Charter Chat 3/14/12
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: http://focusdc.org/join-movement. 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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ATTENTION PARENTS! It’s enrollment season for DC public charter schools. Don’t miss the open house or enrollment deadlines! We’ve included some of the open houses in this newsletter, but you can find many more here: http://focusdc.org/content/march-dc-public-charter-school-open-houses. You can find public charter school open house information here: http://focusdc.org/content/public-charter-school-enrollment-deadline-and-information. Follow us on Twitter for daily updates on the open house schedules: www.Twitter.com/FOCUSdc
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CHARTER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES / ENROLLMENT EVENTS
WHAT: The Inspired Teaching School Open House
WHEN: Saturday, March 17 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am; Sunday, March 25 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
WHERE: 4401 8th Street NE, Ground Floor
CONTACT: Call 202 248-6825 or email info@inspiredteachingschool.org
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WHAT: The Inspired Teaching School Meet and Greet
WHEN: Saturday, March 17 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
WHERE: Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th St NW)
DETAILS: Come by to meet current Inspired families and our principal. Applications will be available for Pre-School to 4th grade for the 2012-2013 school year. All Inspired families and prospective Inspired families are invited!
CONTACT: RSVP at http://new.evite.com/#view_invite:eid=0004AAQZXGL24E5Q4EPBM3XFZMYVWY
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WHAT: IDEA PCS Open House and Family BBQ
WHEN: Saturday, March 24 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
WHERE: 1027 45th St NE
DETAILS: Parents and Students can learn more about our programs including PAID internships, advance computer certifications, mentoring, community service, leadership development and a solid curriculum to place you on a successful path to either college, the military or the workforce. Please attend our open house and tour our new health and wellness center, which features a state-of-the art basketball court, jogging track, weight room and much, much more.
CONTACT: Email parentsupport@ideapcs.org or call (202) 399-4750 x224
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WHAT: Ideal Academy Public Charter School Open House
WHEN: Wednesday, March 21 from 9:00 am to7:30 pm
WHERE: 6130 North Capitol St NW
CONTACT: Call 202 729-6660
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WHAT: The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. (Grades 6-12) Parent Information Sessions and Tours
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 15, April 12 or April 26 (Thursdays)
WHERE: 4300 C St SE
DETAILS: Applications accepted for students entering the 6th grade only
CONTACT: To RSVP call 202-248-3025 or email admissions@seedschooldc.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Achievement Prep Open House
WHEN: Thursday, March 22 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: 908 Wahler Pl SE
CONTACT: Email info@aprepacademy.org or call 202 562-1214
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Reminder
WHAT: DC Prep Preschool-Specific Open House and Tour
WHEN: Thursday, March 15 at 9:00 am at our Benning Campus
WHERE: 100 41st Street NE
CONTACT: Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing enrollment@dcprep.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Imagine Southeast Information Session for Prospective Students
WHEN: Tuesday, March 14 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
WHERE: 3100 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
CONTACT: Email imagine.southeast@imagineschools.com or call 202 561-1622
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Reminder
WHAT: Mundo Verde PCS Open House
WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
WHERE: 2001 S St NW, 2nd Floor
CONTACT: Call (202) 630-8373 or email info@mundoverdepcs.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Perry Street Prep PCS Admissions Info Sessions
WHEN: Tuesday, March 27 at 6:00 pm; Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: 1800 Perry St NE
CONTACT: Call 202 551-0804
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Reminder
WHAT: Tree of Life Public Charter School - Open House and Enrollment
WHEN: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 4:30-5:30, and every Wednesday -March- June
WHERE: 23151 8th Pl NE
CONTACT: Call Pat Ragland at 202 832 1108 x36 to make an appointment
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Reminder
WHAT: The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, DC (Grades 6-12) Open House
WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
WHERE: 4300 C St SE
DETAILS: Applications accepted for students entering the 6th grade only
CONTACT: Call 202-248-3025 or email admissions@seedschooldc.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Reminder
WHAT: Maya Angelou PCS Middle School: Math Family Night: A Celebration of "Pi-Day"
WHEN: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
WHERE: 5600 East Capitol St NE in the MS Cafeteria
DETAILS: Students and families are invited out to join the Math Team in celebrating "Pi-Day." There will be Math games such as Math Jeopardy. A "Pi-Eating" contest will also be enjoyed by those that dare. Door prizes and light refreshments will be provided. Students must come with a responsible parent/guardian to participate.
CONTACT: Email swright@seeforever.org
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Reminder
WHAT: College Bound: Start Your Child on the Path to Success
WHEN: Thursday, March 15 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
WHERE: 4201 Georgia Avenue NW
DETAILS: Come participate in Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.’s interactive workshop on “College Bound,” a free online parent education program.
CONTACT: Call 202 678-8060 or email information@aje-dc.org
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SCHOLARSHIPS / CONTESTS / AWARDS
WHAT: Become a Generation Hope Scholar
WHEN: The deadline to apply for the 2012-2013 school year is March 30, 2012.
DETAILS: As a Generation Hope Scholar, you will be matched with an individual, organization, or business that will provide emotional and financial support to help you earn your college degree. You have amazing potential, and we’ve designed our program to help you realize that potential.
Criteria for Generation Hope Scholars:
• Applicant must be a teen parent (defined as having a child by the age of 19) and under the age of 25.
• Applicant must be raising or actively involved in child’s life (defined by regular support and care of your child)
• Applicant must be attending - or planning to attend within the next year - college in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia and seeking an undergraduate degree.
• Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average
Process for becoming a Generation Hope Scholar:
1. Complete the application
2. Submit two letters of recommendation
3. Submit an official and recent school transcript including cumulative grade point average
4. Submit essay question response
5. Meet with GH staff for interview
6. Complete mandatory mentee training in July 2012
When you become a Generation Hope Scholar, you join a group of businesses, organizations, and individuals that wants to see you – and your child – achieve success.
CONTACT: Please contact Kendria Reynoso, Director of Operations & Programming, at applications@supportgenerationhope.org or (202) 656-8705 with any questions.
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Reminder
WHAT: The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s Teen Portrait Competition
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 2012
DETAILS: Who are you? Tell us through a photo of you or tell us about someone you know. The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and the Pearson Foundation present the First Annual Teen Portrait Competition. The goal is to highlight photography of all teens ages 13 to 17 through a contest made by teens for teens. The competition is divided into two age categories: 13-15 year olds & 16-17 year olds. A Grand Prize Winner will be selected from each of the two age categories. Grand Prize Winners will have their portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC in the spring of 2013. Grand Prize Winners will also receive a compact system camera. Honorable mention for each age group will receive a $50 gift card and your photo will be exhibited online.
CONTACT: Email npgteenportrait@si.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns.
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YOUTH PROGRAMS / WORKSHOPS / CLASSES / CAMPS
WHAT: District Children Rooted by Literacy's Summer Literacy Camp
WHEN: The program runs from Monday, July 2, 2012 to Friday, August 3, 2012. Registration currently open!
WHERE: Georgetown Day School
DETAILS: Imagine your child, curled up in a corner, independently enjoying great literature, being read to daily, exploring a foreign language, perusing the nation's capitol, discussing politics, examining global and social issues and above all, growing as an intellectual over his or her summer break. As a full-day summer literacy program, District Children Rooted by Literacy focuses on critical literacy instruction to strengthen your child's ability to compete in an increasingly global society. District Children Rooted by Literacy's summer program will be held at the Georgetown Day School, High School campus during the summer of 2012. We work with students who are currently in third through seventh grade. Register your child/ren for in a program whose mission is to teach children to read critically via global, cultural, social, and political literacy!
During the Summer of 2012, we offer five weeks of fun, yet rigorous literacy activities, small class sizes (maximum of 12), access to unlimited reading materials, experienced, committed and caring educators, foreign language lessons, book clubs, exposure trips, character animation, debates, outside play time on Georgetown Day's field and swimming!
Program will be closed in celebration of the July 4 holiday. Our day begins at 7:45 am and ends at 4:00 pm. Total cost for the entire five weeks is $400! There are three payment plans available and there are only 20 slots remaining.
CONTACT: For more information about DC Rooted by literacy, please visit our website at www.dcrootedbyliteracy.com. You may reach the founder, Tracey Roach, at (202) 460-8417 or you may email her at troachdcrootedbyliteracy@gmail.com.
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Reminder
WHAT: Summer @DCYOP (The DC Youth Orchestra Program) 2012
WHEN: Camp Check-In: Monday, June 25, 2012 at 8:00 am; Camp Check-Out: Friday, July 6, 2012
DETAILS: For beginning musicians, The Elementary Music Day Camp is designed to help children develop a life-long love of music. Campers will be exposed to singing, playing instruments, moving to music, creating music, and basics of reading and writing music. At the end of the two weeks, camp will conclude with a performance where campers will demonstrate what they have learned.
· Eligibility: Campers must have attended grades K- 5 in the 2011 -2012 school year. Children 5 years or older who are entering Kindergarten in Fall 2012 will be accepted also.
· Instruments: Instruments and music will be provided. (Elementary Music Camp ONLY)
The Summer String Camp is open to all young musicians ages 8 -14 who have at least one year of playing experience, and who can play in an intermediate level group or above. NO audition required before registering. Placement auditions will be given to new students on the first day of camp to determine level placement within the program. Daily activities will include orchestra rehearsal, chamber music ensembles, sectional instruction, master classes, instrumental technique and music theory essentials designed for strings. At the end of the two weeks, the camp will conclude with two performances.
· Eligibility: Open to all young musicians' ages 8 to 14 who have at least one year of playing experience, and who can play in an intermediate level group or above.
· Instruments: Students are to bring their own instrument. Instruments available for rental through DCYOP. *Rentals are subject to availability*. Please contact Randall Stewart, Instrument Coordinator at 202-698-0123 ext. 1264154, for more information.
The Summer Band Camp is open to all young musicians ages 10 -14 who have at least one year of playing experience. NO audition required before registering. Placement auditions will be given to new students on the first day of camp to determine level placement within the program. Daily activities will include band rehearsal, sectional instruction, instrumental technique and music theory. At the end of the two weeks, the camp will conclude with two performances.
· Eligibility: Open to all young musicians' ages 10 to 14 who have at least one year of playing experience, and who can play in an intermediate level group or above.
· Instruments: Students are to bring their own instrument. Instruments available for rental through DCYOP. *Rentals are subject to availability*. Please contact Randall Stewart, Instrument Coordinator at 202-698-0123 ext. 1264154, for more information.
COST: DC Residents $750.00 MD/VA $825.00. Financial aid available
CONTACT: For more information visit our website http://dcyop.org/ or contact our at 202-698-0123 or email us at info@dcyop.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Clothes for Change Clothing Drive
WHEN: Items will be collected from now until March 30, 2012
WHERE: National Museum of Crime & Punishment (575 7th St NW)
DETAILS: The DOES Office of Youth Programs (OYP) is holding its first Clothes for Change Clothing Drive to support youth participants in Mayor Vincent C. Gray's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). OYP will be collecting new or gently used business-appropriate attire for young men and women. We are looking for items such as dress shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, dress shoes, dress socks, panty hose, ties, belts, etc. Any interested parties can bring their items to the Crime Museum. We will be collecting items from now until March 30, 2012. Bring in an item and receive $3 off your admission
CONTACT: Call (202) 393-1099
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Reminder
WHAT: Young Women’s Conference on Non-Traditional Careers
WHEN: Friday, March 16 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
WHERE: Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University (800 Florida Ave NE)
DETAILS: Young women from 8th grade through freshman year of college: explore non-traditional careers! Meet successful women in non-traditional careers, including technology, aerospace, building, automotive, biomedical, and other fields. Engage in workshops to prepare you for your future and learn more about career and technical education in DC. Pre-registration is required and must be completed by March 14.
COST: Free!
CONTACT: Register at http://www.cvent.com/d/rcq98w
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
WHAT: National Cherry Blossom Family Fun Day
WHEN: Saturday, March 24 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday, March 25 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
WHERE: National Building Museum (401 F Street NW)
DETAILS: Join the National Building Museum, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in celebrating the annual opening of Washington's cherry blossom season. Postal Museum activities include stamp collecting and designing. The 2012 festival is a celebration of the centennial of the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees bestowed on Washington, D.C., by Tokyo, Japan.
COST: Free!
CONTACT: Visit http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2011/07/15/family-days/ or call 877 442-5666
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WHAT: Pendragwn Youth Film Festival (PYFF)
WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
WHERE: Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St NE)
DETAILS: Come see the next generation of talented filmmakers! Created by the Pendragwn Film Foundation, PYFF seeks to contribute to society through the power of storytelling by helping talented youth grow as filmmakers and artists. We will showcase 15 films ranging from documentaries, narratives, and stop motion animations. There will be a performance by Zip Zap Circus at the end of the festival. This event is free of charge.
CONTACT: For more information, please visit our website at www.pendragwnyouthfilmfest.org.
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WHAT: The Normal Heart
WHEN: Educators SAVE 40% off on tickets. Offer expires 4/1/12; show runs from Friday, June 8, 2012 to Sunday, July 29, 2012
WHERE: Arena Stage (1101 6th Street SW)
DETAILS: The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller—as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. A quarter-century after it was written, this outrageous, unflinching, and totally unforgettable look at the politics of New York during the AIDS crisis remains one of the theatre’s most powerful evenings ever.
CONTACT: Call the Arena Stage Group Sales Office at 202-488-4380 or email groups@arenastage.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Junior Orchestra and Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 4:00 pm
WHERE: 1901 Mississippi Ave SE
DETAILS: Under the direction of Maestro Mariano Vales, the Junior Orchestra will perform Carmen Suite No. 2 by Bizet and other classical works. Maestro Jesus Manuel Berard will conduct the Youth Orchestra in a performance of Symphony No.5, Op.64 by Tchaikovsky.
CONTACT: For more information visit our website: www.dcyop.org. Contact us at 202-698-0123 or email us at info@dcyop.org
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Reminder
WHAT: 10th Annual Stomp D.A.T
WHEN: Saturday, March 24th, 2012
DETAILS: Stomp D.A.T. is an annual step show that features teams from the Washington DC Metropolitan area schools and youth-based community groups in competition to educate youth about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
COST: Tickets are $15
CONTACT: Tickets are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15004847EEFF6F82?artistid=836069&majorcatid=10005&minorcatid=0
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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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