According to the DC State Board of Education, more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home, while more than 7 million children have no place to go after school.
To that end, a national program called “Lights On Afterschool,” aimed at ensuring every child has access to a safe, engaging place where the lights stay on and the doors stay open after school, will be celebrated on Oct. 28.
The program also promotes the importance of quality afterschool and out-of-school programs in the lives of children, families, and communities.
Learning Disabilities Awareness
One in five students learns differently because of learning and/or attention issues.
October as “Learning Disabilities Awareness Month” provides the nation the opportunity to turn its attention to students — including the 2.5 million — who have specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia and the 6 million students who have been diagnosed with “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).”
The month also helps to raise awareness among school leaders, educators, parents, and communities on how to create and foster a world where children with learning disabilities are understood, valued, and able to thrive.
‘Blue Ribbon Schools’
Two DCPS facilities have been recognized by the Department of Education as “National Blue-Ribbon Schools “for 2021.
They include Eaton Elementary and Lafayette Elementary schools, which were selected based on their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.
“The DCPS family is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of Eaton and Lafayette Elementary schools and their recognition as 2021 National Blue Ribbon honorees,” Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said in a statement. “This incredible recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of the student, staff and families and honor the overall mission and values of all DCPS schools.”
While the program recognizes outstanding public and non-public schools, it also celebrates school excellence, turnaround stories, and closing subgroup achievement gaps.
To date, the program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
Age 12, Older Walk-Up Vaccines
Fort Stanton Recreation Center * $51 gift card & giveaway site: 1812 Erie Street, SE
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 am – 6 pm
Thursday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Last walk-ups will be accepted 15 minutes prior to clinic closure.
Last day: Dec. 31
Pfizer
Dorothy Height/Benning Library *$51 gift card & giveaway site: 3935 Benning Road, NE
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 am – 6 pm
Thursday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Last walk-ups will be accepted 15 minutes prior to clinic closure.
Last day: Dec. 31
Johnson & Johnson (Ages 18+)
Columbia Heights Educational Campus * $51 gift card
Giveaway site: 3101 16th St NW
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Last walk-ups will be accepted 15 minutes prior to clinic closure.
Last day: Oct. 30
To find other opportunities to get vaccinated, including at pharmacies and clinics across all eight wards, go to vaccines.gov