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Team OSSE –
As we enter the holiday season, I wanted to use this moment to express my sincere gratitude for each and every member of the OSSE team for your unwavering commitment and tireless dedication to the students and families of our great city.
Your hard work and passion for education have reached into the far corners of DC and deep into the lives and futures of countless individuals. In a world where the challenges and demands on OSSE and our work are ever-evolving, our team has consistently risen to the occasion with innovation, empathy, and a steadfast focus on the well-being and growth of our students. It is your collective commitment that helps shape the brighter and more promising future for each student in the District of Columbia.
Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and the positive impact you make on the lives of so many. Your contributions do not go unnoticed, and your commitment is genuinely appreciated.
I am extremely thankful to lead such an incredible team doing important, impactful work and I wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday ahead.
In service,
Christina Grant, Ed.D.
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 Pictured: DAR Director of Strategic and Operational Planning Alexander Jue and attendees at October DC School Report Card engagement session
Enhancing the DC School Report Card
Shared by Ben Peisch, DAR
OSSE is working in partnership with the DC State Board of Education (SBOE) to enhance the 2024 DC School Report Card. The DC School Report Card provides families with important information on each public school in DC. This fall, we kicked off our DC School Report Card Survey! We worked with the SBOE to put together a survey that will run through November. We will be collecting feedback on the content and displays on the 2024 DC School Report Card.
In addition to distributing the survey, OSSE and SBOE offered three public engagement sessions for DC residents to share feedback on what they would like to see on the DC School Report Card. The first session was held in-person on October 31, and the first of two virtual sessions was held on Nov. 13. The final virtual session will be held on Dec. 14.
The 2023 DC School Report Card will be available in December 2023.
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Name: Chelsey Christensen
What do you do at OSSE?: Director of Partnerships and Engagement, My School DC
How long have you been at OSSE?: One Year
Outside of OSSE, I am: Outside of OSSE, I still put my theatre performance major to good use by acting in the annual DC 48 Hour Film Project. Our latest film won a number of awards including "Best Film" which means our film will be representing Washington, DC at Filmapalooza in Lisbon Portugal in March 2024!
What is your favorite thing that you have worked on or have been a part of at OSSE?: As a DC parent, I especially love getting to interact directly with fellow DC Parents - EdFEST, Lottery 101 sessions, Parent Advisory Council meetings, and more.
If you could learn to do one thing really well, what would it be? I just started attending a Zen Doodling class - I gravitate towards creative avenues for stress relief and look forward to deepening this skill.
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Name: Kyra Walker
What do you do at OSSE?: Education Specialist, K12
How long have you been at OSSE?: A few months.
Outside of OSSE, I am: Outside of OSSE I am a gardener. I also love karaoke especially with a band. You can also find me in the bowling alley.
What is your favorite thing that you have worked on or have been a part of at OSSE?: I am learning all of the wonderful things and will report back later.
If you could learn to do one thing really well, what would it be? Knit. I am able to crochet well and would like to expand my crafting skills.
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Tell Us About Yourself
How do you spend your time outside the office? Are you crafty? Into cooking? Taking mime lessons? Share what makes you, you outside of OSSE and get to know your teammates. To be included, complete this form.
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Shout out to "Keen" Karen Rivas
Director of Special Populations, K12
From Kelly Rudd Safran
Karen recently joined the team and has hit the ground running. She is patient, understanding, and empathetic all while having and setting high expectations. She is a solution-oriented leader, and we are lucky to have her on our team. Karen's enthusiasm and energy for the work is infectious. She has already shown her ability to be the transformational leader SPP needs. She is a rising star!
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Shout out to Talented and Terrific Tommy Totten
Licensing Quality Program Manager, DEL
From Julia Banks
Tommy has been instrumental in the success of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. His hard work has helped OSSE, through our partner AidKit, to successfully distribute tens of millions of dollars to DC early childhood educators through the program.
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Share Your Shout Out
Have an awesome team member you would like to shout out in an upcoming edition of the OSSE Wire? Submit their name and information here.
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 Welcome to OSSE!
- Carmen Ellis, Human Resources Specialist, HR
- Kate Gottfredson, Chief of Staff, COS
- Devon Francis, Customer Service Representative, OPS
- Alethia Hinds, Program Analyst, COS
- Yolanda Jackson, Lead Human Resources Specialist, HR
- Ke'Johnna Jones, Motor Vehicle Dispatcher, DOT
- Keith Kirkland, Program Analyst, PCE
- Keena Smith, Fleet Maintenance Assistant, DOT
- Cameron Martin, Program Analyst, OPS
- Kyra Walker, Education Program Specialist, K12
- Alicia Jefferson, Program Analyst, PCE
- William Leake, Human Resources Specialist, HR
- Jayna Jamgotchian, Policy Analyst, DEL
- Robert Hanna, Deputy Assistant Superintendent, K12
- Rohini Ramnath, Assessment Specialist, DAR
- Alicia Renix, Special Assistant, K12
- Diana Baquero, Attorney Advisor, OGC
- Brianna Harris, Human Resources Assistant, HR
- Chaitali Damani, Program Analyst, OPS
- Solomon Ketema, Motor Vehicle Operator, DOT
- Nichelle Turner, Motor Vehicle Operator, DOT
- Jamellah Owens, Education Program Specialist, DEL
- Alejandra Londono-Gomez, Policy Analyst, DEL
- Tiffany Patterson, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Theda Jones, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Bernadette Mayrant, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Valerie Sanders, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Janice Oliver, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Ashley Harvey, Motor Vehicle Dispatcher, DOT
- LaKisha Lowe, Motor Vehicle Dispatcher, DOT
- Sahida Tarawali, Operations Specialist, DOT
- Monique Bass, Management Analyst, OPS
- Chelsea Thomas, Management Analyst, DEL
- Dionne Muir-Clarke, Education Program Specialist, DEL
- Kathy Pointer, Management Analyst, DEL
- Demia Pearson, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Kia Brooks, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Lakisha Pratt, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Tynitra Alexander, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Markeshia Thomas, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Tonisha Tompkins, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Sabrina Williams, Bus Attendant, DOT
- Elias Engeda, MVO Bus Driver, DOT
Congratulations on the Promotion!
- Ashlee Smith, Supervisory Early Intervention Specialist, DEL
- Chris Chapman, Part C Special Assistant, DEL
- Qianna Nelson, Management Analyst, DEL
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OSSE Congratulates our FY23 Inaugural Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Academy graduates.
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OSSE DOT partnered with the D.C. Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) to deliver an intensive training designed to provide participants with a class B CDL with School bus and Passenger endorsements. Seventeen (17) OSSE DOT Bus Attendants completed classes Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. DOT’s goal is to continue to explore alternative, innovative solutions to staffing challenges while prioritizing internal growth and development opportunities to our dedicated service members. This ensures the lasting impact of quality service delivery for our students and their parents/guardians. We look forward to our next partnership and cohort! |
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Nov. 28 | DC Child Care Subsidy Program Brown Bag
Join us for a virtual brown bag with the Division of Early Learning to learn about the DC child care subsidy program which helps DC families with low and moderate income pay for the cost of child care. This fall, more DC families are now eligible to receive child care subsidies to pay for child care and can apply for the program using a new online application.
Register here to join the conversation.
Dec. 13 | Share Your Holiday Traditions at our Next All Hands Meeting
Mark your calendars for our next All Hands meeting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13. During the December All Hands meeting, we will highlight holiday traditions from staff across the agency. Last year, we heard about the beautiful traditions of Ramadan, learned about the Czech tradition of keeping carp in bathtubs, took a tour of holiday décor from year’s past in the Division of Early Learning and relived the Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston.
What’s the sentimental, funny, symbolic or nostalgic story of your tradition? Sign up here to share your favorite holiday traditions with staff during the meeting! A member of the OSSE Communications team will reach out to staff who sign up about next steps.
Join in person: Eleanor Holmes Norton I and II
Join the All Hands meeting virtually: https://bit.ly/OSSEDec2023
Holiday Closures
All DC Government offices are closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
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