PTSA Newsletter – 2/21/2018

Posted on by smittyjd23

PTA Looking Ahead Meeting
February 21, 2018
Auditorium
6:00 pm

Come visit some of our wonderful teachers of all grades explaining what they do best.  Visit classrooms to learn about an average school day, ask questions, and more!

Dinner and childcare provided. 

Newspapers Needed

Art teacher Ms. Cohen needs help stocking her classroom with large newspapers (such as the Washington Post) to protect the tables on painting days.  If you have old newspapers, please bring them in and drop them off in Ms. Cohen’s room, 208A.

Budget Engagement Forum
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Watkins Elementary School – 420 12th Street, SE
6:30 pm

Consider attending one of the budget engagement forums to share your values, priorities, and ideas with the Bowser Administration as the FY19 budget is developed.

Resister here:  https://2018budgetforums.eventbrite.com
Attachment:  2018 Budget Engagement Forum information

Strategic Planning Session
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Northeast Library Conference Room (Mezzanine)
330 7th Street, NE
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

All CHPSPO members, as well as families, principals, and engaged community members are invited to participate in this strategic planning (working) meeting where we plan to develop long-term and short-term priorities for our work supporting Ward 6 schools.

Register via Eventbrite: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/chpspo- strategic-planning-meeting- registration-43120497569

On February 12, 2018 the Trump Administration eliminated funding for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) program in its Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request to Congress. Established nearly two decades ago in 1999, DCTAG was created to expand higher education choices for college-bound residents of the District of Columbia by providing grants of up to $10,000 toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges throughout the US, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Currently DCTAG is helping DC students attend over 300 colleges and universities nationwide. Since its inception, the program has served over 26,000 students – many of whom would not have enrolled in college without the program. By terminating funding, the administration would be adding unnecessary roadblocks that may prevent students from achieving their dreams and will limit their ability to pursue diverse career goals .Our College & Career Coordinators, School Counselors, and DC CAP Advisors are supporting graduating seniors in completing their FAFSAs, DCTAG, and applying for Financial Aid.  We encourage all seniors and current college students to show the importance of DCTAG by completing your application for SY18-19.  All of the information about submitting their application is available on the OSSE website at https://osse.dc.gov/dctag.

Visit https://dcpsgoestocollege..org/resources-toolkits/ and sign up for the DCPSDollars4College Newsletter for more information on financial aid and scholarships.  We will post updates on DCTAG on both the website and the newsletter.
DCTAG is worthy of continued funding as an investment in our future. We call on Congress to approve this investment in higher education for DC students.

Please, sign the petition at this link https://dcforms.dc.gov/webform/pledge-savedctag to urge Congress to fully fund DCTAG in the FY2019 budget

In light of recent events at DCPS, today’s School Food Advisory Board meeting is postponed.  The new meeting date is March 14th from 5:30 – 7:30pm, location TBD.   For more information about DC Greens please click here: https://www.dcgreens.org/school-food-advisory-board.  If you are interested in joining or want to learn more, contact David Lazere at david@dcgreens.org or (202) 735-3391.

Payne Elementary’s Second Annual Spring Auction is scheduled for April 26, 2018.  The Spring Auction is an opportunity for fellowship between parents and teachers while raising some money for the school’s needs.  Last year we ate delicious BBQ and bid on Nats tickets, restaurant gift cards, gift baskets, and services (cooking, babysitting, etc.) donated by teachers and parents.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?  We could use a few parents to help with planning and implementing this year’s auction.  Do you have something to donate (a thing or a skill) or could you help us solicit donations?  Do you have a knack for party planning?  Can you help the night of the auction to set things up or take them down?  There are plenty of volunteer opportunities – small and large.  Please sign up here”: https://paynepta.org/2018/01/16/payne-spring-auction/#more-5.  Please email Heather Alarcon at hevuva@gmail.com for additional details.

  • February 21:  PTA “Looking Ahead” Meeting (6:00 pm)
  • February 23:  Black History Month Program
  • March 1:  My School DC Application Deadline for Grades PK3-8
  • March 2:  No School for Students – Parent Teacher Conference Day
  • March 26 – 30:  No School for Students & Teachers:  Spring Break