As Principal Amanda Rice of George Washington Elementary School air-dried after facing off with her students in a dunk tank Friday afternoon, she described how rising from the pool of water represented her vision for the school's future.
Last week, her Baltimore school was the focus of unwanted attention after school system officials announced that tampering had taken place on students' 2008 Maryland State Assessment tests.
"It's like washing it all away," Rice said. "It's new leadership. It's a new day."
The school ended its annual "Spirit Week" with a festival hosted by the firefighters of Engine 55 and Truck 23. The fire company, based in Pigtown, served up food and provided moon bounces and tabletop games for the George Washington students.
"We're moving on," said Rice, looking around and smiling as her students gallivanted around the school's playground. "I know we're going to be successful because I believe in the George Washington family. We're going to turn it all around."
Rice, whom parents praised as the best leader they have had at the school, attributed some of her success to the support she received from the neighborhood fire company in Pigtown. She was appointed to lead the school in August 2009.
"They've just uplifted my spirit and have encouraged me to continue moving in the right direction," she said.
The firefighters raised money to give more than 300 books to the school in October and provided presents for every student at George Washington at Christmas.
It was also in December that the fire company offered to provide off-duty firefighters and raise money to host the school's Spirit Week celebration, which came just over a week after the school system announced that someone at George Washington had changed thousands of answers on the 2008 MSAs. The school's principal at the time of the tests, Susan Burgess, was removed and her license was revoked after an investigation. She has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the tampering.
"It was terrible timing, but in the whole scheme of things, we knew the children were not at fault," said firefighter Michael Hineline, who helped organize the celebration.
The fire company has been increasing its efforts to get back in touch with the community by partnering with George Washington Elementary, Hineline said.
"Firehouses used to be places to go and get your bike fixed, do anything," he said. "We're trying to get back to being a pillar of the community."
"We rely on the community as much they rely on us," said firefighter Sean Davis, who spent his day off playing the bagpipes and serving hot dogs and drinks to students.
Donald W. Heinbuch, assistant chief of operations for the Baltimore Fire Department, said he supports the fire company's efforts because students are the future of their communities.
"A lot of times we focus our message on school kids because they take it home," Heinbuch said. "Some of these snapshots, like today, can live with a child forever."
Parents were thankful that the firefighters hosted the Spirit Week celebration, calling it an opportunity to show unity in the wake of controversy.
"I came over because I wanted to see what the mood of the school was — if they still had a positive attitude," said Sharrica Boldon, who volunteers at the school. "I'm glad to see that they do."
Though none of her children will attend George Washington until 2011, Boldon said, she said she is inspired by the school's new direction under Rice's leadership.
Special education teacher Dorothy Henry said she was happy to see that George Washington's students seemed unaffected by the cheating scandal.
"I'm sure they didn't understand what was going on, and they shouldn't," Henry said. "It's good that we, as a community, are showing that we're all about our children. This is the time of year they should just be having fun."