Closing schools in March and transitioning to distance learning has been tough on everyone, including the Washington Primary School community. But students have rallied and have been doing their best under trying circumstances.
Washington teaching corps and Principal Michelle Richards are keeping up with many of the school’s time-honored traditions, including its monthly student recognition program. Washington Ways Awards continue to be presented because Washington’s students keep doing a great job worthy of recognition.
Washington School students on the first day of the 2019-20 school year. (Darin Reed photo.)
Obviously with the COVID-19 pandemic changing just about everything, the Washington Ways Award criteria has been altered, too. But teachers know when students are working especially hard and when the youngsters are deserving of being honored.
May’s Washington Ways Award recipients include Gerald Guardado Jandres, Amy Alvarez Moreno, Dashell Alba Dominguez, Arya Aydagul, Diego Bonilla, Gavin Zarcone, Richard Robertson, Matthew Marsala, Leandro Garay, Cecelia O’Toole, Isla Campbell, Kathryn Van Horn, Kellen Anderson, Darren Krantz, Dayana Cruz Melendez, Rodger Hernandez Gamez and Matthew Cruz Perdomo.
“We are so proud of these boys and girls for the wonderful effort they have been displaying during the period of distance learning,” Dr. Richards said. “We all know how tough this is on everyone, but these youngsters are doing their utmost to make the best of it.”
Under normal circumstances the names of the honorees would have been announced over the PA system and gathered together for a group photo. Under current conditions that isn’t possible. Instead, Dr. Richards put together a fun video of photos of the award winners set to the theme of “Rocky.”