Committee of the Whole Public Roundtable

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE on Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS) for School Year 2021-2022 on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Chairman’s Website (www.ChairmanMendelson.com/live) DC Council Website (www.dccouncil.us) Council Channel 13 (Cable Television Providers) Office of Cable Television Website (entertainment.dc.gov) Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces the scheduling of a public roundtable of the Committee of the Whole on the re-opening District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS). The roundtable will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. The purpose of this roundtable is to hear from parents and other stakeholders on the experience of the first few weeks of in-person school for the 2021-2022 school year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Students across the District returned to in-person instruction, 5 days a week, on August 30 and this roundtable will be an opportunity to hear about facilities, pandemic protection, successful teaching, attendance, and other concerns. Moreover, we would like to hear from the DCPS Chancellor and PCSB on plans to mitigate any challenges they foresee, and from OSSE on the preparation of both sectors for the return to school. Of special concern is impediments affecting whether all families will in fact return to in- person school, and how each sector is approaching these challenges. The number of public witnesses will be limited to 50 individuals. Those who wish to testify must register at http://www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify by the close of business on Friday, September 17, 2021. Testimony is limited to three minutes. Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation or require sign language interpretation must inform the Committee office of the need as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the proceeding. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, although alternatives may be offered. Requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled. If you have additional questions, please contact Destiny Riley, Committee Assistant, at (202) 724-8196. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, the roundtable will be conducted virtually on the Internet utilizing Zoom videoconference technology. Because of this, written or transcribed testimony from the public is highly encouraged and will be taken by email or voicemail. Testimony may be submitted in writing to cow@dccouncil.us or may be left by voicemail (up to 3 minutes – which will be transcribed – by calling (202) 430-6948). Testimony received will be posted publicly to http://www.chairmanmendelson.com/testimony prior to the roundtable. If you are unable to testify at the roundtable, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Written statements should be submitted to cow@dccouncil.us. The record will close at 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.