Charter Chat 08/10/11
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.
VOLUNTEER FOR FRIENDS OF CHOICE IN URBAN SCHOOLS(FOCUS)!
This year, we'll be fighting for vacant DCPS facilities that could expand education opportunities throughout the city. We need your help.The stakes for education reform have never been greater in DC. We can move forward together or let the opportunity pass us by. Our time is now and we need YOU to get involved. Sign up today to join the movement at FOCUS. In the upcoming year, Mayor Vincent Gray and the DC Council will be making decisions that could effect public charter schools in D.C. We need your support and for your voice to be heard. Sign the petition to let your Council member know you expect the fair and legal use of vacant buildings in your neighborhood. Join the movement at FOCUSdc.org to fight for equal funding and treatment for all DC students.
Sign the petition and voice your support for public charter schools in D.C.: www.FOCUSdc.org/Join-Movement
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UPCOMING EVENTS
WHAT: Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Fall Registration/Open Enrollment
WHEN: Start Date: August 16, 2011 End Date: August 18, 2011
Schedule as follows: August 16 & 17 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
WHERE: 1100 Harvard Street NW (Harvard and 11th Street)
LOTTERY: If the number of applications received is greater than the number of spaces available there will be a lottery on FRIDAY, August, 19 (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm). Those who win the lottery must come back to finish the registration process on August 23 and 24 from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. One official ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
2. Two documents that verify residency in the District of Columbia (pay stub, rental agreement with the last two cancelled checks or receipts, utility bills (except telephone) with receipts, bank statements for the last two months, etc.) These documents must have been issued no more than 45 days prior to enrollment.
3. Immunization records: according to D.C. Immunization Law 3-20, all individuals under 26 years of age must present their up-to-date immunization/boosters recrods at the time of registration.
For more information: Call (202)797-4700, E-mail info@carlosrosario.org or visit our website at www.carlosrosario.org
WHAT: Public Charter School Board Parent Focus Group
WHEN: August 14th, 2011 6:00 pm
WHERE: 3333 14th Street NW, Suite 210 Washington, D.C. 20010
DETAILS: Charter School parents are needed to give input on the DC Public Charter School Board’s (PCSB) new School Report Card, scheduled to be released this fall. The report cards will provide parents and community members information about individual charter school performance, based on the PCSB’s new Performance Management Framework- the board’s comprehensive way of evaluating charter schools across common measures. We want to ensure that the report cards are easy to understand and that parents use them to make informed decisions about charter schools for their children. PCSB staff will share with parents the draft report card templates and will use their feedback to make improvements. Parents, this is an opportunity to support the larger charter school community and fellow parents who have asked for an easier way to understand their school choices.
RSVP: To ensure a quality discussion, the group size will be limited to the first 10 parents who respond. RSVP to Nona Richardson: nrichardson@dcpubliccharter.com or (202)328-2670. Please indicate your full name, school your child/children attend and their grade/s.
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WHAT: GreatSchools DC “Back to School and Ready to Learn” event
WHEN: Saturday, August 13th from 1-3pm
WHERE: THEARC (1901 Mississippi Avenue SE Washington, DC) in the Boys and Girls Club gymnasium
DETAILS: Community Resource Tables, 50/50 Raffle & chance at prizes FREE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES*
(*First come, first serve; limit two backpacks per family; student and parent/adult must be present to receive backpacks)
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WHAT: Sugarfootn’ in the Caribbean with Anansi the Spider – Dinner Theatre Performance
WHEN: TOMORROW! Thursday, August 11, 2011, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th Street NW, WDC 20011
DETAILS: This is a delightful children’s theatre production you don’t want to miss! This is a wonderful time to invite, friends, neighbors and relatives – truly a wonderful community gathering, good food and to find out more about our performing arts program. You may purchase tickets on the day of the performance, however please keep in mind seating is limited.
COST: $15 per person
CONTACT: To RSVP, call 202.723.8890 or email bwilson@sugarfoots.com
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YOUTH PROGRAMS / CLASSES / CAMPS
WHAT: BalletNova Summer Camps Open for Registration
WHEN: See below for the schedule of summer camps and themes…
• Monday, August 1, to Friday, August 5, 2011 – Sleeping Beauty (for ages 4.5-6)
• Monday, August 1, to Friday, August 12, 2011 – Magic of Shakespeare (for grades 6-8)
• Monday, August 15, to Friday, August 19, 2011 – Jump In Part I (for ages 8-11)
• Monday, August 22, to Friday, August 26, 2011 – Jump In Part II (ages 12-14)
WHERE: BalletNova Studio, 3443 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church, VA 22041
DETAILS: Experience BalletNova this summer and fall. BalletNova's state of the art studio is conveniently located in Falls Church, VA (Bailey's Crossroads) and offers dance camps and classes for all ages, levels and interests in a nurturing environment.
CONTACT: For more information, call 703.778.3008 or visit http://www.balletnova.org/content/camps-spring-and-summer-2011.
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WHAT: The Levine School of Music Summer Programs (One-Week Session Camps)
WHEN: Monday, August 1, to Friday, August 19, 2011 (See the link for the schedule of camp sessions)
WHERE: Sallie Mae Hall, 2801 Upton Street NW, WDC 20008
DETAILS: Whether you're new to music or have studied for many years, the summer is the perfect time to broaden your musical horizons, and Levine is a great place to do just that. This year, it’s even easier to sign up using our new Online Registration System. Summer programs provide one-week intensive experiences for school-aged students in music and are a great way to make new friends! In addition, we offer classes for all ages and abilities.
CONTACT: For more information, call 202.686.8000 or visit http://www.levineschool.org/instruction/summer.
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SCHOLARSHIPS / CONTESTS / AWARDS
WHAT: Apply for a Grant from the DC Fund
DEADLINE: Monday, August 15, 2011
DETAILS: The Diverse City Fund gives out grants to fund volunteer-powered initiatives to create more justice in DC neighborhoods and communities of color, led by changemakers with little access to foundation funding. The following grant criteria is…
• Grant requests must be less than $5,000
• For projects in communities of color in the District
• Demonstrating little access to funding and a vision for social change
CONTACT: To apply for this grant, visit http://www.diversecityfund .org/grant-application/.
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JOBS / INTERNSHIPS / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT: Volunteer this weekend for GreatSchools “Back to School and Ready to Learn” event
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!!
Are you interested in helping help DC students go back-to-school ready to learn?
If so please call us at GreatSchools DC at 202-450-5278 or 202-431-5538
WHEN: Two chances to help:
Friday 8/12/2011 @ 2 - 6:30pm (Backpack stuffing)
Saturday 8/13/2011 @ 11am - 3pm (Backpack give away)
WHERE: THEARC at the FBR Branch Boys and Girls Club on 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20020
Final Reminder
WHAT: Community Connections Hiring Community Clothes Closet Manager
DETAILS: We have a small clothing closet called "The Cozy Closet" where we receive donations of clothes for men, women & children. The volume of clothes that come in can be small to massive and we are seeking a volunteer to help us maintain this closet, by hanging clothes on hangers, and separating them (men, women, & children) via sex, and season (winter. spring, summer) for a few hours a day, 2-3 days a week. Also to assist clients with their selections and keeping the closet neat, tidy and items in place.
CONTACT: For more information, call 202.546.1512 or visit www.ccdc1.org.
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Final Reminder
WHAT: International Experience (Nonprofit) Seeking Coordinators to Supervise and Mentor Exchange Students
DETAILS: International Experience - USA (iE) is a non-profit international high school exchange student organization. We are currently seeking qualified and motivated people to join our team as Local Coordinators, supervising and mentoring high school exchange students. Our local coordinators are responsible for promoting our student exchange and Young Diplomat program in their communities, identifying and vetting qualified host families, placing exchange students with host families and in local schools, complying with Department of State regulations. The main role of a Local Coordinator is as a supervisor and mentor of the students, always looking out for the student's best interest. As a Local Coordinator, you would be working closely with an area supervisor who will give you all the support and necessary tools to be successful. iE gives qualified candidates all needed system, procedural, and rules training. We give our coordinators a per-student stipend of $850 to help defray the costs of marketing, travel, and other related expenses. There is also a $50 per student fund that the local coordinator can draw off from for student events (such as orientations, Christmas parties, taking the students to a museum, etc.) Also, there are international travel opportunities with this position.
CONTACT: For more information, call 888.266.2921 or visit http://www.usa.international-experience.net.
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SCHOOL & COMMUNITY RESOURCES
WHAT: Classes on Housing Issues Offered by Housing Counseling Services, Inc.
WHEN: See the below for the schedule of classes…
• Thursday, August 11, 2011, Prepurchase Workshop
• Thursday, August 11, 2011, Housing Search Clinic
WHERE: Housing Counseling Services Inc. Training Center, 2410 17th Street NW, Suite 100, WDC 20009
DETAILS: All classes are available in English and Spanish (other languages with advanced notice). No reservations necessary – everyone is welcome. Housing Counseling Services, Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c )3 organization that provides comprehensive housing counseling, training and advocacy for low and moderate income tenants, homebuyers, and homeowners. Our goal is to build sustainable communities through informed housing consumers.
COST: Free
CONTACT: For more information, call Eli Cohn at 202.667.4006 ext. 241 or email eliascohn@housingetc.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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