It’s all about the neighborhood
There is a crisis in public education. The fact that students are graduating high school and can barely read what's on their diplomas is sad. What we should remember is that education is really about self-preservation. If you don't get it in the classroom, then you should obtain it somewhere else: by home schooling, tutoring, mentoring, being self-taught or by any means necessary.
Read MoreWhile the US Men's National Team will not be in Russia for the World Cup, a special group of young women (including students from Petworth) are set to represent the United States at the Street Child World Cup in Russia this May, and make a difference in doing so. Watch the great video!
Read MoreI had the opportunity to meet with a group of students from the Yu Ying Public Charter School and their parents as they plan their upcoming July trip to China. These energetic students eagerly responded to my questions about their immersion program and upcoming travels. It wasn’t the trip that most excited me about this group of playful 10 and 11 year olds -- who have been friends for many years -- what impressed me was the enthusiasm they shared about their education and experiences over the last seven years.
Read MoreBravery. It was the word of the 20th Annual DC SCORES Poetry Slam! held November 15-16th and featured 45 performances by elementary and middle schools across the District.
Check out some great videos -- and don't forget DC SCORES on Giving Tuesday on November 28th!
Read MoreBidders — 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.
Read MoreThe legendary Howard Homecoming Parade is back! A community staple showcasing bands, celebrity appearances, and the University’s student organizations. Come celebrate with students and alumni and wear your festive Howard University colors as you come together for the prelude of the Howard Homecoming game.
Read MoreThe school is looking for parents of Roosevelt junior and students students willing to host the students at their homes for the week. It's a great opportunity for the students from both countries and the host families.
Read MoreAnnie’s Ace Hardware (1240 Upshur Street NW) is offering a fundraiser to support Powell Elementary School on Saturday, May 20th, the same day as the Powell Spring Carnival. For every purchase you make at Annie's, you'll have the option of "rounding up" your sale and giving the additional change to support the elementary school.
Read MoreThe Powell Elementary Spring Carnival is Saturday, May 20th from 10am - 3pm on the Roosevelt High School football field. This is the third year for the Carnival, and it promises to be even bigger with more events and fun for the entire Petworth neighborhood, kids and adults alike!
Area residents have been pushing DC Councilmembers for action on renovating West Elementary Campus. The long-delayed renovation of West, a small DCPS school in 16th Street Heights, has a chance to start much sooner than Mayor Bowser proposed in her 2018 budget. If so, it may be thanks to a torrid of emails and meetings from residents.
Read MoreGet ready to place your bids! Powell Bilingual Elementary School’s online auction is up and running to support the teachers, students and upcoming Spring Carnival on May 20th. There are roughly 80 items to bid on — everything from gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses, theater tickets, and parties and activities for kids and adults. Not to mention Disney World park passes and a chance for you and your friends to share a meal with Powell alumnus Diane Rehm.
Read Moreby Elissa Fuchs
Figuring out the DC school lottery isn't easy, and the deadline to apply is fast approaching. Parents and guardians have under two weeks to submit their lottery applications to My School DC for public school grades Pre-K 3 through 8th grade. The lottery application deadline is March 1st.
The deadline for high school grades 9 through 12 was February 1st and has now passed. (Though, according to Emerald Becker, Director of Enrollment at DCPS who spoke at the February 8th ANC 4C meeting, you can still apply; you should check with My School DC for the details.)
For anyone unfamiliar with the process, here’s how it works...
Read More“We’re all immigrants,” Erin Mast said to me, describing “American by Belief,” an exhibit on immigration and refugees at President Lincoln’s Cottage on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Petworth. Ms. Mast is the Executive Director of the Cottage and spoke to me about the exhibit while they were doing the initial install.
“Some of us immigrated by choice, others by force,” she said. “This exhibit is the story of President Lincoln’s effort to encourage immigration in the US and tell the story of how people choose to come here.”
(Ed Note: This article was previously published on October 21, 2015 when the Lincoln's Cottage exhibit first opened. The article, and the immigration exhibit, are arguably even more relevant today. I recommend you check it and and add your own immigration story to the wall.)
Read MoreWhen school social worker Keri Sartin moved to her new office at West Education Campus, the room only had a couple of round tables and a few chairs. When I visited her a few weeks into the school year, she showed me the repurposed preschool cubbies she had scavenged and turned on their side to make shelves for the toys, games, and other supplies she uses to help anxious students feel more at ease.
The is the first article by new contributing writer Adrienne Chu.
Read MorePetworth News, a neighborhood blog on local news, information & events about the Petworth area in Washington DC.
Petworth News is a news site about Petworth area neighborhoods in Washington DC, written by Drew Schneider and other amazing contributing writers. It features facts and objective reporting, as well as an occasional subjective point of view and opinion.
Volunteer with the Friends of the Soldier's Home!
Summer isn’t over yet! The Parks at Walter Reed has a full lineup of family-friendly neighborhood events coming up from August and into November, including free concerts, outdoor fitness classes, dancing, flea markets, community festivals and a massive used book sale.