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2015 SESSION

15104673D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 810
Offered February 12, 2015
Commending Hoffman-Boston Elementary School.
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Patrons-- Lopez, Hope, Krupicka and Sullivan; Senators: Ebbin, Favola, Howell and Saslaw
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WHEREAS, Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in Arlington County celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015; when it opened, it was the only school where the county’s African American students could receive a public education; and

WHEREAS, for the first 48 years of its existence, Hoffman-Boston School only educated African American pupils; it was known as Jefferson Elementary School, and in the 1930s, it became Arlington County’s first junior and senior high school for black students; and

WHEREAS, in 1932, a dedication was held to recognize the service of E. C. Hoffman, the school’s first principal, and Ella M. Boston, principal at Arlington’s Kemper Elementary School; at that time, the building was re-named Hoffman-Boston School in their honor; and

WHEREAS, during the era of racial segregation, the staff at Hoffman-Boston School focused on ensuring that the school provided a superior education despite a lack of financial support and resources; the faculty worked tirelessly to prepare graduates to face the world; and

WHEREAS, Hoffman-Boston School was integrated in 1964, and since then it has served as an alternative education center and is now an elementary school; from 1996 - 1999, the school was known as Oakridge North School and helped to eliminate overcrowding at a nearby school; and

WHEREAS, following a $12.9 million renovation, Hoffman-Boston Elementary School was rededicated in 2002; the project added 23 rooms to the school and updated the facilities, which brought the 110,000 square foot building into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act; and

WHEREAS, in 2014 - 2015, Hoffman-Boston Elementary School teaches pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and also has a Montessori program; the school is the home of the All Stars, a global community that sets high student and staff expectations; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Hoffman-Boston Elementary School is to provide authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences that encourage students to collaborate, experiment, and create solutions to real-life problems; and

WHEREAS, STEM and Project Edison are school initiatives and areas of focus; Hoffman-Boston Elementary School pupils learn communication skills through technology and integration of the arts, and the curriculum also has strong science, technology, engineering, and math components; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in Arlington County on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2015 for its long and distinguished history and steadfast commitment to offering an excellent education to its students; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kimberley Graves, principal of Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for the school’s many achievements during the past century and best wishes as it continues to provide a quality education to the young people of Arlington County.