March 28, 2024

Dear Lafayette Elementary School,

I hope that this letter finds each of you well. Serving as principal of Lafayette Elementary has been such an unparalleled experience. It is with mixed feelings that I send this letter to inform you that I have accepted an opportunity to lead another school within DC Public Schools (DCPS) and will not be returning to Lafayette as your principal for School Year 2024-2025.

The Lafayette community welcomed me as its school leader in 2014 as a first-year principal. Over the past ten years, we have grown together personally, professionally, and as a school community. The years that have transpired since fill me with pride. Together, we have accomplished the following:

  • Tackled “a little construction project,” aka an $85 million dollar modernization, complete with trailers and a tent for a cafeteria and gym;
  • Navigated a global pandemic and re-opened with 600+ students;
  • Created a full complement of special education programming;
  • Invested in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts both within the building and the Homeand School Association (HSA);
  • Earned the title of a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021; and
  • Built a robust mental health team with a schoolwide systematic approach to social-emotionallearning—creating a holistic and supportive space for learning for all students.

    While this handful of major achievements is extraordinary, they pale in comparison to the daily joy of watching each of our students learn and grow every day. It is these daily interactions that drive everything I do as an educator and what I will miss most for all 935 of us.

    To continue the mission and vision of meeting students where they are academically and socially, you will have the opportunity to engage in the selection process for a new principal. In preparation for the transition, DCPS coordinates the selection and appointment of principals with great care and consideration. An important part of the school’s contribution will be to form a Community Panel—a committee comprising parents, teachers, and community members to provide a diverse perspective on the decision-making process.

    We will start with a virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, to learn about the next steps for selecting a new school leader. Instructional Superintendent Andria Caruthers will lead the meeting, along with representatives from the DCPS Office of School Improvement and the Office of Engagement and Partnerships. The linked flyer includes more information on how to join that meeting.

    The decision to leave Lafayette was not an easy one – every day I find joy and pride in what we accomplish as a community. I am grateful to be taking with me a decade of leadership experiences, and skills built in my time working with the families and community that pushed my growth as an educator. I am confident I would not have had this experience anywhere else in the world or with any other community. I am excited to take all that I have learned over the last ten years into my next chapter of school leadership with DCPS.

Finally, I look forward to finishing out the school year with Lafayette stronger than ever and supporting a smooth leadership transition. From the bottom of my heart, one of my greatest joys as an educator has been to be a part of your child’s educational journey. Thank you for your trust.

With gratitude,

Dr. B
Principal, Lafayette Elementary School

Join the Lafayette HSA Belonging Committee for a conversation with parents and caregivers about the new book DREAM TOWN: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. The author is Laura Meckler, a longtime Lafayette mom and native of Shaker Heights, the suburb of Cleveland where she grew up. Her book explores the question of whether a well-intentioned group of people can fulfill the promise of racial integration in America. Laura will join us both to answer questions and help lead a conversation about how her themes of integration, diversity and belonging—in both housing and education—can be
applied in our Lafayette community and our city.
 
Event Details
The event will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the home of Anu and Taresh Mullick. Refreshments will be provided. The address will be shared upon RSVP.
We recommend reading the book ahead of time, but please come for the conversation even if you aren’t able to do so.

  • The book is for sale at Politics and Prose and Amazon.
  • It’s also available through the D.C. Public Library.
  • A limited number of copies will also be available through Lafayette to ensure that all families can
    participate. More details forthcoming.

Please RSVP ASAP using Sign Up Genius.
 
Background
A little about the book: In the late 1950s, Shaker Heights became a national model for housing integration. And beginning in the seventies, it was known as a crown jewel in the national move to racially integrate schools. The school district built a reputation for academic excellence and diversity, serving as a model for how white and Black Americans can thrive together. Laura—herself a product of Shaker Heights—takes a deeper look into the place that shaped her, investigating its complicated history and its ongoing challenges in order to untangle myth from truth. She confronts an enduring and troubling question—if Shaker Heights has worked so hard at racial equity, why does a racial academic achievement gap persist? 
 
For more about the book, check out Laura on NPR’s Fresh Air or the Washington Post’s review of Dream Town.

What Others Are Saying About the Book
“This is the story of one Ohio town—but also the much bigger story of America. Meckler brings great insight, depth, and wonderful humanity to this important chronicle of one city’s grappling with race and the meaning of community. It is eminently readable and genuinely inspiring.”
—Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of The Orchid Thief and The Library Book
 
 â€śLaura Meckler has brilliantly told the story of one American town’s integration struggles—and reminded us of the best promises we make (and sometimes fulfill) as members of shared communities. Dream Town, deeply researched and beautifully written, represents social history at its best. It’s a book full of hard truths and hope, a book I won’t soon forget.”
—Jonathan Eig, bestselling author of King: A Life and Ali: A Life
 
“The work of diversity, integration and equity is hard, messy and divisive, and Shaker Heights has certainly gotten as much wrong over the years as it’s gotten right. But it’s only by learning the lessons of those victories and failures that we can construct the schools, communities and society that we all hope to live in. This book, through rigorous reporting and stunning historical sweep, provides a vital step toward finding our path forward.”
—Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Whitelash
 
“Reported with compassion, thoroughness and a keen sense of fairness and balance, Meckler’s book explores the heroic and sometimes successful effort of one American community to move beyond the
hatred and division that has led to racial segregation across most of the country. It would be hard to add up all the ways in which Meckler’s book is relevant to the current political and cultural moment.”
—Steve Litt, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer

Attention Lafayette Families! DCPS has launched the 2024 Panorama Survey, which measures social emotional learning, satisfaction, and engagement across staff, families, and students. Share your perspective by completing the survey: bit.ly/dcpsfamily

Announcing an exciting new art contest!  Create a cover design for our YEARBOOK! WINNERS FROM EVERY GRADE LEVEL! Your colorful designs are due by Thursday, April 11th to either Ms. Perll or Ms. McLaughlin:)

Guidelines:

  • Use printer paper VERTICALLY. 
  • You can use color in your design but leave some space for us to add a title. 
  • Think school, Lafayette Bears, and kids having fun as you are creating your design. 
  • Name and class code on the back with pencil! 
     
Thank you students and parents who attended our first Mindful Monday. We hope you can join our next one on Monday, April 29th from 8:15-30am in the Peace Room. All community members are invited!
 
Plus, the Peace program wants to hear from you. Share your observations of peaceful behaviors in your child(ren) to help us increase the peace in and out of school. Take our 2 minute survey. Thank you!
 

Time: Monday, April 8 7 PM – 8 PM via Zoom

How to Talk to Your Kids About Disability Overview: Empowering parents with effective strategies and insights, ‘How to Talk to Your Kids About Disability’ explores navigating conversations around disability with sensitivity, openness, and inclusivity, fostering understanding and acceptance.

Our speakers:

Kristine Nellenbach is the program coordinator for Resource Finder, a project of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She connects professionals, families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to resources tailored to their needs. Kristine holds a master’s degree in instructional technology and was an elementary school teacher for twelve years, prior to her current role. Kristine is diagnosed with autism and ADHD and works to advocate for individuals with disabilities within her role and beyond.

Brianne Burger serves as the Director/Liaison inside the US Department of Education (ED), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. Brianne is a certified Diversity Change Agent, actively involved in streamlining the Accessibility efforts across the government to recruit, retain, and support career advancement for employees with disabilities. Brianne has more than 25 years of experience in vocational services on education and employment access for people with disabilities. Her in-depth knowledge of public policy on disabilities led to her appointment as the Americans with Disabilities Act Access Coordinator for both the 2004 Democratic National Convention and the 2010 VSA International Arts and Disability Festival. As a DC resident, Brianne advocated and persisted for the successful draft and passage of the Bill to Establish the DC Office for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing; furthering ensuring the DC Office was funded in the DC Government’s Budget. Brianne has served as the Vice Chair of the WMATA Accessibility Advisory Council. Brianne currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN) and the President of Deaf In Government (DIG). She is a member of the New Leaders Council’s Washington DC Chapter.