Washington Elementary

📚 ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL REMINDERS 🚌💜💛

As we get ready for another school year, please take a moment to review our arrival and dismissal procedures! Your patience and cooperation help us keep our students safe and make drop-off and pick-up as smooth as possible. ❤️

☀️SUMMER FUN + FRESH SCHOOL GEAR! 👕

Our Washington Falcons had the BEST time on our summer field trip to Phoenix College! 🦅💙

We brought 22 amazing students along for a day packed with fun, smiles, and lots of goodies! 🎉 Students got to pick out new school uniforms, backpacks, clothes, and so much more! 🛍️🎒👟

And that’s not all… we also had dental & vision screenings 🦷👀, yummy snacks, and TONS of fun along the way! 💙

We are SO grateful to the BHHS Legacy Foundation for making this incredible experience possible! 🙌💙 Your generosity is helping our Falcons head into the new school year feeling confident, prepared, and ready to SOAR! 🦅📚✨

THANK YOU for supporting our students and making summer memories they won’t forget! ☀️💙

The campus will be closed tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to noon for a district event.

Please note that all WESD schools and district offices will be closed to the public from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, August 7, as employees participate in our annual All-staff, Back-to-School event.

We appreciate your understanding as we come together to prepare for a successful school year. Schools and district offices will reopen at noon and resume normal operations.❤💙

✨ Please join us in welcoming Mr. Horton, 6th grade teacher, to the Washington family✨

Read below to learn more about Mr. Horton:

Hello Washington families!

My name is Brian Horton, and I am excited to join the Washington team as a 6th grade teacher. I am passionate about helping students grow academically, develop confidence, and become the best versions of themselves. My goal is to be a positive example and role model for the next generation of students while creating a classroom environment where all students feel supported and encouraged.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy sports, coaching high school football, practicing yoga, and playing piano. I love being active and finding ways to continue learning and growing. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with my students and their families and making this school year a great experience for everyone.

I am excited to be part of the Washington community and can’t wait for a wonderful school year!

Welcome to Washington 🎉

🌟 Welcome to Washington, Mrs. Ward! 🌟

Please join us in giving a warm Washington welcome to Mrs. Ward, who is joining our team as a 6th grade teacher this school year! We are excited to have her as part of our school family and know she will be a wonderful addition to our community.

Mrs. Ward shared a little about herself:

"Hello! My name is Mrs. Ward. This will be my 7th year of teaching and I cannot wait for this upcoming school year and all the great things to come! When I’m not teaching, what I love most is spending time with my family and my pets. In my free time, you might find me relaxing with a good book, watching a favorite TV show, having a family game night, or enjoying the great outdoors!"

We can't wait for our students and families to get to know Mrs. Ward. Here's to an amazing school year together—welcome to Washington! 💙📚🍎

🎉 Welcome to Washington, Laura Blakesley! ❤️

We're excited to welcome Laura Blakesley as our new Instructional Coach!

⬇️ Read below to learn a little more about Laura.

"Hi! My name is Laura Blakesley and I'm excited to be joining the Washington community as the new Instructional Coach!

This marks my 21st year in education, and I feel very fortunate to spend each day doing work that I am passionate about. Over the years, I've taught 1st through 3rd grade, served as a K–6 Reading Specialist, and spent the past four years as a part-time adjunct faculty member, helping prepare future educators. I have a passion for literacy, supporting teachers, and helping every student reach their full potential.

My husband and I have been married for 18 years, and our two busy teenagers keep us on our toes. In my free time, I enjoy Pilates, paddle boarding, reading, and spending time with my family and friends. This August, I'll be starting my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, where I'll continue to learn and grow alongside the educators I have the privilege of supporting.

I believe the best schools are built on strong relationships, collaboration, growth, and a shared commitment to helping every child succeed. I'm honored to be part of this incredible community and can't wait to get to know our teachers, students, and families. Here's to a wonderful year of learning and growing together!"

❤️ Welcome to the Washington family, Laura! We can't wait for an amazing year together.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Caitlyn, kindergarten teacher!

Ms. Caitlyn is a familiar face at Washington—not only did she attend Washington as an elementary student, but she has also spent the past three years supporting our English learners as an EL tester. We are so excited to welcome her!

🍎 Read below to learn more about her!

Hi! I'm Miss Caitlyn, and I'm so excited to be one of your new kindergarten teachers this year!
For the past three years, I've had the privilege of supporting our English learners here at Washington, and I'm thrilled to begin this new chapter in the kindergarten classroom. I became a teacher because I love helping students grow into strong readers, confident learners, and kind little humans. I can't wait to meet my new class and make this a fun and memorable year together!
A few fun facts about me: I love all things floral and pink, enjoy cooking and baking, and love spending time crafting, painting, coloring, and doing puzzles. Most importantly, I cherish time with my family. I can't wait for a wonderful year together!

📚✏️ You're Invited to Meet the Teacher! 🍎🎉

The countdown to a new school year is on, and we can't wait to welcome our Falcon families back!

🍎 Meet the Teacher
🗓️ Thursday, August 6th
⏰ 4:30–6:00 PM

Come meet your teacher, explore your classroom, drop off school supplies, and get ready for an amazing year ahead!

🍧 Bonus: Kona Ice will be on site, so be sure to grab a cool treat while you're here!

📚 First Day of School: Monday, August 10th

We look forward to seeing all of our students and families. Here's to a fantastic school year! ❤️🦅

As a reminder, the WESD will hold its next Food Pantry distribution tomorrow, July 2, from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Washington Resource Information Center at Ocotillo Elementary School. Please join us to receive food at no cost, while supplies last!