Washington, DC students still using last year's Kids Ride Free card must obtain a new one by next week, Mayor Muriel Bowser said in her September 25 letter to residents, as 2025–26 cards expire on September 30, 2026.

Students without a valid card will have to pay the fare starting October 1. Families should contact their school's ID administrator to get the new 2026–27 card, which is ready to use immediately and valid through September 30, 2027. Students 13 and older can also add their card to Apple Wallet.

Bowser said the city is one month into the new school year, with DC Public Schools students having checked out more than 59,000 books since returning and schools having distributed more than a million meals. She celebrated the opening of the new Malcolm X Elementary School in Ward 8 on Monday, where Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, the eldest daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, delivered an inspiring message. A fourth celebration is planned next week at the new Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Ward 1.

The District will hold a free child safety seat check on Saturday, September 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the DC DMV Inspection Station, 1001 Half Street SW, in recognition of National Car Seat Check Day. Trained professionals will check car seats and answer questions, and free child safety seats will be available to DC residents with proof of residency while supplies last.

Registration is open for the Department of Parks and Recreation's Youth Hockey Development Program for ages 8–13, with a mandatory orientation on October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the rink. The 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is set for Tuesday, October 27, with check-in at 7:30 p.m. and the race at 9:00 p.m. on 17th Street between R and P Streets NW. The Fiesta DC festival runs Saturday, September 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a parade Sunday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m., where residents can walk with the Mayor.

Bowser also noted that 6,010 residents are eligible for DC TAG this year, the highest number in the program's history.