January 18, 2018 | Vol. 4, Issue 3
Dear
Washingtonians,
On
December 1, 2017, I issued a Mayor’s Order directing the Office of the State
Superintendent of Education to conduct an independent investigation into the
allegations raised around Ballou Senior High School and how the attendance policies at
DC's public high schools have been applied as they relate to graduation eligibility. This week, we released the preliminary findings of the investigation. The District-wide report is due to me in two
weeks, and we will share those findings with the community at that time.
Going forward, we will continue to put students first, focus on equity and
excellence, and have the courage to improve. Our job is to investigate, tell you what we know, and make appropriate changes for the good of our students. And that is what we will do. We will continue to call on students to attend school every day; on parents to prioritize attendance and take advantage of the resources the District offers; on educators to adhere to the policies we set, communicate those policies to families, and continue to push our students every single day; and on the staff at DCPS Central Office to develop policies that set students up for success and ensure all stakeholders know and follow those policies.
Together, we will continue to set high expectations for our students and give them the opportunities and support they need to realize their full potential. Together, we will make every day count.
Sincerely,
This Saturday, January 20, at 10:00 a.m., join Mayor Bowser and the DC Public Library at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new, fully modernized Palisades Library. Learn more and RSVP HERE.
Then, later the same day, join Mayor Bowser at 1:30 p.m. for the groundbreaking of Edgewood Recreation Center. Learn more and RSVP HERE.
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 The DC
Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging District residents who have not been
vaccinated for influenza (flu) to get their annual flu shot to prevent the continued
spread of the virus. The District is currently experiencing an increase
in reported flu cases, and this is expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
Those who have not already been vaccinated for the flu should contact
their primary care physician and/or health care provider to get their annual
flu shot. Residents can also go to https://vaccinefinder.org
to find a location to get vaccinated.
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Last week, in celebration of the Year of the Anacostia, Mayor Bowser announced significant conservation and investment commitments for Kingman and Heritage Islands. The Mayor directed the DC Department of Energy and Environment to designate portions of both islands as a State Conservation Area and the southern area of Kingman Island as a Critical Wildlife Area. The State Conservation Area designation mimics the federal covenant for the islands, restricting their use to environmental, educational, and recreational purposes. In addition, the Mayor also announced a new $4.7 million investment for educational and recreational improvements on the islands.
Learn more HERE.
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Resilience is
the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to
survive, adapt, and grow no matter the challenge. Urban resilience is about making a city better for the
benefit of all residents, particularly the city's most vulnerable residents.
As Resilient DC develops a
comprehensive resilience strategy for Washington, DC, we want to hear from you. Join the conversation on resilience in Washington, DC by taking our survey and following Resilient DC on Twitter and Facebook. Your input will help us identify areas of strength and weakness and determine the priorities of the Resilient DC Strategy.
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This
week’s District Minute features stories about the topping out of the Entertainment and Sports Arena at St. Elizabeths East, the Kingman and Heritage Islands announcement, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The mission of the District of Columbia
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) is to preserve life and
promote health and safety through excellent pre-hospital treatment and
transportation, fire prevention, fire suppression and rescue activities, and
homeland security awareness.
FEMS
has an opening for a Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic. This position is
responsible for inspecting equipment at fire stations, making repairs, and
conducting equipment maintenance. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement.
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