In a city that has a reputation for failing schools, Watkins Elementary, just a hop and a skip from my house, shone brightly in the national spotlight. Well, at least for us nerds who get our news from the Newshour on PBS.
For a number of years, the fourth grade class has taken the stage at the Lincoln Memorial to recite Martin Luther King Jr’s indomitable “I Have a Dream” speech. I smiled ear to ear as I watched the little patriots troupe on and off the stage, their pom-pom hats bouncing and parkas practically swallowing them, as they clearly and joyfully enunciated the words that motivated a nation. If you want a “Damn, it’s only Wednesday” infusion of optimism, check the performance out. The bright smiles and energy of these learners exhibit the tireless work of parents and teachers leading the elementary school renaissance here on the Hill.
Watkins and Capitol Hill Cluster School: Way to represent!