We are seeing a city-wide and region-wide increase in COVID cases in our community. As with previous community increases, we are seeing those trends reflected in the case counts within our schools. I want to assure you that we are monitoring all our schools closely and remain in constant communication with public health authorities.
Today, Mayor Bowser announced a citywide action plan with several DCPS impacts that I want to share with you:
- Each school will receive a shipment of rapid antigen tests so that every student and staff member may be tested in support of a safe return from winter break. We will share more details about how to access those tests before the end of the year.
- To ensure appropriate time for testing, we are adjusting the school calendar in January. Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4 will now be non-instructional days for students. This means there will be no classes for students, and staff and families will use those days to pick-up rapid antigen tests. Staff will receive additional information about the schedules and expectations for these days.
If further adjustments are needed to your school’s opening based on the results of staff tests, we will communicate those as early as possible. Families should currently plan for schools to reopen on Wednesday, January 5.