(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement after President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., First Lady Jill Biden, and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona joined the Mayor at Brookland Middle School to tour a classroom, showcase safe, in-person learning and to promote COVID-19 vaccinations.
“We thank President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Secretary Cardona for visiting with our Brookland Middle School community and witnessing first-hand the excitement that only a class of joyful students can deliver. We continue to be grateful for the dedication and hard work of those in our school communities for their creativity, flexibility, and resilience over the past two years and, now, their support of a strong reopening of our schools.
“We know that our students thrive and do their best when they are in school – surrounded by their classmates, teachers, mentors, and all that makes being a student a life-changing experience. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the District received more than $386 million in American Rescue Plan funding to safely reopen our schools, support student and staff well-being, and accelerate learning for those most impacted by the pandemic. Through tireless planning and targeted investments, schools across the District have stood up strong, layered health and safety measures that protect our students, staff, and families, including universal masking, enhanced air filtration systems, and a vaccination requirement for all school staff.
“Now, let’s all do our part to support our students, teachers, and families: if you are eligible, get vaccinated.”