🍏Summer Scoop: Announcements and Updates from the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 07/11/2024 10:50 AM EDT

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The DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education is a confidential and impartial resource that helps resolve issues involving DC families, schools, and school staff.

We work to resolve issues in all areas that affect student learning, including student safety, discipline, special education, attendance, enrollment, academic progress, and communication barriers.

If you or someone you know has any questions or concerns,

contact us at (202) 741-0886 or visit https://educationombudsman.dc.gov/

"As we step into the heart of summer, I hope this message finds you all enjoying a well-deserved break and making the most of the season. The past academic year has been one of significant challenges and remarkable resilience, and I am continually inspired by the dedication and commitment of our students, parents, educators, and staff."

- Kimberly R. Humphrey, Esq.

Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to honor and celebrate the unique identities, experiences, and contributions of individuals with disabilities. At the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, we recognize the importance of this month in promoting inclusion, understanding, and respect for all students, including those with disabilities.

Raising Awareness: Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights and needs of students with disabilities. Through educational campaigns, workshops, and community events, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of disability issues and promote a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

Empowering Students and Families: We believe in empowering students with disabilities and their families by providing them with the information, resources, and support necessary to understand their educational rights. The DC Special Education Hub passionately works to inform and assist families who have students with disabilities. To learn more about the amazing SpEd Hub visit:https://specialeducation.dc.gov/

Get Involved: We encourage you to join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month. Participate in local events, engage in conversations about disability inclusion, and share stories that highlight the strengths and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Your involvement helps build a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone.

National Make A Difference to Children Month

July is National Make a Difference to Children Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the importance of positively impacting the lives of children. Whether through volunteer work, mentoring, or simply offering a listening ear, every effort counts. This month encourages us to reflect on the ways we can contribute to the growth and well-being of our younger generation. Let's come together as a community to support, nurture, and inspire our children, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to thrive.

Make a difference today and see the lasting impact on the future!

At the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, community engagement is at the heart of our mission. We believe that a strong, vibrant community is the foundation of a thriving educational system. Our office prioritizes building and maintaining open, transparent, and collaborative relationships with students, families, educators, and community members.

🚴‍♂️Cycle For Change: Riding Against Gun Violence 🚴‍♀️

June 15th

Our office participated as a resource during the Cycle For Change: Riding Against Gun Violence event. This inspiring event was hosted by The Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) and the Office of the City Administrator (OCA). It proudly brought together community members, advocates, and leaders for a powerful ride aimed at raising awareness and combating gun violence. Participants cycled through the city, demonstrating unity and commitment to creating safer neighborhoods. Together, we pedaled with purpose, symbolizing our collective dedication to ending gun violence and fostering a secure, vibrant community for all. Community organizations also showed up to inform participants and supporters of all the readily available resources offered by the city.

Community Resource Pop-Up

June 22nd

Stephanie Arias attended the DMPSJ and DC Housing Authority Neighborhood Community Resource Pop-Up Kick-Off in the LeDroit Park community. This event aimed to bring together local residents, community organizations, and city agencies to provide resources, support, and information on housing, public safety, and community services.

American University SIEEJ Conference

June 24- 26th

Recap: Annual American University School of Education Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ)

The annual American University School of Education Summer Institute on Education, Equity, and Justice (SIEEJ) brought together local and national educators and education advocates to highlight new practices and strategies for addressing the educational needs of Black, Brown, and Indigenous students. Held virtually this year, the Institute aimed to foster collaboration among educators, students, researchers, policymakers, law enforcement officials, mental health experts, and community leaders. The focus was on exploring innovative strategies, evidence-based solutions, and the importance of solidarity in creating safer schools. The event included our very own education experts Jacque Patterson, the Vice President of the DC State Board of Education and Brandon Best, DC Ward 6 Representative who served as panelist during the "A Legislative Approach to School Violence Through the Lens of Public Policy" session.

Several members of our Office of the Ombudsman team attended the Institute and gained valuable insights.

Key Takeaways:

Teacher Support: Providing educators with the resources, training, and emotional support they need is essential for fostering a positive and effective learning environment. This support enables teachers to better recognize and address the diverse needs of their students and contribute to creating safer and reflective learning environments.
The Role of Educators in School Safety: Educators can play a pivotal role in creating safe learning environments. Emphasis was placed on the importance of building relationships with students, understanding their communities, and being proactive in safety measures rather than reactive. Training teachers to handle various scenarios and to foster a sense of belonging and respect among students are key strategies.
Addressing Violence through Legal and Public Policy Perspectives: The conference highlighted the significant impact of violence, including gun violence, on school environments and its devastating effects on students and their communities. Scholars and practitioners emphasized the need for early intervention and support for students, addressing root causes such as lack of services and support at home and school. Effective programs like the Safety Passage initiative, integrated mental health services, and trauma-informed practices have proven to reduce violence both inside and outside schools. Ensuring appropriate funding and fostering collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including sustainable funding for mental health services and community partnerships, is crucial for maintaining safe and supportive school environments.

Many of the strategies and research shared during the sessions will be instrumental in our collaborative efforts to better support our students, ensure equity and justice in education, and enhancing community engagement efforts.

Highlights provided by DaShae Willis & Jenifer Souza-Dodds

📚Council Chairman Phil Mendelson's Committee of the Whole Public Hearing on Absenteeism and Truancy 🚸

June 26, 2024

On June 26, 2024, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson held a public hearing to tackle student absenteeism and truancy in the District. This follow-up to a May 13th roundtable allowed public and government witnesses to share reflections and recommendations on the legislative proposals.

The hearing focused on four key measures:

B25-0740 - Truancy Reduction for Student Success Act of 2024: Strategic interventions to reduce truancy and promote student success.
B25-0754 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Reduction Amendment Act of 2024: Measures to address chronic absenteeism through community involvement.
B25-0758 - The Showing Up for Students Amendment Act of 2024: Programs to engage students and encourage attendance.
B25-0791 - UPLIFT Amendment Act of 2024: Emphasizes community partnerships and localized interventions for safer schools.

Members from our office attended the hearing and gained valuable insights into the proposed legislative measures. The testimony and discussions highlighted the importance of comprehensive and collaborative approaches to address absenteeism and truancy.

The Office of the Ombudsman submitted testimony for the record, which can be read in full here.

DPR Junior Lifeguard Academy 🏊🏽

Students ages 12-19 can become junior lifeguards for FREE, and after they're certified, they get paid! Learn more here: Junior Lifeguards | dpr (dc.gov)

☀️DPR Summer Employment☀️

DC Department of Parks and Recreation offers a variety of summer employment opportunities. Gain experience engaging youth, working in operations, or other DPR environments.

You can apply for a DPR job in three steps:

Review the jobs posted below and find something for you
Note the 5-digit number listed below and go to http://Careers.DC.Gov
Search using the 5-digit number and apply today!

Office of Youth Programs: High School Internship Program

2024-2025 High School Internship Program Applications Is Now Open.

The High School Internship Program provides work-readiness skills, project-based learning, life skills, leadership development training, and work opportunities for District youth ages 14 - 21. The goal of the program is to help prepare District youth to successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. Visit https://summerjobs.dc.gov/page/hsip to learn more!

DCPS Summer Food Service Program

Just because school ends doesn’t mean school meals do - FREE breakfast and lunch will be available to all children and youth 18 and younger across the city all summer long!

While DCPS can no longer offer meals to-go, students are welcome to stop into a DCPS summer school site where they can be served a meal to consume on-site.

DCPS summer meal locations, hours, and menus can be found on the DC Youth Meals Program Website. Please note that meal locations and hours are subject to change.

☀️DC Public Schools Summer Programming📚

Every summer, DCPS provides summer learning opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students. Students who participate in summer programming have opportunities to form new friendships, strengthen academic skills, and prepare for the year ahead. There is no cost to attend a DCPS summer program and breakfast and lunch are provided to students. Summer school programming is available late June through late July for full or half-days, depending on the location.

Please visit dcpsstrong.com/summer for details on our summer programming. Call 202-888-6336 or email at info.myschooldc@dc.gov for assistance in your language.

☀️DPR Summer Activities ☀️

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation hosts a variety of summer programs for residents of all ages. Programs include classes and activities around aquatics, sports, fitness, and arts! Visit https://dprprograms.com/ to register and/or learn more!

LATE NIGHT HYPE and BEAT THE STREETS are teaming up for the most epic nighttime carnival-style event featuring MPD's Side by Side Band, food, video games, sports activities, and MORE!

Don’t miss the next Late Night Hype x Beat the Streets event on Friday, July 12th, at the Emery Heights Recreation Center from 7 PM to 11 PM.

The excitement continues nearly every Friday from June 7 through August 23. For more details, visit the Late Night Hype website!

Late Night Hype Tour

DCPS Afterschool Pre-Enrollment

At the end of the school day, DCPS Out of School Time (OSTP) afterschool programs engage students in academic support, free supper or snack, and a variety of enrichment activities provided by DCPS teachers, paraprofessionals, and partner organizations. Registration for School Year 24/25 will opened Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at Noon. Visit their website to learn more and apply: https://dcpsafterschoolpreenroll.powerappsportals.com/

Community Resource Pop Ups

Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice are coordinating a series of Resource Pop-Up events. These events will showcase agencies and organizations committed to serving DC students and families, providing valuable information about their services. We warmly invite community members to join us and explore the diverse range of resources and opportunities accessible to DC residents. .

The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education looks forward to your attendance at upcoming events!

Upcoming Pop Ups:
▪️07/11/2024- Benning Terrace, (3pm-6pm), 4450 G St SE.
▪️07/13/2024- Greenleaf (1pm-5pm), 201 N St SE.
▪️07/17/2024- Rosedale (3pm-7pm) 1701 Gales St NE.
▪️07/18/2024- Emery (3pm-7pm), 5701 Georgia Ave NW. ▪️07/27/2024- Potomac Garden (1pm-5pm), 700 12th St SE.

The SpEd Hub Training Calendar is here!!

Behold the SpEd Hub's 2024-2025 training calendar! We've packed the year with favorite sessions and fresh training, all requested directly by families, caregivers, and community members!

We're excited to share the calendar so you can learn more about special education and receive our team's support, resources, and guidance. Don't forget to click on the training titles—they'll lead you straight to the registration form, ensuring you snag your spot ahead of time!

Sped Hub Calendar