Getting an Early Start on Summer

February 25, 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 7

Dear Washingtonians,

Winter weather may not be done, but it’s not too early to start thinking about summer. This week, we are launching summer programs for District youth ages 3 through 24. 

Our goal is simple: keep our youth and young adults engaged, active, and constantly learning in the summer months. The District’s summer camps, summer schools, and the expanded Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program will do just that and place our youngest residents on an early pathway to the middle class.

You can get all the information you need on these great summer activities (including an interactive map!) at summer.dc.gov.

Here are a few of the things we have lined up:

• Summer School: Pre-K through Grade 8 students can receive reading and math instruction to prepare  for the next school year at one of eight sites across DCPS. High School Summer School provides summer credit recovery opportunities to high school students who are not currently on track to graduate. More than one dozen public charter schools will also offer enrichment, credit recovery and summer bridge programming this summer. These summer learning opportunities are a great way to prevent summer learning loss, which occurs when students are not engaged in learning throughout the summer.
• Summer Camps: The Department of Parks and Recreation will offer summer camps from June 20 through August 19 for residents ages 3-14 years old. Activities will include swimming, field trips, creative activities and new experiences in the District of Columbia.
• Expanded Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP): MBSYEP provides DC residents ages 14-24 with high-quality work experiences. This is a chance for our young people to get real world job experience, and earn a paycheck!  Last year, I expanded the program to include 22-24 year old residents, and just this month the DC Council voted to keep that expansion going for two more years.

For more information about summer activities in the District, visit summer.dc.gov today.

Let’s have a productive, safe and fun summer! 

Muriel Bowser
Mayor

Starting tonight, Mayor Bowser will host three Budget Engagement Forums in the District. The purpose of the forums is to solicit public input on where the city should invest its resources for the next fiscal year.  The Budget Engagement Forums are scheduled for Thursday, February 25 at Roosevelt Senior High School, Saturday, February 27 at the Department of Employment Services, and Monday, February 29 at King Greenleaf Recreation Center. At the forums, Mayor Bowser, City Administrator Rashad Young and Budget Director Matt Brown will present an overview of the current budget environment. Following the presentation, Administration Officials will lead small group discussions to capture the ideas and questions for DC residents.

Building Relations and Expanding Opportunities Abroad

Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser joined the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on an exploratory mission to Cuba. The Mayor met with leaders in trade, foreign affairs, healthcare and education. The goal of this visit was to lay the groundwork for an economic and cultural relationship with Cuba. The mission also served as a platform for the regional delegation to learn best practices and showcase the Washington metropolitan area’s many strengths. We are stronger as a region when we work together, and as a nation when we engage. Watch the Mayor’s interview with NBC4 from Havana HERE.

A Game Changer for Ward 8

Last week, Mayor Bowser led the demolition of two buildings at St. Elizabeths campus, making way for a new state-of-the-art sports and entertainment arena. The future 5,000 seat venue is projected to produce $90 million in new tax revenue over 20 years, attract more than 380,000 annual visitors per year, produce more than 600 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs. Hiring priority will be given to Ward 7 and 8 residents. Plans for Phase I development include 60 townhomes, 250 mixed-income apartments, a 171,000-square-foot office building with 47,000 square feet of integrated retail, a retail courtyard, and 100 underground parking spaces. Once completed, the total St. Elizabeths project will eventually bring 1.8 million square feet of offices, 206,000 square-feet of retail, 1,300 residential units and at least two hotels to Congress Heights. 

This Saturday, come join us for the long awaited grand-opening of the DC Streetcar. After a decade of planning, construction, and testing, the Bowser Administration will launch the DC Streetcar! Click HERE to RSVP to attend the opening.

Pathways to the Middle Class - Job Announcement: Metro Transit Police Officer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. WMATA has an opening for Metro Transit Police Officers. Metro Transit Police Officers protect the life, safety and welfare of transit patrons and employees, enforces laws and regulations, investigates crimes committed on or against facilities owned, controlled, or operated by the Authority, and protects Authority revenue. Qualifications and additional details regarding this vacancy can be found by visiting the job announcement.