First Day of School

Your Child Gets Ready for Next School Year!

As the 2012-2013 school year comes to a close, we set our sights on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013 – the first day of school. Below are some reminders to help you prepare for a successful start of the 2013-2014 school year.

Summer Programs Keep Kids Connected

K-8 Summer School provides students an opportunity to improve their reading and math skills in a high-quality, engaging program designed to help students reverse the "Summer Slide" and return to school in the fall ready for success. The program will operate 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every day for five weeks from July 1 to Aug. 2 (except for Thursday, July 4), and includes free breakfast and lunch. Afternoon programming from 1-5 p.m. will be available on a limited basis at all eight sites.  Registration for K-8 Summer School is available to all students at dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/summer13.  

Summer Bridge is specifically designed to help eighth graders (rising ninth graders) succeed in high school. Students will receive academic support, build their self-confidence, and learn high school success strategies. They also will begin forming relationships with their new school’s staff and teachers.

• Anacostia, Ballou, Cardozo, Columbia Heights, Phelps, Washington Metropolitan, Wilson and Woodson will run five-week programs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. each day from July 1 through Aug. 2 (except July 4) and includes free breakfast and lunch.
• Coolidge and Eastern will run shorter programs; more information will be available soon.
• Banneker, Ellington, McKinley and School Without Walls also run transition programs. Please contact the individual school for more information.

In many cases, if your child is already registered with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), DCPS can arrange the SYEP placement to be the Summer Bridge program. If your child is not in SYEP, Summer Bridge may instead lead to one half (0.5) of a high school elective credit that will count toward the high school graduation requirements. To enroll, go to dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/summerbridge.

High School Summer School is a credit recovery program for students in grades 9-12 who need to retake high school courses. Students can earn up to two credits during the program, which runs every day 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for five weeks from July 1 to Aug. 2 (except Thursday, July 4) and includes free breakfast and lunch. Students should speak with their school counselor about enrolling and register online .

Seats Still Available –  Enroll Today

Do you still need to enroll – but need help finding schools with available seats? Charts with available seats listed by school and grade are updated regularly at dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/seats. As a reminder, all parents and guardians must complete residency verification by the first day of school (Aug. 26), or within 10 days of initial enrollment, whichever occurs later in the school year. A list of acceptable residency documents – and requirements – is available in the Enrollment Packet sent to all DCPS families in April 2013 and also is posted on dcps.dc.gov/enroll. For more information, call the Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.

Complete Your Child’s Health Forms to Enroll

In order to complete your child’s enrollment, your child’s school must receive the following health forms for your child. Please do not leave this requirement outstanding, as we want to make sure we can fully enroll your child and meet your child’s needs for the upcoming school year. If you haven’t already, please bring the following checked health form(s), completed by your medical provider, to your school. (If you have an upcoming medical appointment where these forms will be completed, please provide written confirmation from your medical provider of this appointment.)

• Universal Health Certificate: This documents your child’s immunizations, TB screening, lead testing (if applicable) and physical performed within 365 days from the start of school. This form is required each year for all DCPS students in all grades.
  
  
• Oral Health Assessment: This documents your child’s most recent visit to the dentist, and identifies any need your child may have for additional oral health services. This form is required for all DCPS students in PS, PK 3, PK 4, K, and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

These health forms can be downloaded in the enrollment forms section. If you need help getting health insurance, please visit dhcf.dc.gov/service/dc-healthy-families.

Youngest Learners: Get Ready for Early Childhood Transition Week

The first week of school for pre-k3 and pre-K4 students is known as Early Childhood Transition Week (ECTW). This year, ECTW will begin with home visits or parent conferences from Aug. 26-28. Pre-k3 and pre-K4 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. 29-30 children will come to school in two small groups (see below for the date your child will attend).

• No school for pre-k3 and pre-K4 children from Aug. 26-28 (these dates are reserved for parent/teacher meetings or home visits).
• Children whose last name begins with the letters A-K will attend school on Thursday, Aug. 29.
• Children whose last name begins with the letters L-Z will attend school on Friday, Aug. 30.
• All pre-k3 and pre-K4 children will attend school together starting on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Children enrolled in a Montessori school or program may have a different schedule. Contact your school for more information.

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 2013-2014 school year. Let your Special Education Representative know if any of the following information has or will change: pick-up address; drop-off address; school location; or phone number. If you have trouble reaching the principal at your child’s school, please call the Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.

Be Sure You Know Your Special Education Location of Service

As you begin to prepare for the 2013-2014 School Year, we wanted to reach out to you regarding your child’s Special Education Location of Service. During your child’s annual review you were informed of where your child will attend school next year. Steps needed to complete registration were also discussed. Please ensure that you have completed the enrollment packet at your child’s new school and complete residency verification. If you have concerns regarding where your child will attend school next year, reach out to your child’s current school. If you have trouble reaching the principal at your child’s school, call the Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.

Notice of Non-Discrimination. In accordance with state and federal laws, the District of Columbia Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. For the full text and additional information, please download the document.