Opening Day 2021 FAQs

We are only a few days away from greeting our students and starting out our “Better than Normal” 2021-22 school year! We wanted to be sure all families have the information they need to begin the year.

Please review my Weekly Bulletin from Aug. 23. There is a LOT of information provided, from Covid-related planning, to new staff, to school and class hours, to sports and the dress code. You can also see the slides presented at our virtual open house. If you missed the meeting, you can listen or watch the recording here.

In response to the questions we recieived from families during the orientations, please see the FAQs below.

Student Nuts and Bolts

1. Where can my student see their schedule and teachers?
   Their schedules and teachers are being uploaded this week to Aspen; what is there now may not be complete, but the uploading and finalized schedule should be finished by Friday.

2. We don’t have a login/need a login reset/other technical issues with Aspen. Who can help?
   Email: dcps.aspen@k12.dc.gov

3. How will my student learn what team they are assigned to?
   Team assignments will be available at orientation on Friday at Deal. For orientation details, see the Aug. 23 Newsletter or school calendar. Students who are unable to attend orientation will find out their team assignments on Monday, Aug. 30.

4. What do students need to bring to orientation?
   Just themselves! They may bring a water bottle, but please no food.

5. What do students need to bring for the first day of school?
   A water bottle, extra masks, lunch (if they aren’t planning on eating school lunch), school supplies.

6. Will there be afterschool clubs and activities this year? When do they start?
   We are hoping to offer our full slate of afterschool clubs and activities, but we are still working out the details.

7. Will my student have a locker?
   Yes, and they will learn how to use it during Friday’s orientation or on Monday morning if they are unable to attend.

8. Does my student need a device (tablet/computer) this year?
   Yes, Deal will provide students with devices for school use. They should expect to take them to and from school each day, though this requirement will vary by teacher and course.

9. Does my student need to take a personal device with them to school on Monday?
   No. Students do not need their devices on the first day of school. They will follow their teachers’ instructions on when devices are needed.

10. We have a device from last year. When and how should we return it?
    If you have a device from last year, you should contact naima.chambliss@k12.dc.gov after the first week of school.

11. Are DC One cards being issued?
    Yes. Please see information here.

12. How can I find out more information about which buses stop at Deal?
    Please see this page for more information including specific bus schedules.

13. What time does school begin and end?
    You can see this year’s schedule in the Aug. 23 Weekly Newsletter.

14. What time is breakfast? Is it free?
    Breakfast is grab-and-go this year and is available at 8:30 a.m. Both breakfast and lunch are free to all students this year.

15. How early can my student arrive at school?
    Students can arrive as early as 8:20.

16. How late can my child stay at school?
    Dismissal is at 3:30. Students must leave school grounds by 3:45 unless they are in aftercare, an adult-monitored club/sport/activity, or tutoring.

17. What can my student wear to school?
    You can see Deal dress code in the Aug. 23 Weekly Newsletter.

18. When can my student drop off their school supplies?
    There is no need for students to drop off school supplies ahead of Aug. 30.  If families are able to provide hand sanitizer, tissues, etc., we ask that they drop them off outside school hours.

19. Can students self-dismiss from Deal after school ends?
    Yes, all Deal students may self-dismiss after the school day ends.

Covid Testing, Health, Vaccines, and Building Safety

1. What medical forms need to be complete to attend school?
   As part of the overall enrollment packet, families must have health care providers complete the medical and dental forms. In particular this year, District of Columbia policies and regulations require students to submit updated immunization documentation within 20 days  of the start of the school year, or they will not be able to attend until those records are received.  If you need help getting your child vaccinated, Deal is holding vaccination clinics (including Covid vaccines) on Mondays from 4-7 p.m.

2. Where do we drop off medications?
   All medications and related forms can be brought to Deal on school days from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

3. Can my student receive a Covid vaccine at Deal?
   Yes. Covid vaccines (Pfizer) are available for eligible students (12+) at the weekly vaccine clinics at Deal. See the calendar for dates and times.

4. Is the Covid vaccine required for students eligible to take it?
   No. See more here.

5. Are religious waivers still available for vaccinations?
   Yes.

6. How should we let the school know that our student has been vaccinated for Covid?
   While it is not required, you may take a photo of your student’s vaccination card and email it to dealmsenroll@k12.dc.gov. You may also submit the information to your student’s health care provider so the vaccine will be included in their medical and vaccination records.

7. Are students required to participate in Covid testing?
   It is not required but strongly encouraged. The permission form for testing can be found here. Email the completed form to dealmsenroll@k12.dc.gov. See more here.

8. Can we test our students for Covid at home?
   Yes. At-home test info is available here.

9. How many students are tested each week?
   10-20% of unvaccinated students will be tested each week across DCPS. See more here.

10. My student has seasonal allergies that can mimic Covid symptoms. What should we do to ensure they aren’t mistaken for Covid?
    This doesn’t need to be documented; the school will reach out and work with you if this turns out to be an issue.

11. If my student has to quarantine for Covid or exposure to Covid, how will they learn?
    In cases of student quarantine, there may be a combo of synchronous, asynchronous and virtual learning. See more here.

12. Can families choose virtual leaning instead of in-person learning?
    Only students who meet medical eligibility requirements can learn virtually. To apply for virtual instruction, click here.

13. How many Deal staff members have been vaccinated?
    That information is not available through DCPS.

14. If a student or teacher tests positive for Covid, who quarantines and for how long?
    See information on quarantining here.

15. Do all students who travel outside of the DMV have to quarantine? What are the travel policies?
    Travel outside of our region is discouraged. However, quarantines and testing are recommended but not required after travel. See more here.

16. How will you ensure students are sitting 3 feet apart at lunch?
    We will socially distance in every school space to the greatest extent possible. See info here. We will encourage outdoor lunch when possible. In case of inclement weather, students will eat inside with team-based assigned seating for contact tracing purposes.  

17. Last year Wednesday was reserved for deep cleaning. How is the building going to be cleaned with school in session every day?
    We will follow DCPS guidelines for cleaning. See info here and here. Students are also encouraged to clean their own desks and spaces with disinfecting wipes.

18. Are the Deal buses taking any special precautions to prevent Covid spread?
    All riders of Metro buses and subway cars must wear a mask. Read more about this and other strategies Metro has undertaken here.  There are not specific rules for the buses that stop at Deal.