FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026
Educators and Families to Rally for School Safety at Noyes Elementary on June 8
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU), alongside educators, parents, and community members, will hold a School Safety Rally on Monday, June 8 to demand immediate action to address ongoing health and safety hazards at Noyes Elementary School.
The school community is urging DCPS and the Department of General Services (DGS) not to use Noyes as a summer school site this year, allowing the building to be fully closed so that a comprehensive raccoon abatement plan and an intensive, building‑wide cleaning and sanitization effort can be completed before the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
Rally Times:
- Morning Rally: 7:30 AM
- Afternoon Rally: 3:35 PM
Educators emphasize that uninterrupted access for remediation teams is essential to ensuring that students and staff can return to a safe, healthy learning environment in the fall.
The rally follows weeks of escalating concerns about a raccoon infestation inside Noyes Elementary, including multiple sightings, two raccoons that fell through the hallway ceiling, and another that emerged from a bookcase in a resource room. While these three raccoons have been captured, educators report that DGS has still not responded with the urgency required to protect students and staff.
School staff have documented delays in remediation efforts, including nights when no DGS team entered the building and days without clear communication about next steps. Educators remain deeply concerned about exposure to raccoon feces, urine, and parasites, all of which pose significant health risks.
WTU President Laura Fuchs underscored the seriousness of the situation:
“It is crucial that our buildings are safe spaces for our students, educators and staff. DCPS and DGS need to listen to the educators in the schools and come up with a clear contingency plan for the summer so that a deep cleaning can be done without putting additional staff and students at risk.”
Educators have shared publicly available health information outlining the risks associated with raccoon infestations, including:
- Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis): A parasite found in most raccoon feces; microscopic eggs can be ingested or inhaled and may cause permanent neurological damage or death.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread through raccoon urine that can lead to kidney or liver failure.
- Rabies: Raccoons are a known vector species; exposure can be fatal without immediate treatment.
- Salmonella, E. coli, fleas, ticks, and mites: Additional risks that can spread throughout the building.
WTU has escalated the issue to DGS leadership and continues to call for immediate, comprehensive remediation including removal of animals, sanitization of all affected areas, and verification that the building is safe for occupancy. The Washington Teachers’ Union will continue monitoring the situation closely and advocating for swift, decisive intervention to protect the health and safety of the Noyes Elementary community.
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About the Washington Teachers’ Union
The WTU represents more than 6,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools. Learn more at www.WTULocal6.net.
For media inquiries, contact:
Akua Tay Communications Specialist, Washington Teachers’ Union
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 412-8008