Washington Elementary School, home of the Wolves, serves 423 students with an average class size of 17. It is the largest elementary school in District 65 by enrollment.
Washington has a diverse student body, with 34% Hispanic, 18% Black or African American, 10% multiracial, and 2% Asian students.
To honor its diverse student body, the school hosts annual Hispanic heritage and Black history month celebrations and culture fairs. Many parents appreciate these events, as they give students the opportunity to learn more about their community members and the ways they express their culture.
“I love raising my children in a school where they see the world reflected in their classrooms,” said Josh Culley-Foster, who has a fourth-grader and an incoming kindergartener at Washington. “Last week’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration was so much fun for my son and his friends.”
Washington also hosts an annual Fall Fest, a festival celebrating the season with activities for students; a book nook, where students can pick up free used books each week to expand their at-home libraries; and other heritage celebrations.
At the same time, some community members are focused on student safety. Concerned about federal immigration enforcement in the area, some parents have volunteered to give students rides to school if they feel unsafe with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents nearby, picking them up and dropping them off. During the commute, they wear wolf ears and yellow safety vests.
“The early responses have been great; the kids feel safe and protected,” said Culley-Foster. “As a parent, that’s your first priority.”
The school also offers the Washington Cares program, which supports families in need of groceries or essentials.
“The school social worker will identify the needs of Washington families and the PTA will fill those needs where possible,” said Diana Morrow, parent of a fourth-grader. “By fundraising for grocery gift cards, we can support families in need during the holidays or any time throughout the year when they might face an emergency and suddenly be short on funds.”
The school’s guiding statement–“To be our best, we love ourselves, appreciate differences, learn together, and take action”–captures its focus on inclusion, empathy and social responsibility.
