What a year. It has truly been a year like no other. Students started the year with excitement and trepidation. While some came back last year, things were different this time. This year, they were in classrooms with teachers and peers. The schedule was ‘normal’ and many of us hoped for a ‘normal’ year. One of the things we learned is to let go of the ‘should’ and ‘normal’ from our vocabularies and began to embrace the ‘is’.
I know there are still questions about what next year will look like with COVID protocols. Right now, I am not sure and we will share updates as we receive them. We have learned so much from this year and we are already preparing for robust learning and recommitting ourselves to rebuilding our community to become even stronger for students.
We have some staff who are leaving us this year and we want to recognize their service to our students:
-Mrs. Francis is leaving to pursue other interests and will remain a deep part of this community and a voice for students who need us the most. I am personally going to miss her presence and advocacy, as well as her fierce love for our students. We wish her the best on her next adventures!
-Mrs. Sanon-Dixon will be leaving to pursue her doctoral studies. We wish her the best!
-Mrs. Quash is also leaving to pursue further interests and to be with her young family.
-Mr. Jones is heading back home to support his family and start new ventures.
-Mr. Neuhaus is leaving to support the work of DCPS and students with low-incidence disabilities in central office. We hope to continue working with him in his new role.
-Ms. Isaacs is leaving to complete her studies to pursue her dream of becoming an art teacher. We support her and know she will do amazing things!
-Ms. Burton and Mrs. Smith are leaving us this year. They will be sorely missed.
We are sad that we won’t see these educators everyday, but they are forever a part of our community. With change, we also have exciting news:
-Ms. A Henderson will become a teacher in our ECE CES classroom. This is a self-contained classroom and Ms. A is going to be amazing!
-Ms. Andrews (Ms. Monet) will join the Kindergarten team!
-Mrs. Corbin-Johnson will also be joining the Kindergarten team. She is studying a literacy intervention program (LETRS) and wants to use her deep knowledge to support students and teachers in early literacy work.
-Mrs. Giovanni will return and join our incredible 4th grade team.
-Mr. Wallace will be new to us and will join the special education team in our K-2 self-contained classroom.
-Mrs. Henderson-Parker will join us as our new part-time social worker.
-Ms. McCandies will be joining our team as our director of specialized instruction. This role will support our special education program and will be our central point of contact for parents and teachers for questions about specialized instruction.
-There are other new staff members completing their certifications. As soon as we know they are through the DCPS process, we will send updates.
We also want to announce our new LSAT and PTO members for the upcoming school year. I know with parent support and collaboration; we will fulfill our mission. Members are:
2022-2023 Parent Reps for LSAT:
Cierra Clarke-Days
Caleb Ward
Cate Brandon
Laura Delaney
2022-2024 PTO Executive Board Members:
President: Beth O’Connor
Vice President 1: Heather Martin
Vice President 2: Angelle Baugh
Secretary: Kathleen Grealish
Treasurer: Sarah Lane (returning)
Assistant Treasurer: Angeline Spain
I am so grateful to be part of this vibrant, diverse, and caring community. I am so excited to return next year and work with parents, teachers, and students to ensure our children have the kind of educational experiences that allow them to fulfill their potentials and ensure their options are limitless.
We are around this summer. If you have questions or comments, please reach out so we can connect. Be on the lookout for class placements in the next few weeks.
Enjoy your summer!
Principal Miller and Assistant Principal Ejechi