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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• Tomorrow - Ward 5 EEC Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway
• Tomorrow - Trinidad Day!
• Sunday - DDOT North Cap Study Pop-up in Bloomingdale
• Monday - First Day of School for SY26-27 @ DC Public Schools
• August 25 - DHCD Info Session TOPA Updates and Tenant Support
• August 26 - Lead Free DC Virtual Meeting
• August 27 - Jazz in the Park @ North Michigan Park
• September 1 - Langdon Park Community Center Meeting
• September 19 - Ward 5 Day!
• ...and more!

It's one of my favorite times of year: back to school! While it can be hard to say goodbye to the flexible schedules and vacations of summer, back-to-school time also means reconnecting with friends, settling into more predictable routines, and the joy of learning. 

Some of our public charter schools are already back in the classroom and the rest continue to open in the coming week. DC Public Schools' first day is this coming Monday, August 24. Part of my summer was spent visiting our public school facilities to ensure they are ready for the school year ahead, and I'm excited to welcome back students and families with the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee's Back-to-School Giveaway tomorrow, August 22!

Meet us at Bunker Hill Elementary School between 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to grab a backpack full of school supplies. Every student deserves to start the school year strong, and this giveaway aims to ease the burden on families during the back-to-school transition. I was proud to be a part of the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee's revival during my time on the DC State Board of Education, and have loved supporting their annual giveaway ever since. Hope to see you tomorrow!

Finally, you can check out this back-to-school checklist to make sure everything is ready for your student to have a great year. Whether or not you have a student in a DC school, you're also invited to clap our students back on their first day. Sign up here!

Let's have a great school year, DC!

2025 Backpack Giveaway with the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee

In today's edition of the Ward 5 Weekly, you'll also find: 

public safety updates; a notice about downtown road closures tomorrow and Sunday associated with the Freedom 250 Grand Prix; a pop-up meeting in Bloomingdale with DDOT for the North Capitol Study on Sunday, August 23; a DHCD Information Session about TOPA Updates and Tenant Support Providers on August 25; a Lead-Free DC Virtual Meeting on August 26; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5 (including one that closes for comment on August 26); the next Langdon Park Community Center project meeting with DPR and DGS on September 1; programs to benefit from including a Black in Business event with DISB on August 27; and community events including Trinidad Day tomorrow! Keep scrolling for more.

MPD Updates

• MPD is investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at approximately 6:48 p.m. at North Capitol St and New York Ave NW.
  
  

Crime Trends

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Public safety remains my top priority and if you ever have any concerns or questions, please reach out to my office directly at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028. 

On Saturday, August 22, 2026 and Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, DC will take place in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with the buildout and the security requirements for this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures that motorists should take into consideration from July 22, 2026 through September 3, 2026. Learn more here and view a full map of impacts here. 

To get additional feedback on the draft sidewalk widening concepts, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will be holding a pop-up meeting at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market this Sunday, August 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The market is on the 100 Block of R Street NW, between 1st Street and Florida Avenue. They have also reopened the survey, which will be open until Monday, August 24. Questions? Email Theodore VanHouten (theodore.vanhouten@dc.gov). 

Summer is coming to an end, and with it, the outdoor pool season with DPR. In Ward 5, here's when outdoor pools will close: 

• August 16 - Theodore Hagans Pool
• August 30 - Harry Thomas Pool
• September 7 - Langdon Pool

Join DC Water’s Lead Free DC program for their next virtual meeting - Losing the Lead: Your Timeline, Your Yard, Your Questions. They will take an in-depth look at what residents can expect during lead service line replacement—from scheduling and early construction activity to what happens on replacement day and how your yard is restored. Save this information to join DC Water on August 26 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.: 

• Join via Microsoft Teams: https://bit.ly/LFDCAug2026  
• Or call in: (202) 753-6714, 18173584#    

Can’t make it? No worries - the session will be recorded and available on DC Water’s YouTube channel. 

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on August 26: Installation of Crosswalk and Daylighting at Jefferson Street and Jamaica Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-208-PSD)
  • This NOI is in conjunction with a DDOT Sidewalk Gap Project, installing a new sidewalk along Jamaica St NE. Impacted property owners were mailed notices by DDOT in March. Learn more about Sidewalk Gap Projects here. 

Enjoy one of DPR's beloved traditions, Jazz in the Park, all summer long with several performances in Ward 5 at North Michigan Park (1330 Emerson St NE) on August 6, August 13, and August 27. All performances take place from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Learn more here. 

Please join the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to review the new concepts for the recreation center and improvements to park grounds. My team will be in attendance as we are eager to see how DPR and DGS will incorporate the funds and legal language I secured in this year's budget process to ensure the project meets the community's expectations. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 1 at the Langdon Park Community Center (2901 20th Street NE) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Christopher Dyer via email at Christopher.Dyer@dc.gov or by telephone at (202)-702-9453. For more information and to RSVP, please click here. For additional information about the project, please click here. To sign up for updates about this project please click here.

A tradition dating back to the days of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr., I was proud to revive Ward 5 Day in 2023. Since then, we've had an annual celebration of everything Ward 5 at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. Mark you calendar for this year's celebration, scheduled for September 19! As always, there will be food including our Taste of Ward 5 walk, activities for all ages, giveaways, live music, and just a good time connecting with neighbors. More details coming soon!

Many ANCs and civic associations take a break from monthly meetings in August. 

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5B, 5E, & 5F: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5A, 5C, & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov

The Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) will empower and educate residents on financial matters and promote financing for District small businesses through the Black in Business: Positioned to Profit Event on Thursday, August 27 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. at 899 North Capitol St NE. The target audience includes aspiring and existing business owners looking to obtain the resources necessary to start and grow their companies. Learn more and RSVP here.

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Trinidad:
Trinidad Day

August 22 - 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
@ 1310 Childress St NE
Stop by this year's Trinidad Day for a family-friendly, fun-filled day featuring food, live entertainment, games, a water slide, and more! My team and I will be there and hope to see you.

Woodridge/Langdon:
Northeast Summer Nights

August 26 - 6:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park
Join DC Squared and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for Northeast Summer Nights. This family-friendly summer series explores art through interactive activities, live performances, local vendors, and outdoor movies. 

Arboretum:
Summer Evening Hours

Weekdays thru August 28 - open 'til 8:00 p.m.
@ U.S. National Arboretum
Enjoy the arboretum during longer summer days with special evening hours. On weekdays, the Arboretum will be open until 8:00 p.m. On Fridays, enjoy a variety of food trucks!

Stronghold:
FitDC Yoga Fest

August 29 - 10:00 a.m.
@ Reservoir Park (10 Lower Service Ct NW)
Join FITDC for yoga at Reservoir Park as part of this year's Yoga Fest! Learn more and register here.

Brookland:

FMGG 3rd Annual Fall Festival

October 17 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

@ 3700 16th St NE

Mark your calendar to join my team at the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild's 3rd Annual Fall Festival! This fun event features pumpkin patches, lamb mowers, a photo booth, and more!

Anacostia:
Jazzy Sundays

July 12 - August 30 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ 1234 Morion Barry Ave SE
Join District agencies, the Anacostia BID, and DCity Smokehouse on Sundays through the summer for live jazz and good vibes. Learn more and register for free tickets here.

• DC Students Made Small Gains on Last Year's Standardized Tests, But Still Below Prepandemic Levels in Math, Data Shows (WTOP)
  
  
• DC Gives High Schoolers More College Tuition Assistance Than Ever. Is it Enough? (NOTUS)
  
  
• Ex-Employee Says DC Jail Botched Probes into Violence, Death, and Drugs (WaPo - free to read for 14 days with this gift link)
  
  
• Six MPD Members Charged with Falsifying Overtime Records (City Paper)
  
  
• The Broken Promise of DC's Commission on Poverty (The 51st)
  
  
• For First Time, Chuck Brown Day Will Go On Without Brown Family (WTOP)

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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