This is awesome for Watkins! Maybe the civil war can end.

Anonymous wrote:Not a Peabody/Watkins family, but I am surprised. I know she has gotten some pushback, but she seemed like a decent principal when I met her at an open house.

Nope. Her level of disgust at current parents was off the chart. Best thing to happen to Watkins in years.

Anonymous wrote:Would this change anyone's approach to PK3 if in boundary to Peabody/Watkins?

It shouldn’t. This will impact Watkins more. Peabody seemed to run about the same under Principal Bell and her predecessor.

Would this change anyone's approach to PK3 if in boundary to Peabody/Watkins?

There are many bad principals they don’t fire so probably she decided to leave

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping for a letter like this from our principal...

Same!!! Sooner rather than later so I know what to do for next year.

I'm hoping for a letter like this from our principal...

Anonymous wrote:Does IS mean instructional superintendent? (https://dcps.dc.gov/page/instructional-superintendents) If so, I don't see anything in the letter suggesting that. Rather, "I will be pursuing other opportunities next year" sounds suggests either that she was asked to leave (likely) or that she's resigning voluntarily (less likely, because).

Yes. But I would be surprised if they canned her, I think she's okay.

Does IS mean instructional superintendent? (https://dcps.dc.gov/page/instructional-superintendents) If so, I don't see anything in the letter suggesting that. Rather, "I will be pursuing other opportunities next year" sounds suggests either that she was asked to leave (likely) or that she's resigning voluntarily (less likely, because).

Anonymous wrote:Is she becoming an IS?

I hope not.

And no she is leaving the district from the chatter that I am hearing.

Not a Peabody/Watkins family, but I am surprised. I know she has gotten some pushback, but she seemed like a decent principal when I met her at an open house.

Is she becoming an IS?

Is she becoming an IS?

Whaaat?

February 24, 2020

Dear Peabody and Watkins Family,

I hope that this letter finds each of you well following our February recess. Serving as the principal of Peabody and Watkins Elementary Schools has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I am sending this letter to inform you that I will be pursuing other opportunities next year and will not return as principal of Peabody and Watkins for School Year 2020-2021.

It seems like just yesterday that I walked onto our campus for the first time and was warmly greeted with hugs and smiles. Our students have inspired me, and I continue to be reminded of our humanity and our future. I am proud of their growth over the years and look forward to the positive impact that they will continue to make in our communities.

Together, we have established warm, welcoming and nurturing learning environment for our students. I would like to highlight just a few of the accomplishments of our community:

We welcomed former First Lady, Michelle Obama to Watkins in 2016, helping to highlight the wonderful works of our Food Prints program.
In our efforts to create a sense of belong for students and to build on their many talents, we established and expanded our athletic options for students. Our boys and girls have brought home basketball, golf, and cross-country championships.
We have made significant gains in student achievement on the PARCC Assessment with an increase of 30% in ELA and 24% in Math from SY15-19. We also established Peabody as a Creative Curriculum Model school.
Our focus on equity has led to the founding of our Race, Class, and Equity group, whose mission is to build an equitable and inclusive school community for families and students.
In efforts to continue this wonderful work, you will have the opportunity to engage in the selection process for a new principal. In preparation for the transition, DC Public Schools coordinates the selection and appointment of principals with great care and consideration. An important part of the schools’ contribution will be to form a Community Panel—a committee comprised of parents, teachers, and community members to provide a diverse perspective on the decision-making process.

This spring, representatives from the DCPS Office of School Improvement along with Instructional Superintendent Shawn Stover will host an informational meeting at our building. They will explain the process for forming the Community Panel and help facilitate conversations about the community’s hopes and dreams for its next principal. Details are forthcoming on how you can be involved.

I look forward to supporting a smooth leadership transition for our community. We will finish the year strong and together. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting me to be a part of your child’s educational journey. It has been my heart’s greatest joy.



With love and appreciation,



Elena Bell, Principal