As DC Public Schools and Hearst plans for a full reopening to in person learning in August with all staff teaching in person, we are focused on enhancing the school experience and student learning by: strengthening relationships between students, teachers, and families; providing joyful opportunities at school that accelerate learning; continuing our unwavering focus on health and safety; and addressing inequities through systemic change. We also plan to offer before and after care and will be partnering with a new organization in the coming year to provide these services.

Please read below for an update on the health and safety measures that will be in place for in-person learning as well as a new virtual option available for eligible students for School Year 2021-2022.

Back-to-School Health & Safety Measures

For SY21-22, here’s what families can expect at school to maintain a safe environment for in-person learning:

• HVAC enhancements allow for well-ventilated spaces at every school, including state-of-the-art HEPA filters in classrooms and air quality sensors throughout the building.
• Practice safe routines: All staff, students, and visitors must wear a mask or face covering, and daily PPE and hygiene supplies will be provided.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols for high-touch surfaces, and a deep cleaning completed after a suspected or reported COVID-19 case.
• Space arrangements: Students should be separated as far as possible, and individual desks and tables are to be facing the same direction to the extent feasible.
• Student meals: Pre-K and Kindergarten students will eat in the classroom and all other grades will eat in the cafeteria. Social distancing should be followed while eating and drinking, to the extent feasible.
• Student cohort interactions will be limited to the extent feasible, but there will be no cap for student or staff cohort interactions in any grade.
• Screen for illness: Students and staff will complete a daily “Ask, Ask, Look” screening, but temperatures will not be taken upon arrival at school.
• COVID-19 reporting protocols: Schools will report positive cases with a school community if a person has been in the building during their infectious period, along with a quarantine protocol. Additional information about asymptomatic testing will be shared over the summer.

Virtual Learning for Students with Medical Need

We hope and expect the overwhelming majority of our students will return to full-time in-person learning in the fall. However, we know there are students who have a documented medical condition who need to continue virtual learning. To support these students, DCPS will offer virtual instruction for a limited number of students who meet medical eligibility requirements. Virtual instruction based on medical need will be available across all grades.

You can review the medical eligibility form and read a FAQ for families at https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/sy21-22/virtual.

After the https://octo.quickbase.com/db/brg2gc9m6, families will be notified once their virtual learning request is processed. You can also drop a completed medical form off at the school. DCPS will safeguard information in alignment with all privacy laws. Families will be asked to provide their student’s name and ID number on the registration form. We encourage those who need virtual learning to complete this process by July 6 to help us create class schedules for the fall.

Enrolling at Hearst

Enrollment season has kicked off and you can re-enroll your child for the 2021-2022 school year entirely online! All families are encouraged to re-enroll early to help us better prepare for next year. To do so, please complete the following three steps:

1. Complete the online enrollment packet. If you prefer, forms are also available in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Amharic.
2. Provide proof of DC residency. DCPS can only accept proofs listed here: OSSE Residency Proofs 2021-2022 
3. If your student is new to Hearst, please provide a proof of age (i.e. birth certificate, passport, hospital records, etc.)
4. Submit the completed enrollment packet and proof of DC residency to your school.
5. When enrollment is complete, you’ll receive an email like the one below with a message confirming this.

We also are happy to help you in any way so that you can check re-enrollment off your summer to-do list. Please reach out to [email protected] for this support. Thanks again to you and your family for being part of our school community. It is an honor to serve your family, and we look forward to our partnership with you and your child in the coming school year.