Please mark your calendar for this upcoming Monday, March 24 at 6:30pm for an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3/4G meeting. DC Public Schools (DCPS) is trying to enforce a rigid, age-based enrollment policy that will force some of our youngest learners to skip kindergarten and move directly into first grade after finishing Pre-K – including my daughter, Sasha. Monday’s meeting will address DCPS’ violations and will include testimony by Lafayette parents and State Board of Education members.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. You may find more information, including the link to register and receive the Zoom meeting info, HERE.
Here is more background:
The DCPS age cutoff date is September 30th – meaning a child who will turn six years old before the cutoff date (which includes Sasha, who will turn six on September 19th) is being pushed into first grade for the fall, including at Lafayette Elementary School and at public elementary schools across the district. DCPS is forcing these children to skip kindergarten as a result of their sudden enforcement of age guidelines with no consideration for other written policy, private nursery school licensing regulations, nor the best interests of these children.
We need as many parents as possible to attend on Monday to make it clear that this is unacceptable. If this guideline stands, it could affect countless children now and in the future. DCPS must hear from the community that we expect them to follow their own policies and do what is right for our children. Children must not be forced to skip kindergarten.
If we don’t push back now, DCPS will continue to enforce policies that ignore the developmental needs of our children and the wishes of parents and educators. Please attend the meeting, spread the word, and help us fight this very important issue.
Should you know of anyone who will directly be affected by this issue and would like to discuss with me, feel free to share my contact information – (202) 680-4661 or jlilintahl@gmail.com.
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Kids Up Reading Coaches
Is your child reading below grade level? Is spelling a struggle?
Kids Up Reading Coaches helps struggling readers (including students with dyslexia and dysgraphia) catch up to the peers and become fluent readers, good spellers and confident students with
– 1-on-1, customized, evidence-based instruction
– 30/45/60 minute sessions, weekly progress updates and the convenience of Zoom
We work with students before, during or after school, plus weekends and vacations. And for families who are wondering whether Zoom is right for their student, we offer Our Guarantee: Try it for a week. Love it, or it’s on us!
To learn more, visit www.KidsUpReadingCoaches.com and schedule a meeting with us. We’ll help your student learn to love reading!
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Free Event: Learn about & Celebrate Bolivia!
Conéctate Foundation and the Bolivian Embassy invites you to an unforgettable event on March 22, 2025, celebrating the beauty and traditions of Latin America featuring our first country, Bolivia! Enjoy music, delicious food, and cultural performances while supporting Bolivian artisans.
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, 4125 Fessenden Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20016
This event is free. Click here to reserve yours and your family’s tickets today!
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Join Girl Scouts at Lafayette Elementary!
For more information contact:
Caroline Sachdeva Chase
csachdevachase@gscnc.org
Experience a year of Girl Scout fun, adventures, and community!
Grades K+ are welcome to join.
202-274-3316
Lafayette Elementary Flyer (DC)
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Sign up for Lafayette Tennis Spring Youth or Adult Spring Tennis now!
Lafayette Tennis Association is offering our spring courses for youth tennis (our Spring after school program) and adult cardio tennis (our week day morning and weekend spring program) at Lafayette-Pointer park tennis courts. Visit http://www.lafayettetennis.org for more information or to register.
SPRING YOUTH LESSONS – ALL LEVELS!
Dates:
14-week season (Monday, March 10 – Friday, June 13)
When:
Monday-Friday (3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 one-hour classes for all levels) please visit youth spring registration at http://www.lafayettetennis.org
ADULT TENNIS LESSONS – ALL LEVELS AND CARDIO CLASSES!
Dates:
7-week season (week of March 31 thru week of May 12)
When:
visit our adult spring registration for class descriptions and times
http://www.lafayettetennis.org
Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Clofine, LTA Co-Director at lafayettetennisinfo@gmail.com
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Subject: Exciting Community Development Meeting – Your Participation is Needed!
Join us for a key meeting about the future development of a new library and community center at the Civic Core Site (5601 and 5625 Connecticut Avenue NW). The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Ave NW). There will be presentations from developers, followed by an Open House to meet them in person. If you’re unable to attend in person you can participate virtually by registering here.
If you’re new to learning about the development at the Civic Core Site, you can review the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) site for the project here: Chevy Chase Civic Site | dmped
This is your chance to share your thoughts and shape the future of our new library and community center. We’re excited to hear what you think!
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Nature Time Fun
Hi, I’m Sean Smith, a retired science teacher who ran the Potomac School Summer Camp’s outdoor education class for 12 years and taught elementary school science for more than 20 years.
During the pandemic, I began a weekly hike in Rock Creek Park to get kids out into nature. Our hikes have been running successfully since then because of the joy kids experience from being out in nature, and guiding their own experiences without technology. We only advertised in the beginning and have since been attracting new hikers by word of mouth alone.
This spring, we have had a few opening in the group.
Details
– Eight Friday hikes and one makeup hike.
– Hikes not scheduled on school vacations and long weekends.
– The following are the dates. 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/30 (makeup hike)
– cost $125
– We welcome adventurous kindergarteners – fifth graders
If you have any questions, please email at
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Upcoming In Person Open Houses!
5th Grade Families – HERE WE GROW! Join Alice Deal Middle School in one of our open houses! Come by to visit Deal’s campus, meet with Principal Neal, and participate in student guided tours. We look forward to meeting you!
- Saturday, March, 22, 2025 – 10:00 – 12:00 noon
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26, 2025 – 10:00 – 12:00 noon
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025 – 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 31, 2025 – 10:00 -12:00 noon
Registration Encouraged: https://bit.ly/DealOpenHouse2025.
Walk-Ins Welcome!
RISE at Deal
Welcome, families of future 6th grade students!
All incoming 6th grade families are asked to complete this Course Information Form to select your child’s world language and provide additional information.
We are happy to share registration information for this summer’s RISE program.
RISE is an opportunity for students to learn about all things Deal and make a strong transition to middle school. RISE features everything from opening a lock to learning about our schoolwide International Baccalaureate programming, including:
- Opportunities to build relationships with teachers, staff, and fellow students,
- Important middle school transition skills (such as keeping organized for multiple classes, checking your grades, and keeping up with assignments),
- Time to engage in fun, engaging team-building activities,
- And more!
Students must be fully enrolled at Deal to participate in RISE. Enrollment opens on April 1, 2025 and can be completed online (https://enrolldcps.dc.gov) or in-person at Deal. You may complete the registration forms linked below now to reserve your seat, but your student’s participation in RISE will not be confirmed until their SY 25-26 enrollment is complete. Students who do not complete enrollment may be removed from the roster for RISE.
Your student’s RISE week is assigned alphabetically by last name. Please see links below to register. Space at RISE is limited.
- Week 1 (July 7 – 10) – Last Names A – F: Register Here
- Week 2 (July 14 – 17) – Last Names G – N: Register Here
- Week 3 (July 21 – 24) – Last Names O – Z: Register Here
For questions, please reach out to Ms. Gathers, 6th grade assistant principal (stacey.gathers@k12.dc.gov). Please be advised that I will check and follow up on emails about RISE and future students weekly.
We look forward to getting to know your child soon!
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