Washington Set to Kick-off New School Year

Washington Primary School is ready to kick off the new school year the Washington Way. The building is sparkling thanks to the hard work of head custodian Timothy Hardy and his assistants, Faith Kelly and Eddie Santos. Teachers and support staff members have been on the scene setting up classrooms for the 350 students expected to walk through the doors on Wednesday morning.

“School supplies were delivered to each classroom and are waiting to be used by our ‘Washington winners,’” Principal Michelle Richards said. “All of this year's school supplies were purchased by the school from a generous donation by a former Washington Primary School parent. Our faculty and staff are excited to see the Washington winners at visitation day on Tuesday, September 5.”

Dr. Richards has been principal of Washington Primary School since July 1, 2018. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at SUNY Albany and a Master of Science degree in childhood education at City University of New York-Lehman College. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration and supervision at St. John’s University. She studied for her state administrative certification at CUNY-Queens College.

At the time of her appointment in Huntington, Dr. Richards was an assistant principal in the Elmont School District since 2013 and an administrator there since 2009. She began her career as a general education teacher in New York City. She worked at Public School 107x (2001-03) and Lewis H. Latimer School-PS 56K (2003-06). She later taught in Elmont at Gotham Avenue School from 2006-09.

“The 2023/24 school year will be magical,” Dr. Richards said. “Washington Primary School is a place where every student excels in their academic achievement and social emotional development. Everyone is welcome at Washington! Everyone is celebrated at Washington! It’s the Washington Winning Way!”