Archive for the 'Parker-Gray' Category
Alexandria’s Jefferson Houston Elementary School Posts Dramatic Increases to Meet Federal and State Standards
August 22nd, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Parker-Gray
Alexandria’s Jefferson Houston Elementary School will receive full state accreditation this fall thanks to dramatic increases in state and federal test scores. The percentage of students passing the English test moved up from 62% to 77% and the percentage of students passing the math test jumped from 59% to 77%. Test scores also insure that the school will meet federal standards under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Jefferson Houston - an integral part of the historic Parker-Gray neighborhood - has struggled since a controversial redistricting in 1999 that shifted many West End students to Tucker Elementary in Cameron Station. Inconsistent leadership was a key issue with five principals rotating through in a six-year period. Kimberly Graves was hired in 2006 and within weeks teachers and parents alike understood that meeting standards was a minimum expectation.
A modest Graves has credited community involvement, parental support, a determined staff and students who were willing to go the extra mile. English scores were helped by Saturday workshops and math scores benefited from after-school clubs.
One program in particular - the “power hour” - was key to raising reading scores. Students at Jefferson-Houston were arranged in small groups of five or six who had similar instructional needs for one-on-one reading time for an hour, every day. It was a group effort with teachers, reading specialists, and talented-and-gifted teachers all helping out.
As for the future, Graves noted that “Building a reputation is going to take time, but I’m patient. Jefferson-Houston is going to become one of the top performing schools in this city.”
Congratulations to Principal Graves and the parents, teachers and students for an enormous effort!
If you would like to know more about the Parker-Gray neighborhood, call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s talk.
Michael
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$15 Million Recreation Center - WHO Will Be Using It?
March 4th, 2008 Categories: Del Ray, Parker-Gray, Real Estate News
The Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Alexandria has broken ground on a new $15 million dollar recreation center in a public housing area with an unfortunate history of violence and drugs.
Standing on the same site as the previous rec center, the new Charles Houston Center will feature green technology, an outdoor swimming pool, new gymnasium, dance room, fitness room, boxing room, children’s game room, computer lab, senior center, preschool program and community meeting rooms. An open space/pedestrian area at the main entrance will feature a public art project to honor Charles Houston’s contribution to the Civil Rights struggle in Alexandria.
Situated on a major thorough fare and easily accessible, the Houston Center could, in theory, serve as a low cost recreation center for a wide swath of neighborhoods including Parker-Gray, Braddock Road Metro, Del Ray and even parts of north Old Town and Rosemont but concerns about safety make it clear that won’t happen.
Also not clear is just how the city will regulate the use of the new center, what programs will be offered and what steps will be taken to insure that it is a drug-free/violence-free environment.
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Alexandria Named One of Nation’s “100 Best Communities for Young People”
February 6th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray, Old Town, Parker-Gray
On January 24th 2008, after a year long competition, Alexandria was recognized as a “One Hundred Best Communities for Young People” by the America’s Promise Alliance. The Alliance was founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell and is committed to children and the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
The Alliance is a catalyst for community-based efforts to demonstrate how children receive what are known as the 5 Promises:
CARING ADULTS
SAFE PLACE
A HEALTHY START
EFFECTIVE EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OTHERS
Alexandria’s commitment to creating partnerships and collaborations to address youth issues was sparked by the Early Childhood Commission and Youth Policy which, in turn, established an Early Childhood Development Plan and Asset Development Initiative.
The initiative created two funds to channel money into specific areas. The Children’s Fund has awarded more than $6.3 million to organizations to help provide quality childhood programs and services to at risk youth and the Youth Fund which has awarded nearly $1.6 million to youth programs that help build assets for youth. Among the initiatives are an array of programs and services in teen pregnancy prevention, juvenile delinquency, education, post-secondary education, mentoring and youth development.
More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the honor. The 100 winning communities span 37 states.
In offering his congratulations, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine noted, “The Commonwealth is fortunate to have such an honor bestowed upon one of its most vital cities. I commend the City of Alexandria for encouraging, educating and protecting the lives of youngsters.”
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
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