Family Newsletter

Dear Hyde-Addison ES Families,

This afternoon, DC Public Schools provided principals with updated guidance for Term 4. These updates are based on DC Health revised COVID-19 guidelines for schools in alignment with updated school operations guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We are reviewing the guidance and will update the school level plan, accordingly. We will share these updates with families and we have provided available information below.

Term 4 (April 19, 2021)

• DCPS has requested that schools minimize additional disruptions to programing, while acknowledging the interest of several families for more in-person programming this spring.
• Based on the updates to cohort sizes and social distancing requirements, the number of additional seats we can offer will depend on specific classroom sizes, as physical classrooms are not all the same size. Additionally, the allowable positioning of students at tables, will also be a factor, as we do not have traditional desks.
• With these changes implemented, we may not be able to offer in person learning seats to every family that is interested. We will continue to follow the priority lottery from DCPS that is based on student need and will reach out to families as seats become available, while factoring in DCPS requirements around limiting disruptions to current cohorts. DCPS Priority Groups are students identified as homeless, students who are English Learners or have Individualized Education Plans, and students who are at-risk of academic failure (which includes students in foster care and students receiving SNAP or TANF).
• There has been some interest from families in increasing opportunities for students learning virtually to engage with their peers for outdoor, in-person learning experiences and activities. We are considering various options for outdoor activities for students at each grade level to begin later this spring. More information will be shared after Spring Break.

Summer Acceleration Program (July 19, 2021)

• DCPS Acceleration Academies are designed to support 10-35% of students who would benefit from Tier II and Tier III supports. Budget restraints and staffing are factors.
• The program is tentatively scheduled for July 19, 2021-August 6, 2021, 9:00am-1:00pm. We are assessing the possibility of extending programing to 5:00pm. Additional meetings will be scheduled when that information has been factored into previous feedback from families and staff.
• With limitations around student seats for the Summer Acceleration Program, DCPS is offering additional options for families interested in summer programs. DCPS is slated to share further information.

o ECE SeeSaw Summer Learning Academy

o ECE “Ready for Pre-K!” Parent Cafes

o K-8 Summer Programs (Partnership with Springboard for K-2 literacy focus)

o English Learner Summer Academic Program (Adjustments may depend on school-based summer learning plan)

o Extended School Year (Based on eligibility for students with an Individualized Education Program)

Fall/2021-2022 School Year

• We are planning for in-person offerings for all families interested in attending in-person learning. It is our current understanding that there will be options for those families interested in virtual learning, as well. But, DCPS has not shared those details with principals, as of yet.

Please keep you and your loved ones safe. For resources and information about the District of Columbia Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response and recovery efforts, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov. Please visit dcpsreopenstrong.com or backtoschool.dc.gov for DCPS resources.

Kindest Regards,

Dr. Calvin Hooks, Principal

Hyde-Addison Elementary School

We are excited to have a special week filled with fun dress days the week before spring break. Whether you are at home or at school, we hope you will help your student join in the fun and share photos with our school community each day on our Spirit Day Padlet.

The Women's History Month Poetry Slam will take place on Wednesday, March 31st. Students in 3-5th grades will share poetry written by female poets. Some students will choose to share their original pieces. The Teams link will be available for students on Canvas.

This will conclude our celebration of Women's History Month (March) as well as kick off our recognition of National Poetry Month, which is in April.

Re-Enrollment Survey Link!

Enrollment begins NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd!!! To help our School's Enrollment Season start off without a hitch, please fill out our School Re-Enrollment Survey for the upcoming School Year! Please be sure to check our Web page and the Family Newsletter on April 2nd to access your student's SY21-22 Enrollment Packet!

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming Enrollment Season, please email our Enrollment staff at Hyde.Addison@k12.dc.gov.

There are 3 DCPS engagements scheduled in April for families to participate in with their students.

-- Join us using the link bit.ly/parentujoin -- (Eventbrite)

For questions or interpretation assistance please contact parentu@k12.dc.gov.

As we reset our clocks, tackle spring cleaning, and rejuvenate our mind, body, and spirit, now is the time to link your Amazon account with the Hyde-Addison PTA to support our students, teachers, and staff - at no additional cost to you - while you shop with AmazonSmile! Double your efforts and ask a family member to do it, too!

Thank you to the SST for joining the PTA meeting and sharing some great suggestions with families. The books below are ones you might want to consider if there is a conversation about a "tricky topic" that you are ready to have with your child.

Please see this sign-up form for the April 14th "Outdoor Storytime!" event that the DC State Board of Education is hosting. In Ward 2, local elected representatives will be reading books to participating children at Rose Park and Stead Park. This event was designed in partnership with the DC Public Library for kids between the ages of 4 and 9.

DCPS has launched a community engagement process to support the planning of two new schools that will be built in Ward 3 in the coming years – “Foxhall” – on the Old Hardy site (1500 Block of Foxhall Rd NW), as well as the newly vacant GDS lower school facility – “MacArthur Blvd School” (4530 MacArthur Boulevard NW). If you have questions or would like to follow the updates, you can find information on the DCPS School Planning website here.

March 31: 3-5th Grade Poetry Slam

April 6: LSAT Meeting

April 12-16: No School for Students (Spring Break)

April 19: Beginning of Term 4

April 30: Hybrid Learning Task Force Meeting- email Dr. Hooks to join

April 30: Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting- email Dr. Hooks to join

For copies of previous Hyde-Addison ES announcements and updates, please visit the Hyde-Addison ES website at https://www.hydeaddisondc.org/updates.

Email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov
Website: https://www.hydeaddisondc.org
Location: 3219 O St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-282-0170
Facebook: facebook.com/hydeaddison/
Twitter: @DrCalvinRHooks