Who We Serve
Population
WEDJ PCS was founded to fill the void in Arts Education for Students of all ages in Washington, DC. What began with 153 students in a temporary warehouse space in September 2004 has blossomed into a population of 650 students on three campuses serving students from Prek3 to 12. We are excited about our first senior class that will be graduating in June 2010!In the past year ART START Child Development Center was opened on the NW Campus to serve families with children of all ages. We believe in enrolling students and seeing them through to graduation and serving the needs of families from 7 am through 6:15 pm on a regular basis. In addition, we put on 13 productions a year including a faculty show Gala in the Spring as a major fundraiser for the year. As a result the school serves families on a rotating basis on Saturday mornings and in the evenings.
Intensive test prep is instituted each winter on Saturday Mornings in addition to the regular Saturday program for testing grades. All students are expected to attend in preparation for the DC-CAS.
Parent Involvement
The parent and teacher organization plans meetings once per month for the school community. By maintaining communication and involving the group in school issues, new and innovative means for addressing pressing school issues may be brought forward. There are two spaces currently reserved for and occupied by Parents on the Board of Directors. While one is selected by the Board of Directors through open application. The other is generally reserved for the President of the Parent Teacher Association, pending their approval by the Board of Directors and their recommendation by school leadership.The Board and Founders of WEDJ PCS fully believe and embrace the idea of needing a “village to raise a child.” As such, we encourage, implore and provide opportunities for community members, specifically parents and guardians, to participate in the life of the school. Parents and other family members are encouraged to spend time in the school building, serve on committees, and work with teachers and students. It is in the best interest of WEDJ PCS to foster positive parent and family relations in order to help build a caring community for our students. At the time of enrollment, parents sign a pledge form to provide up to 20 hours of community involvement per year. (The pledge is per family, regardless of the number of students enrolled from a single family. Families with students enrolled in more than one division of WEDJ PCS – elementary, middle or upper school-may serve their hours with any division in which their student is enrolled.) These volunteer activities may be carried out by any significant adult in the life of the family. The activities for which assistance is needed includes, but is not limited to: chaperoning field trips, staffing and/or preparations for school performances/exhibitions, set-up/strike for school-wide activities, participation in classroom activities, helping with school office duties, including mailings, participating in parent workshops, serving on committees, organizing school events or programs, or providing translation services for other parents. Parents who want to volunteer in the classroom on a regular basis may be given training in working with students and are required to undergo a background screening.
Clear and regular communication with parents is crucial. Parents receive information about the school’s program, goals, activities and calendar at the time of enrollment, at the beginning of the school year and on an on-going basis as needed. Parent Orientations, Back-to-School Night and Parent-Teacher Conferences are additional face-to-face opportunities for us to educate parents about out philosophy and plans regarding their children. Occasional grade-level or school-wide meetings are held, as well. Periodic bulletins, memorandums and school publications provide updates of important or interesting information.
The new website as well as division listserves are part of our effort to increase parent communication as well as cut down on the use of paper to save both money and trees!