Latin's Varsity volleyball team warms up before a game this week. See below for an important rule change in DC for all student athletes.
NEW COVID VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
Dear Latin families,
The safety and well-being of our community - students, faculty, and families - is always our top priority. I therefore am devoting this week's letter to the Mayoral order issued this week with new COVID vaccination requirements for all DC schools, including charters. The DC-wide order requires all school personnel and all student athletes to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021. Because the vaccination process takes five weeks for the Pfizer vaccine and six weeks for the Moderna vaccine, we want to make sure all are aware of this requirement before the winter sports registration opens and pre-season begins in November.
Here is the essential information about the student athlete requirement:
"Effective November 1, 2021, no student aged 12 or older shall practice, compete, or otherwise participate in school-based extracurricular athletics (including both interscholastic and intramural sports), unless the student has received a full course of vaccination against COVID-19, unless the student has received an exemption...."
We will share information about the exemption process when we have more information from our authorizer. Here are the specifics for those turning 12 this school year:
Students who turn 12 between September 20 and November 1, 2021 have until December 13, 2021 to be fully vaccinated in order to participate in school athletics.
Students who turn 12 after November 1, 2021 will have two months from their birthdays to receive a full course of vaccination in order to participate in school-based athletics.
Note that this order does not affect Latin students' participating in Magis or our physical education classes for 5th and 6th graders.
As ever, our COVID Point of Contact, Martita Fleming, is ready to answer questions about this requirement. She is reaching out directly to the families of our unvaccinated students over 12 years to provide additional information about the new requirement. You can also read the full text of the Mayor's order.
Washington Latin is compelled to follow this Mayoral Order issued for all DC schools. That said, the leadership team and I fully support these requirements, as we know that unvaccinated children are four times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID. This pandemic is not done with us yet, and it is essential that we continue to do all we can to keep ourselves and our community as safe as possible from this illness.
Valete!
Peter
Peter T. Anderson Head of School
Missed the Latin Cafe this week?
Check out the recording!
We had a great turnout from parents eager to hear more about the new Equitable Access Lottery Preference (also known as the at-risk preference). If you were unable to join us, you may view the meeting recording on the Parents page!
JOIN US!
Latin's annual Parent-Faculty Social Saturday, October 2
6:00-8:00 pm
Join us for an outdoor cocktail hour and light snacks with the greatest group of parents in the District! This event is FREE and open to all Latin parents/guardians (we love our children, but they sit this one out!)
Please sign up to bring something bottled, canned, or individually packaged with this Potluck Signup.
Note that all attendees must show full COVID vaccination status or a negative COVID test (within three days). Please wear your mask, except when eating or drinking (even outside).
Questions? Please contact your Parent-Faculty Association Rep or email us!
Looking for a good book?
Try the 2021-22 Family Handbook!
"A must read!" - Every Latin administrator
"The most useful publication I can think of!" - Latin Parents across DC
"It's just all there in one great publication - read it again and again!" - Latin students in all grades
The reviews are in - our Family Handbook should be on everyone's reading list!
We mean it. Please read the Handbook.
The Family Handbook is a compilation of our school policies. We expect every family - parents and students - to read this document and be familiar with the contents, including the behavioral expectations for everything from academic honesty to use of technology to uniform rules.
Celebrate the reopening of MLK Library with an all-ages celebration this weekend. The library's outdoor family festival will feature an array of activities, performances, games for children, author talks and interviews, food trucks and much more. Most of the event will happen outside under the library’s loggia. While inside the building, masks are required as part of the District’s mandate. Check out the full schedule and plan an unforgettable Saturday excursion. (10 a.m. - 5 p.m., FREE)
9/24 - 26 - 12th Grade to Western MD 4H Education Center 9/30 - 6th Grade Science Trip to the Field 10/1 - *NEW* Half Day Dismissal 10/2 - Parent-Faculty Social, 6:00 pm 10/6 - Financial Aid Night with the College Counseling Office, 6:30-8:00 pm (virtual) 10/7 - Board of Governors meeting, 6:00 pm (virtual) 10/11 -Indigenous People Day - NO SCHOOL 10/16 - Fall Festival (tentative) 10/19 - 5th Grade to Calleva Challenge Course (details coming soon) 10/21 - 6th Grade to Calleva Challenge Course (details coming soon)