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Dear neighbors,
I spent much of the last two weeks touring schools and meeting with principals as we prepared for the new school year. There is always work to do, but the District has much to be proud of. School communities are satisfied with their budgets, and staff are in place. The vast majority of building repairs have been completed. Enrollment is strong. I have worked on these issues for decades, and this is the best start to a school year I have seen. Meanwhile, the Office of the State Superintendent released last year’s assessment results, and the District saw improvement in every grade and demographic, with our matter-of-right DC Public School system leading the way.
But the juxtapositions of the past weeks could not have been starker.
Even as we thrive as a District, we are contending with an unprecedented and deeply troubling federal overreach. In recent days, neighbors – including those simply on their way to work or school – have been violently detained by federal immigration agents and taken to undisclosed locations. That is not who we are as a city, and it is an affront to our values. Equally alarming, the surge of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops on our streets is not about partnership or safety, it is about political theater, dominance, and undermining Home Rule.
The truth is this: crime in DC is down, not because of federal intervention, but because of our own locally driven strategies like Secure DC and recent Council reforms. Residents should be assured that real solutions come from collaboration, not occupation. If the federal government wishes to help, there are productive steps it could take right now: nominating and confirming judges so our courts can function, supporting our local economy with investments and support, lifting the freeze on over $1 billion in DC’s budget so we can invest in safety and services, and ensuring violent crimes are prosecuted swiftly and effectively. Unfortunately, most of what the federal government has done in the past eight months has increased not lessened the challenges faced by the District.
As your Councilmember, I am focused on protecting both safety and rights. The Committee on Human Services, which I chair, continues to monitor encampment clearings to ensure that individuals are treated with dignity and connected to services. I am working closely with my colleagues to defend Home Rule, and I am meeting with civic leaders to engage in and build on their work crafting collective responses.
This is a very challenging time. The President’s recent Executive Order seeking to create a National Guard unit to respond to civic disturbances is deeply troubling. The wrong kind of protests play into their hands. If ever there was a time to channel the discipline and spirit of the Civil Rights Movement that was always hyper-cognizant of how their protests were seen by outside viewers, it is now.
I also want to acknowledge the real fear many residents are feeling. Please know that resources are available. A Know Your Rights information section can be found below and on my website, along with information on how to connect with services. I encourage you to review these resources, share them with neighbors, and consider constructive ways to get involved, including through organizations like Free DC.
We will not allow our city to be used as a political pawn. We will continue to push for public safety, opportunity, and equity on our own terms. And we will fight together to preserve Home Rule and protect the rights of all DC residents. What happens here is not only about DC; it is a bellwether for the nation. Our response must show what real progress and real democracy look like.
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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
| | Save the Date: Workday In the Ward at Bread Furst | | |
I hope you will join me for my office’s next Workday in the Ward on Wednesday, September 25, at Bread Furst (4434 Connecticut Avenue NW). These monthly events are one of my favorite ways to connect directly with Ward 3 residents. They give you the chance to meet with me and my team in person, right in your neighborhood.
As always, we will begin the day with “Coffee with the Councilmember,” and I will be at Bread Furst from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to chat with residents in an informal setting. This time is reserved for office-hours-style drop-in visits where you can share your questions, ideas, or concerns.
Members of my staff will also be on hand all day to meet with you about constituent services, legislation, and communications. Whether you’re navigating a city service issue, want to discuss policy, or simply want to say hello, this is a great opportunity to connect. I hope to see you there. Stay tuned for a full schedule and more details.
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Resources for Residents
I know residents have a lot of questions and concerns given recent events in our city. Below are organizations and resources that can offer legal assistance and services for youth and families, migrants, and unhoused individuals. My office will continue to share additional resources and guidance through my website.
To request legal assistance regarding criminal matters
- DC Public Defender Service: (202) 628-1200
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DC chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-DC), go to acludc.org/intake, email intake@acludc.org, or leave a message at 202-601-4269.
To request legal assistance for other matters, including immigration
To file a complaint with the D.C. Office of Police Complaints (OPC)
For unhoused neighbors
- Shelter hotline to assist unhoused neighbors: 202-399-7093
- Outreach/service providers:
- Miriam’s Kitchen: 202-452-8926
- Pathways to Housing: 202-529-2972
- Community Connections: 202-546-1512
- Veterans Affairs Office (coordinator for unhoused veterans): 202-745-3012
For youth and families
- Youth hotline for residents aged 18 to 24: 202-547-7777
- Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (for families w/ minors): 202-526-0017
For migrants and others encountering immigration enforcement situations
- DC – Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid: (202) 335-1183
- Maryland & Virginia – CASA: (888) 214-6016
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DC Water Emergency Repairs Coming to Ward 3
Before the end of the month, DC Water will begin emergency repair work to replace two defective system valves at 39th and Fessenden Streets NW and Fessenden and Reno Road NW. Because the sites are on National Park Service (NPS) property, DC Water is coordinating with both NPS and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to ensure the work moves forward safely and efficiently.
The project will take several weeks, with crews working Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. During construction, you can expect lane closures, traffic restrictions, and posted “No Parking” zones (with at least 72 hours’ notice).
I know this will cause some inconvenience, and I appreciate your patience as these critical repairs are completed. My office will stay in touch with DC Water to make sure neighbors are updated and that disruption is kept to a minimum.
If you have questions, you can contact DC Water’s 24-hour Emergency Command Center at (202) 612-3400.
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Update on Lowell Street Traffic Pattern Near Eaton Elementary
As the final step in the Safe Routes to School plan for Eaton Elementary As the final step in the Safe Routes to School plan for Eaton Elementary School, DDOT recently converted Lowell Street in front of Eaton to a one-way street
as well as a portion of 33rd Place. Eaton staff and families have long advocated for this change as a student safety measure. Working with school staff, DDOT determined that a one-way pattern would reduce traffic conflicts during student arrival and dismissal. The plan was supported by the school and presented to Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3C at the time. That said, originally the change was expected to apply only during school hours. However, as a matter of policy, DDOT has since moved away from part-time traffic patterns, which they believe can cause confusion that impacts pedestrian and vehicular safety. As such, the new traffic pattern will apply at all times. My office will continue to follow how this new traffic pattern works in practice and support measures to improve the safety of students getting to and from school.
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Out-of-School Time Family Survey
Do the District of Columbia afterschool and summer program options meet your students’ and family’s needs? If you are a parent/guardian of a school-aged child (K-12th Grade) living in the District, the DC Deputy Mayor for Education’s Out of School Time Office wants to hear from you. The agency is seeking feedback to understand your needs, interests, and any barriers to your child's participation in afterschool and/or summer programming, for the purpose of continuous improvement. You can share your anonymous feedback on their web form here.
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DC State Fair on September 6
The DC State Fair is a free annual event to celebrate the District's homegrown agricultural, artistic, and culinary talents. This year's fair will be on Saturday, September 6, at Bryant Street NE, right off the Rhode Island Ave Metro. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, and deep-fried foods—the DC State Fair honors what makes the District unique.
Registration for DC State Fair contests is now open, which includes everything from best apple pie to funkiest looking vegetable. If you are interested in registering for any of the contests, please read more in the contest guide here. Contest registration is free and closes August 15. Winners will be announced at the fair.
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Ward 3 Night at Nats Park on September 13
Join me and the Washington Nationals for a Ward 3 Night at Nationals Park on Saturday, September 13, at 4:05 p.m. when our hometown team takes on the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is always a popular event, and tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be a Ward 3 resident to receive your tickets. There is a limit of 4 tickets per group. Tickets will be distributed via email and cannot be sold. Complete the web form at bit.ly/NatsWard3 to request tickets.
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Back To School Events
As a new school year begins, I’ve had the privilege of joining our students, families, and educators at several back-to-school events across Ward 3.
On Monday, August 18, I was honored to take part in the ribbon cutting at Stoddert Elementary School, celebrating the expansion that will provide much-needed space. The East Wing Addition includes 10 new classrooms and the new Pre-K playground. The project second phase includes the addition of a new cafeteria on the west side of the building and renovation of the current cafeteria. Phase II work is slated to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
That same day, I also attended MacArthur High School Staff Day, where I had the chance to thank teachers and staff for their dedication to building a strong foundation for the school in its second year.
On the first day of school this past Monday morning, I attended The Murch Elementary “Clap-In,” part of the "Clap Our Students Back to School" initiative hosted by Mayor Bowser in partnership with the Council. At schools across the city, parents, neighbors and supporters gathered to greet our students and clap our kids back, surrounding them with encouragement and positive energy. A very negative narrative is being put forward about our city, and the event showed that we are about love and community.
At the Deal Middle School Welcome, I was inspired to see the excitement of students and families as they came together to kick off another year. Across Ward 3, our schools are not just places of learning, but centers of community.
I am grateful to the teachers, administrators, parents, and students who make these moments possible, and I look forward to supporting our schools throughout the year.
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Celebrating Community in Ward 3
I was delighted to join neighbors at several gatherings last weekend that highlight our communities and neighbors here in Ward 3. On August 23, the Turtle Park Jazz Project brought families together for an evening of music in one of our most cherished parks. The next day, I stopped by the Calvert Woodley Block Party and the Palisades Community Association’s End of Summer Bash, both filled with food, fun, and great conversation with residents. Thank you to the organizers and neighbors who make these traditions possible and help to make our communities so special.
| | Have a Ward 3 Service Request? | | | |
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help you. | | | Government & Community Calendar | | |
Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
ANC3A: Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, September 11, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
ANC3C: Monday, September 15, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, September 3, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, September 11, 7:30 p.m., Zoom
ANC3F: Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
ANC3/4G: Monday, September 8, 6:30 p.m., Zoom
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Ward 3 Day at the National Children’s Museum
The National Children’s Museum is excited to invite Ward 3 residents to the museum for a free day of play with DC Ward 3 Day on Saturday, September 6. There will be free admission to the museum for residents of Ward 3. Visit nationalchildrensmuseum.org for more information.
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Chevy Chase DC Day
Mark your calendars for Chevy Chase DC Day on Saturday, September 20 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. This annual celebration is a fantastic way to enjoy the heart of our Chevy Chase community, with festivities taking place around the Chevy Chase Commons, including the Library, Community Center, and Connecticut Avenue. It’s always a great day filled with local flavor, family-friendly fun, and neighborhood pride. Celebrate everything that makes Chevy Chase such a special part of Ward 3.
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Councilmember Matt Frumin
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 408
202-724-8062
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