WI Web Staff
Mayor Vincent Gray will hold a Ward 6 town hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 25 at the Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan - 215 G St. in Northeast, where he will discuss his FY 2014 budget.
Other meetings where the mayor will speak and that are open to the public include:
Women
Saturday, April 27
10 am - 12 p.m.
Charles Sumner School - 1201 17th Street, NW
Ward 3
Tuesday, April 30
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Alice Deal Middle School – 3815 Fort Drive, NW
Ward 7
Thursday, May 2
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Department of Employment Services - 4058 Minnesota Avenue, NE
Youth
Saturday, May 4
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Charles Sumner School - 1201 17th Street, NW
Eastern High School First Neighborhood School to Offer IB Diploma
Friday, 19 April 2013 15:15 Published in Local
Beginning in August, Eastern Senior High School in Northeast will be the first neighborhood, non-application District public school to offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
Eastern principal, Rachel Skerritt, recently received notification of the school's authorization to offer the IB programme, which consists of a rigorous and internationally focused course of studies.
"This is a great opportunity for the Ramblers and a testament to the students, staff and leadership at Eastern Senior High School," said District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. "IB will teach our students to think from a global perspective and set them on a path toward success. Eastern is on the rise, and with this new IB program, they're set to take an international journey."
Students participating in the programme will take courses in six areas, English, history, math, science, world language and arts. Following their coursework, they will have to write a 4,000-word essay, pass a philosophy class, and obtain 150 hours of activities focused on creativity, action and service (CAS). These CAS hours can include activities such as arts, sports, dance and voluntary service. Seniors can use the service hours toward their community service graduation requirement of 100 hours.
Currently, Thomson, Shepherd and H.D. Cooke elementary schools offer the IB Primary Years Programme, Deal Middle School offers the IB Middle Years Programme, and Banneker High School offers the Diploma Programme. In 2001, Banneker was the first DCPS school authorized to offer the program. The other schools followed in 2010 and 2011.
Eliot-Hine Middle School and Jefferson Middle School have applied to offer the IB Middle Years Programme, a five-year program that will end in the 10th grade at Eastern Senior High School.
According to the IB website, graduates of the DP generally graduate college at higher rates than their peers who graduate with a standard diploma.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray joined other District officials and labor leaders this week in announcing the completion of collective bargaining agreementsb that will result in raises for about 13,000 unionized workers and a 3 percent pay increase for 10,000 non-union employees.
The April 17 announcement means that -- although police officers, firefighters and teachers union leaders continue to negotiate contracts with the city-- effective this month, nearly three-quarters of District government employees will take home larger paychecks.
"The District of Columbia has some of the most dedicated public servants anywhere – the people who keep us safe, clear snow from our streets, take away our trash and recycling and perform hundreds of other jobs for us every day – and the vast majority of them have gone for years without getting any sort of raise," Gray said. "I'm proud to say that, together, we have been able to reach agreement on these union contracts – and that we are continuing to work on reaching agreements with the remainder of our unions in a manner that is both fair to our civil servants and responsible with District taxpayers' dollars."
Gray added that when he became mayor, his administration promised to rebuild the city's relationship with labor unions and to view negotiations as a win-win proposition rather than a zero-sum game. "I'm proud that we are living up to those promises," he said.
This marks the first pay increase for most District employees in three years, and for many, it's the first in as many as seven years.
Spelling Bee Finalists Recognized during Jackie Robinson Tribute
Thursday, 18 April 2013 19:55 Published in Local
The Washington Nationals observed Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, in Miami when they took on the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park, with each of the team's players wearing No. 42 as part of a League-wide celebration of the first African-American player in Major League Baseball.
Before traveling to Miami, the team honored Jackie Robinson Scholars in the District at Nationals Park with a Spirit Award during pregame ceremonies on Saturday, April 13. In addition, for the fifth year, the team recognized the finalists of the Washington Informer Spelling Bee on the field and provided 200 complimentary tickets to bee participants, teachers and coaches.
While the team was away for this special commemoration, Nationals fans were encouraged to learn more about Robinson's legacy through the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
For more information, visit http://www.jackierobinson.org.
Finally, Libraries Get Their Due!
I was overjoyed after reading in James Wright's article, "Gray's Plans to Expand Library Funding" (April 11, 2013), that the library system of the District of Columbia is about to receive an infusion of funds. I am particularly happy because the Woodridge Branch has been one of my favorite places since I was a child growing up in the neighborhood decades ago. At last, we are scheduled for a much-needed renovation!
Of all the institutions that are open to the public, a city's libraries are useful for academic research, technology needs, community activities, and, perhaps most important, reading for pleasure. There's something that piques everyone's interests in libraries.
There should always be consideration of funding for the libraries in all discussions about where to spend available money.
In fact, public school funding and library funding should be tied to one another. In that regard, the schools should begin at the elementary level to teach children how to use the library, not just to complete assignments, but also to enjoy checking out storybooks for leisure reading. My children developed their love of books and reading when we went to the Woodridge Branch every few weeks and checked out as many books as we could carry. They are now adults, and continue to love reading.
Thank goodness attention is now being given to our neighborhood branches. Let's keep our libraries well funded, technologically up-to-date, and welcoming to the city's communities.
Estelle Jackson
Washington, D.C.
A New Appreciation for MLK
It was good to see Eve Ferguson's review of the Arena Stage presentation of "The Mountaintop" in the April 11, 2013 edition. I thought the play was great! But I must say in the beginning I was getting a little angry thinking that the playwright was using old rumors and widespread speculations about Dr. Martin Luther King's philandering. Was I ever surprised!
To me it was a brilliant play, extremely thought provoking and inspiring. In the end, I came away with a different kind of appreciation of what Dr. King did as a man, the enormous pressure he must have had on him as a man and the unbelievable burden he had to bear. I wish everyone could see this play because for me it will be one of my all time favorites.
Mark Pierce
Washington, D.C.
Redskins Foundation, NRG Energy Congratulate 3rd-Graders
Wednesday, 17 April 2013 14:22 Published in Local
The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation (WRCF) and NRG Energy rewarded more than 100 third-graders at Glenridge Elementary School in Prince George's County on for their commitment to reading with an April 16 "Power to Read Pizza Party."
Throughout the 2012 football season, students across the Washington, D.C. metro area participated in the Redskins Read Book Challenge powered by NRG. Students who read 10 or more books during the season were invited to have a parent, guarding or teacher nominate them for a reading certificate.
"We are committed to working with the Redskins excited about this opportunity to celebrate our students and the reading they have done this year," said Glenridge reading specialist Paddy Gordon. "This is a wonderful example of a community partnership that promotes literacy."
From among all the students and schools who completed the challenge, Glenridge's students read the most books and had the most children participate.
"We are passionate about helping our students develop reading proficiency and a love of reading," said Glenridge principal Gloria McCoy. "We are very excited and grateful that the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and NRG Energy share our enthusiasm and will reward the hard work of our students and the encouragement of our teachers."
The Redskins Read Book Challenge was created by the WRCF and NRG Energy to encourage and incentivize kindergarten through sixth grade students to explore the joys of reading.
"Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work!? said Manny Rodriguez, vice president of Sponsorships, Events and Charitable Giving, NRG Energy. "We are excited to be a part of this vital program and are committed to working with the Redskins to promote literacy within the community."
For more information on the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation's programs and events or to donate, visit www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on twitter at @WRFoundation.
More District Residents Eligible for Drug Abuse Treatment
Tuesday, 16 April 2013 17:29 Published in Local
Thousands of additional District residents with substance abuse problems will be able to receive treatment under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
With more than 2,000 homeless drug addicts and functional alcoholics becoming newly-eligible for treatment in the District, equates to a 33 percent increase from the 6,000 residents currently obtaining treatment through their health insurance.
While D.C. has an 80 percent occupancy rate at its inpatient treatment facilities, as well as the capacity to treat all people who need drug abuse care, Dr. Saul Levin, interim director of the city's health department, said however, that not everyone who becomes eligible would need inpatient treatment.
Mayor Vincent Gray said late Monday, that while proceeding today with the celebration of the District's Emancipation Day, he and city officials continue to monitor the situation that took place at the Boston Marathon.
The mayor added that in commemoration of the day on which schools are closed and city employees get time off as a paid holiday, extra precautions are in place to ensure the safety of the city, its residents and visitors.
"The District of Columbia celebrates each April 16 as Emancipation Day where we commemorate our nation's hard-fought battle for freedom and equal justice under the law," Gray said in a statement. "In a modern context, Emancipation Day also provides time to reflect on the District's current struggle for budget autonomy and full representation in Congress."
The D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act, which officially abolished slavery in the nation's capital in 1862, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, and paid D.C. slave owners up to $300 to give up their slaves and ultimately freed more than 3,000 slaves, according to the U.S. Senate website.
The act set a precedent for the Emancipation Proclamation that would come several months later, according to City Councilman Vincent Orange, who is the chair of the event's oversight committee.
"It's the only time in history that the federal government paid $1 million in 1862 to free the slaves," Orange told ABC News. "Clearly, that was part of Lincoln's strategy to win civil war."
This year, the city will be honoring the day through the standard parades and fireworks, and even a battle of local university bands and workshops on the day's history, organized by Orange.
Emancipation Day was made an unpaid furlough day in 2011 to save the city much needed funds. Almost 22,000 city employees were eventually paid back after the city ended the year on a fiscal surplus, according to the mayor's office.
(Source: ABC News)
A town hall meeting that will focus on ensuring teacher success will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Thursday, April 18 at the Howard University Blackburn Center.
The event titled, "Diversifying the Nation's Teacher Workforce," is sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and will consist of a panel of experts poised to tackle concerns such as the role of teacher education programs in preparing teachers to educate diverse populations; the impact of school closings on students and the community; and federal and state educational policies' effectiveness in preparing teachers.
Panel members will include David Johns, executive director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans; Marietta English, vice president, American Federation of Teachers; Chance Lewis, founding executive director, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Urban Education Collaborative; Amy Wilkins, senior civil rights fellow, College Board and Ivory Toldson, Ph.D., senior research analyst, CBCF.
The town hall will be streamed live at www.cbcfinc.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @CBCFInc and @AFTUnion #DiversifyEd.
President Barack Obama is continuing to monitor the explosions that took place April 15 at the Boston Marathon which left two people dead and more than 100 injured.
According to a White House statement, the president has "directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary, and investigate what happened."
Said Obama:
"We still do not know who did this or why. And people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. But make no mistake -- we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find out who did this; we'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.
"Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are its people. I'm supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city. And as they do, the American people will be with them every single step of the way.
"You should anticipate that as we get more information, our teams will provide you briefings. We're still in the investigation stage at this point. But I just want to reiterate we will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable."
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