Principal's Message May 15-19

Dear Families,

There a few events that the cluster goes BIG on: the auction, the "I Have a Dream" event for 5th graders, and the Capitol Hill Classic. Despite the hype that caregivers and staff shared with me, I was still blown away by the event last year. And it's time to get excited for one of the high points of our community's year. The Classic is coming!

The Capitol Hill Classic is coming up on May 21. Race Day is always a highlight of the year for our community. It's also a great chance to support our school. The Classic Pledge Drive, organized by the Cluster PTA, raises vital resources for programming like FoodPrints, uniforms for our sports teams, classroom support and supplies, and community events like the Cluster Cup Scavenger Hunt.

Here's how you and your PANTHER can be involved:

• Participate in the Pledge Drive. Each student has their own dedicated pledge drive page. The information has been emailed to you, but you can also go to chc.pledge.page, type in your child's name and their page information will be sent to you. Any student earning 5 or more pledges are entered into a lottery for fabulous prizes like a popsicle or pizza party. You do NOT need to run to participate in the pledge drive!
  
  
• Register for the Race. You can register to run in the Classic here. Raising $50 in the pledge drive earns a free registration - so try to do that first.
  
  
• Volunteer. We still need help in the week leading up to race day, and the day itself. It is energizing to be out there on race day with other members of the Cluster community! Sign up to volunteer here.

For questions about the races, email the Classic Race Team at info@capitolhillclassic.com. For questions about the Pledge Drive, email pledges@capitolhillclassic.com

Last night's event was full of history and community. I want to congratulate our team on an incredible evening. We will share the recording of the event for those who weren't able to attend.

We heard about why the cluster was first formed in the 1980s, and how the community has engaged with issues of race, class, and equity. Our equity team members also shared why their experience in our dialogue groups were so moving for them. Finally, Ayo Magwood launched her series on structural racism. In was a moving journey from past, present, and the future of equity at the cluster. There is much more to come. Stay tuned!

Link to our cluster calendar!

Quick look ahead:

Watkins’ GOTR team has ended another great season! The girls ran their season ending 5K Sunday morning. And their bake sale Tuesday raised a whopping $552 for a small local non-profit animal rescue called The Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW). Thanks to all who supported our amazing girls this season!

- Coaches Kraemer, Mackie, Langley, Christine, Sarah, and Sullivan

Please join us to dedicate the garden at Watkins Elementary School in memory of our dear friend and colleague Barbara Percival. We will gather to share memories of Barbara, dedicate a piece of garden art in her name, and share some of her favorite FoodPrints recipes.

Our teachers, staff and leadership are already planning for next year, and you can help us prepare by completing re-enrollment for your child by May 1st. Thank you to all of the families who have already completed re-enrollment. If you haven’t, please visit https://enrolldcps.dc.gov to do so. Hard copies of enrollment forms will also be available in the main offices. In addition to the enrollment form, to complete enrollment, you will also need to submit your proof of residency document(s) per the instructions included in the enrollment packet and available at https://enrolldcps.dc.gov.

We are doing great with our enrollment, but not yet at 100%. Help us hit our target of 90% enrolled by June 1 by taking action now!

Calling all almost-first graders! Join the Watkins 1st grade team at the Watkins playground on May 25 at 3:30 to start building relationships for next year!

Come on out to cheer on our Panther kickers!

• 5-15 4pm at Watkins vs. Ludlow Taylor
• 5-19 4pm at Watkins vs. Payne
• 5-22 4pm (at Ballou) Watkins vs. Hendley
• 5-25 4pm at Watkins vs. Whittier
• 6-2 4pm at Watkins vs. Sheppard
• 6-5 4pm (at Savoy) Watkins vs. Savoy

Would you like to join your child's class in our gardens? Up to 4 caregivers can join each class on Wednesdays (Watkins only) and Fridays. Please sign up for your child's class only.

Peabody sign-ups

For the Watkins schedule, the 1st-3rd grade classes will go in the afternoon, so look for your child's afternoon teacher, not homeroom teacher on this schedule.

Waktins sign-ups

Email addresses are often entered into our systems with mistakes. If someone you know (partner, friend, neighbor) isn't getting school communication please have them email their names, their child's name, email addresses and phone numbers and any other information to either PeabodyESEnroll@k12.dc.gov or WatkinsESEnroll@k12.dc.gov. Our team will correct the errors asap.

If you somehow are unsubscribed from Blackboard, please email your appropriate school inbox above and Adia.Howard-Stroud@k12.dc.gov who will fix the issue on Blackboard.

Field Trips have resumed and we welcome parents to join as chaperones. Parents who would to volunteer/ chaperone on an ongoing basis, must complete the DCPS Clearance process beforehand. Upon receipt, clearance letters should be emailed to tanisha.montgomery@k12.dc.gov.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be granted to the DCPS Clearance process in the following situations:

1. You are volunteering for a one-time, on-campus event, like Career Day or Field Day. Please email the Clearance Team at dcps.clearance@k12.dc.gov to confirm whether you qualify for a clearance exception.
2. You are a potential volunteer with an active secret or top-secret federal security clearance. Individuals in this group should complete the Federal Security Clearance Verification letter in lieu of being fingerprinted with DCPS. The original signed verification form and a copy of a state issued photo ID to dcps.clearance@k12.dc.gov