Mandate: Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires all schools to provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre-K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health and well-being. The Rule defines comprehensive school health education and specifies eleven required content areas (specified under Curriculum content).

Section 402 § 38-824.02 requires public schools and public charter schools to provide health education to students in Grades Kindergarten through 8 as follows: (1) School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 15 minutes per week or the same level of health education as provided in school year 2009-2010, whichever is greater; and (2) School year 2014-2015 and after: an average of at least 75 minutes per week.

Section 602 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 requires that on or before January 15 of each year, each public school and public charter school must submit information about the average amount of weekly health education that students receive in each grade to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. This information must be posted online if the school has a website and make the form available to parents in its office. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education is required to post the information on its website within 14 days of receipt.

Curriculum Content:  Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires instruction in the following content areas of health education: HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; Human sexuality and family; Prevention and control of disease; Nutrition and dietary patterns that contribute to disease; Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug education; Physical education; Parenting; Coping with life situations; CPR, first aid, safety; injury and violence prevention; Consumer health; and Environmental health.

Section 402 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that the health education required by this section shall meet the curricular standards adopted by the State Board of Education. DC State Board of Education adopted Health Education Standards in 2007.
 

Mandate: Section 402 § 38-824.02 Requires public schools and public charter schools to provide physical education as follows:

• Grades K-5: School Years 2010-11 to 2013-14: an average of at least 30 minutes per week or the same level of physical education as provided in school year and school year 2014-2014 and after, an average of at least 150 minutes per week.
  Grades 6-8: School years 2010-2011 to 2013-2014: an average of at least 45 minutes per week or the or the same level of physical education as provided in school year 2009-2010, whichever is greater, and school year 2014-2015 and after, an average of at least 225 minutes per week.
• At least 50% of physical education class time must be devoted to actual physical activity, with as much class time as possible spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires public schools to provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health and well-being.  Comprehensive school health education shall be defined as age appropriate instruction that improves the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of students so they choose a health enhancing lifestyle and avoid behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate long term health status.  Eleven content areas, including “coping with life situations”, are identified.

Mandate:  Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires public schools to provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health and well-being. Comprehensive school health education is defined as age appropriate instruction that improves the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of students so they choose a health enhancing lifestyle and avoid behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate long term health status. Eleven content areas, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, are identified.

Rule 5-E2305 (1979) requires human sexuality and reproduction course content to be taught sequentially in grade levels pre-K through 12. The content of the courses shall be appropriate to the age group of the students receiving instruction.

Curriculum Content:  Rule 5-E2305 (1979) requires public schools to offer, as part of the regular curriculum, instruction in human sexuality and reproduction which shall include, but not be limited tothe following: information on human anatomy, physical changes during adolescence, menstruation, intercourse, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, venereal disease, contraception, abortion, homosexuality, reduction of infant mortality, improvement of pregnancy outcomes, and awareness and prevention of rape and other sex offenses; and discussion of the process of making personal decisions in matters involving parenting and sexuality.

Per Rule 5-E2305 (1979) all textbooks used for instruction in the area of human sexuality and reproductionmust be included in the list oftextbooks submitted annually for approval by the Board of Education. All instructional materials, including textbooks, teachers’ manuals, audio-visual aids, and other supplementary materials thatare used for instruction in human sexuality and reproduction shall be available for inspection and review by parents or guardians of students receiving instructionin human sexuality and reproduction.

Parental Approval: Rule 5-E2305 (1979), Prior to offering human sexualityand reproduction courses or programs, the principal shall notify in writing the parents or guardians of minor students. A minor student shall be excused fromparticipating in human sexuality and reproduction instruction upon receiptby the principal of written notification fromthe student’s parent or guardian (opt out).

According to the Department of Health’s Condom Availability Policy (CAP) (2009), School nurses supported by the Department of Health-Community Health Administration can provide sexual health counseling, education and distribution of barrier methods in accordance with the scope of services specified by the Community Health Administration. Students will receive information on barrier methods during HIV and STD risk reduction classes conducted by agencies and organizations that are approved by the Local Education Agency. All students will have the option of receiving individual health education by the school nurse during the school year and they will be notified of this option by flyer. Nurses are required to provide monthly activity reports with non-identifiable student information. 

 Individuals that have received training approved by the Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Administration (HAHSTA) may, with the authorization of the Local Education Agency, provide sexual health education, counseling, and condom distribution services to students individually and in groups. These sessions will stress the risks of sexual activity including the potential exposure to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Students who are engaging in sexual activity will be instructed on safer sex practices and the proper use of male and female condoms and dental dams. Schools participating in the Supplemental Condom Availability Services shall provide reports to HAHSTA on the services provided to students.

Rule 5-E2304 (1994) requires public schools to provide health instruction with a planned, sequential, pre K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health and well-being. Comprehensive school health education shall be defined as age appropriate instruction that improves the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of students so they choose a health enhancing lifestyle and avoid behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate long term health status. Eleven content areas, including “nutrition and dietary patterns that contribute to disease”, are identified for which the Superintendent shall ensure that health instruction is taught through the use of appropriate monitoring and establishment of minimum proficiencies or learning outcomes. 

Rule 5-E2304 (1994) states that public schools shall provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health and well-being. Comprehensive school health education shall be defined as age appropriate instruction that improves the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of students so they choose a health enhancing lifestyle and avoid behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate long term health status. Eleven content areas, including injury and violence prevention are identified.

Pre-service Requirement:

Professional Development:

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: Section 602 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that or before January 15 of each year, each public school and public charter school shall submit the following information to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education regarding each of its campuses: whether the school has full-time, part-time, or no nurse coverage; the name and contact information of the school’s nurse. This information shall also be posted online if the school has a website and make the form available to parents in its office. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall post the information on its website within 14 days of receipt.

Pre-service Requirement:  Rule: 5-E1659 (1993) requires a master’s degree in school, psychology, educational, or clinical psychology from an accredited institution to include forty-two semester hours of graduate level coursework and five hundred clock hours of satisfactory field experience in a school setting under the supervision of a certified school psychologist. It also specifies required coursework.

Professional Development: None specified.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule: 5-E1660 (1993) requires a masters degree in social work, a valid license to practice social work in the District of Columbia, a field practicum and one year of paid professional experience, post master’s degree, in a setting providing direct services to individuals and groups of school age children and their families. It also specifies required program coursework and skills.

Professional Development: None specified.

Student-to-Social Worker Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Rule: 5-E1643 (1993) requires athletic coaches to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Candidates must also complete the Coaches Education Program in which instructors are trained and certified by the American Coaching Effectiveness Program (ACEP) and the athletic department of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Forty-five clock hours to include the following: Philosophy of Coaching, Sports Psychology, Sports Pedagogy, and Sports Physiology. Thirty clock hours of training in athletic health care (including first aid and CPR) and six clock hours of drug education are also required.

Professional Development: None specified.

Section 601 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that as required by federal law, each local educational agency is required to collaborate with parents, students, food service providers, and community organizations to develop, adopt, and update a comprehensive local wellness policy. Local wellness policies must be revised at least once every three years.

Food Services:  Section 202 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 outlines the nutritional standards for school meals. All breakfast, lunch, and after-school meals served to students in public schools and public charter schools or by organizations participating in the Afterschool Meal Program shall meet or exceed the federal nutritional standards set forth in applicable federal laws. 

Additionally, breakfast and lunch meals served to students in each public school and public charter school shall meet or exceed the following nutritional requirements per serving:
(a) Saturated fat: Fewer than 10% of total calories; and
(b) Trans fat: Zero grams
(c) Sodium requirements for school breakfasts, which shall not apply until August 1, 2020, provided, that public schools and public charter schools shall gradually reduce the amount of sodium served in school meals are the following: less than 430 milligrams for Grades Kindergarten through 5; less than 470 milligrams for Grades 6 through 8; and less than 500 milligrams for Grades 9 through 12. Sodium requirement for school lunches, which shall not apply until August 1, 2020, provided, that public schools and public charter schools shall gradually reduce the amount of sodium served in school meals are the following: less than 640 milligrams for Grades Kindergarten through 5; less than 710 milligrams for Grades 6 through 8; and less than 740 milligrams for Grades 9 through 12.

Section 103 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 authorizes the Healthy Schools Fund to reimburse public schools and public charter schools ten cents for each lunch meal served that meets the requirements of sections 202 and 203. Additionally, to eliminate the reduced-price copayment under section 203(b)(1), the Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall reimburse public schools and public charter schools 40 cents for each lunch meal served to students who qualify for reduced-price meals.

Section 203 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 prohibits public and public charter schools from charging students for meals if they qualify for reduced-price meals. It also requires schools to do the following: (1) provide meals that meet the dietary needs of children with diagnosed medical conditions as required by a physician; (3) solicit input from students, faculty, and parents, through tastes tests, comment boxes, surveys, a student nutrition advisory council, or other means, regarding nutritious meals that appeal to students; (4) promote healthy eating to students, faculty, staff, and parents; (5) provide at least 30 minutes for students to eat lunch; and (6) participate in federal nutritional and commodity food programs whenever possible.

Section 602 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 requires each public school and public charter school to submit the following information to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education: the name of the school’s food service vendor; whether the school’s meals meet the nutritional standards required by federal and District law; where the information required by section 205 can be found; whether the school participates in the farm-to-school program under section 301; and whether the school participates in the School Gardens Program under section 503. This information shall also be posted online if the school has a website and make the form available to parents in its office. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education shall post the information on its website within 14 days of receipt.

Adequate Time to Eat:  Section 203 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that public schools and charter schools shall provide at least 30 minutes for students to eat lunch.

Farm-to-School: Section 101 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 defines “locally grown” and “locally processed”, and requires public schools and public charter schools to serve locally grown, locally processed, and unprocessed foods from growers engaged in sustainable agriculture practices whenever possible. Preference shall be given to fresh unprocessed agricultural products grown and processed in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Section 103 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 authorizes the Healthy Schools Fund to provide an additional 5 cents per lunch meal reimbursement to public schools and public charter schools when at least one component of a reimbursable lunch meal is comprised entirely of locally grown and unprocessed foods; provided, that the schools report the name and address of the farms where the locally grown foods were grown to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Section 205 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 requires food service providers to provide the following information to public schools and public charter schools: (1) menu for each breakfast and lunch meal served, (2) nutritional content of each menu item, (3) ingredients for each menu item; and (4) location where fruits and vegetables served in school are grown and processed and whether growers are engaged in sustainable agricultural practices.

Public schools and public charter schools are required to post this information in the school’s office, and online if the school has a website. Public schools and public charter schools are required to inform families that vegetarian option and milk alternatives are available upon request.

Section 302 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 requires the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to, in conjunction with other agencies, community organizations, food service providers, public schools, and public charter schools, develop programs to promote the benefits of purchasing and eating locally grown and unprocessed foods that are from growers engaged in sustainable agriculture practices. At minimum, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education is required to conduct at least one program per year, such as an annual local flavor week or a harvest of the month program, in collaboration with other District agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Section 303 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 requires that the Office of the State Superintendent of Education submit an annual comprehensive report on the District’s farm-to-school initiatives and recommendations for improvement to the Mayor, the Council, and the Healthy Schools and Youth Commission. Each public school and public charter school is also required to submit information about whether the school participates in the farm-to-school program. This information must be posted online if the school has a website and make the form available to parents in its office.

Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: Section 401 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that schools shall have the goal for children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes each day. Schools shall promote this goal and seek to maximize physical activity, including promoting active recess.

Recess Before Lunch: No policy

Walking/Biking to School:  No policy.

Interscholastic Athletics:  Section 401 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 states that schools shall have the goal for children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes each day. Schools shall promote this goal and seek to maximize physical activity, including supporting athletic programs.

Concussion and Sports-Related Head Injury: The Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011 requires that an athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion during an athletic activity be removed from play and prohibited from returning until the athlete has received written clearance from a licensed health-care provider. It also requires the Department of Health to develop a training program and educational materials about the nature and risks of concussions that must be distributed to athletes and the parent or guardian of the athlete prior to their participation in athletic activity.  The athlete and the parent or guardian of the athlete shall sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the materials and return it to the organizing entity before the athlete shall be allowed to participate in the athletic activity. The policy requires the mayor to establish a training program that addresses: the nature and risk of a concussion, the criteria for removing athletes and allowing them to return, and the risks for not removing athletes from athletic activity. The Mayor is also able to expand the authority of the act to include athletic activities that are non-interscholastic school-sponsored or organized by a nongovernmental organization.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED):No policy.

Fighting/Gangs: Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies that “engaging in behavior that demonstrates Gang/neighborhood crew affiliation (displaying clothing or gestures associated with Gangs) and fighting where there is no injury and no weapon” as a Tier III behaviors that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Section B2502.4 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies that “fighting which creates substantial risk of or results in minor injury; and inciting others to violence or disruption” as a Tier IV that will result in off-site Suspension.  

Section B2502.5 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “assault or physical attack on student or staff; fighting which results in a serious physical injury; participating in a group fight which has been planned, causing major disruption to school day or results in substantial bodily injury; and deliberate acts that cause severe physical injury to another person(s)” as Tier V behaviors that will result in off-site Suspension or Expulsion.

Weapons: Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “possession of tools or instruments which school administrators deem could be used as weapons; and fighting where there is no injury and no weapon” as a Tier III behaviors that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Section B2502.4 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “possession of a weapon or replica or imitation of a weapon (including water guns), other than weapons subject to the requirements of the Gun-Free Schools Act; and using an article that is not normally considered a weapon to intimidate or threaten another individual” as a Tier IV that will result in off-site Suspension.  

Section B2502.5 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “using an article that is not normally considered a weapon to injure another individual; threatened use, or transfer of any weapon; Use, Possession, or bringing to school a loaded or unloaded firearm, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921 (2000), including but not limited to pistols, blank pistols, starter pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns; any behavior that violates the Gun-Free Schools Act; and assault with a weapon” as Tier V behaviors that will result in off-site Suspension or Expulsion. It also provides a specific list of items that are considered weapons.

Drugs and Alcohol: Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “possession or use of tobacco; use of alcohol; use of marijuana, controlled dangerous substances, imitation controlled substances, inhalants, other intoxicants, or drug paraphernalia; and unauthorized Possession, Use, or Distribution of over-the-counter medication” as a Tier III behaviors that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Section B2502.5 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) specifies “selling or distribution of marijuana, prescription drugs, controlled dangerous substances, imitation controlled substances, inhalants, other intoxicants, controlled or drug paraphernalia; the possession or distribution of alcohol; the possession of drug paraphernalia or controlled substance, irrespective of the amount or type, pursuant to the criminal statutes of the District of Columbia, codified at D.C. Official Code § 48-1101 et seq. (2001)” as Tier V behaviors that will result in off-site Suspension or Expulsion.

Sec. 4 of the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2010 requires the creation of bullying prevention policies by educational institutions that are enforced: on property (including electronic communication), at sponsored functions, on sponsored transportation, and through electronic communication to the extent that it is directed at a youth and is substantially interferes with the youth’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the educational institution. Each policy must contain: the definition of bullying provided in the Act, a statement prohibiting bullying, a statement that the policy applies to functions sponsored by the educational institution, the expected code of conduct, and a list of consequences for violating the policy (possible actions are identified), a procedure for reporting bullying or an act of retaliation for reporting bullying, a procedure for prompt investigation, an appeal process, and a statement that prohibits retaliation against any person that reports bullying. These policies must be submitted to the task force for review. Additionally, information on the bullying prevention policy must be incorporated into new employee training and each educational institution shall develop a plan for publicizing the policy.  

Sec. 8 of the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2010 requires educational institutions to provide annual reports regarding the aggregate incidents of bullying to the Mayor.

Sec. 7 of the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2010 allows for the establishment of an annual bullying prevention program for youth, which shall align with established health education standards.

Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) lists “Bullying, or using humiliating, or intimidating language or behavior, including Internet Bullying” as a Tier III behavior that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Cyberbullying:  Sec. 4 of the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2010 includes cyberbullying as an activity that must be included in bullying prevention policies and programs. It is defined as electronic communications on the property of educational institutions, and through electronic communication to the extent that it is directed at a youth and is substantially interferes with the youth’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the educational institution. 

Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) lists “Bullying, or using humiliating, or intimidating language or behavior, including Internet Bullying” as a Tier III behavior that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Hazing:  Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) lists “hazing” as a Tier III behavior that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension.

Section B2502.3 of Chapter B25 of Title 5 in the D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (2009) lists “possession or use of tobacco” as a Tier III behaviors that, in addition to lesser consequences, may result in either on-site or off-site suspension.

Section 501 of the Healthy Students Act of 2010 establishes an environmental programs office in the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization that shall promote the Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program to reduce exposure to environmental factors that impact asthma among children and adults in public schools.

Sections 18-2148.3 and 20-900.1 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (18 DCMR § 2148.3 and 20 DCMR § 900.1) includes limits for idling of gasoline or diesel powered motor vehicles on public or private space, including public vehicles for hire, buses with a seating capacity of 12 or more, and school buses. Specific limitations are outlined in the statute.