Author: dcpsschoolplanning

Fall Community Engagement & SIT begins!

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With School Year 2019-2020 in full swing, the Stevens School Improvement Team (SIT) is back in session and had their first meeting of SY19-20 last week. The presentation materials are public and located on the DCPS Facilities modernization site here.

 

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This fall, the Strategic School Planning (SSP) Team, in partnership with Early Childhood Education and Community and Engagement Teams, have been engaging Ward-based organizations, phone banking families, and connecting with schools in the Stevens neighborhood. We have previously connected and presented at the HeadStart Policy Council, My School DC Parent Advisory Council, W6PSPO.

Below are our upcoming October meetings where DCPS will provide an overview on the Stevens Early Learning Center and seek community feedback on remaining decisions:

  • Wednesday, October 16th: ANC 2A meeting at 7 PM, West End Library (Facilities Team presenting)
  • Saturday, October 19th: Ward 1 Ed Council meeting at 2 PM, Cleveland ES (SSP Team presenting)
  • Thursday, October 24th: Ward 8 EdCouncil meeting at 6 PM, Martha’s Table (SSP Team presenting)

For questions or if you would to request a Stevens overview for your community group, please contact DCPS.Planning@k12.dc.gov or call (202) 520-2277.

Ribbon Cutting & New School Year Celebrations!

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To kick off the new school year, community members, families, and new staff gathered at Ida B. Wells for a fun ribbon cutting celebration! It was so exciting to hear from Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee, Principal Vroman, and current students about their vision for the new middle school in Ward 4. We look forward to seeing how students and staff utilize the state-of-the-art science spaces, new classrooms, and historic courtyard that was converted into an atrium for expanded programming.

Follow Ida B. Wells for updates and photos on academic and hands-on programming throughout the school year!

  • Ida B. Wells twitter: @IdaBWellsMS
  • Ida B. Wells school website: https://www.idabwellsms.org/ 
    • The website also contains the school’s weekly newsletter in both English and Spanish, which highlights school events and what staff and students are focusing on for the week!

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Ribbon cutting

For more details on the new school opening, the Mayor’s press release is here. Also you can view the ribbon cutting ceremony video here. 

Ida B. Wells Middle School prepares for their inaugural year

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The Ida B. Wells MS team is pictured here at their summer home at Whittier EC

The leadership team and staff at Ida B. Wells MS have had a busy and productive summer as they prepare to open their doors with a 6th grade class in their new, modernized building at 405 Sheridan Street NW.

On July 18, the leadership team held a retreat. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and plan with each other before the school year begins.

On July 8, the summer team went on a building tour of the new school facilities. It’s exciting to see the installation of the SmartBoards and basketball hoops in progress!

On June 8th, Whittier EC, Ida B. Wells MS and Coolidge HS held a summer block party. This was a wonderful chance to build community across the feeder pattern. A special thank you to the Whittier PTA for your support on this event!

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To keep up with all that is happening at Ida B. Wells MS, please visit their new website.

You are also welcome to follow the school’s social media, using the links below!

  • The school has two twitter accounts that you can find at @IdaBWellsMS and @MeganVroman.
  • They also have an Instagram account, you can find it here @IdaBWellsMS
  • Lastly, their Facebook account can be found here.

And remember, Go Wolves!

Wells MS Logo

Stevens Modernization Update & Website

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Construction started this spring for the Stevens School, slated to open School Year 2020-2021. The design team, OTJ Architects, and the exterior contractor, Stevens School LLC (Akridge), have been collaborating with DGS and DCPS to continue to move the project forward.  The contractor that will perform the interior work will be selected by the end of summer and introduced to the Stevens SIT this fall when meetings resume. The DCPS Facilities Team publicly posts project updates and meeting materials here: https://sites.google.com/a/dc.gov/dcps-school-modernizations/home/thaddeus-stevens

The current Stevens School Improvement Team (SIT) is comprised of community members, Head Start Council members/parents, and representation from DCPS ECE, Division of Specialized Instruction, and Strategic School Planning Teams. As the project continues to develop, we aim to add more prospective parents to the SIT.

For any modernization questions, please contact the Facilities POC: Tania.Shand@k12.dc.gov or (202) 306 – 9449.

Cardozo Feeder Pattern – Middle School Engagement Update

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June 2019

Cardozo Feeder Pattern Community,

From January through April, DCPS conducted a public engagement process on middle school planning in the Cardozo feeder pattern with parents, staff, community members, and other stakeholders. The goal of this process was to determine whether a new middle school was needed in the feeder pattern. This process included four public meetings, two focus groups, and an online survey. During this process, it was clear that families want quality school feeder pathway options, that the options should reflect the communities, and there is a sense of urgency.

As you may know, the DC Council approved funding for a feasibility study on potential location options for a standalone middle school in the Cardozo feeder pattern in the city’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget. DCPS is committed to keeping this group updated on the progress of this initiative and engagement opportunities. As funds for the feasibility study will not be received until October 2019, we anticipate that we will have more to share with you next winter.

The planning for the Banneker HS modernization at the Shaw site will continue in partnership with community members as part of the School Improvement Team (SIT) process. For more information on the SIT process please visit: https://sites.google.com/a/dc.gov/dcps-school-modernizations/home/banneker-high-school.

Over the next several months, DCPS will continue to weigh the feedback received and recent budget developments, as we consider middle school options. We look forward to continued engagement in a shared vision for the Cardozo feeder pattern.

If you have any questions, please email dcps.planning@k12.dc.gov.

Thank you,

DCPS School Planning Team

Strategic School Planning Advisory Board May 2019 Meeting #7 Recap

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The Strategic School Planning Advisory Board (SSPAB) met on May 16, 2019. In this meeting, DCPS shared and discussed relevant school planning updates. In addition, board members and DCPS continued the 4/23 board meeting discussion on school diversity, segregation and integration including its impact on planning in DCPS.

You can find the presentation from the meeting here.

Citywide Cardozo Feeder Pattern April Planning Meeting Recap

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On Thursday, April 25, DCPS hosted a citywide meeting for all parents, staff, community members, and other stakeholders on middle school planning in the Cardozo feeder pattern. The meeting was held at Garrison Elementary School.

During this meeting, DCPS reviewed highlights and takeaways from the online survey and the engagement process. DCPS reviewed updated criteria and considerations for opening a new middle school and discussed next steps.

  • You can view the presentation from the meeting here.
  • You can download a copy of the raw data from the online survey here.

DCPS will share the feedback from this engagement process with the Chancellor and the Mayor for review. No deadline has been set for when a final decision will be made. DCPS will provide an update on the timeline and process before the end of the school year.

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If you are interested in learning more about current and planned improvements at Cardozo Education Campus, you may attend Cardozo’s upcoming Principal’s Coffee Chat on May 7th from 9:30 – 10:30am. Please review this flyer in English and Spanish for more information.

Strategic School Planning Advisory Board April 2019 Meeting #6 Recap

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The Strategic School Planning Advisory Board (SSPAB) met on April 23, 2019. In this meeting, DCPS shared and discussed relevant school planning updates. In addition, board members and DCPS discussed school diversity, segregation, and integration and impact on planning in DCPS.

You can find the presentation from the meeting here. 

You can find the meeting minutes here.

Bard DC: Matched Student Orientation fun!

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Bard DC Leadership Team from left to right: Dr. Brian Gloor (Dean of Studies), Dr. Vanessa Anderson (Principal), and Jeffery Moss (Dean of Students)

Last week, Bard DC hosted a student orientation for matched students and families. They  met Bard DC’s leadership team (pictured above) to learn more about what to expect in SY19-20 and engaged in a writing and thinking exercise with Professor Nelly Lambert (BHSEC Baltimore staff).  Bard High School Early College’s alums now based in DC also shared their Bard experiences and tips for Bard’s new incoming class!

Bard DC’s matched students have until May 1st to enroll and provide proof of DC residency to secure their seat. Families can bring completed enrollment packets or pick up blank ones at the following times this month:

  • Tuesdays at Davis building: 4430 H St. SE (8:30 – 5 PM)
  • Any weekday at DCPS Central Office (1200 First St. NE, 9th floor)
  • Saturday, April 20: Open House at Francis Gregory Library (3660 Alabama Ave. SE)
  • Saturday, April 27: Enrollment Saturday at DCPS Central Office (1200 First St. NE, 9th floor)

Bard DC’s matched students also have a specific tab on the Bard DC website and information will be updated here regularly: https://bhsec.bard.edu/dc/accepted-students/ 

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April 10: Matched students’ event