Congratulations to Class of 2024! We are so proud of each and every one of you and can’t wait to see what you do next! 🐧❤️

Our new family orientation was last week and incoming families were upset to learn SWWHS will lose our theater arts and Chinese language programs. Many enrolled with these programs in mind. A few found us with this message for @ChmnMendelson @councilofdc

Congratulations to @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @RobertWhite_DC on your primary win! SWWHS families, students, alumni and neighbors in #Ward4 look forward to your support in restoring the theater arts and Chinese language teacher positions. #SaveOurTeachers cc @ChmnMendelson @councilofdc

SWWHS Students and Alumni credit their HS theater arts and Chinese language teachers for contributing to their academic and professional successes. @ChmnMendelson @CMBrookePinto @Janeese4DC @RobertWhite_DC @charlesallen @MatthewFrumin - #SaveOurTeachers

SWWHS parents, students and Alumni family in #Ward3 ask @ChmnMendelson @MatthewFrumin @CMBrookePinto @Janeese4DC @RobertWhite_DC @chenderson @AnitaBondsDC @kenyanmcduffie
to save our theater arts & Chinese Language programs. @councilofdc #SaveOurTeachers

#Ward6 is well represented within the SWWHS community. Parents, students and the Alumni family ask neighbors @ChmnMendelson @charlesallen CMs @CMBrookePinto @Janeese4DC @RobertWhite_DC @chenderson @AnitaBondsDC @kenyanmcduffie to save our theater arts & Chinese Language programs.

Alumni and their families make up an important part of the SWWHS community, and live throughout the city (& beyond!). They ask @ChmnMendelson @brookepintodc @Janeese4DC @CMRobertWhiteDC and @councilofdc to save the theater arts program & Chinese language. forms.gle/Rn5tHwinzAjrLU…

#Ward7 community members are signing on to save the theater arts and Chinese language teacher positions at SWWHS. Here is what some of them want @ChmnMendelson @mayorvincegray @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @brookepintodc @CMLewisGeorgeW4 to know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

#Ward5 community members are signing on to save the theater arts and Chinese language teacher positions at SWWHS. Here is what some of them want @ChmnMendelson @CMZParker5 @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @brookepintodc @CMLewisGeorgeW4 to know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

#Ward1 community members are signing on to save the theater arts and Chinese language teacher positions at SWWHS. Here is what some of them want @ChmnMendelson @BrianneKNadeau @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @brookepintodc @CMLewisGeorgeW4 to know.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

On this Primary Election day, #Ward4 SWWHS students ask @ChmnMendelson @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @brookepintodc @CMRobertWhiteDC and @councilofdc to fully fund the theater arts and Chinese language positions. Help #SaveOurTeachers

On this Primary Election Day, SWWHS students have a lot to say: #Ward3 students ask @ChmnMendelson @CMBrookePinto @MatthewFrumin @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMLewisGeorgeW4 and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

SWWHS students have a lot to say: #Ward2 students Hugo and Sonia, #Ward6 student Tillie ask @ChmnMendelson @CMBrookePinto @charlesallen @CMLewisGeorgeW4 and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward2 Parents Buwon and Caroline, and student Sonia ask @ChmnMendelson @CMBrookePinto
@CMLewisGeorgeW4 @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @AnitaBondsDC @CM_McDuffie and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward6 parents Alexander, Cary, Christy and Sandra ask @ChmnMendelson @charlesallen @CMBrookePinto @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @AnitaBondsDC and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward5 parents Clifton, Jason, Lelia and Zoe ask @ChmnMendelson @CMZParker5 @CM_McDuffie @CMBrookePinto @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @chenderson
@CMRobertWhiteDC @AnitaBondsDC
and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward4 alumni parent Kate, and current parents Dana, David, and Dylana ask @ChmnMendelson @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @chenderson @CMRobertWhiteDC @CM_McDuffie @AnitaBondsDC and @councilofdc
to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward3 parents Christine, Cristina, Cynthia, and Class of 1998 Alumnus Elvia ask @ChmnMendelson @matthewfrumin and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

#Ward1 parents Alan, Jocelyn, Lila and Lisa ask @ChmnMendelson and @councilofdc to restore the theatre arts and Chinese language positions in SY25. Please help #saveourteachers.

.@ChmnMendelson @RobertWhite_DC @AnitaBondsDC @kenyanmcduffie @charlesallen @brookepintodc @CMFrumin @Janeese4DC - Without your action, SWWHS families will lose access to the theatre arts program. This essential part of the high school experience, gone. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Before Spring Break, our families continued to meet w CMs & their staff. Thank you, @charlesallen for your support towards restoring our teacher positions in FY25, & thank you to @CMBrookePinto's staff for meeting w us. We look forward to your support to #fullyfundpublicschools.

Parent Lawrence Rawlings makes an impassioned plea to Council. "Why should these teachers suffer?" "I care, I have a child, I am a parent. I am here. I need the Council to be here." #FullyFundPublicSchools

Parent David Klevan: "Engaging in the performing arts provides students w the opportunity 2 explore their emotions, develop creativity and empathy, & 2 connect w others." [At Walls] "Losing these two positions will have a devastating effect on students’ learning and motivation."

Parent Caroline Pessey has students in 3 schools, all of which are growing in enrollment, all of which are sustaining staffing cuts. She implores @ChmnMendelson & Councilmembers 2 uphold the #SchoolsFirstinBudgeting law. The Mayor wants 2 repeal this law that protects our schools

HSA & LSAT Rep @DCChristy has a simple message. "Save our teachers...The Council should fund all DCPS schools so they can maintain current staffing levels. This is not only the right thing to do, it is the commitment that this Council made when setting its own budget rules."

HSA Presidnt @sandramoscoso: educators are doing their part [so] students want 2 come 2 school.. students are doing their part...working hard, & contributing.. families are doing their part in supporting students and teachers.. Please do your part & [ensure] DCPS upholds the law.

LSAT Chair Dana Springer: "It is imperative that the DC Council enforce the law, which the Mayor is violating with the current budget scenario...Council must find the funds necessary to enable School Without Walls High School—and all schools to retain their current positions"

Parent John Daggett: If the Walls Chinese teacher is position is cut "no student at Walls will be able to take or continue to take Chinese language. This will be devastating as Walls students prepare to engage globally." #FullyFundPublicSchools

DCPS students are supporting each other and advocating for each others' schools. This panel is made up of SWWHS and @DukeEllingtonDC students coming together to argue for protecting teachers.

Hugo Rosen: The Mayor has failed to adequately support education. It is this Council's responsibility to follow the law. Cutting hundreds of teaching positions will harm students. The students of DCPS will not stand for this. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Camille: Feels fortunate to attend a school that prioritizes students. Investment in our public education system is an investment in the future of the District.

Carlotta Rother: I can’t believe that I am standing here before you asking to have a nurse in my school 5 days a week... I have personally experienced the challenges and risks associated with limited access to nurses during school hours.

Claire Campbell: "I have taken Chinese since the 8th grade... I plan to continue...next year and take AP Chinese, but that wouldn't be possible with the proposed budget cuts. It also impacts the continuity of my studies to be able to continue Chinese in college."

Gwen Morris: Every single school save a few in the District is losing buying power in this year's budget. Imagine how much damage cutting our teachers does to school education abilities and student morale. Also advocates for Green New Deal. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Maia Riggs: These cuts in funding further exacerbate inequality in communities already struggling. Cutting funding for education is not just a reduction in spending, it is a divestment in our future.

Dahlia Anderson: advocates for fellow schools who are losing teachers due to the inadequate buying power in this year's budget for schools. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Evie: All students should have their healthcare needs met - the nursing cluster model is not addressing them.

Nicola Lauren: "I understand that finding solutions is difficult as every department in DC is receiving budget cuts. Despite this, the education of students should be the top priority of the council. We are the future of DC and the nation as a whole." #FullyFundPublicSchools

Matthew Weitzner brings the data in advocating for fully funding our schools. The current budget cuts buying power by 9%. "Imagine a school with 10% fewer teachers, custodians, etc." Warns of the impact to the next generation when resources are taken away. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Niamh O'Donovan is a leader in many clubs and is aware of the current gaps in resources. "How are those of us who rely on departments (like foreign language and theatre) deemed 'expendable' succeed"?

Blake Saddler says the foreign language department fosters cultural understanding. Theatre fosters a sense of community. These educational opportunities nurture the "whole child". Urges decision makes to reconsider the cuts.

Sabrina Rawlings, a freshman initially struggled to connect. Joining the drama club changed everything for her. Cutting the drama department would harm students and weaken the very sense of community schools strive to nourish.

Zoe Fisher is here to stand with all of the students advocating for fulling funding. Teachers are the lifeline of the schools and her teachers have inspired her advocacy for protecting the climate. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Avajane Lei worries that should the Chinese language program be cut, this will leave dozens of students who are pursuing this language without the opportunity to study it in HS. Also a theatre kid, 'begs' DC Council 'to reconsider the cuts'.

Jett Morad-McCoy shares how the connection he formed as a freshman with the theatre teacher, which has helped him connect with a broader community of friends. The insufficient budget will rob students of this need place for belonging. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Addis Getachew shares how being part of the theatre arts program has given her a sense of community. This community is at risk should the teacher's position be cut. She also fears cuts to the language program and impact on her education. #FullyFundPublicSchools

Brady Woodhouse (while preparing for tonight's opening night of RENT!) is a diabetic and advocates for investments in health!

Anna Mayer: "the needs of DC schools are being neglected by the District." cc @ChmnMendelson

We're so proud of the 40+ SWWHS students and parents who signed up to testify today to save their teachers (a taste below - full list in link)! 👇🏿👇🏽👇🏾
lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/heari… #FullyFundPublicSchools

Last week, SWWHS families met w @ZacharyforWard5 @ChmnMendelson staff to raise concerns re cuts to teaching positions in SY25. Thank you.
Tomorrow, @councilofdc will hear from 40+ students & parents. We look forward to DC Council upholding #SchoolsFirst & making our school whole.