August 28, 2026
Dear Washingtonians,
I want to say thank you and congratulations to all our educators and school staff on a very successful first week of school — a bittersweet one for me, as it marks my last first week of school as your mayor. I also want to thank the many community members who came out to help clap our kids into school on Monday. Together, we welcomed tens of thousands of students back to beautiful schools filled with fantastic educators.
Our first week of school by (some of) the numbers:
- We celebrated seven new and modernized buildings at Barnard Elementary School, Malcolm X Elementary School, Tubman Elementary School, Neval Thomas Elementary School, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, John R. Thompson Jr. High School, and Stoddert Elementary School.
- More than 1,000 OSSE bus drivers, attendants, dispatchers, mechanics, and other team members transported more than 3,400 students on more than 320 routes.
- Kids Ride Free cards were tapped more than 100,000 times on buses and trains across the city, getting kids to and from school for free.
- More than 55 DCPS-led afterschool programs kicked off this week.
- Our Safe Passage Ambassadors deployed on more than 100 routes across the city.
- DCPS distributed more than 75,000 breakfasts, 110,000 lunches, and 15,000 afterschool meals.
And one more number — a very important number: 180. There are 180 days in the school year, and our educators plan for all 180 days. If you only go to school 179 days, you're already missing one day of the plan. If you only go 175 days, you're missing a whole week of the plan. If you only go 170 days, you won’t have everything you need at the end of the school year.
We’re already five days in, so let’s keep making every day count.
Sincerely,
 Celebrate the end of summer at the Department of Parks and Recreation’s annual Doggie Day Swim. As the outdoor pool season comes to a close, four pools across the city will open just for dogs. Please note all dogs must have a current and valid DC dog license.
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 If your family received DC SUN Bucks this summer, now's the time to use them — benefits expire about four months after they're issued. As you're out doing back-to-school shopping, why not pick up some healthy groceries too?
Not sure when your benefits expire? Check your DC SUN Bucks notice or log into the portal at to find your exact date.
One more thing: hold onto your card! If your child is still enrolled next year, new benefits will be loaded onto the same card — no need to request a new one.
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 Calling all local Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs), small businesses, construction contractors, vendors, and suppliers. DC Government is joining Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC (CMS) and the Washington Commanders for First & Goal: New Commanders Stadium Construction Kick-Off & Resource Expo.
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When: Wednesday, September 9, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Where: Capital Turnaround (700 M Street SE)
Attendees will:
- Learn about upcoming stadium procurement packages and how to prequalify to bid.
- Get informed on CBE certification, FirstSource, the project’s labor agreement, and more.
- Network with CMS team members, prime contractors, District leaders, and local business resources.
Register today and get RFK ready: cmsjv.rsvpify.com
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