February 23, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
Tomorrow morning, at the Deanwood Community Center, we are kicking off our annual Budget Engagement Forums. This year, we have two citywide in-person forums; one teletownhall specifically for seniors, which we are hosting watch parties for at Senior Centers across DC; and one online forum specifically to hear from Gen Z residents.
Every year, the Budget Engagement Forums are an opportunity for residents to share your thoughts and ideas with me before I send the budget to the Council. We know that this is a tough budget year — we won't have as much buying power as we've had in previous years. But just like when you budget at home, our approach will be to prioritize; we will double down on what is working and cut out what is not working. Because we have tough choices to make, the conversations we have during these forums will be important.
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Budget Engagement Forum at Deanwood Community Center
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Senior Budget Engagement TeleTownhall
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Budget Engagement Forum at Brookland Middle School
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Gen Z Online Budget Engagement Forum
I hope you will be able to join us.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 With Women’s History Month just around the corner, Mayor Bowser is inviting residents to register for the 6th Annual FITDC HerStory 5K, which will take place on Saturday, March 9. The 5K will start at Freedom Plaza in Downtown DC. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 10:00 a.m. The 5K is free and open to people of all ages and abilities.
This year's festivities will also include the first-ever HerStory Kids Dash for children 12 and under. Kids Dash participants will receive a special t-shirt giveaway before taking part in a modified "race" on the 5K route.
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When: Saturday, March 9
- Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. and 5K starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Kids Dash will be at 9:30 a.m., please arrive early to pick up materials
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Where: Freedom Plaza
Register at herstory5k.com
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 The deadline for the My School DC common application for PreK3 - Grade 8 students is one week away. My School DC is a random lottery and there is no advantage to applying first; however, applicants must apply by March 1.
To learn more and apply, visit myschooldc.org. For any questions regarding the My School DC process, families can contact the My School DC hotline at (202) 888-6336 or email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
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 The registration deadline for the upcoming Office of Unified Communications (OUC) Junior Academy has been extended until March 1. The OUC Junior Academy is a free five week program which aims to familiarize high school students with OUC career opportunities and help young residents explore careers in public safety and public service. Students attend five consecutive weekly sessions on Thursday evenings from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. beginning on March 7, 2024.
The sessions include:
- An overview of 911 and 311 communications and call handling simulations
- A question-and-answer session with OUC leadership
- A mock CritiCall test, the national pre-employment test for 911 call takers and dispatchers
- Visits with our public safety partners at the Metropolitan Police Department and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
- A graduation ceremony and certificate of completion
High school students interested in the Junior Academy can register HERE.
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 The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program application is now open for District youth ages 14 to 24. Young people interested in gaining work experience over the summer should apply at summerjobs.dc.gov by Wednesday, March 6.
Employers interested in hosting District youth should apply to participate by June 1.
For over four decades, MBSYEP has employed thousands of District youth in summer jobs that provide them with both income and critical work experience.
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