Dear SWWFS Community,

While we know COVID and student safety are top of mind for everyone right now, we did want to take a moment before the holiday break to share an update with you all regarding our school renovation and to announce an exciting opportunity for teacher and parent involvement in the process. 

DCPS is still in the early planning stages of our school renovation and there is still a great deal for us to learn as we embark on this process. It is our hope that DCPS will have more detailed information and guidance so that planning can accelerate when we return in the new year. There will be a General HSA Meeting on Thursday 06 January 2022 @ 7pm  via Zoom. More information will be shared at that time and in the meantime we invite you to Please submit your questions here. This project will require the best collective thinking, collaboration, and grace our community has to offer. 

Here are some of the highlights of what we know now.

• The renovation will take place during school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.  

• During this two-year period, all students across all grades will move to our Swing Space at the Old Banneker High School at the corner of 9th St NW & Euclid St NW (see below map)

• There will be renovations to the Swing Space before the 2022-2023 school year to ensure it is appropriate for our student body.  As a former high school, adjustments are specifially being made for our younger students.

• There will be transportation (school buses) provided for students from our current campus to the Swing Space during the renovations.

• Per DCPS, we are on track to return to our new building for the 2024-2025 school year.

• DCPS plans to hold its first meeting with our school community in January.  More details to come when we have them.

• All grades, PK3-8th, will be attending the Swing Space for the full two years, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

Communication Plan

The Administration, HSA, and LSAT are working together to develop a communications plan to ensure that the community has the information we receive from DCPS in a timely manner.  We will set up an easy to access website, including a Frequently Asked Questions section, and will send out monthly communications via MailChimp, TigerPride, and teacher newsletters.  

We know there will be a lot of questions about the Swing Space and the plans for the renovated building and we will do our best to collect and share information.  We also know that folks have lots of ideas and concerns.  Questions and comments can be sent to sit@swwfs.org.
 

School Improvement Team (SIT) - ****SOLICITING VOLUNTEERS****

One very important way to be involved in the renovation process is through the School Improvement Team or SIT.  A SIT is established at every school where a project, like our renovation, is scheduled.  The SIT will provide feedback on the design and plans, and will be responsible for sharing information about the progress of the school improvement to the school community.

The SIT will be made up of our administration, teacher and staff representatives, parent representatives, a student representative, and community representatives.  We are looking for volunteers.  This is not a commitment to take lightly.  SIT members are expected to continue through the end of construction (in 2024) and be available to receive updates, and consult on issues that arise during construction.  We anticipate SIT meetings every 6-8 weeks, with other related meetings in between.

If you are a parent that is interested in joining the SIT or you want to nominate another parent for consideration, please use the SIT online form.  If you are a teacher that is interested, please reach out to Ms. Gleeson Young.  We are asking for parent nominations by January 7.  We want the SIT membership to represent all school programs (ECE, Elementary, and Middle School), and to provide diverse perspectives across demographics and wards.

Additional information about the SIT can be found on our school's website or this link: https://sites.google.com/a/dc.gov/dcps-school-modernizations/about-our-organization 

Do not worry - if you are not able to serve on the SIT - our SIT members will serve as liaisons to the community and be a voice for the school.  This will be a busy – and at times challenging – transition for the school community, but we are excited to take advantage of the amenities at the Swing Space for the next two years and to return to a beautifully renovated SWWFS for the 2024-2025 school year!

The Swing Space located in Old Banneker High School at the corner of 9th St NW & Euclid St NW: