It’s appropriate that January, a month that is symbolic of new beginnings and fresh starts, is also recognized as National School Board Appreciation Month. As a result of the November election, DPSCD will welcome new Board members, LaTrice McClendon, and Dr. Iris Taylor, who previously served as Board president. In addition, two incumbent members, current President Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, and Bishop Corletta Vaughn, are returning to serve the community. We thank all our Board Members for their service.

On January 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. prior to the Regular Board of Education meeting at Western International High School, the Board will hold an Organizational meeting that the community is invited to attend. In this meeting, the newly elected members as well as the elected incumbents will take their oaths of office. In addition, the new Board will elect its officers as well as assign its committee members. The Regular Board of Education meeting for January will immediately follow at 5:30 p.m., also at Western. Let’s look at several other noteworthy activities coming in January.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 16, 2023

In recognition of the life, service, and achievements of Dr. King, DPSCD schools will be closed. The community is encouraged to engage in service opportunities in support of the good, a staple of Dr. King’s legacy and a significant element to the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Expect Respect for January-Citizenship

If you are not familiar, DPSCD’s Expect Respect campaign, launched and supported through The Expect Respect resolution, was approved by the Board of Education in September of 2019. The goal of the program is to foster positive relationships in all schools district wide. As we celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. King as well as service to others this month, it’s appropriate that the DPSCD’s Expect Respect character trait for January is Citizenship.

Throughout January, DPSCD school counselors, school social workers, Deans and School Culture Facilitators as well as the Culture and Climate Leadership Teams (CLT), will involve students in activities and lessons related to Citizenship. Along with the lessons and activities, how else can our students display Citizenship this month? By being respectful of other people and their property, respecting school property, following school rules, and practicing good character (responsibility, honesty, good listening habits, kindness and giving back to your school community) are among the ways our students of all ages can demonstrate Citizenship to each other and our community.

January is National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month is a widespread campaign to spread awareness in society of how mentoring fuels connections and opportunity for young people, whether in schools, workplaces and beyond. Whether through our Let’s Read initiative or other school-based programming, the community is invited to explore mentoring possibilities as we cultivate and foster the leaders, citizens, workers  and family members that are today’s generation of DPSCD students.

Keep an eye out for other DPSCD activities and events in January as the new calendar year begins within the 2022-23 school year. DPSCD, the Future is Rising!