All summer, people have been singing, “Where them fans at?” as part of the popular 803Fresh song and line dance “Boots on the Ground” (2024). But as students head back to school, The Washington Informer is asking another question: “Where them books at?”
Now, the linguaphile in me knows that the above question is not posed using proper grammar, and I can hear the many educators in my life correcting me with their answers, saying: “The books are behind that preposition.”
However, in honor of the unofficial song of the summer, I’m ignoring grammar rules and proudly remixing the tune to say: “Where them books at? Oh-oh, woah-oh, oh, woah-oh. We’ve got our books in our bags.”
Are you singing it in your head, as you read along? I hope so.
In fact, as back-to-school season starts, I hope that my remix becomes a bit of an earworm, to help families prepare for students’ return to the classroom.
A critical part of being ready for school is having the proper books– textbooks, workbooks and literature being read in class— and without those items, it’s difficult to learn and thrive.
Ensuring that students have all the books necessary for learning in their backpacks– not just on the first day, but throughout the school year– is incredibly important for students’ success.
Having a book checklist for students’ backpacks can be something that families start together and ensure that young people maintain throughout the school year, thus holding them accountable for how they contribute to their own learning and scholastic achievements.
Further, this year The Washington Informer is pushing for more than school readiness, but highlighting the importance of reading. In this special edition, Washington Informer reporter Sam P.K. Collins writes about District literacy efforts, and Terri Schlichenmeyer offers books perfect to help students and parents for the school year.
Beyond reading and books, this back-to-school guide includes an article from Soul Therapy Media’s Julian B. Kiganda on ways to introduce students to medical careers before college, as well as pieces from organizations such as Washington Teachers Union, the DC Public Charter School Board, Community College Preparatory Academy, Prince George’s Community College and MedStar Family Choice.
Every bit of content in this special edition is geared toward ensuring a successful school year, not just for students, but the whole family.
Use the articles and QR codes in this special edition as a resource throughout the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, and remember, sharing is caring, so pass on the helpful information in order for others to be prepared and empowered this back-to-school season and beyond.
Finally, don’t forget to check out The Washington Informer’s weekly educational coverage, offering several stories to keep readers up-to-date on all the critical happenings affecting DMV scholars, including this week’s articles about the cell phone ban in D.C. public and public charter schools and Howard University students turning to online resources to pay tuition.
Whether a young person, parent or community member, it’s important to know what is happening with students, and the best ways to support them. So as the school year gets going, ask the young people in their lives, “Where them books at?” and be sure that they not only have their books in their bags, but are equipped with all the resources to have a successful school year.