#StopAAPIHate #DCPSNeedsLibrarians
DC Public School (DCPS) students are on spring break this coming week from April 12th to April 16th. I’m coordinating a city-wide outdoor storytime with my colleagues on the DC State Board of Education.
In Ward 2, Councilmember Brooke Pinto and I will be reading books to children at Rose Park (26th and O Streets NW) on April 14th at 10:30 a.m. Children ages 4 – 9 are invited to participate. All participants will receive a free book curated by the DC Public Library. Sign up here.
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Last week, the DC State Board of Education published a statement of solidarity with the Asian American community. I am proud of my colleagues on the DC State Board of Education for standing in solidarity beside me and our Asian American neighbors. I believe that education deepens understanding between people. I believe that we can alleviate the fears that flame violence.
#DCPSNEEDSLIBRARIANS
DCPS school librarian Christopher Stewart wrote this powerful petition calling for DCPS not to cut funding for school librarians. School librarians bolster literacy, develop research skills, build mentor relationships with students, support teachers, and serve as the heart of many school communities. School libraries are not simply repositories of books. Please sign the petition if you agree.
UPDATE ON FY22 BUDGET:
The mayor has proposed increasing education spending by at least 3.6% per student for the upcoming academic year. If the DC Council approves this proposed budget, the city will spend over $2 billion in local funds to serve an expected 98,528 students. Here’s more information about DCPS' budget process and initial funding allocations.
UPDATE ON FOXHALL AND MACARTHUR:
The city has funding to add two new schools to alleviate crowding in the Wilson feeder pattern: Foxhall and MacArthur (formerly Georgetown Day School’s lower campus). This is an exciting opportunity to alleviate overcrowding in the Wilson feeder pattern. DCPS has convened a community working group, which had its fifth meeting on March 26th. Scenarios presented included: 1) Foxhall as a PK4-5 elementary school and MacArthur as a high school; 2) Foxhall as a PK4-5 elementary school, MacArthur as the new Hardy middle school, and Hardy as a new high school; 3) Foxhall as a PK4-5 elementary school, Hardy as Wilson’s second campus; and 4) Foxhall as PK4-5 elementary school and MacArthur as a middle school. Please email dcps.planning@k12.dc.gov if you have any questions or comments.
UPDATE ON PARCC STANDARDIZED TESTING: On April 6, the US Department of Education granted DC a one-year waiver from certain statement assessment requirements. Please email Danielle Branson (Danielle.Branson@dc.gov) with any questions related to statewide assessments. Please email Donna Johnson (DonnaR.Johnson@dc.gov) with questions related to accountability.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 13 at 6 p.m.: ANC2C Meeting
April 14 at 10:30 a.m.: Outdoor storytime! at Rose Park. All children ages 4 – 9 are invited to sign-up.
April 21: DC State Board of Education Public Meeting
April 28 at 7:00 p.m.: Ward 2 Education Council Meeting
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or recommendations. My phone number is 202-735-7062.
Allister Chang