WELCOME BACK FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello Taft Families,
Welcome Back to the 26-27 school year. With over 30 years of experience in education, I am starting my third year as the principal at Taft. I am even more excited this school year than I have been the past two years. Why you may ask? Allow me to share some celebrations with you:
91.17% leading in attendance for the entire school year
5th grade Ohio State Science Test proficiency increased from 13% in 2025 to 27% in 2026, more than doubling student proficiency.
NWEA Science growth results:
5th Grade: 61% met or exceeded projected growth.
4th Grade: 83% met or exceeded projected growth.
4th Grade: 66% met or exceeded projected growth.
Overall, 61% of 5th graders and 74.5% of 4th graders met or exceeded their projected RIT growth targets.
Taft's Science Fair was a great success. Every K-3 classroom completed a class project, all 4th-grade students participated in group projects, and every 5th-grade student participated in either a group or individual project.
34% third graders passed the third grade reading guarantee compared to last year’s 23%. We have already exceeded what we did this time last year and we have two attempts left this summer for an even higher passage rate.
90% of Kindergarten met math NWEA goals.
91% of Grade One met math NWEA goals
82% of Grade Four met science NWEA goals.
76% of Grade One on benchmark for reading
All ESL students in Grades 2, 3 and 5 have tests approaching proficiency or higher.
Thank you for asking WHY. Now you understand the WHY and the reason WHY we continue to push our scholars everyday to come to school to learn. Our data is showing we are PUTTING TAFT ON THE MAP!!!!
WE ARE A FAMILY!!!! After 2 years of dedication and hard work, we are beginning to understand what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to place Taft Elementary on the map and to hold our heads up high. There is still much work to be done and as long as we, adults, continue to follow our universal expectations for our scholars—Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe work will continue to flourish.
As we are moving into the 26-27 school year, I want to continue to build our adult relationships respectfully so our scholars know what this looks like as we model it daily for them. I am looking forward to increasing rigor in our teaching, continuing to implement evidence based strategies so all of our scholars receive grounded strategies that is research based and finally decreasing our overall in school and out of school suspensions so more scholars can remain in the classroom where the “real” and “authentic” learning is taking place. Less suspensions and more restorative practice is our focus.
Taft Elementary is a peaceful and a blessed building; full of learning, building relationships, love, nurturing and fun. Thank you for allowing all of us to serve you and your scholars. It truly is an honor and a privilege.
Let’s Enjoy our 26-27 school year together as a family.
Respectfully,
Dr. Kelly D. Washington
Taft Elementary Principal
DEFEND THE Y- ONE VISION. ONE YOUNGSTOWN
