Smiles and shouts of glee abounded at The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School when NBA All-Star Washington Wizards Point Guard Russell Westbrook along with the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation selected our school to host its first Washington, D.C., holiday drive-through event. Held on Dec. 21, the drive-through was created to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 300 of our students in grades K-8 were gifted face masks, backpacks, and signed pairs of Westbook’s signature Jordon shoe. Students met Westbrook, who personally handed out the shoes, and new teammates Deni Avdija and Cassius Winston, who came by to show their support.

“This year has been tough for so many families across the country and giving back continues to be an enormous focus of mine. I’m so happy to be able to partner with The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School and give back to the community here in Washington, D.C. My goal is to continue to connect with the inner-city youth here to empower them to ask, ‘Why Not?’ when they’re told they can’t do something and inspire them to be the change they want to see in the world,” said Westbrook.

“The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School offers a unique, proven philosophy of education where children are valued and respected. Our mission to empower students for success in life aligns with that of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation,” said Bryan Daniels, principal of The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School. “Receiving a new pair of shoes from an NBA star can make a world of difference in a child’s life. We thank Russell Westbrook and the Why Not? Foundation for recognizing our students and making their holidays brighter, especially this year, after they and their families have faced so many challenges and hardships.”

The mission of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask, “Why Not?” and teach them to never give up. The foundation is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves. For more information, visit whynotfoundation.org (hyper link).

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School offers an enriched physical environment combined with an arts-infused curriculum, a visual and performing arts program, hands-on project-based learning, character development, information and communication technology and a student support center. Located at 2146 24th Place NE in Washington, D.C., the school is an affiliate member of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. For more information, visit tcgdc.org. 

The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School (TCGDC) will hold virtual open houses for prospective students living in the District entering kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall of 2021. Families will have the chance to meet the staff and virtually tour the school.

Virtual open houses will take place on various Wednesdays, December through February:

• Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, from noon to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 6 p.m.

To attend an open, RSVP at tcgdc.org.

Families may apply to the District of Columbia Public Charter School at www.myschooldc.org or call 202-774-5442, ext. 3428. The application deadline is March 1, 2021.

“The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School offers a unique, proven philosophy of education and welcome families looking for a place where children are valued and respected,” said Bryan Daniels, principal of TCGDC. “We are excited for our new Visual & Performing Arts Program launching in the 2021-22 school year which will engage students in focused arts instruction of various art mediums to include: vocal and instrumental music, dance, visual art, drama/theatre/creative writing, and coding/engineering.”

In additional to arts integration, TCGDC offers an enriched physical environment combined with hands-on project-based learning, character development, information and communication technology and a student support center. When school is in-person, bus transportation for students is also available from home and before/after school care facilities.

For more information about the school, visit www.tcgdc.org.

The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School named Robert G. Seabrooks Jr. chair of the board of directors. Located in Northeast Washington, D.C., the school is an affiliate of The Children’s Guild Alliance and serves individual learners from gifted students to those with special education needs.

A certified public accountant and lawyer, Seabrooks has been the resource allocation officer at the District of Columbia Department of General Services (DGS) since 2013 and manages an approximate $1 billion budget. Among his accomplishments is the establishment of DGS’s Sustainability Operating Budget, which was a key component to enable the agency to represent Washington, D.C., in receiving the C40 Cities Award for Global Leadership on Climate Change.

From 2008 to 2013, Seabrooks was senior resource allocation analyst for the District of Columbia Department of Real Estate Services.

“Although we are in challenging times, I look forward to and am excited to have the opportunity to  work with the board of The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, as there is no shortage of talent, vision or creativity on this board,” Seabrooks said. “I was drawn to The Children’s Guild and this board by the shared enthusiasm everyone has to give back to our community. Knowing that my efforts are going to directly impact underserved children provides no greater motivation. We as a board look forward to helping both the school and The Children’s Guild reach its fullest potential.”

Dr. Andrew L. Ross president and CEO of The Children’s Guild Alliance says, “We are so very pleased to have the leadership of Rob at this time. His knowledge of the DC community and his passion for seeing that the needs of all children in our community are met makes him the ideal person to help us continue to grow The Children’s Guild DC Charter school. “

Seabrooks earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Howard University and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi honors accounting fraternity. He went on to earn his law degree from Howard University School of Law and was a member of the Sigma Delta Tau legal fraternity. 

We are collectively living through one of the most sweeping health crises in our history. This issue of Transformation shares how The Children’s Guild Alliance has relied on empathy and action to persevere during these challenging times.

The holidays are difficult for many of our families, especially this year. We introduce our Holiday Gift Catalog and invite you to help us spread joy with an array of gifts from school supplies and daily essentials to gift certificates or a special experience such as a trip to the beach.

We are thankful for the success of our virtual Kids First Celebration and congratulate our 2020 Sadie Award recipients Guy and Nupur Parekh Flynn. We also congratulate the recipients of our 2020 Monarch Award, the highest honor bestowed upon our staff. Their dedication has been truly inspirational during a year of unforeseen stress and change.

Our staff continue to amaze us with their creativity and commitment. From virtual pep rallies to flexible mental health services, we are educating and caring for the whole child. We also welcome new staff members hired to build a more inclusive school culture.

Learn how The Guild is making the most of grants and special funding to launch preschool programs in Annapolis and College Park. We have also received grants to fund our community-building efforts during distance learning and support our ongoing food distribution program in Annapolis.

This issue of Transformation highlights how The Guild has transformed its approach during COVID-19 to meet the needs of our students. As you read these stories, join us in celebrating learning, giving, and putting “kids first”.