Letter to My Lafayette Community from Ms. McLaughlin:
In 1980, in characteristic Lafayette parent fashion, when DC eliminated all the arts teachers in the city, Lafayette parents took it upon themselves to rectify the situation! 45 years ago, a brave group of Lafayette parents took a chance and hired a nervous but enthusiastic 23 year old teacher to teach their children art.
As you can imagine, the Lafayette community became my home and Lafayette’s art program my passion. As evidenced by how many families I taught and am now teaching their children, our school is truly a special place where multiple generations call the Lafayette neighborhood home.
I am deeply grateful to the community who supported the arts at Lafayette. A heartfelt thanks to the parents (and grandparents) who raised funds, schlepped water buckets before we had a sink and assisted with so many art room jobs, all to make a rich art program run smoothly and give our kids the best possible art experience.
I am also grateful to the Lafayette teachers and administration who supported Open Studio, making possible a place of refuge at recess for many students and a vibrant pottery program for 5th graders! Witnessing the hum of happy kids creating and building and problem solving and working out differences in a safe, creative space has been one of the joys of my job and one of the things that makes Lafayette the unique and nurturing place it is!
Thanks to Principal Sandra Bond for supporting the original arts program, to Principal Lynn Main for her vision and support of arts integration, and to Principal Carrie Broquard and Principal Katie Prall for carrying on that legacy and supporting the arts program as a vital part of who we are at Lafayette!
I have loved coming to work each day of those 45 years because of this special place. I will deeply miss all of you and will always treasure you as my extended family! I loved celebrating with many of you Wednesday evening and loved reading your words of appreciation! Thanks to Principal Prall , Andrea Perll and Maddie Dunleavy and the student lead Beardie Club who shared their heartfelt words and presentations, the HSA for the décor and lovely spread, and to all the staff members who threw a fantastic party for us… Lindsay Field, John Buxbaum and the custodial crew, you rock!!!
