Charter Chat 01/04/2012
Happy New Year! Welcome old and new subscribers! Charter Chat is published weekly by Friends of Choice in Urban Schools, better known as FOCUS, a nonprofit organization that supports quality public charter schools in the District of Columbia. We hope that you find the resources and information in this e-newsletter useful.
Feel free to forward this email to other parents and community members who might benefit from the information and wish to subscribe directly. If for any reason you don’t receive an edition of Charter Chat, please visit our website and sign up to subscribe. It’s quick and easy: www.FOCUSdc.org/get-involved Of course, should you decide that this newsletter is not beneficial, you may opt out at any time. See the bottom of this message for links to subscribe, forward, and unsubscribe.
Submission Instructions: The more submissions we have, the more useful this e-newsletter will be! Email us at charterchat@focusdc.org to submit youth-oriented and family-friendly events and resources to include in future newsletters with “for charter chat” in the subject line. Please submit entries in the format found in the newsletter below. Entries must be received by COB Monday to be included in the Wednesday edition that week. We generally include entries three weeks in advance of the event date, deadline, or activity start date. We may provide more lead-time for contests, scholarships, competitions, etc. where time for preparation is required.
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Get Involved with FOCUS!
The stakes for education reform have never been greater in DC. Our time is now and we need YOU to get involved. Sign up today to join the movement at FOCUS. www.FOCUSdc.org/Join-Movement
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CHARTER SCHOOL EVENTS & OPEN HOUSES
WHAT: 3rd Annual D.C. Public Charter School Recruitment Expo
WHEN: THIS Saturday! January 7th, 2012 from 12 noon – 4:00pm
WHERE: Washington Convention Center 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW Washington, D.C. 20001 (yellow line, Mt. Vernon Convention Center metro stop)
DETAILS: The Public Charter Expo will be a one-stop opportunity to learn about the diverse array of charter school options available to students and families in Washington, D.C. Are you looking to enroll you child in a school? Or perhaps you are looking to teach in a public charter school. DC Public Charter Schools are tuition-free autonomous public schools that serve approximately 40% of the District’s public school children. There will be children’s entertainment & giveaways.
DIRECTIONS: Take Metro right to the Convention Center to avoid traffic and parking challenges.
REGISTER HERE: This event is free of charge but please visit http://focusdc.org/workshops and click on “3rd annual charter school recruitment expo” to register. Call 202/328-2660 if you have questions. Tell your friends!
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WHAT: Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School (WMST PCHS) Open House
WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 6 pm until 7:30 pm
WHERE: WMST PCHS, 1920 Bladensburg Road, NE, Washington, DC 20001
DETAILS: Parents and students are encouraged to come to our school to meet with administrators and teachers. Light refreshments will be served. Enrollment has already begun, and will last until March 2, 2012. Log on to http://www.wmstpchs.org or call the school for more information: 202-636-8011.
DIRECTIONS: Located at the intersection of New York Ave and Bladensburg Rd NE, adjacent to the KFC.
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CHILDREN’S EVENTS, CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
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WHAT: Spring Registration with the DC Youth Orchestra Program
DETAILS: Spring Semester starts Tuesday, January 17 (we offer limited beginner violin and guitar classes Tuesday evenings) and Saturday, January 21 for all classes and rehearsals.
Early Registration deadline is January 4, 2011. Pricing slightly increases after January 4, 2011. (Register online before midnight on January 4th or postmark your registration form by January 4th to receive the early pricing.) Financial Aid available for DC, MD, and VA.
DCYOP offers a comprehensive music education program that serves young people in the greater DC metropolitan area. Instruction is available for Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion, Harp, Guitar, and Recorder for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, ranging in age from 4 1/2 to 19 (up to age 21 in the Youth Orchestra only). Students participate in classes for their individual instrument or section and participate in one of the 10 major ensembles (orchestra or band).
WHERE: Eastern HS, 1700 E. Capitol St. NE, Washington DC
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION: please email mailto:Rashida@dcyop.org or call 202-698-0123, x1264156.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: visit http://www.dcyop.org or visit our offices located at Eastern HS
TO CONTACT DCYOP: 202-698-0123 OR mailto:info@dcyop.org
Those with any experience at all can join at any time! Beginners must be in class by the 3rd meeting/Saturday!
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WHAT: LifeSmarts Training Camp: LifeSmarts is the nation’s premier consumer education and financial literacy competition for youth.
WHEN: Friday, January 27, 2012 10 am – 2:30 pm Team Camp: Students should attend in teams of 4 or 5 accompanied by an adult, to spend the day participating in team activities to prepare for their state LifeSmarts Competition.
Saturday, January 28, 2012 10 am – 3:45 pm Coach Camp: Adult coaches will gain new strategies to use LifeSmarts in the classroom and incorporate meaningful consumer activities into student and community groups.
WHO: Educators and 6-12 grade students
WHERE: American Farm Bureau Federation 600 Maryland Avenue SW Ste. 1000W Washington, D.C. 20024
COST: FREE! Meals provided. Advance registration required.
REGISTER: Now at http://www.lifesmarts.org
DETAILS: Space is limited. Prompt registration is encouraged. For details, visit http://www.lifesmarts.org. NCL may be able to cover subsitute teacher fees for January 27, 2012.
CONTACT: Brandi Williams at the National Consumers League for more information at (202)835-3323, xtn. 821, or at mailto:brandiw@nclnet.org
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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WHAT: "Bench Strength: Leveraging the Leadership Community for Success and Sustainability"
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (Light breakfast and registration begins at 7:30 a.m.) Special Event for New Leaders from 12:00 p.m.--1:30 pm
WHERE: PEW Charitable Trusts │901 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
DETAILS: WaNew Leaders cordially invites DC school leaders to participate in this robust symposium on pipeline development, leadership retention, succession planning, and sustainability. All DC principals, principal managers, executive leaders, and charter board members are invited to participate. We also welcome leaders from other cities as the content will be applicable for various contexts. So, don't miss an extraordinary opportunity to gain and share learning through case studies, panels, and work sessions! Together, we have the answers!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Alicia Adams, Managing Director of Program, at mailto:aadams@newleaders.org
RSVP: Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Contact Warren Palmer II, Program Manager, at mailto:wpalmer@newleaders.org.
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NETWORKING ONLINE
FOCUS is online and awaiting to further connect with you and the charter school community. Find and follow us on the following links.
Official Website| www.focusdc.org
Facebook| www.facebook.com/focusdc
Twitter| www.twitter.com/focusdc
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