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Dear Neighbor,

As always, I hope you are in good health in body and mind.  I want to begin this newsletter by giving honor where honor is due. As you are aware, we recently lost the esteemed Congressman John Robert Lewis to pancreatic cancer. I was deeply saddened by the passing of such a great icon, champion and human being. He will forever live in our hearts as the “Conscience of Congress.” I join the rest of the country and many around the world in honoring  the life and legacy of a remarkable leader and friend. 

Below is a cherished photo of me with two late civil right activists who went on to have long lasting and influential political careers – DC’s “Mayor for Life” Marion S. Barry, Jr. and Congressman John R. Lewis.  Here is my full statement on the passing of Mr. Lewis.
SCHOOL RE-OPENING UPDATE
 
In June, DCPS asked families to provide feedback to help inform them on how DC Public Schools will reopen for the 2020-2021 School Year. They heard from over 17,000 students, families, and staff members. Overwhelmingly, parents asked DCPS to prioritize the following:
  • health and safety;
  • consistency and predictability in school scheduling; and
  • family choice between in-person and virtual learning. 
D.C. Public Schools will begin the school year on August 31st, however, students will not be returning to their school buildings until at least November 9, 2020.  The Mayor and DCPS Chancellor Ferebee confirmed on Thursday that the first term of the academic year would be conducted virtually for students in Pre-K through 12th grade until November 6th.  As most will agree, the health and well-being of our students, staff, and families are our first priority.
 
Students in need of special education services, English language support, and other required supports will still receive these services. Teachers will integrate social emotional development activities into their instructional plans and academic expectations and use these opportunities to build a relationship of trust with their students and families. The learning at home experience may include co-taught and/or small group or individual lessons with a special education teacher or ESL teacher. In addition, students will also have access to mental health supports and social emotional learning activities.  All students with an IEP will have a distance learning plan addendum added to their IEP.

Of the 13,125 survey responses received to date:
  • 1,115 students have a DCPS-issued device; 
  • 2,092 students have access to a personal tablet; 
  • 4,103 students have access to a personal laptop/Chromebook; and
  • 5,845 students do not have access to any type of device.
I encourage students and families to visit or call their school to tell us about their technology needs as it relates to device availability, device accessibility and internet availability.
NEXT STEPS
  • If your child is not already enrolled in school, parents can enroll at: enrolldcps.dc.gov.
  • Moreover, please encourage parents to complete the DCPS Technology Survey or reach out to your school to let them know about your child’s technology needs.
  • If you missed last week’s virtual Family Town Halls, you can download the presentation slides at:
EXTENSION OF THE MAYOR MARION S. BARRY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
 
In other news, as it relates to youth and families, the Department of Employment Services is working with several host sites to offer an ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS of programming. This extension will also allow DOES to support DCPS students in the Summer Bridge Program and allow participants to earn additional funds while still actively engaged and connected with mentors.
ALERT!!!!!

NEW MASK ORDER AND
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY EXTENSION
 
Recently, the Mayor issued a new order to explain and expand requirements related to wearing masks in public in the District. Additionally, the Bowser Administration issued an order to extend the public emergency for DC until October 9, 2020.  Both orders are now in effect.

Under the new mask order, individuals must wear a mask or face covering when they leave their homes if they are expected to come into contact with another person for more than a brief moment. Exceptions are listed in the Mayor’s Order.  The full order on masks can be found at: coronavirus.dc.gov/maskorder.
COVID-19 UPDATE
 
Currently, there are 12,126 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the District, and, tragically, 585 deaths caused by COVID-19. African Americans still account for 75% of COVID-19 deaths in Washington, DC compared to about 46% of population.  Please continue to wear your mask or face coverings and practice social distancing while out in public. 
ADVANCES IN TESTING
 
The District is currently providing COVID-19 and antibody testing to all DC residents.  Call the Testing Triage Center at 1 (855) 363-0333 Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM to set up an appointment.  A new antibody testing site has opened in Ward 7.  See below.
Learn more about additional testing sites and to find a testing site near you.  
Click NOW! For More Information
CONTACT TRACING
 
The District has directed $2.3 million of the District’s Contingency Cash Reserve Fund to initial staffing hires at the DC Coronavirus Contact Trace Force, which is housed at the DC Department of Health (DC Health). DC Health has onboarded 300 contact tracers as part of the Contact Trace Force expansion. Click here for more information. 
DCPS GROCERY DISTRIBUTION
 
There are 13 drive-thru grocery sites in the District where D.C. students and their families can pick up fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-perishable groceries. Groceries are available first-come, first-serve from 12:30PM to 2:00PM. Four of the sites are located in Ward 7 at:

Kelly Miller Middle School (Tuesday)
Woodson High School (Wednesday)
Kimball Elementary School (Thursday)
Bard High School (Thursday)

To get the full schedule visit: coronavirus.dc.gov and click on the “Food” tab.
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS 
SNAP ALERT!
Visit this link for more information: www.amazon.com/snap-ebt.
HELP FOR OUR WORKFORCE
DC Paid Family Leave is here for District workers! Learn how you can plan for tomorrow today at dcpaidfamilyleave.dc.gov. To learn more join our weekly Wellness Wednesday virtual series at 12pm. Register here! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/546139928219101965
Unfortunately, for some of our residents COVID-19 has caused a reduction in income or unemployment. Here is some information about DC Unemployment Insurance, how to apply. 
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ALERT!

Business members of our community have been affected as well but are not without support. For more information and to access the DC COVID-19 Business Inquiry Form, visit: Coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-business. Here are some additional resources. 
MAKE SURE YOU ARE COUNTED - 2020 CENSUS!

I encourage everyone to participate in the 2020 Census, especially Ward 7 residents. Call 1-844-330-2020 or go online (https://2020census.gov/) today and complete your 2020 Census form!  During this coronavirus pandemic, we have seen how the District of Columbia can be short changed, or more accurately, shorted hundreds of millions of dollars.  It is imperative that you complete the census and be counted, so when the federal government looks at the District of Columbia, we have the most accurate information available that will dictate how much the District received in mandated and discretionary federal funding across several sectors.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
The Woody Ward Recreation Center Designation Act of 2019, which I introduced to rename the soon to be modernized Benning Park Recreation Center after Woody Ward, is now official law!

Mr. Ward was a well-known and highly respected member of the Benning Park community who worked at the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) Benning Park Recreation Center in Ward 7 for 26 years. Through years of working at DPR, Mr. Ward helped to raise three generations of youth, positively impacting the lives of young athletes in many District communities as a football, baseball and basketball coach and a father figure.  Known for greeting everyone with a smile and saying “good show” (a confirmation from him that everything was okay), Mr. Ward was revered at Benning Park Recreation Center.  With this naming, I hope to honor his legacy in a lasting, official manner.
The Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens has a photography contest, and they are looking for photos of the Gardens from members of the community!

To view the winning photos and honorable mentions from our 2016-2019 competitions, please check out their website: https://kenaqgardens.org/events/photo-contest/  . To participate in our 2020 competition, please review the official rules and instructions and submit your photos to megan@fokag.org.  
 
There are several categories for the contest this year, with the deadline for lotus photographs coming up fast!
 
Category Submissions Due  
Lotus July 22
Abstracts Aug 22
Plants & Flowers Sept 22
Landscapes Oct 22
Wildlife Nov 22
 
The Aquatic Gardens are open and in full bloom. Go visit!
COVID-19 UTILITY ASSISTANCE!
More information and the application for this program is available through DOEE at doee.dc.gov/service/criac or by contacting criac.residential@dc.gov.  
In closing, this year the Council of the District of Columbia’s summer recess begins August 1st and ends September 7th. During summer recess, Council hearings, mark-ups, and public roundtables will not be held. 

However, we are still working for you!  For any constituent issues or assistance for seniors and families, contact my constituent services team, Director Sedrick Muhammad at (202) 704-9657 or smuhammad@dccouncil.us and Deputy Director D.L. Humphrey at (202) 704-4304 or dhumphrey@dccouncil.us.

Stay safe and be well.

In service, 
Vince 
STAY CONNECTED!
WARD 7 WE ARE STILL WORKING FOR YOU!
 
For any constituent issues, assistance for seniors & families, contact my constituent services team, Sedrick Muhammad at (202) 704-9657 or smuhammad@dccouncil.us; D.L. Humphrey at (202) 704-4304 or dhumphrey@dccouncil.us. 
HOW ARE WE DOING? 

Take a moment to let us know how we're doing!
Click here to complete the Ward 7 Survey: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WARD7SURVEY 
STAFF
Sheila E. Bunn
Chief of Staff
sbunn@dccouncil.us

Jordan M. Betters
Staff Assistant/Scheduler
jbetters@dccouncil.us


Takiyah "T.N." Tate
Director of Communications
ttate@dccouncil.us

Sedrick Muhammad
Director of Constituent Services
smuhammad@dccouncil.us

Dexter L. Humphrey
Deputy Director of Constituent Services
dhumphrey@dccouncil.us

Terrance Norflis
Legislative Director
tnorflis@dccouncil.us


Committee on Health
(202) 727-7774
 

Eric J. Goulet, J.D.
Committee Director/Senior Counsel
egoulet@dccouncil.us

Michelle Loggins
Deputy Committee Director
mloggins@dccouncil.us

Malcolm Cameron
Legislative Analyst
mcameron@dccouncil.us

 
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Copyright © 2020 Council of the District of Columbia, All rights reserved.
Office of Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 

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