Dear Ward 8 Residents,

As the Council works towards crafting a fair and equitable budget for our community, it is crucial to pause and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our educators. This week, as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I am filled with gratitude for the tireless dedication and unwavering commitment our teachers demonstrate each day in shaping the future of our children.

In Ward 8 schools, our teachers are not just educators; they are mentors, advocates, and champions for our students. They inspire, challenge, and nurture young minds, laying the foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Amidst the complexities of our times, our teachers have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, ensuring that every student receives the support and guidance they need to thrive academically and personally. Their passion for teaching goes beyond the curriculum; it encompasses instilling values of empathy, critical thinking, and resilience in the next generation.

As we end this week of appreciation, let us take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the educators who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our children. Whether through a simple note of thanks, a kind gesture, or a thoughtful acknowledgment, let us show our teachers that their efforts are deeply valued and cherished.

Join me in honoring and celebrating the remarkable teachers of Ward 8 schools for their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Together, let us uplift and support those who play a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders of our community.

Regards,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8 
 

Students from the Black Swan Academy Meet with Councilmember White

May 6, 2024

Councilmember White meets with a group of students from the Black Swan Academy to discuss concerns about the budget and legislation.

Black Swan Academy is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering and educating young people of color to become leaders in their communities. The organization offers leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities, and resources to help students achieve their goals and make a positive impact on society. Their mission is to create a more equitable and just society by supporting the next generation of leaders.

Budget Cuts Remain a Concern

This week, the Legislative team met with Save Community Schools, Mary’s Center, and Latin American Youth Center regarding concerns about the budget. Each one of these organizations is designed to address the continuing crisis of truancy in schools, bridging the gap from high school to college for at-risk populations, and offering services to students to ensure their success. Each one of these organizations is concerned about the recent proposed budget by the mayor. Each of their services would be cut, with more money being allocated to public safety. As a result, the education portion of the committee of the whole is struggling to restore the previous funding. Councilmember White’s staff echoed their concerns and are working to address their concerns.
 
Additionally, this week the Council had a legislative meeting. An important bill on the floor is the PLA (project labor agreement) for the government to have with union-based contractors. The legislation offers to lower the threshold of the price of a project to 50 million dollars for unions to get exclusive rights to the project. The Councilmember proposed an amendment to ensure that the people of the District of Columbia are included in these projects and to ensure that they are among the beneficiaries of this legislation. There are concerns that residents of the District may be left out of the opportunity to receive such projects.

May 8, 2024

The Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs held its committee markup to vote on its FY25 budget report. Councilmembers T. White, R. White, Bonds and Nadeau voted unanimously in favor of the report.
 
On Thursday, May 16, the Committee will hold a hearing on the following bills:

• B25-0116 – Department of Parks and Recreation Hours Expansion Amendment Act of 2023
• B25-0477 – Expanding Community Access to Safe and Clean Recreation Space Act of 2023

To register to testify or to submit written testimony, please go to https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/412. People have up to Tuesday, May 14th at 5:30 pm to register, but can submit written testimony until Thursday, May 30th at 5:30 pm.

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DC Public Library
Ward 8 & Virtual Events
May 8^TH - May 14^th 2024
 
 
Wednesday
How Do I...? - Tech Q&A
Wednesday, May 08: 10:00am - 12:00pm
 Arthur Capper TechExpress
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS
Get drop-in help with all your tech questions!
Free Walk-in Legal Clinic
Wednesday, May 08: 11:00am - 1:00pm
 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  LEGAL CLINIC
Meet with a lawyer from Neighborhood Legal Services Program. No appointment necessary. First-come first-served.
 
Email Troubleshooting
Wednesday, May 08: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS
Help with any email concerns, from 2 Step Authorizations to attaching a file. I also help with setting up a new email, how to send an email, and resetting passwords.
Job/Resume Clinic - Job/Resume
Wednesday, May 08: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library - Conference Room B (6-12 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  JOB READINESS CLINIC
Job Seekers/Resume provides help to create your résumé, apply for posted jobs, research in demand careers, and find occupational training opportunities that meet your needs.
Job/Resume Clinic - Job/Resume
Wednesday, May 08: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library - Conference Room B (6-12 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  JOB READINESS CLINIC
Job Seekers/Resume provides help to create your résumé, apply for posted jobs, research in demand careers, and find occupational training opportunities that meet your needs.
 
ANA-CON - Anacostia Anime Club
Wednesday, May 08: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  FILM, ARTS & CRAFTS
Come watch anime, learn to draw manga, and hang out with your friends!
Thursday
 
DC Jail Video Visitation
Thursday, May 09: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Meeting Room 1 (2-6 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
DCPL partners with DC Department of Correction to bring a Video Visitation program.
TechHelp
Thursday, May 09: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS, AGE-FRIENDLY DC
Onsite Technical Support for Customers
 
Lego Lab - What Will You Build?
Thursday, May 09: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5  5 - 12 YEARS OLD
EVENT TYPE:  STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH), FAMILY PROGRAM
Come play with Legos and other building materials. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to make and build at this open play time. 
Chess for all Ages
Thursday, May 09: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS  5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  CHESS CLUB
Come play and learn from others in a friendly game of chess.
Email Troubleshooting - with Porsche the Digital Navigator
Thursday, May 09: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
 Arthur Capper TechExpress
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS
Come get drop-in help with all of your email questions!
 
Learn Chess at Bellevue
Thursday, May 09: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS  5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  CHESS CLUB
Bellevue Library invites you to join us in learning Chess.
 
Friday
DC Jail Video Visitation
Friday, May 10: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Meeting Room 1 (2-6 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
DCPL partners with DC Department of Correction to bring a Video Visitation program.
Game Hour
Friday, May 10: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   5 - 12 YEARS OLD
EVENT TYPE:  GAMING
Fun for the whole family! Join us for blocks, Legos, board games and Virtual Reality gaming. Ages 3 and up.
Saturday
Walk-in Tutoring
Saturday, May 11: 10:00am - 12:00pm
 Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Free drop-in tutoring service for grades Kindergarten through 12 in all subjects provided by a former DCPS teacher.
Coffee & Conversation - A Conversation Circle
Saturday, May 11: 11:00am - 12:00pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library - Conference Room B (6-12 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  CONVERSATION CIRCLE
Customers are invited to join a casual conversation with other library customers and individuals from the neighborhood. Coffee provided.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Film Festival
Saturday, May 11: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS BIRTH - 5 ADULTS  5 - 12 YEARS OLD  13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  FILM, ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with us through beloved movies featuring AAPI characters Saturdays from May 11th to June 1st. Snacks will be provided as long as supplies last.
 
 
Sunday
No Events
 
Monday
 
Peer Outreach Specialist
Monday, May 13: 9:45am - 5:30pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Study Room 4 (2 Person Max Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Meet with a Peer Outreach Specialist
 
Toddler Explorations
Monday, May 13: 10:00am - 11:30am
 Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5
EVENT TYPE:  STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH), EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Come play and learn together rain or shine! Please call for any large groups at 202-727-0991.
Play & Explore
Monday, May 13: 10:00am - 12:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   BIRTH - 5
EVENT TYPE:  FAMILY PROGRAM
Come play and explore in our board book area
Email Troubleshooting
Monday, May 13: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  COMPUTER CLASS
Help with any email concerns, from 2 Step Authorizations to attaching a file. I also help with setting up a new email, how to send an email, and resetting passwords.
Sit and Stitch
Monday, May 13: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Meeting Room 2 (8-16 Person Capacity)
AGE GROUP:   SENIORS ADULTS
EVENT TYPE:  ARTS & CRAFTS
Unleash your inner crafting pro at the library!
Tech Me Out
Monday, May 13: 4:30pm - 6:00pm
 Anacostia Neighborhood Library
AGE GROUP:   13 - 19 YEARS OLD (TEENS)
EVENT TYPE:  STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH)
Come join us at Anacostia Neighborhood Library for Tech Me Out! Show off your skills and enjoy a fun-filled event with us.
 

A member of the Constituent Services team had the pleasure of joining the DC Fire & EMS Department to learn about its AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Incentive Program. The AED is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal.  The AED incentive program will provide discounts to small businesses, places of worship, condo owners, and cooperative apartments. The AED Incentive Program will expand the availability of devices across the district to help increase survival rates for people who go into cardiac arrest.

Seventy-five percent of cardiac arrests happen at home. In DC most cardiac arrests happen in zip codes 20019, 20020, 20032.

For more information on the AED program,  contact The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. (202)673-3320 or email [email protected].
_______________________________________________________________

A member of the Constituent Services team had the pleasure of joining the DC Fire & EMS Department to learn about its AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Incentive Program. The AED is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal.  The AED incentive program will provide discounts to small businesses, places of worship, condo owners, and cooperative apartments. The AED Incentive Program will expand the availability of devices across the district to help increase survival rates for people who go into cardiac arrest.

Seventy-five percent of cardiac arrests happen at home.  In DC most cardiac arrests happen in zip codes 20019, 20020, 20032.

For more information on the AED program,  contact The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. (202)673-3320 or email [email protected].
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by Tom Roussey

WASHINGTON (7News) — Although most crime numbers are down in D.C. so far this year, the numbers are still high compared to last decade, and crimes involving juveniles remain stubbornly common.

“It’s not getting any better. We have shootings every day,” Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White told 7News during a break at a council meeting Tuesday. “Just saying there is a decrease in crime is how we got to where we are today. Because we didn’t deal with it. It spread throughout the city.”