We are excited to dedicate this Back to School edition of KIPP in the Community to Ward 8! As someone who lived in Ward 8 for a decade, I know there are countless amazing things about the community there. The incredible spaces like the historical Fredrick Douglass House, the beautiful Anacostia Arts Center, or the community staple Georgina’s. I would be remiss not to mention the energy and love from community members that make Ward 8 special. Moreover, currently, almost 40% of all KIPPsters reside in Ward 8. I also think Ward 8 is a great place for a new KIPP DC high school, so while we are excited to welcome back all families for the school year, we want to give a special shout out in this edition to the great Ward 8!
Althea Holford
Managing Director of Community and Government Affairs
Around Town:
Somerset Team & Family Day
We had a blast welcoming our newest team & family members to KIPP DC! On August 24, we brought together 300 students, families, and staff for KIPP DC Somerset Team & Family Day. The day, held at the DC Pavillion, included food, face painting, free haircuts, moon bounces, a water slide, and even a rock-climbing wall for students and families to enjoy. It was great seeing all of our new families at the KIPP DC Somerset Campus come together to enjoy a Saturday of fun. Check out more photos!
Ward 8 Councilmember Joins KIPP DC Somerset Campus for the First Day of School
We were proud to have Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White join KIPPsters at KIPP DC Somerset College Preparatory and KIPP DC Honor Academy for the first day of school! Councilmember White talked to the 9th grade class and shared some of his own experience attending school in the same school building. He encouraged students to strive to be great scholars and members of their community. We’re eager to continue our work alongside Councilmember White to empower more students in the Ward 8 community.
Man the Block
Thank you to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Fathers, Men, and Boys, and Ward 8 ANC Commissioner Adofo, MPD Officers, WMATA Youth Division Officers, and Cure the Streets for the Man the Block initiative. On August 12, community members, organizations, and families joined us to ‘Man the Block’ and welcome KIPPsters to the opening of KIPP DC’s Somerset Campus! Man the Block is a district-wide initiative that brings together community members to be present during students’ walk to school. We know students feel safest when responsible adults are around and encouraging them. In partnership with DC’s Deputy Mayor for Education, the Mayor’s office, and other city leaders, we are moving towards real safe passage solutions. Check out more information about the efforts KIPP DC is making in the area of safe passage.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Community Day at KIPP DC Douglass Campus
In August, we partnered with The Federal City Alumnae Chapter (TheFCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host their annual DC Community Day at KIPP DC Douglass Campus. The day included many community members, partners, and city officials. Participants walked away with immunizations, free school supplies, food, and had tons of fun! Members of KIPP DC’s engagement team even registered adults to vote! We love engaging with residents in our community and look forward to more opportunities this school year!
KIPP Codes Kicks off in Partnership with Community College Preparatory Academy
We’re pleased to have kicked-off the 3rd cohort of KIPP Codes. KIPP Codes is a free weekly boot camp for adult residents East of the River. This fall, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to design webpages and learn the basics to coding! We’re excited to empower our community with skills that will propel them into the growing tech industry! Learn more about KIPP Codes.
Ferebee Hope Reimagining
In July, the Deputy Mayor for Education announced the upcoming release of the Ferebee Hope school for reuse. We believe that this site is a great location in Ward 8 for a permanent home for a second KIPP DC high school. To test this idea, we sought to hear directly from the community. In addition to attending meetings and hearings, we took time to knock on every door in a 2-mile radius of the Ferebee Hope Recreation Center to get a sense of what the residents and community members want from a partner in their neighborhood. We’re eager to continue these conversations and work in partnership with the residents of the Ferebee Hope community. In the coming weeks, the engagement team will be meeting with families and community members to get thoughts, ideas, and create a vision for the re-imagined Ferebee Hope site. If you’d like to stay abreast of conversation, please email Althea Holford. You can also give input by completing this survey.
