EdFEST: Saturday, Dec 2 and Saturday, Dec 9

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@TeamMuriel
 
Muriel Bowser Ward 4
 
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John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: muriel.bowser@dc.gov

Chief of Staff:
Lindsey Parker

City Administrator:
Kevin Donahue

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Eugene Adams

Senior Advisor:
Beverly Perry

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Jackie Reyes-Yanes

Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 1, 2023

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,

It is that time of year again: ahead of the MySchool DC applications opening on December 11, families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 220 DC Public Schools and public charter schools at EdFEST. 

This year, EdFEST is spread across two weekends:

On Saturday, December 2, families with students entering PreK3–Grade 8 can attend EdFEST at the DC Armory from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Then, on Saturday, December 9, families with students entering Grades 9–12 can attend EdFEST at Eastern High School from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

At EdFEST, you can ask questions about academic programs, extracurricular activities, social, emotional, and behavioral supports and more. The goal is to help families find the best school for your child and family. Representatives will also be on site to help families understand the school lottery process.

Just a few weeks ago, we announced that for the second year in a row, enrollment in our public schools hit a record high. We know that when families enroll and re-enroll in our public schools, that is a reflection of their confidence in our teachers, principals, and school communities. That confidence is earned and well-deserved and it often begins with conversations at EdFEST.

Learn more about and register for EdFEST HERE.

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser
Feast of Sharing

View photos from the past two weeks on Facebook

In This Week's Newsletter:

Saturday, December 2: College Prep and Career Readiness Fair for Teens

career

On Saturday, December 2, join the Department of Parks and Recreation for a college prep and career readiness fair for youth ages 13-19. The event will provide an opportunity for teens to connect with resources and learn more about colleges, internships, job opportunities, military, workforce, and more.

  • When: Saturday, December 2 @ 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Where: Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th Street NW)
  • Register to attend HERE.

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Get Ready for Winter: Preparedness Tips

winter

The District Snow Team is encouraging residents to prepare for winter and proactively spreading the word about what to expect during any future winter weather events. The District Snow Team is made up of more than 800 employees from across District Government, operating more than 250 snowplows to keep DC streets clear.

Familiarize yourself with what to expect before, during, and after a winter weather event HERE

One way residents can support their neighbors this winter is by signing up for ServeDC’s Volunteer District Snow Team at galaxydigital.com/snow-team/. 

Below are a few winter weather preparedness tips:

  • Help Residents in Need: Call 311 or the shelter hotline at 202-399-7093 to request accessible shelter transport for individuals experiencing homelessness, who may have disabilities, other access and/or functional needs, and are outside. The District opens additional Hypothermia Overflow Shelters to ensure there are warm, safe places to be for anyone. 
  • Family, pets, home: Keep plenty of water, food, and medications on hand; have winter clothing ready like coats, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves; and bring pets inside and call Humane Rescue Alliance at (202) 723-5730 if you see pets left outdoors. 
  • Inside your property: Have your furnace, chimney, and flue checked by professionals, make sure your smoke and CO2 detectors have fresh batteries and caulk and weather strip windows and doors.
  • Sign up for real-time alerts on winter weather events at dc.gov. You can also check social media at X.com/AlertDC.

For additional winter weather information and preparedness tips, visit ready.dc.gov/winterwx

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DPR Winter Programs Still Open for Registration

muisc

The Department of Parks and Recreation has plenty of free activities and programs for youth this winter season that families can still register for, including:

  • Free Music Classes (ages 6-12): Families can register youth for free classes in general music and music technology at Trinidad Recreation and free vocal music and digital arts classes at Hillcrest Recreation. The classes are taught by masters in music education from The Musicianship DC.
    • Families can register youth ages 6-12 for the music classes HERE.
  • Free Adaptive Movement Program for Youth with Special Needs (ages 5-14): Families can register youth ages 5-14 with special needs for a free adaptive movement program. The adaptive movement course will provide youth with special needs with the opportunity to engage in fitness, creative self-expression, socialization, and recreation using various genres of music such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Salsa, Modern, African, etc. The program will be facilitated by professionally trained movement instructors and no previous experience is required.
    • The program is available at the following locations: North Michigan Park Recreation Center, Kenilworth Recreation Center, Ferebee-Hope Recreation Center, and Chevy Chase Community Center.
    • Families can register youth for the adaptive movement class HERE.

View all available DPR winter programming and register for classes and activities at dprprograms.com

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#BeDowntown: December Downtown

Holiday Market

At markets, pop-ups, museums, skating rinks, restaurants, shops, and more, there are many ways to enjoy December in Downtown DC.

Through December 23: Holiday Pop-up Shops at MLK Library 

Head to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for holiday pop-up shops by the Heurich House Museum and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The shops offer residents and visitors the chance to buy locally made and designed products and transit-themed items, including:

  • Products from over 30 makers in the Heurich House Museum network including greeting cards, candles, and clothes.
  • Items that are typically on sale at Metro’s online store, such as limited-edited and holiday-themed metro items like wrapping paper, ornaments, socks, sweaters, and more.
  • Items promoting the DC Public Library's Go-Go and Punk Archives will also be available for sale.

Learn more about hours and availability HERE.

Through December 23: Downtown Holiday Market

The annual Downtown Holiday Market is now open! The Holiday Market offers unique items from over 70 vendors, including 15 local businesses that are Made In DC-certified, a Department of Small and Local Business Development designation that promotes businesses that are headquartered and produce goods in DC.

The Holiday Market is on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW. It is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Learn more at downtownholidaymarket.com.

Through March 3, 2024: Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden Ice Rink

Celebrate the start of the winter season by heading ice skating at the Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. Skaters will be surrounded by monumental sculptures from modern and contemporary artists including Louis Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Tony Smith, Roy Lichtenstein and Roxy Paine.

Skating sessions last 45 minutes, leaving a 15-minute break for ice maintenance. Two back-to-back sessions cost $12 for adults and children 13 and over, and $10 for seniors and youth under 13. Skate rentals cost $6, and lockers are included in the price for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • When: November 20- March 3 @11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from Friday to Saturday.
  • Where: Sculpture Garden Ice Rink (7th and 9th Streets along Constitution Avenue NW)

To learn more, visit nga.gov/skating or call (202) 216- 9397.

November 28 – December 5: DC Cocktail Week

DC Cocktail Week, presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, runs from November 28 through December 5. Over 100 local establishments are participating in its inaugural debut, offering unique cocktails and menus throughout the week, allowing residents and visitors another opportunity to support local establishments and experience DC’s thriving culinary scene.

View a list of participating restaurants HERE, and view a list of events offered all week HERE.

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