DC Mayor Bowser closes schools for remainder of academic year

Mayor Muriel Bowser closed all public schools in the District for the remainder of the academic year while the state deals with the coronavirus outbreak.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - Mayor Muriel Bowser closed all public schools in the District for the remainder of the academic year while the state deals with the coronavirus outbreak.

Mayor Bowser said that distance learning will continue through May 29, which is three weeks earlier than originally planned.

Officials said they hope to open schools earlier in August to make up for the closure.

"Learning during the summer will continue, Bowser said. "We are not sure which form will continue, but it will either be remote or in-person."

D.C. Schools Chancellor Doctor Lewis Ferebee said the District's distance learning plan continues to evolve.

DCPS has distrubuted 16,000 devices and 5,000 hotspots, according to officials.

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"We continue to gather feedback from students and parents in order to improve the experience," said Ferebee.

There are now 2,476 confirmed cases in D.C. with 86 deaths reported.

According to Mayor Bowser, 67,746 people have applied for unemployment benefits with 29,602 people recieving payments.

More than 1,000 people file claims each day.

DC schools chancellor discuss the challenges of virtual learning

D.C. Schools Chancellor, Doctor Lewis Ferebee, joined us to discuss the challenges of virtual learning for both students and teachers.

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