline in the number of butterflies that used
to flutter about, including monarchs, the iconic orange and black large
butterfly that migrates from Canada to Mexico. I would hope that we as a
community could help maintain and reverse the decline in the pollinator
population in Forest Hills."

[32]Read the Full Story

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.

[33]Facebook [34]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

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