The DCPS Office of Family and Public Engagement is responsible for engaging parents, families and the community in students’ learning and improving schools.
To that end, Chancellor Antwan Wilson and other DCPS Leadership are providing opportunities each month at community forums for feedback and help in making critical decisions aligned with the District’s strategic priorities and initiatives. Light refreshments, child care and interpretation services will be provided.
Two forums will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the following times:
8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Oyster-Adams • 2801 Calvert Street NW
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. — Hardy MS • 1819 35th Street NW
Closing the Achievement Gap
To close the achievement gap, DCPS is providing more resources and supports to students who need it most.
That includes investments such as the one at Aiton Elementary School in Northeast, where the district’s “Excellence” through equity funding sent all teachers to Eureka Math professional development, helping them hone their skills so students can be college- and career-ready.
“We want to make sure we’re targeting resources … so that we can begin to make sure those students are given the best shot possible to reach their full potential,” said Chancellor Antwan Wilson in describing the $2.6 million investment in support of literacy, math, attendance and social emotional learning.
Lessons in Advocacy
Five students from Thurgood Marshall Academy High School in Southeast recently attended the D.C. Youth Civil Rights Summit, where they got an opportunity to engage in presentations ranging from women’s rights to voting rights.
The three-day summit was sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union Club at the School Without Walls Senior High School in Northwest. Students learned about advocating for their rights from ACLU lawyers and keynote speakers.
“It was an amazing opportunity working in groups, meeting new people, and learning about our rights,” said TMA 11th-grader Destiny Young.
This summit has inspired TMA students to think about starting their own club focused on civil rights.
Power of Photography
Thurgood Marshall Academy High School has partnered with the Pulitzer Center’s educational outreach team to bring journalists into the classroom.
Students worked with journalists who are part of the “Everyday Africa” project, learning about the power of photography to break down misconceptions and using their phones to capture images throughout the school.
The journalists also helped students learn how to capture images that tell a story.
