Charter Chat 09/14/11
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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Get Involved with FOCUS!
The stakes for education reform have never been greater in D.C. The time is now and we need YOU to get involved. Sign up today to join the movement at FOCUS. http://www.FOCUSdc.org/Join-Movement
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CHARTER SCHOOL EVENTS & OPEN HOUSES
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WHAT: IDEA (Integrated Design and Electronics) Public Charter School’s Community Day
WHEN: September 17, 2011 from 12 pm – 4 pm
WHERE: 1027 4th Street NE Washington, D.C. 20019
CONTACT: For more information, contact IDEA PCS at (202)399-4750
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WHAT: Volunteer to help kids be active and healthy at school
Action for Healthy Kids http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/get-in-the-action/ invites you to Get in the Action in Washington, DC!
WHEN: On September 16-17
DETAILS: Volunteers will work in four DC public schools to build indoor and outdoor PE spaces and school gardens, as well as lead recess activities and conduct taste tests of healthy foods. Community Academy PCS is one of the participating schools. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to help out for a full day or half day
REGISTER: to volunteer here
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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
UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
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WHAT: Eat at Chipotle and support farm to school
WHEN: TONIGHT! September 14 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
DETAILS: Chipotle, the popular burrito restaurant chain, will hold a fundraiser for the D.C. Farm to School Network at Arcadia. That evening, 50% of all sales at all metro-Washington, DC Chipotle restaurants, up to $15,000, will be donated to us for farm to school programs. So enjoy a burrito on your way home from work, and support a good cause!
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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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YOUTH PROGRAMS / CLASSES / CAMPS
WHAT: The American Youth Chorus is Seeking New Voices
DETAILS: The American Youth Chorus, the youth outreach of the famed Congressional Chorus of Washington, is seeking new voices and fresh faces for its Junior and Senior Divisions for the upcoming season!
Children ages 8-14 from DC, MD and VA are encouraged to audition for the chorus, which consists of approximately 65 students from across the Washington DC metro region. No preparation or experience is necessary, a simple session with the Artistic Director will take about 15 minutes. Potential singers need not prepare a song in advance. The artistic director will run some scales and warm-ups with your child and have him or her sing something familiar such as “Happy Birthday.”
WHEN: Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays (ages 8-10) and Thursdays (ages 11-14) from 4:30 – 6 pm
WHERE: Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington DC.
Past performances have taken place at the Kennedy Center, the US Capitol Building, an Inaugural Children’s Ball, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival with the Welsh National Opera, and for the Kennedy Center Honorees awards dinner. The chorus has been featured on CBS, CNN and C-SPAN.
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION: please email Debby_McConnell@congressionalchorus.org
or call 202-399-7993, x182.
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WHAT: The Children's Chorus of Washington (CCW) – a great local organization -- is
holding auditions for the 2011-2012 season that begins next month.
DETAILS: The more advanced groups participate in domestic and international tours
and in performances with the National Symphony Orchestra and adult professional
choruses at venues like the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Hall.
Girls and boys with unchanged voices, ages 9-16 can try out for placement in
CCW's Treble, Bel Canto and Concert Choruses. Boys with changed voices can try
out for the new Young Men's Ensemble. Tuition scholarships are provided to all
students with demonstrated financial needs.
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION: no preparation or experience is necessary; just call (202)
237-1005 to schedule an appointment for a simple individual hearing with
Artistic Director, Ms. Joan Gregory.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: please visit www.childrenschorus.com or call Sophie Maupoil at (202)
237-1005.
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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
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JOBS /INTERNSHIPS /VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT: Volunteers Needed! Advocate for Kids in Foster Care!
DETAILS: CASA for Children of DC is looking for volunteers to work with youth in foster care. There are more than 2,000 children and youth in our city's child welfare system right now.
CASA DC recruits and trains folks from the community to advocate for children in the District of Columbia's child welfare system. Our volunteer advocates, CASA's, look out for the best interests of children by researching and gathering relevant information that they present to judges. The information CASAs gather and the recommendations they bring before the court and judge are facts that ordinarily might be overlooked. Your recommendations lead to better education outcomes and safe, loving, permanent families.
Take the Next Steps; Become a CASA!
WHEN: CASA Summer Training Starts SEPTEMBER 13th!
Classes will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9pm.
REQUIREMENTS:
* You must be at least 21 years of age;
* Consent to a criminal background check;
* Attend a new volunteer training (30 hours);
* Commit to one year of service; and
* Spend 10-15 hours on a case each month.
APPLY: To join this session or to learn more about our program and future trainings, contact me at 202-887-0007 ext. 101 or via email at rhalsey@casadc.org TODAY.
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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
WHAT: Free After-School Classes
DETAILS: Art and Media Classes at the Latin American Youth Center's Art + Media House
WHO: Open to all DCPS students ages 11-18.
WHEN: Generation Creation: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Workshops: Mondays and Wednesdays
Open Studio: Fridays
SIGN UP: Please enroll at www.artmediahouse.org or visit us at 3035 15th St. NW
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WHAT: D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools’ Math Support Program
WHO: Pre-K through Adults
WHEN: September 27 Pre-K through Grade 3
October 11 Grades 4 – 6
October 18 Grades 7 – 9
October 25 Grades 10 – Adult
D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools’ office
1300 Allison Street NW, Suite 100 Washington, D.C. 20011
RSVP: Before September 23rd to redelin@dcaps.org
WHAT: Brightwood Day 2011
WHO: All are welcome
WHERE: on the yard beside St. John’s United Baptist Church (Corner of Piney Branch and Tuckerman)
WHEN: September 24, 2011 11 am – 5 pm
DETAILS: Join the Brightwood Community Association for a day of fun with local vendors showing off their goods and services, free food & drink, a moonbounce and more great events for kids.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
WHAT: Action for Healthy Kids Grant Opportunity
DETAILS: Action for Healthy Kids will provide grants to 40 Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) or school wellness councils of up to $1,000 to support implementation of Game On! Grants are available to schools in Washington, D.C. and the following states: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia. Selected schools will also receive technical support from Action for Healthy Kids to ensure program success.
DEADLINES: September 28: Grant Proposals due, October 28: Grant agreements due, November 26: Action plans and pre-program surveys are due, May 18: Post-program surveys and action plan reports are due.
APPLY: If you are interested in joining the movement and becoming a Game On! school, please complete the grant application found here.
CONTACT: Steve Greene with questions.
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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