schools

Coronavirus School Closures Update

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

From a press release:

“On Saturday, March 8, the DC Department of Health (DC Health) was notified by the State of Maryland of an individual who stayed in Washington, DC before presenting himself to a Maryland hospital and then tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) by the State of Maryland. DC Health is conducting contact tracing of the individual, known as Patient 2 because he is the second confirmed DC case, and individuals of close contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are classifying this as a DC case because the individual stayed in DC for one night when he arrived in the country from Nigeria.

Based on DC Health’s investigation, three individuals who stayed in the same residence as Patient 2 were tested for COVID-19 today, and all three tests yielded negative results. One of these close contacts who tested negative is a staff member at School Without Walls High School. She has and continues to be asymptomatic. To give the school’s administration adequate time to communicate with staff and families, School Without Walls will be closed on Monday, March 9. Out of an abundance of caution, the school will also receive a deep cleaning before students and staff return.”

From District of Columbia International School (DCI): (more…)

Reader Reports Shots Fired around 3:30pm Wed. in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

“Dear PoPville,

It didn’t get an alert from MPD, but two shots were fired on Irving Street across the street from the Tubman Elementary playground at 3:30 Wednesday. Heard them personally from about 100 feet away. I called 911 and they said someone else called it in. It happened across the street by the gate to the field. Kids were out on the playground for aftercare and were immediately brought in. It lasted about 10 minutes.

Two weeks ago there was a parent safety meeting at the school with MPD, DCPS, and Councilmember Nadeau’s office and they offered nothing to help the situation with shootings happening around the school.”

Tomorrow Morning (Tues.) There will be “an active threat exercise on the campus of Roosevelt High School”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user guy_incognito

From ALERT DC:

“On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), in conjunction with the support of the Executive Office of the Mayor and relevant district agencies, will conduct an active threat exercise on the campus of Roosevelt High School. The exercise will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. During this time, emergency vehicles and personnel may be seen moving about the campus. Please note, there is no real emergency or cause for alarm. The goal of this exercise is to improve upon the District’s ability to protect our students and staff, save lives, and reduce injuries.

We understand the subject of emergencies and active threat scenarios can be uncomfortable. For this reason, the exercise will take place on a professional development day when students are not in the building for classes.”

The reason why KIPP was on lockdown the other day

By Prince Of Petworth

I got a bunch of messages from folks asking why KIPP was on lockdown earlier this week – now we know why and it is awful. From the Washington Post:

“The incident occurred in a middle-school classroom at KIPP DC Key Academy in the 4800 block of Benning Road SE, according to the school and a police report. The report said the boy and girl were arguing “about a pencil” shortly before 12:30 p.m. when the boy brandished a pocket knife and threatened to stab the girl.

He then lifted his shirt, showing the girl a loaded Beretta pistol, police said.”

“Was hoping you could help me find the best dollar store in DC.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoPville,

I’m a DCPS teacher and a reader of your blog. Was hoping you could help me find the best dollar store in DC. In need of a good one. Any teachers can tell you that not all dollar stores are created equal and I have struggled to find a good one in the city. The best one I’ve found is all the way out in Bowie, which is far.”

“Wednesday 7 p.m. – Park View Rec Center – meeting about lead on D.C. playgrounds and playing fields”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Wilfong

Thanks to all who passed on these emails:

“Many parents and caregivers are unaware that earlier this month, DC’s Department of General Services released preliminary test results that found lead on or in the rubberized surfaces of playgrounds at 55 DCPS schools, most of them elementary schools – including many in Wards 1 and 4. Seventeen of these playgrounds showed particularly elevated levels. Six playgrounds were temporarily closed, but the others remained open. No testing has been released yet for rec centers or charter schools.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 2 at 7pm at the Park View Rec Center in Ward 1 for an educational forum sponsored by the Park View UNC and DC Safe Healthy Playing Fields to learn more. You are also encouraged to sign up to testify at a DC Council hearing on the topic on the morning of October 3rd. (more…)

Congrats to D.C.’s own Alysha Butler on being named the 2019 National History Teacher of the Year

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) today announced that Alysha Butler, a social studies teacher at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC, has been named the 2019 National History Teacher of the Year. Butler, who is a participating teacher in GLI’s renowned Hamilton Education Program, will be honored at a ceremony on October 2 at the Yale Club in New York City, where John Avlon, Senior Political Analyst and anchor at CNN, will present her with the award and a prize of $10,000. (more…)

“A tragic fire claimed the life of one of our brightest stars, 9 year old Yafet. Six of his nine years were spent excitedly traversing the halls of Barnard ES.”

By Prince Of Petworth


via GoFundMe

“Dear PoPville,

I am a teacher at Barnard Elementary in Petworth. As many are aware, a 9-year old boy was killed in the fire last weekend, which the Mayor has referred for investigation. We found out last week that the child was a student at our school. Our hearts are broken, and we are working as a school community to celebrate his impact and honor his life, especially as students return today. (more…)

“How to sponsor a DC public school student?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

“Dear PoPville,

Would you know of a way to sponsor a DC public school student with back to school supplies? I found the supply list on the DC public school website but was wondering how to supply a kid in need. I saw something on the website about contacting schools directly. I was hoping there was a easier/lazier way…”

Ed. Note: I know DASH is collecting: (more…)

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