DCPS Proposed Calendar for 2017-2018 – DCPS has posted their proposed calendar for next school year and will be accepting comments until February 5. Check it out and let them know what you think.
DC Council bill on Nursing Coverage in Schools – Nine members of the DC Council have co-sponsored a bill that would require DC to provide school nurses at all public and charter schools in the District for a minimum of 40 hours a week. The law currently requires only 20 hours per week, which has led to cutbacks in some school nursing coverage over the years. More information on the bill can be found here. Community members are encouraged to contact members of the Council to show their support for this important legislation. (Contact information for all Councilmembers can be found here.)
Ward 3-Wilson Feeder Education Network (W3 Ed Net) has three upcoming meetings on issues of interest to Murch families:
- Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) – You may be familiar with DCPS and the DC Board of Education, but what do you know about OSSE? OSSE is responsible for PARCC testing, determining how DC will assess schools under new federal laws, and a host of other important issues that affect our children and schools. W3 Ed Net will host State Superintendent for Education Hanseul Kang for questions and answers on topics such as the role of OSSE, testing, the new federal education law. (Tuesday, January 31, 7 pm at the Georgetown Library)
- Rating schools under new federal law – The Office of the State Superintendent for Education, the State Board of Education and the W3 Ed Net are sponsoring a meeting to present the school rating and accountability plan being developed to comply with new federal law. This is a chance to learn and provide your input as the plan is developed. Issues include how much weight should be given to reading and math (versus other subjects), what proportion of the ratings should be based on test scores, and how the ratings should balance measurements of student proficiency and student growth. (Wednesday, February 8, 7 pm at Wilson High School)
- Overcrowding in local schools – W3 Ed Net will host Councilmember May Cheh for a discussion on overcrowding in Wilson feeder pattern schools and possible solutions to relieve overcrowding. (Thursday, February 23, 6:45 pm at the Tenley-Friendship Library)
New Residency Verification Regulations – OSSE has published new regulations covering how student residency will be verified and investigated. The public can review the proposed regulations and comment online until February 13.