FY13 DC Council Hearing on DCPS Budget – CHPSPO Testimony #SaveSchoolLibraries

FY13 Hearing on DCPS Budget

Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization Testimony

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today about the FY13 DC Public Schools budget.  My name is Peter MacPherson, and I am presenting testimony on behalf of the Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization or CHPSPO.  CHPSPO is testifying today because of serious concerns we have in changes made to how the school library media specialists are funded.

In the FY13 budget, schools with an enrollment of 299 or fewer will not receive funding for the school librarian position.  There are more than 50 DC public schools of this size.  Schools with an enrollment of 300 or more will receive a budget allocation for a full-time librarian.  However, for the first time, the librarian position has been moved from required staffing to “flexible funding” which means filling the school librarian position is at the discretion of the principal.

There is a wealth of research showing that schools that rely on their libraries to support student learning have seen higher assessment scores, and ultimately higher graduation rates.  In October 2011, the New York Comprehensive Center released an information brief on the impact of school libraries on student achievement.  Relying on a series of school library impact studies, they found school libraries have a positive impact on student outcomes and can play a major role in closing the achievement gap.  Specifically, these studies have shown that schools that successfully use their school libraries to support student learning have 1) helped improve teacher effectiveness, 2) shown a greater likelihood that early learners will develop into accomplished readers, 3) seen increases in graduation rates and higher performance levels, and 4) shown higher assessment scores.  Given this research, we find the lack of priority for school librarians in the FY13 budget to be troubling and shortsighted.  In 2011, 56% of 4th graders and 54% of 8th graders scored below basic in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

If DCPS is trying to raise assessment scores, we would expect our educational leaders to be placing greater emphasis on school libraries, not less.

We all know information today is increasingly available through technology, and digital literacy is increasingly important.  When anyone can post anything on the internet, the need for our students to understand how best to use the dizzying amount of information available to them is more and more important.  Because it is most often our school librarians who teach students how best to find, use and interpret information, this is not the time to be eliminating the school librarian who is the one professional in the building trained to teach these skills in today’s, technology-infused classrooms.  This is not the time to be putting school librarians in a “flexible funding” category.

For many, many years, DCPS libraries have had a very hard time. CHPSPO recognized this back in 2005, and started an initiative called the School Libraries Project.  The School Libraries Project was a $2.4 million public private partnership between DCPS and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, the Washington Architectural Foundation, and numerous other foundations and private individuals.  Today, through the School Libraries Project, the libraries at eight elementary and middle schools on Capitol Hill are beautiful spaces filled with books and technology.  This partnership was based on the understanding that the libraries would be staffed with trained library media specialists, and we are troubled that the FY13 budget seems to be backtracking on this understanding.

In addition to the FY13 budget decisions that negatively impact library staffing, there has been a long-standing lack of support from DCPS for purchasing books for the libraries. For years, our PTAs, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation and our ANCs have often been the only source of funding for books for our school libraries.  After the beautiful $75 million modernization at Eastern High School, the library got no new books.  Similarly, at Eliot-Hine Middle School, in 2008 there were extensive interior renovations that included the library, but no new books were provided for the library.

We understand that the difficult choices are being made in the FY13 DCPS budget.  School libraries are easy targets during budget-cutting times.  However, when DCPS cuts school libraries, it does an injustice to our city’s public school students who need to advance their literacy if they are to succeed in today’s world.  Because the research is clear that school libraries play an important role in student achievement, DCPS should identify ways to support librarian positions and school libraries.

We urge the DC Council and the DCPS leadership to reverse the actions taken in the FY13 budget that negatively affect the school libraries.  We ask that DCPS move the school librarian back into the required staffing section of the budget, and identify ways to support librarians at schools with enrollments under 299.


CHPSPO Meeting Notes – March 20, 2012

Dear Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization members,

 

Middle Schools

At our CHPSPO meeting on Tuesday, we had very informative presentations from Principals Tynika Young, Dawn Clemens and Natalie Gordon. After our discussion, we decided to form two “thinking groups” to further explore how we can support our neighborhood middle schools. The two thinking groups are:

1. Outreach – the scope of this thinking group is to look at things like:

a. spreading the word about the good things going on at our neighborhood middle schools;

b. bringing together parents from the different elementary feeder schools, e.g., living room chats, etc.;

c. helping people understand what the IB teaching approach is and the progress Jefferson, Eliot-Hine and Eastern are making in becoming IB certified;

d. creating opportunities for families to visit the neighborhood middle schools, e.g., art festivals, Spring baseball games, etc.

Outreach thinking group members are: Joe Weedon (chair), Andrea Ryan, Isabella Harris, and Barbara Riehle

2. Out-of-school time/Partnerships – the scope of this thinking group is to look at things like:

a. what existing out-of-school time activities do the middle schools currently have such as clubs and sports;

b. what partnerships currently exist at the schools to support out-of-time activities;

c. what are the desires of the principals, teachers and students for after-school activities;

d. identify opportunities for establishing partnerships to support out-of-school activities.

Out-of-school time/Partnerships thinking group members are: Suzanne Wells (chair), Sandra Moscoso-Mills, Principal Dawn Clemens, and Julie Scofield

The thinking groups will report at the April CHPSPO meeting on their progress. If others would like to join the thinking groups, please contact the chairs of the thinking groups (Joe Weedon, joeweedon@verizon.net for the Outreach thinking group and Suzanne Wells, m.godec@att.net for the Out-of-school time/Partnerships thinking group).

 

DCPS Libraries

At our meeting, we also agreed CHPSPO would submit testimony at the March 28 DCPS budget hearing and/or write a letter to Chancellor Henderson regarding the FY13 budget changes that move librarians into a flexible funding category, and that eliminate librarians from schools with enrollments less than 299. A draft of the testimony/letter will be circulated in the next couple of days.

 

Smithsonian Education Lab

Finally, we had a very informative presentation by Jeff Meade with the Smithsonian Education Lab. There are great opportunities for free teacher training through the Smithsonian Education Lab. If your school is interested in exploring partnering opportunities with the Smithsonian Education Lab, contact Jeff at meadej@si.edu.

Suzanne Wells

March 20, 2012 CHPSPO Meeting

CHPSPO will meet on Tuesday, March 20th, at Eliot-Hine. At this meeting, we’ll be joined by:

– Jeff Mead from the Smithsonian Education Lab who will discuss their Digital Media Program;
– Principals Natalie Gordon, Tynika Young, and Dawn Clemens who will be discussing their middle schools and brainstorming with us how the community can best support the middle schools; and
– Pat Brown who is the DCPS Manager of Library Media Services and Karen Cowden and Anne Ledford who are DCPS librarians who will discuss some recent developments with staffing/budgets for the DCPS libraries.

On Monday, March 19, there will be a community meeting to discuss middle schools at Maury Elementary starting at 6 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Suzanne Wells

032012 agenda CHPSPO.doc

ABC’s of Family Biking on Saturday, April 21 @ CHM@L

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2012

Contact: Megan Odett,  KidicalMassDC@gmail.com, 443-254-2188

Kidical Mass DC, DDOT and WABA Team Up To Teach “ABC’s of Family Biking”

Kidical Mass DC, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Safe Routes to School Program, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are pleased to announce the first “ABC’s of Family Biking.” This free event, the first of its kind in the Greater Washington area, will celebrate the joy of biking with children and introduce local parents to the tools, skills and equipment that can help them start biking with their kids. To be held on Saturday, April 21st from 11am – 2pm at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, “The ABC’s of Family Biking” will:

  • provide an opportunity to talk to area parents who bike with children of all ages, from infants and toddlers through school-age
  • feature the bicycles and equipment available at local bike shops to help parents bike safely with their children
  • teach basic riding skills to children through free classes with WABA instructors
  • present a special class to parents and their children on group riding skills for families that are interested in forming “biketrains” for children to ride to and from school in groups with adult supervision
  • demonstrate riding skills with an easy group ride to help all participants practice their new skills and meet other families that share their interest in biking.

“Biking with my son has made the daily commute more fun than I ever thought it could be,” said Megan Odett, Kidical Mass DC’s organizer. “My goal in creating this event was to provide other parents with all the information I wish I’d had when I first started researching how to bike with children.”

According to Jennifer Hefferan, DDOT’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator, “a growing number of DC families are traveling to school by bicycle. Many families are asking me for safety tips about biking with children. This event will be a great opportunity for families to learn the ABC’s of bicycling with kids and to promote bicycling as a healthy, environmentally-friendly, and fun form of transportation. The event will also provide a chance for families to practice their bicycling skills in advance of the first National Bike to School Day which will be May, 9, 2012.”

What: The ABC’s of Family Biking

Where: The parking lot behind Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan

215 G Street NE

The location is easily accessible from the Union Station Metro and Capital Bikeshare stations.

When: Saturday, April 21st from 11 am-2 pm,

Group riding class begins at 1 pm.

Rain date is Sunday, April 22nd

For more information, visit KidicalMassDC.blogspot.com and click on “ABC’s of Family Biking,” or contact Megan Odett, Kidical Mass DC’s organizer, at KidicalMassDC@gmail.com

About Kidical Mass DC:
Kidical Mass DC was founded in 2011 as a local branch of the national “Kidical Mass” movement, which promotes safe, legal and fun family cycling on city streets. In its inaugural year, Kidical Mass DC hosted six rides from April through October, visiting locations from the White House to Historic Anacostia and helping over 100 local parents and children practice safe riding skills.

About DC Safe Routes to School: The District Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program works to make it safer, more convenient, and more fun to get to school on foot or by bicycle. Since 2008, nearly 30 schools have worked with the DC Safe Routes to School Program to overcome barriers to walking and bicycling to school.

About WABA:

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is the national capital region’s nonprofit bicycle advocacy and education membership association. We have been serving the District of Columbia, City of Alexandria, and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Montgomery, and Prince George’s since 1972 with the mission of creating a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment; and educating children and adults about safe bicycling.

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CHPSPO Meeting Notes – February 21, 2012

Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization

J.O. Wilson Elementary School

660 K Street, NE –Library, 2nd floor

February 21, 2012  6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

1) Safe Routes to School, Jennifer Heffernan, District DOT

**Congratulations to Brent ES, as Feb 21 was the debut of the Brent Safety Patrols!

First Annual National Bike to School Day is on May 9, Wednesday.

 – Supported by DDoT (giveaways will be available to participating schools)

 – Soon, schools can register to participate via WWW.Walktoschool.org – (the site is currently being redesigned to provide more biking related material)

– Brainstormed around idea of having a pitstop at Lincoln Park, rather than a W2SD type of party. Plan to record the participants and recognize the schools who participate (maybe shout outs to the schools with most participants). Have multiple pit stops, as long as there are volunteers to ‘man’ them.

– ACTION: Sandra M. to reach out to CHPSPO schools to see who is willing to volunteer to organize pit stops and where.

ABCs of Family Bicycling on Sat, April 21st, 11AM-2PM @ Logan parking lot (215 G St., NE) (rain date is following day).

 – Kiddical Mass

 – Families w/ experience biking will give demos, showing gear

 – Bike shops will show gear

 – Bicycle skills rodeo

 – Safety

 – Bicycle train training (teach skills re: riding in group safely), followed by group ride

 – ACTION: Jennifer H. to add to program – how to secure your bikes

– ACTION: CHPSPO will get event into Hill Rag

Bike Racks and Safe Routes to Eliot Hine

 – Q: do all schools on Hill have full complement of bike racks? – ACTION: Jennifer to look into those bike racks installed in last year or so.

 – Q: Could DDOT look into Safe Routes to Eliot-Hine? ACTION: Jennifer to look into this – Suzanne to connect Jennifer w/ Eliot-Hine

 

 2)  Community Parade, Apollo:

 – Parade likely 11AM-12PM, in April or May

 – To include schools, clubs, teams, music

 – ACTION: CHPSPO to reach out to Capitol Hill Classic and Laps for Lincoln organizers; Apollo to flesh out theme/focus of parade

 3) Mindful Parenting Workshops, Steven Seiden

 – Therapist-led sharing environment w/in parents to feel like we can problem-solve issues and have support and connect

– Eventually, peer-led

– Goal is to make this a DCPS parent-engagement program

– Opening up this opportunity to all Ward 6 schools. On March 9 and March 23 9:30-11 AM (or 1:30-3:00PM); ideally, at each school

 – ACTION: Steve to write up invite to circulate to schools

4) IFF Study Discussion: http://dme.dc.gov/DC/DME/Publication%20Files/IFF_Final_Report.pdf

– ACTION: ALL -read and encourage individuals to write letters to encourage Chancellor and Deputy Mayor not to look at this study, but rather at the work that is going on in schools and communities.

– ACTION: Suzanne to circulate DeShawn Wright’s response to IFF.

5) Discussion of 2012 CHPSPO Priorities, All

Middle Schools

– Bring Principals (+ LSAT; PTAs) of middle schools together to identify where they think the community can help

– Reference to Heather’s pitch in example: need to know what volunteer needs are at the school

    • Bring PTA leadership together from MS to figure out how to get them more active; bring PTA feeders together w/ MS PTAs
    •  Have a list of ways we think we can help that principals can consider

– Living room chats w/ feeder families

    • Also set expectations

– Leading Tours for Parents

– Have schools hold PTA meetings at EH

– Request from DCPS accountability around MS plan

– Elementary school events at EH (ex: art show of feeder elementary schools at EH)

– Re-engage the collaboration teams

– ACTION: Suzanne to reach out to Principals and PTA presidents to meet w/ CHPSPO/feeders

– Elliot-Hine collaboration team meets first Wednesday of the Month at 5:30 PM @ Parent Resource Center at Eliot Hine

– Eliot Hine PTA = 3rd Thursday of the Month

——————————————-

Next CHPSPO Meeting: March 20, 2012

Upcoming Events:

March 10, Alchemy of Great Taste, Tyler Fundraiser

March 17, School Within School Jazz Gala and Auction

March 24, Maury at the Market, Maury Fundraiser

March 24, A Taste of the Hill, Brent Fundraiser

April 27, A Montessori Night’s Dream, Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan Fundraiser

Visit CHPSPO on the web at http://chpspo.org

CHPSPO meeting on Tuesday, Feb 21 2012 @ JO Wilson

The Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization February meeting will be on Tuesday, February 21, at the J.O. Wilson Elementary School library (660 K Street, NE, on 2nd floor).At the February meeting, we will have a discussion of Safe Routes to Schools and Mindful Parenting Workshops. We will also be further refining CHPSPO’s 2012 priorities with the goal of reaching consensus on specific actions we want CHPSPO to accomplish in 2012. Attached are the ideas for CHPSPO 2012 priorities that we discussed at our January meeting.

See you on Tuesday.

Suzanne Wells

022112 agenda CHPSPO.doc

CHPSPO Brainstorm 2012 Priorities.docx

CHPSPO Meeting Notes – January 12, 2012

Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization

Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan

215 G Street, NE

January 17, 2012

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

 

 

This meeting marked the 7th anniversary of CHPSPO!!! Congratulations!

Full house with 25 attendees!

1)      Brent’s Middle School Series, Jason Townsend

Discussion:

Jefferson – not all things that the Brent folks thought would be done were done.

–          Why was the Brent Middle School group started?

    • Recognize success of elementary school is contingent on success of middle school
    • Trying to get younger parents involved to revive MS group/discussion

–          What does this group do?

    • Coordinate Open Houses for middle schools and invites
      • Principal of Jefferson Academy has attended Brent PTA (1 parent attended)
      • KIPP prez (2dozen attended)
      • BASIS prez (3 dozen attended)
    • Help parents get educated around options in younger grades and bring new parents in
    • Will continue to invite DCPS and charters to give presentations

–          Issues with the current DCPS middle school approach:

    • 2 feeders for Brent a little divisive
    • Resources promised (high tech/high touch) not delivered

–          Group is excited, but it’s going to take something more radical and group energy/foundation

2) No Child Left Behind Waiver Application Process, Jeralyn Cave, OSSE, + 2 other representatives

Background: DC+40 other states are applying for waivers around requirements

–          FAQs are on OSSE’s website

–          OSSE Press Release on waivers

–          One of Fed Reqs of presenting application for waiver = rigorous public engagement

–          NOTE: Charters are very active in this space in making sure their voices are at the table w/ Sec Duncan

–          Consensus is the $ that is spent on Title 1 does not actually help kids.

–          Principles:

    • College- and Career-Ready Expectations for All Students
    • State-Developed Differentiated Recognition, Accountability, and Support
    • Supporting Effective Instruction and Leadership
    • Reduction of administrative burden

–          Q: Will this make schools less accountable? A: OSSE’s largest concern is continuing to keep schools accountable.

–          Q: What impact will waiver have on IMPACT evaluation? A: Very little.

–          Q: What happens after waiver is implemented/applied?  A: confident that assessments will stay in place going forward.

–          Q: Does state office have ability to track children as they move around DCPS/Charter, etc? To determine that as children move, they are w/in same framework so parents can track?  A: Yes, OSSE is able to track students as they move from grade to grade at DCPS and Charter schools.

–          Q: Does application address school success criteria beyond testing/AYP ? A: Application  proposes to measure: Growth (in school population), Academic growth, Graduation from HS

–          Q: What are Charter School advocates trying to put into waiver? A: Focus is not to have themselves subject to same measures and accountabilities that DCPS are subject to.  (ex: trying to exclude re-enrollments from application)

Next Steps:  OSSE has published a public draft version: http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/OSSE_ESEA%20Flexibility%20Application%20Draft_01-18%2012_0.pdf

–          Comment via Osse.comments@dc.gov

–          Encourage comments on this. Will submit final application on Feb 21, after feedback has been incorporated.

–          Encourage Instructional Superintendent to press DCPS leadership to make sure principals’ voices are heard. Only 25 out of all schools public and charter made AYP.

OSSE offered to come back w/ full presentation of entire waiver, go over section by section at a future date.

Call to action: ANYONE INTERESTED IN SERVING AS POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS?

Follow up: meeting to discuss waiver.  Joe W. to send a note to CHPSPO once the waiver is posted

3)      DCPS Lottery Information Session, Laura Marks

  • Monday, Jan 23, 6-7:30 PM @ Payne Elementary School
  • All principals invited, focused on DCPS schools on the Hill.  Recommend following up with your principal to ensure your school will have a presence.

4) Brainstorm 2012 CHPSPO Priorities, All

Idea Seconds Comments
Middle schools, including reaching more consensus as a community on middle schools 10 Vision is fractured, need to come back to a consensus
After school 2 Sharing resources with Hill Center
Sharing lessons learned, e.g., fundraising 1
Encouraging more collegiality between schools, positive comments supportive of our schools 1
Create “community” schools 1 Use schools more as community resources, activities for adults
Hill-wide events where schools come together for activities, e.g., art, sports 1 Event collaboration around education
Expand sport opportunities 1 Collaboration around sports; girls on the run
Keep tabs on Eastern 1
Schoolyard greening 1
Safe biking/walking routes
Number of school choices and resulting fragmentation within our community
Keep an eye on Hine property development, and advocate for educational benefit
Explore establishing Montgomery County-like facilitated discussions Facilitated discussions within schools, e.g., on race
Testify at hearings dealing with education issues Advocacy to elected leadership
Summer camp opportunities
Better connect neighborhoods with their schools and get community members involved in the schools
Encourage more interaction between schools

Next meeting at JO Wilson

Next CHPSPO Meeting:   February 21, 2012

Upcoming Events:

January 19       Stuart Hobson Modernization Community Meeting, Stuart Hobson, 6:30 – 8 pm

January 23       DCPS Lottery Information Session, Payne Elementary, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Check the CHPSPO Calendar for upcoming open houses: http://chpspo.org/calendar/

Visit CHPSPO on the web at http://chpspo.org

DCPS Preschool, Pre-K and Out-of-Boundary Information Night – Jan 23

January 17 CHPSPO Meeting

Happy New Year, CHPSPO Community!

Our next Capitol Hill Public School Parent Organization meeting will be January 17 at 6:30 pm at Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan.

At our meeting on the 17th, we will be joined by Jeralyn Cave from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education who will be giving us an overview of the No Child Left Behind flexibility waiver application process. OSSE will be submitting a flexibility waiver request in February 2012 that is intended to guide the support and interventions for schools that don’t make AYP. Since most of the schools on the Hill did not meet AYP in 2011, this will be an important effort for us all. Attached is an OSSE briefing about the flexibility waiver application.

At our January meeting, we will be brainstorming ideas for what we want CHPSPO to do in 2012. Please bring your ideas, big and small, to share. As we discuss our priorities for 2012, please remember the Helen Keller quote, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

There are two important meetings in January. On January 19, there will be a community meeting about the modernization of Stuart Hobson Middle School. A very exciting renovation is planned for Stuart Hobson, but of course, there aren’t enough modernization funds to do all that is needed at the school. The renovation is on a fast track, and this meeting will be an opportunity to voice expectations before the renovation begins. Flyer is attached.

On January 23, DCPS will be hosting an Lottery Information Session at Payne Elementary School. As the lottery process begins, many new parents are weighing their school options. There will be an opportunity for schools to have brochures and/or other information to disseminate to interested parents, if you are interested.

See you on Tuesday.

Suzanne Wells

Stuart Hobson modernization flyer.pdf

OSSE-ESEA Flexibility Dec SBOE FINAL.ppt

011712 agenda CHPSPO.doc

CHPSPO Meeting Notes – December 13, 2011

Capitol Hill Public Schools Parent Organization

Ludlow Taylor Elementary School

659 G St., NE

Room 302

December 13, 2011

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

1. Ed Lazere, the Chair of the Public Education Finance Reform Commission (PEFRC or the Commission) spoke about the legislation that established the Commission, and the Commission’s charge.  The Commission is an independent body convened to make recommendations to the Mayor regarding the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) to inform the 2013 FY Budget.  The Commission has been asked to specifically look at issues of adequacy, equity, affordability and transparency. Information about process, past and future meetings is available on  http://PEFRC.org and in the legislation document.  All meetings are open to public.

CHPSPO members (and all DC residents) are encouraged to weigh in via comments through the Commission’s website and their hearings. The Commission would benefit from comments on how to manage the DCPS facilities better, e.g., how to pay for buildings efficiently, and maintain them.  Also, comments on how to direct money toward low-income and special education students would be of interest to the Commission.

2. CHPSPO By-laws.  Those present at the meeting (representatives from Maury, Tyler, Ludlow-Taylor, the Capitol Hill Cluster School, Brent, Payne, and Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan) voted to pass the by-laws.

3. Race to Nowhere Report Out

Special thanks to to Sherry Trafford and to Liz Festa for organizing the event. to Atlas Performing Arts Centre for hosting, to our panelists, and to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for making it possible for us to put on this event free of charge.

    • Many participants completed evaluations and wanted to continue discussion.
    • Steve Seiden discussed the Mindful Parenting session that was recently brought to the Capitol Hill Cluster School.  Steve said there was a willingness to deliver the session to other schools. Tips and ideas learned from a Mindful Parenting session might mesh nicely with an interest to continue discussions about Race to Nowhere.
4. Looking Ahead to 2012.
  • Priorities for 2012 will be discussed at the next meeting.  It was suggested we may want to work collaboratively on after-care issues.

—————————-

Next CHPSPO Meeting:   January 17, 2012

Coming up – OPEN HOUSES in January:

DCPS will sponsor a lottery information session January 25 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Payne ES, 1445 C Street, SE


Happy New Year!