Dear Oyster-Adams Families,

Welcome to a new school year! At this historical moment, bilingual schools like ours are more important than ever. Learning and living in two languages honors our nation’s immigrant history, strengthens critical thinking, fosters respect and understanding between cultures, and builds human empathy. At Oyster-Adams, each student not only develops high-level academic skills, but also grows as a global citizen, aware of the richness that sociolinguistic diversity brings to our country. We are a latino hogar that serves all our DC community, while holding the historical responsibility to be a national model for bilingual education. Our tigres strive to live with our values: “Act with integrity, live graciously, lead by example, and think globally” in these walls, so that someday they can lead a better world outside of them.

With that mission in mind, we are thrilled to welcome you back and share the exciting updates ahead, especially the long-awaited renovation of our Adams campus. After years of hard work, we now have renewed, modern spaces worthy of our students. Our parent and staff-led Art Committee partnered with DGS to find talented artists who will create murals and sculptures this year that reflect our identity, our diversity, and our historic commitment to bilingual education.

I want to thank our community and DCPS for their three years of flexibility, planning, and collective patience with all the sacrifices involved in being outside our historic home. In the coming months, construction on our home will continue while we occupy the building. DGS wants to make sure to avoid rushed, low-quality work, which is why they will take more time with the final touches. The building is slated to pass final inspections and will be safe for occupancy by the first day of school. We will be joined on the first day by the Mayor, Chancellor Ferebee, and many other dignitaries!

Finally, we want to remind you of our tradition at OA, in which, thanks to the generosity and commitment of the Oyster Community Organization (OCC), no family needs to purchase school supplies. This collective effort ensures that all our students start the year on equal footing, with access to the materials they need to learn, explore, and create.

We thank you wholeheartedly for being an active part of our school community and for trusting us to accompany your children’s growth. We are confident that this will be a year of great achievements, inspiring projects, and moments to celebrate together.

With enthusiasm and gratitude,

Carolina Brito, Lead Tiger and OA Principal