DCPS Summer Updates

[Ed note: Your volunteer site editor got a little behind with the posting 'cause of vacations and whatnot. Here are links and reminders, slightly edited for the Stoddert audience, from the last two issues of DCPS's Summer Parent News. More to come soon, and please contact Stoddert if you have questions.]

Summer Parent News | June 28, 2012

Get Your Child Ready for the 2012-2013 School Year

As the 2011-2012 school year has come to a close, we set our sights on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 – the first day of school for next year.

Below are some reminders to help you prepare for a successful start of the 2012-2013 school year. And, please check the Enrollment page throughout the summer for additional information and updates.

Enroll Now!

If you have not enrolled your child for the next school year, download the forms and bring them to Stoddert as soon as possible this summer.

Update Your Immunizations and Health Certificate

As parents/guardians, you know that children can spread many illnesses at school. Immunizations protect children from the most dangerous diseases; that’s why immunizations are required by law before children start school.

Please schedule a visit with your child’s physician soon if your child’s immunizations are not up to date.
Some immunizations require more than one dose with return visits. For a reminder of the immunizations required by age, view the Immunization flyer 2012-2013 in your enrollment packet.
DC law also requires families to submit a Universal Health Certificate every year for every child.
Each student must submit a Universal Health Certificate that indicates a physical has been completed within the past 365 days.
Age-appropriate immunizations must be documented on the Universal Health Certificate.

Residency Verification Required for Enrollment

Residency verification is required for every student registering at a DC Public School. Parents and guardians must complete residency verification by Oct. 5, 2012, or within 10 days of initial enrollment, whichever occurs later in the school year.

A list of acceptable residency documents is available in the Enrollment Packet sent to all DCPS families in April 2012 and also is posted on the Enrollment page.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education also requires families to make photocopies of residency verification documents. For more information, call the Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.

Youngest Learners: Get Ready for Early Childhood Transition Week—Aug. 27-31, 2012

The first week of school for preschool and pre-K students is known as Early Childhood Transition Week (ECTW). This year, ECTW will begin with home visits or parent conferences from Aug. 27-29, 2012. Preschool and pre-K children will not go to school on these days. Your child’s teacher will reach out to you and set up a time to meet. Then, from Aug. 30-31 children will come to school in two small groups (see below for the date your child will attend).

No school for preschool and pre-K children from Aug. 27-29 (these dates are reserved for parent/teacher meetings).
Children whose last name begins with the letters A-K will attend school on Thursday, Aug. 30.
Children whose last name begins with the letters L-Z will attend school on Friday, Aug. 31.
All preschool and pre-K children will attend school together starting on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Special Education Students Should Update Transportation Information

If your child is eligible for special education transportation based on his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP), please confirm with the Special Education Representative or principal at your child’s school that the correct transportation information has been submitted for the 2012-2013 school year. Let your Special Education Representative know if any of the following information changes:

Pick-up address;
Drop-off address;
School location; or
Phone number.

If you have trouble reaching the Special Education Coordinator or principal at your child’s school, please call the Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.

Update to Afterschool programming in 2012-2013

Afterschool programming plays an important role in supporting student success. It also helps families know that their students are safe and positively engaged in the afterschool hours. Every Title I elementary school, educational campus and middle school will continue to have afterschool programming next year. High schools will continue to offer extracurricular activities, sports, and credit recovery opportunities. However, DCPS has fewer funds available in our afterschool budget for the 2012–13 school year. Accordingly, the details of each school’s afterschool program may change next year.

We are working with schools to figure out how we provide as much high-quality afterschool coverage as possible across the district, and we expect to announce school-specific details in July.

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