WI Web Staff
Nationals' Bryce Harper Named 'Rookie of the Year'
Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:06 Published in Sports
Harper First National to Win BBWAA Award
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper tonight was named National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. The BBWAA citation is the first bestowed upon a National since the club's arrival in D.C. in 2005.
Harper hit .270 with 26 doubles, nine triples, 22 home runs, 59 RBI, 56 walks and 18 stolen bases in 139 games as a true rookie for the Nationals in 2012. For his efforts, the youngest player in MLB was named an All-Star by NL manager Tony La Russa.
"Upon joining us, Bryce's impact on our lineup and defensive alignment was immediate and came at a great time of need," said Mike Rizzo, Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. "His sustained energy and enthusiasm throughout the summer played a big part in fueling our division title. On behalf of the Lerner Family and the Nationals organization, I'd like to congratulate Bryce on his historic NL Rookie of the Year season."
Upon debuting with the Nationals, April 28 at Dodger Stadium, Harper provided an immediate spark to the Nationals' lineup and by season's end his offensive output was arguably the finest put forth by a teenager in baseball history. Harper established records with 57 extra-base hits and 254 total bases as a teenager, while only Tony Conigliaro (24) hit more home runs before his 20th birthday.
Harper, who turned 20 on Oct. 16, ranked fifth in the National League with 98 runs scored despite beginning the season at Triple-A. He also legged out an electrifying nine triples to rank eighth in the NL.
Defensively, Harper started games at all three outfield positions, but by August, he'd cemented his status as Davey Johnson's starting center fielder on a club that eventually posted the most wins (98) in MLB. Harper's 9.7 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) ranked fourth in MLB among those to play at least 700 innings in center field,
At the plate, Harper paced NL rookies in runs, OPS (.817), game-winning RBI (12) and extra-base hits (57). The 22 home runs ranked second among NL neophytes behind only catcher Wilin Rosario (28) of the Rockies.
When Harper registered at least one RBI in a game, Washington went 30-8 (.789). When he scored a run, the Nationals played .743 ball (55-19). And when the left-handed hitting rookie homered, the Nationals finished 15-5 (.750).
Harper won the NL Rookie of the Month award in both May (.271, 13 extra-base hits, four home runs, .860 OPS) and September (.330, seven doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 14 RBI, 1.049 OPS). His late-season surge helped the Nationals hold off the hard-charging Braves and claim the franchise's first full-season division title.
Harper is the first DC-based player to win a Rookie of the Year citation since outfielders Albie Pearson and Bob Allison claimed consecutive American League awards in 1958 and '59, respectively. Harper joins outfielder Andre Dawson (1977) and Carl Morton (1970) as just the third franchise player to be named NL Rookie of the Year.
Also, 21 year-old Angels outfielder Mike Trout was named the American League Rookie of the Year.
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson has requested public feedback on a proposal to close 20 schools in six wards across the city.
The list includes eight elementary schools, two education campuses, four middle schools, one high school, one STAY program, the CHOICE program and three special education campuses. Most of the consolidations would go into effect for the 2013-2014 school year.
"The challenge we face in DCPS is clear – our buildings are wildly under-enrolled, our resources are stretched too thin and we're not providing the complement of academic supports that our students and families deserve," said Henderson. "Consolidating schools is our best option to better utilize our facilities and work more efficiently for our schools, our teachers, our students and our city."
According to recommendations provided to District officials earlier this year by the Chicago-based Illinois Facility Fund, several of the city's low-performing schools should be merged with high-performing charter schools.
Facilities:
A priority for DCPS is ensuring as many students as possible are in modernized buildings. Since 2007, DCPS has modernized 45 of the current total of 117 school buildings. Taking into account buildings that were previously modernized, 57 schools – almost half of the school system inventory still await modernization. Even after an enormous, city-wide investment of over $1.3 billion since 2007, almost 20,000 students still attend schools that need modernization.
Funds:
Overall, DCPS spends less in large and fully-enrolled schools than it does at small and under-enrolled schools. Because DCPS has many under-enrolled schools, DCPS invests in maintaining these schools when it makes more sense to invest more in programs to help low-performing students, increase opportunities for advanced learners, and develop specialized programs to better engage students.
Staffing:
45 percent, or nearly half of DCPS schools, have only one teacher per grade level, making shared planning time impossible and forcing teachers to work on lesson plans by themselves. With only one teacher per grade level, small changes in student populations at a specific grade can force larger class sizes. In addition, schools cannot provide flexible grouping to meet specific student needs (for example, small groups for struggling learners.)
Consolidation Plan:
"To achieve our goals of a great school for every single student, we have to use all of our resources well – every dollar, every building, and every minute of instructional time. As our schools are currently organized, we can't achieve our goals," said Henderson.
When making the proposed list, DCPS considered student enrollment and demographic trends in the community, building utilization rates, building condition and modernization status and the availability of receiving schools to offer students an improved education experience.
Consolidating these 20 schools will allow DCPS to offer a high-quality education to all students, use all resources more effectively, establish a flexible district that can account for future population growth and ensure the district's long-term financial stability.
The portfolio of schools in DCPS will shift dramatically after these consolidations. The average school enrollment will increase to 432 students, up from 376. Overall building utilization rate will be 84 percent, an increase from 72 percent. Only 26 elementary schools will have fewer than 350 students, instead of 41. 1,700 additional students will have the opportunity to attend school in a modernized building.
Among schools slated for consolidation are:
Francis-Stevens Education Campus in Ward 2 to merge with Marie Reed Elementary School in Ward 1
Spingarn High School in Ward 5 to merge with Eastern High School (Dunbar and Woodson high schools) for wards 6, 5,7
Ron Brown Middle School in Ward 7 to merge with Kelly Miller Middle School in Ward 7
Johnson Middle School in Ward 8 to merge with Hart and Kramer middle schools in Ward 8
Two public hearings where the public can provide input will be held at the John A. Wilson Building in downtown D.C. as follows:
4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15
2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19
Four community meetings will also be held in the coming weeks.
Source: District of Columbia Public Schools Office of Communications
Former D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown was spared serious jail time on Tuesday when he appeared for sentencing in U. S. District Court on a felony bank fraud charge.
Brown, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced instead to spend the rest of the day in custody of the U.S. Marshal Service, and will serve six months of home detention under electronic monitoring. The beleaguered married father of two will also serve two years of court supervision and 480 hours of community service.
Brown also admitted in June to a campaign finance violation and vacated his Council post a part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
Prosecutors had sought a lengthier jail term, but the judge in Tuesday's case said that in accordance with federal guidelines, the sentencing handed down was appropriate.
District Regains Control over Special Ed Transportation
Tuesday, 13 November 2012 16:28 Published in Local
Move in Petties Litigation Ends 17 Years of Federal Supervision over District
Following 17 years of federal court supervision, control of the city's special education transportation program has been returned to District officials, according to a recent announcement by Mayor Vincent C. Gray.
U.S. Distrct Court Judge Paul Friedman agreed last week to end the supervision and to consider a proposal between the District and lawyers for students and their parents to dismiss the case, for which a hearing is set for Dec. 19.
"This decision to remove federal supervision over special-education transportation is a major accomplishment for the District government – and one my administration has worked hard to achieve," Gray said. "This crucial service will now once again be run exclusively by the District government."
The move is a major milestone in the long-running Petties v. D.C. litigation, a lawsuit that concerns reliable transportation for the District's 3,100 students in specialized education, and timely payments to schools and other partners who provide specialized education services funded by the District.
Under Gray's administration, the District has provided the critically necessary financial and management support to run the specialized education transportation system without court supervision. This support included dedicating a five-year capital investment of $28 million to continue service investments by upgrading the District's fleet.
Previously, the court ended the requirements in the case governing payments to non-public special education schools and related service providers. Working closely with Special Court Master Elise Baach, the District and the parties agreed to a payment and dispute-resolution process to ensure a smooth transition of court oversight back to the District.
"Looking back, we understood that we were facing an enormously difficult task when we took over student transportation services two years ago, but we knew that we had the full support of this administration," said Hosanna Mahaley Jones, State Office of Education superintendent.
"From the very beginning our staff rallied together from every corner of the agency — which included moving my office to our transportation headquarters for a few months. Because of this extraordinary team effort and the commitment to excellent service provided by everyone at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education's Department of Transportation, we are now awaiting a decision that will reassure all of those that have helped us achieve this milestone that their efforts have been formally recognized."
Source: D.C. Mayor's Office
OSSE Releases District High School Graduation Rates
Friday, 09 November 2012 20:18 Published in Local
Results Show Significant Gains among Low-Income and Special-Needs Students
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The District's high school graduation rates for the Class of 2012 showed an increase in comparison to the 2010-2011 school year, according to recently-released results from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Results, which represent both District and public charter schools, are calculated using U.S. Department of Education criteria and are statewide.
"I am pleased to publicize our steady advancement in D.C. public high school graduation rates," District Mayor Vincent C. Gray said. "Ensuring a high-quality public education for all of our students has been one of my administration's top priorities, and these graduation rates show real progress."
In accordance with government-mandated calculations by the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR), 61 percent of D.C. students graduated from high school with a regular diploma within a four-year period in 2011-2012, compared to 59 percent during the 2010-2011 academic year. The 2010-2011 academic year was the first time the District used the ACGR computation. Overall, 21 out of 44 D.C. schools had rates above the state average, with 10 schools graduating over 80 percent of their 2011-2012 cohort class.
Additionally, graduation rates for economically disadvantaged District high school students improved 13 percent in 2011-2012. Specialized education graduation rates from the District's Class of 2012 also grew 9 percent, with both subgroups measured under the ACGR criteria.
"This year's graduation results are indicative of our continued efforts to reach disadvantaged students throughout the District of Columbia, regardless of income or disability," said State Superintendent of Education Hosanna Mahaley Jones, noting that District high school seniors reached five-year highs in 2012 ACT composite scores and participation and improved in ACT college-readiness benchmarks in English, reading, math and science over 2011. "While we certainly have a steep road ahead, our investments in public education are moving in the right direction."
A complete description of the U.S. Department of Education Adjusted Cohort Rate calculation method, OSSE's Overall Graduation Rate Chart and an illustration of OSSE's Adjusted Cohort Graduation calculation are available for download online at www.osse.dc.gov.
Washington's quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) hands off to Washington's running back Alfred Morris (46) in the second quarter. The team honor the former Redskins legends in attendance, as well as the team's 80th anniversary, by wearing their new 2012 "anniversary" NFL Nike Elite 51 football uniforms. The uniforms are a modern interpretation of those worn back in 1937 - a year signifying the team's move from Boston to Washington, D.C., as well as their first National Championship.The Panthers defeated the Redskins 21-13 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sunday November 4./Photo by john E. De Freitas
Carolina Panthers CB Josh Norman (24) tries to block Redskins kicker Kai Forbath (2) who gave the Skins their first points in the first half of NFL action at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 4.
The Washington Redskins welcomed the "10 for 80" honorees, along with more than 150 other Redskins greats, for the team's annual homecoming game on Sunday, Nov. 4 against the Carolina Panthers. In this photo some of the Redskins alumni enjoy a photo moment. The homecoming celebrations featured an alumni parade with the Redskins Marching Band and Cheerleaders .Redskins homecoming weekend is the culmination of the team's year-long 80th anniversary campaign to celebrate the Redskins' rich history and talented alumni.
Support Coach Greg Fuller!
I am writing this letter to express my full support for H.D. Woodson head football coach Greg Fuller, "Woodson Community Rallies behind Fired Coach," by Elton Hayes, November 1, 2012.
Coach Fuller's firing is just another example of DCPS and its administrators trying to rid the system of strong black male leadership. For years players at different District public schools have been found to be ineligible for some reason or another, but I can't remember when a coach has been fired for it.
Chancellor Kaya Henderson and her assistants have once again orchestrated the ouster of a strong black male with a history of making a difference in the lives of our young black men. Why is strong black male leadership in our school system discouraged? I think DCPS had to use these trumped-up charges against Coach Fuller because they were unable to explain the reasons for the dismissal of the principal of Phelps High School, another strong black male.
Michael Bryson
Washington, D.C.
Covering Issues that Impact the Nation
I recently moved to the Washington, D.C. area from the great city of Houston, Texas. The thing I find most interesting about D.C. is the wide-ranging coverage of both local and national news. After picking up several issues of your newspaper I would like to say how impressed I am with your coverage of issues that face not only District residents but also those who live throughout the nation.
Your reporters should be commended for what I believe to be very fair and unbiased reporting. It is very exciting to see an African-American newspaper cover such a wide range of topics. As a lifelong Republican I just loved reading your November 1, 2012 issue. In that issue you had articles where you interviewed African-American Republicans who were able to express their views on the political situation facing our nation quite eloquently. In addition, you interviewed a white Republican candidate running for the D.C. Council, and that shows me just how balanced your coverage is.
Calvin Washington
Silver Spring, Md.
Presidential and Local Elections 2012 Photo Gallery
Wednesday, 07 November 2012 13:17 Published in Local
Frank Smith congratulates Marion Barry on his campaign victory at Barry's watch party held at Georgina's Restaurant in Southeast on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Robert Ridley
Michael Featherstone transports paper ballots from polling precincts to the D.C. Board of Elections Headquarters in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
Husband and wife Eric and Marsha Mayo accompany four of their children to the voting poll in Southeast on Election Day. Voting for the first time are Sarah 19 (left), Erica 24 (2nd left), Kevin 22 (2nd right), and Robert Mayo 21 (1st right). /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
Donna Edwards. /Photo by Mark Mahoney
Ron Moten, Republican candidate for Ward 7 council seat, speaks with one of his supporters, Ralph Chittams Sr. at his watch party held in Northeast on election night. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
National Harbor Developer Milt Peterson (left), County Executive Rushern Baker and Delegate Jay Walker share their enthusiasm in announcing the overwhelming acceptance of Yes to Question 7 by Maryland voters at the celebratory party held at National Harbor on election night. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
Supporters of Question 7 gather at National Harbor on election night to watch and celebrate the Yes vote allowing the expansion of table games and slots in P.G. County. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
David Grosso, center, celebrate his win for the D.C. Council At-Large seat over Michael Brown at Chez Billy in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Roy Lewis
P.G. County Executive Rushern Baker announces the victory handed by Maryland residents on Question 7 at National Harbour on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter
Jenea Howard, left, hugs her friend Egochi Achincnu, right, after learning President Barak Obama garnered the 270 electoral votes needed to secure his re-election at the Democratic State Committee watch party held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
A crowd of Democrats celebrate Obama's win after the state of Ohio pushed the President over the top in electoral votes at a watch party held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Roy Lewis
Stanley Williams (left), former D.C. Councilman Frank Smith (center), and Bennie Lawson (right) react to the poll numbers while watching the presidential election results at the Democratic State Committee watch party held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
After President Barak Obama won the election, thousands showed up at the White House in the early morning hours to celebrate the victory Wed., November 7. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
A jubilant man standing with thousands of celebrants at the White House waves a flag and proclaims four more years upon learning of President Obama's re-election on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
A group of people celebrated in front of a President Obama mural on the side of Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street in Northwest after President Obama won the election on Wed., November 7. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah
Dawn Henny, left, and Eleanor Stewart, right, show off their President Obama shirts while waiting three hours in line to vote at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Hyattsville, Md. on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Roy Lewis
Council Member Yvette Alexander, center, gives a thumbs up as she celebrates her victory along with supporters Melanie Williamson, left, and Kisha Anderson, right, at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Tues., November 6. /Photo by Roy Lewis
As District voters flock to the polls today, they are reminded that the best time to casts their votes is between now and 2 p.m. They are also reminded that if they are in line in the District by 8 p.m., by law, they still have the right to vote.
With hundreds of people already having voted at every precinct across the city, the lines are expected to get much longer after people leave work this evening. In addition to voting for president, District voters are also voting for several members of the D.C. Council as well as responding to ballot questions that pertain to ethics of elected officials.
Meanwhile, in what has been tagged one of the closest and most expensive presidential races in history, President Barack Obama, who voted early, is spending his day in Chicago. His Republican contender Mitt Romney, cast his vote this morning in Massachusetts.
Redskins Homecoming to Recognize "10 FOR 80" Honorees
Friday, 02 November 2012 19:52 Published in Sports
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – The Washington Redskins will welcome the "10 for 80" honorees, along with more than 150 other Redskins greats, for the team's annual homecoming game, slated for 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4 against the Carolina Panthers.
The team will honor the former Redskins legends in attendance, as well as the team's 80th anniversary, by wearing their new 2012 "anniversary" NFL Nike Elite 51 football uniforms. The uniforms are a modern interpretation of those worn back in 1937 - a year signifying the team's move from Boston to Washington, D.C., as well as their first National Championship.
The homecoming celebrations will feature an alumni parade with the Redskins Marching Band and Cheerleaders, which will begin at 10 a.m., the annual alumni group photo and the introduction of former players and coaches in attendance.
The "10 for 80" honorees announced at the Welcome Home Luncheon will also be honored at halftime. The honorees, LaVar Arrington, Bobby Beathard, Joe Bugel, Terry Hermeling, Jon Jansen, Roy Jefferson, Richie Petitbon, Clinton Portis, Chris Samuels and Sean Taylor, will join the 70 Greatest Redskins named in 2002 to complete the 80 Greatest Redskins of All-Time.
Alumni expected to attend include Ron Saul, Rick "Doc" Walker, Mark Rypien, Mark Moseley, Bobby Mitchell, Dexter Manley, Sam Huff, Darryl Grant, Chris Hanburger, Ken Harvey, Len Hauss, Gary Clark, Jeff Bostic, Mike Bragg, Larry Brown, Pat Fischer, Sonny Jurgensen, Charley Taylor and George Starke amongst others.
In addition to Sunday's game, other alumni events include the alumni community giveback and the annual alumni reception, both scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3. Redskins' alumni will team up with the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation to give back to the community by building a new playground at a District Alliance for Safe Children (DASH) housing complex.
Redskins homecoming weekend is the culmination of the team's year-long 80th anniversary campaign to celebrate the Redskins' rich history and talented alumni.
Highlights from the celebration include the 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour and tour bus, fans voting for the "10 for 80" honorees, alternate uniforms, the 80th Anniversary Kickoff event in the Redskins Indoor Practice Facility and the team's annual Welcome Home Luncheon.
Questions regarding the Redskins' homecoming tributes or alumni media availability should be directed to Angela Alfano of Redskins Public Relations at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703-447-5629.
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