Brown's Amendment Makes Restoring Phelps Vocational High School a Reality
On Tuesday, July 31, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown joined D.C. Public School Administrators, local carpentry associations and former instructors to break ground to mark the start of construction of the new Phelps Architecture, Construction & Engineering High School.
As both former student of-then Phelps Career High School and a firm advocate for restoring vocational education in the District, Brown emphasized to need to incorporate a construction and engineering curriculum that will strengthen the District’s educational infrastructure. “Today is especially historic for we will be able to give our young people a chance to pursue their career aspirations before graduation; an opportunity that that I had as a DCPS student,” commented Councilmember Brown. “Applying the mathematic and scientific concepts learned in the classroom will help our students to develop skills to meet the demands of our labor market. In years to come, I hope to see other cities creating programs that model our world-class facility,” said Brown. Igniting educational reform, Brown co-introduced the law “School Modernization Financing Act of 2005, providing the largest funding increase of the District’s public educational system. In 2006, Brown authored the amendment to the “School Modernization Financing Act of 2005,” to earmark funds to reopen Phelps by Fall 2008. April 2007, Brown along with members of the D.C. Council approved emergency actions for $30 million to rebuild Phelps. Reopening of the career facility will provide students with the necessary training to meet the demand future construction opportunities throughout the city.
About Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School:
In 1934 the Cardozo Vocational School was moved to a newly constructed facility on the Hilltop campus overlooking the Anacostia River. The original Phelps students were trained in the areas of Bricklaying, Carpentry, Mechanical Drawing as well as Machine Shop and Shoe Repair. By 1944, the program was elevated to the level of Senior High School. When Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School reopens in 2008, it will mark the continuation of the Career and Technical Education in DC Public Schools and the rebirth of Phelps High School. Phelps will be a comprehensive high school that will prepare students for higher education with a specialization in careers associated with architecture, construction and engineering industries. ********************************************************************************************************* BROWN HONORED BY MAYOR'S YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE On July 26, The District of Columbia’s Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI) hosted its first annual “Honoring our Heroes” Banquet at the Howard University’s Armour J. Blackburn Center. The program pays homage to former Youth Mayors, government officials, community organizations, and businesses that have continued the vision of promoting youth development in the District. Councilmember Brown received the Government Honor for encouraging youth and youth programs in the District of Columbia. As alumnus of the Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute, Brown desires to see the program restored to provide foundational leadership development skills for more District youth. At the start of his term, Brown authored the "Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute Act of 2005," a law that increases opportunities for youth citywide by strengthening the criteria and enrollment capacity. Brown also introduced the bill-now-law, “Barbering and Cosmetology License Amendment Act of 2005,” which clarifies that persons age 17 or older may apply for a license in either cosmetology and barbering professions, two of the most thriving programs offered at various District high schools. The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI) is a year-round program designed to train District youth in the concepts of leadership and self-development. The program consists of an innovative four-level tier: Alpha level, which focuses on personal growth and development skills; Beta level, which focuses on community development; Delta level, which deals with work readiness, life skills, and career exploration; and Omega level, which concentrates on practicum and internships. For more information on the MYLI and its first annual banquet, contact the DC Department of Employment Services’ Office of Youth Programs at (202) 698-3492.
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STATEMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN ON LOSS OF DR. ARNOLD MCKNIGHT, CHAIRPERSON OF DC BOXING AND WRESTLING COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, (DC) – DC Council member At-Large Kwame R. Brown joins the District of Columbia in mourning the loss of Dr. Arnold McKnight, Chair of the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission, who passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Dr. Arnold McKnight served as Chair of the Boxing and Wrestling Commission since 1996. “As Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, I was fortunate to have worked with Dr. Arnold McKnight in his capacity as Chair of the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Through the Commission, Dr. McKnight worked diligently to attract top boxing and wrestling matches to the city. Most recently, he was successful in bringing Mixed Martial Arts to the Nation’s Capital. As a result, many local martial artists now benefit from the programs and trainings that are now hosted in our city. Dr. McKnight was a true public servant, an educator, dedicated mentor and sports enthusiast who also shared his passion with his students at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. In addition, he taught at Howard University's School of Education and at Bowie State. While at Howard, he was at one time, the baseball coach and an assistant football coach. Dr. McKnight was a true leader and mentor to many DC residents. My prayers are with his family during this time of bereavement.”
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DDOE OFFERS FREE STORMWATER FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING TO SELECTED DISTRICT HOMEOWNERS The District Department of Environment (DDOE) is soliciting applications from DC homeowners for FREE stormwater friendly landscaping enhancements to be installed in their yards. DDOE is looking to fund projects that will demonstrate ways to reduce river and stream pollution. Selection criteria will include visibility of the home, accessibility to public transportation, willingness of the homeowner to allow tours, willingness of the homeowner to continue maintenance of the landscaping installations and adaptability of the property to the landscaping. One home in each ward will be selected to install a large shade tree, a rain garden, "Bayscaping," pervious surfaces and a rain barrel. If the selected homeowner has an impervious surface such as driveway or patio, it may be replaced with a pervious surface such as paving stone, porous pavement or other hard surface that permits water penetration into the soil. The rain barrel will capture and store rainwater from the rooftop to be reused in the yard. Bayscaping will provide aesthetic native plants that require little to no watering, fertilizing or pesticide use. The eight homes selected will serve as demonstration sites for DDOE's new pollution reduction campaign scheduled to debut in 2008. The program will offer incentives for homeowners to adopt the stormwater reducing techniques on their property that are mentioned above. The campaign goal is to reduce stormwater runoff and increase stormwater quality, which will improve our rivers and the District's environment as a whole. The deadline for submitting applications is August 10, 2007. To download application, please visit, www.ddoe.dc.gov.
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