Welcome to the KIPP in the Community Blog. This is an opportunity for you to learn how KIPP DC engages with the local community. This school year, our goal is to ENGAGE – in smart, thoughtful, and authentic ways. Each month drop in and see the things we’re doing in and around the community! – Althea
KIPP DC kicks off 2018-19 School Year
On July 19, we officially kicked-off our 17th school year with a bang welcoming over 900+ teachers and staff members to the Marriott Marquis for All-Star Kickoff. During the Kick-Off event, we were able to meet new team members, reconnect with old colleagues, set goals for this school year, and receive necessary professional development. It was an exciting opportunity to chart our vision for the year and get excited to welcome 6,300 students & families back! We look forward to academic excellence, mastery in instruction, and authentic engagement across our 16 schools. Thanks to DCPCSB Board Chair, Rick Cruz, and Jack Pfeiffer from the Deputy Mayor for Education’s office for joining us!
Jacque Patterson Leads Engagement Panel
During the Kick-Off event, our chief growth & community officer Jacque Patterson led a conversation around engagement with school and community leaders from each of our campuses. During the discussion, panelist shared their experience with new initiatives and shared what they’re hoping to pursue this upcoming year to ensure more community and parent engagement. We cannot wait to support our community champions in 2018-19 further engagement at their schools!
KIPP DC Codes Heads Into 6th Week
Our KIPP DC Codes boot camp is heading into its sixth week with attendees having learned everything from Java Basic Syntax to working on prototypes for an app or website. We officially kicked off this 10-week intensive coding program last month for adult residents of DC’s Ward 7 and Ward 8. The experience has continued to empower residents of our community and will help to propel them into the growing tech industry.
Engagement Leaders Fellowship
This month, the engagement team launched the Engagement Leaders Fellowship. This emerging group of teacher leaders will seek to deepen school based relationships and help improve student outcomes by leveraging parents as vital partners. Throughout this year-long fellowship, teacher participants attend monthly professional learning community meetings, host and create campus-wide engagements, and become school-wide family engagement points of contact. For more information on the fellowship email our director of engagement Brandon Best.
Engagement Team Welcomes New Teammates
This month we welcomed two new teammates to our KIPP DC engagement team- Ms. Emmanuelle St. Jean and Ms. Cassi Zeledon! Emmanuelle will serve as our director of shared services and enrichment. She’ll be responsible for all activities related to before and aftercare programs, summer programs, athletic operations, and extended learning. In tandem, Cassi joins the team as manager of parent support and engagement. Cassi will engage our KIPP DC parents while also empowering them to be advocates for themselves, their children, and their communities. We’re elated to have these two ladies join our KIPP DC engagement team efforts!
Take a look ahead to our upcoming August events:
- August 7 – MPD National Night Out
- August 11 – Penn Branch Block Party
- August 18 – Ward 8 Back to School Event
