Category Archives: Education

Pedestrian Safety Near LaSalle-Backus Elemntary School

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Transportation

In a recent newsletter, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George noted that she is working ANC Commissioner Danielle Geong (4B09) on pedestrian safety near LaSalle-Backus Elementary School. Commissioner Geong and several residents testified about this issue at DDOT’s recent oversight hearing.

CM Lewis George writes:

Working to Improve Traffic Safety in Riggs Park

Last week, my team joined ANC 4B Commissioner Geong, DDOT’s Safe Routes team, and the LaSalle-Backus PTO for a traffic safety walk around LaSalle-Backus Elementary School. The area along Riggs Road where the school is located has been a source of concern for many community members, with frequent reports of speeding and drivers running red lights, endangering students and families, particularly during drop-off and pick-up time. DDOT’s Safe Routes team is looking into several solutions, including potential jersey barriers, street narrowing, and speed bumps, and committed to improving signage in the area. I’m also continuing to work with DDOT to advocate for a Safe Routes Action Plan for LaSalle-Backus to look into further traffic calming measures to ensure our students, teachers, and families are safe. 

Social Justice School Relocation Update

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Education

Social Justice School Relocation Fact Sheet

Back in June, the DC Public Charter School Board approved Social Justice School’s relocation application (see this post for information about the relocation). The plan remains having modular classrooms in place at 333 Kennedy Street NE for the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. If there is a delay, classes will be held temporarily at Impact DMV Church on First Place NE.

School officials are still negotiating with the Cafritz Foundation over a permanent move to the remaining warehouse at 3rd and Kennedy Street NE. If they reach an agreement, school officials anticipate that construction on the warehouse will take approximately 18 months and that they will be able to occupy the space in time for the 2026-2027 school year.

Aerial view of space reserved for Social Justice School temporary location in black border.

August 17: Back-to-School Events

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

There will be two back-to-school events in the neighborhood on August 17, 2024, one at Riggs-LaSalle Rec and one at Fort Totten Metro station.

Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center Back-to-School Community Day
August 17, 2024
11:00 am-1:00 pm
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)

Free backpacks, school supplies, snacks & ice cream. Hosted by Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation, Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, and the Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.

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Metro Back-to-School Celebration & School Supply Giveaway
August 17, 2024
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Parking Lot at Fort Totten Station

Hosted by Metro Transit Police Community Services Bureau. Children of all ages are welcome from elementary to high school.

• Free School Supplies
• Kids Haircuts & Glam Station Makeovers
• DJ and Music
• Games and Fun
• Complimentary Food & Desserts
• Petting Zoo
• Miniature Train Rides 

Follow MTPD on twitter for up-to-date information.

February 15: Public Charter Middle School Fair

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

From DC Bilingual (click link for registration)

DC Bilingual, in partnership with Washington Yu Ying PCS, Elsie Whitlow Stokes, Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS, and Mundo Verde PCS will host a Middle School Fair on February 15, from 5:00-6:00 PM for families interested in learning more about middle school options in DC.

This event will be an opportunity for families to meet directly with middle schools across the city and organizations supporting student academic learning. Attendees will learn about school programs, how to enroll your child, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly to representatives present at the event.

Participants include:

Pilot Shuttle Program for Ida B. Wells Students

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Lamond-Riggs, Transportation

In her recent newsletter, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George shared news that DC School Connect has launched a new pilot that will transport neighborhood students to Ida B. Wells Middle School. Councilmember Lewis George notes that the walk from Riggs Park to the feeder middle school is roughly 1.5 miles (longer from certain parts of the neighborhood) and involves crossing busy roads. The DC School Connect shuttle will pick up students near LaSalle-Backus Elementary School in the morning and drop them off back there after school. More info and sign-up at https://www.dcschoolconnect.com.

Friendship Ideal Charter School Building Expansion

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Lamond

District officials celebrated the completion of a new building at Friendship Ideal Public Charter School located at 6130 North Capitol Street NW in Lamond. The school sits in a cluster of public charter schools near Kansas Avenue, Chillum Place, and North Capitol Street.

From the newsletter of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George:

This week we cut the ribbon for Friendship Ideal PCS’ beautiful new building in our Lamond community in Ward 4. The new building features a spacious new gymnasium to host school activities and gatherings; modern and expanded classrooms; sustainable features like eco-friendly grounds, bicycle racks, and an electric vehicle charger; and community meeting spaces to serve our broader Ward 4 community. Everyone was thrilled about the new facility, but it was Friendship Ideal’s cheer squad and marching band that stole the show with their energy and talent! Projects like this take years of planning and dedication, so we celebrated the Friendship PCS school leaders, educators, parents, and broader school community that made this vision a reality. As chair of the Facilities and Family Services Committee, I know how important it is for our students to have comfortable and safe learning spaces. I’m excited for all the ways this facility will help our Friendship Ideal Warriors learn and thrive!

August 19: Back-to-School Events

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

There will be two back-to-school events in the neighborhood on August 19, 2023, one at Riggs-LaSalle Rec and one at Fort Totten Metro station.

Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center Back-to-School Community Day
August 19, 2023
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Road NE)

Free backpacks, school supplies, snacks & ice cream. Hosted by Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Recreation and Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.

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Metro Back-to-School Celebration & School Supply Giveaway
August 19, 2023
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Parking Lot at Fort Totten Station

Free backpacks & school supplies. Hosted by Metro Transit Police Community Services Bureau. Children of all ages are welcome from elementary to high school. There will be family-friendly activities, including a moon bounce, miniature train rides, a live DJ and band, and free food.

2023 Free Summer Meal Sites for Youth

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Lamond-Riggs, North Michigan PArk, Public Safety, Uncategorized

Youth 18 years old and younger can eat free meals at a number of sites across the city, including a few in the neighborhood and nearby.

  • Bertie Backus Campus (5171 South Dakota Ave. NE)

Open June 26, 2023 through August 3, 2023

Meals served Monday-Friday

Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am

Lunch: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

  • North Michigan Park Recreation Center (1333 Emerson St. NE)

Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023

Meals served Monday-Friday

Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am

Lunch: 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

  • Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Rd. NE)

Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023

Meals served Monday-Friday

Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am

Lunch: 12:00 – 2:00 pm

  • Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman St. NE)

Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 20123

Meals served Monday-Friday

Breakfast 8:30 am-9:30 am

Lunch: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Snack 3:00 pm-4:00 pm

October 29: Walk for Literacy

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Met Branch Trail


Please consider supporting a great cause this weekend. In honor of the legacy of Silas Grant, Sr. (father of Silas Grant, senior advisor to Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie), there will be a 5k walk along the Metropolitan Branch Trail to support Reading Partners. Reading Partners is a really terrific organization in DC that supports children’s literacy.

Register at bit.ly/rpliteracywalk.

Sonny Boy’s 5k Walk for Literacy
October 29, 2022
10:00 am
Metropolitan Branch Trail (8th & Edgewood Street NE)

A Few Changes for UDC-CC Bertie Backus Campus

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Workforce Development

On July 19, 2022, Ronald Mason, Jr., president of the University of the District of Columbia, held a community meeting at UDC-CC Bertie Backus Campus, located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The meeting took place before President Mason publicly announced that he planned to step down as president of UDC in 2023. In any case, he said he wanted to get out to the campus because he does not get out this way often enough, so he was interested in meeting nearby residents in an informal setting. An elderly neighbor mentioned that she would like to see the university offer programs free to seniors at the Backus campus. She said that 10 to 20 years ago, seniors could take all kinds of classes at the Van Ness campus free of charge.

President Mason shared just a few details about a planned expansion of the Backus campus. UDC no longer occupies a campus on North Capitol Street for its community college programs. The Backus campus will house most or all of the community college programs. Most of the workforce development programs have been moved from Backus to UDC’s Congress Heights campus. The first three focus areas for the community college will be teacher training, nursing, and technology. To accommodate the community college programs at Backus, a new wing will be built on the grounds of the existing parking lot on the Galloway Street NE side of the campus. The new wing will be about 60,000 square feet spread over 3 floors. The main Backus building will also undergo renovation (about 100,000 square feet). Some surface parking will remain. Design will take about one year and construction about 1.5 years.

In the interim, neighbors should start seeing a few small improvements to the campus. A neighbor and I worked on getting some money in the budget to spruce things up just a bit because this campus is a really great civic asset in the neighborhood.

  • Window repair/replacement, removal of mesh window covers, and installation of new window blinds
  • Painting of rails and exterior doors
  • Replacement of fence
  • Repair of masonry, concrete, and steps
  • New signage

(Also, this post discusses the renovations taking place at the Bertie Backus Food Hub).

My understanding is that UDC will have more community meetings in the coming months to provide more information about the Backus campus expansion.

July 19: UDC Backus Campus Community Meeting w/ President Mason

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

UDC Bertie Backus Campus Community Meeting
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE
Room 303
July 19, 2022
3:30 pm-5:00 pm

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) will be hosting an in-person Community Meeting with University President Ronald Mason Jr. for residents near the UDC Bertie Backus Campus on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in Room 303. This is your chance to speak with President Mason directly in an informal setting about anything related to the Backus campus.

Registration (recommended but not required): https://bit.ly/community-mtg-7-19-22

Updated: LRCA Scholarship Applications Due May 10, 2022

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

Updated: The LRCA is giving students an extra day to submit applications. Now due May 10, 2022.

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is accepting scholarship applications from graduating high school seniors who reside in Lamond-Riggs, attend a DC public school (traditional or charter), and who will attend college full-time in the fall. The application and guidelines are available at http://www.lrcadc.org/scholarships.

The Application Deadline is May 10, 2022. Please spread the word!

Reminder: LRCA Scholarship Applications Due May 9, 2022

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Lamond Riggs Citizens Association

The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is accepting scholarship applications from graduating high school seniors who reside in Lamond-Riggs, attend a DC public school (traditional or charter), and who will attend college full-time in the fall. The application and guidelines are available at http://www.lrcadc.org/scholarships.

The Application Deadline is May 9, 2022. Please spread the word!

Registration for Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers 2022 Summer Camp at UDC

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

Passing along information provided by a resident

Registration is open for the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers 2022 Summer Camp at the University of the District of Columbia! 

Details: 

Students must be entering the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the DMV. 

Students must provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination.  

The program offers two 3-week sessions. Your child can only participate in one session. Here are the sessions: 

Session 1: June 20 – July 8 

Session 2: July 11 – July 29 

The camp hours are 9:30am to 3:30pm 

The camp will consist of intensive learning experiences, including augmented and virtual reality courses, coding, 3D design, robotics, electronics, Artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurship, and design thinking principles.  

Camp Location: University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 

There is no cost to attend this camp. 

Application: 

Please complete the application to register for the summer program at UDC. You must select the University of the District of Columbia as the college of choice. 

Register Here: https://sri.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWhKbdmbBshSsJM

KAGRO-DC Scholarship Applications Due March 20

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

The Korean-American Grocers Association of Greater Washington DC (KAGRO-DC) is accepting scholarship applications from DC area graduating high school students who plan to enter college in the fall. Over the years, John Yoo, owner of Riggs Wine & Liquor and member of KAGRO-DC, has supported many Ward 4 students, including those living in Lamond-Riggs, with scholarship money through the organization.

The KAGRO-DC scholarship application is available here. The application deadline is March 20, 2022.

Thanks to resident Tischa Cockrell for sharing this information.

Back to School for New Neighborhood Charter Schools

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

Last night, ANC 5A distributed the following communication from the principals of Rocketship Infinity Community Prep Public Charter School, AppleTree at Rocketship, and The Social Justice Public Charter School. The schools are located on one campus in the newly renovated warehouses at 5450 3rd Street NE (off Kennedy Street NE near Fort Totten Metro station). If you would like to be added to ANC 5A’s email distribution list, please contact ANC Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio (5A03), secretary for ANC 5A, at 5A03@anc.dc.gov.

From ANC 5A

Greetings Valued Members of the Ward 5 Community,

               The 5450 3rd street Campus, which comprises Rocketship Infinity Community Prep, AppleTree at Rocketship, and Social Justice School, are excited to start the 2021-2022 school year in person. In anticipation of our start, we wanted to be proactive in communicating start and end times for arrival and dismissal and efforts we are making to mitigate traffic in the local community.

Rocketship and AppleTree will begin school on Monday, August 23 with 225 students in grades PK3-Third Grade. Social Justice School will begin school on Thursday, August 26 with 115 students in grades 5-7. With that in mind, Rocketship and AppleTree will begin arrival at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Dismissal will begin at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays are an early release day with dismissal beginning at 1:50pm.

Social Justice will begin at 8:00 a.m. Monday-Friday. Dismissal will begin at 3:45 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesdays are an early release day with dismissal beginning at 12:30pm. Our goal is to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for our students and mitigate excessive traffic in the area.

To that end, we have put the following plans into place.

  1. We are also working to have a traffic control officer who will be stationed at the intersection of South Dakota and Kennedy during arrival and dismissal windows.
  2. We have a staggered start and dismissal schedule to reduce the amount of families dropping off and picking up students.
  3. We will have multiple members of each school community working outside to ensure and maintain the flow of traffic up and down 3rd street.

We do express gratitude in advance for your patience through the first few weeks of school as we get our families, many of whom are joining us in person for the first time, used to the flow of the system and routine of arrival and dismissal. We are proud to be a part of the Ward 5 Community and look forward to partnering together.  Please feel free to contact us, via our information below, with any questions and we will be sure to schedule a meeting and or tour to address questions in the coming weeks. 

Respectfully,

Angel McNeil, Founding Principal, Rocketship Infinity Community Prep
amcneil@rsed.org

Paige Lester, Principal, AppleTree at Rocketship
paige.lester@appletreeinstitue.org

Brandon Johnson, Founding Principal, Social Justice School.
brandon@thesocialjusticeschool.org

Ward 5 Education Trust Informational Meeting Tonight

Posted by nextstoprp in Education

At last night’s ANC 5A meeting, Ward 5 State Board of Education Representative Zachary Parker mentioned that he and the former state board rep Mark Jones are having an informational meeting tonight at 6:00 pm about standing up an organization to support Ward 5 schools called Ward 5 Education Trust.

Those of us who live on the Ward 5 side of Riggs Park are actually zoned for Ward 4 schools, but there are a number of charter schools in Ward 5 that serve Riggs Park families. I do not have any more information than what was briefly shared at the meeting last night, but I think the idea is to develop an organization that will be able to provide financial support PTA-style to Ward 5 schools. Some schools in the District have strong PTAs that have lots of money to fund supplies and all sorts of enrichment activities for those school communities, but they are few and far between in Ward 5.

If you are interested in learning more and being involved in this effort, you can register for the informational meeting at this link.

UDC-CC Backus Bioretention Project

Posted by nextstoprp in Education, Environment
UDC-CC Backus campus, corner of South Dakota Avenue and Hamilton Street NE

UDC is apparently installing a bioretention and cistern system at UDC-CC Backus in the grassy area of the campus on the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Hamilton Street NE. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. That will be a big improvement for that corner area. I always that it would be a nice spot for a demonstration native plant garden, so it is nice to hear that it will hold a bioretention system to help with stormwater runoff. Now we just need UDC to paint the fence, replace the dead trees on the Galloway Street side, and install native landscaping around the campus and things will be looking much better.