D.C. Public Charter Schools To Host Recruitment Expo January 9

For Immediate Release:  December 17, 2009
Contact: Audrey Williams  202-328-2748
awilliams@dcpubliccharter.com

D.C. Public Charter Schools To Host Recruitment Expo January 9

Washington, D.C. — The D.C. public charter school community will host a recruitment expo for parents and teachers interested in charter schools.  The D.C. Public Charter School Recruitment Expo will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010, from noon – 4:00 pm at the Washington Convention Center. 

The D.C. Charter School Recruitment Expo will be a one-stop opportunity for D.C. families and teachers to learn about the many options at the 57 charter schools on 99 campuses located throughout the city.  Admission is free and open to D.C. families and teachers from the D.C. metro area and all over the country.  The expo is sponsored by the D.C. Public Charter School Board, the D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools and Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS).

D.C. public charter schools are public schools that have the freedom to operate and innovate without certain restrictions that traditional school systems face. However, in exchange for that independence, they are accountable for academic performance. Charter schools are open to all District residents, regardless of their neighborhood or previous academic achievement and have no tuition fees.  Every charter school is unique, which means that parents can pick the program that is the best match for their child’s interests and needs.

“At the expo families will find a big ballroom full of school displays, a stage for children’s entertainment and lots of giveaways,” said Nona Richardson, PCSB communications manager. “Families will be able to talk directly to school leaders, and meet parents of students currently enrolled in the many exciting charter school programs that serve students of all ages and interests.  We will have school performance information on hand, so parents can see how the different schools are performing on a number of levels. Parents will also be able to complete enrollment applications on the spot for the 2010-2011 school year. It should be fun and productive for families.”

Richardson said D.C. charter schools are always looking for highly qualified, passionate teachers. “We encourage school teachers to choose the charter schools that are the best match for their talents and interests too. We want inspired teachers to find the perfect school environment so they will be excited to come to work and inspire our young people to be life-long learners – maybe even teachers someday,” she said. Teachers will be able to meet with school leaders, get a feel for the programs and kinds of people they might be working with and even get interviews on the spot.
 
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