Elections, exceptions and more: ANC 4C January meeting notes

Elections, exceptions and more: ANC 4C January meeting notes

The January meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C was Wednesday, January 13th. The evening was the last night for Commissioner Kathleen Crowley, who resigned her seat on the commission. The ANC voted on new officers, talked about Cornrows & Co, reviewed an upcoming alcohol licensing meeting, talked about upcoming traffic changes at Powell, an agreement for Ruta del Vino and a special exception vote for a developer.

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Parents trying to find their way through safety issues

Parents trying to find their way through safety issues

Fears for student safety, vehicles getting side-swiped and a lack of crossing guards at key intersections has many Petworth parents on edge and looking to DDOT for answers

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What happened at the meeting to discuss traffic concerns on the 1300 block of Upshur

What happened at the meeting to discuss traffic concerns on the 1300 block of Upshur

There was a meeting on Thursday, December 17th at Powell Elementary to discuss possible traffic solutions along the 1300 block of Upshur Street. Attending were about 20 community members and representatives from DDOT, DPW, MPD, the Mayor’s office and Councilmember Brandon Todd, who spoke briefly at the beginning to reiterate his support for enhancements and changes to increase safety.

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DCPS Chancellor to discuss Roosevelt high school at MacFarland tonight

DCPS Chancellor to discuss Roosevelt high school at MacFarland tonight

Roosevelt High School has been going through major renovations, with plans to open in August 2016. There's been ANC and community pushback to open earlier and allow high schooler's to start in January. 

As one Roosevelt teach said to me, "I think it's really important the community comes out and has their voice heard." If you're interested in hearing what DCPS is planning on doing, this meeting is for you.

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Discuss traffic & pedestrian safety with Mayor Bowser at Powell Elementary

Discuss traffic & pedestrian safety with Mayor Bowser at Powell Elementary

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will be holding a meeting at Powell Elementary tomorrow, Wednesday, December 16 at 4pm to discuss traffic and pedestrian safety issues.

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MPD steps up to the plate on Upshur Street

MPD steps up to the plate on Upshur Street

School has been out since Thursday, December 3rd, with students returning to school today. Thursday was also the day a Powell Elementary 2nd grader was struck by a car as he darted across Upshur Street (reportedly with only minor injuries as a result). 

With the return of students to Powell came the return of double-parked parents, people who apparently refuse to care about the dangers this action poses, not respecting others. This "me first" attitude is causing havoc on Upshur and Taylor, resulting in damaged vehicles and the potential for a more serious tragedy.

Waiting behind one of the double-parked cars this morning was an MPD SUV. But the officers weren't enforcing the law, they were waiting for the parent to off-load children before driving on, having taken no action. 

So I contacted MPD leadership and received a quick response. 

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Traffic, bad driving and two children struck by cars - what will DC do to break its impasse near Powell?

Traffic, bad driving and two children struck by cars - what will DC do to break its impasse near Powell?

Upshur and Taylor Streets between 13th and 14th Streets surrounding Powell Elementary are a mess in the mornings and afternoons when children are being dropped off and picked up by parents. The problems on both streets come from cars driving too fast and parents double-parking. This ends up with side-swipped cars, broken side mirrors and the very real potential for a tragedy. According to residents, it's been an ongoing issue for years.

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West Elementary is fundraising for school technology

West Elementary is fundraising for school technology

If you have a youngster at West Elementary (1338 Farragut St NW) or live in the area, the school is holding a fundraiser next weekend to help get computers and other classroom supplies. Considering the time of year, they're selling Christmas trees and wreaths.

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DCPS sends update on Roosevelt and MacFarland

DCPS sends update on Roosevelt and MacFarland

DCPS sent out an email update on Roosevelt High School and MacFarland Middle School, what they've accomplished so far and the names of their new Roosevelt Community Cabinet.

At the community meeting on June 18th, DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS) committed to looking into improvements to the MacFarland building to ensure it will provide a warm and welcoming learning environment for Roosevelt Senior High School students as they await the completion of their new state-of-the-art facility. Together, we conducted a walk-through of MacFarland with several community members to identify specific concerns, and we are happy to announce that we have been able to address those concerns with the following improvements...

Read their full message after the break:

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Sheon gets safety improvements to Illinois & Georgia Avenues

Sheon gets safety improvements to Illinois & Georgia Avenues

When ANC 4D04 Commissioner David Sheon was campaigning as a first-time candidate for ANC last Fall, he spent a lot of time walking from house-to-house in his Single Member District (SMD) asking every person he could find what they would like to see changed in their community.

And like any dedicated community leader, he kept track of the responses. Improving how traffic and speed on Illinois Ave was managed was at the top of the list of concerns. 

Read about the concerns, and what DDOT is proposing to do to resolve them:

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New Principal for Powell Elementary

Powell Elementary is getting a new principal. 

With current principal Janeece Docal leaving to move with her family to Spain, the DCPS Chancellor has selected Ms. O'Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas as the next principal of Powell Elementary.

Ms Lyons-Lucas has been a teacher since 2007, was the vice principal of Columbia Heights Education Campus and was recently the principal of Center City Public Charter Schools.

The message from Kaya Henderson, DCPS Chancellor:

"After balancing your input and recommendations with the needed experience and skills that research links to success, we concluded that your recommendation, O’Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas, is the strongest candidate to lead the Powell school community. We are happy to report that Ms. Lyons-Lucas has accepted the offer to be the Powell Elementary School principal. Her official appointment begins on June 29, 2015.

O’Kiyyah Lyons-Lucas has spent her entire career in education serving the students of Washington , DC. She began her career as a Teach for America corps teacher in 2007 at Columbia Heights Education Campus. She spent four years as a teacher before being promoted to an instructional coach position at the school. After serving as an instructional coach, Ms. Lyons-Lucas was promoted to an assistant principal position. Ms. Lyons-Lucas was an assistant principal for two years before leaving DC Public Schools to become the principal of Center City Public Charter School at the Capitol Hill campus. Ms. Lyons-Lucas holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree from American University."

There's an informal meet and greet with Ms Lyons-Lucas on Monday, June 29th, at 9:30am at Powell' summer off-site location of Sharpe Health School (4300 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20011).

Good luck to Ms Lyons-Lucas! And a fond farewell to Ms Docal, the DC Principal of the Year last year.

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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Youth Summit on rights & law enforcement

Youth Summit on rights & law enforcement

So this is pretty interesting, and frankly, is something that everyone should attend. The USAO's office (United States Attorney's Office) is holding its 5th Annual United States Attorney's Office Youth Summit. The summit focuses on educating youth about understanding their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement.  The goal is to teach kids how to deal with the police so that interactions don't escalate. Read more for details:

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Child injured in front of Powell Elementary

Child injured in front of Powell Elementary

Speaking of the dangers of cars... A second grade child received minor injuries when he was struck by a car in front of Powell Elementary this morning. The boy was running across Upshur Street from the soccer field across the street and ran out between the cars. Fortunately, he's ok and is back home after a quick trip to the hospital. 

It did create quite the scene with EMS, Fire and MPD. It also has created concern among parents on how to ensure drivers are aware of the children, and ensure children don't dart out into traffic.  On a Powell Parents Facebook page, parents... Read more after the break:

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A noisy and contentious ANC 4C meeting

A noisy and contentious ANC 4C meeting

The ANC 4C meeting was a contentious meeting. Lights at EL Haynes despised by residents, a new condo on Varnum despised by neighbors, a lack of parking at the proposed development at Latney’s Funeral Home and a visit by the DCRA Director Melinda Bolling rounded out the evening. Oh, and sadly, it was Commissioner Joe Maloney’s last meeting before he resigns (he’s moving to Maryland).

Read the details in the longer version after the break:

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