The charred remains of what was once a playground symbolize the challenge facing Kim Ables as she takes over the job as principal of the J.C. Nalle Elementary School.
Someone burned down the playground almost two years ago, destroying the only outdoor recreation in the Marshall Heights neighborhood in Southeast D.C. The Freddie Mac Foundation stepped in and gave the school $200,000 for a brand-new two-section playground, complete with monkey bars and winding stairs.
The school, however, had to build a fence around the new equipment to secure it.
“It’s a challenging community, yes,” Ables said. “But these children are really bright, they’re not victims. There’s something very special here.”
Like 18 other new principals in the D.C. Public Schools, Ables is coming into the job at a tumultuous time for the school as well as for the District’s transforming school system.
And for many new leaders, the transition is made more difficult by the fact that they’re essentially auditioning for their spots, with job security only through the end of the year.
Ables, who was named D.C.’s Teacher of the Year in 2006, never aimed to become a principal, she told The Examiner. But she considers the position her calling, and she said Nalle is where she’s supposed to carry out her vision.
She characterizes her school as a blended family with growing pains. Last year, Nalle inherited about 100 students from Fletcher-Johnson Elementary School, creating a tense environment in which students formed cliques and acted out in violence.
Relations in the new school year are far from perfect, but Ables said there’s much greater cohesion.
A palpable energy and spirit toward betterment was evident in classrooms and hallways during a recent visit. But daunting challenges could also be seen: Poverty is evident in the neighborhood. Some windows on the facilities have bars.
School records show test scores have lagged. And Ables said in some cases, parents are resistant to school involvement.
Still, the new principal believes she can make a difference.
On a recent morning, Ables, who doesn’t stand much taller than some of the pupils, formally greets everyone by name, not letting them sit until they firmly shake her hand, make eye contact and tuck their yellow-collared shirts into their forest-green uniform bottoms.
A big focus has been on getting the word out about the revamped Eagle High 5, a discipline plan in which students are rewarded for good behavior like immediately obeying teachers by getting free merchandise from the school store.
“No one is going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” Ables tells the students, her voice firm. “It’s all about your choices. No one gives you detention. You’re choosing that option by continuing to talk.”
The discipline push is just one major initiative at Nalle. Ables also is creating more of a high school feel by having teachers specialize in subject areas in lieu of teaching all subjects to one set of children.
Her plan for checking on the academic progress is ambitious — classroom observations three times per week, including one hour-long viewing.
Improvements can’t take place, though, without parental support, historically one of the District’s biggest problems.
Ables’ answer has been to get parents to commit to a specific date to come and help in classrooms. If Nalle’s Back to School night was any indicator, this could work, as about 70 parents showed up.
“What we’re doing is setting reasonable goals,” Ables said. “If 25 percent of parents turned out, by the first parent-teacher conference we want 35. We’re not expecting to see a full 80 to 90 percent.”
J.C. Nalle at a glance
» Enrollment so far this year is about 370 students; once the school gets to 400, it could be eligible to get an assistant principal.
» The school is involved in a partnership with The Freddie Mac Foundation, which has provided millions in grant dollars for summer enrichment, Saturday school and extended-day programs.
» Professionals from the National Center for Children and Families are housed at the school to serve as counselors to needy students.
» Last year the school received a major face-lift, which primarily focused on the removal of asbestos tile.
» The student population is extremely transient, with enrollment fluctuating through the school year.
