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Let's Talk About School Lunch.
The Council is currently on recess, meaning most hearings and other official Council business will resume after September 15th. One matter which cannot be further delayed is a hearing regarding the proposed service contracts between the District of Columbia and the vendors contracted to serve food in schools.
Because the food service contracts are over one million dollars, District law requires the Executive to transmit the contracts to the Council before approval for review. However, the last extension of the previous competitively bid food contract was entered into between the District and two vendors without this required review, and there have been sustained issues regarding food quality.
The Committee of the Whole will hold a public hearing on the proposed contract on Tuesday, August 22nd, at 10:30 am. Instructions detailing how to testify and a sign-up link are available here. This hearing is one of the best opportunities to learn about the District’s plans for food service in the upcoming school year and ask questions or provide comments on the impact of issues regarding food service in public schools.
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DPR Fall Aquatics Programs Are Open.
Registration for the Department of Parks of Recreation’s (DPR) 2023 fall programming opened on Tuesday, August 15, for aquatics programs (check spacing) and Wednesday, August 16, for all other programs. Registration opens at noon on both days.
DPR programs offered this fall include:
- Aquatics programs, including learn to swim, swim teams, senior aqua fitness, and youth water polo;
- Expanded Out-of-School-Time Programs for students ages 3-13 with Wee-Play, Afternoon Access, and Enrichment Zone;
- Team sports and athletics, including gymnastics, cheer, soccer, boxing, pickleball, tennis, and adult flag football and basketball;
- Fitness classes like bootcamp, Zumba, cardio, bike-spin, yoga, and senior fitness;
- Cooperative Play programs for children 1.5– 4 years old; and
- New programs such as Intro to Piano and Water Polo
Registration for fall programming is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and DPR will utilize a virtual “waiting room” on both program registration days in order to manage the high demand for programs.
DPR Fall Program registration opens:
- Noon on Tuesday, August 15 for aquatics programs ONLY.
- Noon on Wednesday, August 16 for all other fall programs.
Residents are encouraged to create an account online with DPR’s registration system in advance to save time once program registration opens. To create an account, visit dpr.dc.gov/DPRaccount.
DPR offers programming at reduced rates to qualifying DC residents. Complete the online reduced rates application here. Residents must be approved for reduced rates by DPR before registering for programs.
For more information and to view a complete list of DPR programs, visit DPRprograms.com.
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Addressing Youth Violence Through Sports, Music, Art, and More.
August 13, 2023
Over the weekend, Councilmember Trayon White attended THE S.M.A.R.T Youth Violence Summit at THEARC Theater. This event was a collaborative effort utilizing sports, music, arts, recreation and technology to address youth violence.
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Press Conference & Resource Fair: Councilmember Trayon White Addresses Residents' Concerns on Giant Food Closing Its Doors In Ward 8.
August 11, 2023
Councilmember White held a press conference and resource fair in the Giant parking lot on Alabama Avenue to address concerns about the grocery store closing.
The Giant on Alabama Avenue SE is the only full-service grocery store east of the Anacostia River in Ward 8. Councilmember White shared his conversation with Giant management, who shared with him that they have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to shoplifting at the store.
"We know it’s tough times and we know the price of food has skyrocketed in the last three years," White stated at the press conference. "But we cannot afford to hurt ourselves by constantly taking from the store, because that means everybody is going to be without a place to eat, and enough is enough."
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Councilmember White Joins Seniors for a Morning Workout.
August 11, 2023
Councilmember Trayon White joined seniors for a morning workout with the Department of Parks and Recreation Director, Thennie Freeman, at Barry Farm Recreation Center.
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Ward 8 Night at Capital Riverfront's Friday Night Concert Series.
August 11, 2023
Constituent Service Director, Monique Diop and Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners tabled at Capital Riverfront Bid's finale Friday Night Concert Series featuring the Sharon Thomas Experience. It was a beautiful evening to celebrate Ward 8 night.
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August 11, 2023
Councilmember Trayon White sits down at The Politics Hours to discuss how the National Guard might stop the violence in DC. Listen here.
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WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was out last week, held her first public appearance on Monday since Ward 8 councilmember Trayon White called on the mayor to possibly request the National Guard as a serious means to address the city’s rising violence.
Bowser said on Monday she is happy to have a conversation with the councilmember and shares his safety concerns.
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As cities across the U.S. grapple with a growing shoplifting problem, a Washington, D.C., grocery store may be on the verge of closure after rampant theft has depleted much of its resources, a D.C. councilman warned.
A popular Giant Food store reported $500,000 in product loss due to shoplifting, the store's management told D.C. Councilman Trayon White recently, which equates to roughly 20% of sales after theft.
White called the news "disheartening" in a press conference last week, especially after the store recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire security guards and upgrade its equipment.
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