6 PM UPDATE: DCPS to Reopen, OSSE Bus Transportation to Resume Thursday; Some Cooling Centers Open Tomorrow

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) officials have announced that they plan to open all schools on Thursday, July 5th. However, they have also requested parents and students to check the school system’s website (www.dcps.dc.gov) after 3:00 p.m. on July 4th for updated information.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced that, to coincide with the re-opening of summer school and other community-based activities, regularly scheduled OSSE student bus transportation services for all children enrolled in public and non-public placements, participating summer programs or in other jurisdictions will resume on Thursday, July 5th. Delays may occur due to disabled traffic signals and route alterations from intersections under repair, so parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the OSSE Parent Call Center at 202.576.5000 for additional information.

Ten (10) library locations across the District will remain open and available as cooling centers from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3.  However, they will be closed for the Independence Day holiday tomorrow, July 4th.

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will continue to operate several locations as cooling centers tonight and tomorrow.

DPR is also continuing to distribute boxed lunches and dinners at six (6) food distribution centers from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. tonight. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) opened its Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP) today, and will continue to serve up to two meals a day to District infants and children up to age 18 or with disabilities.  Identification is not required. 

Details on cooling centers and food-distribution sites are below.

Residents are encouraged to get the latest information on emergency response fromwww.hsema.dc.gov, www.dc.gov, and their Twitter and DC311 app accounts.

Below is a round-up of the latest storm-response information from across the D.C. government:

POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (PEPCO) Update

As of 1:45 p.m., Pepco reported 13,638 customers were without service in the District. The outages were distributed as follows:

• 13,575 residential/business establishments
• 0 health facilities (nursing facilities, hospitals, and community clinics)
• 0 Federal government buildings
• 54 traffic signals
• 9 public schools

Pepco reports that they have approximately 1,830 field restoration personnel deployed in Maryland and D.C., including:

• 700 power line personnel from out of state;
• 400 tree trimming personnel;
• 320 overhead line contractors;
• 122 internal Pepco line crew members; and
• 160 internal underground and substation personnel.

In addition, about 340 personnel are mobilized to answer customer calls and about 830 personnel are supporting the restoration effort in other roles. Call 1.877.737.2662 and follow the prompts to report a downed wire or an outage.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC LIBRARIES (DCPL)

The following libraries are open until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 and available as cooling centers.

• Anacostia........................................................ 1800 Good Hope Road SE
• Cleveland Park................................................ 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW
• Dorothy I. Height/Benning............................... 3935 Benning Road NE
• Georgetown.................................................... 3269 R Street NW
• Lamont-Riggs................................................... 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
• Martin Luther King Jr........................................ 901 G Street NW (opens at noon)
• Northwest One................................................ 155 L Street NW
• Palisades......................................................... 4901 V Street NW
• Southeast........................................................ 403 7th Street SE
• William O. Lockridge/Bellevue........................ 155 Atlantic Street SW

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS (DCPS)

DCPS officials have announced that all schools will be closed Tuesday, July 3, 2012, but will reopen on Thursday, July 5.

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR)

DPR FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES

DPR has six (6) Food Distribution Sites, which will conclude service this evening. Sites have designated spaces for receiving and distribution of food and are ready to direct all who come to receive meals to those areas. Food will be distributed until 9:00 p.m. tonight at these facilities. They will not reopen on July 4th.

Main Food Distribution Site:

• Langdon Park................................................... 2901 20th Street NE

Satellite Distribution Sites:

• Deanwood....................................................... 1350 49th Street NE
• Ft. Stevens...................................................... 1327 Van Buren Street NW
• Guy Mason...................................................... 3600 Calvert Street NW
• Southeast Tennis & Learning Center................ 701 Mississippi Avenue SE
• Takoma........................................................... 300 Van Buren Street NW

OSSE FREE SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) has posted a listing of citywide Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP) sites open to serve up to two meals a day to District infants and children up to age 18 or with disabilities.

Identification is not required, and those arriving at the distribution locations during the posted time will be served meals free of charge, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, source of income, or place of residence or business.

For Free Summer Meals Program locations and hours, visit OSSE’s website here.

COOLING CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (DPR) FACILITIES

RECREATION CENTER HOURS for WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th:

The following recreation centers will operate on the Independence Day holiday and are open to the public as cooling centers:

• Ward 2: Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 7th Street NW) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 2: Jelleff Recreation Center (3265 S Street NW) || Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Ward 3: Palisades Community Center (5200 Sherrier Place NW || Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Ward 4: Guy Mason Recreation Center (3600 Calvert Street NW) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 4: Emery Recreation Center (5801 Georgia Avenue NW) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 5: Langdon Park Recreation Center (2901 20th Street NE) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 5: North Michigan Park Recreation Center (1333 Emerson Street NE) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 6: Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th Street NE) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Deanwood Recreation Center (1350 49th Street NE) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: Bald Eagle Recreation Center (100 Joliet Street SW) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: SE Tennis & Learning Center (701 Mississippi Avenue SE) || Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

In addition, three DPR facilities are serving as overnight cooling centers tonight, Tuesday, July 3. They will open at 9:00 p.m. tonight and close at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. The overnight cooling centers are:

• Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street NW
• North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
• Southeast Tennis & Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Avenue SE

All other Recreation and Community Centers will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th.

POOL HOURS for WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th

All Children's Pools will be open from 12 pm to 6 pm.

The following pools will be open on July 4th:

• Ward 1: Banneker Recreation Center Pool (2500 Georgia Avenue NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 2: Jelleff Recreation Center Pool (3265 S Street NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 2: Francis Pool (25th & N Street NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 2: Volta Park Pool (1555 34th Street NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 4: Upshur Recreation Center Pool (4300 Arkansas Avenue NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 4: Takoma Indoor Aquatic Facility (300 Van Buren Street NW) || Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Ward 5: Harry Thomas Sr. Pool (1743 Lincoln Road SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 5: Theodore Hagans Jr. Pool (3201 Fort Lincoln Drive NE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 5: Langdon Park Pool (2860 Mills Avenue NW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 6: Randall Pool (25 I Street SW) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 6: Rosedale Pool (1701 Gales Street NE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Fort Dupont Pool (830 Ridge Road SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Kelly Miller Pool (4900 Brooks Street NE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Benning Park Pool (5100 Southern Avenue SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: Barry Farm Pool (1230 Sumner Road SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: Anacostia Pool (1800 Anacostia Drive SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: Fort Stanton Pool (1800 Erie Street SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Ward 8: Oxon Run Pool (501 Mississippi Avenue SE) || Hours: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The following Spray Parks will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on July 4th:

• 14th & Park Road Spray Park (14th Street & Park Road NW)
• 14th & Girard Street Spray Park (14th & Girard Streets NW)
• Petworth Spray Park (801 Taylor Street NW)
• Chevy Chase Spray Park (5500 41st Street NW)
• Lafayette Spray Park (5900 33rd Street NW)
• Joseph Cole Spray Park (1299 Neal Street NE)

Outdoor Aquatic Facilities -- Douglass and East Potomac Pools -- will be closed on July 4th

DPR FIELDS

• All synthetic fields are closed on the 4th of July - fireworks are not allowed on ANY DPR fields.
• All natural fields that have existing permits will remain available for the permit holders. Please note that fireworks are not allowed on ANY DPR fields.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) FOOD-STAMP-BENEFITS REPLACEMENT

DHS will receive requests for Replacement Food Stamp benefits, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, to those who lost power and whose food was spoiled as a result of the June 29th storms. 

DHS will accept requests at all DHS Service Center locations (find locations here) and at feeding-program sites. Residents must be a current Food Stamp recipient and have received a benefit in June 2012.  Residents must report the loss within 10 days of Sunday, July 1, 2012.  Therefore, DHS will not accept any requests for replacement benefits after close of business July 11, 2012 at 8 pm.  All requests must meet the requirements of 7 CFR §276.6.

Applicants must make the request orally or in writing and provide the following information no later than July 11, 2012 for the request to be processed:

• Proof of D.C. address
• DHS case number or Social Security number
• An estimate of the value of the destroyed food or copies of receipts of replaced food
• A signed statement attesting to the household’s loss

DHS will verify the power loss with PEPCO and process the requests as soon as possible.  The maximum amount of replacement cannot exceed the resident’s food stamp allotment in June.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) TO COLLECT SPOILED FOOD UNTIL 7:00 P.M. TODAY

In addition to conducting its regular trash and recycling collections from residences with Monday or Tuesday collections, DPW is continuing to collect spoiled food at six locations around the city from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. The collections are for residents who do not want to leave spoiled food in their Supercans until their regular collection time. Collection locations are:

• LaSalle - Backus Elementary School -- 501 Riggs Road NE
• McKinley Tech High School – 151 T Street NE
• Key Elementary School -- 5001 Dana Place NW
• Wilson High School -- 3950 Chesapeake Street NW
• Ferebee-Hope Elementary School -- 3999 8th Street SE
• Garfield Elementary School-- 2435 Alabama Avenue SE                               

Trucks will be positioned at each site to receive spoiled food only.  Another option available to residents is bringing their spoiled food to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Road NE, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  The Ft. Totten facility will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, for the holiday and will reopen on Thursday.