Press ReleaseContent retrieved from: https://dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-kicks-2018-2019-school-year-dcps%E2%80%99-first-all-girls-school-leads-slow-down.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Bowser today celebrated the beginning of the 2018-2019 traditional school year at Excel Academy, DCPS’ first all-girls school, in Ward 8. Prior to kickoff events, the Mayor led Administration officials at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Howard Street Southeast reminding motorists to slow down and use caution while school is in session.
“I am so excited to celebrate this first day of school at Excel, and remind all of our children that their job is to get to school, each and every day,” said Mayor Bowser. “Throughout the year, our educators are working hard to ensure every day counts for our students. And together, I know we will take every opportunity to ensure that all our families and students feel supported and are connected to all the resources they need to make it to school every day, be on time to class, and are on a path to success.”
Excel Academy provides scholars with rigorous and joyful learning experiences, focused on creating a loving environment, and preparing students for future success in school and in life. Excel builds upon DCPS’ “Reign: Empowering Young Women as Leaders” initiative, which Mayor Bowser launched in 2017 to close the achievement gap. Women from across the city joined Mayor Bowser in welcoming the young women to Excel on their first day of school.
“We are thrilled to welcome Excel Academy to the DCPS family as we continue to focus on educating and empowering our young women of color,” said Interim DCPS Chancellor Amanda Alexander. “Excel Academy scholars in grades prekindergarten through eighth will build community, confidence, and leadership skills, and gain the skills they need – from science and technology to literacy and the arts – to positively influence society and thrive in life.”
Mayor Bowser’s unprecedented investments in education have been showing consistent results. Last week, Mayor Bowser announced that DC’s 2018 statewide results from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test showed gains across almost all grade levels and subject areas for the third year in a row. And today, students at Bancroft Elementary School in Ward 1, Boone, formerly Orr, Elementary School in Ward 8, MacFarland Middle School in Ward 4, and Murch Elementary School in Ward 3 started the school year in fully modernized buildings.
In addition to new school modernizations, there are other notable changes at DCPS and DC public charter schools. Mayor Bowser’s Kids Ride Free program is more accessible and easier to use, providing students who use Metrorail, Metrobus, or the DC Circulator to get to and from school-related activities with a new Kids Ride Free SmarTrip card. And a new cohort of students at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, DC’s only all-boys public high school launched by Mayor Bowser during the 2016-2017 school year, will also begin classes this year.
Later today, the Mayor will be at the intersection of Kansas and Georgia Avenue Northwest near Dorothy Height Elementary, Powell Elementary, MacFarland Middle School, and Roosevelt High School as part of the Administration’s Safe Passage and Slow Down campaign. To view Safe Passage areas, view the interactive map HERE. Following the afternoon’s Slow Down campaign, Mayor Bowser will cut the ribbon at MacFarland Middle School in Ward 4 with students and community members.
Mayor Bowser’s Safe Passage Working Group is also holding visibility events in the morning and afternoon at the following locations:
- Rhode Island Ave Metro Station
- Columbia Heights Metro Station
- Deanwood Metro Station
- Tenleytown-AU Metro Station
- Anacostia Metro Station
- Congress Heights area (centered near Democracy Prep)
- Good Hope Rd SE
- NoMa-Gallaudet Metro Station
- Minnesota Ave Metro Station
- L’Enfant Plaza/ Waterfront Metro Station
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