Former Powell Elementary PTA treasurer being sued by DC AG for theft of money meant for students

Former Powell Elementary PTA treasurer being sued by DC AG for theft of money meant for students

The DC Attorney General’s office has filed a lawsuit against Robynn Chandler-Mitchell, the former Treasurer of Powell Padres, the Powell Elementary parent-teachers organization, for failing to return almost $19,000 she took from the Powell PTA.

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Either DGS lied or they can't figure out how to explain a "fix" (Editorial Op-Ed)

Either DGS lied or they can't figure out how to explain a "fix" (Editorial Op-Ed)

On Wednesday, August 25th, staff from the Department of Government Services (DGS) led by Director Keith Anderson, took Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and some of her staff on a tour of Powell Elementary to review a new, “temporary fix” for the school’s broken HVAC system. But when asked to clarify the fix… DGS has no answer.

There is no HVAC fix.

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Despite assurances, Powell Elementary's HVAC will not be working in time for school start, says DGS

Despite assurances, Powell Elementary's HVAC will not be working in time for school start, says DGS

By the end of last term, parents and the Powell Elementary principal were afraid their long-time broken HVAC may not be fixed by the fall semester, forcing unvaccinated children to resume school in hot classrooms without proper air circulation. By May, DGS reported that after failing three times to complete a contract to fix the HVAC due to paperwork mistakes, they finally had a repair vendor contracted and would have the HVAC fixed before school started.

Now, DGS says they won’t be done on time.

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After years with no HVAC, in the midst of a pandemic, Powell parents have reached their boiling point

After years with no HVAC, in the midst of a pandemic, Powell parents have reached their boiling point

As District schools finish their second pandemic year, and parents cautiously anticipate a return to normalcy next fall, families at Powell Elementary School are girding for a fight. The school’s HVAC system, which has been broken for the entirety of the COVID pandemic — even as some kids returned to in-person learning — is still inoperable. Parents and the school Principal are afraid it may not be fixed by the fall, forcing unvaccinated children to resume school in boiling hot classrooms without proper air circulation.

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Powell Elementary auctions all kinds of cool experiences and items, starting Dec 4th

Powell Elementary auctions all kinds of cool experiences and items, starting Dec 4th

Want to have an amazing meal at DeCarlo’s Restaurant with NPR’s Diane Rehm? How about suite-level tickets to see the Wizards, Capitals and other performances? With Powell Elementary’s annual online auction, you can bid on amazing items while supporting a wonderful Title 1 bilingual elementary school in the heart of Petworth.

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"Fresh Air": Powell Elementary’s redesign gets a closer look by Architecture DC magazine

"Fresh Air": Powell Elementary’s redesign gets a closer look by Architecture DC magazine

Architecture DC magazine profiled the renovations to Powell Elementary in their current issue, focusing on iStudio, the architectural firm who is also working on the renovations of the playground at the Petworth Recreation Center. The article walks through the architect’s concepts for bringing in light and “fresh air” into the school.

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It’s "all-you-can-play" at Powell’s Spring Community Carnival

It’s "all-you-can-play" at Powell’s Spring Community Carnival

Powell Bilingual Elementary School is hosting its Fifth Annual Spring Carnival on June 1st from 11am - 5pm — and this year’s event promises to be a ton of fun for kids and adults in the neighborhood.  Plus, you can pick up an “all-you-can-play” wristband ahead of time and not worry about tickets on the day of the carnival!

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Powell teacher offers her students lessons and a role model based on demanding workouts

Powell teacher offers her students lessons and a role model based on demanding workouts

Amanda Cataneo works as a second grade teacher at Powell Elementary School in Petworth, teaching her students reading, writing and problem-solving skills with a strict but compassionate precision. She leads a dual life, one part devoted to education and teaching, the other dedicated to cross training, lifting weights and staying in superb shape.

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Powell Elementary opens online auction with wide array of amazing items

Powell Elementary opens online auction with wide array of amazing items

Want to have Diane Rehm at your book club? How about suite-level tickets to see the Wizards and Capitals? With Powell Elementary’s third annual online auction, you can bid on amazing items while supporting a wonderful Title 1 bilingual elementary school in the heart of Petworth. 

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After a half century in the trenches, popular DCPS administrator prepares for the retirement bell

After a half century in the trenches, popular DCPS administrator prepares for the retirement bell

Ted Hinton, Jr. has spent 50 years with the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPS), serving as a teacher, an administrator, and overall mentor to thousands of students, parents and teachers who have come through the doors of the District’s school system.

In the last half century at DCPS, Hinton estimates he has touched the lives of more than 85,000 students, creating a lasting legacy of learning, self-improvement and success. And, now as Hinton, the Dean of Culture at Powell Bilingual Elementary School in Petworth, prepares to retire on August 4th, he is especially proud of the impact he has had on current and former students.

“It is hard to believe 50 years have gone by,” says Hinton. “It doesn’t feel like 50 years because I enjoyed what I have been doing and working with kids has kept me youthful.”

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Great photos from the 2018 Powell Spring Carnival

Great photos from the 2018 Powell Spring Carnival

Even in the face of summer thunderstorms, the parents group of Powell Elementary managed to put on a very successful (and crowded!) Spring Carnival at the Roosevelt High School gym. With tons of games, so. much. food! and other activities, it was a great event. Here's some pictures from the Carnival from Petworth News and James Arvantes (a Powell substitute teacher).

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It’s raining, it’s pouring, the Powell Carnival will still be soaring! 

It’s raining, it’s pouring, the Powell Carnival will still be soaring! 

Not sure if you've noticed, but it's kind of raining out there! That won't stop the Powell Community Carnival -- it is still going on this Saturday, May 19th from 11:00-5:00pm.

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Powell Elementary’s popular Spring Carnival returns for a fourth year

Powell Elementary’s popular Spring Carnival returns for a fourth year

Powell Bilingual Elementary School is hosting its fourth annual Spring Carnival on May 19th from 11am - 5pm — and this year’s event promises to be a ton of fun for kids and adults alike!

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Powell Elementary opens online auction with amazing items to support student programs

Powell Elementary opens online auction with amazing items to support student programs

Bidders — get ready! Powell Elementary School’s Online Auction goes live today. The auction is the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and you definitely want to be a part of it. The hard-working auction committee has secured over 300 items for bidders to buy at amazing discounts.

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