From an email:

John Eaton, a local jazz pianist and D.C. native who has performed for packed houses at the White House, the Kool Jazz Festival, and the Smithsonian Institution, is joining forces with John Eaton Elementary School to raise funds for arts and music programs at the 100-year-old public institution in D.C.’s Cleveland Park. The pianist will perform at the school’s Barbara Munday Theater on Saturday January 7 at 7:00 pm.
Mr. Eaton, who Washingtonian Magazine included on its 2008 list of “best-loved veterans of the Washington music scene” has no relation to the 100-year-old school’s namesake—a Civil War-era general who was renowned for his work in education—but offered to do a benefit concert after learning about the school and its work in bringing the arts to D.C. public school students.
“We are delighted and honored that Mr. Eaton has generously offered his talents to help our school raise the much-needed funds that introduce our children to music, dance, and visual arts,” said Dale Mann, principal of John Eaton Elementary.
The concert is open to the entire D.C. community. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on the school’s website.

This performance will directly support the music and visual arts programs at John Eaton Elementary School. Refreshments will be served.

All are welcome!

From an email:

“The Last Old School Stroll”

Saturday November 19th, 4:00-8:00 pm

Cardozo High School
1200 Clifton St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Metro Green Line: U St./Cardozo or Columbia Heights

COMPLETE MODERNIZATION of Cardozo High School begins December 22, 2011; Like-new building and new gym open August, 2013. All students and all educational programs continue in swing-space at Meyer Elementary during construction.

Everyone is invited for the pre-construction walk-through and general reunion:

alumni, students, teachers, neighbors, DC history buffs.

Donations accepted to help cover expenses. Contact: cardozohigh2011@gmail.com”

Back in July ’11 we learned that Meridian Public Charter school would be moving into the old Harrison School at 13th and V St, NW. They got their financing – from a press release:

“The historic Harrison School building has become the next development in Washington, D.C.’s dynamic U Street neighborhood. A $15.5 million renovation adds 12,000 square feet to the existing 49,000 square foot structure to serve hundreds of families and 530 children from early childhood through eighth grade at Meridian Public Charter School.

Meridian Chairman Ron Ridker explained the school’s commitment to the U Street area. “The Manhattan Laundry building has served us very well since our inception twelve years ago. We could have found a good permanent home for Meridian in other parts of the city, but waited until an appropriate building close to our current location came along, so we could continue serving the community we grew up with. The Manhattan Laundry space will soon be available for other uses.”

Primary funding for Meridian’s new home was provided through TRF’s Chase New Markets Tax Credit Charter School Fund, created in partnership with The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) and Chase. A fifty-year lease signed with the District of Columbia, construction began this week at 13th and V Streets, N.W. for completion in August of 2012.

In addition to its premier financing partners, Meridian has assembled a top team: Forrester Construction, Bowie Gridley Architects, Building Hope, and Brailsford & Dunlavey.”

Current alley view

What do you think of the addition renderings? You can see how the property looks now from the front here.

Alley view

Alley view

From an email:

“The U Street Neighborhood Association’s Education Committee invites you to attend the final screening of the 2011 U Street Movie Series with Waiting for Superman on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson Jr. High School, 2001 10th Street, NW.

As seating is limited, FREE registration is required to attend.

The screening of the movie will  be followed by an engaging panel discussion about the education of the District’s children, a pressing community issue.  Doors open at 12:00 pm (12:15-2:00 pm screening; 2:15-3:30 pm panel conversation).  A networking reception at Duffy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2106 Vermont Avenue, will begin immediately after the conclusion of the panel discussion.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Jackie Gran and Education policy expert, and neighborhood resident. Confirmed panelists include:

• Jason Kamras: DCPS Chief of Human Capital, featured in the film, and neighborhood resident.
• Evelyn Boyd Simmons: ANC 2F Education Committee Chair, and parent of two Garrison Elementary students.
• Reuben Jacobson: Senior Associate for Research & Strategy for the Coalition for Community Schools, former DC Teaching Fellow, and DCPS parent.
• Patrick Mara: Ward 1 DC State Board of Education Representative.
• Robinette Breedlove: Principal, Meridian Charter School.
• Kerry Sylvia: Teacher, Cardozo High School.
• Ann McLeod: Garrison Elementary PTA President, and parent.

There is a suggested $5 cash donation at the door.”

Urban Turf speculates:

“3047 15th Street NW is particularly intriguing because it is zoned as R-5-B. Such zoning means the building could be used for residential purposes and that a developer could convert the building into a condo project.”

It’s yours for $8,950,000.

We judged the building back in Oct. ’08.

I’m also quite curious what will happen to the school? Will they combine with the uppers school campus? Whenever we’ve spoken about the school in the past – parents have been very happy with them. You can learn more about Capital City Public Charter School here.

Anyone have the inside scoop on why they are selling?

Ed. Note: This sale follows the July news of Maya Angelou Public Charter School sale at 9th and T St, NW for $9,500,000.

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Eat More Salad Flyer

“Participating schools: Eastern High School, H.D. Woodson High School, Ellington School of the Arts, Ballou High School, Columbia Heights Education Campus, Wilson High School, Phelps Architecture, Construction & Engineering High School, Banneker High School, Coolidge High School, and McKinley Tech High School.”

Thanks to some folks from Meridian PCS for sending some info about the school at 2120 13th St, NW:

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Quick Facts about Meridian PCS…
Meridian has been renting a converted factory building at 1328 Florida Avenue, NW for 10 years
• Meridian PCS has an enrollment of 550 students ranging from early childhood to 8th grade
• Meridian PCS anticipates moving into its new facility by August of 2012
• This project is a $15M investment that includes a 49,000 SF renovation along with a 12,000 SF addition

Meridian PCS ANC Handout (7-Jul-2011)

I’m told the deal should be finalized tomorrow and that renovations would be starting as soon as possible.

Meridian PCS “will continue to operate at the Florida Avenue site [1328 Florida Avenue, NW] until the renovation/addition is complete which is expected Summer 2012. Other public charter schools in DC continue to also grow and search for affordable space. It is likely that another public charter school will lease the Florida Avenue site after Meridian leaves.”

Regarding the current tenant:

“The Children’s Studio School relinquished their charter with the DC Public Charter School Board in June 2010 announcing plans to continue as a private school. Since then they have known that they would not be able to continue operating from the public property of Harrison Elementary. The Mayor’s office has been trying to help them with this transition.”

“Dear PoP,

We are the largest school gardening program in the city right now and one of only two “farms” alongside Common Good City Farm. The project blog may be found at wjfarm.org.

The first photo is a shot from the back of the farm where you can see our school in the center. New building. Lots of glass.

The second photo is of Jeff Miller of DC Honeybees showing the kids what one of our two hives on the farm is up to. We have a hive of Russian bees and a hive of Italian. The Italians are very lively and excitable.

The third photo is of our perennial herb bed.”

Sounds and looks awesome:

Design: The Farm is located ten blocks north of the U.S. Capitol and is across L Street from the school [1125 New Jersey Ave. NW]. The Farm contains four large production-scale beds for greens and vegetables just south of a small orchard of figs, paw paws and persimmons surrounding an outdoor classroom. A large sections of herbs and flowers for school-made products lines the west side of the garden, while the east side contains a small greenhouse, shipping container tool shed, outdoor pizza oven, and raspberry patch.

Action Plan: The following plan outlines possible next steps to make the vision of Walker Jones Farm a reality:

Summer 2010: Establish Farm. Plant beds, set up utilities and create orchard and outdoor classroom
Fall 2010: Integrate farm into Kindergarten curriculum and hold Fall farm celebration
Spring 2011: Plant spring garden with input from Walker Jones community and neighborhood
2011-2012: Work on integration into school cafeteria and curriculum, including product development
2012-2013: Begin selling products, serving food from farm weekly at school and share practices

In Feb. we had a discussion about schools in PoPville and I was (happily) surprised to hear many positive recommendations. Just a few years ago if I spoke to people who had young children or were planning on having them about 95% said they would move out of DC when it was time to send their kids to school. So I’d like to revisit that question to see if sentiments have changed over the years.

For the Friday Question of the Day – very simply – will you (do you) send your children to school in DC? If yes, will you/do you send them to public school, charter school or private school?

I’ve also heard that it is common to send your children to elementary school in DC but then move when they reach middle school or high school age – do you plan on sending your children to school in DC through high school?

“Dear PoPville,

I am a Petworth resident with a 1.5 year old. I read the post from Feb 14 about schools in PoPville with considerable interest. It seems like there are more decent options for public and charter schools nearby than I had originally thought. However, I am interested in starting my son in a preschool program at 2.5 years and it looks like the public/charter school options only start at 3 years. I’d love for some more input from PoPville on nearby preschool options for 2.5 year olds. What schools do people like? How expensive are the programs? How is the transition from a private preschool to public/charter schools?”