The problem is toxic masculinity which is, “the act of a male presenting toxic behaviors to others.” It is very damaging to everyone in the situation. It is still prominent in households, families, and even in society. Today men account for 80% of arrests for violent crime, 98.9% of arrests for forcible rape, 97% of all mass shootings, and a 3.5x higher suicide rate than women. This all stems from toxic masculinity.

On February 6, 2022, Friendship Robotknights Braylon Wims, Jakari Powell, Ahmad Nash, Alexander Santos, Kaniya Johnson, and Maya Jackson attended their second robotics competition of the season, Tipping Point. This competition was an amazing experience for us with lots of big robots in the alliance battles and singular skills challenges.

FCA’s cross country team participated in the DCSAA Varsity Boys Cross Country Championship. This event was much different than the others because bigger schools showed up like St Johns, Gonzaga, and WIlson. This time our boys Braylon Wims, Jakari Powell, Amar Lewis and Tylleal Bucanan had their times recorded as follows:

The Alpha Sigma Chapter of Sigma Beta held a community service opportunity at their newly renovated chapter house on Division Avenue. This community service event was hosted with the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma and some members from the Arcannettes.

FCA’s Cross Country team had it’s second meet. The same schools showed up from the last meet, but there were about 10-15 people fewer. This time we saw people going through pain, including ourselves.

FCA’s varsity cross country team had its first meet against a plethora of schools like Washington Latin, DCSI, Kipp DC, Friendship Tech Prep (our sister school) and multiple other schools at the Kenilworth Track.

Earlier this school year, 7th grade scholar, Ziyahn Richardson, learned that his great-great-great grandmother is Emily Edmonson, one of the Edmonson siblings, who tried to escape slavery here in Washington, D.C. on a ship called the Pearl.

On March 22, 2018, Woodridge’s 8th graders enjoyed an entire day out of school to visit the Anacostia Watershed in Southeast Washington, DC. This was a great field trip before heading off for a week-long springbreak. Ms. Beckwith, Woodridge’s 7th and 8th grade science teacher, wanted us to have a real-world experience with science while learning about the watershed community and the impact that people have on the natural world.

This year Woodridge Elementary has a LEGO Junior League. This afterschool club is sponsored by our 3rd grade math teacher Ms.Taylor Dow. During the program, students are taught tons of math and science concepts through real-world application. We are able to design, build, and create using LEGO’s products.

Woodridge Aftercare had an incredible event to recognize scholars for all of their hard work entitled Friendship Cares Scholar Achievement. Scholars in Preschool and Kindergarten were celebrated for their behavior and participation. In grades 1st thru 6th, scholars were recognized for their grades with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better.

Congratulations to the Woodridge Eagles’ Co-ed elementary basketball team. On Tuesday the Elementary Eagles finished their undefeated season 14-0 by winning the FEAA Championship. The Woodridge Eagles beat Blow Pierce Knights 21-14. This is the second year Woodridge has coached an elementary basketball team.

Last week Amazon announced a new service just in time for the holidays. Many people are talking about it and don’t seem to favor the idea of an Amazon Key that would allow Amazon couriers (strangers) to enter your home.

Google is one of my favorite companies. Why? Because the company just keeps on giving and giving and giving. Just last month, Google gave $1 million grant to The Hidden Genius Project, a non-profit organization located in Oakland, California that is working to increase the number of African American youth working in the field of technology.

Are you serious? Has McDonald’s gone crazy trying to get more people to eat healthy at McDonald’s? This month McDonald’s announced its latest item on the menu—the veggie crunch burger.