Dancers and Demos Kick Off Washington Elementary STEM Magnet’s New School Year with Exciting Language and Environmental Programs
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet (WESM) in Pasadena, California, has started the new 2023-2024 school year with a bang, introducing two exciting programs – Spanish World Language and Environmental Studies. The school held a special event on Friday, three days before classes officially began on Monday, to celebrate the launch of these innovative programs.
Michelle Richardson Bailey, PUSD Board President, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, 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. Bailey, who attended Washington Elementary as a child, was amazed by the transformation of the school: It looks like a different school!
The new World Language Program at Washington STEM Elementary School offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of their own culture or explore the language and lives of Spanish-speaking countries. Alongside this, the school is dedicated to providing students with real-world learning experiences through its STEM Lab, Technology Innovation Lab, Imagination Lab, and outdoor garden spaces.
The World Language classes will be held twice a week for kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students. Additionally, younger grades will have the chance to visit the Imagination Lab once a week for 30 minutes, while grades three through five will participate in 45-minute classes every other week.
Thanks to funding from the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP), the WESM Imagination Lab was created in collaboration with the nonprofit reDiscover Center. Built during the summer of 2023, this innovative space offers students a unique learning environment.
Both students and parents are ecstatic about the new programs and curriculum developments at Washington Elementary. Lauren Ottersburg, a Washington parent, highlighted her excitement: 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.
The school’s new environmental theme is reflected in the students’ uniforms, which will now be green and khaki. These colors further emphasize the school’s commitment to environmental education. Washington Elementary, along with two other PUSD schools, is sharing a $15 million Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant will enable the creation and expansion of three magnet programs over the next five years, with this year marking the first implementation.
Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Interim Superintendent, highlighted the importance of these programs in fulfilling PUSD’s mission: 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.
The new school year at Washington Elementary STEM Magnet has commenced with an exciting array of programs aimed at enriching students’ education. The introduction of Spanish World Language and Environmental Studies reflects the school’s commitment to providing students with well-rounded and hands-on learning experiences. As the school year unfolds, Washington Elementary will continue to thrive as a hub of education and innovation.
