Jackson-Reed eNews: Week of October 30th, 2023

Principal's Message

Greetings Jackson-Reed Community,

Homecoming week has come to an end, and there was positive energy leading up to this past weekend! Our students did an incredible job throughout the week participating in our Spirit Week events.

A big thank you to all the Jackson-Reed families who attended the Homecoming football game on Saturday, and to our P.T.S.O. for getting out our most current merchandise. The stadium was filled with Tiger pride; alums from every generation were in attendance alongside our current Jackson-Reed students cheering on our football team. That energy transitioned flawlessly into the Homecoming dance.

Students dressed to impress for their "Casino Night" themed evening. The S.G.A. did a fantastic job of turning the gym into an elegant dance hall. Between the D.J. and multiple photo ops throughout the evening, students had a night to remember. Many of the elements of the evening were led by our S.G.A. students, including the concessions, the 360-photo stand, and the cleanup. Another huge thank you to Ms. Spicciani-Gerhardt and Ms. Baskin for supporting our young leaders throughout the week and to our Faculty and Staff members who supported Spirit Week activities throughout the week.

This week, Term 1 ends on Friday, November 3rd. We hope students will finish out the first term strong. Please emphasize the importance of handing in final assignments on time, as teachers are responsible for grading a significant amount of student work. Your partnership with this helps reinforce the R.O.A.R. value of responsibility, which we want all students to be.

Let's make it another positive and productive week at Jackson-Reed!

Tigers R.O.A.R!

Sah Brown

Principal

Homecoming Highlights!

Events this Week

College Admissions Rep Visits this Week
Monday, 10/30: Panorama Student Survey DUE!
Monday, 10/30: Girls & Boys Swim Interest Meeting, 11:45 am- 12:45 pm in Rm. B303
Monday 10/30: Baseball Interest Meeting, 4:00 pm in Rm. 316
Tuesday, 10/31- Thursday, 11/2: Credit Recovery in Library (Standing Event)
Wednesday, 11/1: College Essay Mentoring in College & Career Center (Standing Event)
Thursday, 11/2: JROTC Formation/Drills, 7:45am - 8:30am
Thursday, 11/2: ELL Parent Cafe, 10:00- 11:00 am and 5:30-7:00 pm
Thursday, 11/2: Bikeshare Info Session at 3:30 pm in the College & Career Center
Thursday, 11/2 & Friday, 11/3:J-R Theater Presents "She Kills Monsters", 6:30-10:00 pm
Saturday, 11/4: SAT Test Day
Saturday, 11/4: J-R Theater Presents "She Kills Monsters", 6:30-10:00 pm

ELL Parent Café

The first ELL Parent Café meeting will be on Thursday, November 2nd. The meeting will be in the College & Career Center, room 108. There will be two sessions: one at 10:00 am and the second at 5:30 pm. For more information, please contact Mr. Morales (luis.morales4@k12.dc.gov), ELL Social Worker. See you all there!

La primer reunión del Café de Padres de la familias ELL será el jueves 2 de noviembre. La reunión será en el College & Career Center, sala 108. Habrá dos sesiones: Una a las 10:00 am y la segunda a las 5:30 pm. Para obtener más información, por favor póngase en contacto con el Sr. Morales (luis.morales4@k12.dc.gov), Trabajador Social de ELL. Nos vemos a todos allí.

REAL TALK: Time to Get Real! Virtual Event for Black Students

Real Talk is a career and college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black professionals and representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. We empower Black students to own their future their way. Click here to enlarge the flyer.

Walker-Brogdon, Carol (DCPS)_Real Talk (1)

Chevy Chase Community Center and Library Survey

ANC 3/4G is pleased to launch our survey on the District’s proposed redevelopment of the Chevy Chase Community Center and Library site. It is an open survey available to all and will close November 5th. You can access it by clicking here! As many know, the District plans to construct new facilities to replace the current Community Center and Library and incorporate housing, including at least 30% affordable housing. The ANC has drafted the survey to understand your thoughts and preferences regarding this initiative. They will inform our official positions, which the DC government is required to give “great weight.” We strongly encourage all community members to take the survey and make your views known. Thank you in advance!

Athletics this Week

Monday, October 30th:

Girls Varsity Soccer (AWAY) vs. Dunbar @5:00 pm
Boys Varsity Soccer (AWAY @ Dunbar) vs. Bell @7:00pm

Tuesday, October 31st:

Volleyball (HOME) DCIAA Championship, @TBA

Thursday, November 2nd:

Volleyball (TBD) DCIAA Championship @TBD

Friday, November 3rd:

Football (AWAY) vs. Ballou @6:00 pm
Volleyball (HOME) Fundraiser, 7:00-10:00 pm

Saturday, November 4th

Cross Country (AWAY at Kenilworth) CSAA XC Championship @9:00 am

Upcoming Events

Monday, 11/6: Virtual Book Talk Mr. Bargeman), 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, 11/7: Girls Lacrosse Interest Meeting, 4:00-5:00 pm Rm 316B or 316A
Tuesday, 11/7: Howard University Panel, 12:00-1:00 pm in Library
Tuesday, 11/7- Thursday, 11/9: Credit Recovery in Library (Standing Event)
Wednesday, 11/8: College Essay Mentoring in College & Career Center (Standing Event)
Thursday, 11/9: JROTC Formation Drills, 7:45-8:30 am in Aux Gym (Standing Event)
Thursday, 11/9: Inova Blood Drive, 7:30-3:30 pm in Aux Gym
Thursday, 11/9 - Saturday, 11/11: JR Theater Presents "She Kills Monsters" in Blackbox
Friday, 11/10: Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL

Clemmons , Dionne (DCPS)_Panorama Flyer Fall2023 (1)

Panorama Student Survey

The Panorama Survey is designed to capture student voices and allow students to express their perspectives about teaching and learning, culture and climate, and their classroom experiences. This Is an opportunity to let your voices be heard on issues that matter to you.

We need to hear from YOU Tigers! You matter, you are loved, and your opinions help us do a better job. Be as honest as you like, all responses are confidential. Starting this week, the survey will be administered during 2nd period on the following days: Monday, October 23rd, Wednesday, October 25th, and Friday, October 27th.

Students Can Now Get a Free Capital Bikeshare Membership!

To help students get to school, goDCgo and Capital Bikeshare have teamed up to give District high school students free Capital Bikeshare memberships. Currently, the program is only offered at three schools in the District, one of them being Jackson-Reed High School.

Through this program, students 16 years and older can receive an annual Captial Bikeshare Membership (a $95 value) for FREE!
The membership provides you with unlimited classic bike rides up to 45 minutes each and discounts on bikes.

Students interested in the program should reach out to Ms dionne.clemmons@k12.dc.gov, or scan the QR Code and plan to attend the Info Session on Thursday, November 2nd at 3:30 pm in the College & Career Center. Act quickly, as memberships are limited.

Click here to enlarge flyer.

Jackson-Reed Theatre Presents: "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen

Dates: November 2nd- 4th & November 9th-11th

House Opens: 6:30pm

Show Begins: 7:30pm

Saturday, Nov. 4th: Matinee at 2:30pm

Location: Blackbox Theater (Chesapeake St. Doors)

Jackson-Reed Theater's Fall play presents a dramatic comedy celebrating family, friendship and the power of imagination. “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of Agnes Evans, the classic girl-next-door, who stumbles upon the Dungeons & Dragons notebook of her deceased younger sister, Tilly. As Agnes immerses herself in her sister’s imaginary world, we join her on an action-packed adventure discovering demons, cheerleaders and the spirit of sisterhood along the way.

“She Kills Monsters” is a must-see for fans of geek culture, 90's nostalgia, and anyone who's ever felt like they didn't belong.

*This production contains disturbing language and mature themes, including death, grief, bullying, violence, and sexuality. It may not be appropriate for younger audiences. (PG-13)

Tickets Available Online October 19
Students: $5; Adults: $15, Faculty & Staff: Free

Remembering PAMELA LIPSCOMB-GARDNER

Our former librarian Pamela Lipscomb-Gardner passed away on October 15, after battling cancer over the last few decades. A member of the first class of African-American students to matriculate at Deal Middle School, she graduated from Wilson High School as a member of the Class of 1973. Pam Gardner went on to study theatre and music at Howard University, graduating with her degree in 1976 and moving to New York City to work in modeling, theatre, and music. She returned to the District ten years later when she was first diagnosed with cancer, eventually studying at UDC and earning her library science degree.

Gardner served as a libarian in DC Public Schools for over thirty years, beginning at Richardson Elementary until the school closed. She came to her alma mater Wilson in 2005, where she worked until the pandemic. During her many years at Wilson she was a mentor to countless students in her work with the poetry club, slam competitions, drama productions, and inspirational programs for students like White Coats Black Doctors. In her role as the secretary of the Wilson Management Corporation and as a president of the Wilson Alummi Association, her contributions to our school’s culture and fabric are innumerable.

Service Information:

October 30, 2023

Family Visitation, 11:00 AM at Zion Main campus sanctuary -4850 Blagden Ave, NW., DC

Memorial Service, 11:30 AM

Additional Updates By Area

Click on the headings below to see more information about each area. Please see "UPDATED" or "NEW" areas accordingly.

College & Career Center (Deadlines Approaching)

National Merit Scholarship Program

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 PSAT/NMSQT. Congratulations to these members of the Class of 2024 who qualified as Semifinalists and Commended Students.

Semifinalists

Dana Clocker
Matthew Collotta
Wengyin Ho

Commended Students

Kiran Agrawal
Zachary Bensky
Nicolas Cloutier
Gabriel Dowd
Callahan Flaherty
Cecilia Pirozzi
Jasper Ruben
Casey Wood

U.S. Navy STEM Internships-Application deadline: November 1, 2023

The U.S. Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students in Department of Navy laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for eight weeks during the summer. High school students who have completed at least Grade 9 are eligible to apply, including graduating seniors. See all of the eligibility requirements and learn more at www.navalsteminterns.us.

Globalize DC

Globalize DC sends out Global Alerts to share free global education, language learning, and study abroad opportunities with interested DC students, parents, educators, and partners. Fall is the season when major US State Department-funded study abroad programs for high school students are announced. See their website at www.globalizedc.org

Opportunities (NEW)

Anacostia Youth Media Festival

WHAT IS THE AYMF DOC PROGRAM?The Run, Hope, Work: Youth Media Collaboration project is a part of the Anacostia Youth Media Festival programming run out of the Community Voice Lab in the School of Communication at American University.Through project-based learning, we will produce short social media stories and a single short format documentary, training teenage youth to make thoughtful documentaries within their communities. Working alongside Professor Maher and Community Leads, the curriculum is split into three phases: (1) Training, (2) Production and Editing, and (3) Screenings.By the end of the program, youth will have learned key filmmaking skills in documentary production, including developing interview questions, story structure and organization, technical skills in editing, and impactful social media messaging and promotion.

Our client this year is Run Hope Work and we will be following their program of the course of the school year. https://runhopework.org/. All programming and production will occur in Wards 7 and 8.

Interested students can apply for the program here. Accepted students will be paid to work on the project and so they will learn how to create invoices, tabulate their hours, etc. Students will be working in collaboration with AU graduate and undergraduate students and receive professional credit for their contributions.

READY TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD? JOIN THE LEARNSERVE FELLOWS PROGRAM!

*Apply online by November 1 at learn-serve.org/fellows

Tired of doom-scrolling about climate change or dealing with racism, homophobia, gun violence, gentrification and so much more? Ready to do something about it - but don't know where to start?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to represent your school as a LearnServe Fellow! As a LearnServe Fellow you'll have the opportunity to:
- Design and launch your own social action project to take on a social or environmental injustice in your community.
- Pitch your solutions to local business, government, and non-profit leaders.
- Grow your leadership and entrepreneurship skills with a group of amazing young changemakers from across the DC area.
- Meet like-minded peers from Zambia and Paraguay - virtually, and with opportunities to travel as you continue with LearnServe into a second year!
- Earn up to 50 service hours - and develop projects and skills you'll be proud to share in your college applications!

The LearnServe Fellows Program meets in person near Gallery Place - Chinatown in DC once a week. Join on Thursday Afternoons from (4:30-6:30pm). Free for all DCPS students!

Ready to change your world?
Visit www.learn-serve.org/fellows to APPLY ONLINE by NOVEMBER 1

(Applications will be considered after November 1 if space is available.)

Click here to see the Flyer for this opportunity.

Contact Scott at info@learn-serve.org with any questions.

New Heights (NEW)

New Heights Program for Expectant and Parenting Students at Jackson Reed

My name is Beth Perry and I am the New Heights coordinator for Jackson Reed. For those who do not know, New Heights is a DCPS program that works in all high schools, and lately some middle schools, to support student parents, both moms and dads, to stay in school, graduate, and gain parenting and child development skills. Another significant aspect of our work is to help students find childcare so they can return to school after giving birth. Working with our partners, we provide diapers and wipes (monthly), car seats, strollers, cribs, etc. We also hold workshops at the schools that not only focus on child development, but also post-graduation plans, how to be an advocate for you and your child, early childhood programs, and really any other topic the students are interested in. I coordinate with social workers, counselors and teachers at all my schools to create a community of support.

We accept donations in very good condition—especially baby clothes. We will begin our winter campaign to collect toiletries for our student parents. Besides the toiletries, the “bag” also includes books for the children. Next month I will make that information available for anyone who would like to help.

As a former Jackson Reed parent, and someone who had been working in the DCPS school system for over 10 years, I believe New Heights is an important program. I welcome any support and input. Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at: beth.perry@k12.dc.gov

NAF Academies (NEW PHOTO)

NAF Cornell Visit

Calling All Contacts and Connections!

We know that we have wealth of resources within our Jackson-Reed family, particularly in the realm of professional and career expertise! Academy staff is currently working on building up a bank of work-based learning and enrichment contacts who can serve as guest speakers, fieldtrip hosts, mentors, capstone project judges, resume/interview workshop mentors, etc. If you or someone you know is connected to the following career fields (engineering, info tech, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, graphic design, finance, and AV Audio Production) and has a heart for building career exposure and preparation in our students, please send/fill out the form linked below. Academy staff will follow up with more details.

Connect With Us (Scroll down to "Get Involved")

DBH Clinician's Corner

Community Service

The Washington Youth Garden

The Washington Youth Garden (located on the grounds of the National Arboretum) is looking for participants in their upcoming Teen Volunteering Saturday, November 4th. These are opportunities for students to earn service hours by helping us at the WYG from 9am-12pm. They will get to learn about garden maintenance through planting, harvesting, weeding, etc. In addition to developing garden-based skills, they would also get to learn about our Green Ambassador Program (GAP), a 6 week paid summer internship for high school students that takes place at the Washington Youth Garden.

The sign up form for this can be found here by clicking here.

See flyer here.

More DC-wide Volunteer Opportunities can be found here.

Family Engagement

PTSO (Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization)

The Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) is seeking your support to help meet the needs and requests of our school community. Can you donate $1 per school day?

Your donation of $180 (equivalent to $1 per day in school) supports grants for teachers, administrators, staff, and student groups, as well as school-wide events such as monthly Principal Coffees. PTSO grants fund professional development for teachers, the Beacon student newsletter and other student clubs, backpacks of school supplies for English learners, art supplies, chemistry equipment, scholarships for seniors to cover graduation and prom fees and much more!

Gifts of any amount are appreciated. In school year 2022-23, the PTSO received about 600 donations from our student community of 2,000+. This year we would like some level of participation from all families. At Jackson-Reed, there is no auction gala or other formal fundraising event. We depend on our direct giving and appreciate your support.

More information on the JRHS PTSO is available

On the school website under “Parents”
On Twitter / X @JacksonReedPTSO
On Instagram @JacksonReed_PTSO

Donating is easy!

Text “JRHS” to 44321 for a donation link OR
Visit OR
Visit the “parents” section of the Jackson-Reed website OR
Send a check payable to “Jackson-Reed PTSO” to
- Jackson-Reed HS PTSO, 3950 Chesapeake St, NW Washington, DC 20016

Meet Your JRHS PTSO Class Representatives

Class of 2024: Alisa Gogarty, Elizabeth Tsehai, jrhsclassof2024@gmail.com
Class of 2025: Steven Brown, Sejal Dave, jrclassof2025@gmail.com
Class of 2026: Alysa MacClellan, Susan Pultz, jrhsclassof2026@gmail.com
Class of 2027: Karl Khoury, Amy West, jrhsclassof2027@gmail.com

Clubs

TECH HELP DESK NEEDS HELP

Asian Student Union

The Asian Student Union is holding an interesting meeting during Lunch, on Friday, October 13th in room 316A. Please come for a quick chat and bring your Asian friends--all are welcome! Please text 2025259304 with any questions.

Chess Club

The chess club will meet in Room C207A on Tuesday at Lunch. We will participate in the Metro Washington Area Chess League. https://chessctr.org/play/macl/

Please reach out to Mr. Evans for more information. Anthony.Evans@k12.dc.gov 202-713-5844

Speech & Debate Club

The Jackson-Reed Speech and Debate team meets every Tuesday after school in room 319. Come to improve your speaking, put your argumentative skills to use at tournaments, and be a part of this student-run club.

Wealth Club

The wealth club will meet in room c204a every Wednesday at lunch. Come to room C204A and learn the secrets of the wealthy! Bring your lunch.

Click here to read more information about what will be discussed.

Mary's Center Resources

October Caregiver's Flyer: Anxiety

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Virtual Car Seat Program

Mary's Center's Virtual Car Seat program offers free car seats for DC residents. Please see the flyers below for more information.

Immigration Support

Looking for consultation in regard to immigration? Mary's Center can help! Please find information regarding these free services within the flyers below.

Tech Support & Tiger TV Information

Tiger TVLive: Please Subscribe & Like

TigerTVLive is the YouTube channel that provides Free live coverage of athletic and other events at Jackson-Reed High School. We strive to provide live broadcast coverage of all home games. TigerTVLive broadcasts can be found by clicking here.

Jackson-Reed developed a relationship with the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Network that also broadcasts live and has Video On Demand (VOD). The NFHS Network Broadcasts all home games and games at participating NFHS schools. VOD memberships are free. Live view subscriptions are $11.99 a month or $79.99 annually. Subscribe to the Jackson-Reed NFHS Network here.

May 18, 2025