Pre-K Family Update: Learning Packets Available

This post is an email sent to Pre-K families on August 28, 2020.

Dear DCPS Pre-K Families —

Recently, we shared information about what the upcoming 2020-2021 School Year at DC Public Schools will look like for your child as they begin grade PK3 or PK4. With the new school year starting virtually with learning at home, we recognize you have questions about what this means for your student.

We prepared a brief FAQ with common topics we are hearing from families. You can review questions on our #ReopenStrong website or continue reading below. You can also watch an archived stream of last week’s Parent University session designed for Pre-K families.

Any Pre-K family can receive a free printed learning at home packet for their student next week. Families should visit one of the 20 elementary school meal sites on September 1, 2, or 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to pick-up this resource.

Pre-K Packet Pickup Locations – September 1-3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pre-K FAQs

• How will my student get to know their teacher?
  • As the new school year begins, we believe providing time for students to connect with their teachers is more precious than ever. For Pre-K families, your child’s teacher will reach out between August 31 and September 2 to say hello and get to know your family.
    
  • To support the transition to learning at home, schools will provide learning packets for students and families to engage in during the first two weeks of September. During this time, your teacher will continue to schedule conversations with your family to learn more about your child’s educational goals, share how to best engage as caregiver and child in learning at home, and lead social-emotional activities designed for young learners.
    
• When does the school year begin for my Pre-K student?
  • The first day of the learning at home instructional program for Pre-K students will be September 3, following individual meetings that will occur between teachers and families from August 31 to September 2.
    
• When will I receive the technology device requested for my student?
  • Devices will be distributed ahead of the start of live, virtual instruction in mid-September (this only applies to students in PK3 and PK4). Families who need an iPad for their Pre-K student can still request one at dcps.tech/survey.
    
  • Families are encouraged to log in to Canvas, DCPS’ Learning Management System, at dcps.instructure.com each day between 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m., to become familiar with the tool. However, Pre-K attendance will not be recorded yet. As live lessons begin, your school will share more information about how to simply enter your student’s username and password in Canvas to take attendance.

Welcome to Pre-K!

This approach to the start of the school year — virtual relationship building with teachers and printed learning packet activities — is to help children understand how to prepare for virtual learning and ensure success for our Pre-K families.

DCPS is proud to offer free, high-quality Pre-K learning opportunities for children across the district designed to ensure that all our young learners are ready for kindergarten.

We also understand the need to provide flexibility for student attendance, particularly for young learners and working families. For this reason, the online platforms and access to daily lessons for Pre-K students will be flexible to accommodate participation with varying daily schedules.

If you have not yet enrolled at your school for SY20-21, please complete enrollment forms and submit them online at enrolldcps.dc.gov.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeffrey O. Holmes

Chief, Elementary Schools

Cheryl Ohlson, Ed.D.

Deputy Chief, Early Childhood Education Division