Dear Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization members,
Please post the following information on your school list serves:
Councilmember Catania has scheduled a series of Community Conversations in each Ward to discuss the future of public education in DC. Councilmember Catania chairs the Committee on Education. The Ward 6 Community Conversation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 at the Southwest Library (900 Wesley Place, SW) from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. You can register for the Community Conversation at http://www.davidcatania.com/summer.
Nine bills have been introduced before the Council that cover a wide range of issues including providing chartering authority to the Chancellor of DCPS, establishing a unified lottery and common application for DCPS and the public charter schools, establishment of an Office of the Student Advocate, amendments to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula, and establishment of a process for the disposition of surplus DCPS properties that gives a right of first offer to public charter schools. The nine bills are:
- Fair Student Funding and School-Based Budget Act of 2013
- Individual School Accountability Act of 2013
- Focused Student Achievement Act of 2013
- Unified Public Lottery Act of 2013
- Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013
- Parent and Student Empowerment Act of 2013
- Public Education Governance Improvement Act of 2013
- Increasing Access to High Quality Educational Opportunities Act of 2013
- Reading Development and Grade 3 Retention Act of 2013
These are important changes being considered for our public schools. The Community Conversation is an opportunity to make your voice heard on the future of public education in our city. Please try to attend the Ward 6 Community Converation on July 31.
Suzanne Wells
CHPSPO Meeting, Tuesday, July 23 at Logan (215 G St., NE)
The July CHPSPO meeting will be held on July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan (Room 107). Attached is the draft CHPSPO agenda for July 23. If you have other agenda topics, please let me know.
We will have a discussion at our meeting about the Campaign for Artful Resistance. Here is a link for more information http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/get-involved/the-campaign-for-artful-resistance/.
Councilmember Catania has scheduled a series of Community Conversations focused on education. The Ward 6 Community Conversation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 at the Southwest Library. You can register for the Community Conversation at http://www.davidcatania.com/summer.
Finally, attached is the DRAFT list of the PTA presidents and CHPSPO representatives for SY2013/2014. Please send me any and all corrections.
Suzanne Wells
CHPSPO Meeting Moved to Tuesday, July 23
The July CHPSPO meeting will be held on July 23 at 6:30 p.m. We are moving the meeting to July 23 because the Miner community has a meeting with Chancellor Henderson on July 16 to discuss the firing of Ms. Bunch (July 16 is our regularly scheduled CHPSPO meeting). CHPSPO has been asked to present testimonial at the meeting with the Chancellor.
Atttached are several testimonies that were given at last week’s hearings on the education bills that have been introduced. Attached are testimonies from Cathy Reilly (SHAPPE), Caryn Ernst (Capitol Hill Cluster School), Liz Davis (President-elect of the Washington Teachers Union), and me on the Individual School Accountability Act, and the Mayor’s education bill. Also, attached is testimony by Cathy Reilly on the funding bill.
Please note that Councilmember Catania has scheduled a series of Community Conversations focused on education. The Ward 6 Community Conversation is scheduled for July 31 at the Southwest Library. You can register for the Community Conversation at http://www.davidcatania.com/summer.
Finally, attached is the draft CHPSPO agenda for July 23. If you have other agenda topics, please let me know.
Suzanne Wells
2013-7-9 SHAPPE Testimony.docx
2013-7-9 Liz Davis testimony spoken version.docx
Testimony on School Accountability Act of 2013 – Ernst.doc
WANTED: Cute DC Kids and Their Parents for White House Project
Are you a DC parent, looking for a school for your 3 year old, middle school or high school student? Have you found a terrific elementary school, but worried about middle school?
We want to hear from you as part of a volunteer-run project we hope to showcase at the White House, at the end of July.A team of civic hackers (volunteer data scientists, programmers, and parents) are working through Code for DC (http://codefordc.org/) to help DC families with understanding the school landscape. We are working with DC school officials to publish information about schools, and answer questions like: are there children enrolled in this school that live in my neighborhood? where are the children from my child’s elementary school going to middle school? We will add more information, as we collect additional information about DC schools that goes beyond standardized testing performance (see a preview of the first version below).
We want to hear from you as part of a volunteer-run project we hope to showcase at the White House, at the end of July.A team of civic hackers (volunteer data scientists, programmers, and parents) are working through Code for DC (http://codefordc.org/) to help DC families with understanding the school landscape. We are working with DC school officials to publish information about schools, and answer questions like: are there children enrolled in this school that live in my neighborhood? where are the children from my child’s elementary school going to middle school? We will add more information, as we collect additional information about DC schools that goes beyond standardized testing performance (see a preview of the first version below).
How can you participate today? Help us make a video to get the attention of the folks at the White House, so our project can be included at a showcase. By Thursday, June 20, send us a 20-30 second video (via dropbox, to: Elena Chiriboga <elc64 at georgetown dot edu>) with you or your children (or both), capturing any of the following:
- You, in front of something recognizable in your neighborhood (like Anacostia river, Brookland Metro station, Cathedral- whatever makes sense) saying: “Where do the children in my neighborhood go to (Elementary, or Middle, or High) school?”
- You/your children in front of something recognizable in your neighborhood (like Anacostia river, Brookland Metro station, Cathedral- whatever makes sense) saying: “We live in [XXX neighborhood]!”
- You, at your child’s school saying: “I love my children’s elementary school, but I’m confused about where to send them to middle school”
- Your child, in front of something recognizable in your neighborhood saying: “I want to go to school where my neighborhood friends go!”
- Your child, at their school saying: “My favorite part of school is….”
A few tips:
- To capture the best sound quality, you have to stand reasonably close to the subject (especially since kids don’t always have the loudest voice). Stand about 1-2 feet away from the subject. Try for a shot that is from the chest up. Playback the video after your first recording to make sure the sound isn’t blown out or peaking. If you’re far away from your subject the volume will probably playback very low and boosting it in editing software will only increase all the white noise.
- Try to limit background noise when the subject is speaking.
- Always have the light behind you.
- B-roll can be really tricky with a phone because people tend to move around the phone really quickly when recording. It’s better to be still and have the objects in your frame moving than for you to be panning with your phone.
- Send along a few photos, too, which we will mix in with the video.
Be sure to tell us your first name, and your child’s first name and age and how best to reach you, to share the final video, which will be included in our White House submission.
Thank you in advance from the Code for DC Education Project Team!
Tuesday, June 18, CHPSPO meeting at Watkins
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DDOT moveDC Workshop @ Union Station on June 11 – Participate!
We’ve Made it Easier to Participate in moveDC.
DDOT is committed to offering the public the opportunity to provide input on the moveDC multimodal, long range transportation plan. Several convenient, alternative input events are scheduled during the upcoming week to provide additional opportunities for you to participate. During similar other workshops already scheduled, DDOT will present potential approaches to meeting the District’s future transportation needs. Participants will be asked to share their thoughts on each approach, suggest projects that should be included in each, help identify priorities, and discuss trade-offs they would be willing to support.
Stop by a “Workshop on the Run” – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – Union Station
The study team will be available all day in the West Carriage Port (near the Metro escalators) to share information and to discuss your thoughts on transportation improvements for the District. Come for a few minutes or stay as long as you like.
Details:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Union Station – West Carriage Port (near Metrorail escalators)
2 West/40 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002
Join Us for Online Workshops
The study team will offer a presentation and entertain your questions during these 1 hour-long web-based workshops. Registration is open now.
Evening Workshop – Wednesday, June 12, 2013
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
June 12 Web Meeting – Click here to register now!
Lunchtime Workshop – Thursday, June 13, 2013
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
June 13 Web Meeting – Click here to register now!
All Upcoming Workshops– At a Glance:
WHEN WHERE Saturday, June 8, 2013 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Presentation: 10:30 a.m. Anacostia Library 1800 Good Hope Road, S.E.Washington, DC 20020Google map Tuesday , June 11, 2013 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No formal presentation – visit our kiosk anytime to view presentation materials and talk with the team. Union Station West Carriage Port (near Metrorail escalators) 2 West/40 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20002 Google map Thursday, June 13, 20136:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Presentation: 7:00 p.m. Georgetown Library 3260 R St. N.W. Washington, DC 20007Google map Wednesday, June 12, 20137:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Web Meetings – Sign up now online: June 12 Web Meeting – Click here to register now! Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Web Meetings – Sign up now online: June 13 Web Meeting – Click here to register now!
Getting to the Workshops.
Be sure to check out www.goDCgo.com to learn about transportation options for getting to the workshops.
Can’t Make a Workshop?
Information and activities will be posted online where you can participate and comment.
Do you need assistance to participate?
For those who need special accommodations or language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Jordyne Blaise, Office of Civil Rights, 202-671-5117 or Jordyne.Blaise 72 hours in advance of a meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.
Stay Connected Online
Website: www.wemoveDC.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wemovedc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wemovedc
Sincerely,
moveDC Team
moveDCinfo
Please reply to this email and indicate if you wish to be removed from the moveDC email list.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, activities, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other related statutes.
In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code sec. 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in a violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OSSE Invitation to State Report Card Community Meeting and/or Survey
http://srvy.it/10pUgRx. The deadline for responses to the survey has now been extended until 5pm on Friday, June 7, 2013.
And/Or
2. By joining us on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 6:00-7:00 pm for a community discussion exploring what information to include in the report card and how to make sure it is accessible and easy to use. The community meeting will be held in the 3rd floor conference room of OSSE’s headquarters, located at 810 First St., NE in Washington, DC. To RSVP for this event, please contact Maisha Hayes at maisha.hayes.
By participating in one or both of these efforts, you will give us insight into what the most important factors are to you when choosing a school for your student and how we can make that information available to you in the most convenient and usable way.
If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please contact Kilin Boardman-Schroyer at kilin.boardman-schroyer.
Thanks for your interest and cooperation, and we look forward to receiving your feedback.
Sincerely,
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Seven Education Bills Introduced by CM Catania
On June 4, 2013, Council member David Catania introduced seven bills dealing with funding, school accountability, assessments, facilities, parental engagement, and governance (see http://www.davidcatania.com/schoolreform).
The website link allows you to provide feedback on the bills.
Walk with DCPS in the Capital Pride Parade – Saturday, June 8!
Register your school to walk in the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8. Join us!
When: Saturday, June 8, 2013. The DCPS contingent will line up at 4:00 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd Street and O Street NW.
Who: All DCPS teachers, staff, students, families, and friends are welcome. Pride in DCPS t-shirts will be available to everyone who participates!
Why: DCPS is working to make our schools safe and inclusive for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students, staff, and families. Let’s show our support by walking in this year’s Capital Pride Parade!
Register your school on DCPS’ website.
CHPSPO Meeting Tuesday, May 21 at Tyler
The Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization will meet on Tuesday, May 21, at Tyler Elementary (1001 G Street, SE, Art Room, 1st Floor) at 6:30 p.m. Matthew Frumin who recently ran for an at-large city council seat will attend our meeting to discuss efforts to form a city-wide parent organization that will work to support matter-of-right neighborhood schools. We’ll also get an update on the school library efforts, and we’ll discuss what we want to do to support the top 2013 CHPSPO priority to work jointly to support our neighborhood middle schools.
Congratulations to Sandra Moscoso-Mills for a terrific Bike-to-School Day on May 8. Of the 17 schools in DC that registered for Bike-to-School Day, 11 of them were on Capitol Hill!
If your school has held its PTA elections for the 2013/2014 school year, please let me know who was elected to be your PTA president. Many thanks to all the outgoing PTA presidents for all your hard work!
Suzanne Wells
Ward 6 Public School Parents Organization 