Happy Black History Month!

Welcome back to February’s Take Five! This month, we’re highlighting Brookland Middle School, some important DC Council Hearings, and ways to celebrate Black History Month with the rest of the District.

We’re opening this newsletter with a mutual aid opportunity. This month is not only about honoring the work of the past, but about taking meaningful action right now.

Mutual Aid

Families show up for Ms. Rice’s BMS Winter’s Art Night.

Brookland MS adds to the rich cultural legacy of our community. It’s now time for all of us to contribute to the power of culture, progress and self-determination.

Instead of material donations, BMS is asking their community to support through two opportunities:

• Spend an hour engaging with scholars to increase BMS’s literacy efforts. Why? Because literacy fuels agency and imagination, and when the village shows up, it becomes a pathway to economic mobility. How? Partner with Mr. G, the school’s librarian, to:

  1. Read alongside scholars and facilitate small‑group conversations
     Support guided reading, book discussions, or reflection circles that help scholars build confidence, comprehension, and voice.

  2. Support literacy programming and library activities
     Assist with literacy blocks, author studies, or special library programming that strengthens engagement with reading and storytelling.

  3. Model a love of learning and lived experience with books
     Share how reading has shaped your life, career, or imagination, helping scholars see literacy as a tool for agency and opportunity.

• Are you a lawyer, data analyst, entrepreneur, social worker…? Help expose BMS students to the vast and diverse opportunities ahead of them. Broaden their future horizons by speaking about your career and professional journey so scholars may be inspired to pursue any career they want, from college professors, to mechanics, to a politician.

Representation matters. With 97% of BMS scholars identifying as Black or Latine, seeing diverse faces show up strengthens belonging, collaboration, and preparation for life beyond the classroom. By honoring Brookland’s legacy of Black academic excellence while embracing a growing, diverse community, we affirm that our schools need solidarity that turns volunteering into real opportunity and hope for today’s scholars. Volunteerism matters.

If you are interested in getting involved with either of these opportunities, click here.

School Highlight

This month’s highlight features interviews with two amazing staff members at Brookland MS. Our fellow, Philip, had conversations with La’Troy Bailey and Edgardo Guerrero about the importance of resilience, joy, and community at BMS.

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“There’s no place like Brookland”

Walking into Brookland Middle School, you first notice the smiles. Everybody has one. The front office has them, the students have them, and the teachers wear them with pride. 

The second thing you notice is the colors. Instead of a drab dark blue or somber black, uniforms are orange, teal, and purple. Orange for sixth graders, teal for the seventh graders, and purple for the eighth graders. 

Walking through the halls, it’s clear that something special is happening for these kids. At CARE Brookland, we want to highlight those things, so I spoke with a few Brookland MS staff to understand what makes their school special. 

Ms. La’Troy Bailey is the Communities in Schools site coordinator. She has been at Brookland Middle for 4 years, ensuring that scholars at Brookland Middle School feel supported by staff. 

When I asked Ms. Bailey about BMS scholars and her passion, love, and care were clear. “Students go through a lot,” she answered. “They’re way stronger than anybody gives them credit for.”

When asked how students get so strong, Ms. Bailey spoke about the support that every educator at BMS gives.

Ms. Bailey emphasized the singular drive that everybody in the building has. Every teacher is willing to stay late for any scholar in the building. Every staff member is willing to comfort a distressed child.

“Everyone goes the extra mile.”

Principal Richardson, Ms. Bailey said, has done an outstanding job making sure that BMS educators fit well with the BMS culture, rather than hiring people for individual strengths alone. Everyone works to build a loving community for the scholars. 

“It’s the relationships we have with students.”

More than just the school itself, Mr. G knows BMS prepares its scholars to succeed in life. 

Scholarss are exposed to a diverse range of careers through creative projects year-round. Just after our conversation, Mr. G had students imagine and build theater sets from some of the library’s books; a foray into stage design. He told me about scholars’ environmental reports on a nearby waste processing facility. Students have even testified before the DC Council. 

He emphasized that it all comes down to the hardworking, passionate educators and staff.

Scholars trust the adults at BMS. Together they navigate any hardship, situation, or problem that students encounter. They celebrate with students when milestones are reached or breakthroughs are achieved.  

There is ample opportunity for scholars to build networks of strong connections that last far beyond the BMS campus. One example, Mr. G explained, pointing to a bracelet of light green plastic beads on his wrist, is the aptly named bead club.

“They don’t come for just the beads,” Mr. G says knowingly. “They come to hang out and talk to their friends.” 

Community Events

Black Lives Matter Week of Action - Tomorrow is the last day of the D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice BLM Week of Action. The week ends with an online celebration and reflection on the week. The website also has many resources on implementing BLM lessons at school.

Where: Register Here
When: Friday, February 6th, 7:00 p.m.

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Black History Month with the National Park Service - The National Park Service is histing a vareity of events celebrating the rich Black culture of D.C.. Join them at any time throughout the month.

Where: Explore Here
When: Throughout February

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Brookland Area School Lottery Parent Mixer - Join other parents at Lost Generation Brewing to learn more about the DC School Lottery process and share your experiences with other parents.

Where: 327 S St NE
When: Tuesday, February 10th, 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.
RSVP Here

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DCPS/DCPCS Oversight Hearing - The DC Council’s Committee of the Whole is holding a performance oversight hearing on DC Public and Public Charter Schools. If you are unsure of how to testify, but would like to speak, click here, or contact us.

Where: Room 412 (Track B), 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
When: Wednesday, February 18th, 9:30 a.m.
Register to Testify

Take Action!

We’d Love Your Feedback!
Got ideas to make the CARE Brookland Take Five newsletter even better? Whether it’s topics you’d like to see, ways to improve the format, or creative additions—we’re all ears. Share your thoughts, suggestions, or feedback here. Let’s build something great together!

Click here.

A Note to You

Thank you for joining this journey to make our schools a better, safer, more empowering place for our students. We are building in Brookland, and this letter is just the start. As we continue, join us with your time, your ideas, and your community.