John Lewis Parent Staff and Community Organization

Want to join me in making a difference? The West Education Campus Parent, Staff & Community Organization is raising money to support school families for whom the global pandemic is causing food insecurity. As a Title 1 School, the majority of our scholars receive breakfast, lunch and even dinner at school. While the District of Columbia is providing meal support, we know this is not enough as the pandemic continues in its 10th month and many families are feeling the economic impacts of job loss or reductions in work shifts. 

The funds raised will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards to be distributed by the school administration to those families in need. Our Spring 2020 fundraiser for this same purpose supported over 75 families.

Any donation can make a difference. Thanks in advance for your contribution. Please share this link with your family, friends and in social media. 

More information about West Parent, Staff & Community Organization: Work to support a predominantly low-income public school located in Washington, DC.

With great sadness we learned earlier this week of the passing of  Maliha Fontus-Lassiter, one of our 5th grade scholars. Maliha was a dedicated student who always came to school with the sweetest smile on her face. Her warm-hearted, gentle spirit was on display each day as she interacted with her peers and teachers. We will miss her immensely and will forever hold on to her memory in our hearts.

Please consider donating to the Fontus-Lassiter family via the West Parent School and Community Organization to support the unexpected costs associated with their loss. Previous issues with PayPal have been resolved,  Any method, either direct credit or debit card donation or PayPal will be received immediately.  Thank you for your generosity.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is "Giving Tuesday", a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the holiday season. This year we will be raising money for the West Technology Fund and our School-Wide Enrichment Model (SEM). 

At West, we seek to prepare our scholars for the world beyond the classroom. In an increasingly tech-heavy society, we know that integrating technology into the learning experience is critical. We’ve invested funds for high quality, individualized online curriculum, but still lack the updated technology for all scholars to access this curriculum on a consistent basis. We are in need of both desktops and laptops for our scholars, both to access the curriculum and to increase the time they spend researching and writing online, which is also a key skill scholars will need as they prepare for college and career.

One of the many reasons families love West is our School-Wide Enrichment Model (SEM) Program.  This unique approach to gifted and talented education provides our scholars with opportunities to engage in high-interest, project-based instruction, which develops their natural creativity. These strengths are directed towards problem-solving and critical thinking skills which grow our scholars love of learning. Did you know West is the only SEM school in Ward 4?  We are proud to host this program and love to see the spark in our scholars eyes at cluster time. Our wonderful educators have been busy planning a variety of clusters this year that include everything from a travel agency, ice cream shop, and a book club to dance and robotics to name a few. As the SEM program has grown, so has the need for resources to support SEM clusters.

Want to join me in making a difference? Any donation will help make an impact.  For example: 

$10 can purchase a pair of ballet slippers for the ballet cluster or a book for the book club
$25 funds a robotics kit for the robotics cluster
$50 can purchase a ventriloquist puppet for the puppeteering cluster 
$100 funds a tablet or a wireless printer for a classroom 
$200 can purchase an additional laptop for a classroom 

The West Parent Staff Community Organization (PSCO) is a 501(c)3, and all donations are tax deductible. 

Please share this link with your family, friends, and via social media!! #westtigersroar

As a Title 1 School, West Education Campus in Washington DC provides artistic education to students regardless of their socio-economic standing. This year, the school is producing the musical The Lion King Jr April 26th and 27th, with 79 of West's nearly 330 scholars performing! The West Parent, Staff, Community Organization is raising funds to support the production of the show (costumes, set, etc.) and to support additional arts education activities and exposure for the students including a trip to New York to see the Lion King on Broadway.  

While mastering a subject certainly builds a student’s confidence, there is something special about participating in the arts. Getting up on a stage and performing gives kids a chance to step outside their comfort zone. As they improve and see their own progress, their self-confidence will continue to grow. The arts can be challenging. After practicing hard, scholars learn that hard work and perseverance pay off. Additionally, putting on a show like the Lion King Jr requires our scholars to work together. They must share responsibility to achieve their common goal. They learn that their contribution to the group is integral to its success—even if they don’t have the solo or lead role.

Please join us in supporting the arts at West! Any size donation is greatly appreciated, and all donations are tax deductible as the West PSCO is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.