DC public schools to close Monday, March 16

Chloe Fatsis, Editor-in-Chief

DCPS moved a Professional Development Day to Monday March 16 to advance preparation for the possibility of schools closing due to COVID-19.

“DCPS is accelerating our planning timeline with teachers and school leaders to ensure that our educators are fully equipped to support distance learning as needed,” DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee wrote in an email sent today, March 11, to the DCPS community. 

Over the weekend, Wilson Principal Kimberly Martin received an email from DCPS about the creation of online-assignments. “What that means is that they are creating packets and online course-work that students would be able to complete at home,” she said.

Ferebee added that “instructional contingency plans are underway that will allow meaningful, relevant learning to take place in the event that schools are closed for an extended period of time. We are developing resources for every level in grades PK-8 and for each graduation requirement course for grades 9-12,” he wrote. 

Students no longer have Friday, March 20 off, as school is set to resume on Tuesday, March 17 and continue for the rest of the week.