COVID-19: DC Public Schools, Area Universities Alter Plans

WASHINGTON, DC — Concerns over the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, have prompted D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and many local universities to alter their schedules or even move classes online.

As part of its emergency planning, DCPS is closing all schools for students on Monday, March 16. Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee made this announcement in a letter dated March 11.

Under this new guidance, the Professional Development Day for teachers originally scheduled for Friday, March 20, will be moved to Monday. So, faculty members will be expected to show up for work on Monday and students, who originally were supposed to be off on March 20, will now attend school on Friday instead.

The change in schedule will allow teachers a chance to prepare for potential school closures due to the coronavirus.

"DC Health continues to report no widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and our priority remains prevention," Ferebee said, in the letter. "However, this situation remains dynamic, with preparation being critical every day. With this in mind, 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."

Don't miss updates about coronavirus in Washington, D.C., as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

According to Ferebee, DCPS is developing resources for students in grades PK-12, which will be available in print and online. DC Health's latest information about COVID-19 is available online.

Many area universities are also adjusting their schedules and approach to how they will be instructing their students in the coming weeks:

• Students at American University will be taking classes online for three weeks when they return from spring break, according to a letter sent to students, faculty and staff from university President Sylvia M. Burwell on Tuesday.
• George Washington University President Thomas LeBlanc is recommending that students go home for spring break. Once the break is over, most GW classes will take place online beginning Monday, March 23 and extending at least through Sunday, April 5. The university will remain open during this period and staff and faculty should continue their regular work schedules
• Georgetown University is moving all of its classroom instruction to virtual learning environments starting Monday, March 16. For the time being, all in-person, on-campus classroom instruction has been been suspended until further notice.
• The University System of Maryland is advising all students to prepare to remain off campus for at least two weeks after spring break. It will not be an extended vacation — students will be expected to take their classes remotely, according to authorities.
• Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is preparing a transition to online classes for at least several weeks in light of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19
• The University of Virginia is moving classes online and will not be holding classes on campus for the foreseeable future and "quite possibly through the end of the semester" due to the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, across Virginia and globally, university President Jim Ryan announced Wednesday. Online classes will begin March 19.

Following CDC guidance, DC Health recommended Wednesday that gatherings or events where more than 1,000 people congregate in one place should be postponed or cancelled. The recommendation runs through March 31. As of this time, this recommendation is not being applied to DCPS.

In the wake of DC health's recommendation, Events DC, which manages many of the largest conference and conventions in the city, announced it was suspending operations from the end of business Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 31. Earlier in the day, the organizers of the 2020 St. Patrick's Parade, which was scheduled to march down Constitution Avenue on Sunday for the 50th year in a row, postponed the parade for an unnamed future date.

Related: Interactive Map: Latest US Coronavirus Cases

Health officials urge residents to take these steps to avoid the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.

Related:

• Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Events DC To Suspend Operations
• First 2 Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Cases Reported In DC
• VA Officials Work To Limit Spread From 1st Coronavirus Cases
• Coronavirus: DC Health Recommends Churchgoers Self-Quarantine
• VA Coronavirus Cases In Fairfax, Spotsylvania Lift Total To 5
• MD Coronavirus: 6th Confirmed Case Reported In PG County
• Coronavirus Guidance Updated For PG County Schools
• 3rd VA Presumed Positive Coronavirus Case Is Arlington Resident