(Washington, DC) As part of its enhanced COVID-19 surveillance testing program, DC Public Schools (DCPS) is reminding its community that all students and staff must administer a COVID-19 test at the conclusion of February break which starts next week. DCPS students must upload their negative test results to dcpsreopenstrong.com/safereturn by 9 pm on Sunday, February 27 before returning to school.

All students and staff will receive rapid antigen test kits from their school by February 18. No school will take place from February 21 to 25. Then, on February 27, students and staff will take their COVID test before returning from break. Families may choose to utilize their own testing option, but tests administered before February 27 will not be accepted.

"In implementing our Safe Return testing program following the winter break before students returned in January, we were able to keep our schools open despite rising cases throughout the country," said Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee. "Our priority is to keep our students safely learning in the classroom, where we know they learn best. We appreciate the partnership of our entire community to collectively take this step to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our schools."

Students will not be permitted to attend school until they provide proof of a negative test result following February break. DCPS students who arrive at school on Monday, February 28 without a negative test result will be provided with a test kit to administer. Unaccompanied students will be tested onsite by trained medical professionals but will likely face a lengthy wait outside before starting the school day.

In January, more than 49,000 DCPS students and staff uploaded their test results through the Safe Return portal following the Winter break. DCPS also has a test-to-stay pilot in place for Pre-K classrooms since our youngest learners are not yet eligible for the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information, visit dcpsreopenstrong.com/safereturn.