Discovery Elementary School Honors Glenn

By Heather Curtis

WASHINGTON – Before he became the first American to orbit the earth in 1962, astronaut and former Sen. John Glenn made some practice runs in Arlington.

“John Glenn used to run the orbital pattern on the very field that our school was built on,” said Dr. Erin Russo, principal of Discovery Elementary School, which opened in 2015.

In 1958 Glenn and his family moved to a home on North Harrison Street across from the spot where Discovery Elementary School now stands. That school was named in honor of Glenn’s 1998 mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Glenn was 77 at the time and made history as the oldest man ever to go into space.

After the school was named in his honor, two years ago, Glenn told WMAL, “I’m glad they’re using the discovery theme because I think that’s what a good education is all about is letting the kids all discover their own talents and capabilities and encourage that.”

Russo said students at the school learn about Glenn’s historic space missions in many of their classes. They can also see some of his memorabilia on display in the school’s office.

“He’s very much a part of who we are,” Russo said.

Friday kids will be wearing red, their school’s color, to honor Glenn. Russo said there aren’t any special activities planned for the day, but she’s sure teachers will seize the opportunity to discuss the iconic astronaut.