Posts by Elizabeth Mettler
July Update on Modernization
School may be out for the summer, but planning continues for the Murch modernization to ensure it remains on track to begin construction in the summer of 2016. The Department of General Services (DGS) and DC Public Schools hosted a community meeting on July 1 to present proposed revisions to the design concept. The revisions were aimed…
Read MoreMurch School Improvement Team
The Murch School Improvement Team (SIT) is a group of staff, parents and community members selected by the Principal to participate in the development of educational specifications and schematic design for the school’s modernization project. Current members of the Murch SIT are: Tim Abrams, parent (5th and 3rd grade) Renee Brown, parent (3rd and 2nd grade,…
Read MoreDC Council Testimony on Murch Modernization
On February 19, HSA Co-Presidents Martha McIntosh and Maggie Gumbinner testified before the DC Council’s Education Committee to highlight the overwhelming need for modernizing Murch. Their testimony also addressed concerns with the process used to schedule schools for modernization. On February 24, DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson testified before the Education Committee and also addressed the school modernization…
Read MoreDC Council Education Committee Testimony
Written Testimony of Martha McIntosh, Murch HSA Co-President DCPS Performance Oversight Hearing DC Council Committee on Education February 19, 2015 Hello. My name is Martha McIntosh and I am currently a Co-President of the Murch Home and School Association. I am also the parent of two students at Murch. My oldest child is now in…
Read MoreDeputy Mayor Promises $65 Million for Murch Renovation
On Tuesday evening, February 10, Murch parents and community members filled the school’s all-purpose room to meet with Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles. They shared their frustration with the long wait for renovation and their wariness that the need for additional funding might delay the project again. Deputy Mayor Niles told the Murch community…
Read MoreRenovation Alert 1/30/15: We Need Help!
On Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 pm, at Murch, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles is coming to discuss the new mayoral administration’s plans for modernization. It is essential that we fill the room and let her know that funding for renovation and expansion is critical to the Murch community. The Murch HSA will provide babysitting…
Read MoreRenovation News: Deputy Mayor for Education Coming to Murch
Make plans now to attend the HSA meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 pm. Newly-appointed Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles will be speaking to parents about the new Mayor’s plans for the Murch modernization project. The HSA will provide babysitting for Murch-age children. Meanwhile, planning for the renovation is moving forward. Proposals for…
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2015 LSAT Minutes
Attendees: Chris Cebrzynski, Vicki Otten, Stephanie Berger, Lisa Stone, Rosanna DeMammos, Bethany Little, Lauren Miller, Beth Colleye, Leslie Scott Review of the Staffing Model: The staff survey has not been circulated yet because Sabrina wants to review questions with LSAT and Mr. C before finalizing. The committee agreed to ask her to post the…
Read MoreMurch Renovation Update – December 19, 2014
On December 16, the Murch School Improvement Team (SIT) met with Brian Hanlon, Director of the DC Department of General Services (DGS), Lisa Ruda, Deputy Chancellor of DC Public Schools (DCPS), Councilmember Mary Cheh, and members of their staffs. Here is what we learned: DGS now has agreed to issue an RFP for design planning…
Read MoreUpdate on the Murch Renovation
Several years ago, Murch was scheduled to begin renovation in the 2014-2015 school year, but that timeline was delayed in the DC budget process in the spring of 2013. In 2014, the Murch community mounted a campaign to educate city leaders about the overwhelming need for Murch to be renovated as quickly as possible. As…
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