May 20, 2022

Protect Our Charter Schools!

Parents, students, teachers and other charter school community members marched in response to the newly proposed regulations, and Friendship families helped lead the way. During the rally, our families were able to advocate for charter school education and fight for the right for students to have access to high-quality academics. Friendship’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members were among the 1,000 protestors and stood in unity with other charter schools across the country demanding that the federal government #BackOffOurCharters! 

New regulations for the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) have been proposed by the  U.S. Department of Education. These proposed regulations threaten the academic success of 3.6 million students across America for they will make it extremely difficult to continue to grow charter schools to meet parent demand.

When charter schools are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back! Join the fight to protect charter schools by signing the petition here.

Join Us! One Day, Two Forums:

The Mothers of the Movement and DC Council Chair Candidates

Next week, we will welcome Sybrina Fulton and Gwen Carr, the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner, as we hear their stories and engage in a conversation with our community!

Following this event, Friendship has partnered with PAVE DC to host a DC Council Chair Candidates forum. You will hear from candidates as they share their education priorities. This will be your opportunity to ask candidates tough questions and to tell them what matters most to you when it comes to your kids and their education in DC.

To RSVP for the event, please visit: http://link.dcpave.org/3sf7UcZ.

We hope to see you there!

Graduation Season is here!

Black Male Teacher Residency Information Session

Advance your career and impact in education! The Black Male Teacher Residency (BMTR) is hosting a virtual conversation on Thursday, May 26 on the transformational impact of Black male teachers. Please see the invitation, below. Through targeted professional development, training, and mentoring, Friendship’s two-year Black Male Teacher Residency program will elevate the professional effectiveness and personal growth of men of color in education.

RSVP here https://bit.ly/3yDuSys to join next week’s conversation and learn more about Friendship’s Black Male Teacher Residency program.

Farewell, Principal Cowan!

After four amazing years as Friendship Armstrong’s Principal, next year, Mrs. Cowan will return to Friendship Chamberlain and serve as the campus’ Academy Director. Following her departure, Joseph Speight will serve as the Head of School for the upcoming school year!

Joseph Speight has served as the Principal for Friendship Southeast and Ideal, he’s also the Founder of the trailblazing Black Male Teacher Residency program here at FPCS.

We’re grateful to Mrs. Cowan’s service to Armstrong’s scholars, families and team members, and you will truly be missed!

Families, we will continue to keep you updated with pertinent information as the transition moves forward.