[PR] Mayor Bowser Extends Modified District Operating Status and Prohibition on Mass Gatherings During Public Health Emergency

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Friday, March 20, 2020

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she has extended the District of Columbia Government’s modified operating status until April 27, including the adjusted DC Government operating posture and distance learning at the District’s public schools.

DC Government will operate under an agency-specific telework schedule, continuing to deliver essential services and keep critical systems and services operating. Some government operations will be performed fully remotely, while other services will continue to be performed at public buildings, but under modified operations.

The Mayor also extended the prohibition on mass gatherings during a public health emergency until April 25, 2020.

Updates to schools and parks below.

DC Public Schools (DCPS)

DCPS facilities will remain closed and distance learning will take place through Friday, April 24. At this time, classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, April 27. The District’s charter school operators are expected to follow DCPS’ operating status.

DISTANCE LEARNING

With the extension of distance learning, schools will continue to implement consistent methods to deliver instruction remotely to students in ELA and Math. District Government will work with schools to address challenges where they exist and develop engagement and submission mechanisms to increase the demands of online learning.

ASSESSMENTS

Due to the extended school closures, OSSE plans to seek a one-year waiver from federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements around assessments, and will cancel statewide summative assessments for students, including Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and DC Science.

MEAL SITES

Beginning April 1, the District will add 10 meal sites for all students, bringing the total meal sites at DCPS buildings to 29 across the District. These sites serve lunch and a shelf-stable breakfast for all residents under the age of 18 Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A full list of meal sites can be found on coronavirus.dc.gov/mealsites.

The additional meal sites include:

Ward 1

  • Marie Reed Elementary School - 2201 18th Street, NW

Ward 2

  • School Without Walls at Francis Stevens - 2425 N Street, NW

  • Strong John Thomson Elementary School - 1200 L Street, NW

Ward 3

  • Woodrow Wilson High School - 3950 Chesapeake Street, NW

Ward 4

  • Truesdell Education Campus - 800 Ingraham Street, NW

Ward 5

  • Langdon Elementary School - 1900 Evarts Street, NE

Ward 6

  • Miner Elementary School - 601 15th Street, NE

Ward 7

  • Ron Brown High School - 4800 Meade Street, NE

Ward 8

  • Hendley Elementary School - 425 Chesapeake Street, SE

  • Simon Elementary School - 401 Mississippi Avenue, SE

DC PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

All DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities, including playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields, will be closed to the public.

For more resources and information about the District’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.

RESOURCESThe Advoc8teMayor Bowser, COVID-19, PRESS RELEASEComment