DCPS Distance Learning

Posted on by

Term 3: Limited In-Person Learning Begins; Distance Learning Continues for Most Students

Upcoming Events

  • Feb. 9: Open House for Prospective Families, 9 a.m.
  • Feb. 10: Report cards are published in Aspen by this date
  • Feb. 11: Chinese New Year Family Virtual Celebration, 6 p.m.
  • Feb. 15: No School (President’s Day)
  • Feb. 16: Report cards are mailed home
  • Feb. 16–19 Kindness Week
  • Feb. 17 or Feb. 23 APTT Meetings Grade 4 & 5, 6 p.m. (Select one date.)
  • Feb. 18 or Feb. 25 APTT Meetings Grade 2 & 3, 6 p.m. (Select one date.)
  • Feb. 18: PTA Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • Feb. 22–26: Black History Month Spirit Week

Term 3 Reopening

A limited number of students will be learning in-person this term; distance learning continues for most students. For in-person learning:

  • Students will be placed into AM or PM cohorts in separate classrooms with in-person instruction focusing on core subjects with homeroom teachers and the half-day at home focusing on live specials, small group time and independent work.
  • Wednesdays are still asynchronous at home
  • Breakfast and/or lunch will be provided in a grab and go format
  • Safety measures will remain in place for COVID guidelines (social distancing, masks, air filtration systems, increased deep cleaning, eventual onsite staff vaccinations per DCPS)

Playground
Please note the Maury playground is now closed weekdays (except Wednesday) when students are on campus; please follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

Building Safety
Elementary schools have conducted safety walkthroughs; DCPS is posting school readiness details online at dcpsreopenstrong.com/school-plans.

Schedule your child’s immunization!
Immunization is a requirement this school year for in-person learning. Click here to access the DC Health immunization website and to get information on how and where to receive immunizations or contact your pediatrician. Please contact the DC Health Immunization Program at (202) 576-7130 or the Maury health suite at (202) 698-3834 if you have any questions.

DCPS Wants Your Opinion!
To ensure we are hearing more from you and engaging directly with families, DCPS is partnering with Trendency Research, an independent research firm, to track your experience with learning at home and the school year overall.

Through a series of short and confidential surveys over the next several months, we will use your answers to help improve how we can best meet the needs of students and families and inform planning for this school year and beyond. Simply follow the link to sign up and share your opinion.

Distance Learning

Logging into Canvas

To begin the day, students will log into Canvas (the main DCPS learning platform) at: dcps.instructure.com. From there, they will see announcements, schedule, and assignments from their teachers. (Learn more about using Canvas.) You should not have to log into Teams after logging into Canvas because there will be a direct link there for live meetings.

Parents were sent an email with all login information; please contact the office if you cannot find your child’s login info.

Take time to practice logging on before your first morning meeting. (Don’t worry if you don’t see any courses loaded yet! Courses will be available on the first day of school.)

Attendance

Student attendance is taken automatically as students log on to Canvas. If your child will be not be in class, please report the absence to mauryattendance@k12.dc.gov.


Schedules

For all students, each day will start with a live morning meeting. On most days, more lessons and small group work will follow. On Wednesdays, students will now have some live Specials, “asynchronous” work (work  completed at home), or 1:1/small group check-ins with teachers. Teachers will share class-specific information.

PK3/4. The day starts at 8:30 am with a morning meeting. All other classes start on the hour. See PK3/4 schedule.

K–Grade 2. The day starts at 8:30 am with a morning meeting. All other classes start on the hour. See K–Grade 2 schedule.

Grades 3–5. The day starts at 9 am with a morning meeting. All other classes start on the half-hour. See Grades 3–5 schedule.

Specials. The availability and schedule for Specials will vary from grade to grade. Teachers will share class-specific information.


Report Cards

Report cards for Term 2 should be received in mid-February. As a reminder, letter and number marks will apply for Kindergarten through Grade 5. Letter marks are for subject-specific standards: B-beginning, D-developing and S-secure. Numbers (1-4) are for the term. Students will receive “NM-no mark” only for standards that were not covered during the term. There will be an opportunity to learn about your child’s progress during APTT meetings and conferences in February/March.

Supplies & Technology

Supplies & Technology Pickup

If you need to pick up supplies, the building is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

You may also pick up technology to use at home during distance learning. PK3/4 students will receive iPads, which are still being delivered. Laptops are available for K–5 students. If you borrow a laptop, you need to fill out a user agreement before receiving your device(s).

For everyone’s safety, please adhere to the schedule below, wear a mask, and adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

If you have questions or concerns, or cannot make those pickup days, please contact patrick.koontz@k12.dc.gov or contact Maury staff at: (571) 440-2275 or (571) 449-2430.


Tech Support at Home

If you plan to use your personal computer for school, please review the recommended technical and system requirements at dcpsreopenstrong.com/resources/technology.

How to use Canvas. If you need help using Canvas, please watch the DCPS Parent University: Canvas 101.

Maury Virtual Contact Numbers. Contact Maury staff at: (571) 440-2275 or (571) 449-2430.

Helpline. DCPS will be offering tech support to families when school begins. Visit the tech support page anytime or call the helpline at (202) 442-5885 Monday–Friday from 7 am–5:30 pm.

Help for Distance Learning

Preparing Your Child for Virtual Learning
  • Provide a calm, quiet space for learning. (Headphones can work, too, to limit distractions.)
  • Help students practice logging into Canvas before the first day of school. (All information will not be available until the first day of school.)
  • Teach your child how to mute, unmute and turn their camera on or off.
  • Please encourage your child to be the leader of his/her learning as much as appropriate for the age.
  • At times parents or guardians might need to provide technical support for students, but we ask that all parents respect the confidentiality of other learners during the process. We aim to recreate the safe space of a classroom environment where students can make mistakes and take risks as they grow in learning. The student should be the main user of the device during virtual learning.

Help from DCPS

Parent University Series. DCPS is hosting a series of online Parent University sessions on topics of interest to families, like using Canvas, navigating the IEP process, and helping children respond to trauma. Sessions are also uploaded to the DCPS YouTube channel afterward to watch at a later time.

Helpline. DCPS will be offering tech support to families when school begins. Visit the tech support page anytime or call the helpline at (202) 442-5885 Monday–Friday from 7 am–5:30 pm.

Maury Virtual Contact Numbers. Contact Maury staff at: (571) 440-2275 or (571) 449-2430.

Resources for Families


Meals and Grocery Distribution Sites

Meals will be available to all students (including non-DCPS students)  weekdays from 10 am – 2 pm at various sites throughout the city; Miner Elementary and Eastern High School are the closest free meal pick-up sites. Grab-and-go meals are free for all students 18 and younger; families can receive up to 3 breakfast and 3 lunch meals per trip.

Grocery distribution sites are open in various locations across the city weekdays from 10 – 11:30 am. The closest grocery site is Eastern High School, open on Mondays.


Additional Needs

Please contact the main office if your family is in need of additional assistance.


Internet Access

Comcast is offering two months free for the Internet Essentials service for low-income families, seniors, and veterans. Learn more here.


Health Resources

DC Health continues to recommend that all residents monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you develop any of these symptoms, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Many resources, including information about how to protect yourself and your family, are available on coronavirus.dc.gov. You can also find FAQs for kids and families on coronavirus.dc.gov.

We encourage students and families to follow the DC Health recommendations to practice social distancing and avoid large social gatherings.

Posted in Uncategorized.