826DC

Strong writing skills are fundamental to future success, but even before the pandemic, only 35% of DCPS students were writing at a proficient level. Now, there is an urgent demand for effective remote learning that is focused both on social-emotional needs and on the substantial learning loss precipitated by school closures. Grounded in feedback sought immediately following the shelter-in-place order, 826DC provided teachers with creative writing curricula for distance teaching. A STEM-based summer program – the popular ReWriting the Stars (which mimics the experience of going to space camp) – helped students fight summer learning loss and provided the blueprint for remote fall learning. But real strength and effectiveness in this work requires investment in digital learning resources and professional development, something for which no one had planned. 826DC is poised (and committed) to address the challenge – with your help, please.