Washington Informer

Programs include Cultural Discussions, Film and Music

LARGO, Md. — The public is invited to learn about the influence of black culture during a series of educational and entertaining programs at Prince George's Community College during February. Unless otherwise noted, the events are free of charge and include:

The Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys, February 5, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Join a book discussion that examines the attack on young black men through special education programs and pharmaceutical drugs led by author and certified school psychologist Umar Johnson.

Continuing Carter G. Woodson's Dream, February 14, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Examine the role of culture in curriculum with renowned speaker Kaba Hiawatha Kamene (aka Booker T. Coleman). Listen to a proactive approach toward African-centered education.

All That Jazz, February 20, noon–1pm, Largo Student Center Dining Hall. Enjoy great jazz music with and rich history of African-American artists during the noon lunch hour.

Lincoln, February 20, 1 p.m., Largo Student Center. Experience the Civil War through the eyes of President Abraham Lincoln in the critically acclaimed film by legendary Hollywood director Steven Spielberg.

Racism as a System, February 21, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Explore the history of racism and decide if it still exists today through a thought-provoking discussion led by Frances Cress Welsing, psychiatrist and author of the Isis Papers.

Where Literacy Begins, February 27–March 20, Wednesday evenings 7–9 p.m. Largo Campus. Learn how to nurture young children's development during a four-session workshop for parents and caregivers of children ages birth to three. Topics include baby basics, building early language skills, pre-reading skills and baby music. Co-sponsored by Prince George's Community College and WETA Television, the series costs $20 for eight hours of training, and students must register ahead of time. For more information about the program, contact Erin Olsen at 301-386-7545.

For more information on campus events, contact the Office of College Life Services at 301- 322-0853.

The Rev. Louie Giglio, who was to deliver the benediction at President Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 21, has dropped out of the ceremony because of criticism over anti-gay comments he made in the 1990s.

Giglio is the pastor at Passion City Church in Roswell, Ga. He stepped away from participation in the inauguration over a sermon in which he called for gay people to undergo therapy and urged his congregation to reject the "homosexual lifestyle."

Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman for the inaugural committee, said organizers weren't aware of Giglio's comments at the time of his selection.

(Source:MSN)

Beyonce will sing the National Anthem during President Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 21.

Also slated to perform in the ceremony that takes place on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, are Kelly Clarkson who will perform "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and James Taylor who will sing "America the Beautiful." Reports state that Obama personally selected the performers.

In addition, Richard Blanco -- the son of Cuban exiles -- has been selected as the 2013 inaugural poet.

Blanco's works explore his family's exile from their native country and "the intersection of his cultural identities as a Cuban-American gay man," according to the inaugural committee. At age 44, Blanco will be the youngest-ever inaugural poet and the first Hispanic or gay to recite a poem at the ceremonial swearing-in.

PBS Documentary Airs Again on Jan. 15, 22

"The Abolitionists," which recently premiered on PBS, focuses on the intertwined lives of five abolitionist leaders. These men and women arguably did as much -- maybe even more -- than Lincoln to end slavery, yet few contemporary Americans recognize their names.

The three-part documentary's airing comes as the nation commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 1863 decree signed by Lincoln that set in motion the freeing of slaves. Lincoln is a Mount Rushmore figure today, but the abolitionists also did something remarkable. They took on the colossal wealth and political power of the slave trade, and won. (Imagine activists today persuading the country to shut down Apple and Google because they deem their business practices immoral.)

The abolitionists "forced the issue of slavery on to the national agenda," says Sharon Grimberg, executive producer for the PBS documentary. "They made it unavoidable."

"The Abolitionists" offers four surprising revelations about how the abolitionists triumphed, and how they pioneered many of the same tactics protest movements use today.

(Source: CNN)

The 2013 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee have announced a joint transportation plan for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. The plan surrounds events and activities that will take place on Sunday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Jan. 21.

The extensively detailed plan provides general outlines for vehicular restricted zones, road closures, charter vehicles, public transportation and pedestrian routes.

Access into Washington, D.C., will be limited on Monday, Jan. 21. The following is a summary of routes and their status that day:

•14th Street Bridge to 14th Street – All traffic will be diverted by MPD onto the Southeast/Southwest freeway beginning at 5:30 a.m.

•Roosevelt Bridge – Traffic coming across the Roosevelt Bridge will be diverted into northbound Potomac River Expressway to Pennsylvania Avenue or Whitehurst Freeway/K Street.

•Memorial Bridge – Restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only

•Key Bridge – Open to all traffic

•Chain Bridge - Open to all traffic

•South Capitol Street Bridge – Open to all traffic

•Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Open to all traffic

•Rock Creek Parkway – Open to traffic (holiday traffic schedule in effect throughout the park)

•Clara Barton Parkway operating under holiday schedule (two-way traffic all day)

•11th Street Bridges – Open to all traffic

•Sousa Bridge – Open to all traffic from east of the river to security checkpoint at Capitol Hill

•East Capitol Street – Open to all traffic. Roadways near RFK Stadium are primary routes for charter tour bus operators.

•Benning Road – Open to all traffic

•New York Avenue – Open to all traffic

•3rd Street Tunnel – Closed to all vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic

•Woodrow Wilson Bridge – Open to all traffic

Washington, D.C. Vehicular Restrictions

Vehicle Restricted Zone: Vehicular restrictions in Washington, D.C., will be instituted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police. While the outer perimeter of the vehicle restricted zone will be open to traffic, drivers should expect delays. Drivers and passengers should be prepared to provide proof of residence, work identification or a reasonable verbal justification to enter the restricted area.

MetroAccess vehicles carrying passengers with disabilities will have access to the vehicle restricted zone to load/unload passengers only. MetroAccess vehicles may not park on the street in any area designated Emergency No Parking.

Vehicles or individuals in vehicles displaying Americans with Disabilities Act or handicap identification (such as an authorized parking tag or license plate) may access the vehicle restricted zone and may park in operating parking garages or lots. These vehicles may not park on the street in any area designated Emergency No Parking.

Vehicles transporting individuals with a medical emergency or accessing necessary medical care may access the restricted area.

The following areas may be enforced as Emergency No Parking beginning 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, through 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22. From 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, many of these areas will be posted by law enforcement personnel and vehicular traffic will be limited.

•South of K Street NW from Washington Circle to 11th Street NW

•Washington Circle from K Street NW to 23rd Street NW

•Pennsylvania Avenue NW from Washington Circle to the U.S. Capitol

•I Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 11th Street NW

•H Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•G Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•F Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•E Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street NW to 2nd Street SW

•D Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 1st Street NW

•C Street NW from 23rd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street NW to 2nd Street NE

•Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW

•Independence Avenue from 23rd Street SW to 2nd Street SE

•C Street SW from 7th Street SW to 2nd Street SW

•D Street SW from 7th Street SW to 2nd Street SW

•E Street SW from 7th Street SW to 2nd Street SW

•Maryland Avenue SW from 7th Street SW to the U.S. Capitol

•23rd Street from Washington Circle NW to Independence Avenue SW

•22nd Street NW from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•21st Street NW from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•20th Street NW from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•19th Street NW from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•18th Street NW from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•17th Street from K Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•Connecticut Avenue NW from K Street NW to H Street NW

•16th Street NW from K Street NW to H Street NW

•Vermont Avenue NW from K Street NW to H Street NW

•15th Street from K Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•14th Street from K Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•New York Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to 11th Street NW

•13th Street NW from K Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

•12th Street from K Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•11th Street NW from K Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

•10th Street NW from H Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•9th Street from H Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•8th Street NW from H Street NW to D Street NW

•7th Street from H Street NW to E Street SW

•6th Street from H Street NW to E Street SW

•5th Street from H Street NW to D Street NW

•4th Street from H Street NW to E Street SW

•3rd Street from Massachusetts Avenue NW to E Street SW

•Henry Bacon Drive NW from the Lincoln Memorial to Constitution Avenue NW

•Daniel French Drive SW from the Lincoln Memorial to Independence Avenue SW

Vehicular Road Closures: From 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 21, the following roads will be closed and off limits to vehicles without a law enforcement escort:

•Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to the U.S. Capitol

•I Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW

•H Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW

•G Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW

•F Street NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW

•E Street NW from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NW

•D Street NW from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NW

•C Street from 18th Street NW to 2nd Street NE

•Constitution Avenue from 17th Street NW to 2nd Street NE

•Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW

•Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW

•Independence Avenue from 14th Street SW to 2nd Street NE

•Maryland Avenue SW from 6th Street SW to the U S Capitol

•17th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•Connecticut Avenue NW from I Street NW to H Street NW

•16th Street NW from I Street NW to H Street NW

•Vermont Avenue NW from I Street NW to H Street NW

•15th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•14th Street from I Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•New York Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to 12th Street NW

•13th Street NW from I Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

•12th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•11th Street NW from F Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

•10th Street NW from F Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

•9th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•8th Street NW from F Street NW to D Street NW

•7th Street from F Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•6th Street from F Street NW to Maryland Avenue SW

•5th Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•4th Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

•3rd Street from D Street NW to Independence Avenue SW

Capitol Hill: Road closures on Capitol Hill will be instituted by the U.S. Capitol Police in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department. Access to the perimeter will be restricted to properly authorized and credentialed personnel only. No public parking will be provided.

The following street closures will go into effect starting at 3 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21:

• Louisiana Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue NW

• Delaware Avenue NE between Columbus Circle and D Street NE

• 1st Street between Columbus Circle and D Street SE

• North Capitol Street between E Street NW and Louisiana Avenue NE

• New Jersey Avenue NW between D Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW

• D Street between New Jersey Avenue NW and 2nd Street NE

• 1st Street between D Street NW and Washington Avenue SW

• C Street NW between 2nd Street NW and New Jersey Avenue NW

• 2nd Street NW between C Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW

• 2nd Street NE between Massachusetts Avenue NE and C Street SE

• C Street SE between 2nd Street SE and 1st Street SW

• D Street between 1st Street SE and Washington Avenue SW

• Washington Avenue SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SW

• Independence Avenue between 2nd Street SE and 3rd Street SW

• 3rd Street between E Street SW and D Street NW

• Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street NE and 3rd Street NW

• Maryland Avenue NE between 1st Street NE and 2nd Street NE

• East Capitol Street between 1st Street NE and 2nd Street NE

• 2nd Street SW between Washington Avenue SW and E Street SW

• C Street SW between 3rd Street SW and Washington Avenue SW

• D Street SW between 3rd Street SW and 2nd Street SW

• South Capitol Street between E Street SW and D Street SW

• I-295 South on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW

• I-395 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW

• I-395 North off-ramp onto C Street NW

• I-395 South on-ramp from 2nd Street SW

• I-395 South off-ramp onto 2nd Street SW

• I-395 North on-ramp from Washington Avenue SW

• I-295 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue SW

Streets will reopen once the parade concludes at approximately 5 p.m.

Charter Buses

Transportation and security planners anticipate up to 2,500 private buses carrying approximately 135,000 participants to Washington, D.C., for the Inaugural events. Parking is only available at RFK Stadium and must be reserved in advance. From RFK Stadium, passengers will be able to walk, or, in limited cases, take shuttle buses to the Inaugural events.

Charter buses will not be able to park and/or drop off passengers at any Metro station in Washington D.C., Virginia or Maryland. All transportation providers planning to travel to the District of Columbia during Inauguration Week with chartered buses, motor carriers, etc., must obtain a trip permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicles and must reserve parking in advance. Registration for permits and parking for charter buses must be completed no later than Friday, January 18, 2013. No registrations will be accepted after this date.

Additional information, including registration details, is available at http://www.inauguration.dc.gov.

Virginia Vehicular Restrictions

All vehicular road restrictions will be coordinated between the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions.

• I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 9 a.m. on January 21. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound upon the conclusion of the Inaugural address.

• I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic

• Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only

• Key Bridge, Chain Bridge, Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the American Legion Bridge will be open to all traffic

• North Washington Street at Montgomery Street (City of Alexandria City) to Reagan National Airport will be open

U.S. Park Police Closures

Access to the following roads will be coordinated by the U.S. Park Police. On January 21, 2013:

•The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be open in both directions

•Traffic will be allowed to exit Washington Reagan National Airport onto northbound or southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway

Maryland Transportation Information

While there are no anticipated road closures or restrictions in Maryland, officials are discouraging individuals from driving into the District and encouraging the use of mass transit. The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration is supporting Inaugural activities by:

•Conducting extended emergency traffic patrols along interstate and primary highways approaching the National Capital Region

•Providing real time traffic public information by means of Dynamic Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radios and CHART (the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team) on the Internet

•Assisting motorists and removing abandoned and disabled vehicles from travel lanes and reporting on travel conditions

•Providing traffic control support to conduct ramp closures and other operations warranted to maintain traffic

•Log onto http://www.marylandtransportation.com for transit and travel information

Public Transportation

Inaugural event attendees are encouraged to use public transportation as many streets in and around the Capitol Grounds and the National Mall area will be closed to private automobiles for much of the day.

Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 17 consecutive hours on January 21, from

4 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will operate on a non-rush hour schedule until 2 a.m. During the rush-hour service, Metro will charge peak fares. Due to security measures that will be in place, the Archives and Mt. Vernon Square stations on Metro's green and yellow lines and the Smithsonian station on the blue and orange lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Monday, January 21.

Metro's commemorative one-day pass with a special Inauguration design is currently being sold for $15 online or at Metro sales offices. Individuals should purchase their farecards, one-day passes or SmarTrip cards in advance of Inauguration Day if possible to avoid lines that day.

Metro has approximately 60,000 parking spaces in 29 lots and 22 garages throughout the Washington region for private motorists to park on Inauguration Day. Parking lots and garages are expected to fill very quickly, so it is advisable to have a back-up plan in place should the lots be filled. Parking fares are to be paid upon exit and only value from a SmarTrip card or credit card will be accepted as forms of payment. Cash will not be accepted. Tour and charter buses will not be permitted to park or discharge their passengers on Metro property.

On Inauguration Day, Metrobus will operate on a weekday schedule with normal rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon. However, with street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, all Metro bus routes near the National Mall will be subject to detours and delays. Bus riders are encouraged to visit http://www.wmata.com for details and to allow extra time on Inauguration Day.

During Inauguration weekend, MetroAccess will operate identical hours to rail and bus schedules. MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan extra time to travel due to increased traffic throughout the service area. Street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the Inauguration and parade on Inauguration day will mean that MetroAccess vehicles will only be able to drop off customers several blocks from the Inauguration and parade route. MetroAccess vehicles will not be permitted access to streets that are closed. All MetroAccess users should be prepared for detours. MetroAccess customers must reserve their trips by 4:30 p.m. the day prior to travel.

Individuals planning to use Metro during Inaugural activities can sign up for special alerts on Metro's Web site at http://www.wmata.com/inauguration. Alerts will be issued via email and text message when Metro has news relating to service for the Inauguration, as well as service information on Inauguration weekend. Customers can also get updates on Twitter by following @WMATA or @MetroInaug.

Pedestrian Routes

The following streets have been identified as pedestrian routes to the National Mall. A pedestrian map is attached.

• H Street NW from 3rd Street NW to 18th Street NW

• I Street NW from New York Avenue NW to 18th Street NW

• 18th Street from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

• 19th Street from K Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

• Virginia Ave NW from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue NW

• Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street to 7th Street NW

• Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Constitution Avenue NW

• E Street NW from 3rd Street NW to Massachusetts Avenue NE to 2nd Street NE

• 2nd Street NE from Massachusetts Avenue NE to North Carolina Avenue SE to New Jersey Avenue SE to I Street SE/SW to 7th Street SW

• 3rd Street NE from Massachusetts Avenue NE to D Street SE to North Carolina Avenue SE to New Jersey Avenue SE to I Street SE/SW to 7th Street SW

• East Capitol Street NE from 19th Street NE to North Carolina Avenue SE to New Jersey Avenue SE to I Street SE/SW to 7th Street SW

• 7th Street SW from I Street SW to Independence Avenue SW

• Independence Avenue SW from 23rd Street SW to 7th Street SW

National Mall access points:

• Constitution Avenue NW at 7th Street NW, 9th Street NW and 12th Street NW

• Independence Avenue SW at 7th Street SW and 12th Street SW

The following streets have been identified as pedestrian routes to the Inaugural Parade:

• H Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 13th Street NW

• I Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 13th Street NW

• Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Constitution Avenue NW

• Virginia Avenue NW from 23rd Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW

• Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street NW to 7th Street NW

• East Capitol Street NE from 19th Street NE to Massachusetts Avenue NE to D Street NE/NW

• D Street NE from Massachusetts Avenue NE to 7th Street NW

• I Street SE from New Jersey Avenue SE to 7th Street SW to Constitution Avenue NW

For pedestrians walking to the National Mall, 3rd Street NW is the recommended east/west divide on the north side of the parade route. It is 3.2 miles from 3rd and E Streets NW to 7th Street and Independence Avenue SW (going around the U.S. Capitol) and 3.2 miles from 3rd and H Streets NW to 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW (going around the White House) using these pedestrian routes.

Viewing the Inauguration ceremonies from the U.S. Capitol grounds requires a ticket issued by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Information on tickets is available at http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/2013/getting-tickets. Recommended Metro exits for individuals with tickets include Capitol South, Eastern Market, Union Station, NoMa-Gallaudet U (New York Ave.), Judiciary Square, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Federal Center SW or L'Enfant Plaza. Additional information on the Inauguration ceremonies is available at http://www.inaugural.senate.gov.

Viewing the Inaugural ceremonies from the National Mall does not require tickets. The non-ticketed area of the National Mall begins at 4th Street NW, and extends towards the Washington Monument. Entry points to the non-ticketed portion of the National Mall are located at:

• Constitution Avenue NW at 7th Street NW, 9th Street NW and 12th Street NW

• Independence Avenue SW at 7th Street SW and 12th Street SW

Individuals using Metro to access the Inaugural events, including the non-ticketed area of the National Mall, are advised to:

• Use Metro's interactive "What's My Best Route" tool at http://www.wmata.com/inauguration to find the best station to use near the National Mall.

• Exit at a station on the same line as where they started their trip to avoid transferring.

• Avoid high-traffic stations near the Capitol including Capitol South, Union Station, Judiciary Square or Federal Center SW stations

Bike Parking and Capital Bikeshare Corrals

On Inauguration Day, January 21, DDOT and goDCgo will establish a bike parking area at 16th and I Streets NW with space available for hundreds of bikes. Owners will be responsible for parking and locking their own bikes and availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, Capital Bikeshare will establish two corrals on Inauguration Day to serve members attending the Inauguration and Inaugural Parade. The corrals – which are only for Capital Bikeshare bikes - will be located at:

•17th and K Streets NW (Farragut Square)

•12th Street and Independence Avenue SW (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Well Done!

Your Year-in-Review edition was fantastic. I just loved seeing the photographs of the writers and photographers on your staff. Now, when I read different articles and look at the photos I will have a picture in my mind of the individuals who are providing the information. That edition also reminded me of all of the excellent work your paper has done over the past year.

The Washington Informer is truly a treasure in our community. Here's wishing everyone at The Informer a very prosperous and even more exciting New Year. As most of us know there is so much good news in our community and we know that The Informer can't cover it all, but we thank God for what you are able to bring to us each and every week.

Karen Wesley

Suitland, Md.

A Different Perspective

One of my favorite sections to read in your paper is the Business Exchange by William Reed. From reading his columns I get a sense that his political leaning is somewhat to the right of center, and I just love it. He continually gives a different take on issues that are facing us in the African-American community, and personally, his columns have broadened my view on some of the things he has written about.

Mr. Reed is not a fan of President Barack Obama, but he is entitled to his opinion. I think history will prove Mr. Reed's reasoning about Mr. Obama wrong, but that's a whole different issue.

In the January 3, 2013 issue, Mr. Reed's column, "Let's Elect Tim Scott for President" gives a very interesting view of the Republican Party and how African Americans should view it. Let me see, a black Democratic senator ran for president and got 99 percent of the vote and won the election, so now that we have a black Republican senator he should run for president and get 99 percent of the vote. I love it!

Mr. Reed, continue to write your columns and make us all think about what the political process really means for each of us. Let everyone see that we are all not cut from the same cookie cutter and that we have different opinions and views. It's a hard education, but it's the right education.

Stephen M. Glenn

Washington, D.C.

A documentary is airing Jan. 8 on PBS about the former Chancellor of DC Public Schools. In the piece, several specific claims are made alleging cheating in the DCPS systrem.

The following is a statement from DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson in response:

"Adell Cothorne was employed at DCPS from August 2010 to July 2011. During that time, she served as the principal at Noyes Education Campus. As has been widely reported in the press, Noyes was under scrutiny and investigated after several allegations of testing impropriety at the school. Since 2009, there have been multiple investigations looking into these allegations, including one by the DC Office of the Inspector General and one by the US Department of Education Inspector General. There was an instance of cheating at Noyes and the individual who was found to be guilty was terminated. All of the investigations have concluded in the same way that there is no widespread cheating at DC Public Schools.

"During the Frontline documentary, Ms. Cothorne makes several specific charges of cheating at Noyes while she was the principal. During her tenure at Noyes, Ms. Cothorne was interviewed twice by an independent investigator about testing impropriety. During those interviews, she never made any mention of these specific charges. Even when asked if there was anything else she wanted to bring up to these independent investigators, she also didn't identify any testing problems.

"PBS did not give DCPS the opportunity to respond to these specific allegations. PBS contacted DCPS about doing a documentary on education reform, but did not share any allegations of impropriety or offer DCPS the opportunity to refute any claims. I am disappointed that PBS elected to produce a poorly researched piece rather than offering a meaningful contribution to improving education. We have a great responsibility to the families, community members and greater city to tell the truth, to investigate incidents of concerns and to hold ourselves accountable. It is disheartening that PBS does not share these values.

"Ms. Cothorne claims to have reported this to DCPS. We have no record of this report. Staff close to the school and staff named in her complaint have no record of these alleged conversations. These allegations come two years after her time as principal and after multiple investigations. DCPS provides multiple avenues to facilitate reporting of suspected testing impropriety including an anonymous tip line and independent investigations. We investigate all allegations of impropriety. It is a disservice to our children that Ms. Cothorne refused to take any steps to notify DCPS of a concern. The fact that she has decided to attempt to personally profit financially through fictitious claims, rather than improve educational opportunities for our students, is extremely disappointing.

"What remains clear through all of this is the proven point that the staff and school leadership across DCPS are committed to helping our children succeed through honest, hard work and dedication. We take test security incredibly seriously and will continue to do so even after our name has been cleared. The final report from the US Department of Education corroborates the findings of all the other investigations. There is no widespread cheating at DCPS. Our teachers work hard every single day in our classrooms, and deserve credit and support, not unwarranted suspicions and doubt."

Three students from Friendship Public Charter School have been awarded Posse Scholarships. This year's winnersn -- Kendra Spruill, Phillip Pride, and Kirk Murphy -- will receive full four-year tuition scholarships from colleges that partner with the Posse Foundation.

Spruill will attend Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., while Pride and Murphy are will enroll at Sewanee: The University of the South, located in Tennessee.

Since 1989, the Foundation has identified, recruited and trained 4,237 public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential to become Posse Scholars. Posse Scholars graduate at a rate of 90 percent and make a visible difference on campus and throughout their professional careers.

In 2011, the Foundation received more than 14,000 nominations for 560 scholarship slots nationally.

Prince George's Community College will recognize the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan.19, by participating in two community service projects.

Students and employees will travel to the New Jersey area to support Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts January 17-20, and from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Jan. 19, volunteers from the college will package goods at the SHARE Food Network in Hyattsville, Md.

"PGCC decided on the two projects because they focus on advancing economic opportunities and helping communities recover from disasters," said Andristine Robinson, director of institutional initiatives at Prince George's Community College. "Both activities directly support the college's 2012-2013 service theme of domestic poverty," she said, adding that the dates for the service projects were selected to allow students and employees to participate in Presidential Inauguration activities on January 21.

Expenses for the New Jersey trip including travel, meals and accommodations, are funded in part by student activity fees. Students contribute $50 towards the trip expenses and supplies while employees pay $65.

For more information about the two volunteer activities, contact 301-583-5229.