Stabilizing the Environment
KIPP DC takes its students’ and educators’ mental and physical health seriously. KIPP DC is partnering with the Wendt Center for crisis response support to teachers and staff in the wake of student tragedies and has worked to incorporate Social-emotional learning (SEL) in every school. KIPP follows all DOH and CDC guidance regarding masking and students/ staff testing.
Moreover, all campuses have been outfitted with improved filtration systems (including MERV-13 and HEPA filtration where feasible) and fixtures in line with CDC guidance (e.g., touchless faucets and fountains, hand sanitizing stations, etc.). KIPP DC has also invested in improved cleaning protocols, COVID-19 mitigation signage, and new furniture that allows for social distancing.
Additionally, because vaccinations are critical in reducing the spread of Covid 19 and ensuring that students can receive in-person instruction, KIPP DC has administered more than 1,000 COVID vaccinations to students, staff, and families through our public vaccination clinics.
Academic Acceleration
This year, KIPP DC has made significant investments in improving student learning. One of these is the Academic Acceleration Program, designed to support students struggling with their academic performance.
Currently, math accelerators support four campuses, and literacy accelerators support five campuses. Given the success of the program and our desire to help more students, we are exploring a partnership with Blueprint Schools; a non-profit organization focused on delivering intensive, daily, in-school tutoring. We plan to leverage two of their math fellows and pair them with our math accelerators at the Wheeler and Smilow campuses.
Additionally, given the profound impact that remote learning has had on our elementary-aged students, KIPP DC is concentrating on delivering a solid core curriculum and teaching that addresses the core skills needed to succeed in school.
Expanded Out of School Offerings
Two-thirds of the achievement gap between affluent and under-resourced ninth-graders are linked to disparities in summer activities—not just academics. Summer and out-of-school enrichment programming provide an opportunity to focus on critical social and emotional development. Through partnerships with over a dozen organizations, KIPP DC offers out-of-school experiences that support students’ academic, socio-emotional, and creative needs.
Additionally, KIPP DC has entered into a partnership with Change Summer to host the first Camp KIPP DC summer camp scheduled to launch in the summer of 2022 with 500 students. With intentionality toward being culturally conscious, campers are encouraged to learn about themselves as they experience life away from home and evolve into young leaders while participating in activities that allow for exploration, learning, and fun.
Technology & Talent Investments
Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, KIPP DC purchased Chromebooks or iPads for all KIPP DC students. Previously, KIPP DC had purchased devices for all students for school use only. Moving forward, KIPP DC plans to ensure that all students have access to a device for learning at home and one for learning at school. These devices allows students to engage in remote learning if needed due to illness, quarantine requirements, or other reasons.
Additionally, KIPP DC has purchased 200 OWL cameras for classrooms and other meeting spaces and purchased over 1700 hotspots. Relief funds have also been used to add lead teachers/resident teachers at schools to reduce class size and promote social distancing.
Increasing instructional staff allows for more differentiated instruction and individualized learning, closer connections between students and teachers, and increased instruction time by minimizing disruptions that may occur in a larger class.
OSSE Approved Federal Relief Budgets by Spending Priority
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Fund ($2.9 million) – 76% Address Specific Needs (Technology/ Device Purchases), 24% Address Learning Loss (Supplemental Instructional Staff)
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) Fund ($14.7 million)– 77% Safely Reopen Schools (Covid testing/ Sanitation Services/ PPE/ Air filtration upgrades other COVID related facility upgrades), 16% Address Learning Loss, Summer Programming, After School Programming, 7% Address Specific Needs- Technology/ Device Purchases/ School Nutrition Purchases
American Rescue Plan- Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) Fund(33.3million)-66.7% Address Learning Loss, Summer Programming, After School Programming/ Supplemental Instructional Staff/ Intervention Programming/ Tutoring/ Curriculum/ Professional Development, 19.8% Address Specific Needs- Technology/ Device Purchases/ School Nutrition Purchases/ Mental Health Supports for Students. Other approved use of funds, 8.9% (stipends, field trips), 4.6% Safely Reopen Schools (Supplemental Staffing/ Air filtration upgrades other COVID related facility upgrades)
