Back-to-School Briefs, Aug. 2023
By • August 16, 2023 One Comment 1424
Gearing up for Back-to-School, Georgetown students and families can look forward to new school programs and fresh faces. While D.C. public schools will begin Monday, August 28, private schools often begin after Labor Day.
Mayor’s Reminders
“We know for our young people, a strong and successful school year begins on day one,” Mayor Bowser wrote August 11. She emphasized:
- Creating a back-to-school transportation plan. For info go here.
- Completing school enrollment forms. For info go to enrolldcps.dc.gov.
- Ensuring immunizations are up-to-date. For info go here.
- Keeping track of calendar events for the year. For info go here.
DCPS Chancellor Ferebee to Hold Public Info Session
On the “X” app, DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis Ferebee recently announced a Back-to-School Info Session by webinar Wednesday August 16, from 6-7:00 p.m. Topics: “student health, safety, academics, early childhood, attendance, and more!”
DC School Chancellor Dr. Lewis Ferebee will be holding a Back-to-School Info Session Aug. 16.
New MacArthur High School Opens
At the site of the former Georgetown Day School, the new MacArthur High School will be opening at 4530 MacArthur Blvd. NW for 2023-24. In its inaugural year, the school is looking to enroll 200 ninth-graders and 50 tenth-graders and be composed of just those grade-levels. By 2026-27, DCPS plans to expand enrollment to 800 students, grades 9-12. On Saturday, August 2, a “Grand Opening Celebration” on the school’s field will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a “school tour, food, giveaways and more!”
At the site of the former Georgetown Day School, the new MacArthur High School will be opening at 4530 MacArthur Blvd. NW for 2023-24.
With only two grade-levels at the outset, the school will provide unique opportunities as “a comprehensive, neighborhood high school serving the diverse interests and needs of students.” The “first cohorts of students will have access to exceptional leadership opportunities and will help shape the character of DCPS’s newest high school,” the school’s website at https://dcps.dc.gov/macarthur says.
Though ANC 2E has heard many concerns about transportation options to MacArthur, the school reassures: “DCPS has worked with area transportation agencies to enhance public transportation options. MacArthur is accessible by bus, on WMATA’s Route D6, and Route 33 [and] … WMATA has increased the frequency of both routes.”
Dr. Harold McCray is the inaugural principal of MacArthur High School.
MacArthur’s founding principal, Dr. Harold McCray Jr., is a “veteran educator with more than 18 years of experience,” who prizes “student achievement.” A former middle school math teacher, he most recently served as principal of DCPS’s Stanton Elementary School. “I truly believe all students can learn and must have access to instruction that provides high expectations and academic rigor,” McCray wrote. In the first weeks of the school year, he’ll be spending “intentional time meeting students, parents, and community members” to “build strong relationships.”
Hardy Middle School’s New Principal Reaches Out
Meanwhile, there’s excitement at Hardy Middle School at 1819 35th St. NW, where new principal, Maurine Westover, is developing her “entry plan” in the “spirit of collaboration” for the new school year.
“I am beyond excited to join the Hardy community as principal,” she wrote. “I believe that through continued dedication and intentional collaboration we can make the best decisions for our community and for our students. I look forward to working with each of you to make Hardy a school that supports the needs and dreams of all our students! In the next few weeks, I’ll share my entry plan that will guide my transitional work as principal…. A key part of that plan is getting to know you and your role in our community…”
Westover “grew up in the metro Atlanta area, and [has] seen first-hand the power education offers to open [up] the world! [She’s] been able to study and work in schools across the U.S. and the world, including studying in Jerusalem and volunteering with a school in southern India.” She holds master’s degrees in science from Georgia State University and Educational Leadership from Harvard. Most recently, she served as an administrator at Ballou Senior High. “I am passionate about data and excel sheets, but, most importantly, I love supporting students as they access deeper and more authentic learning experiences,” she wrote.
Now that there’s a white principal at Hardy you’ll see how quiet those parents are going to be about “their children’s education”. I hope they’re able to give the new principal a bit more grace than they gave Principal Johnson. Even better the new principal is Jewish. Hmm.