EDUCATION Johnson Middle School Makes Strides During Enrollment Season Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer As District educators take Teacher Appreciation Week 2022 (May 2 – 6) to reflect on what has been a highly contentious academic year, officials at John Hayden Johnson Middle School in Southeast have their sights set on the future. Toward the end of last month, Johnson Middle School met an important enrollment season bench-
mark when at least 60 percent of the student body committed to returning next fall. Fulfilling this goal required staff members to engage families over several weeks and encourage them to seek guidance, if needed, when filling out applications. Now, within the next few weeks, officials will 5.85” establish contact with potential new enrollees. They anticipate 25 percent of students participating in Johnson’s athletic programs.
(WI File Photo)
“So many families appreciated the phone calls and support,” said Latisha Coleman, Johnson Middle School’s principal. Coleman, formerly an assistant principal at Anacostia High School in Southeast, became principal at Johnson Middle School in the aftermath of Dwan Anthony Jordon’s transfer to DC Public Schools (DCPS)’ virtual
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ening neighborhood schools would ensure educational equity. In recent years, as new charter schools opened in eastern parts of the District, parents in Wards 7 and 8 continued to question the availability of quality public school options in their neighborhood, especially at the middle school level. In response, Coleman said she’s focused on programming initiative and remains committed to establishing Johnson Middle School as a quality neighborhood place of learning. Earlier this year, Coleman, DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee and other leaders commemorated the launch of the DCPS Connected Schools model at Johnson. As one of 11 Connected Schools in the public school system, Johnson Middle School would be better able to meet the academic, economic, socioemotional and psychological needs of students through instructional program last summer. Jordon’s transfer culminated a partnerships with the DC Departof Behavioral Health, Black DC Public Library accepts staff-led campaign to oust the ad- ment Nurses Association, DC Food Projministrator criticized for ostracizing NEW Passport Applications teachers and community members. ect, Martha’s Table, Black Swan Academy, Sasha Bruce and other entities. Office Acceptance Since entering her role, Coleman said Passport “Through our Connected Schools she has done her best to foster an atMartin Luther King, Jr. Memorial L mosphere of joy and collaboration program, we’re opening a food pantry, expanding laundry andNW, mental2nd health Floor G Street among teachers and parents whom 901 offerings, boosting our arts programshe described as some of the most acMetro Center ming and giving ourand childrenChinatown access tive in the District. to drums [while] partnering with tuGallery Place Metro Stations In the aftermath of sixth-grade quarantines earlier this academic toring partners,” Coleman said. 202-727-3257 In outlining her vision, Coleyear, some parents questioned social said she wants Johnson Middle distancing protocols and highlight- man dclibrary.org/passports ed incomplete work spaces for sixth School to provide the STEM and arts instruction that students desire graders. Months later, as she recounts her in an increasingly technological sociconversations with parents, Coleman ety. Johnson currently uses a blended said she continues to hear concerns learning model in which students, in small groups, use technology during about some of the same issues. “They had a lot of COVID ques- activities that combine multiple acations,” Coleman said. “People are demic disciplines. Coleman has also mulled over the really looking forward to what we’re inclusion of a dedicated STEM ingoing to offer and how it would be different coming out of having to structor and science offerings to students, particularly those in the 6th wear masks.” and 7th grades. A few weeks ago, Johnson Middle School hosted its 5.5” LAUNCHING THE first STEM fair with more planned in CONNECTED the future, particularly in the form of SCHOOLS MODEL community partnerships. Figures released in December “My vision is for Johnson Middle showed that DCPS enrollment School to be the STEM powerhouse dropped for the second consecutive in Southeast that embraces athletics year, due in part to families choosing and the arts,” Coleman said. “We to homeschool and parents not en- want to nurture students’ genius, rolling their young ones in pre-kin- leadership skills and excellence.” dergarten. “Those are our core values and it’s For some public school stalwarts, what we strive to do every day,” she charter school encroachment has also said. “When you think about Duke been a deterrent. A survey conducted Ellington School of the Arts and Rooby Coalition for DC Public School sevelt High and combine them into and Communities in April found that one middle school, that’s who we are.” most of the 15 candidates for public WI office who responded said strength@SamPKCollins
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