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2009 St. Anselm’s Graduating Class
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Capitol Hill Cluster School News - Cluster Scores Big on DC CAS
All three Cluster campuses posted big gains in standardized testing last spring. Watkins and Stuart Hobson both made AYP and Peabody excelled on the DIBELS test.
At Watkins, core work on reading led to an increase of almost 8 percent in students testing proficiently for their grade level. Math saw an increase of almost 9 percent in proficiency, with some subset groups scores jumping by almost 15 percent.
Stuart Hobson targeted math scores for significant improvement and was rewarded by jumps in proficiency by as much as 21 percent in some subgroups. Students also increased reading proficiency by 8 percent. Students were also tested in science, with a majority scoring proficient or above.
Younger students also participated. Posting some of the highest scores in the city, more than 88 percent of Peabody students tested proficient or above on the DIBELs test.
Principal Brandon Eatman wrote the Cluster community: “Thank you to our teachers for planning rigorous lessons, collaborating and sharing best practices with colleagues, and facilitating differentiated lessons with our students. Your hard work paid off!”
Chancellor Rhee at Stuart Hobson
Stuart Hobson Middle School is slated for modernization in 2012. Interested parents, community members, and faculty met with Chancellor Rhee in August to brainstorm. Conversation focused on how to expand on the success of projects like the School Libraries Project to address digital needs, academics, and interim steps on the path to major facilities improvement over the next three years. In addition to technology, discussion centered on the importance of foreign language instruction, music, and athletics. The discussion will continue through the school year.
Watkins Garden Thrives
Thanks to the efforts of FRESHFARM Markets, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, and the Philip Graham Foundation, Watkins Master Gardener Barbara Percival is completing the last phase of the Edible Schoolyard—a wrought iron fence to encircle the area and provide a safe place for kids and plants to grow and learn. Join them for two big events this fall: Local Foods Week (Sept. 21 - 28), which will highlight the value of eating fresh local produce in the schools, and DC School Garden Week (Oct. 5 - 12), which celebrates school gardens throughout the DC area—and see how our squash, beans, and lettuce are thriving! -Garland Scott.
Brent Elementary -
Brent Students Will Benefit from Modernized School, Increased Teachers, Museum Studies and Chinese Program
Students at Robert Brent Elementary School – a museum magnet school – located at 3rd and D streets, SE, started off the 2009-10 school year with a virtually brand new school and schoolyard. More than 250 students attend Brent Elementary which provides a first class education for students in grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.
In addition to six brand new classrooms created on Brent’s first floor for the school’s pre-kindergarten 3, 4 and kindergarten students, all of the upper floor classrooms have been completely modernized – including new classroom furniture and a new outdoor playground.
“Brent students are receiving a 21st century, global education that prepares them to be successful lifelong learners,” said Dr. Cheryl Wilhoyte, the school’s principal. “Now our school community will enjoy state of the art classrooms that match our highest learning expectations for every student.”
Brent Increases Teachers, Staff
The size of Brent’s staff will grow significantly this year - from 22 in the previous school year to 42 full and part time teachers and staff.
“Brent was one of ten DC3 Collaborative Schools given special curriculum, professional development, budget and staffing autonomy by Chancellor Rhee and Principal Wilhoyte has assembled an amazing group of high-caliber teachers and staff, many with Masters and PhDs,” said Daniel Holt, Brent PTA president and parent.
In addition Brent students will benefit from specialized teachers and support staff including a lab science teacher, literacy and language coaches, a Sports4Kids coach, art and music teachers as well as two Chinese language and culture teachers. Brent will also have a school psychologist who will lead the 'living and working in a caring community' focus, a full time museum studies director and a new cafeteria manager to lead the student initiative for healthy and appealing cafeteria food.
New Playground, Outdoor Improvements at Brent
A new outdoor playground is coming to Brent and the new equipment is expected to be in place by the middle of Sept. The new playground is the result of the entire Brent community working hard to raise funds, seek out grants and work together to revamp the outside of the school to benefit Brent’s children and its neighbors. “The entire Brent community will be amazed with the finished product and new softer, safer surface will make for a much more enjoyable outdoor playtime for everyone,” said Heidi Johnson, Brent parent and member of the school’s outdoor green team.
Outside the school, Brent has a new and improved Outdoor Science Classroom on the front lawn. Over the summer, a wonderful outdoor learning space was created for teachers and the community to enjoy.
“A beautiful new gathering space was created in the front of the building, which includes a red brick walkway and seating that was the result of our donor brick fundraiser,” said Johnson.
Brent Students Benefit from Chinese Program
This year Brent students will welcome two Chinese language teachers – one for the PK-3 through kindergarten and another for 1st through 5th graders. Both teachers are highly qualified and will greatly enable Brent students to learn about the Chinese culture through art, music, stories and language.
Yifang Yu, who recently arrived from China, will teach at Chinese to Brent grades 1st through 5th grade. “Ms. Yu comes to Brent through the Teachers of Critical Languages program, a prestigious international exchange program awarded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Dept. of State, as part of the National Security Language Initiative, and administered by the American Councils of International Education,” said Lara Atella, Brent parent who along with Tobie Meyer-Fong, another Brent parent, serve on the school’s special language committee.
Additionally, Brent is delighted to welcome back Ms. Joanna Xu who will continue teaching Chinese to Brent’s Pre-k 3 through kindergarten students. Ms. Xu is a local educator with extensive teaching experience in the metro area. Ms. Xu's teaching methodology employs music and performing arts in the language learning process – a demonstrably synthesized art and language curriculum reflecting Brent's broader arts integration mission. -Angie Lundberg.
News from St. Peter’s Interparish School - Updates, Upgrades and Upgrowth at St. Peter’s School
Wow! While students were enjoying the timeless joys of summer vacation, St. Peter’s School was undergoing a facility face lift. First up? All of the halls and stairwells were painted and the classroom doors refinished. Then, new, navy blue carpet tiles were installed in all classrooms, hallways and the multipurpose room. In an effort to ensure all facility maintenance and upgrades are undertaken in the most eco-friendly and healthy way, the paint used was zero VOC, 68 percent of the new carpeting consists of recycled materials, and the carpet adhesive is non-toxic. Longer term building and grounds plans include: adding rain barrels, composters and gardens that will be used in conjunction with the science curriculum; creating an official science lab; and updating and expanding the school’s technology system. A new school website has been launched (www.stpetersinterparish.org) to provide families and visitors with user-friendly and comprehensive information. The school’s educational team also has expanded to include an instructional coach to assist teachers with instructional strategies, curriculum and professional development; a school counselor and a Latin teacher. All of these changes will, no doubt, contribute to another great academic year at St. Peter’s School! - Sally J. Aman.
Capitol Hill Day School
It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski
While neither ragamuffin nor barefoot, the students of Capitol Hill Day School will enter the historic Dent Building after Labor Day, relaxed and strong from a summer in the sun, excited and nervous, full of stories and questions. They will begin each day shaking hands at the front door with Head of School Michael Eanes and P.E. teacher David MacLeod.
As always, the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes are fully enrolled with the school’s newest members. Eighth-graders will assume the leadership roles for which their earlier years in school have prepared them. The small class size and high teacher-to-student ratio allow students to search for patterns, seek connections, and learn from differences, in a curriculum that includes French and Spanish, art, music, library, and physical education, across all grades.
The three school buses are ready to be on the road daily, ferrying students to all parts of the city and beyond, as part of the extensive and unique field education program. The After School Program will offer enrichment activities and study time. Families have been at work behind the scenes, planning the Back to School Picnic in Garfield Park on Sept. 12. Homeroom parents will be scheduling parent potluck dinners, some of which are held at School, and some in parent homes.
The first grade, kindergarten, and combination prek/kindergarten classrooms will welcome new teachers. There are also fresh faces on staff. Priscilla Lund, Director of Admissions, comes to us from the Washington International School. The Director of Development, Courtney Watson, most recently worked on the capital campaign staff of Brown University. She is already working with parent co-chairs in planning the School’s annual spring auction!
As they enter their 41st year as the only independent “elemiddle” school on Capitol Hill, they invite you to visit. Admission open house dates are Oct. 15 at 8:45 a.m., Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 2, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. Or visit online at www.chds.org. – Jane Angarola.
St. Anselm’s
St. Anselm's Abbey School graduated its 64th class this past May. The 39 members of the class of 2009 were all accepted to four-year universities and will be attending such school as Morehouse College, University of Chicago, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Northwestern University, Oberlin College, University of Virginia, St. Mary's College of Maryland, Georgetown University, Hamilton College, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Harvard University. St. Anselm's Abbey School is an independent, Roman Catholic day school for young men with demonstrated academic ability in grades six through twelve. There will be an Open House on Sunday, November 1 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Open House will be a great opportunity to visit the 43-acre campus located just 15 minutes north of Capitol Hill in the residential neighborhood of North Michigan Park, NE. Teachers, students, and parents will be on hand to give tours and answer questions. For more information about this event and the application process, please contact E.V. Downey, Director of Admissions, at admissions at saintanselms.org or visit the website at www.saintanselms.org.
Maury Elementary - New Leadership for Maury!
Parents and staff are excited to start a new school year under the direction of new Principal Carolyne Albert-Garvey. After vetting several candidates for the job, a panel of parents, teachers, staff, and community members chose Ms. Albert-Garvey.
In a letter to Maury families, Albert-Garvey shared her background, including years of teaching French-immersion, extensive staff- and curriculum-development, an M.S. in Education from Trinity, an M.A. in International and Comparative Education and Adult Training from GW, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from L'Université de Moncton, Canada. She wrote, “My first goal, as the new principal, is to listen and learn from the people who know Maury best – students, teachers, staff and parents. Ultimately, the focus for our school will be for us to become an even stronger and more effective community of learners.”
Power Hour Volunteer Opportunity
CHAMPS has partnered with Maury Elementary to create Power Hour, a volunteer opportunity designed with the busy community in mind. All it takes is one hour per week in your choice of activity at the school, and because it is a consistent day and time, you can set your schedule accordingly. A great way for businesses to reach out to the community is by offering employees a chance to do a good turn for the local school, strengthening the fabric of our neighborhood.
What can you do? It’s up to you! Help build those crucial early literacy skills by simply reading a few storybooks each week to a beginning reader. Be a Homework Hero. Help a child in grades 3 through 5 complete his/her class work. Or go with Lunchroom Lieutenant or Recess Ranger. Help the younger children open their lunches. Chat with the older kids. Zip up the little ones before they head to the playground. Play! See Kids & Family Notebook for information on our Sept. 12 and 14 Power Hour Volunteer Rally. www.mauryelementary.com. - Heather Schoell, Maury parent.
Ludlow Taylor - Focus on Greening and the Arts at Ludlow-Taylor
When the old playground equipment was removed at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary in April, it left a blank slate ripe for envisioning a new, “greener” schoolyard.
Students, parents, school staff, and community members began to develop a plan for the schoolyard, learning from efforts by other Capitol Hill schools (including Tyler, Brent and Watkins) that are greening their schoolyards along with accessing information from the DC Department of Environment. The Ludlow-Taylor draft plan incorporates greening and conservation elements: more trees for shade, grassy play areas, native plantings, reconfiguration of play spaces, and, eventually, rain gardens for conservation and educational purposes.
The first priority was to work with DCPS to replace the playground equipment. The City Council appropriated money for several schools in need of equipment, including Ludlow-Taylor, and in mid-August, DCPS broke ground, in time for the new equipment to be ready the first day of school. It reflects the school colors—green and yellow—and is configured for “continuous movement,” much like the new equipment at J.O. Wilson Elementary.
This fall, the Green Team at Ludlow-Taylor will continue to refine our schoolyard plans, and Ludlow-Taylor will work this year to further incorporate the arts—since Ludlow-Taylor was recently selected as an Arts Integration Catalyst school by DCPS.
Schools with this new catalyst theme will focus on weaving the arts—movement, dance, visual arts, music and other forms—into the classroom and all subjects. Already, Ludlow-Taylor has taken steps to implement a Reggio Emilia approach in its early education classrooms (pre-school, pre-K and K) for this fall. Through arts integration, greening and conservation projects, and an emphasis on high-quality instruction, Ludlow-Taylor is transforming learning inside and outside of the school.
We welcome community help with our efforts. If you have time or special expertise, please call the school at 202-698-3244 or e-mail Ludlow-TaylorFriends@hotmail.com. - Beth Bacon.
Two Rivers Public Charter School Opens Its Middle School Campus
Two Rivers Public Charter School started its sixth school year with an expanded campus. The middle school, located directly across the street from the elementary school at 1234 4th St. NE, was completed just in time to welcome Two Rivers’ sixth, seventh, and eighth graders back to school. The new building was designed specifically around the educational needs of middle school students and has both a half-size gymnasium and rooftop gathering areas. The elementary school building also saw improvements over the summer with new landscaping adding trees and seating, helping make a green transition from the more industrial corridor of Florida Avenue to the residential neighborhood of Near Northeast. www.tworiverspcs.org. - Sarah Richardson and Becky Skinner
River Park Nursery School
Picture caption: Goldberg, Katharine Cosgrove, and Camsey Noonan at the 2008/2009 RPNS Sock Hop enjoying the festivities.
The birthday bear will be waking up soon to take his honorary place at River Park Nursery School and welcome the students back from summer break. There will be a great mix of old and new kids for Miss Bernadette to teach and nourish.
Last year marked the 45th year of operation for RPNS providing an exceptional environment in which 3-5 year olds can grow, learn, and explore. The nursery school is located at 212 East Capitol St. SE. There is an assistant teacher that works with Miss Bernadette and 10-15 students allowing River Park to offer highly individualized attention. The school operates with 3, 4, or 5 day programs from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. from Sept. through May.
There are fun programs, field trips, and activities planned for the year including the Fall Yard sale that will be happening at Eastern Market and the annual Sock Hop. For more information on RPNS, please visit the school's website at www.riverparknurseryschool.org – Carey Dougan. .
New Walker Jones Education Campus
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty unveiled the new $50 million Walker Jones Education Campus in Aug. The facility, which anchors the Northwest One community, is the first new school construction project completed by the Fenty Administration. It is the District’s first combined school, recreation and library facility.
“The Walker Jones campus brings together all the public facilities you need to build a strong community – a first-class school, public library, recreation center, athletic fields and playgrounds,” Mayor Fenty said. “The residents of Northwest One deserve the very best and we’re proud to have delivered it on time and on budget, in just 17 months, a record for a District School construction project.”
The campus includes a 100,000 square foot K-8 school; a 20,000 square foot community recreation center; a 5,000 square foot library and new athletic fields and playgrounds. While the school is scheduled to open for the first day of class at the end of Aug., the library and public recreation center will open in Nov. Located at New Jersey Ave. and Pierce St. NW, the facility replaces two former public schools – the Terrell Junior High School and Walker Jones Elementary School. The new facility has capacity to accommodate 850 students.
The school is one of the first LEED-certified green school buildings in the District and it includes a green roof that will be used to help students learn about ecology and sustainability. The facilities share resources such as common utilities, mechanical systems and maintenance.
Completed by Forrester Construction, Regan Associates and Banneker Ventures, the project was managed by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization, Department of Parks and Recreation, and District of Columbia Public School.
The Walker Jones project represents the first phase of the $700 million Northwest One New Community project, which will ultimately include new retail, community services, and 1,600 new units of housing – apartments, condos and townhouses.
Higher Achievement - Volunteer with Talented Middle School Students!
Higher Achievement is a year-round academic enrichment program for middle school students. Their mission is to develop skills, behaviors, and attitudes in motivated and underserved children to improve their grades, test scores, attendance, and opportunities – resulting in acceptance to college preparatory high schools. Higher Achievement will be offering two different volunteer positions for this upcoming school year: Mentors will teach a small group of 5th or 6th graders in a core academic subject — Math, Literature, or an Elective Seminar 6 - 8:15 pm (at least one night per week)—Mon., Tues., and/or Thurs., from Sept. 21st until early May. Study Hall Aides will work with a group of 5th-8th graders to help them complete homework after school from 3:30-6 p.m. (at least one afternoon per week)—Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Thursdays, from Sept. 21st until early May. Where: Both mentoring and study hall aide opportunities are available at 5 different locations in the DC Metro area — Capitol Hill, Petworth, Adams Morgan, Benning Road, and Alexandria, VA. To sign up visit their website at www.higherachievement.org and complete an application. Alternatively, you may call Matt Thornton at 202-544-3633 x233 or email mthornton@higherachievement.org. Join their learning community! Bright kids are waiting for you!
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