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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

One City Youth's on Facebook!

There's more than one way to follow what's going on with and on behalf of children and youth in the District. One City Youth's on Facebook!

Not on Facebook? Follow OCY on Twitter, @OneCityYouth.

Tweet of the day (8/27/14)

What? Teens of Distinction is hiring? Sign me up!

DC Public Library's Teens of Distinction program is a

year-round employment program for D.C. teens. Teens of Distinction are expected to be leaders in the library and among their peers.

The application deadline is September 12 so tell teens TODAY about this terrific leadership and employment opportunity!

Monday, August 25, 2014

National Book Festival's schedule

The National Book Festival is jam-packed full of fun stuff for kids and teens. One example is the schedule―full of author events. Events for children and teens take place throughout the day (Saturday, August 30).

To make the festival even more accessible, the Library of Congress has created a webpage for Kids and Teachers. This online resource allows users to search by author, color bookmarks (past and present), participate in the Eye Spy activity for this year's festival poster, and much more.

New feature: Child- and youth-related items from The Funding Alert

Starting this week, OCY will feature highlights from the Office of Partnerships and Grant Services' The Funding Alert. According to the OPGS website,
The Funding Alert is a weekly electronic bulletin produced by the Office of Partnerships and Grant Services that highlights competitive grant opportunities and related resource announcements for eligible community, faith-based, and 501 (c) (3) nonprofits organizations, as well as local government agencies.

Highlights from the August 25 (PDF) edition are:

  • Social Services Community Grants (OAPIA)
  • Preschool Development Grants: Expansion Grants (DOE)
  • Education K-12 Field Trips
OPGS is a proud OCY partner.

It's easy and free to sign up to receive The Funding Alert via email each week.


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Tweet of the day (8/25/14)

#BeautificationDay Storified

Sunday, August 24, 2014

DC Public Schools' Brown discussion teacher's guide

DC Public Schools recently issued Brown discussion teacher's guide (PDF). According to the website,
Recent events in Ferguson, MO involving the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown have prompted a range of emotions in the U.S. To support DCPS teachers who wish to integrate this teachable moment into their classrooms, resources have been developed.


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Saturday, August 23, 2014

2014 #BeautificationDay volunteers Storified

Reminder: Kids Ride Free


Participation in the DC Kids Ride Free program (part of the School Transit Subsidy Program) requires a DC One Card, free to all children and youth who live in the District.

According to DDOT,

DC Kids Ride Free on Bus Program Guidelines (effective August 18, 2014 to June 30, 2015)
When traveling to and from school, Monday to Friday, students can FLASH their DC One Card during the regular free hours (5:30 am to 8 pm). Students must use a registered DC One Card to get their FREE pass uploaded to their card.

The 2014-2015 School Year
Students should keep their DC One Cards they had received during the last academic year and summer session. If students lose their DC One Card before the start of the 2014-2015 school year, they must obtain another one before school starts. Students can register their DC One Cards and check their 2014-2015 eligibility as early as Monday, August 18, 2014.

More from DDOT about the program.


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Thursday, August 21, 2014

Washington Informer's back-to-school issue

The special edition contains a message from DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson, information about the value of immunizations, a list of public charter schools in DC, and much more.


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Mayor Gray and community enjoy Broccoli City Smile Project Back to School Festival

To see the pictures on Facebook, click the above image.

Tweet of the day (8/21/14)

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

See the new #ShowOff vid Aug. 23 at RFK!

The Department of Health will premiere the new youth social marketing campaign #ShowOff at the Trillectro Music Festival Saturday, August 23 at Noon at RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St NE).

#ShowOff is a youth empowerment campaign that encourages DC youth to show off their talents, interests, and the positive things they do in their homes, schools, and communities through social media and peer-to-peer engagement.

The music video titled, "DC Made Me (ShowOff)" reflects the positive message of being proud of who you are and being young in DC. #ShowOff selected 17 year-old Jason Goolsby a.k.a Kid Kwesi (@IAMJKIDD97) and 15 year-old Demi Stratmon a.k.a Demi the Dancer to record a song and film a music video with a local producer and management company.

Follow #ShowOff on Twitter: @DC_ShowOff.


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Tweet of the day (8/20/14)

Free college fair Sept. 20

Xi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation are holding their second annual college fair Saturday, September 20 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at 4411 14th St NW.

Students in grades 9 through 12 will be able to

  • Meet college representatives
  • Learn about financial aid

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Tweets of the day (8/22/14)

UDC program brought out the inner scientists in teens

Over here at One City Youth, we're jealous of the young folks who participated in UDC's 2014 Summer Bridge Program in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences program. Why? Well, let's start with the fact the youth participants got to work outside in water, dirt and with plants. Field work was performed in Rock Creek Park, the UDC Van Ness Campus and the Muirkirk Agricultural Research Farm in Beltsville, MD.

Next, the youth had the opportunity to learn how to use very cool equipment. Finally, they got to learn all kinds of useful science stuff. And by stuff we mean environmental computing, cloud computing, sustainability, water quality, climate change, engineering design and mobile technologies.

2014 Summer Bridge STEM Course Concludes walks readers through the highlights of the program. Perhaps the most interesting part of the summer was the work the young people did on their capstone projects.

The projects were:
  1. Nathnael Eshetu and Heran Tatek: Solar Power for Food, Energy and Water (evaluating the potential benefit of photovoltaic power at Muirkirk Farm
  2. Lataija Gilmore, Kevon Johnson and Semale Stafford: Orthophosphate Analysis in soil
  3. Niles Townsend and Joel Crooms-Porter: Aquaponics System: Nutrient Cycle (water difference in aquaponic tanks)
  4. Courtney George, Amen Hailu and Sofia Cisneros: Potomac River vs. Rock Creek River Quality

The post is an interesting read and you'll learn about all the cool things College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences does with students, faculty and the community for the benefit of us all.

More pictures from the program, on Facebook.

Tweet of the day (8/19/14)

Monday, August 18, 2014

Words Beats and Life is looking for interns!

Words Beats and Life (WBL) has several internship opportunities available. WBL is looking for:
  • Marketing Intern(s)
  • Decipher Interns (Hip-Hop Radio Show on WPFW 89.3 FM)
  • Fundraising/Development Intern(s)

It's easy to apply. Visit Idealist's WBL page to learn more about the positions and the way to apply.

Tweet of the day (8/18/14)

Middle schoolers have fun and learn in New England

More than 100 middle schoolers spent time in New Hampshire this summer as part of the College Success Foundation's Higher Education Readiness Opportunity (HERO) program. According to the story on fosters.com, DC kids experience NH coast, the students visited colleges and universities and spent time at the Seacoast Science Center "learning about intertidal ecology, forest ecology, sharks and geology."

From the online story:

According to HERO Advisor William Walker, "We want to push these kids out of their comfort zones; to broaden their horizons. Getting them involved in hands on learning is the best way to expose them to new opportunities and promote life preparedness."

Walker noted that 95 percent of the students enrolled in the HERO program graduate from high school as compared to the 3 percent high school graduation rate for the district. HERO offers support to the students throughout the year, with advisors working on-site during the school year.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

News from School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens

The latest from School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens:
DCPS Beautification Day Crew Chiefs needed. Project leaders are needed to organize and supervise the various school-readiness tasks including bulletin board decoration and much more! Anyone interested in crew chiefing should email Cedric Hendricks, cedrickhendricks@msn.com.

Look at the great classroom supplies donated!

Follow @WallsAtFS_HSA on Twitter.

Tweet of the day (8/17/14)

Friday, August 15, 2014

Georgetown University Athletics programs for children and youth

Georgetown University Athletics has just announced Hoya Kids Club membership information. Memberships are available to kids in 8th grade and below; the cost is $25 per child. Benefits include:
  • Four free tickets to three select Georgetown Men's Basketball games
  • Free admission to all other regular season (non-men's basketball) sporting events
  • Special invitation to clinics, events and meet & greets with current Hoyas
  • E-Birthday card from Jack the Bulldog (the BEST benefit!)
  • Opportunity to be a ball kid during games

Georgetown University Athletics also recently announced that swim lessons for kids are also on tap this fall. Lessons are offered for kids from 2 1/2 to 10 years old. Registration starts in mid-August. Learn more online.

Tweet of the day (8/15/14)

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Free school supplies, Aug. 22

Kids, get making some art for the DC State Fair Kids Art Contest

The theme of the 2014 DC State Fair Kids' Art Contest is "Reduce Reuse Repurpose." That means found or repurposed objects AND dried legumes.

Other requirements and information:

  • Art can be 2 or 3 dimensional
  • Contest winners will be judged on: creativity (30%), originality (30%), relevance to theme "Reduce Reuse Repurpose" (30%), use of found objects and legumes (10%)
  • The drop-off and judging schedule will be available at www.dcstatefair.org/event-details
  • There will be a prize for each age group and the winners may be displayed on the Kid Power DC and DC State Fair websites as well as other Fair-related venues
  • Judging groups are Grades K-3, Grades 4-6, and Grades 7-9

What ARE legumes, anyway?
A Legume (French) is a plant, seed, or fruit. Practically, what this means is that legumes are beans or seeds. Examples of legumes are kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), split peas, and lentils.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Fill a backpack with school supplies, help a child at DC General shelter

Fill a Backpack for Children at DC General 2014

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Sewing Camp, Aug. 18-21

The Children's Art Studio is holding a Sewing Camp August 18 - 21, 2:30 - 4:30 pm. The class will teach students fundamental skills of hand sewing, learning how to thread a needle, tie knots, and sew a variety of stitches. During the time at camp, children will use their new skills to make engaging projects like small toys and useful accessories. The cost for the week is $150.

Email childrensartstudio@gmail.com with questions and to enroll.

Tweets of the day (8/13/14)

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Monday, August 11, 2014

Youth encouraged to apply to participate in 2014 Beijing Sister-City Youth Camp

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia invites DC youth ages 18 to 25 to represent the District of Columbia in the 2014 International Youth Organization Forum and Beijing Sister-City Youth Camp. The events take place October 20 to 26, 2014 in Beijing, China.

Last year, there were 162 campers from Beijing's 32 sister cities from 26 countries who participated in the program. The participants spent a week in Beijing and took trips to such featured landmarks as the Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, and Peking University. The participants also had an opportunity to learn Chinese martial arts, calligraphy and traditional Chinese etiquette. In addition, the group was assigned a topic to present for a forum discussion.

The host in China will cover all expenses, including accommodation, meals, and local travel. The only costs incurred by the participants are the plane fare and the Visa application fee. This youth camp is one of the projects under the Washington and Beijing Sister City Agreement (PDF).

To be considered for this program, applicants need to submit the following information by Friday, August 29, 2014.

  1. Brief description of yourself (including age and school attended) and why you are the right candidate to represent the District in this program.
  2. One page essay on this year's theme: The Role of Youth in the City's Sustainability Program. If you are selected, you and your teammates will be required to work collectively and prepare a paper and presentation n this topic for a forum of discussion in Beijing.

The Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia will conduct a selection process and choose the finalists by September 9, 2014. The participants who are selected MUST be able to secure funding for roundtrip tickets Washington-Beijing (around $1,300) and pay the fee of $140 for a Chinese Visa. A passport is required that is valid until, at a minimum, the date of April 20, 2015.

Email the required information to BeijingYouthCamp@dc.gov.

Additional information is available from Wiwiek Rembrandt by phone (202-727-6306) or email, BeijingYouthCamp@dc.gov.

This will be the District's second year of participation in a program co-hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Beijing Youth Federation.

Ward 5 tween holds school supply drive

Twelve year-old Ward 5 resident Ahriana Merryweather wants to help other DC kids prepare for school. The supply drive is open through August 20. Details are in the video and in the blog post ? have you dropped off some school supplies at Grassroots Gourmet for Ahriana Merryweather's back-to-school supplies drive ? you have until Sunday to do so. Ask questions and request backpacks via email, brownies.bits@gmail.com.

Tweet of the day (8/11/14)

Sunday, August 10, 2014

DPR pools start closing today, Aug. 10

On August 10, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the 2014 outdoor pool and spray park closure schedule (see DPR Announces the 2014 Spray Parks, Outdoor & Children's Pools Closure Schedule).

Starting on August 10, outdoor pools will be closed on a rolling basis. The first outdoor pools closed are

  • Ward 5: Langdon Park Pool (2860 Mills Ave NE)
  • Ward 7: Kelly Miller Pool (4900 Brooks St NE)
  • Ward 8: Douglass Pool (1921 Fredrick Douglass Ct SE)

Read the release on the DPR website for the details of outdoor pool, children's pool, and spray park closures.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Tweets of the day (8/8/14)

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Free books for kids on Saturday, August 9

Kids design cars and other vehicles of the future

Toyota has again asked young people around the world to let their imaginations go and to share their ideas about the possibility of mobility in the future. According to designboom's toyota asks kids to design their dream car of the future,
the results prove that the minds of young creatives are not only brimming with illusions of fantasy and fun, but are also crafting in-depth solutions to real-world problems and integrating high-tech systems in their designs. the automobiles are innovative and original: from a car that fights pollution no matter the environment, to a new generation of school transportation and a vehicle that turns humidity into water.

Tweets of the day (8/7/14)

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

DC SCORES has Moves and Rhymes!

Most people are familiar with the soccer component of DC SCORES but did you know that there is a POETIC component too?

Each fall, all DC SCORES youth participate in a three-month curriculum that culminates in every school performing original works of spoken word at the annual "Poetry Slam!".

Mark your calendars NOW for December 3-4, the dates of this year's slam. It will be held at Powell Elementary School.

Here's a video to keep you entertained in the meantime: Poetry Slam!.

Tweets of the day (8/6/14)

Monday, August 4, 2014

Camp THIS Week!

Looking for something for your middle school student to do in August before school starts? You’re just in luck.

The 2014 East of the River Career Exposure Camp still has a few spaces available for its 2014 session beginning August 4th and ending August 8th. Join them for the 4th year of their unique program--explore career opportunities in Architecture, Aviation, and Banking.

Go to the forms section on the program's website for the student registration form and parent orientation form.

Space is limited to 20 students, contact camp organizers at eotrcareercamp@gmail.com to ensure your placement.

School Supply Drives: Share the info!

Do YOU know about upcoming school supply drives that benefit youth in Washington D.C.? Then please tell us!

We YOUR HELP IN FINDING SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVES!

If you know about an organization hosting a school supply drive, please email the information to onecityyouth@dc.gov. Specifically, we are asking for the following information:

  • Organization name
  • Organization website
  • Date of drive
  • Time of supply drive
  • Location of supply drive
  • Any other helpful info

Your assistance is GREATLY APPRECIATED.

PS: We are already aware of the following drives:

Tweets of the day (8/4/14)

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Tweets of the day (8/2/14)

Friday, August 1, 2014

Be CHAWsome!

Do your children like the arts? Then consider registering them for the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop classes in the fall!

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Youth Arts Program is a dynamic curriculum of classes, performance, and exhibition opportunities emphasizing arts as a way of life for a lifetime. Students in the Youth Arts Program explore and create dance, theater, music, art, ceramics and photography while working in community with their peers.

Experienced and dedicated teaching artists encourage students to dream big, focus hard and commit with passion while investigating a wide array of artistic processes and techniques. Our goals are to help each student find his or her unique artistic voice, value artistic literacy and become life - long learners in the arts.

Find out more at CHAW online.

DC SCORES: A memorable last week of camp!

This past Tuesday, July 29, DC SCORES greeted special visitors--professional soccer player Javier Zanetti from Inter Milan and coaches from Manchester United!

Zanetti was fabulous with the kids, guiding them through a series of fun drills and then answering questions about playing professionally. The students were thrilled about being up close and personal with a professional soccer player and getting to talk to him about his experiences.

“I would ask him how long he would practice, because if I wanted to be a soccer player I need to know how I need to train,” camper Eryck E. said. Each camper also got their own autograph--be it their cleats, soccer balls, or even cellphones.

Later that afternoon, DC SCORES participants enjoyed a clinic led by the Manchester coaches. Coaches led drills that professional players go through on a regular basis.

“It was exciting because they were teaching us stuff that they also teach professional players,” Jose Q reflected. "It almost felt like we were able to step inside the shoes of a professional soccer player."

Additionally, the coaches encouraged everyone to stay focused and driven--this advice from established professionals made the experience even more meaningful!

See the full blog post HERE.

Tweets of the day (8/1/14)