Report on the October Membership Meeting
DCCA members heard from featured speaker Amanda Alexander, DC Public Schools Interim Chancellor, who read us a story after her engaging remarks this past Monday. Alexander said she is prone to reading to others and has done so widely, including to the Mayor! This tendency may be in her DNA since both her parents were teachers. During a frank and responsive Q&A, members got a look at what might be called her “vision.”
Specifically, Alexander believes that principals are vital to a high performing school system and that they should be developed out of the ranks of teachers in order to best serve teachers. As a teacher herself, later principal of Ross Elementary, and recently as Chief of Elementary Schools, before being appointed Interim Chancellor this spring, Alexander brings a commitment to a teacher-centric culture. She noted that she tells fellow central administrators, “We’re nothing. Teachers are the ones that count.” In addition, having been here for 25 years, Alexander is familiar with DC culture and the local landscape.
A clear vision, support for teachers, and knowledge of DC were qualities identified by attendees at the Mayor’s Chancellor search forums this summer. As an attendee of the forums, I told Ms. Alexander she "ticked all the boxes."
Regarding the actual local landscape, Alexander was asked about safety for kids who walk to school. The Interim Chancellor acknowledged problems and urged us to request a crossing guard anywhere needed. Requests should go to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) website which explains the procedure and provides a downloadable version of the form that must be submitted. Feel free to keep DCCA in the loop president@dupont-circle.org so we can support any local request.
In addition, we heard from Jennifer Townsend of
Northstar Tutoring, who needs volunteer mentors for a new afterschool program at nearby Garrison Elementary (13th Street) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several DCCA members signed up to volunteer. Let me know if you would like to be part of our group.
Save the Date
Our next membership meeting is Monday November 5. Architects will present the plans for the Masonic Temple's residential development of its "back lot." The designs have been updated since the public meeting last winter to include suggestions made. DCCA membership meetings are free and open to the public. Bring neighbors!
Robin Diener
Dupont Circle Citizens Association President
