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 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 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 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 Reopen Strong website for Term 2 posts and notices.

Regards,

Mary

Please see 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 marycheh.com

A Note on Recent Gun Violence in Ward 3

Around 1:30 am Monday morning, a 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 "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 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 "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: 

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 September 17th Ward 3 Newsletter.

Ward 3's ballot drop box locations:

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

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 video above and/or 2020 Leaf Collection Changes.

Good Statehood listening: What's With Washington 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: 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 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: #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: 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

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: 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 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."

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.

FOLLOW MARY