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Dear Neighbor,
Earlier this week, you may have seen a video I created showing where some of the National Guard troops were deployed in DC. While I did it, in part, to show people around the country how completely unnecessary it was for six Governors to send their troops here, I also did it out of frustration with how commonplace it has become for our military to be used as props. Not for efforts of recruitment, but just pure partisan politics. Over the past two weeks, I keep thinking of something Senator Ted Kennedy said nearly twenty years ago during his speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention: “…young Americans in uniform must never be committed to a mistake, but always for a mission worthy of their bravery.”
As the daughter of a army veteran, I find myself wondering, is this deployment in DC a worthy mission? DC residents and those who work in our neighborhoods know that it’s not; I appreciate how many of you have stepped up to support your communities and combat the narrative that military intervention is the way to keep us safe.
As the majority of our students head back to school next week, I’m calling on you to keep showing up for the community. If you have young kids like I do, the heightened presence of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops has likely caused a bevy of new questions coming your way. And for some of our young people and their families, it has heightened their anxiety and fear about the start of the new school year. One way you can help us next week is to join neighbors across all 8 Wards on Monday, August 25, to clap our kids back to school and surround them with encouragement and positive energy as they head into the building for the day.
From 7:45am to 9:00am, the Mayor, Councilmembers, ANCs, PTA/PTOs, and community members will be out. If you have a school in your neighborhood and are interested here’s the link to sign-up:s.dc.gov/Clapthemback.
The first day of school should be one of joy, celebration, and trying to get at least one good first-day photo. Several trusted community organizations are also organizing community members to help ensure safe passage for our students next week. Plug in where you can and let’s show up for our kids!
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
The start of the 2025-2026 school year for most District students is Monday, August 25, and you can view the calendar for the full year,here. Charter school students will return to class at various dates, and you can find out more information on when your public charter school opens for the 2025-2026 school year, here.
Starting this school year, DCPS schools have implemented a ban on cell phones during the school day. If a cell phone or personal electronic communication device is brought to school, it must be turned off and stored during the bell-to-bell school day while on DCPS school grounds. You can read the full policy, here.
Mayor Bowser’s 2025 Back to School Guide includes tons of information to keep you updated on your education leaders, vaccination standards, DCPS’ attendance policy, out of school time activities and more.
The District Department of Transportation's (DDOT) School Crossing Guards aid in protecting students as they walk, bike, or take transit to school. Stay up to date with the list of schools and intersections covered by the DDOT's School Crossing Guards by viewing this interactive map.
You can find a list of Back-to-School events throughout the District below.
Ward 5 EECC Back to School Giveaway
Join the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee for their 6th Annual Back to School Supplies Giveaway on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Noyes Elementary School, 2725 10thStreet NE.
MTPD’s Back-to-School Bash
Mark your calendar for Metro Transit Police Department’s (MTPD) annual back-to-school bash on Saturday, August 23, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Come grab some FREE school supplies, haircuts, and more to make sure the students in your life are set up for success.
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library Back-to-School Uniform Swap
Have your kids outgrown their school clothes? Are they switching to a new school with a new uniform? Come to the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE) for their Back-to-School Uniform Swap on Saturday, August 23, from 2:30pm to 5:30pm to prepare for the new school year in style. Please bring any lightly used school uniforms to the library. All clothing should be clean and free of serious wear and tear. Clothing should be sized to fit students aged 3-16 years old. Accepted items include khaki pants, school shirts, belts, and school shoes, and leftover clothing will be donated to the PTA of the appropriate school.
While at the branch, get ready for the new school year by signing up your child for a Library card and registering for Beyond the Book!
For questions or more information contact Lamond-Riggs Library at202-541-6351 or lamondriggslibrary@dc.gov
Southwest Neighborhood Library Back-to-School Celebration
Celebrate the new school year at the library with crafts, snacks, and giveaways! Join your friends of the Southwest Neighborhood Library (900 Wesley Pl SW) on Monday, August 25 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the children's room to celebrate the new school year and enjoy crafts, snacks, and giveaways.
Cardozo Education Campus Health Center Visit
On Thursday, August 7, Councilmember Henderson visited the Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus to meet with DC Health to discuss school-based health centers and the status of the District's school nurse program transition ahead of the first day of school.
Champions Academy
Also on Thursday, August 7, Councilmember Henderson joined the inaugural Champions Academy, a weeklong free basketball and leadership immersion program for 24 high school girls presented by the Washington Mystics and the 318 Foundation. The 318 Foundation was founded by Mystics alum and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member Alana Beard.
ABC News with Jay O’Brien
On Monday, August 11, Councilmember Henderson joined Jay O’Brien on ABC News Live to discuss better and more beneficial methods that the District's federal partners could take to aid the District. Nominating and confirming judges for the DC Superior Court (who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate) would decrease the current 21% vacancy and allow for criminal cases to move forward with increased speed.
CNN’s This Morning with Audie Cornish
The next day, on Tuesday, August 12, Councilmember Henderson joined CNN’s This Morning with Audie Cornish to discuss public safety in the District. She emphasized that the District has always had a unique partnership between the local and federal government, and that here in the District we do not have the autonomy to pick our judges or prosecutors. There is a federal agency in charge of monitoring those charged with a crime who have been released pretrial that directly affects the District.
Forest Hills of DC
On Thursday, August 14, Health Policy Advisor Rebecca Cooper and Legislative Assistant Ashley Strange visited Forest Hills of DC, the oldest senior living facility in the District. The facility offers assisted living, memory care, health care, nursing, and both in-and-out patient rehab. Discussions during the visit ranged from the need to support the health care workforce and seniors living in the District, challenges nursing homes are facing, and opportunities for improvements. They are pictured above with Tina Sandri, president of Forest Hills of DC.
Sunrise on the Hill
The next day, on Friday, August 15, Councilmember Henderson joined DC News Now’s Sunrise on the Hill where she shared updates on the District’s response to the federal officers and national guard members who were deployed to the District.
Enjoying Chuck Brown Day
On Sunday, August 17, Councilmember Henderson joined fellow DC residents at the 11th annual Chuck Brown Day at Fort Dupont Park hosted by DCPR. Chuck Brown Day commemorates the life, legacy and music of DC legend - the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown.
Volunteering at Food & Friends
On Wednesday, August 20, Councilmember Henderson and her staff spent the day packaging meals at Food & Friends DC. Food & Friends DC is a community based organization that delivers medically tailored meals to over 6,172 square miles of the Washington Metropolitan Area. All meals and services are free-of-charge to clients, their dependents, and caregivers. The Committee on Health aids in the operations of Food & Friends by supporting funding for their program through a DC Health grant.
Howard University Hospital Health Summit and Open House
On Friday, August 22, Councilmember Henderson welcomed participants to the Howard University Hospital Health Summit and Open House. Physicians presented on topics such as pediatric vision screening and the importance of diversity in clinical research. The Open House continues Saturday, August 23, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at 2041 Georgia Ave NW.
West Porch Fridays
Union Station is proud to introduce West Porch Fridays, taking placeevery Friday this summer (June 27th – September 26th) from11:30am – 3:30pm. West Porch Fridays is a curated farmer’s market, featuring local makers and growers, a variety of music and more! Each week will bring something new and different to this historic venue.
Hillcrest Neighborhood Walking Tour
Join the DC History Center with neighborhood expert, historian and 29 year, Ward 7 resident Jim Byers to learn about the history of this lesser-known neighborhood!
Learn about the history of the neighborhood, who lives there, and the access and transportation inequities which make Hillcrest feel "remote" to those west of the river. This tour is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Our priority audience is Hillcrest residents, both new and longtime neighbors, but we welcome all guests. The tour takes place on September 6 from 10:30am to 12:30pm, participants will meet at 32nd Street Southeast & Camden Street SE.
You can RSVP for this event, here. Registration is free but required to participate.
2025 Late Skate
Come get your skate on! Join APACC, Friends of Anacostia Park, the LinkUP DC and the National Park Service for a day of music, recreation and kinship in DC's most storied skating venue. Saturdays from 4:00pm to 10:00pm at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion (1500 Anacostia Drive). Free skate rentals!
Dates
Art All Night
September 12 – 13, DC Collaborative presents Art All Night in partnership with multiple neighborhoods throughout the District. Bring your entire family to experience interactive crafts and activities, live performances, and shop directly from local artists. From kids to grandparents, everyone will find something to love and something to learn from the creative changemakers that shape our community! Find a list of participating main streets and partner locations, here
2025 Songbird Art Contest
The 2025 Songbird Art Contest invites young artists to celebrate the beauty and wonder of North America's songbirds. Open to all K-12 students, this annual competition encourages creativity and conservation by spotlighting some of the continent’s most captivating – and threatened – bird species. This year’s featured species includes Black-and-white Warbler, Pinyon Jay, Purple Finch, Varied Bunting, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Visit this link to learn more about the contest and how to submit entries by the deadline ofNovember 30.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
The District’s Air Quality Trends
Last month, the District published an interactive website (StoryMap) with air quality trends from 1996 to 2024. It includes summary information about the District’s status meeting air quality standards and lots of charts and data related to air quality. Check it out here and see what’s ahead in the District’s 2025 Annual Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan.
Student Loan Support, Counseling and Resources
The Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman (OSLO) will be hosting drop-in hours for residents throughout the summer. The remaining session is on Tuesday, September 9, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking headquarters (1050 First St NE, Suite 801). The Office of the Student Loan Ombudsman recently recorded a webinar addressing loan default and delinquency which can be viewed, here.
Veteran Affairs, Resource Symposium
The Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs invites you to join their monthlyVeterans Resource Symposium—a space for DC veterans to connect, share experiences, and explore available resources. Sessions highlight key programs and services offered by the Veteran Affairs office to ensure veterans across the District stay informed, supported, and empowered. Event takes place on the last Thursday of every month at the Marion Barry Building (441 4th St NW) from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
You can visit us online at christinahendersondc.com. Or stay connected by following Councilmember Christina Henderson on her socials.
Website: christinahendersondc.com
Twitter (X): @CMCHenderson
Instagram: @christinahendersondc
Facebook: @christinahendersondc
Bluesky: @cmchenderson.bsky.social