FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 29, 2012
OSSE Contact: Ayan Islam (202) 316-1841; [email protected]
(Washington, D.C.) – The District of Columbia’s Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee kicked off Inclusive Schools Week 2012 today with a preview event at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives.
Inclusive Schools Week, celebrated from December 3-7, 2012, is a week dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the District’s efforts to provide support and quality education to all students, including those challenged by disability, gender, poverty, ethnicity, geography, and language.
“The District of Columbia is committed to creating a classroom culture where all students receive a high-quality education,” said State Superintendent of Education Hosanna Mahaley Jones. “Inclusion is more than a seat in a classroom and it is important that we provide opportunities for educators and parents to learn how to create classrooms that embrace every child regardless of their background.”
The District’s 2012 Inclusive Schools Week features a series of events aimed at empowering the education community with the skills, tools, and resources necessary to implement inclusive practices. Events include a film screening and panel discussion, workshops, and a spoken word event designed to facilitate a conversation centered on inclusion in District schools.
“This year’s celebration will not only highlight the District’s progress toward creating inclusive classrooms, but will also facilitate a dialogue of future efforts required to successfully educate all District students,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Leonard. “I am pleased that stakeholders have come together to host a celebration emphasizing the various aspects of inclusion.”
For the first time ever, the District will additionally host an Inclusive Schools Capstone Event on February 4, 2013, a one-day summit building upon this year’s theme “Awareness to Action.” The Capstone Event will feature top education experts including Daniel Habib, the award-winning filmmaker of Including Samuel. The Capstone Event will also allow teachers, administrators, and parents to participate in workshops and trainings aimed at providing innovative solutions to current challenges.
The District’s 2012 Inclusive Schools Week includes the following activities:
December 3 – Reaching all Students with Effective Inclusive Practices
9:00-11:00am – OSSE - 810 First Street, NE – 3rd Floor (Grand Hall) Washington, DC 20002
December 3 – Inclusive Schools Week Film Screening & Discussion of Including Samuel
5:30-7:30PM – Advocates for Justice and Education -4201 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC
December 7 – Inclusive Schools Week Spoken Word Event
5:30-7:30PM – Advocates for Justice and Education - 4201 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC
February 4, 2013 – Inclusive Schools Week Capstone Event
8:00AM-3:00PM – The Marvin Center, George Washington University – 800 21st Street, NW
The workshops and interactive sessions are lead by top education professionals in the District, and are all free and open to the public. Free Lunch will be provided. The public can register at: http://www.cvent.com/d/fcqxxd/4W
Learn more about Inclusive Schools Week at: www.osse.inclusiveschoolsweekdc.org or call (202) 741-0271.
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For more information about OSSE, go to: www.osse.dc.gov; www.twitter.com/OSSEDC; www.facebook.com/OSSEDC
