[WardFive] W5COE Statement: Brookland Middle and Turkey Thicket

Dear Ward 5,

The 'co-location' plan that was presented on yesterday's meeting at Turkey Thicket - which was hosted by DGS, DCPS and DPR - was a complete surprise to not only the Brookland School Improvement Team but also the the Ward Five Council on Education.  The Ward Five Council on Education has been working with this initiative from its inception and has been committed to not only improving the quality of education in Ward 5 with a new middle school but we have also been committed to continuous and transparent engagement.

The 'co-location' rendering that was presented on yesterday is NOT representative of the hard work and time that we have dedicated to this initiative.  We do believe that having a new middle school AND a modernized recreation center is possible and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the Ward 5 community gets the respect, quality education, and recreational facilities that we deserve. The decision to have separate or co-located facilities is a decision that the community should be able to decide upon through actual community engagement and deliberation. 

Since last nights meeting we have taken steps to remedy this unfortunate situation and we ask that you join us in our efforts. We would like to invite you to join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, March 19th from 6:30-9pm at the Lamond-Riggs Library. 

We do realize that our meeting is not the immediate solution so we also urge you to email our elected and agency representatives to let our concerns be known. The more residents they hear from the better!

The more voices they hear from, the better. The emails are:
kmcduffie@dccouncil.us - Ward 5 councilmember
dgrosso@dccouncil.us - At-Large councilmember (resident of Brookland)
vorange@dccouncil.us - At-Large councilmember (resident of Ward 5)

abonds@dccouncil.us - At-Large councilmember (resident of Ward 5)
jesus.aguirre@dc.gov - Head of DPR
jackie.stanley@dc.gov - DC Government Community Outreach who has worked
on the PlayDC project
darrell.pressley@dc.gov - Press Secretary, DGS
mquadrino@programmanagers.com - Project Manager, Brailsford & Dunlavey

kaya.henderson@dc.gov - DCPS Chancellor

shanita.burney@dc.gov - Ward 5 DCPS Liaison

jennifer.skates@dc.gov - Ward 5 DCPS Liaison

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us - our contact information can be found below.

Yours in Service,

Faith Hubbard, President

The Ward Five Council on Education

fg1913@gmail.com

----

The Ward Five Council on Education
Join our listserv!
Phone: 202-505-4309
Email: ward5coe@gmail.com
Follow us on Twitter: @Ward5EdCouncil