News & Announcements

Test Yourself DC Express is a free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test that detects if you have a current COVID-19 infection in as little as 15 minutes. These tests have been authorized for Emergency Use by the US Food and Drug Administration. The COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test kit is intended for the collection of anterior nasal swabs from individuals aged 15 years and older (self-collected) or 2 years and older (collected with adult assistance). Test Yourself DC Express kits are available for DC residents, with proof of address, at 8 locations throughout the District.

https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

To support the , all DCPS students and staff will be required to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test result to return to school on Wednesday, January 5. Free tests are available at all DCPS schools for pickup starting January 3 at 1 pm.

Staff and families will use those days to pick up rapid antigen tests.

D.C.-based nonprofit Zenith Community Arts Foundation will roll out a mobile woodshop with a ribbon cutting Nov. 18 as an experimental classroom in a 20-foot truck to teach students woodworking skills. It is initially being offered at Ballou STAY Opportunity Academy in Ward 8 for 18- to 24-year-olds who are considering a career in the building trades. Students can learn everything from math skills to handling tools and making projects.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of taking a group of teens from the Ballou Stay Opportunity Academy on a 5.7 mile hike through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. The majority of the teens have never been on a hike or have never walked that distance.
Some of the challenges like steep long hills and intense rock scrambles were met with resistance but as they conquered each obstacle, that resistance became less and less.
Hopefully during their bus ride home they thought about their accomplishments and will use this new confidence in their everyday life.
Great job @balloustay
@ballou_dc
👇🏾
#persaverience
#ballouhighschool
#balloustay
#blackkidshike
#blackkidshiketoo
#goombaydc
#goombayadventurers
#goombaycares
#southeastdc

Mayor Muriel Bowser established and championed the Kids Ride Free transit subsidy program to ensure that enrolled District students who are also District residents can get to school and school-related activities for free.