At DC Public Schools (DCPS), we value the health and wellbeing of our students. We know that students who are healthy are better able to come to school and learn. We are pleased to share that DCPS is partnering with local doctors, nurses and DC Health on a project to support our students’ health and attendance in school. This pilot project started in school year 2017-2018 and currently includes the following schools: Bancroft Elementary, Cardozo Education Campus, Columbia Heights Education Campus, H.D. Cooke Elementary, Marie Reed Elementary, Powell Elementary, Boone Elementary, Burrville Elementary, Hendley Elementary, Ketcham Elementary, Savoy Elementary, Smothers Elementary, Thomas Elementary, and Turner Elementary.

Through the project – which is called the Chronic Absenteeism Reduction Effort or CARE – parents or guardians can give permission to DCPS to securely share attendance information with their child’s doctor(s), nurse(s) and medical office staff. This information will help these healthcare professionals to provide special outreach and medical attention to children that might be missing school and their families.

More information is available in the documents linked below.