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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How was your first day of school? @DCPublicSchools and the rest of us want to know.

Welcome new DC Youth Mayors!

Tweet of the day (8/22/14)

Missed @DCSCORESInterns Tweets from #SCORESummer? No worries- relive the action w/our #Storify http://t.co/EIbm6zFkYK pic.twitter.com/nSsAPw6oXB

— DC SCORES (@DCSCORES) August 19, 2014

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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)

Our summer reunion continues at the Petworth Library. Checking out books. Excitement for the new year! pic.twitter.com/PU5knsob7b

— Powell ES-DCPS (@Powellelem) August 17, 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)

Great turn out for the Back to School Ice Cream Social yesterday! @dcpublicschools #muchlovetomyTigers pic.twitter.com/aJ4G5i8Fzk

— Strong John Thomson (@ThomsonES) August 16, 2014

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

Tweets of the day (8/22/14)

The marshmallow challenge starts as a civilized affair at the end of Deal teachers first day back. @dcpublicschools pic.twitter.com/HgstKDyuTK

— Alice Deal MS (@DealVikings) August 18, 2014

The marshmallow challenge leads to table-jumping chaos as competition heats up. Great first day Viking teachers! pic.twitter.com/5OBxs6RNo0

— Alice Deal MS (@DealVikings) August 18, 2014

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)

Guests checking out our Apprentices' independent #literacy projects at #LPTMArtExperience! pic.twitter.com/xrI9bmH7Gq

— Life Pieces (@LP2MP) August 12, 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)

"I learned that it doesn’t matter how different you are, you can still be friends." GOTR-DC Participant pic.twitter.com/9ekXJkE2TZ

— Girls on the Run DC (@GOTRDC) August 14, 2014

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.

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)

Hi @nypl! Returning #ReadingCorps tutors read abt #literacy! #ireadeverywhere #AmeriCorps20 #mdcinstitute20 #earlyed pic.twitter.com/yQGTJlHZE6

— MetroDC ReadingCorps (@mdcReadingCorps) August 14, 2014

Tweet of the day (8/16/14)

Family Fun Day prep is underway! Thanks to sponsors @twiceaswarm @PNCBank @FannieMae @unicdc Can't wait for Friday! pic.twitter.com/waeZruGSBl

— Bright Beginnings (@sunnystarts) August 6, 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.