Comments on: Anthony Bowen, Syphax, and Amidon. Gentrification in D.C.

By: Michele Davis

Michele Davis — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:44:58 +0000

My name is Ms. Davis. I worked at Anthony Bowen during the early 1980’s I still stay in contact with Mrs. Bobo, Mrs. Organ, as well as others. Some have passed on to glory. Yes, those were some great years at Anthony Bowen. Thanks to the encouragement of the then Principal Mr. Edward Wells, I went on to pursue a degree in education. I have very fond memories of Anthony Bowen. I am sitting here trying to remember the school song ” The Hallowed Halls of Bowen. If you know the words, I would appreciate if you could text it to me. God Bless.???

By: Cortney

Cortney — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 01:43:59 +0000

Anthony Bowen ES laid the foundation for who I am today. I was a member of the Glee Club, Future Teachers of America, Science Club, Music and Art Club. I was present when TLC came to perform one year, as well as when the Glee Club sang at the White House for Christmas. Mrs. Daye and Ms.Bobo were awesome, they taught us self love and black love and even the love of Jesus through music. I still remember all the songs we sang. Mr.Mayo, Mrs. Gibson, Ms. Carpenter,Ms.Organ,Ms.Leech, Mr.Wells and everyone else made school a truly fun place to be. I attended Bowen from Pre-K until 5th grade and throughout it all I was encouraged to be the best scholar I could be. An emphasis was being placed on STEAM before it was a thing. Everyone I come in contact with to this day that attended Bowen all have the same fond memories as myself. The assemblies, programs, activities, the partnership with the Navy Yard, and so forth. I could go on and on about Anthony Bowen ES as it was truly one of a kind and before it’s time in a lot of ways. I’m very disappointed it shut down and I never understood the whole Syphax, Amazon thing as I had friends who attended both. One of whom parents actually transferred to Anthony Bowen because it was that good. Thank you for this article… Also a picture of Anthony Bowen hung in the multipurpose room next to the stage above the exit by Ms. Dayes assembly piano. Just saying.

By: Courtney Brooks

Courtney Brooks — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 01:18:13 +0000

I am so happy I stumbled upon this article, I attended Anthony Bowen from Pre-K until 5th Grade. Some of my most memorable teachers were Ms. Bobo and Ms. Daye having been a faithful member of the Glee Club, I remember when we were invited to sing at the White House for Christmas!!! I also participated in the piano recitals with Ms.Daye. I was a part of the Science Club, Future Teachers of America, Art Club, and

By: Phyllis Scott

Phyllis Scott — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:10:36 +0000

Wow, I have been trying for years to get more information on this subject I was a participant of S.W.”Tri-School Desegration” in the sixties. I was able years ago to find the report that was published in 1968.I remember so vividly those years . I went to Syphax for the kindergarten,first, and second. then Amidon for the third and fourth. Fifth and sixth was spent at Anthony Bowen. My understanding was that this was supposed to desegregate the three schools.HA. Fat chance. The white parents took their children out and put them in other maybe, private schools. In the third grade I only remember one white girl in my class little red head Melissa, Whom my teacher Miss Smith doted on “Oh isn’t Melissa beautiful, Oh didn’t she do that great. Of course I grew not to like Melissa.LOL. Now I can understand that maybe she was trying to make her comfortable.(?) Would love to find more information.

By: Rashaad Murphy

Rashaad Murphy — Thu, 11 May 2017 09:02:36 +0000

Ill be back home visiting DC next weekend…wow, how things have changed. My mom asked me a couple of weeks ago, “who were my hero’s and most influential in my life?” Without hesitation I told her, “teachers from Anthony Bowen, Mr. Harden 6th grade, Mr. Mayo 4th grade, Mrs. Bobo Glee Club (self control is my goal…lol, I have my own kids writing that),
Ms. Daye Music, Ms. Bailey Pre-K , Ms. Reed 1st grade, Mr. Sims Gym (if you had a brain you’d be dangerous…Rashaad your just like your mom and dad), Ms. Organ Librarian (she taught my parents, Aunts, Uncles, brother, sister, and several cousins), Ms. Gibson 2nd grade (the only teacher I remember not missing a day of school), Ms. Wright 3rd grade, and Ms. Leech crossing guard! 1984-1991 were the best years of school for me from sock hops, bake sales, several years with the basketball team being undefeated, and we even had somewhat of a playground and basketball court outside during lunch.

Thank you all for building me a strong educational foundation! The education that I received at Anthony Bowen has been my standard then and throughout college! I still have all of my certificates from my years there.

By: Viola

Viola — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:17:19 +0000

I’m very proud to say that I got a chance to meet some of the wonderful teachers at Bowen. Ms. Daye and Ms. Bobo most of all! I was a member of the glee club and to this day still sing that song! That was also my first introduction to the American school system, and I will never forget the kindness that was shown to me there.
I’m glad my step-dad missed the deadline to get me into amidon, I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the staff and students at Anthony Bowen.
Who else can say they saw Boyz II Men and TLC performing in their cafeteria? I still have my country doll, a Christmas present from the school. My parents didn’t have any money for gifts, and that was one of the only toys I received.

By: Kamecka Locke

Kamecka Locke — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:04:54 +0000

I attend Anthony Bowen from Pre-k – 4th grade. Oh how I cant forget about Mr. Mayo my 4th grade teacher & Ms. Reed 1st grade and if you know Ms. Bo Bo you know about her stick. Anthony Bowen I loved that school.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:04:09 +0000

I attended Anthony Bowen elementary school and STILL CAN’T ACCEPT the fact that “they” turned one of the finest elementary schools in the city into a police station. Now, an entire neighborhood of kids are cramped into one school. Amidon, where I’m sure the student to teacher ratio is ridiculous. Not to mention the cafeteria, where it’s impossible for the children to eat a decent lunch due to overcrowing. The thing that pisses me off the most is the police are only utilizing the first floor of the school. You mean to tell me, the city would approve shutting down an institute of education in order to arrest & detain the residents who once attended school in the same building??? It’ll take me a double lifetime to get over this. Accept it?? Never!!!!

By: Jermar

Jermar — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:00:34 +0000

I knew about the police station now in Bowen but I now I just realized why they had it there in the middle of 106 and right K St because them new apartments by P. I must had been too young to remember the school was named after a black man who was a ex slave from maryland.