KIPP DC is marching in the annual Martin Luther King Day, Jr. Parade on Monday, January 20! Join us to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. RSVP at www.kippdc.org/mlk
KIPP in Touch
December 2019 Vol. 2, Issue #5
At The Learning Center, Real-World Connections Being Built Through Art
“There Are No Mistakes in Art,” is a message that sprawls across the whiteboard in Ms. Shaquanda Day’s art classroom at The Learning Center. More than a mantra, it’s a philosophy that celebrates perseverance, individuality, and the potential of students. It’s also a driving principle behind the Designing & Marketing a Project grant that Ms. Day applied for and won this school year through the School & Classroom Investment Grant program. The grant program enables KIPP DC staff to invest in initiatives beyond the scope of existing school budgets. Read more.
Equity in Action
Delaware State University
Connect Academy
December’s “Equity in Action” spotlight features the Delaware State University classroom at Connect Academy, led by Kimberly Tolliver. On establishing a sense of belonging in her classroom, she shared, “Students succeed and want to learn when they know someone cares and will listen. I am an open vessel for them. They feel safe and I am approachable. I set the tone for learning. How I show up reflects what happens in the class daily.”
She added, “We create norms so everyone will be respectful to each other and has ownership over the classroom community. I respect their voice and give them the power to speak. These practices create joy and a sense of belonging, a place where kids want to come and learn.”
Arts & Technology Teacher Brings Holiday Cheer
The holidays are a time of family, food, gifts a celebration. While it’s a time of year most of us look forward to this season, for some families that isn’t the case. Azel Prather Jr. is a physical education teacher at KIPP DC Arts & Technology Academy, and for the last four years has partnered with the community to help bring a little holiday cheer to KIPP DC families. Read more.
Updates Across the Network
KIPP DC at 25
Our “KIPP DC at 25” strategic planning process has been a major focus for the organization over the last few months, listening to voices and gathering perspectives from across the organization on what we want KIPP DC to be in the next five years. As we head into Winter Break and look ahead to next steps in our strategic planning process, we wanted to share out a few emerging themes that have come up through your reflections:
- Across KIPP DC, we share an incredible mission. Our team is united in its drive to provide a better world for the children we educate, and we work very hard in pursuit of that mission.
- We overwhelmingly believe we need to double-down on academics; we believe that our students can achieve even better outcomes in joyful and nurturing schools.
- Our community engagement efforts have improved significantly. We can feel the difference internally, and are hearing positive things externally—though there is still more work to do, particularly in growing engagement with families.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are top-of-mind for most of us. We are proud that KIPP DC has made DEI a central issue in our discourse, but we need to keep pushing to become a DEI leader.
- It is more important than ever that we recruit, retain, and professionally develop and create sustainability for the best talent.
- As we evolve, we are cognizant of the need to define “who we are” as KIPP DC and at each school. As we clarify our own identity, we also need to affirm our students’ identities and continue creating more inclusive, joyful environments.
Whether through responses to the “KIPP DC at 25” staff survey, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews, thank for engaging thoughtfully and intentionally in this process. We look forward to continuing to work together to create a plan that is reflective of the voices of our students, families, and staff, and builds a stronger KIPP DC for 2025 and beyond.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3 - Winter Break, all schools closed
- Tuesday, January 7 - KIPP Through College & Career Annual Networking Event
- Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, all schools & HDQ closed
- Monday, January 20 - KIPP DC marches in Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade
- Thursday, January 23-Saturday, January 25 - KIPP DC College Preparatory Musical: Newsies
- Wednesday, January 29 - Teacher Development Day, early student dismissal for high schools
Social Media Highlights
In The News
Campus Snapshots
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KIPPsters are learning about robotics at Northeast Academy. Read more about our middle school robotics club in last month's edition of KIPP in Touch!
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Promise Academy students, staff, and families enjoyed reading during their recent Family Bookclub Meeting!
Did You Know?
Equity in Action Nomination
Our schools create learning environments that are joyful, authentic, and cultivate a sense of belonging. Nominate a classroom at your school for their care of students and classroom culture!