It’s See You Later, Not Good-Bye from DCPS
FeaturedThis message was shared with DCPS families and staff on June 17, 2024.
Dear DC Public Schools (DCPS) Community,
As we conclude School Year 2023-2024, I am reflecting on the many special moments from this past year that I shared with students, educators, and families. For some in our DC Public Schools (DCPS) community, this school year marks their last with our district.
I had the honor of celebrating some of our retirees earlier this month during DCPS’ Equitable Retirement Celebration hosted at McKinley Technology High School. Averaging nearly thirty years of service, this group of over sixty DCPS educators and staff has left an indelible mark on our community.
It was a joy to recognize our retiring educators such as Ms. Cathy Wu, Capitol Hill Montessori School @ Logan’s school psychologist who served in DCPS for 16 years and made an impact centering student well-being at the heart of her work. Outside the classroom, I learned that Ms. Wu is an avid gardener, and I hope the next chapter for all our retirees is filled with growth!
And as we send off our retirees with well wishes, I want to also congratulate the DCPS Class of 2024. Thank you for making us proud, graduates!
Keep reading to learn who stopped by Barnard Elementary School’s Career Day, where our young mathletes showed off their skills, what career and technical education expansion looks like in city, and how many second graders received a FREE bike through our Biking in the Park Cornerstone.
Thank you for a wonderful school year—I hope you have a safe and joyful summer!
Today’s word count – 1,462 words, an 11-minute read.
In partnership,
Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D.
Chancellor, DC Public Schools
Bright Futures Ahead 🌟
At Barnard Elementary School, students dressed to impress for career day as professionals from across the city dropped in to talk about their professions. The most anticipated guest, Mayor Muriel Bowser, visited with scholars to discuss the importance of early career exploration, emphasize pathways to civil service and public leadership, and answer questions about her own journey to becoming Mayor.
– Mayor Muriel Bowser
We’re Math People 🔢
Over the last month, 90 elementary school students, 50 middle school students, and 35 high school students convened for separate math competitions at Google DC. In alignment with DCPS’ strategic priority to ensure students are succeeding academically and mathematically strong, Chancellor Ferebee highlighted the use of math in daily life, encouraged students to support each other, and explained how competitions build math understanding and teamwork.
Congratulations to the competitors from the following schools:
Elementary Schools (ES)
- Amidon-Bowen ES
- Chisholm ES
- C.W. Harris ES
- Eaton ES
- Garfield ES
- H.D. Cooke ES
- Hearst ES
- Hendley ES
- Kimball ES
- LaSalle-Backus ES
- Langley ES
- Ludlow-Taylor ES
- Marie Reed ES
- Payne ES
- Payne ES
- Plummer ES
- Powell ES
- Savoy ES
- Stanton ES
- Takoma ES
Middle Schools (MS)
- Capitol Hill Montessori
- Columbia Heights Education Campus
- Eliot-Hine MS
- Hardy MS
- Jefferson MS Academy
- MacFarland MS
- Oyster-Adams Bilingual School
- School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens
- Sousa MS
High Schools (HS)
- Columbia Heights Education Campus
- Coolidge HS
- Duke Ellington School of the Arts
- Dunbar HS
- Jackson-Reed HS
- McKinley Tech HS
- Roosevelt HS
Expanding Career Access 🩺
Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee, and city leadership celebrated the announcement of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ $9.5 million investment to expand the Advanced Technical Center (ATC) in Ward 5 and establish a new ATC in Ward 8. Providing DC students with access to more postsecondary pathways like cybersecurity and healthcare helps to make certain our scholars are prepared for what’s next. Learn more about the investment here.
Ready to Roll 🚲
Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Chancellor Ferebee to congratulate over 200 second graders from C.W. Harris Elementary School, Hendley Elementary School, King Elementary School, and Whitlock Elementary School. Students learned to ride a bike this school year and, thanks to DC Bike Ride, culminated the DCPS Biking Cornerstone program by receiving their very own bikes and safety gear. Since 2015, over 20K second graders have learned to ride a bike through this Cornerstone.
Graduation Season 🎓
DCPS graduations are upon us! We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 and are proud of our graduates’ achievements. Loved ones who will be celebrating with us can find information for each graduation ceremony here, along with livestream links. Congratulations, graduates!
Afterschool Registration 📖
Afterschool registration is officially open. Across 55 DCPS schools, PK-8 students have access to academic support and enrichment activities free of charge. Be sure to enroll first so your scholar can enjoy afterschool programming. Register at dcps.dc.gov/asp.
The Guide to Graduation, Career, & College 🚀
DCPS 9-11th grade students have access to an individualized guide in Aspen that includes a copy of their transcript, information about their graduation progress, information about college applications, and career pathways based on their interests. Learn how to access the Guide here.
SUN Bucks Application ☀️
SUN Bucks, or Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), is a new program to help families with students buy food during the summer. Each eligible student will receive $120 for the summer, pre-loaded on a card. To learn more or apply visit sunbucks.dc.gov.
DC Summer Youth Meals 🍎
The DC Youth Meals Program provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to DC youth during the summer months. All youth in DC are welcome to grab a quick and healthy meal at participating locations across the city. Find a DC Summer Meals site near you at osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals.
Still Time to Enroll for SY24-25 💻
Returning families can re-enroll in their current school at enrolldcps.dc.gov without being removed from My School DC lottery waitlists at other schools. Waitlist offers from schools that families apply to through the lottery are not guaranteed.
Feedback on Title 1 Engagement 📝
Each year parents and family members have an opportunity to provide input on key documents used at the district and school level to guide parent and family engagement in our Title 1 schools. Review and provide your feedback here by June 24.
DCPS Forever Spotlight 📅
The calendar includes stories from students, staff, parents, families, and alumni who embody this year’s theme: DCPS Forever.
June highlights Kieron Irvine, DCPS alumnus and Head Band Director at Duke Ellington School of Arts, and Brittany Irvine, DCPS Central Services employee.
“We’re both very passionate about youth. My wife embodies service, and I try to model that as much as I can,” said Mr. Irvine. “And you can see how much students benefit from commitments like that. This school gave me my shot, so it’s my duty to make sure I give my students their shot.”
DCPS Happenings 📰
- From DC Educators to Renowned Artists 🎨: The Anacostia Community Museum showcases Black arts education in DC. Read on Washington Post.
- DCPS Distinguished Principals 🌟: The prestigious Cahn Fellowship selects four DCPS Principals. Read on DCPSStrong.
- Award-Winning Learning Facility 🏫: Bard High School Early College DC wins the Education Facility Design Award by the American Institute of Architects. Read on AIA.
- Doodle for Google National Finalist 🖼️: Jackson-Reed High School’s Maisie D. is named one of Google’s five national finalists. Explore the artwork here.
- Let’s Go-Go 🔠: Bunker Hill Elementary School students create a go-go rendition of the ABCs with legendary band, Backyard. Read on Because of Them We Can.
- Safe Space in Theater 🎭: Cardozo Education Campus’s drama department tours their musical, “Beautiful Hair.” Read more on ABC7.
Top Social Posts ❤️
Congratulations to our Pre-K students for moving on to Kindergarten!
DCPS leaders, educators, and students reflect on redesign courses at Cardozo Education Campus and Dunbar High School.
Eliot-Hine Middle School and schools across DCPS celebrate Pride Month! 🌈
Ida B. Wells Middle School’s school psychologist, Arielle Edge, named DCPS School Psychologist of the Year.
Ron Brown College Preparatory High School celebrates community partners with breakfast.
Important Upcoming Dates 📆
- June 17: Last day of school for students
- June 23: End of Term 4 Records Day / Professional Development Day
- June 19: Juneteenth (DCPS closed)
***Please note that the last day of school for students is today, Monday, June 17, and tomorrow’s Professional Development/Records Day on Tuesday, June 18, is the last day for teachers.
