Hill Rag

A Profile of Amidon ES

by: Peter J. Waldron

Amidon is a 1950s-built school in Southwest Washington. A large dictionary is prominently placed in the central office, signaling that language and its use are important. Classes are conducted quietly, with the air of serious instruction. In terms of test scores, the past academic years are a one step forward, one step back story. If the school is to meet federal benchmarks for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, it will have to show significant improvements in math. Amidon has the usual DCPS laundry list of personnel and technology shortages, as well as trouble with adequate maintenance. It is in need of a substantial modernization, including a revamped library and fully-wired technology lab. The simple addition of AC units in the windows would improve the learning environment.

Like so many other public schools, Amidon struggles to engage working parents in their children’s education, a major factor in educational success according to experts. (Perhaps the next national educational program should be entitled: Leave No Parent Behind, with a commensurate push for parents to keep pace with their children’s educational development.) The week-long assessments in late April, which will for the first time reflect the new, rigorous learning standards adopted by the District, will determine if AYP goals are being met. Amidon’s young Warriors enter the school each day and pass this prominently displayed message on the walls of the main corridor: “Some people succeed because they are destined to. Others succeed because they are determined. “

Leadership John Goudeauz has been the Principal since 2002. With a BA from St Joseph’s Seminary College (class of ’85) and a MA from GWU (class of ’95), Goudeaux has a “passion for teaching” and adds, “I was a good teacher because I had a passion for children and what they can do.” His earliest days in education were spent teaching English and music. Currently working on his PhD, he points to his mother as the inspiration for his own life’s path. She began as a janitor in a Port Arthur, Texas hospital, rose to head the pharmacy, earned a college degree and later worked for Texaco refinery. Goudeaux says her place in his life is a reminder that parents are the first educators.

Academic Highlights: Reading scores for 2005 are: 0 percent advanced; 31.39 proficient; 46.51 basic; 22.09 below basic. The five year average is: 4.70 advanced; 25.60 proficient; 49.90 basic; 19.78 below basic. Math results for 2005 were: 3.53 advanced; 12.94 proficient; 41.17 basic; 42.35 below basic. The five year average is: 5.41 advanced; 22.93 proficient; 43.02 basic; 28.62 below basic. Math scores have fallen dramatically and the school is listed as “in need of improvement.” The school has met AYP in reading since 2002.

Improving Student Achievement: the school has a professional development program, with more training of teachers in how to deliver instruction.

Omar Coulibaly: 5th grader, winner of the National Capitol Lawyers Authority’s Special City Needs Special People essay competition. Omar will receive his prize on May 5th at the Supreme Court. Omar says he was able to write successfully about teamwork because, “My dad talks about teamwork. That special people should work together.”

PTA: Growing in the right direction, average attendance at meetings this year is 50. Dr. Clarence Brown, current president, says that his 8 year old daughter is the initial reason for his commitment. The PTA will raise $5,000 this year for special needs of the school. About the PTA he says: “We’re not there yet. But it is coming.”

Parents: Working families, substantial single-parent households, many with multiple jobs and many grandparents raising children.

Honor Roll: determined on a monthly basis. In 2005, eight students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

Technology: No computer teacher; two labs, one wireless , used by the teachers for short-term visits. The wireless lab is down with no technology person available to help.

Special Education programs: serves 37 students; two teachers provide special “pull-out” instruction and there are two self-contained classrooms.

Library: No librarian since 2002, a function of budget restrictions as enrollment continues to fall. Planned for 2007, a half-time librarian. According to Goudeauz the library is not up to standard. There is a public library across the street that could be used as a resource.

Sports and Recess: There is a gym and an exercise field, recess takes place daily. A co-ed basketball team and a girls softball team that finished in 2nd place this year. There is a Physical Education teacher who teaches regular classes.

Before and after school programs: After Care programs are open to all students. The Dept of Recreation and Heads Up work together to provide both an academic component and recreation from 3:15 to 6:00 pm.

Homework: Mon-Thurs, work appropriate for the age of the children. For 5th and 6th graders there are special projects that include weekend work.

Health: A nurse 2.5 days per week. Bumps and bruises are the issues.

Dress code: There is a uniform policy. White tops and burgundy skirts for the girls and gray slacks for the boys and the girls.

Budget: annually $2 million plus, mostly for salaries of the teachers and the staff

Faculty and staff: 13 classroom teachers. Special teachers: music, physical education, science and a guidance counselor. Four special education teachers. Minimal turnover and most of it from attrition, retirements or positions cut because of falling enrollment.

Discipline: The Amidon Warriors use the PBIS (positive behavior interpretive strategies) system for personal conduct. The school’s mantra is: we drive our CAR ( citizenship, achievement, respect) in the right direction. The goal is to internalize the rewards of good behavior that are currently external.

School Board member involvement: Tommy Wells has been a consistent presence, especially in 2002-03.

Physical Plant: Needs great attention. Two buildings, one built in 1957, the other in the ‘60s. There is a serious need for electrical upgrade. Monument Realty has offered to put ACs in each classroom and to do electrical wiring. Stained ceilings and walls.

Security: one person on duty from 7 am till 7 pm. Some issues with break-ins. No drug or criminal problems associated with the campus.

Amidon ES ( preK-6th)
401 I St SW
Washington, DC 200024
202 724 4867

Basics

Head Start, pre K through 6th

Size: 344 students ( 89 percent African American , 10 percent Hispanic )

Class Size: 18-20

Attendance record : 94-96 percent

Free lunch: 89 percent. Free breakfast: everyone


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A Profile of Amidon ES

by: Peter J. Waldron
Amidon is a 1950s-built school in Southwest Washington. A large dictionary is prominently placed in the central office, signaling that language and its use are important. Classes are conducted quietly, with the air of serious instruction. In terms of test scores, the past academic years are a one step forward, one step back story. If the school is to meet federal benchmarks for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, it will have to show significant improvements in math. Amidon has the usual DCPS laundry list of personnel and technology shortages, as well as trouble with adequate maintenance. It is in need of a substantial modernization, including a revamped library and fully-wired technology lab. The simple addition of AC units in the windows would improve the learning environment. Like so many other public schools, Amidon struggles to engage working parents in their children’s education, a major factor in educational success according to experts. (Perhaps the next national educational program should be entitled: Leave No Parent Behind, with a commensurate push for parents to keep pace with their children’s educational development.) The week-long assessments in late April, which will for the first time reflect the new, rigorous learning standards adopted by the District, will determine if AYP goals are being met. Amidon’s young Warriors enter the school each day and pass this prominently displayed message on the walls of the main corridor: “Some people succeed because they are destined to. Others succeed because they are determined. “ Leadership John Goudeauz has been the Principal since 2002. With a BA from St Joseph’s Seminary College (class of ’85) and a MA from GWU (class of ’95), Goudeaux has a “passion for teaching” and adds, “I was a good teacher because I had a passion for children and what they can do.” His earliest days in education were spent teaching English and music. Currently working on his PhD, he points to his mother as the inspiration for his own life’s path. She began as a janitor in a Port Arthur, Texas hospital, rose to head the pharmacy, earned a college degree and later worked for Texaco refinery. Goudeaux says her place in his life is a reminder that parents are the first educators. Academic Highlights: Reading scores for 2005 are: 0 percent advanced; 31.39 proficient; 46.51 basic; 22.09 below basic. The five year average is: 4.70 advanced; 25.60 proficient; 49.90 basic; 19.78 below basic. Math results for 2005 were: 3.53 advanced; 12.94 proficient; 41.17 basic; 42.35 below basic. The five year average is: 5.41 advanced; 22.93 proficient; 43.02 basic; 28.62 below basic. Math scores have fallen dramatically and the school is listed as “in need of improvement.” The school has met AYP in reading since 2002. Improving Student Achievement: the school has a professional development program, with more training of teachers in how to deliver instruction. Omar Coulibaly: 5th grader, winner of the National Capitol Lawyers Authority’s Special City Needs Special People essay competition. Omar will receive his prize on May 5th at the Supreme Court. Omar says he was able to write successfully about teamwork because, “My dad talks about teamwork. That special people should work together.” PTA: Growing in the right direction, average attendance at meetings this year is 50. Dr. Clarence Brown, current president, says that his 8 year old daughter is the initial reason for his commitment. The PTA will raise $5,000 this year for special needs of the school. About the PTA he says: “We’re not there yet. But it is coming.” Parents: Working families, substantial single-parent households, many with multiple jobs and many grandparents raising children. Honor Roll: determined on a monthly basis. In 2005, eight students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Technology: No computer teacher; two labs, one wireless , used by the teachers for short-term visits. The wireless lab is down with no technology person available to help. Special Education programs: serves 37 students; two teachers provide special “pull-out” instruction and there are two self-contained classrooms. Library: No librarian since 2002, a function of budget restrictions as enrollment continues to fall. Planned for 2007, a half-time librarian. According to Goudeauz the library is not up to standard. There is a public library across the street that could be used as a resource. Sports and Recess: There is a gym and an exercise field, recess takes place daily. A co-ed basketball team and a girls softball team that finished in 2nd place this year. There is a Physical Education teacher who teaches regular classes. Before and after school programs: After Care programs are open to all students. The Dept of Recreation and Heads Up work together to provide both an academic component and recreation from 3:15 to 6:00 pm. Homework: Mon-Thurs, work appropriate for the age of the children. For 5th and 6th graders there are special projects that include weekend work. Health: A nurse 2.5 days per week. Bumps and bruises are the issues. Dress code: There is a uniform policy. White tops and burgundy skirts for the girls and gray slacks for the boys and the girls. Budget: annually $2 million plus, mostly for salaries of the teachers and the staff Faculty and staff: 13 classroom teachers. Special teachers: music, physical education, science and a guidance counselor. Four special education teachers. Minimal turnover and most of it from attrition, retirements or positions cut because of falling enrollment. Discipline: The Amidon Warriors use the PBIS (positive behavior interpretive strategies) system for personal conduct. The school’s mantra is: we drive our CAR ( citizenship, achievement, respect) in the right direction. The goal is to internalize the rewards of good behavior that are currently external. School Board member involvement: Tommy Wells has been a consistent presence, especially in 2002-03. Physical Plant: Needs great attention. Two buildings, one built in 1957, the other in the ‘60s. There is a serious need for electrical upgrade. Monument Realty has offered to put ACs in each classroom and to do electrical wiring. Stained ceilings and walls. Security: one person on duty from 7 am till 7 pm. Some issues with break-ins. No drug or criminal problems associated with the campus. Amidon ES ( preK-6th) 401 I St SW Washington, DC 200024 202 724 4867 Basics Head Start, pre K through 6th Size: 344 students ( 89 percent African American , 10 percent Hispanic ) Class Size: 18-20 Attendance record : 94-96 percent Free lunch: 89 percent. Free breakfast: everyone