THE WASHINGTON INFORMER CELEBRATING 59 YEARS…
Celebrating 59 Years - Vol. 59, No. 1 • October 19 - 25, 2023
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As Israel-Hamas Escalates, Local Faith Leaders Pray, Advocate for More Peaceful Days By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer
5Cease-fire protests in front of the White House during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Shedrick Pelt @sdotpdotmedia/The Washington Informer)
The enormous violence and rhetoric surrounding the Israeli-Hamas conflict in the Middle East has sparked conversations in the U.S., igniting faith leaders to advocate from the pulpit and prioritizing prayer. While a common thread for the religious leaders is pushing for peace, some vary in how they view the war, leading to disagreements. Despite the differing opinions, many come to the same conclu-
Council Legislation to Embolden OSSE in Assisting Low-Performing Schools For years, the federal government has tasked the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) with identifying District’s lowest performing public and public charters schools, allocating federal dollars to them, and helping them develop improvement plans. However, two local lawmakers said they want OSSE to play more of a direct role in how the District’s lowest-performing schools change course. On Monday, Oct. 16, D.C. Coun-
cilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced the School Improvement Amendment Act. This legislation establishes a school support office within OSSE that provides resources and coaching to District public and public charter schools that are ranked in the bottom 5 percent. Currently, OSSE doles out $300,000 in federal dollars to each school it designates as low performing and assists in the creation of a school improvement plan. However, the agen-
OSSE Page 52
ISRAEL Page 51
Residents Unhappy About CVS Columbia Heights Shoplifting
THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENT ACT
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
sion of navigating these challenging times through prayer and religious practices. Rabbi Eli Backman, director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, said he is keeping the faith even though it is a very hard time for students on the College Park campus. “I have had and continue to have many students knock on my door at all hours and want to talk and cry,” Backman said. “I am
Ward 1 Store Gross Example of In-Store Theft By James Wright WI Staff Writer
5 Several shelves are bare at the CVS in Columbia Heights. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
Ann Thompson has been a regular shopper at the CVS in the Northwest, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights, but has recently been disappointed with her shopping experience because the shelves are bare of the products she needs due to the high level of shoplifting that has taken place. “It is really sad,” said Thompson, 52, a Columbia Heights resident after leaving the store on Oct. 15. “This is the neighborhood CVS that people rely on. We have a
CVS Page 52
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