Reopening

Building Access Protocols

Now that students are retuning to the building for the School Support Center, we’re implementing a new process to ensure we keep everyone safe and healthy.

Health Screening – Ellington utilizes the “Ask, Ask, Look” protocol recommended by DC Health and Office of the State Superintendent of Education to support daily screening for staff and students. All employees have been provided with separate guidance related to this protocol for adults before reporting to work in person. The following information will implement the protocol with students through a home-school partnership.

Steps Conducted at Home – Ellington and DCPS expects families to implement the “Ask, Ask, Look” protocol DAILY before students depart for school, as follows:

• 1) ASK: Parents/guardians should ask about and/or inspect their child for the following symptoms consistent with COVID-19: Fever (subjective or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or chills; cough; congestion, runny nose; core throat; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; diarrhea; nausea or vomiting; fatigue; headache; muscle or body aches; new loss of taste or smell; or otherwise feeling unwell. Please note: If the symptoms are related to a chronic medical condition, and the healthcare provider has submitted written or verbal documentation that the symptoms are not Covid-19, the student should not be excluded based on those symptoms.

• 2) ASK: Parents/guardians should ask and note whether their child has been in close contact with a person who has Covid-19.

• 3) LOOK: Parents/guardians should inspect their child for signs of illness, which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness.

Staying Home or Going to School – If the answer is “yes” to any of the above, the student should stay home. The family should contact the child’s healthcare provider to determine if testing is needed. The student may not return to school until they meet the criteria to do so, as articulated above.

COVID Protocols

• Students and staff will receive a mask, hand-sanitizer, and have their temperature taken upon entering the building.
• Masks must be worn at all times by staff and students except while eating and drinking.
• Social distancing must be adhered to throughout the building.
• Students will eat within their pod with bagged meals provided.
• Transitions in hallways and access to shared spaces and/or materials will be limited and/or off-limits.
• Classrooms are limited to 11 students and one adult at all times.
• Students will have limited interactions with students outside of their cohort.
• Students will attend classes in-person and virtually.
• Student clubs will meet virtually and will not have access to the building.
• Cleaning and disinfecting procedures will take place daily daily and deep cleaning will occur on Wednesdays.
• Sick protocols include a Health Isolation Rooms for students who show symptoms of Covid-19 as well as contact tracing and communication to the school community.
• Visitor access will be limited and virtual meetings are encouraged
• More detailed Covid protocols are forthcoming.

COVID-19 Testing

Covid-19 testing is available at Ellington for students who are exhibiting symptoms of Covid, or for asymptomatic students every 10 days. If you’re interested in your student being tested, please complete the consent forms below and return to jevelle.branch@k12.dc.gov ASAP.

Rapid testing: English | Español | Français | 中文 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

Asymptomatic testing: English | Español | Français | 中文 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

Testing will be provided to students who have a completed consent form and display symptoms. If this consent is not provided by the family, a Covid-19 test will not be administered even if a student is showing symptoms; the student will be asked to see a doctor before returning to the classroom. The schedule for asymptomatic testing will be sent to everyone who signs the consent form.