Chart Chat 8/24/11
Charter Chat 08/24/11
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.
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VOLUNTEER FOR 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 considering whether public charter school students in DC should be treated with equality. We need 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 support the effort for equal funding 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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CHARTER SCHOOL EVENTS & OPEN HOUSES
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WHAT: Friendship Collegiate Kick-Off Football Game Viewing Party
WHEN: Sunday, August 28, 2011; 11:00am
WHERE: Friendship PCS Collegiate, 4095 Minnesota Avenue NE, WDC 20019
DETAILS: Join Friendship PCS and charter school supporters for a viewing party of the football game featuring Friendship Collegiate Academy vs. Taft Technical School (Cincinnati, OH) This game, held in Ohio will be broadcasted live on ESPNU. Refreshments available.
COST: $2/students; $3 Adults
CONTACT: For more information call 202-396-5500 or visit www.friendshipschools.org
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WHAT: DC Prep PCS Back to School Bash!
When: Friday, September 23rd from 7-10 PM (with school tours beginning at 6:30)
Where: At DC Prep’s Edgewood Elementary Campus, 707 Edgewood St. NE
DETAILS: Does September make you yearn for a new notebook, pencil box, and fantastic first-day-of-school outfit? If so, then join the fun at DC Prep’s Back to School Bash! There will be drinks of all varieties, delicious food, and dancing. DC Prep has a great track record and an exciting future ahead. We are ready to celebrate!
COST: $100 per person (The whole cost of the event will be underwritten, so every penny will go to the school!).
CONTACT: Buy tickets online at http://www.dcprep.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.welcome&newsid=302 or call 202.635.4590 with any questions
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WHAT: KIPP DC Shaw Campus Beautification Day
WHEN: Saturday, September 10th; 10:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: 421 P. Street NW, Washington, DC
DETAILS: Help us create a beautiful mural and plant four raised garden beds at our Shaw campus!
CONTACT: www.kippdc.org or call 202-265-KIPP (5477) with any questions
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WHAT: KIPP DC Douglass Campus Open House
WHEN: Wednesday, September 14th, 9:30am-11:00am
WHERE: 2600 Douglass Road SE, Washington, DC
DETAILS: Learn more about the 4 schools serving students in grades preK3-12 at KIPP DC’s Douglass campus.
CONTACT: To attend our open house, please contact Rachel Wandell, rachel.wandell@kippdc.org
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UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
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WHAT: Free Family-Friendly events during the run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
WHERE: Mead Center (1101 Sixth Street SW)
WHEN: Saturday afternoons during the run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!from 12:30-1:30 p.m., prior to the 2:00 p.m. matinee.
DETAILS: Come enjoy a petting zoo on the Sixth Street sidewalk with the return of Pony To Go. Pony To Go has a wide variety of animals including ponies, snakes, sheep, ducks, guinea pigs, turtles, pigs, rabbits and goats. Pony To Go will be present every Saturday through October 1st, excluding dates when other special events are scheduled (7/30, 8/13 and 9/24). This is fun for the whole family. For more information please go to www.arenastage.org or call 202-488-3300.
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WHAT: Join the PCSB at Columbia Heights Day!
WHERE: Harriet Tubman Elementary School (11th and Kenyon Streets, NW)
WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DETAILS: There will be live performances, morning yoga, a kid's Zone, petting zoo, contests and prizes among other fun events. The PCSB will have a booth to offer information on D.C. charter school options and the PCSB's oversight process at this event. There will be a limited number of giveaway items for parents and families. Please encourage your school community to attend this fun and entertaining family event.
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YOUTH PROGRAMS / CLASSES / CAMPS
WHAT: Words Beats & Life, Inc. Enrollment Day for the DC Urban Arts Academy
WHERE: St. Stephen's Church, 1525 Newton Street NW, WDC
WHEN: Tuesday, September 6, 2011; 6pm-9pm.
DETAILS: Words Beats & Life, Inc. is a hip-hop non-profit that aims to transform individual lives and whole communities through the presentation & teaching of the elements of hip-hop culture. Our FREE Academy classes, serve students ages 5-23 who are interested in learning DJing, beat production, bboying, emceeing, graffiti, photography, spoken word, and chess. All of our instructors are working artists who actively are practicing their craft professionally. Students who regularly attend classes & engage in our program have the opportunity to be matched with a one-on-one mentor, build their resumes/artistic portfolios, perform at various events throughout the year, showcase their talent, get community service hours, and network with other artists in the DC metropolitan area. Our programming typically runs in 3-to-4month sessions from 6-9pm at three different locations in the District, and continues throughout the entire year. Enroll your young person for our next session!
CONTACT: Lauren Schreiber, Assistant Academy Director at lauren@wblinc.org or 202-667-1192
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WHAT: College Bound - Academic Mentoring Program
WHEN: September 2011 – May 2011
WHERE: Gonzaga College High School, Chavez Public Charter School on Capitol Hill, Sherwood Recreation Center, Beacon House Recreation Center or Black Entertainment Television
DETAILS: At site students are matched in a one-to-one relationship with a college educated mentor who implements our college prep curriculum focused on vocabulary, writing, reading and math skills. The program commitment is one night a week for two hours. Students also participate in mentoring activities monthly and enrichment activities throughout the year.
COST: FREE
CONTACT: Toronto Alsbrooks at (202)8420858 or toronto@collegebound.org
Application available at www.collegebound.org
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WHAT: Prata Creative “Spanish Playshops” Fall 2011 Session – Registration OPEN
WHEN: Every Saturday, Sept 10 - Nov 5 in Columbia Heights and Capitol Hill.
WHERE: Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th St. NW, WDC 20009 OR 1325 Maryland Ave. NE, WDC 20002 (Free parking behind both locations)
DETAILS: A “Fun+Learn” immersion experience for young children to learn Spanish naturally through conversation and play! Parents and Tots 1 & 2 yrs, 9:30 – 10:20am; Just Kids 3 – 4 yrs. 10:30-11:20am; Cost $190+tax/child
CONTACT: Register online, www.pratacreative.com or call, 202.656.0044
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WHAT: Edison Electric Institute Safety Fair Art Contest
DEADLINE: September 15, 2011; 5:00pm
DETAILS: Each student in the 2nd grade is invited to participate in the Safety Fair Art Contest by Edison Electric Institute. Students are allowed to create one entry. The artwork can be done using: paints, markers, and/or pens. Collages are welcomed too. The entry should communicate the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Students are encouraged to discuss the project with their parents and teachers. Please refer to the attached information as a guide. However, all artwork must be completed by the students. Teachers will collect the entries and send them to Edison Electric Institute (address below). Entries will be judged by EEI staff based on artwork content, originality, and relevance to emergency preparedness. All student participants will receive a certificate of recognition from EEI. The winning entrant will receive a $100 gift card and his/or her artwork posted at EEI offices. The 2nd prize entrants will receive a $50 gift card and the 3rd prize entrant will receive $25 gift card.
CONTACT: 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW , Washington, DC 20004, Attention: Jennifer McKinney
JOBS / INTERNSHIPS / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT: 8th Biennial US-Africa Business Summit
WHEN: October 5, 2011 – October 7, 2011
WHERE: The Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
2660 Woodley Park Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
DETAILS: The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), whose members represent 85 percent of total American private sector investment in Africa, will convene the 8th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit on October 5-7, 2011 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is regarded as essential for anyone looking to do business in Africa. It provides a unique opportunity for companies seeking to develop and strengthen relationships with senior government and corporate leaders charged with enhancing and increasing business operations on the continent. The Summit will address the latest trade and investment opportunities in Africa’s most promising sectors including agribusiness, power and energy, financing, health, infrastructure, and goods and services, with as many as 2,000 key African and U.S. private sector and government representatives in attendance. For more information please visit www.africacncl.org.
CONTACT: Please e-mail resume and shift availability to summit@africacncl.org with the subject line: Volunteer Recruitment.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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WHAT: Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Opening Events
WHEN: August 23, 2011 - August 27, 2011
WHERE: 1964 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
DETAILS: Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from public safety and transportation agencies today outlined their efforts to coordinate logistical planning to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the events surrounding the August 28 dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial enjoy a safe and pleasant experience in the nation’s capital. Besides the August 28 ceremony, there will be several District-specific events:
• D.C. Residents Day at the Memorial from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23: District residents will have a special opportunity to visit the Memorial, meet city officials and hear about other D.C. events related to the Memorial dedication.
• The Ceremonial Renaming of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive on Thursday, August 25 at 10:45 a.m.: The D.C. Council has symbolically extended Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue from Southeast Washington, across the 11th Street Bridge, down the Southeast/Southwest Freeway and along Maine Avenue SW to the grounds of the Memorial. Mayor Gray and other officials will symbolically rename the street during a ceremony at Maine Avenue and 14th Street SW.
• The D.C. Full Democracy Freedom Rally and March beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 27: D.C. residents will rally to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of full democracy and autonomy for the 600,000 Americans who call the District of Columbia home with a rally beginning on Freedom Plaza and concluding with a march to 17th Street and Independence Avenue SW, where it will then join the National Action Network March. District residents are encouraged to begin assembling on Freedom Plaza at 9:00 a.m. A youth program will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the full rally program at 10:00 a.m. The march will begin at 11:00 a.m.
CONTACT: For more information and a full schedule of D.C. events related to the King Memorial dedication, visit www.dc.gov. For details on the dedication ceremony go to http://www.mlkmemorial.org/
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WHAT: FREE WEBINAR: "Writing an Effective IEP"
WHERE: on your computer!
WHEN: August 30th 12pm - 1pm
DETAILS: School is in session. Is your child’s IEP updated?
Join this webinar to learn about writing and implementing an effective Individualized Education Program for children with special needs. Parents and Professionals are invited to this free training hosted by Advocates for Justice and Education.
REGISTER: To receive the webinar login information, please contact Carmen Daugherty at mailto: carmen.daugherty@ajedc.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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