Community Notices 2/6/2025

Opportunity to give feedback to DPR/DGS

On Friday 2/14 and Friday 2/21, DPR and DGS are having Agency Oversight Hearings in which DC residents are invited to give testimony regarding the services provided by these agencies. This is an ideal opportunity to share feedback with DPR/DGS about issues that affect Lafayette, eg playground surfaces, lack of promised maintenance (reseeding, aeration) for the lower field, and their recent (November) decision not to repair the track. You can submit written testimony or register in advance to provide testimony in person or via Zoom. 

DPR (this is for Parks, Rec Centers)

• When: Friday, 2/14, 9:30am
• Where: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, Room 500 or Zoom
• Registration Deadline: 2/12, 5:00pm
• HMS Link: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/678

DGS (this is for repairs and maintenance of any city facility)

• When: Friday, 2/21, 9:30am
• Where: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, Room 412 or Zoom
• Registration Deadline: 2/19, 5:00pm
• HMS Link: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/680

This graphic from Councilmember Lewis-George offers additional details and tips if you are new to providing this kind of testimony. Please see important flyer regarding information on how to testify, click on link below:

Screenshot 2025-02-04 at 12.29.18 PM copy 2

Feeder School Chat

5th Grade Families –
We welcome 5th grade Lafayette families to join our dedicated Feeder School Chat on Wednesday February 12 at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Lafayette Virtual Feeder School Chat (February 12) – bit.ly/LAFAYETTEFEB12

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!  

American University Spirit

My name is Cj Murphy, and I am the Head Coach of the Cheer Team and the Spirit Program Coordinator at American University. I’m reaching out because AU’s Cheer and Dance Teams are hosting our annual Jr. Eagles Clinic for elementary-aged children on Saturday, March 1st at 9:30am.

At the clinic, the participants will practice cheer and dance fundamentals and then learn a short halftime routine from AU’s Cheer and Dance Teams, which they will perform later that afternoon at Bender Arena during the AU women’s home basketball game!

Feel free to register using this link: American University |Athletics Ticketing – Jr. Eagles Cheer & Dance Clinic Registration

Additional information: 

• The cost is $45 per participant, which includes the participant’s game ticket, commemorative t-shirt, and on-court halftime performance. 
• Discounted game tickets for family and friends will be available for purchase through the link above using coupon code: JREAGLES25 
• The clinic will start at 9:30am on Saturday, March 1st in the Mary Graydon Center building on American University’s campus. Sign-in / t-shirt pick up will start at 9:00am. 
• The clinic will run from 9:30am – 12:00pm. Parents/legal guardians will need to pick up their child at 12:00pm. 
• The women’s basketball game starts at 2:00pm. Participants are welcome to cheer on the Eagles in the stands with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the first half of the game. They will perform a short routine with the AU Cheer and Dance Teams during the halftime of the game, approximately 2:45pm. 

Please let me know if you have any questions at this time. Thanks for your support of the Eagles!