April 2017 DC Public Charter School News

April 5, 2017

Celebrating Our Public Charter Schools

It's National Charter Schools Week

The Power of Charter Schools by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (2015)

Everyday more than 41,000 students attend a public charter school in Washington, DC. Public charter schools are public schools that are helping students strive to be their best, learn to work in teams, and gain the skills they will need to do well in life.

Our Public charter schools have brought extraordinary progress to this city. For example:

More families are choosing public schools—both charter and traditional schools;
Public charter schools serve a student body that is equally or at times more disadvantaged, while outperforming traditional public schools; and,
Proficiency for public charter schools has increased steadily over the last ten years and consistently exceeds city averages across virtually all subgroups.

Additionally families can also pick from dozens of unique public charter schools that offer new innovative and different approaches to learning. This year, more students than ever are attending public charter schools that are Tier 1, our highest quality rating. Learn more about our schools here, and join us as we celebrate the success of public charter schools during National Charter Schools Week (May 1 -5)! #DCcharterPROUD

People of Public Charter Schools

The Power of Kingsman Academy's Community

Next week, May 1-5, is Teacher Appreciation Week. To kick-off the week, Karen White, a teacher with Kingsman Academy PCS shares five reasons why she loves teaching at Kingsman Academy PCS:

The support and caring from staff is an essential component of creating a positive, nurturing atmosphere in which our scholars can grow.
Given the tools, we push together to develop the best practices and strategies for our scholars' success.
Collaboration is not just academic. Collaboration is creating the bigger picture to meet the needs of our scholars.
At Kingsman, we regularly celebrate achievement within our community of staff and scholars.
Making a difference defines our day. I know I can and the students know they can.

School Stories

Through Art and Poetry, Washington Global PCS Students Celebrate Black History

Photo Credit: Washington Global PCS

Washington Global PCS students held a school-wide showcase to celebrate Black History. Students read poems, shared raps, performed dance routines, reenacted historic speeches, and had a step show. Students and families came together as a community to cheer on the dozens of student performers, who did a masterful job bringing Black History to life. The following day, the entire student body voted on the performances they felt were the most impactful, and the winning students received special recognition. The event was part of Washington Global’s month-long, Black History celebration, which also included field trips to the Brazilian Embassy and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

IDEA Students Accepted into the Holocaust Museum Education and Training Program

Four IDEA students were accepted into the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Bringing the Lessons Home Program, which equips students to bring the lessons of the Holocaust to their family, friends, and community. Richard Boller, Keyon Ford, Gerlethia Rich, and Deasha Smith will participate in a 14-week training course, during which they will attend class every Saturday, become trained tour guides for the Museum's permanent exhibition, earn up to 40 hours of community-service credit, and will be eligible to participate in the Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program. Congratulations Richard, Keyon, Gerlethia, and Deasha!

Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS Students Attend Model UN Conference

Photo Credit: Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS

Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS students Kadar Muir and Donovan Simpson represented the school community at the 2017 Montessori Model United Nations (UN) Conference in New York City. Playing their roles as ambassadors from their chosen countries of Antigua and Barbados, our student delegates studied the issues, gave a speech, prepared draft resolutions, negotiated with allies and adversaries, resolved conflicts, and navigated the Model UN Conference rules of procedure. They also had fun making new friends and visiting New York City.

Upcoming Events

May 1-7 - National Charter Schools Week

DC PCSB and DC's Public Charter Schools will celebrate the role public charter schools play in helping students be successful in college, the workforce and beyond. Join the celebration on Facebook (DCPSB), Twitter (@dcpcsb) and Instagram (@dcpcsb). #DCcharterPROUD

May 1 - New Public Charter School Applications Public Hearing
The Board will hold a public hearing on the new public charter school applications it received on May 1 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Friendship PCS - Armstrong Campus (1400 1st Street NW). Review the applications here. The public is invited to submit comments on the applications until May 2. C

omments can be submitted by:

Email to [email protected]
Postal mail/hand delivery: Attn: Public Comment, DC Public Charter School Board, 3333 14th Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20010

May 22 - Board Meeting
The Board will hold its next monthly meeting on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss various issues related to public charter schools and to hear from the public. The meeting will be held at Mundo Verde PCS (30 P Street NW). A meeting agenda will be available here.

Watch the meeting on our website. Missed last month's meeting? Read a summary here.

Our mailing address is:
3333 14th Street NW, Suite 210
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 328-2660

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