Celebrating Principals, DC Decision Day, and More!
FeaturedThis message was shared with DCPS families and staff on May 5, 2023.
Dear DCPS Community,
On Monday, we celebrated our incredible school leaders for School Principals’ Day! DC Public Schools’ (DCPS) principals wear many different hats, and our students, staff, and families help make sure that none of them go unnoticed.
DCPS principals are instructional experts who see the big picture when it comes to supporting students in reaching their academic goals. They are passionate and dedicated leaders who are committed to helping students reach their full potential. With their expertise and guidance, principals are mentors who inspire educators to be their best selves and pursue a vision of academic success that aligns with the needs of our communities.
Mayor Bowser has said, “School principals are mini mayors.” And that’s because every school really is a whole community within a community — principals are responsible for overseeing it all to ensure the success of everyone. They create a sense of belonging within our schools, developing connections, instilling a culture of purpose, and fostering relationships that will last long beyond graduation.
Next week, May 8-11, please join DCPS as the district recognizes Teacher Appreciation Week in celebration of our amazing educators!
In partnership,
Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D.
Chancellor, DC Public Schools
Celebrating DC Decision Day 🎓
Monday was also DC Decision Day, a day created for high school seniors to confirm their enrollment with the college of their choice. It’s truly a time for lifting up young people for making one of the biggest, and hopefully the one of the best, decisions of their lives. Chancellor Ferebee stopped by Decision Day ceremonies at several high schools to share in this milestone and celebrate students’ intentions for college, training programs, apprenticeships, and the workforce.
Members of the Class of 2023 have applied to over 1,000 colleges and received acceptance to over 500 (and counting!). Additionally, this class has completed more Free Applications for Federal Student Aid or FAFSAs than the Class of 2022 had by this time last year. As Chancellor Ferebee told students at Eastern High School, “What that tells me is that you all don’t play about your education or your money!”
ABC 7’s Sam Ford was on the scene at Ron Brown HS to connect with Ean Bowie, a winner of the Gates Millennium Scholarship—one of just 750 recipients out of over 50,000 applicants from across the country. He will receive a full ride to Ohio State University to study film. Congratulations, Ean and all the Young Kings on their bright futures ahead!
Promoting Sustainability 🌏
Last month, schools celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day to culminate DCPS’ year-round sustainability efforts. Cardozo Education Campus was named a National Green Ribbon School by the Department of Education for efforts such as the Mighty Greens student environmental club, an 18,000-square-foot green roof, LEED certification, and a community garden. Congratulations to Principal Mola and the Cardozo team!
Education is all about ensuring that future generations are equipped to thrive. From LEED-certified building construction to school gardens and rooftop solar panels, sustainability drives our work every day.
Did you know these facts about DCPS’ environmental commitment?
- Benjamin Banneker High School and John Lewis Elementary School are on track to be among the nation’s first carbon-neutral schools.
- Ludlow-Taylor Elementary is home to the largest school garden in DC, with a rain garden, mature trees, and a robust FoodPrints Program.
- Kimball Elementary uses their FoodPrints garden to bring healthy food to their neighbors.
- Dunbar High School is home to the largest solar panel array across the District.
With new projects in the works every day, this is just a snapshot of how we’re ensuring a bright future for our young people, with new projects in the works every day.
Members of Cardozo EC’s “Mighty Greens” club
Building MacArthur High School 🏫
Chancellor Ferebee and Principal McCray recently joined WPGC’s “Good Morning Show” to share an update on DC’s newest school, MacArthur High School, where the founding class will have the option to take honors and AP courses and study subjects within aerospace and computer maintenance. “We’re listening to students’ needs and creating a sense of community where they feel safe and included, and they’re getting a rigorous and demanding education.” – Dr. McCray
Deadline Approaching: Join the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Board ✏️
Calling all parents and caregivers from across the District to apply for Chancellor Ferebee’s Parent Advisory Board for School Year 2023-2024. Receive timely updates from the Chancellor and DCPS leadership, ask questions, and engage with various teams to learn about and provide input on current or emerging priorities and initiatives. Apply at bit.ly/dcpschancellorparentboard in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Amharic. Please text 202-480-3166 or email ceo.info@k12.dc.gov to request a paper application.
Don’t Wait! Enroll Today 🎒
It’s time to enroll for School Year 2023-2024. Enroll early and support timely planning for the upcoming school year by following these three steps:
- Submit your completed enrollment packet to your DCPS school.
If you have any questions about DCPS enrollment, please contact your school or the Enrollment Team at enroll@k12.dc.gov.
DCPS Happenings 📰
- Another “Enrollment Saturday” in the books! Click to see how schools engaged new and re-enrolling families with food, giveaways, dance parties, car washes, carnivals, gardening, and more.
- Under the Sea: Over Spring Break, students from Dunbar HS and Roosevelt HS traveled to Key Largo, FL to take their open dive tests and get scuba certified. View on Twitter.
- Eastern High School’s Blue and White Marching Machine traveled to Ohio for a regional championship and took home the top prize! View on Twitter.
- Meena Harris visited School-Within-School @ Goding to read from her book, “A is for Ambitious.” View on Instagram.
- Future architects from across DCPS participated in Build Day at the Hirshhorn Museum, a Cornerstone project that teaches elementary students about architecture and visual design. View on Instagram.
Important Upcoming Dates 📆
- Teacher Appreciation Week: May 8-12
- Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 14
- Partner Appreciation Week: May 15-19
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 29 (DCPS closed)
Top Tweets 🐦
Whittier first grader Luca Thomas wins Metro’s Art in Transit contest.
Wizards District Gaming visited the Eastern High School Esports program.
Deal MS students spent Spring Break in Thailand, one of our farthest-reaching Spring Break trips.
