The Ward 5 Report: Office of Councilmember Kenyan R.

McDuffie February 22, 2013 Ward 5 Highlights:

Browne Education Campus Wins Get Schooleds National Attendance Challenge Ward 5s students at Browne Education Campus were recently recognized as one of the group winners of Get Schooleds Fall Attendance Challenge. The Get Schooled Fall Attendance Challenge is a friendly competition where schools compete to earn points over a three-month period by improving their attendance and engaging in a series of educational games. I am very proud of our students at Browne. It is important that each of our children receive the best education, said Councilmember McDuffie. Attendance plays a vital role in a students path to success. That is why I am so delighted to see that the students and teachers at Browne have made school attendance such a priority. Over the course of ten weeks, Brownes students improved their attendance by more than 4 percent and led their group with high overall participation and student engagement percentages. In recognition of the accomplishment, Get Schooled, City Year and WPGC Radio hosted a celebratory school-wide assembly at Browne featuring television personality, Rocsi Diaz.

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Councilmember McDuffie Launches The Ward 5 Business Council This week, Councilmember McDuffie launched the Ward 5 Business Council. The Ward 5 Business Council exists to support Councilmember McDuffie in his efforts to represent the interest of Ward5s diverse business community. Establishing an open dialogue with new and existing businesses in Ward 5 is very important to me, said Councilmember McDuffie. This is vital in helping our Ward adapt to the changing markets and identify resources and opportunities for growth. Additionally, working closely with community stakeholders will help enhance retail offerings, create affordable housing and expand employment opportunities for Ward 5 residents. The Council will provide input to the Councilmember on issues and challenges impacting the business community; provide a forum for the exchange of relevant information and ideas, and identify ways to foster expanded opportunities for existing businesses as well as attract new businesses. Legislative Updates: Performance Oversight Hearings for the Committee on Government Operations Next week, the Committee on Government Operations has scheduled the following annual performance oversight hearings for the agencies under its purview: Department of General Services Office of Partnerships and Grants Services Office of Peoples Counsel Public Service Commission

The hearing will be held on Thursday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. Councilmember McDuffie Co-Introduces Bill To Improve Procedures For How Transgender Individuals Obtain New Birth Certificates This week, Councilmember McDuffie co-introduced The JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013 with Councilmember David A. Catania (I At Large). This bill would allow residents to legally change their sex on their birth certificate with a signed affidavit from a doctor indicating that person now wants to be identified as a man or a woman. If the bill becomes law, the Vital Records Division would also be required to issue a new birth certificate with the applicants new sex instead of marking an existing certificate as amended.

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Announcements: The DC Prevention Center Ward 5 & 6 Network Meeting The DC Prevention Center for Wards 5 & 6 is a collaborative venture in conjunction with the Department of Health (DOH), Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA), and Sasha Bruce Youthwork. On February 26, the DC Prevention Center will hold a network meeting to allow residents to connect with community leaders and voice their concerns and observations about the issues affecting the community. The event will take place at the Sasha Bruce House, located at 1022 Maryland Ave., N.E. from 12 p.m. 2 p.m. For more information contact Courtney Bennett at (202) 423-5960 or at cbennett@sashabruce.org MPD Annual Awards Ceremony The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will celebrate some of its most outstanding achievements with its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, February 28, from 6 p.m. 9 p.m. at Gallaudet University's Elstad Auditorium. Members, community leaders, and partner agencies will be recognized in 30 different categories. Please plan to attend this special recognition ceremony and help thank these individuals for their service. For more information, please visit http://mpdc.dc.gov. **Ward 5 Events: Saturday, February 23 Councilmember McDuffie will join Commissioner Nolan Treadway, community stakeholders, and representatives from MPD, DPR and DGS for a walkthrough on the updates for Langdon Park Recreation Center beginning at 10 a.m. This walk through is a follow up of one held in early December. Tuesday, February 26 Councilmember McDuffie will host his Community Engagement Office Hours from 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. at Windows Caf, located at 101 Rhode Island Avenue NW. Wednesday, February 27 ANC 5A will hold its monthly meeting at Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School located at 4401 8th Street NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 27 ANC 5B will hold its monthly meeting at the ANC 5B Office located at 1322 Irving Street NE, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28 MPD will hold its annual awards ceremony at Gallaudet Universitys Elstad Auditorium, located at 800 Florida Avenue, NE. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. ** Councilmember McDuffies public schedule is subject to change at any time.

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