September 3 from 8 to 9 (Return for test reading on Sept 6)

DCPS requires all volunteers (beyond one-time event volunteers for events such as Field Day or Winter Concerts or Book o Ween) to get a background check and clearance. So if you plan on volunteering as a field trip chaperone, for example, you'll need to get a clearance.

We won't beat around the push: this is a pain. It's a two-step process that requires you have proof of a negative TB test, and a trip to DCPS's central office for fingerprinting.

But there are a lot of reasons to do this: The more family members we have with clearances in place, the more things like chaperones for field trips or parents reading to kids in classrooms our school will have. AND THAT IS PRICELESS. And obviously, having volunteers with clearances keeps all of our kids safer. And one other bit of good news: once you get this done, you won't have to do it for another two years.

The PTO has scheduled Nurse Heidi from House Calls on the Hill to come to Van Ness to administer TB tests for $45. PLEASE NOTE: Your regular doctor can also do TB testing and it will probably be covered by insurance with no out of pocket expense. We are providing this for convenience only--you are not required to do the TB testing through this service.

If you are interested, please fill out this google form. https://forms.gle/55oHTUDrp27wty2B6

You must be pre-registered via the form to do testing.