October 2020 School Partners Newsletter
Dear Educators,
Happy National Arts and Humanities Month!

The DC Collaborative is celebrating with our School Partners by launching our virtual Arts and Humanities for Every Student (AHFES) experiences this week! Yesterday was the first trip!

This newsletter contains:
  • AHFES Cheat Sheet: Top five tips to make your AHFES experience a success
  • A list of free programs that are still available for the fall
  • NEW! Professional Development experiences
  • Meet the new School Partnerships Manager
  • Information about the Distance Learning Resource Database
  • It’s the DC Collaborative’s Birthday and you’re Invited to the virtual Collabo Wabo Happy Hour on Friday, 10/30 at 12 PM
AHFES Cheat Sheet
Top Five Tips to Make Your AHFES Experience a Success
Educators should prepare for AHFES (Arts and Humanities for Every Student) Fall Lottery experiences by doing the following:
AHFES Experiences Available
Calling all educators: Did you miss out on the AHFES Fall Lottery?

Mark your calendars! The Winter Lottery opens the week of December 7. Educators will be able to submit requests for virtual experiences occurring January - March 31, 2021.

There are still Fall 2020 AHFES experiences available on a first-come, first-served basis at DCCollaborative.org/AHFES.

Register today:
Virtual Field Trips with National Geographic
*View Newly Added experiences this month at National Geographic Society!

Take your classes on adventures right here in our own community without leaving home! Join National Geographic Explorers in the field – right here in Washington, D.C. – for virtual field trips this fall. Each program features a 20 minute video field trip followed by a 20 minute panel with the Explorers, inviting teachers to submit questions from their students for the Explorers. Materials before the virtual event as well as suggested activities to continue learning will be provided – including a link to sign up for a free digital subscription to Explorer Magazine, a free in school publication filled with stories of science, exploration and discovery! View the experiences and sign up below!
School Year 20-21 Key Dates
Fall Lottery: The lottery is closed and virtual AHFES experiences began this week!
Winter Lottery: Opens week of December 7, 2020
Spring Lottery: Opens week of March 1, 2021

*All Lottery Assignments will be sent out within one to two weeks after the lottery cycle ends.
School Partnership Expectations Document
Reminder: The School Partnership Expectations document is due prior to each school's first AHFES Experience!

The DC Collaborative requires that all schools return a School Partnership Expectations document prior to their first AHFES experience. This document outlines all of the AHFES policies and procedures! Please review this document carefully, as it is newly adapted for virtual experiences.
Professional Development Experiences
The DC Collaborative announces several new Professional Development (PD) experiences are posted. PD opportunities are open to all educators in the DC public education system. Peruse DCCollaborative.org/PDRegistration to view experiences from our members and register today!
Coming Up This Month
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (Freer |Sackler)
Explore “Teaching China with the Smithsonian,” the Freer and Sackler’s newest online resource designed to support student learning through museum objects, videos of art-making traditions, and interdisciplinary lesson plans that integrate the arts of China across subjects. Meet staff from the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, examine their film documentary work for Teaching China, and learn about life on the Tibetan Plateau. Participate in a lesson plan demonstration that highlights a video about batik traditions from the Miao people of Guizhou Province as facilitated by one of the Freer and Sackler’s teacher advisors. Learn how you can support the ongoing work of the “Teaching China with the Smithsonian” project.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
Time: 11 AM-1:00 PM
View Professional Development opportunities from National Gallery of Art and Arena Stage on our website.
DC Collaborative Staff Update
New School Partnerships Manager
Meet the New School Partnerships Manager, Yasmine Zinbi!

Once the Collaborative's Membership Services Associate, Yasmine Zinbi has now grown into the School Partnerships Manager position with her efficient work ethic, superb writing skill, and commitment for JDEAI. She has had a long standing passion for arts and education and is thrilled to thrive with our growing team to support the work we do. After obtaining a B.A in Political Science from The George Washington University, Yasmine pursued an M.A in communication and a certificate in nonprofit management from Johns Hopkins University. With extensive experience as a photographer, business owner, and communication practitioner, Yasmine is dedicated to bringing creativity, passion, and a meticulous eye to all her endeavors. You can reach Yasmine at Yasmine@DCCollaborative.org.
Distance Learning Resource Database
View Our Distance Learning Resource Database
On the DC Collaborative's Distance Learning Resource Database, you will find a compilation of online and printable arts and humanities learning resources for students, teachers and families. It is our hope that materials on this database will be used to equitably enhance arts and humanities education, equitably, inside or outside of the classroom.

The database will be continuously updated with curricular guides, virtual field trips, and other educational activities to enhance students’ at-home learning experiences as well as Professional Development for educators. These resources are free and accessible anytime.

Follow us @DCCollaborative on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see featured listings!
Collabo Wabo Birthday Happy Hour
Come Celebrate DC Collaborative's 23rd Birthday with us!

Join us virtually on October 30 for a Collabo Wabo Happy Hour...
Take a break, and celebrate with us! Share your top secret ingredient for great community collaboration because our Collabo Wabo won't be complete without you!

The Collaborative Team is excited to celebrate its 23rd birthday and close out National Arts and Humanities Month with our school partners in celebration of our community and shared values of equitable access to arts and humanities education for all.

Bring a piece of paper and a Sharpie, and show us your #1 word for a collaborative community!

Date: Friday, October 30, 2020, 12:00 PM

Note: Virtual meeting link will be provided upon registration.
Ways to Give
Donate to the DC Collaborative online or remit payment by check to:

DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative

The DC Collaborative is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

  • Are you a government employee? Give through the  CFC Catalogue of Caring. We're CFC#66894
  • Does your company have a matching gift program? Would you like to make a gift of stock or a planned gift? Let us know
The DC Collaborative is a recipient of an FY20 General Operating Support Service Grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
The DC Collaborative is proud to receive a grant for its Collective Impact work supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The DC Collaborative is the backbone support organization that leads members of the Any Given Child DC program, part of The John F. Kennedy  Center for the Performing Arts.