High school student fellowship deadline near

The DC Language Access Coalition's S.M.A.R.T. (Student Multiethnic Action Research Team) fellowship for the 2010-2011 school year is looking for students.   S.M.A.R.T. is a youth-led decision-making body which advocates and organizes for better education for ESL students and their families.   Some of the issues they worked on in the past include demanding bilingual counselors in schools, more after school programs for ESL students, and an accurate needs assessment for every ESL student to avoid an unnecessarily delayed graduation.

Optimally, students will be sophomores or juniors, English Language Learners currently in ESL courses in DC Public Schools or DC public charter schools.   Karina Hurtado-Ocampo, the coalition's educational organizer will be conducting interviews through September 3.

More about what the fellowship entails is in the information packet.   For more information, contact Karina, (718) 679-3299 or via email.

Ward 1 back-to-school supply drives

Two Ward 1 organizations submitted information in Susie's effort to collect back-to-school supply drives.   The complete list (8/6/10) is below.
School Supply Drives 2010

826DC seeks volunteers

826DC, a Ward 1-based nonprofit helping young people between the ages of 6 and 18 improve their creative and expository writing skills, seeks volunteers to help increase their capacity to serve DC students and teachers.   There are many ways to volunteer for 826DC.   More information about volunteering is on their web site.   The org is holding a volunteer orientation on October 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.   But sign up soon; the September orientation is already filled to capacity!

Writers needed to help neighborhood budding young writers

This from Greater DC Cares:

Do you have an idea about how to get students excited about writing?   Bring it to Parkview!   Help the teens and elementary school students get in touch with their inner lyricist, poet, or writer every Monday evening at the Parkview Recreation Center.   Lend your passion for words and creativity, or just become a mentor to a student in the neighborhood.   To sign up, email Ashley Wood at ashleyawood (at) gmail (dot) com.

State of Shaw Middle School Summit and Open House, January 9

Does your child attend Shaw Middle School?   Are you interested in learning more about student progress or how the school is using data to inform practice and policies?

Then plan on attending the State of Shaw Middle School Summit and Open House on Saturday, January 9 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.   The summit/open house is being held at Garnet-Patterson (2001 10th Street, NW).   The event will feature such open house sessions as:

• Daily life
• Literacy/Math initiatives
• Data driven instruction

Lunch will be provided.   Additional information is provided in the flier, below.

State of Shaw Summit Flyer

Ward 1 students present plans for White House Visitors' Center

Twenty-four students from Browne Education Campus and Lincoln Middle School at Columbia Heights Education Campus spent the fall of 2009 participating in the CityVision semester.   During this time, the students planned a White House visitors' center.   These students will present their plans and discuss the creative process at a January 8 event sponsored by the National Building Museum.   CityVision Fall 2009 Final Presentation is being held from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the museum in the Great Hall.   More information about the event is available online at the National Building Museum's Web site.

Learn about the Afterschool Supper Program for kids

Ward 1 is home to many programs serving children and youth after school.   We all know how hunger has become more common with the youth in these programs.   That is why this December 16 event by the state superintendent's office is so important:   Afterschool Supper Program Information Session.

The session is designed to teach providers how to start participating in the new Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) Afterschool Supper Program.

• WHEN:   Wednesday, December 16, 10:30 am - Noon
• WHERE:   Wellness & Nutrition Services, Office of the State Superintendent of Education (51 N Street, NE, Lower Level Conference Room) (Parking is available, but allow enough travel time to secure a parking spot before the session begins.   51 N Street is also Metro accessible.   The office is one block from the Red Line, New York Ave-Florida Ave/Gallaudet U station.   Be sure to bring ID; you will have to check in at the building's guard desk.)

Confirm your attendance by Thursday, December 10 by contacting Suzanne Henley (suzanne [DOT] henley [AT] dc [DOT] gov or 654-6119).   Direct questions to Suzanne Henley (information above) or Katie Vinopal, a Nutrition Associate at D.C. Hunger Solutions (KVinopal [AT] frac [DOT] org or 202-986-2200 x3042).