The DC Language Access Coalition’s S.M.A.R.T. (Student Multiethnic Action Research Team) fellowship for the 2010-2011 school year is looking for students. S.M.A.R.T. is a youth-led decision-making body which advocates and organizes for better education for ESL students and their families. Some of the issues they worked on in the past include demanding bilingual counselors in schools, more after school programs for ESL students, and an accurate needs assessment for every ESL student to avoid an unnecessarily delayed graduation.

Optimally, students will be sophomores or juniors, English Language Learners currently in ESL courses in DC Public Schools or DC public charter schools. Karina Hurtado-Ocampo, the coalition’s educational organizer will be conducting interviews through September 3.

More about what the fellowship entails is in the information packet. For more information, contact Karina, (718) 679-3299 or via email.

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Friends,

I hope you are well! I am writing in the hopes you might consider lending your support to Jumpstart this week. We are currently in 2nd place in the American Express Members Project Voting Competition trailing by only 2%. If we finish in 1st place we stand to win $200,000 to support our programming. We are reaching our to ALL of our constituents and partners to ask for their help in driving voting this week as voting closes THIS Sunday the 22nd.

Here is how you can help Jumpstart win $200,000:

1. Visit http://www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote.

• Register with TakePart and Members Project
• Choose Jumpstart from the Education List and cast your vote

2. Visit Jumpstart’s Facebook event page and RSVP to the event to invite your friends to vote!

You can also help promote on a deeper level by considering the following options:

• Send an email to your staff asking them to vote and spread the word (template)
• Include in an email to your customers and partners (template)
• Tweet or post on your facebook page (samples)

We could really use any help in trying to close the gap, especially with voting ending this week. Thank you for your help and continued support of Jumpstart!

Warm regards,

Sekou

Executive Director, Southern Region
Jumpstart for Young Children
1612 K Street NW, Suite 704
Washington, DC 20006
P: 202.393.4443 | F: 202.393.0202

What is the Congressional Award?
www.congressionalaward.org

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans.  It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive.  The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds.  Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you’d like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace – on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals.

Regardless of your situation, you can earn the Congressional Award.  The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge.

Gold 2011 Dates

February 1, 2011 – ALL Gold Medal Record Books that would qualify for the 2011 Ceremony in June must be postmarked, faxed or emailed by this date.  If you would like to be invited to the 2011 Gold Medal Ceremony, you must meet this deadline; late submissions will be reviewed for the 2012 Ceremony.  We do not recommend sending materials via UPS, FedEx, or Registered Mail as these options often add steps to the mail process, which often leads to misplaced or lost packages within the Post Office.  If you are concerned about your submission, you may contact the National Office.  Please allow a week after you sent the submission for travel and processing time.

March 15, 2011 – If you met the submission deadline and revisions were requested, you must submit all of the requested revisions by this date (postmark, fax or email).  If we do not receive your revisions, you will be moved to the 2012 Ceremony group.

April 1, 2011 – All Gold Medal Record Books must be approved for the Gold 2011 Ceremony.

April 10, 2010 – Gold Week-Long RSVPs and Payment must be received in the National Office.  If you would like to take part in the Gold Week-Long Program, we recommend getting approved early in order to meet this deadline!

May 1, 2011 – Ceremony RSVP Forms and biographies must be submitted.  Even if a medalist is not planning on attending the 2011 Ceremony, a biography and RSVP Form should be submitted. If a Medalist is requesting additional seats to the Ceremony, this request must be sent in writing to Gold@congressionalaward.org by this date.

May 19, 2011 – Extra seats at any of the events will be approved.

June 2011 – Gold Medal Ceremony – We will not know the exact dates of the Gold events until late Fall 2010. We will notify all of our approved medalists of the dates as they become available. Please do not make any travel arrangements until you have been approved for the Gold Ceremony and have received the RSVP packet (late Fall 2010).

Please check the Gold Webpage for Information. This will be updated as dates and events are confirmed.

Michael Whitfield, Jr.’s Story

“If I can battle day school, night school, a job and a daughter…you all can do it.  Keep pushing.”

Rico Kinney’s Story

“Having a close brush with death isn’t easy…I would like to thank my mom for letting me see the light.”

Tyler Goodger’s Story

“It was really hard being away from my mother.”

Mario Brooks’ Story

School: “Mario demonstrated growth in community and vocational involvement.  As a student that has an intellectual disability, Mario displayed great character when presented with life’s challenges.”

Shavionne Smith’s Story

“I thank my mom for helping me…”

For all the untold stories visit http://www.youtube.com/tellkwamebrown.

“When you hear these students’ stories, you think to yourself, they can do anything,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “There’s nothing that can hold them back when they put their minds to it.  The students, parents, and educators should be proud of the amazing achievements they’ve made.  I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about these bright young stars in the future.”

Each year, Councilmember Kwame Brown invites all District high schools to nominate a student for the award.  This year, the following students were nominated by their schools and received the award (Alphabetical order by school):

Benjamin Banneker: Raphael Woldeab
Caesar Chavez: Elton Wright
Caesar Chavez: Shavionne Smith
Calvin Coolidge: Angel Jones
Cardozo: Isaiah Aladejobi
Duke Ellington: Lois Wilkerson
Eastern: Tyree Boney
Edison Friendship Collegiate Academy: Torrie Davis
IDEA: Alana Shields
Kamit Institute: Adrian Hall
Luke C. Moore: Cornell Harris
Mamie D. Lee: Mario Brooks
Maya Angelou PCS: Raheem Hannah
McKinley Technology: George Blanks
Roosevelt: Rico Kinney
School Without Walls: Michelle Burris
SEED PCS: Tyler Goodger
Spingarn: Denard Duncan
Thurgood Marshall: Parris Robertson
Transition Academy: Dontate Robey
Washington Math, Science and Technology: Michael Whitfield, Jr.
Young America Works: Phyllis Stoddard

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

On Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m., join At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown for the 4th Annual Most Improved Student Awards.  Each year, Councilmember Kwame Brown extends invitations to public high school principals and teachers in the District to nominate seniors who have shown significant academic and personal improvement.

“These are students who, like me, weren’t at the top,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “Through determination and perseverance, they’ve shown that anyone can be an achiever.  It’s an honor to recognize these students whose stories will inspire the next graduating class.”

One student, Adrian Hall from the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers, is receiving the Most Improved Student Award.  She came to the Kamit Institute with a low grade point average in the 10th grade but managed to raise it to a remarkable 2.9.  She was a participant on the college tour and was accepted to Benedict College, where she plans to attend in the fall.  Over 200 high District students have been accepted to college since the program began in 2008.

Event Details

WHAT: Most Improved Student Awards
WHERE: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—John A. Wilson Building, Rm. 412
WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP for the awards, complete the following form:

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

This week, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown had the honor of speaking at several high school graduations before hundreds of inspiring students.  Graduates performed songs, elaborate dances and showcased their talents to celebrate the close of one chapter in their lives and the beginning of the next.  Councilmember Kwame Brown gave out the first of many Most Improved Students Awards in advance of next week’s presentation ceremony.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of the students, family members and teachers who overcame all the obstacles leading up to this day,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “Success begins in high school and these achievers have proven that nothing will stand in their way.  I can’t wait to see what they can do next.”

Many of the graduates participated in this year’s College Round-Up tour to Tarboro, North Carolina where a record breaking number of District students got into college.  One student from the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers, Adrian Hall, received the Most Improved Student Award.  Councilmember Kwame Brown recounted the story of how she came to the Kamit Institute with a low grade point average in the 10th grade but managed to raise it to a remarkable 2.9.  She was a participant on the college tour and was accepted to Benedict College, where she plans to attend in the fall.  Over 200 high District students have been accepted to college since the program began in 2008.

Councilmember Kwame Brown also spoke to graduates at Wilson High School, SunRise Academy, and Carlos Rosario Public Charter School.  Next week, he will host the 4th Annual Most Improved Student Awards and is inviting the community to come support the students.

WHAT: Most Improved Student Awards
WHERE: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—John A. Wilson Building, Rm. 412
WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP for the awards, please go to the following link:

http://www.thewedistrict.com/most-improved-student-awards-2010/

“I want to congratulate the parents and students who fought to revitalize their school and had a dream to turn an uninviting asphalt parking lot into a beautiful playground. They are the heroes of school reform.” said Councilmember Brown who is a parent with two children in DC Public Schools.  “There was a time when the Wilson Building was in better shape than our schools and there’s no excuse for that.  This playground, and others like it, represents a new chapter in education.”

In 2005, Councilmember Brown joined Chairman Vincent Gray and then Councilmember Fenty as co-introducer of the School Modernization Financing Act, which later became law.  What started as a simple idea eventually became the foundation for a long-term effort to rebuild our schools.  School facilities are now undergoing major renovations because of the funding that was provided for in the law.

The Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization, led by Allen Lew, is responsible for overseeing school revitalization.  Parents and community members are strongly encouraged to get involved in the process by attending public meetings with School Improvement Teams (SIT).  A list of meetings can be found by visiting the following website:

Upcoming Meetings/Events
http://opefm.dc.gov/updates.html

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

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The Holland & Knight Dream Scholarship Essay Contest is a writing contest for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in public schools in Atlanta, Georgia, Miami, Florida and Washington, DC.

The contest is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to encourage students and leaders of today and tomorrow to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, their dreams and their strategies for achieving those dreams.

Click here for more information on the contest, including the writing prompt, entry form, and all contest rules.

“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow,
I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up
and live out the true meaning of its creed:
‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
Martin Luther King
“I Have a Dream” Speech

About the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation: Established as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 1996, the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation manages and coordinates charitable giving for the firm. Funded through contributions from the firm, Holland & Knight attorneys and staff, as well as external sources, the foundation underwrites several important programs that support education. www.foundation.hklaw.com

Please visit the original post at http://dream.hklaw.com/index.asp.