kids & family
‘Broader, Bolder’ School Readiness
DC VOICE Expands Dialogue on What Students Need
by Virginia Avniel Spatz
o our students have what they need to succeed?” “We cannot say, ‘Yes,’” reports DC VOICE’s new For the Love of Education Data Guide, the second installment of the newly expanded Ready Schools Project (RSP) report. But, “We would also say, ‘Yes, we can.’” To implement this vision, DC VOICE has launched quarterly town hall meetings to share information and develop a community-based education agenda, while monthly working groups “turn these discussions into real action.” Hundreds of community members – teachers, students, parents and others – have already joined the discussions, and more participants are welcome. November meetings, the first in the new quarterly series, explored readiness basics – such as facilities, books, personnel and student records – using data collected last fall from 109 DC public schools. A pair of mid-February gatherings – one of which took place Feb. 13 at All Souls Church (in Northwest) – focused on areas of inquiry new to the RSP: parental involvement, school climate, partnerships and wraparound services. These extra-academic factors coincide with elements of DCPS’ Five Year Plan, released in October, and “A Broader, Bolder Approach to Education,” the nationwide task force report issued last June. The baseline data from this year’s RSP is intended to help the community “evaluate present programming” in terms of these extra-academic factors and collaborate to “create and sustain the programs needed.” Information Sharing and Collaboration At the February town hall, small groups shared perspectives: how class size hinders individual attention and basic classroom management, how counselors are consumed with scheduling, how parents weary of hearing from school only when there is a problem. “We learned what is happening and where we need more help, where we need to focus,” Digna Sosa, a parent active at Bruce Monroe-Park View Elementary and the Telling Stories program, said through a Spanish-language interpreter. “As a student activist, I need to know a lot, if I’m going to help my school system,” said Brent Curry, a Cardozo Senior High School 11th-grader.“ And people from the neighborhood need to know what it is like inside [DC schools].” Participants also shared ideas about collaboration potential and challenges: Parental involvement would flourish if schools served more as centers of their communities. Community engagement could ultimately reduce principals’ burdens. Helping teens set and meet goals requires
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multi-faceted effort. Children facing myriad challenges often need more far-ranging support than their schools now offer, while existing programs are sometimes underutilized, partly due to lack of information. What’s an ICSIC? At the February town hall, Eric Lerum, chief of staff for the deputy mayor for education, offered a short presentation on the Interagency Collaboration and Services Integration Commission (ICSIC), which began in June of 2007. He outlined three basic operations: interagency coordination, school-based mental health pilot programs and “evidence-based” programming pilots. When ICSIC began, DC VOICE thought it “had promise,” says program director Erika Landberg. So, ICSIC-related items were included in this year’s RSP to aid in evaluation. Data show that 62 percent of school principals are unfamiliar with the commission. (In addition, few town hall participants had previously heard of ICSIC.) On the other hand, principals reported a variety of agencies offering school-based services: Mental Health, Health, Child and Family Services, Police, Parks and Recreation, and others. Additional needs included parenting, housing, adult education and employment services. Community Based Decisions The Rev. James Coleman, DC VOICE’s newest board member and pastor of All Nations Baptist Church (in Northeast), wants to see churches “clarify their roles” in the community and provide more of what schools might need – from reading and after-care assistance to mentoring and, where appropriate, guardianship. “Where there is hopelessness,” Coleman says, “it is the job of the church to spur hope, and where there is no village,” to educate the young, “we’ll have to create that village.” The RSP provides the foundation, he explains, by “digging up facts” to aid in organizing. DC VOICE plans a “policy rollout,” based on community decision-making, in late spring. Executive Director Jeff Smith also hopes the DC VOICE process will serve as a model, influencing ideas about how community engagement can work. For more information about DC VOICE, to obtain a copy of For the Love of Education Data Guide or to join an action group, call visit www.dcvoice.org or call 202-986-8535. The next monthly meeting is March 17, 7:30 p.m., at the DC VOICE off ice, 1436 U St., NW, #410. ★
52 ★ East of the River | March 2009
Free Preschool Enrolling for 2009-2010.
Bridges is a small, public preschool and pre-kindergarten program for children 3-5 years old.
Program Features: • School Day 8:30am–3:00pm, Before Care 8:00-8:30am, After Care 3:00-6:00pm. • Small classroom size and well trained staff. • Individual planning for each student. • Thematic and project-based curriculum.
DC Preparatory Academy is Enrolling for SY 2009-2010!
Campuses in the Northeast Neighborhoods of Edgewood and Benning
Now accepting Applications for the 2009-2010 school year.
Applications accepted January 1, 2009 – April 15, 2009. Applications received after April 15 will be placed on our waiting list. Applications are available at the school or on our website, www.bridgespcs.org.
We offer Preschool – 8th Grade college-preparatory education, emphasizing rigorous academics, character and leadership.
OPEN HOUSE / INFORMATION SESSIONS AT THE SCHOOL ON:
Thursday, March 5th and 19th, 2009 from 9:30-10:30 am Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 from 9:30-10:30 am
Bridges Public Charter School 1250 Taylor St. NW Washington, DC 20011 p. 202 545-0515 f. 202 545-0517 www.bridgespcs.org
Application Deadline: March 31, 2009 Call 202-635-4590 or apply online at www.dcprep.org
Bridges Public Charter School is free and open to all DC residents. Tuition paid by non-residents.
Free and Open to All DC Students!
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2009 Open House Dates:
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Saturday, March 14 - 1pm Saturday, April 25 - 1 pm Saturday, May 16 - 1 pm Saturday, June 6 - 1pm Tuesday, July 7 - 7pm
The William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts (WEDJ PCS) www.wedjschool.us
705 Edgewood Street, NE 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20017 (202) 269-4646 • (202) 269-4155 fax AFRH 3700 N. Capitol St. NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 882-1980 • (202) 882-1936 (fax)
www.persdevelopment.com Open Sundays 1-4pm or call 202-449-9700
Enrollment Lottery: April 3, 2009 at 5:00 pm at NE Campus
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a GREAT way for children to learn Grades PreK-12
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 53