We had an excellent first Community Cabinet meeting last week. Please find the notes below. Thanks to all who came out!
Kicking off the MacFarland Community Cabinet! #DCPSrising pic.twitter.com/Zk9LVXQyCq
— DCPS Planning (@DCPSPlanning) September 15, 2015
We’re excited to announce the MacFarland Middle School Community Cabinet members! These members will weigh in on school programming and community engagement among other issues as we prepare for the school’s opening. As many of you heard last week, MacFarland will be “jump starting” its 6th grade Dual Language Program next year. This will make the Cabinet’s work even more urgent as we prepare for its beginning next school year!
Below is a snapshot of members and a quick introduction. You can reach out to your representatives directly by email, or contact DCPS.Planning@dc.gov with questions/comments.
| Raquel Pinkney – Marie Reed ES Parent | Colleen Hawkinson – Community Member |
| Christopher Alexander – Community Member | Andrew Rowe – Powell ES Parent |
| Jenn Kauffman – Community Member | Tonija Hope Navas – Bancroft ES Parent |
| Ron Hampton – Community Member | Joshua Hertzberg – West EC Parent |
| Tracey Thomas Gronniger – West EC Parent | Colleen Hughes – Community Member |
| Christopher Riddick – Community Member | Yanira van den Broeck – Powell Parent |
| Laura Rassmussen Foster – Community Member | Leslie Sargent – Community Member |
| Kessia Cruz – Marie Reed Parent | Jessica Hare – Powell ES Parentpa |
| Nadia McNeil Dyson – Cleveland ES Parent | Carol Paige – West EC Staff Member |
| Evelyn Romero – Bruce Monroe ES Parent |
rpprentals@yahoo.com
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I was raised in the Petworth neighborhood from birth and I graduated from MacFarland in 1987. I still have family and friends in the neighborhood and would love to see only great things occur with MacFarland.
What was your favorite class in middle school? My favorite class was algebra, I enjoyed figuring out the end results of a problem. I knew you needed to be above average in counting or figuring out math problems because it directly relates to MONEY. Everyone loves to count money.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I was raised in the Petworth neighborhood from birth and I graduated from MacFarland in 1987. I still have family and friends in the neighborhood and would love to see only great things occur with MacFarland.
What was your favorite class in middle school? Spanish-I have loved studying Spanish since 3rd grade when I decided I could be good at it. It led to a major in Spanish and Latin American Literature in college. My Spanish teachers were always awesome!
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I have lived 3 blocks from MacFarland since 2003 and I was very upset with it’s closing. In 2008 I became a DCPS high school counselor so I feel even more strongly about the importance of middle schools. Currently I am due to have twins in November who will be looking forward to enrolling in 6th grade at MacFarland in 2027.
What was your favorite class in middle school? Industrial Arts. I really enjoyed construction and the design process.
Carol.paige@dc.gov
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. As a resident of Washington DC and as a Professional School counselor, I am in the business of education. I also believe in a quality education for all.
What was your favorite class in middle school? History. I had an incredible teacher who was very passionate and caring.
joshua.hertzberg@gmail.com
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. My children are at West Education Campus. When MacFarland opens, it will be their middle school, so I’d like to see it succeed.
What was your favorite class in middle school? Math / science.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I am connected to the middle school as a result of my relationship with Roosevelt SHS (RSHS). My daughter attended RSHS and I served as the President of the Parent Teacher Association for three years and Director of the Family and Community Resource Center for 2 1/2 years. Clearly, I understand the importance of a feeder school for the high school and what it takes for a successful school partnership. Additionally, our community needs a middle school.
What was your favorite class in middle school? I really enjoyed junior high school because at that stage we started changing classes and sitting in one room. It also was greater exposure to athletics and I loved basketball and later played in school, college and the Air Force.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I have three children at Powell ES and am a resident of Ward 4. I want my kids and other area kids to have access to a middle school within their own Ward that they can be proud of and parents will want them to attend.
What was your favorite class in middle school? My favorite class in Middle School was Language Arts. I loved to read and in Middle School we made the jump from just reading for comprehension to reading to understand plot lines and metaphors, and understanding how complicated story telling can be.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. My family and I live in the MacFarland school boundary. Although our daughter’s (age 10 and 71/2) attend a nearby charter school, I recognize the importance of having a quality neighborhood school and I want to help make that happen.
What was your favorite class in middle school? I went to a school system where the elementary went from K-6 and the high school went from 7-12 so I never really had a middle school experience. That said, my 7th grade homeroom was the shop class and it wasn’t necessarily my favorite class but I was amazed and excited that there were so many different types of activities and classes in addition to the typical math, science, language, etc.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I am a parent of a child who would attend the school during its inaugural year.
What was your favorite class in middle school? Spanish because it allowed me the opportunity to attempt to learn another language.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. It is the school closest to the girls for middle school and hopefully it’ll be a great community school for Ward 4.
What was your favorite class in middle school? History. I always loved knowing where I come from and others around me and why things happened before us. I think it’s a great way to learn from mistakes.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I am a mom of a future DCPS student and looking forward to the return of MacFarland to Ward 4.
What was your favorite class in middle school? My favorite class in middle school was my 7th grade history class. Over the winter holidays, our incredibly dedicated teacher transformed the classroom into a western ranch, helping to bring alive the stories of the Wild West that we learned about that spring semester.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. While my son is a toddler, I have a vested interest in the education options and opportunities available to him and every child in my community.
What was your favorite class in middle school? 7th grade English. I had one of the most dynamic instructors in all of my years of education.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. My child currently goes to West and would go to MacFarland for middle school.
What was your favorite class in middle school? I went to a Catholic school in Jersey City, NJ, and it didn’t really differentiate “middle school” from the rest of elementary school. We had the “basics” just like in the other grades and not much else (i.e., no art, music, science lab, sports team, etc). That said, I liked reading/English because I enjoyed reading generally and liked to read new things.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I’m a Petworth resident and future MacFarland parent (of a 15-month old) and educational professional focused on designing college and career readiness opportunities for all students.
What was your favorite class in middle school? 7th Grade English — reading the Diary of Anne Frank inspired my love of literature and was the reason I ultimately majored in English in college.
Describe your connection to MacFarland Middle School. I am the founder of the NW Saturday Academy, an out-of-school academic enrichment program that brings together youth from all over our Ward to study math, computer science and robotics. I am also active with the Ward 4 Education Alliance.
What was your favorite class in middle school? Science, because we had a great teacher who could make even the most challenging topics and assignments come alive. His enthusiasm for learning was infectious and he gave us the power to ask, “Why?” at an important point in our lives.
The DCPS Planning Team is excited to announce the “jump start” of MacFarland Middle School’s Dual Language Program next school year. Please see the letter below from DCPS Chief Operating Officer Nathaniel Beers for details, or click on the pdf link here: MacFarland SY1617 Start Letter.
In the coming school year, both Roosevelt Senior High School and Roosevelt STAY will be expanding their programming. Roosevelt High School’s staff has grown as a result of DCPS high school investment, and Roosevelt STAY will begin operating a daytime program to meet the needs of its younger students. To ensure both schools have enough room for instruction, Roosevelt STAY’s daytime program will take place in the Sharpe Health building just across the street from Roosevelt on 13th St. They will operate there from 9:30am to 4:15pm each day, and evening classes will continue to take place at MacFarland.
Roosevelt STAY will share the facility with Bridges Public Charter School. We at DCPS have met with the leadership at Bridges and are working closely with both principals to ensure each student population has a safe and welcoming learning environment. We do not yet have a long-term plan for where Roosevelt STAY’s daytime program will be located after the coming school year, but we are committed to keeping both our STAY programs — Roosevelt and Ballou STAY — open. These programs are critical in providing disconnected students alternate pathways to high school graduation.
There was a question at the most recent Ward 4 Education Alliance meeting about where to find Roosevelt’s field soil report. You can find the report here on the DGS project page for Roosevelt.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Jackie.Stanley@dc.gov.
The DCPS School Planning Team is excited to announce the Roosevelt Senior High School Community Cabinet! The Cabinet will be an opportunity for community members to make recommendations to DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson about Roosevelt’s “re-envisioned” programming, launching with a global studies focus in School Year 2016-2017. We were pleased to receive nearly 40 applications from Roosevelt families, staff, feeder school parents, and Ward 4 community members.
The School Planning Team worked with the Office of Family and Public Engagement to review each application based on applicant experience, interest in Roosevelt High School, and relationship to the Ward 4 community. We were committed to selecting a group that would represent Ward 4’s diverse communities to ensure rich discussions and a broad range of perspectives. The Community Cabinet will be responsible for (1) gathering input on proposed programming at Roosevelt from his/her community, (2) bringing that input to monthly Cabinet meetings, and (3) sharing updates and recommendations made in Cabinet meetings with his/her community. The Cabinet will begin meeting this fall to discuss a variety of topics, including dual language programming, global studies initiatives, and community partnerships.
Meet the members of the Roosevelt Senior High School community cabinet below:
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am a parent of two children in a feeder school. I also live in the neighborhood and want to see the school serve as a world-class high school option for the community.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Petworth Recreation center
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am entering my 4th year as a parent of Powell Elementary School students, and I am excited to be joining the Roosevelt Community, as the parent of 2 future Rough Riders!
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Upshur Pool
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am mother to a 1st grader who will attend one of Roosevelt’s feeder schools, Powell Elementary, next school year. I also live in the neighborhood.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Upshur Pool
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? Current parent of 2 students at West Education Campus, founder of the West Parent, Staff & Community Organization (PSCO), lifetime neighborhood resident.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: My back yard!
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am a parent of a Theodore Roosevelt student, I grew up in the community where Roosevelt is located and I am a District of Columbia firefighter that serves that community.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Highlands Café
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I currently have son attending and I am the PTSA President!
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Rock creek park cooking out with family and friends
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I have taught at Roosevelt SHS for three years. I teach Robotics, Engineering Design, Chemistry and Environmental Science. I am also the Girls’ Indoor and Outdoor track Coach.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: I’m totally flexible in terms of summer spots for summer fun!
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? Vice President of the Alumni Association.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Petworth
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am an alumni and a parent of an alumni. I am also the God parent of a future ROUGH RIDER as well as an active person in the community.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: The Petworth Library
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I’m a Ward 4 resident who cares deeply about local educational opportunity. In my professional life I study college access programs to help improve programs that support students in making their way to and through higher education. I’m also the mom of two little ones who will one day attend Roosevelt as our neighborhood school.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Upshur Pool
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I taught in Washington, DC for seven years. As a resident of Petworth, I’d like to use my experience to assist Roosevelt SHS in becoming one of the best high schools in the city and the country.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Roof top deck of “The Pitch”
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? Neighbor and ANC commissioner.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Grant Circle
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I live in the community and have Roosevelt as my inbounds high school.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Upshur Pool
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? While I have lived in Petworth for nearly a decade, our experience with DC schools is more recent (kids ages 7, 4, and 1) and serves as motivation to engage and advocate.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Any Petworth Jazz Project performances (even better when spray park is on!)
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? Roosevelt is a school where our community members get the most important education of their lives. It is the most exciting place to be for our kids because they are going to get a world class education under the international theme and we’re very fortunate to have that for our kids.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: St. Mary’s Church on 14th and Buchanan
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am a Ward 4 community member interested in helping to make the best educational opportunities possible for all Roosevelt students
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Roosevelt High School
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I have lived and taught in the neighborhood for 15 years. Tengo 15 años de vivir y enseñar en el vecindario.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Upshur Pool
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? As a member of the Afro-Latino community and understanding the large number of Latino students attending Roosevelt, it is my intention that the Afro-Latino sector is included in all planning initiatives.
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: I spend time at our library.
What’s your connection to Roosevelt High School? I am the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner who represents Roosevelt HS (and Powell).
Favorite summer time spot in Ward 4: Petworth Jazz Festival
If you have any questions about the Roosevelt Senior High School Community Cabinet, please contact Julienne.Vinson@dc.gov or 202.478.1399.
Below is the flyer for the Roosevelt Senior High School Community Cabinet, which you can apply for here. The cabinet will serve as an advisory committee throughout the planning process, giving a voice to local community groups and helping communicate updates through the program launch in SY 2016-2017. Got questions/comments? Contact Julienne.Vinson@dc.gov or call (202) 507-0164.
Over the past several months, we at DC Public Schools have engaged with the Roosevelt High School community about the future of the school. We’ve held meetings with the Roosevelt PTA, community organizations, feeder school parents, and even online forums. We’ve collected roughly 200 comments, questions, and pieces of feedback from people so far and are still working to gather input.
Today we’re sharing what we’ve heard. Comments have been edited slightly so as not to identify particular people, but are otherwise unchanged. We will continue to add and share feedback as we hear more from the community, so please stay tuned for updates.
DCPS School Planning 