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“There are so many components that go into making something like this happen and I am so happy that our students are going to get to have this experience,” said an excited Michelle Richardson Bailey, PUSD Board President, who helped cut the ribbon at the event.
“I went to Washington Elementary when I was growing up,” Bailey recalled. “It looks like a different school!”
Washington STEM Elementary School Karrone Meeks added, “Our new World Language Program allows children to deepen their knowledge of their own culture or to begin to explore the language and lives of those in Spanish-speaking countries. At the same time, we are giving students real-world learning experiences in our STEM Lab, Technology Innovation Lab, Imagination Lab and outdoor garden spaces.”
World Language classes will take place twice a week at Washington for kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students. Younger grades will visit the Imagination Lab once a week for 30 minutes and grades three through five will have 45-minute classes every other week.
The WESM Imagination Lab, created in collaboration with the nonprofit reDiscover Center, was designed and built in the summer of 2023 with funding from the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP).
Both students and parents were thrilled to see the new curriculum developments at the school.
“We are so excited to see the kids immersed in a curriculum that supports their building greater connections with each other and taking pride in their community through language and their environment,” said Washington parent Lauren Ottersburg.
“I’m excited to grow things and build with my friends!,” an excited 2nd-grader Cassius Jenkins, added.
Washington Elementary students will also be wearing new school uniforms in green and khaki this year, colors which reflect the school’s environmental theme.
Along with two other PUSD schools, Washington is sharing an $15 million Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create and/or expand three magnet programs over the next five years. This will be the first year implementing the multi-million-dollar grant. The Magnet Schools Assistance program provides grants to eligible local educational agencies to establish and operate magnet schools that are operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan.
“World language and world-class STEM programs strengthen and support our mission at PUSD. With the addition of these innovative programs, we are delivering a high-quality education that prepares and empowers the children of Washington Elementary to reach their full potential,” added PUSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco.
“Together with the Community School program at Washington Elementary,” Blanco added, “the school offers additional resources and support so that students can excel.”
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