Back To School 2026

2026 BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLEMENT

REORIENTATION: THE NEW

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MIMI’S MUSINGS: START YOUNG, FINISH STRONG

The Importance of Reorientation, Navigating the New School Daze

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

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STAFF Micha Green, Managing Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, WIN-TV Producer Ra-Jah Kelly, Digital Asset Manager Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Desmond Barnes, WIN Daily Editor Anthony Tilghman, Social Media Strategist ZebraDesigns.net, Graphic Design Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office/Circulation Manager Jada Ingleton, Content Editor REPORTERS Stacy Brown, National Reporter Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr., Political/Education Reporter Brenda Siler, Lifestyle Reporter Ed Hill, Sports Reporter Richard Elliott, Reporter Skylar Nelson, Sports Reporter Mya Trujillo, Multimedia Reporter

It’s that time of year again, when parents and children are filling stores, emptying aisles, and checking off supply lists in preparation for the new school year.

Despite changing trends, social media and new standards, for years, the back to school season has looked about the same and always had the same goal: ensuring students have all the tools they need to thrive in and outside of the classroom.

However it’s not only about purchasing items. Even before the first official schoolbell rings to note class is back in session, this time of year also comes with orientations to equip families with all the necessary information for parents and students alike to know what lies ahead.

This year, The Washington Informer interns pitched and created content they felt is important for students and families to know ahead of the 2026-2027 year. From their collaborative ideas and reporting, the editorial team created the theme “Reorientation: The New School Daze.”

“When I graduated high school in 2022 some of the challenges kids face today were still prevalent but on a smaller scale. [Social media has a major influence] on young kids,” said Evan Aldridge, one of five Washington Informer (WI) summer 2026 editorial interns and a recent graduate of Howard University. “With ‘Reorientation: The New School Daze,’ I hope readers become aware of the tactics of how social media targets young, impressionable minds.”

The five young reporters explored topics such as the issues students face today, costs of back to school supplies, registered apprenticeships, funding challenges due to the Big Beautiful Bill, and boosting literacy through reading.

“I want the readers of ‘Reorientation: The New School Daze’ to understand the difficulties some communities have to face when searching for affordable school supplies,” William Deffaa, a WI summer intern and 2026 University of Maryland graduate, told The Informer. “I also hope for

PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Ja Mon Jackson, Asst. Photo Editor Roy Lewis, Jr. Robert R. Roberts Anthony Tilghman Abdullah Konte Cleveland Nelson INTERNS Evan Aldridge, Summer Intern Tatiana Allen, Summer Intern Jordan Armstead, Summer Intern Will Deffaa, Summer Intern Razak Diallo, Summer Intern

5 Washington Informer (WI) Content Editor Jada Ingleton (left), WI Managing Editor Micha Green and WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes (center) with the publication’s summer 2026 interns: William Deffaa, Jordan Armstead, Tatian Allen, Razak Diallo and Evan Aldridge. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

my [coverage] to be informative to the general public about where cheap or even free school supplies can be found as we head into the next school year!”

For intern Razak Diallo, a rising senior at University of Maryland College Park, it was important to dive into post-secondary educational and career opportunities for students beyond college, such as studying trades and getting paid all at once through registered apprenticeships.

“It’s really easy to get caught in rigid ideas of what ‘the good life’ is supposed to look like after high school– whether it be the prevailing thought of college being superior or the growing idea that college is useless and an apprenticeship or trade school is where it’s at,” Diallo said. “Ultimately, both have positives and negatives. However, they share one thing in common: being institutions dedicated to growing your knowledge base. To me, learning and, more importantly, the willingness to learn even after you think you know it all, that’s key to succeeding.”

With her own concerns as a guiding factor, Howard University student Tatiana Allen wanted to cover the challenges collegiates and their families are facing due to the Big Beautiful Bill to eventually find solutions for herself and others.

“As a now rising senior in college, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to have made it this far in my education.

Yet, I witnessed those around me who couldn’t afford to stay in college or experienced the hefty cost of higher education without the assistance of their guardians. This time last year, I was fearful, myself, that reaching senior year would be impossible,” explained Allen, whose reporting is featured in the weekly edition of The Informer in conjunction with the Back to School edition. “From my interviews and research, the people the bill claims to assist actually harms in the end.”

With such coverage, Allen’s goal is to lead toward positive change for students across the country.

“I hope with ‘Reorientation: The New School Daze,’ local and national leaders will understand how this bill doesn’t only impact students but the very future generation they rely on to do the jobs that keep this economy going,” said Allen, who was recently named Essence Magazine’s NextGen 10, highlighting young changemakers walking in the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

By introducing new books for readers elementary through high school, Jordan Armstead hoped to not only encourage reading and promote Black authors, but boost literacy rates.

“Reading is essential for the youth, not just in the classroom but outside where they can explore their own worlds, own thinking and ever-growing identities,” Armstead, who is majoring journalism and religious studies at Elon University, told The Washington Informer. “My research into new books from Black authors has only secured this idea as this list highlights the assortment of author origins and book genres available to our youth. I hope with ‘Reorientation: The New School Daze,’ readers of all ages can feel at ease that although technology is rapidly evolving, nothing can beat the feeling of a classic: a good ole book.” n

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Educators, Community, District Should Be Partners in Public Education Laura Fuchs President of the Washington Teachers’ Union.

Educators are experts in the classroom, but we don’t have all the answers that will make public education in the District of Columbia Public Schools the best it can be. We need partners to do the hard work of fighting for the public schools DC’s community deserves.

With major changes on the horizon, the Washington Teachers’ Union is increasing our efforts to partner with the broader community, starting with a series of community conversations in every ward of the District. We will convene parents, students and other community members to build a collective vision for DCPS and the top priorities to achieve it. The best way to find out what needs to be fixed, jettisoned or included in our schools is to work with the very people who have a stake in our kids’ education: our parents, students, educators and concerned community members.

There’s no shortage of things that kids need to make our schools better suit their needs. Educators, parents and students have come forward and testified at the DC Council and DC State Board of Education on a wide range of issues: from less time preparing for and taking standardized tests, to ensuring our special education students are receiving their full complement of services, to questions over how we integrate technology into our classrooms. But we want to engage with the DC public school community, especially our parents and students, to get a sense of what we all feel our

schools need the most to ensure our students have the educational experience they deserve.

This community strategy also will be part of our contract negotiations. Because we do not have a school board running DCPS, there are few opportunities for the public’s voices to truly be heard as equal partners when it concerns how our schools are run. One way is to use the collective bargaining process and take a “bargaining for the common good” approach, where the union and community collaborate to achieve benefits for our educators and the broader community. For instance, if the union and community agree that we need more community schools, where students and their families can receive particular resources to improve their lives, like tutoring, mentoring, health and dental clinics, or food banks, we would advocate for that in our contract

negotiations. Educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions, so it is imperative that we are all on the same page when fighting for what we need from the district government.

Another part of our community conversations will be discussion around what qualities we are looking for from the next DCPS chancellor. There’s actually a D.C. law that sets out how the appointment process will go that has been repeatedly flouted by previous mayors. It includes a review panel of parents, students and teachers and specifically names just one organization—the WTU—as having “great weight” in the recommendation to the mayor as to who the next chancellor should be. We are anxious to roll up our sleeves with

the next mayor and make that process a reality alongside our community partners so that we get a chancellor who will be committed and experienced enough to see our community’s vision through.

When a new mayor and chancellor are in place, there is no doubt that we will once again press to overhaul the way teachers are evaluated. The long-used, long-reviled, discredited IMPACT system uses unfair criteria to evaluate teachers, resulting in good teachers being fired, failing to provide the necessary help for teachers needing assistance, discouraging teachers to stay in the system and failing to improve student outcomes. It overemphasizes test scores to evaluate a teacher, which may not reflect a teacher’s sincere

efforts or any progress being made for students in difficult circumstances. The WTU has been clear that when it comes to how our educators are evaluated, we need to be partners at the negotiating table in the creation, implementation and enforcement of the evaluation system so that it is focused on improving teaching practice and student learning, not just on punitive ratings.

We intend to work with the DC community so that, as partners, we create a public education system that’s accountable to the public and then support and build a public school system that our students need to grow and become well-educated citizens. We cannot wait to join with you in this work. n

WILL YOU BE THE NEXT D.C. SPELLING BEE WINNER?

45th annual spelling bee Open to 3rd - 8th grade students enrolled in D.C. public, charter, private, parochial or home schools.

Registration opens August 18, 2026

National Enrollment for schools opens at spellingbee.com Contact your school coordinator or call The Washington Informer at (202) 561-4100 Sponsorship opportunities are available – email: rburke@washingtoiinformer.com.

For our Prince George’s County Bee, please contact Doug Hayes pgspellingbee@gmail.com

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Dental Health Checks Matter!

Submitted By MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia As your healthcare provider, MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia is committed to supporting you and your child in living a healthy life so you can feel your best. This information will help you understand more about dental health checks.

When do dental health checks start? Dental health checks should start early in your child’s life. Starting dental health checks early can set your child on a path to good oral health and create positive attitude towards dental care.

• For children aged 1 year, dental screening is done by the pediatrician (doctor) during well-child visits.

• For children ages 1–3 years, the pediatrician (doctor) can perform the screening, OR your child can visit a dentist once per year.

• From ages 3–20 years, dental services are provided by the dentist during checkups every six months.

3 reasons for early dental health checks

• Baby teeth assist in the development of your child’s speech.

• Untreated baby teeth can negatively affect the development of permanent teeth.

• A child’s smile affects their self-esteem and confidence.

What happens during a dental health check? When you have a dental health check, the dentist will do many important things to keep your teeth healthy. Dental health checks can include the following: • X-Rays • Examination of the mouth • Check for cavities • Cleaning and applying fluoride to teeth • Evaluate the need for extra fluoride (helps prevent cavities) • Check oral hygiene (go over brushing and flossing if needed) • Evaluate for dental sealants (sealants are a protective coating applied to the tooth) • Evaluate diet and nutrition

• Counseling for non-nutritive habits (comforting habits from the use of pacifiers and finger or thumb sucking) • Counseling for injury prevention • Substance abuse counseling • Counseling for piercings in and around the mouth Teach your child early not to fear the dentist The younger you start bringing your child to the dentist, the less they will fear it. It will teach your child that visiting the dentist is a necessity, not a choice, and that the dentist will take care of their teeth so they are kept healthy and strong to eat.

If you are a MedStar Family Choice DC enrollee, for more information or assistance scheduling dental exams call us at 855-798-4244. Select 1 for Enrollee Services, and then select 2 for an outreach representative. TTY users call 711. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

If you do not speak or read English, please call 888-404-3549 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A representative will assist you. n

Back-to-school starts with healthy children.

From July 15 to September 30, 2026, children ages 3–20 can receive a free bookbag packed with school-supply swag. They may also qualify for gift card rewards after completing a well-child visit and dental screening.

Schedule your child’s yearly appointments today so they can start school healthy and confident.

This program is brought to you by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.

To find out more, scan the QR code below or call us at (855) 798-4244.

5D.C.’s Southeast school supply costs are much steeper than other areas due to a lack of accessible supply stores. (WI Intern/William Deffaa)

5D.C. poverty rate by Ward, based on Census Reporter data.(WI Intern/ William Deffaa)

5Southeast D.C.’s median household income is far lower than the rest of the district.

(WI Intern/William Deffaa)

Beyond the Backpack: Examining the Hidden Costs of Back to School

By William Deffaa WI Intern As nearly 100,000 students prepare to step back into the classroom and into a new chapter of their lives, they want to stand out with the flashiest backpack, the newest colored pencils and the most eye-catching lunchbox.

However, the price for purchasing such items can be pricey, and in the nation’s capital the costs are not equitable for basic school necessities.

“Many families have already begun shopping for uniforms and school supplies — I know I have.

Uniform pants for my toddler are $25 a piece, a pack of unsharpened pencils is about $3, up a whole dollar in just 2 years,” said Hilary Daniel, a Northeast, D.C. resident and mother of two students in District of Columbia Public Schools.

In the District, major store chains that supply school supplies cheaply are few and far between, leaving many families to resort to local back-to-school drives and trek across the city just to get materials cheaply.

“We believe every child deserves to start the school year with confidence and the supplies they need to succeed,” said Georgette Davies, founder and CEO of Balloons Magic & Bliss LLC and Visage Glamour LLC, who will be offering school supplies, vaccinations and a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family in Beltsville on Aug. 22. “Back-to-school shopping has become a financial

challenge for so many families, especially in this time, a lot of parents have lost their jobs.”

What’s most stark is how areas of D.C. with higher poverty have very few options when it comes to chain grocery and dollar store options, compared to the wealthier areas of the nation’s capital.

Ward 8, which has an average of 30.6% and 41% of children living below the poverty line, the highest in the District--- and only contains two chain store options: a Giant Food grocery store and a CVS Pharmacy.

As a result, the cost of school materials for these areas tends to be higher, with Wards 7 and 8, which are predominantly African American, having the highest average school supply costs in the District.

“The rising costs of day to day supplies are steadily increasing, but many families, especially those east of the river, aren’t seeing an increase in income,” Daniel, who worked at a District elementary east of the Anacostia River during the 2025-2026 school year. “My advice to families would be to stay informed of local organizations having back-to-school events.

No matter how one gets their supplies, Daniel said it’s important to prioritize having all the tools students need to thrive in and outside of the classroom.

“Having adequate supplies at the start of the year is just as important as having a good breakfast to start your day,” the mother and 14-year educator told The Informer. “It truly makes a difference!” n

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2026 BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLEMENT

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‘Earn While You Learn’: Getting Into Trades Through Apprenticeship ed States. More than 90% of apprentices in the country maintain employment after completing their program.

“We’re gonna stick you in that job so you’re gonna be working every day,” Ramsey-Walker said. “This is your career and you’re earning your keep.”

IUPAT 51’s program operates as the Finishing Trades Institute for the DMV region, one of many apprenticeships across the area offered through a local union.

The four-year program connects participants with an employer and instruction in one of four disciplines: glass and metal work, commercial painting, drywall finishing and coating application. While working full-time, apprentices attend classes twice a month that reinforce the skills learned on the job.

According to Ramsey-Walker, apprentices start with a salary around $40,000 with health benefits, a pension, and a 10% increase each year.

After graduating a commercial painter pursuing independent work could see around $60,000 a year, a glazier around $85,000 and industrial painters nearing six figures.

Adaireous Coleman Jr. is entering his

By Razak Diallo WI Reporting Intern While many people train for careers in trades through programs in community colleges or technical schools, there are options outside of traditional schooling to become a skilled laborer, such as registered apprenticeships.

With registered apprenticeships— programs approved by the federal or state government where individuals obtain paid work experience, certifications and skills required to succeed in a particular field— people often learn, earn and thrive.

“You’re getting those nationally recognized credentials, you’re getting access to high wages and benefits and you don’t have to pay a dime for it,” said Rochelle Ramsey-Walker, a commercial painter and the workforce development coordinator for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 51.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are nearly 27,000 apprenticeship programs and more than 700,000 active apprentices in the Unit-

third year as an apprentice electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26. Similar to IUPAT 51, the Lanham, Maryland-based chapter of IBEW operates on a learn and work model for its five-year program.

Fresh out of high school and unsure about what to do, the Baltimorean began working with electricians in his family on different jobs. Realizing it was something he was interested in, Coleman followed his family member’s recommendation and applied for IBEW’s apprenticeship program.

“I looked at their lifestyle…and I’m like, ‘that’s something I desire for myself,’” he said.

Hard, Dedicated Work and Having the ‘Right Attitude’

Coleman currently works Monday to Friday at a data center in Ashburn, Virginia.

Once every two weeks he attends a class, paid for through the program. In September, the 22-year-old estimates he’ll be making around $90,000 a year, along with benefits and stability

5Insulation apprentices at work in January 2024. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

through IBEW. In spite of trade jobs often being presented as the alternative path to furthering academic education, it can be just as rigorous. Coleman’s work days require him to wake up at 3:30 a.m. in order to have time to get ready, commute and begin working at 6 a.m.

“People fail out a lot,” he said, “so you have to just stay focused and treat it seriously.”

Program directors like Ramsey-Walker also witness turnover and emphasizes a willingness to work hard and learn as the first step to success.

“It’s easy to get in, but it’s very easy to get yourself kicked out,” Ramsey-Walker said. “We want serious people, so you don’t have to have the knowledge, but you at least have to have the right attitude.”

Plus, learning doesn’t stop after registered apprenticeships finish.

Coleman hopes to use the college credits earned through his coursework towards a degree in finance to become more well-rounded, and Ramsey-Walker also encourages continuing to learn and grow in order to be successful.

“If you want to stay employed and stay relevant in your industry, you have to be on top of your industry and how it’s shifting,” she said. “Especially as it relates to AI and technology…you need to understand how these things are at play in your industry and make sure that you have the knowledge base where you’re not getting pushed out.”

For more information on local registered apprenticeship programs visit: dclabor.org, apprenticeship.does.dc.gov, and labor.maryland.gov. n

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The Promise DC Public Charter Schools Keep

By Dr. Michelle J. Walker-Davis DC Public Charter School Board Executive Director What is the greatest measure of a school’s success?

As an authorizer, I spend a lot of time thinking about what success looks like. We measure academic growth, financial health, and organizational effectiveness. But every so often, a different measure stands out: a former student who returns to serve the very school that helped shape their future. This year, I was reminded of that through the stories of two remarkable public charter school alumni.

Michael Toussaint first walked into Washington Latin Public Charter School as a sixth grader. He graduated as part of the school’s inaugural senior class in 2013, built a successful career in restaurant management, and could have gone anywhere. Instead, encouraged by former classmates who had also returned, he

came back to Washington Latin Public Charter School this time as Dean of Students.

Viviana Patarroyo Ulloa arrived in Washington, DC, from Colombia with limited English and no local support network. Carlos Rosario Public Charter School became more than a place to learn English. It became a community that believed in her. Today, she serves as the school’s Manager of Strategic Policy Collaborations.

Their stories are different, but they

share a powerful truth.

When graduates return to serve the schools that helped shape them, they aren’t simply filling jobs. They are living proof that schools can cultivate not only academic achievement but also purpose and a lifelong commitment to community.

As another school year begins, that is the promise I hope every family sees when they walk through the doors of a DC public charter school.

This fall, more than 48,000 students (half of DC’s students) will attend a public charter school. Behind every one of those students is a family placing enormous trust in educators. They trust schools to challenge their student academically and support them socially and emotionally.

That responsibility is both profound and personal.

Too often, conversations about education focus only on costs. Certainly, educating a student requires significant public investment.

Through the District’s Uniform Per

The Conversation Continues.

Join Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board, for candid conversations with education leaders shaping the future of public education in DC.

5Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Class of 2026 graduates. The school delivers high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy.

Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), our city invests more than $15,000 per student annually, with additional funding to meet the needs of students requiring specialized support.

But I believe we should spend just as much time talking about the return on that investment.

Every dollar invested in public education is an investment in our future workforce, our civic life, and the strength of our communities. It makes career and technical education programs possible. It gives students access to dual-language instruction, the arts, college counseling, mental health services, and countless experiences that help them discover who they are and who they can become.

The return on that investment isn’t measured only in diplomas. Sometimes it is measured years later, when a graduate walks back through the very same school doors, not because they have to, but because they want another young person to experience what they did. That is education coming full circle.

Public charter schools were created with a simple but powerful idea: give educators the flexibility to innovate while holding them accountable for results. Every day across the District, public charter schools demonstrate what is possible when schools are

empowered to meet students where they are while maintaining high expectations for where they can go.

At the DC Public Charter School Board, our role is to ensure that every public charter school remains worthy of the trust families place in it. We celebrate excellence, support continuous improvement, and make difficult decisions when necessary because every student deserves access to a quality education.

As backpacks are packed and classrooms once again fill with energy and possibility, I encourage everyone in our city to reconnect with our schools.

Attend a school event. Volunteer at a school. Mentor a student. Thank a teacher. Visit a classroom and witness firsthand the extraordinary work happening every day.

And perhaps one day, years from now, one of the students beginning school this fall will walk back through those same doors, not as a student, but as a teacher, a counselor, a school leader, or a mentor.

When our graduates choose to come home, we know we’ve done more than educate them. We’ve inspired them to build the future of our city.

To learn more about DC public charter schools, visit dcpcsb.org. n

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PRE-KINDERGARTEN • K-12 • ADULT

48,605 students attended a public charter school in the 2025 - 26 school year

BUILT ON CHOICE DRIVEN BY RESULTS POWERED BY DC STUDENTS & FAMILIES

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@dcpcsb

2026 - Simply Amazing: The Richard Wright/ Capitol Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) Summer Program and “Right on Time”

By Daniya Howard Junior at Richard Wright Schools On June 28, 2026, at 10:00 am, 25 students aged 14-18 enthusiastically arrived at Richard Wright Schools and began their Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSEYP) experience. This experience did not disappoint.

MBSEYP is a DC-based summer jobs program for youth ages 14 to 24.

The program offers a variety of job opportunities and career experiences for District of Columbia youth. The program is a six-week summer experience with both public and private employers hosting job opportunities.

The goal is to help youth stay positively engaged throughout the summer. The program keeps youth off the streets and safe while teaching work responsibilities and introducing them to new skills and experiences that challenge their minds and expand their horizons. Youth are learning as they earn; a winning combination.

At the CYEP/Richard Wright Program, youth participants received so much during those six weeks. For example, each student learned about career paths in science, math, and technology. Also, students learned how to start a business and were taught life skills that help youth be-

3At left, a student engaged in building a model roller coaster.

Photo credit: Melvin Stallings, Instructor On the right, “CSI-style junior agents in training” uncover the truth from the evidence.

Photo Credit: Daniya Howard

come successful adults.

During the first week, teens who selected the CYEP at Richard Wright STEAM participated in team-building activities that reinforced positive relationships and promoted greater trust among the group. This is an important work skill. Youth also worked on professional relational skills. After team-building and exposure to careers in the sciences and technology, it was time to practice hands-on activities.

Students arrived by 10:00 am, signed in on the SYEP time sheets, ate a nutritious breakfast, and proceeded to their assigned work stations. Failure to follow the procedures could result

in not being paid, so students learned to follow procedures and protocols.

Mr. Stallings, the head of the Summer Program, motivated students each day by flooding them with positive messages about their brilliance and potential. That is how they started their day.

While one group started the day with scientific pursuits like engineering and/or forensics, the other group learned about the arts through musical theatre with Ms. Johnson, the dance theatre teacher and director of the Wright Dancers at Richard Wright.

The program complemented the mind/body connection according to some participants.

In science, students designed and built a roller coaster. They also completed dissections. In each instance, they learned the vocabulary and techniques of the engineer or the forensic scientist. This reinforced the value of hands-on learning. That is what kept students coming back each day.

Several days a week, participants came together to learn about financial literacy and how to apply those skills.

During STEM classes, students learned physics and how to launch rockets. This class helped students develop the foundational cognitive and practical skills they need to navigate today’s highly tech-powered and driven world, according to teacher and facilitator Mr. Osumah In musical theatre, participants selected a musical to perform at the end of the six-week program. One group chose an excerpt from the Lion King play, while the other group “Eased on Down the Road” with a brief rendi-

tion of The Wiz. Most of the participants had never performed on a stage before, but they managed to come out of their shells and give amazing performances in such a short period Financial literacy taught the importance of having a checking account, a savings account, and other essential financial information. This is important because these skills are not always discussed at home or taught in regular school time. This information helps youth navigate this complex real-world economy and, most importantly, manage their finances.

The CYEP and Richard Wright Schools were a perfect partnership this summer, creating an exciting, memorable, and essential learning experience for youth. n

5Student Amari Tucker prepares for his debut as the Scarrecrow in the WIZ as his makeup is applied. Photo Credit: Garrett Osumah

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‘SHHHH. QUIET ON THE CREEK’ AND OPEN THOSE BOOKS

Books by Black Authors for Elementary to High School Students

By Jordan Armstead WI Intern As summer winds down and the school year kicks back off, it’s time for students to be ‘quiet on the creek,’ in the words of the Saucy Santana song of the summer, and open those books.

Diving into books not only promotes reading and literacy rates, particularly as the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed 12th-grade reading scores dropped to the lowest average since the evaluation was first completed in 1992.

“One of my most treasured memories as a mother was instilling a love of reading in my son Jordan,” Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) said in an Aug. 4 statement, after leading the House introduction of the Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act. “Tragically, far too many young people in America are graduating high school

without basic literacy skills.”

Reading not only combats declining literacy rates, but gets students geared up for the school year and allows youth and young adults to discover new worlds.

Check out a list of books for students from elementary to high school to read, enjoy and thrive this back to school season and beyond.

“When we teach our children to read, we give them the tools to think critically, and a child who can think critically can achieve whatever they set their mind to,” said Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), when emphasizing the importance of the bipartisan READ ACT.

Elementary Grades

“My Curls Bounce Back” By: Shelia Burlock Shelia Burlock introduces an ador-

able little African American boy who goes on a self-love journey to accept his God-given coily, gravity-defying, bouncy hair.

“Day Shift, Night Shift” By: Ariel Vanece A young girl, Atticus, is so amazed by her Pop Pop who is a train engineer by day and ‘toy train mechanic’ at night. When Atticus can’t figure out how to get their toy train to climb a hill, her and Pop Pop must put their brilliant minds together to figure out the solution.

Middle School Grades

“The Blonde Dies First” By: Joelle Wellington Didn’t mama always say not to play with Ouija boards? Well, Devon, her twin sister Drew, and their friends did not listen and now their “Best Summer Ever” is at risk when a demon released from their board hunts them down— old slasher movie style.

“Charmed and Dangerous” By: Shelley Page The cozy town of Fair Glen is full of

magic and is protected by its very own Bureau of Mystical Affairs including Monroe Bennett, a junior recruit at the Bureau. After receiving her first case of tracking down the source of a rogue love charm, Monroe’s life gets a little complicated. See how Monroe balances this magical case alongside her magical feelings in this charming novel.

ror-themed birthday party gone wrong. Simone Washington, the main character, enjoys planning halloween parties as an escape from thinking about her dark past.

However, when her best friend Kira dies under mysterious circumstances at her 18th birthday bash, Washington must make a deal to free a cursed witch to restore Kira’s life within fourteen days.

High School Grades

“Two Can Play That Game” By: Zakiya N. Jamal AD is the star basketball player on the New York Rebels who plays on the court almost as hard as she does in her dating life. Chelsea is a sex-postive influencer who is ready to take her career to the next level. What better way to help each other than to fake a relationship to bring up their public images and then separate once the basketball season ends? However as the hoax becomes more serious, Chelsea finds her falling for AD and risking her heart and the future she is striving for. n

“If I Ruled the World” By: Amy Dubois Barnett Authored by the former editor-in-chief of Ebony Magazine and Teen People Magazine, “If I Ruled The World: A Novel” takes it back to 1999 with Nikki Rose, the main character. Dive into DuBois Barnett’s new comedically, romantically empowering piece as Nikki Rose finds her truth and reconnects with her own potential.

“Needy Little Things” By: Channelle Desamours Chanelle Desamours newest piece is about a hor-

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