Dear DCI School Community,

Autumn energy is all around, and DCI is buzzing with events! Our students and staff have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month during lunches with karaoke and Loteria! Next weekend brings our 5th Annual Fun Run — with the addition of a Community Bash after the run, that will include a book fair, food trucks, local vendors and fun activities for our community. Our fall sports season is in full swing, and winter tryouts are right around the corner.

This week, students take their MAP tests today and tomorrow (remember, early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow for all grades!) And don’t forget — Picture Day is coming up next Friday, October 3rd! 

Thank you to all of you who came to our Back to School Nights – we had record-breaking attendance for both nights even in the rain! 

We’re excited to keep the energy going this season and can’t wait to see everyone out supporting our students and community.

Shout Outs!

Congratulations to our Anacostia Youth Media Festival Winners!

DCI’s Dragon Films smashed it at the Anacostia Youth Media Festival last weekend taking 1st & 2nd place!! Dragon Films' Stained earned 1st place, Directed by Abigail Smith & Cole Hadley, with Nathan Lim, Victoria Almendarez and Gabriela Alvarado Godinez; DragonTV's Santiago Campos' My Family's Deportation Story took 2nd place! In total, DCI's film and tv program had a record number of 21 short-film projects accepted. Special shout out to Elliot Zwirn-Williams, 12th grader, who was the technical director of the festival! Huge congratulations to all our DCI Filmmakers!

Please consider submitting a “shout out” to recognize your students’ teachers, staff or one another. These will be included in each bi-weekly edition of the Dispatch. Thanks!

What is Happening at DCI?

REMINDER: MAP Testing This Week

Please take note of the following testing dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 25th - Middle School MAP (Grades 6-8; release at regular dismissal time)
• Friday, Sept. 26th - Middle and High School MAP (Grades 6-10 -- 12:30 p.m. early dismissal for all grade levels.) 
• ACE and Athletic activity will go on as planned. ACE and Athletic activities will go on as planned. Participating 6th graders should report to the 6th grade cafe and 7th and 8th graders should report to the main cafe at dismissal.

Celebrating HHM – Student Profile: Ailyn Prudencio

Each year, DCI observes National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th. During this year’s celebration, we asked our Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e staff and student community to share their pride and excitement for this month.

This week, we’re spotlighting 10th grader Ailyn Prudencio (she / her / ella), who shares what makes her feel proud to be Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e.

I am proud to be Hispanic. To me it's like we bring love, joy, and flavor everywhere we go. Our music makes you want to dance, the food feels like a warm hug, and our culture is full of color and power. 

Vision Screenings at DCI 

DCI is partnering with YourEyes Vision Clinic to offer free vision screenings for our students. If a student is referred after the screening, they will be seen by an ophthalmologist and receive two free pairs of glasses at no cost. If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please complete the Interest Form linked here by Friday, September 26th.

Upcoming Events

“Nace Space” Launches Tonight!

HS Principal, Chris Nace, launches his monthly virtual High School Town Hall – Nace Space – tonight to share timely updates with high school families. 

• Date/Time: Thursday, September 25, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
• Where: Zoom — Join the meeting here.
• Submit a question in advance: If there’s a topic that would benefit the whole group, please share it here: Question Form.

Spanish interpretation will be available. We look forward to seeing you!

DCI’s 5th Annual Fun Run + Community Bash is NEXT SATURDAY!!

Come walk, jog, or just enjoy a nice day out at our 5th Annual Fun Run & Community Bash! For those not interested in running, please join us at the FREE community bash featuring food vendors, batting cage, book fair hosted by People's Book, and DCI staff- and parent-owned businesses! We are looking for volunteers and in-kind donations, please sign up here.

Saturday, October 4th, 2025

Fun Run 10:00 AM

Community Bash with Book Fair (free and open to all!) 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Register or sponsor today: givebutter.com/DCIFunRun2025

Volunteer: Sign up here.

Come Out to the DCI Book Fair on October 4th!

DCI will be hosting a Book Fair in partnership with People's Book in Takoma. Please join us at DCI on Saturday, October 4th during the Fun Run and Community Bash or online through  October 5th by visiting https://bookshop.org/shop/dcinternational. 10% of the proceeds will benefit the DCI Library. 

October Family Information Sessions: Helping Your Student Thrive in CP & DP 

Come join us October 14th and / or October 23rd for informative family sessions about the IB Career (CP) and Diploma (DP) Programs! We’ll dive into the ins and outs and provide resources and ways to help students outside of the school day. We will host two sessions—one virtual and one in-person—as part of our Café y Charla. All families are welcome to join the Café y Charla—it’s for everyone, not just Spanish-speaking families! Both sessions run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please complete this form to RSVP by October 9th (virtual session) and October 20th (in-person Café y Charla).