With the opening bell for the new school year ready to sound, Washington Primary School is ready to roll in 2019/20.
Washington’s second year Principal Michelle Richards displays unbridled enthusiasm when discussing the new campaign. “This year will be a great one for faculty, staff, students and their families as we ‘crack the code to academic success,’” she said. “As educators, we are always learning innovative practices or enhancing learned practices to meet the needs of our students.”
Teachers have been stopping by the school, organizing their classrooms and unpacking supplies. Washington will have some new faces in its classrooms as several faculty members have either retired or moved to other buildings in the district. There will also be some new teacher aides and monitors. But the school’s tradition of catering to the needs of every student will most certainly continue.
Dr. Richards believes she has the teachers in place to insure the delivery of top notch instruction to Washington’s students as well as to nurture the youngsters as they grow intellectually, socially and emotionally.
Washington’s principal also intends to keep her corps of teachers on the cutting edge of instructional techniques. “We will enrich our professional learning through professional development opportunities, reading professional texts and working collegially to enrich our pedagogy and content knowledge.”
Dr. Richards personally enjoyed her summer break. She spent time on the island of Jamaica in the British West Indies, attended a conference in Tennessee and went on a family trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. The rest of the summer she spent attending festivals and shows and lounging poolside.
“A few of our Washington families tended the school’s vegetable garden over the summer,” Dr. Richards said. “The children were able to enjoy cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchinis. Students in the district’s extended year program made sure our front gardens were weed free and looking beautiful. The library is getting a facelift thanks to some of our families. We have new furniture to fill the space. I can’t wait for the children to see this wonderful learning, exploration and reading space!”
Teachers will report to work on Tuesday, September 3. A district convocation at the high school will be followed by a faculty meeting in the Washington cafeteria at 10:30 a.m. “We have a comprehensive agenda,” Dr. Richards said. Classes begin on Wednesday, September 4.
Parents and students are invited to visit Washington’s classrooms on September 3 between 1-2 p.m. A kindergarten playground party is scheduled for 2 p.m.
