NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
Read about what is happening on campus with our faculty and students.
Wellness Wednesday
Next Wednesday February 17, instead of asynchronous work, students will have the chance once again to sign up for Wellness Workshops. Topics include Conflict Resolution, Backyard Birding, Baking Club, Boys Discussion Group, High Intensity Training, Craft Circles, Self-Portrait Poetry, Weaving, Storytime, and Extreme Bocci Ball. Wellness Days give students a chance to unplug from the academic load and find activities that are pleasurable and help them recharge their emotional and physical batteries.
Still Spirited
This week was Upper School Spirit Week and the students celebrated in style! On Monday, students represented their class colors, with seniors in black, juniors in blue, sophomores in green, and freshmen in yellow and orange. Tuesday was a tropical day, filled with Hawaiian shirts and shorts. On Thursday students dressed as a famous person or character from literature or movies. Friday students honored love with romantic outfits in red or pink for Valentine’s Day. For each day, a winner was selected and awarded a $10 gift card of their choice of ensemble.
Constitutional Creativity
Students in Mr. Byrd’s eighth grade history class are studying the Constitutional Convention with reenactments of the Federalist and Democratic-Republicans initial debates about how to run the new nation. Students debated the role of the national bank to stabilize the economy and their interpretations of the constitution. Each researched their party’s opinions on the constitution and created a Flipgrid defending or explaining the party’s philosophies. Prior to this project groups of 8th graders researched selected amendments to collaborate on a slideshow presentation explaining the history, background, and current application of their amendment. Some students chose to write an original story about their amendment instead.
Senior Smiles
The class of 2021 will take their final Senior Portraits on Saturday at the school from 9 to 4:30. Ms. Kolb, the yearbook advisor will be there along with various faculty volunteers to help capture the seniors at their finest for the yearbook.
Seniors at Sunset
Last Friday Ms. Smith hosted groups of seniors in the parking lot outside her home for fire pits, warm beverages and conversations. Seniors reflected on their experiences at Latin, discussing such topics as what makes us human, and our place in the solar system. For seniors, the chance to join together in small groups and reflect offers them a respite from academics and applications and a chance to share ideas. Other attendees include Ms. Brady, Mr. Clausen, Ms. Raskin, and Mr. Hotchkiss, all of whom work with seniors as teachers, advisors, mentors, or club advisors.
Latin in the news
View the coverage of Latin in the media

Channel NewsAsia Includes Latin in Its Story on Tech Addiction
The dangers of smartphone addiction By Harry Horton, 14 Sep 2017, Channel NewsAsia Smartphones have revolutionised the way we live and have helped billions of people around the world stay in touch and become more productive. But recent studies suggest more than a...

Teacher on TV
Upper school Arabic teacher Joe Hamd was interviewed on Al Jazeera Arabic in a live TV broadcast around the globe. He spoke about Qatar Foundation International and teaching Arabic in the United States. He had the chance to speak about the work that QFI does to...

WUSA9 Returns for No Tech Challenge Update
DC students get paid $100 for putting their phones away Evan Koslof, WUSA-9, August 30, 2017 WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA9) - A couple months ago, WUSA9 brought you the story of an unusual challenge at one D.C. school. The principal at the Washington Latin Public Charter...

WAMU Reports on Latin’s No Tech Tuesday Challenge
What I Learned From ‘No Tech Tuesday’: Students Speak About A Summer Without Technology By Kate McGee, August 29, 2017 Before students at Washington Latin Public Charter School in Northwest D.C. left for summer break, their principal announced an unusual summer...

WUSA-9 News Story on No-Tech Tuesday Challenge
NW DC principal offering money to students for summer challenge Evan Koslof, June 20, 2017 See the McFagion family, including Kofi, explain why they are taking on the No-Tech Tuesday Challenge.

Good Morning America Features Latin’s Challenge
Principal offers $100 for students who turn off their electronics 1 day a week over summer break CATHERINE THORBECKE Good Morning America June 27, 2017 A school principal from Washington, D.C. is challenging her students to spend one day a week this summer without...

San Diego FM Radio 94.9 Interviews Diana Smith
Dana & Jayson - The $100 Tech Challenge JUNE 19, 2017 Diana Smith is the Principal at Washington Latin Public Charter School in DC, and to help her students combat the pull of technology, she issued a challenge. Dana & Jayson had the chance to speak with her...