today's message from Ward 5 CM McDuffie: Coronavirus response update - small biz support, schools extended distance learning and Rare Essence Livestream concert Saturday, 03-21-2020

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 

Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 5:33 PM
Subject: March 20 Coronavirus Response Update - Small Biz Support, Schools Extend Distance Learning, & Rare Essence Livestream Concert Saturday Night

View this email in your browser Below are today's updates on the District's response to the coronavirus pandemic. For the latest and most comprehensive information always visit http://coronavirus.dc.gov. Resources for Small Businesses Federal Tax Payment Deadline Extended to July 15 Applying for Unemployment Assistance Effective Immediately: Parks and Playgrounds Closed School Building, Rec Center, and Library Closure Extended to April 26 DC Public Schools Distance Learning Update A Map of Open Local Businesses Roaming Roaster Serving Hospital Workers for Free Rare Essence Streaming Live on Saturday Night Information on Volunteering Resources for Small Businesses Click here (or the image above) to be taken to details and links to DC Public Health Emergency Small Business Grants, US Small Business Administration disaster loans, DC BizCap collateral support program, and business tax information.  Federal Tax Payment Deadline Extended to July 15 The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak. The filing deadline for tax returns remains April 15, 2020. The IRS urges taxpayers who are owed a refund to file as quickly as possible. For those who can't file by the April 15, 2020 deadline, the IRS reminds individual taxpayers that everyone is eligible to request a six-month extension to file their return. Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief. Applying for Unemployment Assistance Effective Immediately: Parks and Playgrounds Closed All DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities, including playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields, will be closed to the public. School Building, Rec Center, and Library Closure Extended to April 26 Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she has extended the District of Columbia Government’s modified operating status until Monday, April 27, including the adjusted DC Government operating posture and distance learning at the District’s public schools. DCPS facilities will remain closed and distance learning will take place through Friday, April 24. At this time, classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, April 27. The District’s charter school operators are expected to follow DCPS’ operating status. With the extension of distance learning, schools will continue to implement consistent methods to deliver instruction remotely to students in ELA and Math. District Government will work with schools to address challenges where they exist and develop engagement and submission mechanisms to increase the demands of online learning. Due to the extended school closures, OSSE plans to seek a one-year waiver from the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements around assessments, and will cancel statewide summative assessments for students, including Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and DC Science. DC Public Schools Distance Learning Update DCPS prepared printed packets of learning materials for every grade level from Pre-K through 8th grade and each graduation requirement course for 9-12th grade. These activities will continue classroom learning at home and engage students during a period of school closure. These materials were designed to meet the needs of all students including English Learners and students with special needs. DCPS families can pick up hardcopies of distance learning printed materials at their school on the following days between 8:30 am and 2 pm: Thursday, March 19; Friday, March 20; and Monday, March 23. Due to the extended school closure timeline, we will also have a second round of packet pick-up days on March 31 and April 1 to support your child’s learning through April 24. More information will be shared at a later date. Instructional materials will be available online starting Friday, March 20. Follow this link to download lessons and activities for students, no login or password necessary, at bit.ly/DCPS_ICP. More information will be shared directly by your school principal and teachers. For the latest information and complete details, visit: https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus  A Map of Open Local Businesses This map shows up-to-date hours and practices for our businesses on Rhode Island Ave NE Main Street (RIAMS), Bladensburg Road Main Street (BRMS), and the greater Brookland Area. Roaming Roaster Serving Hospital Workers for Free Rare Essence Streaming Live on Saturday Night Information on Volunteering Serve DC is coordinating people who may like to volunteer. Ward 5-based Food & Friends is looking for eligible volunteers to help feed their clients.  DC Health has asked potential volunteers to consider the District of Columbia Medical Reserve Corps.