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

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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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Three Petworth restaurants rated "Bib Gourmand" from MICHELIN

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Three Petworth restaurants rated "Bib Gourmand" from MICHELIN

Petworth has great restaurants making amazing food, even if life is topsy-turvey.

MICHELIN, which rates expensive restaurants with stars for their food quality, prices and more, also rates what you and I would consider “normal every day” restaurants for their quality and cost.

In this year’s announcement, The Hitching Post and Taqueria Habanero have joined Timber Pizza on the list of Bib Gourmands for the Petworth area. The quality of these restaurants is of no doubt to Petworth residents.

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Councilmember’s Corner: Hope through the vaccine 

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Councilmember’s Corner: Hope through the vaccine 

Yesterday I stepped forward to be vaccinated because I believe it’s important for me as a Black woman and as a community leader to persuade my Ward 4 neighbors to do the same through the power of my example. I also took this step so I can better serve our community. My role requires me to respond in person to emergencies, visit local businesses, and interact with constituents on a daily basis. Although I take every precaution possible by social distancing and wearing a mask, being immunized will add an extra layer of protection for all the people I encounter as your Councilmember.

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DC residents with qualifying medical conditions can sign up for vaccine appointments starting Friday, February 26th [updated]

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DC residents with qualifying medical conditions can sign up for vaccine appointments starting Friday, February 26th [updated]

DC Health announced today that at 9am, Thursday, February 25th, approximately 4,350 appointments will be made available for DC residents who live in priority zip codes (20422, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20001, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20593)

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Some sweet local Valentine's Day special offers for your sweet valentine!

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Some sweet local Valentine's Day special offers for your sweet valentine!

Love is in the air... and coronavirus. Since going out to celebrate with your sweetie likely isn’t happening this Valentine’s Day, check out a list of local Covid-friendly options for Valentine gifts, meals and cocktails. All can be enjoyed, regardless of your relationship status. The cheesy puns are BACK!

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DCPS Term 3: In-person learning starts with equity and transparency questions

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DCPS Term 3: In-person learning starts with equity and transparency questions

After a false start on February 1st due to snow, DC Public Schools starts Term 3 with some in-person learning at most elementary schools this week. After months of trying to reopen schools, city leaders have allowed each school through their Reopen Community Corps to develop their own plans. As a result some schools in upper northwest are bringing back a large percentage of their students, such as Key Elementary bringing back 75% of their students.

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Update: DCPS plans for 15,000 students to return to schools in Term 3

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Update: DCPS plans for 15,000 students to return to schools in Term 3

On Wednesday, January 13th, DCPS resumed their town halls to discuss reopening for Term 3. Dr. Lewis Ferebee, DCPS Chancellor, kicked off the meeting by going through the four models that Reopen Community Corps reviewed.

Due to the brief opportunity for questions, Petworth News followed up with DCPS to additional clarity on several questions.

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DCPS survey shows parents split between in-person or virtual learning as Term 3 approaches

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DCPS survey shows parents split between in-person or virtual learning as Term 3 approaches

DC Public Schools Term 3 plans are to be announced on Wednesday, January 13,2020.

Initial reports indicate that each elementary school is taking a very different approach: some are going with a hybrid mode (2 days in-person, 2 days virtual) to offer as many families as possible an opportunity to have in-person learning, whereas others are targeting just specific grades for in-person learning and running a lottery for those seats.

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DC Libraries go to curbside pickup, Petworth & Shepherd Park included

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DC Libraries go to curbside pickup, Petworth & Shepherd Park included

While some libraries are closed due to Covid, other DC Libraries are open for curbside transactions so residents can still take advantage of services, including the Petworth and Shepherd Park locations.

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DCPS opens CARE classrooms in Petworth as Reopen Corps start planning for Term 3 and 4

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DCPS opens CARE classrooms in Petworth as Reopen Corps start planning for Term 3 and 4

DC Public Schools has turned their attention to opening CARES classrooms for elementary students this month for Term 2, and is planning for reopening for Terms 3 and 4. DCPS made the announcement that Term 2 would remain virtual after significant pushback from teachers and parents about the reopening plans. The soon-to-open CARES classrooms will allow the most at-risk children to get support for their virtual learning at school with teachers and other adults in safer school environments than before.

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DC’s Winter Ready grant program helps Petworth restaurants prepare for colder months

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DC’s Winter Ready grant program helps Petworth restaurants prepare for colder months

In colder temperatures, folks may increasingly have to choose between dining indoors, at higher risk to Covid, or give up restaurants altogether.

So Mayor Muriel Bowser and Shawn Townsend, the Director of the DC Office of Nightlife and Culture, came up with a plan: they opened a $4 million grant to provide funds to restaurants seeking to winterize their space. The Streatery Winter Ready Grant Program provides up to $6,000 per restaurant for sidewalk cafes, summer gardens, and streaterys, located in DC. The grants can be used for tents, heating, lighting, furniture, and marketing – all in hopes of sustaining outdoor dining during the chillier months.

Here’s what some local restaurants are doing.

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Local school PTAs organize fundraisers to help their students and families

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Local school PTAs organize fundraisers to help their students and families

While COVID-19 has definitely thwarted schools’ ability to fundraise, local Petworth schools are still holding holiday fundraisers to benefit their students. Many local families have been hit hard by COVID-19 and are still in need of assistance. Donating to your neighborhood school if you are able is a great way to give back to your hyperlocal community. The schools thank you in advance!

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Opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors: Ward 4 Mutual Aid Network for #GivingTuesday

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Opportunities for neighbors to help neighbors: Ward 4 Mutual Aid Network for #GivingTuesday

Mutual Aid groups have existed across time and cultures. Normally they develop within marginalized communities, harnessing collective power to provide basic needs for people failed by government systems. Mutual aids have operated within Wards 7 and 8 for years, but now there is one in every DC Ward.

As people began to lose their jobs during the pandemic, more local residents found themselves unable to purchase basic items for themselves or their families. Simultaneously, Washingtonians wanted to assist their neighbors. Volunteers from the already existing mutual aids worked across the city to support the creation of ward specific mutual aids.

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Washington Teachers Union calls for a “Mental Health Day” on Monday, November 2nd

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Washington Teachers Union calls for a “Mental Health Day” on Monday, November 2nd

As Petworth News reported at the beginning of October, a major concern with DC Public School’s reopening plan was whether the teachers would come back to teach in person. In recent weeks it has become increasingly apparent that they will not. The Washington Teacher’s Union has called for a “Mental Health Day” for its members in protest of the DCPS re-opening plans. This is effectively a “sick out,” where teacher’s call in sick.

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