DC SCORES Covers DC: Truesdell Education Campus, Ward 4

As DC SCORES has grown over the past several years -- from 20 schools, to adding middle schools in 2006, to 27 schools, then 42, and now to 60 sites, including several recreation centers that make up the first-ever DC City Soccer League -- we've expanded our reach across Washington, DC. And now we serve 2,200 kids in neighborhoods throughout the entire city -- meaning all eight wards. This fall, we'll bring to you a highlight program in each ward.

Last week, we visited Truesdell Education Campus located in Ward 4. Truesdell is a large campus, including about 700 kids from grades PK-8. We were lucky enough to visit Truesdell last Thursday for its elementary team's game day against Powell Elementary, and everyone around the school was buzzing with excitement.

Truesdell is a unique DC SCORES site because the school has three separate SCORES programs: Morning SCORES, Junior SCORES, and DC SCORES (both elementary and middle). Morning SCORES takes place before school starts, where students choose to come to practice soccer and get their energy out before the academic day begins. Having students attend Morning SCORES has improved attendance levels at Truesdell. DC SCORES has regular programming for grades 3-8, starting after Truesdell's mandatory extended day. DC SCORES added the middle school program in 2014 because of how popular the elementary program had become, with kids wanting to continue after fifth grade.

With such a widespread program at Truesdell -- funded through OSSE's 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant -- DC SCORES has a staff position dedicated to managing the program that's held by Will Sutton.


WARD 4 PROGRAMS
Barnard Elementary School (2013)
Brightwood Education Campus — Elementary (2002)
Brightwood Education Campus — Middle (2014)
Capital City Public Charter School — Elementary (2012)
Capital City Public Charter School — Middle (2012)
Imagine Hope — Lamond Campus (2016)
LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (2014)
MacFarland Middle School (2007)
Powell Elementary School (2012)
Raymond Education Campus — Elementary (2007)
Raymond Education Campus — Middle (2014)
Truesdell Education Campus — Elementary (2000)
Truesdell Education Campus — Middle (2014)
Upshur Recreation Center (2016)


Truesdell FUN FACTS
Year DC SCORES started: 2000
Ward: 4
Team mascot: Trojans
Uniform color: Light Blue
Elementary School Coaches: Soccer -- Rudolpho Ulloa, Will Sutton, Kristen Paonessa, Annick Thompson; Poetry -- Emily Adams, Cailin Eisele
Middle School Coaches: Soccer -- Charles Robinson, Adam Zimmermann; Poetry -- Leah Myers, Tequilla Thomas
2016 service-learning projects: The elementary school program started a best buddies reading program with younger students. The middle school kids created a memorial to a peer of theirs, Kayla, who passed away.

COACHES' CORNER
Charles Robinson, who is the dean of students, has worked at Truesdell for nearly two decades, and has coached DC SCORES since the beginning, on how working with the children affects him:

"I'm proud to be a member of such a great organization. I get more out of it than the children do. Just to sit back and see the community rally around the Trojans of Truesdell makes me feel good and gives me the energy to go home and be me. That's me!"

Will Sutton, DC SCORES coach and staff member, on his experience in the program:

"We teach them about leadership and sportsmanship and how they can really be good people when they grow up. We love working with these kids, and their excitement is really a testimony to what we do here at DC SCORES and what the kids really love."

KID TALK
"My experience in DC SCORES is really fun. This school is so great. Who wouldn't want to be here? My coaches are great. Lots of fun going around this school, lots of excitement!" -April A., 10

FROM THE ARCHIVES

BLOG

12.3.2015 -- Students take audience down 'Hope Avenue' during inspiring Westside Poetry Slam!
5.11.2015 -- Creating change at Truesdell, Part VI: Committee work

VIDEOS

12.2.2015 -- DC SCORES Poetry Slam! -- Truesdell Education Campus, Middle


11.18.2015 -- Coach profile: Charles Robinson, veteran coach


6.2.2015 -- Creating change at Truesdell, part VIII: Reflecting on success


5.15.2014 -- DC SCORES Game of the Week: Bancroft at Truesdell