August 22, 2017 To our DC Community, We are extremely excited about the back to school season! Schools are places where our students grow as individuals – where they learn more about themselves, how to relate to others, and important lessons about our nation. We also recognize that the events in Charlottesville, Virginia have stirred strong emotions in our District and nationwide. It is difficult to watch these horrific events unfold mere hours away from where we live. Over the past week, we’ve heard concerns and fears from residents of all ages, races, and backgrounds, fears that are justified by simply watching local news or listening to your local radio station. We, like many others, are frustrated by the race-based hatred we see in our country. As DC education leaders, we are writing today to affirm that we are unequivocally committed to protecting our schools and our young people from hatred. Let us be clear: All public schools in DC are safe places not just for students, but also for parents, families, educators, staff, and community members. Our schools are places of inclusion that value diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnic background, religion, immigration status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, language, and family’s income level. The diversity throughout the city doesn’t just make us stronger – it is something to celebrate. As educators, it is not only our responsibility to develop students academically, but also to help them grapple with the world around them. It is our hope that we can use these events to have deep and productive conversations about inclusion and respect so that everyone in our schools feels loved, valued, and supported. We stand in solidarity, as one city of educators, against the idea that any human being is less valuable because of the color of their skin, the language they speak, the religion they practice, or any other aspect of their identity. As we move forward, we know that you will help us ensure that our schools are welcoming and supportive environments to all who enter our doors. No matter who you are, you are safe with us. Sincerely, Muriel Bowser Jennifer Niles Mayor, District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Education Antwan Wilson Darren Woodruff Chancellor, DC Public Schools Board Chair, Public Charter School Board Scott Pearson Hanseul Kang Executive Director, Public Charter School Board State Superintendent, Office of the State Superintendent of Education Cosigned by: Lecester Johnson Keith Whitescarver Academy of Hope Adult PCS Breakthrough Montessori PCS Shantelle Wright Norah Lycknell Achievement Preparatory Academy Public Brent Elementary Charter Schools Olivia Smith Malaika Golden Bridges PCS Aiton Elementary School Maurice Kennard TaMikka Sykes Brightwood Education Campus Amidon-Bowen Elementary School Christie McKay Eric Fraser Briya PCS Anacostia Senior High School Kerry Richardson Anne Zummo Malone Brookland Middle School AppleTree Early Learning PCS Dwight Davis Dr. Yetunde Reeves Browne Education Campus Ballou High School Alethea Bustillo Cara Fuller Bruce-Monroe Elementary School @ Park View Ballou STAY High School Kara Kuchemba Arthur Mola Bunker Hill Elementary School Bancroft Elementary School LeVar Jenkins Grace. A. Reid Burroughs Elementary School Barnard Elementary Tui Roper DeAnna Rowe Burrville Elementary School BASIS DC PCS Heather Hairston Gwendolyn Payton C.W. Harris Elementary School Beers Elementary School Karen Dresden Anita M. Berger Capital City PCS Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Brandon Eatman Rachel McClam Capitol Hill Montessori School DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Middle Tanya S. Roane Maura Englender Cardozo Education Campus DC Prep PCS - Benning Elementary Allison Kokkoros Erin Waldron Carlos Rosario International PCS DC Prep PCS - Benning Middle LaTonya Henderson, Ed.D Maria-Teresa Duvall Cedar Tree Academy PCS DC Prep PCS - Anacostia Elementary Russ E. Williams Jr. Jennifer G. Leonard Center City Public Charter Schools DC Scholars PCS Emily E. Silberstein Diedre L. Neal Chavez Schools Deal Middle School Lanette Dailey-Reese Shukurat Adamoh-Faniyan City Arts & Prep PCS Democracy Prep Congress Heights PCS Anna Krughoff Masi Preston Cleveland Elementary School Dorothy I. Height Elementary School Maria Tukeva Naimah Salahuddin Columbia Heights Education Campus Drew Elementary School Connie Spinner Sandi Logan Community College Preparatory Academy PCS Duke Ellington School of the Arts Semanthe Bright Abdullah Zaki II Coolidge High School Dunbar High School Golnar Abedin Hilary Darilek Creative Minds International PCS E.L. Haynes PCS Daniela Anello Brittany Wagner-Friel DC Bilingual PCS E.L. Haynes PCS - Elementary School Mary Shaffner Myron Long DC International School E.L. Haynes PCS - Middle School Emily Lawson Emily Hueber Stoetzer DC Prep Public Charter Schools E.L. Haynes PCS - High School Avise Hayes Joe M. Smith, Ph.D. DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Elementary Eagle Academy PCS Wendy S. Edwards Felicia Owo Early Childhood Academy PCS Friendship PCS - Woodridge International Sah Brown Kennard Branch Eastern High School Garfield Elementary School Dale E. Mann Brigham Kiplinger Eaton Elementary School Garrison Elementary School Eugenia Young Catherine Meloy Eliot-Hine Middle School Goodwill Excel Center PCS Erika Bryant Katie Larkin Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS H.D. Cooke Elementary School Deborah Lockhart Darrin Slade Excel Academy PCS H.D. Woodson High School Patricia A. Brantley Lucas Cooke Friendship Public Charter School Hardy Middle School Khabria Hundley Emin Cavusoglu Friendship PCS - Armstrong Harmony DC PCS Jeffrey Grant Nadine Smith Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Hart Middle School Morrise Harbour Charlette E. Butler Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Hart Middle School Curtis Lawrence Jen Thomas Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Hearst Elementary School John Sloane Sundai M. Riggins Friendship PCS - Online Hendley Elementary School David Lawery Dr. Chloe Marshall Friendship PCS - Southeast Academy Hope Community PCS (Tolson and Lamond Campus) Khalil Graham Friendship PCS - Tech Prep Middle School Roxane Rucker Academy Hope Community PCS Peggy Jones Rembert Seaward Friendship PCS - Tech Prep High School Houston Elementary School Academy Kathryn Procope Angel Hunter Howard University Middle School of King Elementary School Mathematics and Science PCS Shannon T. Hodge Elizabeth Namba Kingsman Academy PCS Hyde-Addison Elementary School Susan Schaeffler Justin Rydstrom KIPP DC IDEA PCS Abe Clayman George H. Rutherford KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS Ideal Academy PCS Aliesha Maye Aaron Cuny KIPP DC - AIM Academy PCS Ingenuity Prep PCS Allison Artis Deborah Dantzler Williams KIPP DC - Arts & Technology Academy PCS Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Amy Witherspoon Soncyree Lee KIPP DC - Connect Academy PCS Inspiring Youth Program and Youth Services Center Andhra Lutz KIPP DC - College Preparatory PCS Heidi Haggerty J.O. Wilson Elementary School Caitlin Maxwell KIPP DC - Northeast Academy PCS Alysia Lutz Janney Elementary School Donny Tiengtum KIPP DC - Spring Academy PCS Greg Dohmann Jefferson Academy Middle School Erin Huseby KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS Courtney Taylor Johnson Middle School Gaelan Gallagher KIPP DC - Heights Academy PCS Kortni Stafford Kelly Miller Middle School Gillian Conner KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS Maisha Riddlesprigger Ketcham Elementary School Jerry Jellig KIPP DC - WILL Academy PCS David Landeryou Key Elementary John Barnhardt KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS Johann Lee Kimball Elementary School John Petersen KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS Lauren Ellis Zara Berry-Young KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS Malcolm X Elementary School Mekia Love Liz Whisnant KIPP DC - Lead Academy PCS Mann Elementary School Michael Cordell Katie Lundgren KIPP DC - The Learning Center Marie Reed Elementary School Sommer Wynn Carolyne Albert-Garvey KIPP DC - Discover Academy PCS Maury Elementary School Roman Smith Linda McKay Kramer Middle School Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS Carrie Broquard Heather D. Wathington, Ph.D Lafayette Elementary School Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation Kemi Husbands Langdon Elementary School M. Louise Jones McKinley Technology High School and Middle Vanessa Drumm-Canepa School Langley Elementary School Candice Bobo Justin Ralston Meridian PCS LaSalle-Backus Education Campus Bruce W. Jackson Diane Cottman Miner Elementary School Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Emily Bloomfield Nicole Hanrahan Monument Academy PCS LAYC Career Academy PCS Akela Stanfield-Dogbe Andrew Smith Moten Elementary School Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School Kristin Scotchmer Niyeka Wilson Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS Leckie Education Campus Chris Cebrzynski Chris Pencikowski Murch Elementary School Lee Montessori PCS Kim Adutwum Jada Langston Nalle Elementary School Luke C. Moore Opportunity High School Jennifer L. Ross Mark Sanders National Collegiate Preparatory PCHS MacFarland Middle School Kermit Burks Benjamin Williams Noyes Elementary School Ron Brown College Preparatory High School Carolyn Jackson-King, Ed.D. Aqueelha James Orr Elementary School Roosevelt High School Mayra Canizales DeWayne Little Oyster-Adams Bilingual School Roosevelt STAY Opportunity Academy Victorie L. Thomas, Ed.D. Bernida Thompson, Ed.D. Patterson Elementary School Roots PCS Dr. Tracy L. Wright Holly Searl Paul PCS Ross Elementary School Stephanie Byrd Lisa Rosado Payne Elementary School Savoy Elementary School Elena Bell Richard Trogisch Peabody and Watkins Elementary School School Without Walls