KIPP in Touch

December 2018 Issue #4

An Update on Partnership Between KIPP DC and Somerset Prep Public Charter School

We’re excited to share that, earlier this week, the D.C. Public Charter School Board unanimously approved a partnership between KIPP DC and Somerset Prep Public Charter School. As part of this partnership, KIPP DC will begin operating Somerset Prep’s middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) starting in the 2019-20 school year. We’re incredibly optimistic about this partnership and the opportunity to provide more families in Ward 8 access to high-quality educational options.

We still have a few administrative hurdles to overcome, including transferring the land lease and facility to KIPP DC, but we’re moving ahead with this planned partnership and welcoming the Somerset Prep community to our team and family with open arms. In the coming months, we will continue to provide updates on this partnership, but wanted to share some additional details now:

  • School Leadership: We’re excited that Somerset Prep principal Lauren Catalano will be staying on in a leadership capacity. We expect to announce other key positions by February.
  • Staffing: Somerset Prep staff members will let us know by mid-January if they intend to interview for positions at the new schools and selected staff members will receive their offers by early April. After that point, we will begin to fill any remaining vacancies to fully staff the school before opening in August.
  • Enrollment: We hope to retain as many Somerset Prep students as possible. Though we will operate grade 4 through 12 at the Somerset Prep campus next year, we only expect to enroll new students in grades 4, 5, and 6. Families can enter the lottery for these seats now through My School DC by selecting “KIPP DC – Somerset Academy PCS.”
  • Program Development: The instructional leadership team and KIPP Through College & Career team will be working with the Somerset Prep community to determine the academic, college and career development, extracurricular, and athletic programming that will be offered in 2019-20 and beyond. We intend to continue and build upon Somerset Prep’s existing digital media arts program.
  • Facility: After we transfer the building, we expect to renovate and expand the campus, as we have done in recent years with the Smilow Campus and Webb Campus. We will finalize the exact scope of the facility improvements in the coming months.

We will continue to provide updates about this partnership each month through KIPP in Touch, but please reach out to somerset@kippdc.org if you have any additional questions.

Classroom Spotlight

NAF Academy of Finance Classroom

KIPP DC College Preparatory

KIPP in Touch stopped by KCP’s NAF Academy of Finance classroom, led by Mr. Marcus Mitchell. During our visit, students were learning about risk management and how to weigh various factors when making a decision for or against an investment.

After Winter Break, students will begin work on a student-led business fair, which will cover topics such as credit and debt management, to workshops on professionalism and resume-building.

Congratulations to the NAF Academy of Finance classroom! Check out more images from this month’s visit!

Two KIPP DC Alumni Selected to National Leadership Accelerator Program

We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of KIPP DC Alumni Ty Chung and Alexis Harris, who were both selected as part of the third cohort of KIPP’s Alumni Accelerator Leadership program! The Fellowship is a highly-selective, ten-month program and supports KIPP alumni in reaching positions of leadership and decision-making at the local, state, and national levels.

“We are thrilled that Alexis and Ty have this chance to grow their skills and networks,” said Tevera Stith, managing director of KIPP Through College & Career.

Ty attended KIPP DC KEY Academy, as well as KIPP DC College Preparatory, before receiving a full scholarship to Bucknell University. He graduated with a bachelor’s in economics and geography in 2017 and is currently employed at Accenture as a management consultant.

Alexis also attended KIPP DC KEY Academy before graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She spent four years with the American Cancer Society as an event coordinator and is currently the special events manager for Habitat for Humanity. Alexis also sits on the American Cancer Society Associate Board of Advisers.

“I have achieved things that I thought were beyond my reach,” Ty remarked. “Without the love and support of my mother, my family, and the KIPP DC Family, I honestly don’t know where I would be. I am beyond grateful.”

Congratulations to Alexis and Ty! A shining example of what it means to be a “KIPPster for Life.”

The KIPP in Touch Podcast: Stacie Kossoy on Tools of the Mind

This month's KIPP in Touch Podcast focuses on KIPP DC's 2020 priority of "GET BETTER" and how we have done that through curricular alignment. Listen as Stacie Kossoy, managing director of Early Childhood Education, explains how Tools of the Mind is a cornerstone of our youngest KIPPsters' educational experience.

Upcoming Dates

  • Monday, December 24-Friday, January 4 - All Schools Closed for Winter Break
  • Monday, December 24-Wednesday, December 26 - Headquarters Closed for Christmas Break
  • Monday, December 31-Tuesday, January 1 - Headquarters Closed for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
  • Monday, January 7 - School Resumes After Winter Break
  • Tuesday, January 8 - KIPP Through College & Career Annual Networking Event
  • Monday, January 21 - All Schools Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Social Media Highlights

Follow us and stay up to date on the latest happenings around KIPP DC!

Campus Snapshots

  • KIPPsters at Spring Academy received a special visit from Miss D.C. Cordelia Cranshaw earlier this month.

  • KIPP DC staff gathered for a Development Day in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Dr. Derrick Gay.

Did You Know?

KIPP DC is marching in the annual Martin Luther King Day, Jr. parade on Monday, January 21st! Join us to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. RSVP at www.kippdc.org/mlk

Visit the KIPP DC Spirit Shop

Need a last minute gift idea? From apparel to accessories and much more, make this holiday season special with a gift from the KIPP DC Spirit Shop!