Latest Announcements from Educate Ward 8

Hello Everyone- Educate Ward 8 and the Ward itself have had a great past week and are looking forward to some good things coming this week!

A few days ago, we were very excited to get an official note of support from Jacque Patterson, President of the Ward 8 Democrats! It is becoming more and more obvious with each note that Educate Ward 8 is quickly becoming and integral part of education reform here in Ward 8. You can read Jacque's note of support by clicking on the "supporters" tab on this site!

Also, I (Markus Batchelor) was able to get to E Street Cinema to see Waiting for Superman on Friday. Though there was really no groundbreaking or fairly new information in the movie, it definitely sparks awareness and thought about where our education system is, how it effects our nation's children, and what we all must do improve it. I will be writing a series of opinions on different issues that were raised in the movies in the upcoming weeks.

AND NOW, THIS WEEK, there is so much more in store:

Tuesday, October 12, 2010:

• 2010 National College Fair @The Walter Washington Convention Center (9am-1pm and 6pm-8pm): Students and Parents from across the District of Columbia will come to the convention center to speak with representatives from over 100 colleges and universities. Find more information here.
• Farm to School Kickoff Event @Thurgood Marshall Academy/ Savoy Elementary Shared Gym (1pm): Students will be the judges in a contest of local chefs competing to create the tastiest dish from a local apple harvest. The images from a city-wide School Garden Photo Contest will be displayed and the winning photographers announced. A brand-new school garden, shared by Thurgood Marshall Academy and neighboring Savoy Elementary School, will be named, dedicated, painted and planted. We’ll celebrate the passage of the DC Healthy Schools Act and the exciting changes in school lunches with Councilmember Mary Cheh. Special guests Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Adviser For Healthy Food Initiatives will join us to celebrate local and national efforts to grow healthier kids.
• Fairlawn Civic Association Meeting: Residents of the Fairlawn Neighborhood! Come join your neighborhoods to talk about the issues that matter most- including EDUCATION. @UPO Anacostia- 1649 Good Hope Road SE from 7-9:30pm

Thursday, October 14, 2010:

• Chancellor's Office Hours @Johnson Middle School, 1400 Bruce PL SE. (6pm-8pm). Come the Johnson Middle School on Thursday to have a five-minute sit-down with Chancellor Rhee about the issues that you care about the most. Email nicole.smith2@dc.gov to schedule an appointment.
• Fort Stanton Civic Association Meeting @Fort Stanton Rec Center, 18th and Erie St SE (7-8:30pm): Residents of the Fort Standon Neighborhood! Come join your neighborhoods to talk about the issues that matter most- including EDUCATION.

Saturday, October 16, 2010:

• Ward 8 Democrats Meeting @Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, 2616 Martin Luther King Avenue SE (Noon). At this month's meeting, it's time to MEET YOUR ANC COMMISSIONERS! Come to Matthews on Saturday and get to know those who represent you on the first tier of DC's Government system and talk to them about our Ward's most pressing issues.

CHECK OUT EDUCATE WARD 8'S CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS

WE ALSO STILL NEED YOU TO JOIN AND SUPPORT US! CLICK ON THE "JOIN US" TAB AND MAKE A COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILDREN.

On College Awareness Day, Thurgood Marshall Academy continues its commitment to getting students to college

Today, all over the city, schools (elementary, middle and high schools) celebrated College Awareness Day, which encouraged teachers to inform their students about the importance of a post-secondary education and share information about their Alma maters.

I am a senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy at the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and Howard Road, SE. It is the highest performing open-enrollment school not only in Ward 8, but in the entire city, ensuring that 100% of its graduated seniors since its founding (five classes, since 2005) have been accepted to at least college or university.

Everyday at Thurgood Marshall Academy you will see pennants of each teacher's Alma mater hanging outside of their door as a constant reminder to their students of the variety of schools their teachers have attended, from Clark Atlanta University, Bowling Green State University, University of Albany, Cornell University, Harvard University and many others. Bulletin boards across the school feature teachers and their favorite college experiences, new opportunities for scholarships and fly-in programs, colleges TMA's ever-growing list of alumni have attended and profiles of Alumni and THEIR favorite college experiences thus far.

Needless to say, College Awareness Day was almost just another day at TMA. However, teachers made sure to go out of their way to wear their school's paraphernalia and make shameless plugs for their school during short gaps in instruction time.

One of TMA's main missions is to get their students into college and actively participating in our everyday society- and they are succeeding.

Photos from today's activities at TMA for College Awareness Day