Digital Learning Lab FAQ

Register your child here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

Who is supervising the program and the students?

The Digital Learning Lab Program Coordinator and the Pastoral staff at Washington Community Fellowship oversee the program with a team of volunteer learning assistants. All staff & learning assistants are background checked and trained on emergency and safety protocols, as well as COVID safety. Our team is passionate about education and wants to contribute to the community by encouraging students on their academic journey.

Can I tour the learning lab?

For health safety reasons, we want to reduce the number of visitors present in the Digital Learning Lab to limit exposure. However, we want you to feel comfortable and safe within our facility. Therefore, please come and meet with us if interested and follow these guidelines:

• Schedule a tour by filling out a form here.
• Please limit guests within the Learning Lab. We ask that no more than the student and two guardians attend the tour.. 
• The Digital Learning Lab adheres to CDC and Washington, DC's COVID safety guidelines, so we ask everyone in attendance to wear a mask at all times. For more information, click here. 

How is the Digital Learning Lab ensuring safety?

The Digital Learning Lab is fully committed to meeting all appropriate safety precautions, as detailed by DC Health and the CDC, to ensure a safety for students and staff. We have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, screening procedures, and social distancing requirements. 

What if my child comes without a mask? 

We will happily provide a mask to your child. Masks are required to be worn by all students and learning assistants while at the Digital Learning Lab.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Will the Digital Learning Lab test students for COVID-19?

DC Health’s guidance does not require testing of staff and students to return to in-person learning. Instead, and aligned with this guidance, the Digital Learning Lab will need daily symptom self-screenings before arrival. Parents and guardians will be asked to proactively identify when their student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has been exposed using the Ask, Ask, Look protocol before arrival each day. Upon arrival, students and staff will have their temperatures checked and will be assessed for visible signs of illness before entering the building.

What is Enhanced cleaning?

• Enhanced Cleaning involves daily standard cleaning routines custodial staff complete with particular focus on all frequently touched surfaces in common areas and restrooms, including but not limited to doorknobs and push/pulls, light switches, elevator buttons, tables, sink faucets, toilets, chairs, and any other common area hard surfaces. All areas will be disinfected and fogged for optimum safety.

• Deep Cleaning will continue to occur when scheduled and as needed, per DC Health guidance, related to any COVID-19 exposure.

How will the Digital Learning Lab limit interactions?

We will have staggered dismissal times and bathroom breaks. All learning lab spaces are socially distanced.

How will the Digital Learning Lab screen for COVID?

• The Digital Learning Lab will require daily symptom self-screenings to help protect the safety and health of all. 

• Students will be required to have written documentation verifying that their parent or guardian’s daily symptom screening was conducted before coming to the Learning Lab and will have their temperatures checked and a visible symptom screening conducted upon arrival at Learning Lab.  

• An individual who does not pass the health screening should not enter the Digital Learning Lab. Instead, they should isolate immediately and call their healthcare provider to determine the next steps. Students who cannot go home alone will be escorted to the health isolation room until they can be picked up by a parent/guardian.

What if my child tests positive for COVID?

Please refrain from visiting the Digital Learning Lab and contact programming staff if you are feeling symptomatic or test COVID positive. If you have concerns please immediately contact: ragan@wcfchurch.org.

What happens if someone tests positive for COVID within my family?

• If the student has been exposed in close contact with someone who is positive with COVID-19 outside of the Digital Learning Lab (i.e. family member, close friend, etc.) the student will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days after the positive test date.
• Please refrain from visiting the Digital Learning Lab. Please contact programming staff if you have been in contact with someone who is COVID positive. If you have concerns please immediately contact: ragan@wcfchurch.org

What happens if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID?

• Due to the commitment to safety and the in-person modality of the Digital Learning Lab, exposed students and staff will self-quarantine for 14 days after the positive test date.
• The positive individual will immediately begin learning from home and consult their healthcare provider. The Digital Learning Lab will notify parents/guardians and staff about the positive case, and follow all steps outlined by DC Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing the facility. 

When Is It Safe For A Staff Member Or Student To Return To The Digital Learning Lab if They Have Been Ill?

Once a staff member or student has experienced symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, they can return to the Digital Learning Lab after they have completed the appropriate isolation period:

• At least 24 hours after the fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication (e.g., Tylenol) and respiratory symptoms have improved; AND
• At least 10 days after symptoms first appeared, whichever is later

Close contacts of the student may not return to the Digital Learning Lab until 14 days from last exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. This information will be communicated in a letter sent to them by Digital Learning Lab.

PROGRAM

What does a typical day in the Digital Learning Lab look like?

Students in the Digital Learning Lab will complete their virtual learning as laid out by DC Public Schools and their teachers, depending on their individual class schedules, whether synchronous or asynchronous. During school breaks, enrichment activities will be provided for education & fun. 

Will transportation be provided for students?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide transportation, but we want the Digital Learning Lab to serve the community to its fullest extent. If you can concerns about how your child will get to and from the Digital Learning Lab, please let the program coordinator know at Ragan@wcfchurch.org.

Are you supplying computers to students?

The Digital Learning Lab is a space where students bring their school-issued learning devices. We cannot provide computers at this time. 

Will students be required to participate in enrichment activities?

Enrichment activities are optional! Parents and students will be alerted the day before an enrichment activity is planned so they can decide if they would like to participate.

What is an enrichment activity?

A fun activity that programming staff and learning aids create for fun and more hands-on learning. This could be an art workshop, an architecture workshop, a game, a Bible study, or a dance/movement workshop lead by skilled learning assistants. 

Is lunch provided?

No, but a snack is. For information on provided lunches in your community, click here.

Who should I contact is I have a question that is not listed here?

Email Ragan Sawyer, the Digital Learning Lab Program Coordinator, at ragan@wcfchurch.org about any questions and concerns you may have.