During Teacher Appreciation Week, we surprised five teachers at Noyes Education Campus in Northeast with gifts for their hard work and dedication to educating our young people. It was a pleasure to thank teachers like Russell Holmes, who has worked for 10 years in DC Public Schools. Each lesson planned and each student taught makes a positive and lasting difference in our city.

May 8, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 15

Greetings,

In the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis set out to establish a day that would honor the contributions and influences of mothers everywhere. Though not a mother herself, she was determined to pay tribute to the woman who gave her life and encouraged others – including Congress – to celebrate their moms as well.

As a result, each second Monday in May, we take a moment to honor our mothers.

And I am especially proud to honor my mother, Mrs. Joan Bowser. Her love for me and my siblings is unwavering. Through her, I learned that anything is possible – including becoming mayor of my hometown.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s also take a moment to remember the moms who are leaders in our communities. It’s important that we continue to support efforts that strengthen and expand opportunities for women.

The mothers of our city are molding our future. Don’t forget to take a moment to remember the difference mothers have made in your lives.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bowser

In Memory of Lt. Kevin McRae

This week, the District lost a brave hero, DC Fire and EMS Lieutenant Kevin McRae, who died in the line of duty. Lt. McRae started his career in 1989 as a cadet with DC FEMS and faithfully served our city.  We are grateful for the service and ultimate sacrifice of Lt. McRae, and our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers are with his family and his FEMS family at this time.You can support the McRae family by donating here:

DC Fire and & EMS Foundation
c/o Kevin McRae Survivor Fund
439 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Continuing the Discussion of #IWishUKnew

On Thursday, we hosted the #IWishUKnew Youth Engagement Forum continuing the conversation between our young residents and key stakeholders. Young people between the ages of 14 and 24 filled the great hall of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to share things they wished we knew. Here are a few examples:

DC Creates. DC Innovates

This month, my Administration is highlighting innovative programs that create jobs, engage residents and position the District as a hub for innovation. We call it InnoMAYtion! DC creates. DC innovates.

We began the month with the launch of CompeteDC, an innovative capacity building and bonding support initiative that prepares small, emerging enterprises to take advantage of the District’s local procurement power.

Join us each week through May 31 as we announce programs that will encourage job growth, support small businesses and promote the creative economy. For more information, visit innomaytion.dc.gov.

Help Babies in Our Community

The Mayor’s Office of Women’s Policy & Initiatives (MOWPI), in honor of Mother’s Day on May 10, is hosting a diaper drive through May 29 to support the DC Diaper Bank, a unique organization in the District that distributes free diapers to low income mothers and families.  For donation drop-off sites, go to owpi.dc.gov or dcdiaperbank.org.

Save the Date: Truck Touch

The 8th annual Truck Touch will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 8 am to 1 pm at RFK Stadium, Lot 7, 2400 E. Capitol Street, SE. The event showcases nearly 30 city vehicles used to provide vital city services. For more information, go here.

Firefighter Recruitment Effort

DCFEMS will administer an entry-level exam to develop a pool of potential recruits to join the Department. Online registration for the exam will start on May 20, and the exam will take place on Saturday, June 13, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Online registration is required and only the first 1,500 applicants will be able to participate.

Candidates selected to take the exam will be notified via email of the time, date and location for the exam. Applicants must be a US citizen, possess a valid driver’s license, have a high school diploma/GED and be 19 years of age at the time of applying.

Qualified DC residents and veterans will be awarded a 10-point hiring preference with a passing score. Interested applicants can visit fems.dc.gov or call (202) 673-7580. 

Stay in contact with me and my Administration online. Like us on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to follow our progress. Follow my team, @TeamMuriel, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District government agencies. Follow me on Instagram @Mayor_Bowser for even more updates on what's happening around town.  Lastly, find our online picture albums on Flickr.