Washington Primary School faculty and support staff members work hard to nurture a sense of pride in every student. They want the youngsters to be proud of who they are and everything they do. They strive to help the more than 350 children spread across kindergarten through third grade to feel good about themselves and to be confident in their abilities.
“The students, faculty and staff of Washington Primary School recognize the uniqueness of everyone in our community every day, but specifically during the month of April,” Principal Michelle Richards said. “April is Autism Awareness Month as well as Down Syndrome Awareness Day, which is recognized on April 21. We are raising awareness in different ways.”
The Principal’s Book of the Month for April is Swimmy by author Leo Leonni. “It is a story about a fish who becomes separated from his community and joins a community in which he looks and behaves differently from the other fish,” Dr. Richards explained. “However, Swimmy uses his talents to help the fish in this new community.”
Washington School has been utilizing virtual morning announcements presented via Zoom on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. “During these announcements, interactive videos telling about how people with autism and Down syndrome present different than their peers are shared with the students. After each presentation, students are able to share their reflections about the video with the school community.”
Washington School is also curating a pair of “I AM” bulletin boards in the building. “Students, faculty and staff will celebrate their skills and talents by writing phrases such as ‘I Am Brave’ and posting them on the bulletin board. This is our way of highlighting our strengths and diversity. Members of the Washington faculty and staff wear tee-shirts on Wednesdays during the month of April to recognize Autism Awareness. The blue shirts have the words ‘Love Needs No words! Autism Awareness’ on the front.”
The Washington Reads YouTube channel includes an assortment of read-aloud books that celebrate differences between folks of all ages and how those differences make the world a more interesting, fulfilling and better place.
“At Washington Primary School we embrace, celebrate and include everyone knowing that together we excel and succeed,” Dr. Richards said.