Back-to-School Briefs

BY CHRISTOPHER JONES

Gearing up for Back-to-School, Georgetown students and families can look forward to new school programs and fresh faces. While D.C. public schools will begin Monday, August 28, private schools often begin after Labor Day.

MAYOR’S REMINDERS:

“We know for our young people, a strong and successful school year begins on day one,” Mayor Bowser wrote August 11. She emphasized:

• Creating a back-to-school transportation plan [keyword search “Bowser Back to School Transportation Plan.”]

• Completing school enrollment forms [see enrolldcps.dc.gov]

• Ensuring immunizations are up-todate [keyword search: “Bowser Required Immunizations.”]

• Keeping track of calendar events for the year [Keyword search: “DCPS Calendars.”]

Dcps Chancellor Ferebee To Hold Public Info Session

On the “X” app, DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis Ferebee recently announced a Back-to-School Info Session by webinar Wednesday August 16, from 6-7:00 p.m. Topics: “student health, safety, academics, early childhood, attendance, and more!”

New Macarthur High School Opens

At the site of the former Georgetown Day School, the new MacArthur High School will be opening at 4530 MacArthur Blvd. NW for 2023-24. In its inaugural year, the school is looking to enroll 200 ninth-graders and 50 tenth-graders and be composed of just those grade-levels. By 2026-27, DCPS plans to expand enrollment to 800 students, grades 9-12. On Saturday, August 26, a “Grand Opening Celebration” on the school’s field will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a “school tour, food, giveaways and more!”

With only two grade-levels at the outset, the school will provide unique opportunities as “a comprehensive, neighborhood high school serving the diverse interests and needs of students.” The “first cohorts of students will have access to exceptional leadership opportunities and will help shape the character of DCPS’s newest high school,” the school’s website at https://dcps.dc.gov/macarthur says.

Though ANC 2E has heard many concerns about transportation options to MacArthur, the school reassures: “DCPS has worked with area transportation agencies to enhance public transportation options. MacArthur is accessible by bus, on WMATA’s Route D6, and Route 33 [and] … WMATA has increased the frequency of both routes.”

MacArthur’s founding principal, Dr. Harold McCray Jr., is a “veteran educator with more than 18 years of experience,” who prizes “student achievement.” A former middle school math teacher, he most recently served as principal of DCPS’s Stanton Elementary School. “I truly believe all students can learn and must have access to instruction that provides high expectations and academic rigor,” McCray wrote. In the first weeks of the school year, he’ll be spending “intentional time meeting students, parents, and community members” to “build strong relationships.”