DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser alongside Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, the Chancellor of DC Public Schools, officially kicked off a week-long Summer Bridge program designed to support rising middle and high schoolers as they transition to their new educational environments. According to dc.gov, the program commenced just ahead of students waving farewell to their summer days, providing a platform for young learners to familiarize themselves with their upcoming 6th or 9th-grade experience.
Activities are set to include team-building exercises, scavenger hunts, and field trips, created to help students build connections before they dive into the academic school year. "The DCPS Summer Bridge program helps our young people make a successful transition into a new school experience," Mayor Bowser said in a statement on dc.gov. Each participating school tailors the program's dates and hours to cater to their respective community's needs.
The initiative seems to be aligned with one of DCPS' strategic priorities to cultivate a sense of belonging among students, which is believed to aid in their overall success and stability in school life. Chancellor Ferebee echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the value of connecting kids to their school community. "By providing our scholars with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new school environment before the start of the academic year, we’re working to cultivate a sense of belonging that will help them to build community and thrive," he told dc.gov.
With multiple schools across the District participating, the program also offers practical benefits: free breakfast and lunch, dedicated bus transportation for eligible students, and a Kids Ride Free card to ensure students face no barriers to attendance. As summer break winds down and the new academic year approaches on August 26, 2024, authorities are reminding families who haven’t completed their enrollment to do so at enrolldcps.dc.gov.
