DCentric

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Construction on the Woodrow Wilson Senior High campus.

Today was the first day of school in Washington, DC. That’s always a big event, but it looms even larger in a city where the Mayoral race seems to be hinging on DC’s schools (and their polarizing Chancellor, Michelle Rhee). The Washington Post reported the first day back was uneventful, albeit slow for transplanted students of Woodrow Wilson High School, who will be attending classes at UDC while their Tenleytown campus undergoes work.

At least a couple of hundred students remained lined up along Van Ness Street at the 8:45 a.m. start of first period.

Part of the reason for the delay? One less entrance for students, who normally have three ways to access their school. Thankfully, the lines were clear by 9am. The article also highlights an elementary school in Maryland which bears the name of our current President, Barack Obama.

The new Barack Obama Elementary in Upper Marlboro is one of at least six schools across the country named after the president, but the first in the D.C. area. Prince George’s County voted heavily Democratic in the 2008 election, and in the majority-African American county he remains a role model.

“Being named after the president, that’s a real honor,” said Corey Armstrong of Upper Marlboro, whose two children are starting at the school Monday.

DCentric wishes all new and returning students a wonderful first day. Here’s to an edifying school year.