Update January 14th

Happy Friday Murch Families,

I hope you take time to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 18.

Dr. King wrote, spoke, marched, and stood up for what he believed in. What is unique about MLK Day compared to other federal holidays is that it is the only holiday designated as a national day of service. MLK Day not only honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it also encourages all of us to volunteer to improve our communities.

The holiday also serves as an opportunity to educate and demand social justice in real and tangible ways. There is still very little understanding among many people—teachers, parents, and students—that the actions we may take daily can contribute to perpetuating systemic racism. The events and actions we partake in school, what and how we communicate to parents, the ways we advocate for our children, and the opportunities we make available to them may have very real consequences that reproduce inequalities.

The Murch faculty and staff will continue to work towards addressing inequities at our school and within the DCPS system to ensure and inclusive educational experience for all students.

COVID Protocols
Rapid tests will be sent home with all Pre-K4 and Kindergarten students in attendance today, Friday, January 14.  Results for these tests MUST be uploaded prior to returning to school on Tuesday, January 19.  It is OPTIONAL for Kindergarten students to take this rapid test. If your child was not at school today and you would like to pick up a test, you can pick one up before 4:00 PM today, Friday, January 14, or Tuesday, January 19 before 8:05 AM. Here are some additional details:

For Pre-K4:

• Students will get a rapid test sent home in backpacks every Friday​ ​
• Parents, you MUST upload results the Sunday before they return to school on Monday, or upload on Monday for a Tuesday return, like next week, on January 18.​​

For Kindergarten:

• Students will get a rapid test sent home in backpacks every Friday​
• Students are encouraged but not required to upload results the Sunday before they return to school on Monday, or upload on Monday for a Tuesday return, like next week, January 18.​

A simple guideline to follow if a student is a close contact:

• If the student is fully vaccinated AND/OR has had COVID within the last 90 days and is asymptomatic, the student does not have to quarantine​.
• If the student is not fully vaccinated, he/she must:
  • Quarantine for at least 7 days​
  • Test on Day 5​
  • Return on Day 8 if negative​ ​

Regards,
Principal Cebrzynski