August 27, 2021
Dear Washingtonians,
There's a lot happening in DC this weekend.
To mark the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington, there will be voting rights rallies throughout the weekend. We'll get things started on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on Freedom Plaza, where we will bring attention to DC statehood before marching to the Lincoln Memorial. I hope you will join us.
Then, at 11:30 a.m., we'll kick off our back-to-school celebration at the brand new Banneker High School. The new Banneker High School is a stunning facility that we are thrilled to welcome our Banneker Achievers back to. All are welcome to celebrate with us, and we'll have food, music, free COVID-19 vaccines, and more.
Finally, Monday is a big day for our community. Tens of thousands of young people will return to school, many for the first time in over a year. As I said last week, reopening our schools is an incredible challenge, but it is a challenge I know DC can rise to. Please do your part to support our young people and school communities—if you are eligible, get vaccinated.
See you this weekend.
Sincerely,
 DC’s biggest infrastructure project — and an iconic bridge named after an iconic Washingtonian — deserves a two-day celebration!
The celebration of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will kick off on Labor Day with a 5K and community celebration with food, live entertainment, and fun for residents of all ages. Then, on Tuesday, September 7, Mayor Bowser will join federal partners, members of the Douglass family, and other invited guests and dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Register for the 5K HERE.
Back to Top
 On Wednesday, September 15, Mayor Bowser will kick off the 4th Annual National Maternal & Infant Health Summit. The two-day event will bring together residents, healthcare officials, healthcare professionals, service providers, and more to explore, strategize, and share solutions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the District and beyond.
This year’s summit will include an in-person kickoff event on Wednesday, September 15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, followed by a series of virtual breakout sessions on Thursday, September 16. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders in maternal and infant health; explore innovations and emerging issues in maternal, obstetrical, and pediatric care; and connect with over 50 government and community-based programs and resources.
To learn more about the Summit and to RSVP, visit dcmaternalhealth.com.
Back to Top
 Beginning next week, the District is expanding the Test Yourself DC program to put almost all of DC within a 20-minute walk of a Test Yourself DC site. Next week, 11 new sites will be added as places where individuals can pick up and drop off free at-home COVID-19 testing kits. Through the program, which currently operates at 16 DC public libraries, individuals have the option to either take a COVID-19 test on-site or to take the test home and then drop off their sample at the closest drop box. The Test Yourself DC tests are PCR tests.
Next week, the following locations will become Test Yourself DC sites. Test Yourself DC sites at recreation centers will have pickup hours whenever the recreation center is open. Samples can be dropped off at any Test Yourself DC site seven days a week, any time before 8:00 p.m. (samples must be dropped off the same day the test is used). Find recreation center hours at dpr.dc.gov/page/recreation-centers-00
These 11 new sites are in addition to the 16 DC Public Library sites that are listed on testyourself.dc.gov.
Ward 3
- Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherier Pl NW) – opens on Monday, August 30
Ward 4
- Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman St NE) – opens on Monday, August 30
Ward 5
- Trinidad Recreation Center (1310 Childress St NE) – opens on Monday, August 30
- Edgewood Recreation Center (301 Franklin Street, NE) – opens on Monday, August 30
- Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave NE) – opens on Monday, August 30
Ward 6
- Arthur Capper Community Center (1000 5th St SE) – opens on Monday, August 30
- Rosedale Recreation Center (1701 Gales St NE) – opens on Monday, August 30
- Southwest Library (900 Wesley Pl SW) – opens on Wednesday, September 1 and will be open for pick up Monday-Wednesday, 10 am - 6 pm; Thursday, 12 pm - 6 pm; and Friday & Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm.
- DC Health (899 N Capitol St NE) – opens on Wednesday, September 1 and will be open for pick up Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm,
Ward 8
- Barry Farm Recreation Center (1230 Sumner Rd SE) – opens on Monday, August 30
- Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie Street, SE) – opens on Wednesday, September 1
For more information about Test Yourself DC, visit testyourself.dc.gov, and for information about other ways to get tested, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.
Back to Top
|
