May is National Foster Care Month - FAN Needs Your Support

As the founding vice-chair and current secretary of the board for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN), I find myself in the delicate situation of asking for your financial support for our grassroots 501(c)3 on our community blog. I keep reminding myself that I've asked my readers to support a number of community organizations and events that I have no official ties to, all in the name of community and civic investment, and this is really no different aside from my personal commitment to FAN. This is not my day job, it truly is a volunteer labor of love. Please, read the information below, and, if possible, contribute to FAN and help us stay on track in fulfilling our mission to provide safety, security, love, and understanding for DC's foster adolescents....

Can you imagine being separated from your family, moving from place to place, not knowing if you'll be in the same school, same neighborhood, or same house from one day to the next?

Nearly 3,000 children in foster care from Washington, DC live with this uncertainty every day, staying in care for 3 years on average and living in 3 different homes during that time. The crisis-driven child welfare system is so focused on what's wrong with teens in foster care, that they fail to see what's "right" with this group of young people.

FAN works with some of the city's most vulnerable youth: teens in foster care, in a daily after school and summer positive youth development program that engages youth in academic support, extracurricular instruction, community service, group mentoring, and cultural enrichment. Youth are provided with opportunities to belong, to develop their talents and skills, to develop meaningful relationships with peers and adults, and to experience success. FAN serves as a source of stability, consistency, and support that enhances the well-being and positive development of youth. Please visit our website at www.fan-dc.org to learn more about our organization and to join our mailing list.

May is National Foster Care Month. Make a difference in the lives of teens in foster care with your tax deductible donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, or more. To be a part of FAN's success, please mail a check today or donate online on our website through Network for Good.

I cannot thank you enough for your generosity!

Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso / FAN
1227 Good Hope Road SE, Room 106
Washington, DC 20020
202.889.5000 x114
202.889.5035 (fax)
www.fan-dc.org

Arrest made in Ward 5 shooting

On Saturday, May 3rd, 5th Police District made an arrest in the slaying of a local youth. On Sunday, April 20, 2008, George Douglas, 18, of 35th Street NE as found slain at the 2700 block of 26th Street, NE.

MPD report online.
WaPo article online.

The arrest happened on the year's first All Hands On Deck initiative. Thank you to MPD 5th District! The 5D Citizens Advisory Council/CAC Monthly Meeting meets 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm, Fifth District Police Station, 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE.

Press Conference at Burroughs Elementary Today

I saw some folks setting up the equipment on the front lawn as my bus drove past a little before 9 a.m.....NBC4 has the (misspelled) details on the "small group of parents who passed out fliers and held a press conference" this morning:

Some parents are frustrated with D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee's plan for John Burrows [sic] Elementary in Northeast.

Parents said Rhee's plan to change the school to a pre-K through eighth grade school is too ambitious. The school currently has students in Head Start through sixth grade.

"In less than five months, we're supposed to implement a pre-K through eight plan beginning with extending to accommodate seventh graders," said parent activist Maria Jones.

The plan is to change it to a pre-K through seventh school next year, and add eighth grade within two years. The school was slated for closure but will be kept open.

School Closing Hearings and Links

By now you likely know about the consolidated school closure hearings on Thursday, January 17 [pdf], and "The People's Meeting" co-sponsored by Councilmembers Thomas and Barry. Whichever you choose, if you are able to make it to one of the meetings on Thursday, you will be making an impact.

- - -

Ward 5 schools to be closed (in parentheses) and their meeting locations:

· Taft Recreation Center (Burroughs ES), 1800 Perry Street NE

· Brookland ES (Bunker Hill ES), 1150 Michigan Avenue NE

· LaSalle ES (Backus MS), 501 Riggs Road NE

· Eastern SHS (M.M. Washington SHS), 1700 East Capitol Street NE

· Kelly Miller MS (Douglass and Taft CHOICE Academies and Centers), 301 49th Street NE

· Emery ES (J.F. Cook ES), 1720 1st Street NE

· Noyes ES (Slowe ES), 2725 10th Street NE

· Cleveland ES (Gage-Eckington ES), 1825 8th Street NW (Gage-Eckington is in Ward 1, just outside Ward 5)

- - -

Some links relevant to Ward 5 and DCPS:

» Save John Burroughs DC - Friends of John Burroughs Elementary

John Burroughs proudly ranks 15 out of all 81 DC Public Schools in Reading and 12 out of 81 in Math. Our enrollment is 244 and rising - we are only 7% away from full enrollment!!!....Save this model school from closure.

» "School closings plan draws opposition" - Examiner, Wednesday, January 15

“What [Burroughs Elementary School] has accomplished is incredible given the few resources it has,” said Gary Spinner, whose granddaughter is in second grade. “We were in the process to petition the mayor and chancellor for more support; in turn, we found out we would be closed.”

Spinner and other Burroughs representatives touted the fact that the school is ranked 15th out of 81 citywide in reading and that its standardized test scores last year rose by double digits. Enrollment also has been going up, they said, making it the wrong time for closure.

Chancellor Michelle Rhee has explained that the 23 schools suggested for closure were chosen mainly for building occupancy, rather than test scores or overall program quality. That numbers-driven approach was challenged Monday.

» "One DC Public School Has Fewer Than 100 Students" - WUSA9, Monday, January 14

When Principal Pat Mabry came to Slowe Elementary, the neighborhood school at 14th and Jackson Streets in Northeast had 619 students. Today, Slowe's student enrollment has plummeted to only 84 students.

There are only five classes held in the entire building for DC public school students.

DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee pointed 9NEWS NOW to Slowe Elementary as example of why up to 23 school buildings have been put on a proposed list for closing.

This has nothing to do with academic performance. It has everything to do with what the city is paying for unused space; staffing, utility and maintenance costs.

Principal Mabry isn't fighting the closing; but she and her parents don't like the plan to send Slowe students to a nearby school where students have been beefing with Slowe's young people.

» "Fixing D.C.'s Schools" - Washington Post investigative series, multiple parts posted since June 2007

17-Year-Old Arrested for Rhode Island Avenue Homicide

From MPD:

On Thursday, January 10, 2008, at approximately 11:30 am, a homicide was closed with the arrest of a 17-year-old District youth. His name is being withheld at this time because of his age. He has been charged with Murder Two while Armed. This case remains under active investigation and more arrests are possible.

On Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at approximately 9:25 pm, police were called to a D.C. Fire Department Engine Company located in the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE to investigate the report of three male shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers determined that three teenage victims reportedly had been shot a short time earlier while in the vicinity of the 1300 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE and made their way to the firehouse for help. The victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.

One of the victims died as the result of his injuries. He is identified as 17-year-old Julian Agurs, of the 4900 block of North Capitol Street, NE. He suffered apparent multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The other two victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment of apparent non-life-threatening injuries. Their identities are being withheld because they are witnesses in the case.

The case is under investigation by members of the department’s Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 202-727-9099.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

3 Boys Found Shot Outside of Engine 26 on RI Avenue - 1 Dead

**UPDATE: The shots were heard at 1300 Brentwood Road NE at about 9:30 p.m....the 17-year-old boy boy shot in the chest has died [NBC4, WUSA9]. Police are on the lookout for a white car, possibly a Kia, that fled the scene.

» "Youth Had Just Turned 17 When He Was Fatally Shot" - WaPo, Thursday, January 10

Just in from Fox5:

Three boys were found shot outside the Engine 26 firehouse [1340 Rhode Island Avenue NE] in Northeast DC Tuesday night.

Firemen inside the station say they heard several gunshots and a car speed away before finding the injured boys outside

A 16-year-old was shot multiple times in the back, a 13-year-old was shot once in the foot, and another boy was shot several times in the chest.

Mayor's Public Meetings on School Closing Plan - Wards 4 & 5

- December 11, 2007, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10th Street NE

- December 18, 2007, 6-8 p.m., Barnard Elementary School, 430 Decatur Street NW

- January 10, 2008, 6-8 p.m., Emory Elementary School, 1720 1st Street NE

Ward 5 Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting - Monday, December 3

What: Emergency Education Town Hall Meeting to review the proposed reform plan to close 9 Ward 5 schools.

When: Monday, December 3, 2007, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Bertie Backus Middle School, 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE

For More Information: Contact the Ward 5 Council office at 202.724.8028

24 DC Schools Proposed for Closure; 9 in Ward 5

From WaPo:

Ward 5 has the most proposed closures, with nine. That section of the city has experienced a recent influx of young families moving into such neighborhoods as Brookland and LeDroit Park, but many of them are choosing charter schools or going out of boundary rather than enrolling at neighborhood schools, which have been plagued by declining enrollment and poor test scores. Ward 3 is the only one with no schools on the list.

The document says those schools on the closure list would be taken "off the list for modernization, targeted repair, or blitz work (excluding things that are necessary for basic quality of life)."

The document also raises questions about the pace of repair work needed to upgrade schools that would take students from closed facilities. According to the list, Brookland Elementary in Northeast would close next year and the students would be sent to nearby Bunker Hill Elementary. Bunker Hill, however, would close two years later.

But the document also says there are plans to "rebuild a new [pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school] on the Brookland site. This is a high priority to move up. Can we get a design team up in early '08 and complete construction by '10?"

In Ward 5:
Bertie Backus Middle - Fort Totten
Brookland Elementary - Brookland/Michigan Park
Bunker Hill Elementary (summer 2010)- Brookland/Michigan Park
Burroughs Elementary - Woodridge
Gage-Eckington Elementary - Ledroit Park/Bloomingdale
J.F. Cook Elementary - Eckington
Mamie D. Lee (summer 2009) - Fort Totten
M. M. Washington Career High - Eckington
Slowe Elementary - Brookland

PG & DC Police Chase 14-Year-Old Carjacker Through 4th and 5th Districts

No injuries were reported from the 4-car accident caused by the chase...from NBC4:

Prince George's County Police initiated a chase of a carjacked Jeep Cherokee driven by a 14-year-old boy Monday afternoon.

Police on patrol spotted the Jeep, which they said was carjacked at gunpoint on Nov. 15, and tried to pull it over in the area of Eastern Avenue near Riggs Road.

Police pursued the Jeep after it fled.

The chase went for several miles at varying speeds through neighborhoods in the district.

The Jeep went down Missouri Avenue, past the Fourth District Station, down 16th Street, down North Capitol Street, and out Rhode Island Avenue before ending up in the 3800 block of Harewood Road, NE, where the driver fled onto the campus of Catholic University, according to officials.

The driver was arrested a short time later. D.C. Police from the fourth and fifth districts, along with the D.C. Police Helicopter and Prince George's County Police assisted in the chase.

Police said the chase contributed to a four-car accident, but no injuries were reported.

Woodridge Library Programs This Weekend

The Woodridge Branch Library is having two programs of interest to the community this weekend.

The First Annual Multicultural Program will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. This is a family program for all ages.

On Sunday, October 21st, a celebration of Young Adult reading will be held for teens ages 12-19 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Holla'Back and Teen Read Week participants can extend the fun of reading, games, chats, and more - including door prizes and refreshments!

The Woodridge Library is located at 1801 Hamlin Street, NE at the south corner of Rhode Island Avenue and 18th Street.

For more information call the library at 202.541.6226.

Eastern HS Teacher Honored with the 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

Reynauld Smith, a social studies and AP American History teacher at Eastern High School, was one of three educators nationwide honored with the 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. According to the Mc-Graw Hill Companies, the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education "annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing learning in this country and whose accomplishments are making a difference today."

Mr. Smith is being recognized as an innovative educator who took over Eastern's fledgling Model United Nations program in 1999, and introduced the program as part of his AP American History class. Smith has worked with 500 students in his Model UN program and has taken dozens of students to Ecuador, Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He previously taught in Montgomery County, MD, where he helped start a diversity club for U.S. and international students.

Two Teens Shoot in Brentwood Overnight

From NBC4:

D.C. police are investigating a double shooting in Northeast.

Authorities said the shooting happened in the 1200 block of Brentwood Road at about 10 p.m.

Many people were hanging out in the courtyard, including two male teens, a 14-year-old and a 19-year-old, who were playing with boxing gloves, when three people in hoods walked up and opened fire, hitting the teens, News4's Pat Collins reported.

Police said the victims were struck in their stomachs.

Both were taken to a hospital in serious condition. Both are expected to survive.

There's been no word on a suspect or possible motive in the case.

People who live at the complex said violence is not unusual there.

» Video here - Councilmember Thomas makes an appearance

Ward 5 Youth March Against Violence - Saturday, August 25th

What: Ward 5 Youth March Against Violence

When: Saturday, August 2th, 2007, 1-8pm

Where: Starts at 12th and Rhode Island Avenue NE, ends at the concert ground at 2413 14th Street NE

Etc.: Live performances and inspirational speakers, including: Al-Malik Farrakhan, Minister Vincent Hucks, The Trumpet Kings, Chaka Rollins, The Miracle Tones, Israel Baptist Youth Choir, Mt. Calvary Youth Choir, Yango Sawyer, Copper Rose and Bone, and more.

For questions and information, contact Preston Haythe at 202.526.8454.

Carver-Langston Teenager Missing FOUND

**UPDATE** Tyesha Smith was found unharmed on Thursday night and police returned her to her family.

From ABC7:

D.C. Police are asking for help locating a missing teenager. Fifteen-year-old Tyesha Renee Smith was last seen at about 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, in the 900 block of 19th Street, NE.

Police say she is described as a black female, medium complexion, 5'5", weighing 105 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

She was last seen wearing a white skirt and a pink and green shirt.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Tyesha Renee Smith is asked to call police at 202.727.9099.

Ward 5 Education Town Hall Meeting - Thursday, August 2nd

I've been out of town for a few days and am just catching up on the news....I'm aware of the shooting at Edgewood Terrace that left 7 wounded (where we seem to need "all hands on deck" at all times, not just on special occassions) and the off-duty firefighter who was shot and carjacked. Both of these incidents suck, and August is just beginning.

- - -

What: Share your thoughts and concerns about DC Public Schools with Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. and new Chancellor Michelle Rhee

When: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Agenda: 6:30 p.m. Athletic Field Walk-Thru; 7:00-9:00 p.m. Forum

Where: McKinley Technical High School, 151 T Street, NE

For More Information Contact: Ward 5 Council Office at 202.724.8028

**In anticipation of the townhall meeting, Harry Thomas's office has created an education survey you can take here. The results will be shared at the meeting.**

May is National Foster Care Month - FAN Needs Your Support

As the founding vice-chair of the board for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN), I find myself in the delicate situation of asking for your financial support for our grassroots 501(c)3 on my community blog. I keep reminding myself that I've asked my readers to support a number of community organizations and events that I have no official ties to, all in the name of community and civic investment, and this is really no different aside from my personal commitment to FAN. This is not my day job, it truly is a volunteer labor of love. Please, read the information below, and, if possible, contribute to FAN and help us stay on track in fulfilling our mission to provide safety, security, love, and understanding to DC's foster adolescents....

Can you imagine being separated from your family, moving from place to place, not knowing if you'll be in the same school, same neighborhood, or same house from one day to the next?

Nearly 3,000 children in foster care from Washington, DC live with this uncertainty every day, staying in care for 3 years on average and living in 3 different homes during that time. The crisis-driven child welfare system is so focused on what's wrong with teens in foster care, that they fail to see what's "right" with this group of young people.

FAN works with some of the city's most vulnerable youth: teens in foster care, in a daily after school and summer positive youth development program that engages youth in academic support, extracurricular instruction, community service, group mentoring, and cultural enrichment. Youth are provided with opportunities to belong, to develop their talents and skills, to develop meaningful relationships with peers and adults, and to experience success. FAN serves as a source of stability, consistency, and support that enhances the well-being and positive development of youth. Please visit our website at www.fan-dc.org to learn more about our organization and to join our mailing list.

May is National Foster Care Month. Make a difference in the lives of teens in foster care with your tax deductible donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, or more. To be a part of FAN's success, please mail a check today or donate online on our website through Network for Good.

I cannot thank you enough for your generosity!

Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso / FAN
1227 Good Hope Road SE, Room 106
Washington, DC 20020
202.889.5000 x114
202.889.5035 (fax)
www.fan-dc.org

Four Teens Shot on Edgewood Playground

From NBC4:

The search continues for the person or persons responsible for shooting four teenagers on a northeast Washington playground Sunday night.

Police said the shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. on a playground near the Edgewood Terrace apartments in the 600 block of Edgewood Street, NE.

Police said a 15-year-old boy was shot in the back and transported to the hospital in serious condition. The other three victims are between 18 and 19 years of age and were wounded in their arms and legs.

Authorities said all four victims are expected to survive.

D.C. police Inspector James Crane told News4, "Several people were seen running, including the victims. We're trying to interview the witnesses and the victims to find out who was where and at what point in time so we can get a clear picture of what was going on."

Investigators said they are looking for at least one person who is described as a black male with light complexion, about 6 feet tall with a short haircut and wearing blue jeans.

More from WaPo here.

MPD Youth Investigations Branch Open House - Saturday, April 21st

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Youth Investigation Branch (YIB) will hold an Open House on Saturday, April 21st, 2007, 11am–5pm. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information contact:

Youth Investigations Branch
1700 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
(202) 576-6768 (phone)
(202) 576-6561 (fax)

The Metropolitan Police Department, Youth Investigations Branch (YIB), is responsible for the following:
· Investigating Child Abuse and Neglect
· Investigating Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation (including child pornography and child prostitution)
· Investigating Juvenile Missing Persons (under the age of 18 years) & Parental Kidnapping
· Investigating Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS)
· Juvenile Processing Center (process juvenile arrestees)
· Absconder Unit (locate youth in abscondence)
· Investigating Internet Crimes against Children Unit

For more information on YIB sevices and resources, visit this page of the MPD site.

NE Teen Missing Since Monday

From MPD:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person, identified as Altonio Herbert Johnson. He was last seen at approximately 9am, on Monday, April 2, 2007, leaving his residence located in the 100 block of 49th Place, NE.

Altonio Johnson is 13 years old. He is described as a medium complexion black male, 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 125 to 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and blue or white shirt.

Anyone with information regarding Altonio Herbert Jonhson’s whereabouts is asked to call police at 202.727.9099.