Charter Chat 3/28/12
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: AppleTree Early Learning PCS Open House
WHEN: Tuesday, April 17 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am
WHERE: All campuses (visit http://www.appletreeinstitute.org/schools for specific locations)
CONTACT: Email info@appletreeinstitute.org
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WHAT: Bridges PCS Information/Open House Session
WHEN: Thursday, April 12 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 1250 Taylor St NW
DETAILS: Bridges PCS received approval on March 20, 2012 to expand into an elementary school program and will ultimately serve students preschool through fifth grade. The school will add a grade level each year, three classroom for each grade level, and will reach capacity with 5th grade in 2017-2018.
Bridges will be serving students in grades preschool through kindergarten for the 2012 – 2013 school year.
The application for the lottery is posted January 1 each school year. Applications received after April 17 will be put on a waiting list. Bridge's lottery will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012.
Eligibility:
Bridges will be serving students in grades preschool through kindergarten for the 2012 – 2013 school year. You are eligible to apply if:
• You reside in the District of Columbia.
• Your child is eligible to attend preschool if they will be 3 years old by September 30th.
• Your child is eligible to attend pre-Kindergarten if they will be 4 years old by September 30th.
• Your child is eligible to attend Kindergarten if they will be 5 years old by September 30th.
CONTACT: Please call the school to register for a session at (202) 545-0515. If you would like your child to attend Bridges please download the PDF of the application from the school's website (www.bridgespcs.org) from the admissions page or pick it up at the school. Complete the form, and return it to the school in person, by mail, or via fax.
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WHAT: Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Open House
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18 from 10:00 to 11:00 am
WHERE: 1404 Jackson St NE
CONTACT: Should you have any questions, contact Ms. Webster at 202-459-4710 or send an email to s.webster@mmbethune.org
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WHAT: Perry Street Prep PCS Admissions Info Sessions
WHEN: Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 pm and Tuesday, April 17 at 6:00 pm
WHERE: 1800 Perry Street NE
DETAILS: Come visit our newly renovated, high tech school that serves PreK – 12. Our head of school and both principals will be available to answer your questions. Tours will be provided!
CONTACT: Call 202.551.0804 or email hcherico@pspdc.org
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Reminder
WHAT: Howard Road Academy PCS Open House and Tours
WHEN: Thursday, March 29 at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm
WHERE: Howard Road Academy PCS - PABC Campus (3000 Pennsylvania Ave SE)
DETAILS: Howard Road Academy PCS is holding an open house and scheduling tours for student enrollment at the PABC Campus for grades PS and PK.
CONTACT: Please contact the main office at 202.582.3322 for additional information.
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Reminder
WHAT: The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. (Grades 6-12) Parent Information Sessions and Tours
WHEN: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on 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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UPCOMING EVENTS
WHAT: 8th Annual College Survival 101 program
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2012. Registration is open for all high school students until April 7.
WHERE: Northern Virginia Community College-Alexandria Campus
DETAILS: The Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network (YPN) will host its 8th Annual "College Survival 101" program. It is an all day fun-filled experience with the resources, networks, support, assistance and guidance to prepare youth to be college-ready not just college-eligible. "College Survival 101" consists of 5 workshop themes - academic, financial, social, life skills, and parents. The daily events consist of a luncheon, College Life Expo and mini college fair. Students will be able to win door prizes, and seniors will have the opportunity to win a $500 book scholarship. This year’s theme, "The XFactor: Do you have what it takes to survive?" reinforces the significance of students being properly equipped with the tools and resources to survive the journey of post secondary education, while also developing the tenacity, motivation and commitment to begin with the end in mind. This program is open to all high school students in the DMV area.
CONTACT: Email CS101@nvulypn.org for more information or visit
http://www.nvulypn.org/collegesurvival101.html
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WHAT: Perry Street Prep PCS & the HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church present a College Preparedness Workshop for students and parents
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
WHERE: Perry Street Prep PCS (1800 Perry Street NE)
DETAILS: Students from any school in the DC Metro area are invited to attend, along with their parents or guardians. The Workshop is free and open to students and parents from throughout the DC Metro area. The Workshop will offer an SAT Strategy Session for students, conducted by The Princeton Review. Parents can participate in the College Preparedness Workshop, which will feature experts from HBCUs offering advice on admissions, financial aid, scholarships and other info of value to first generations going to college. An RSVP is required to attend and registration is now open.
CONTACT: Registration can be completed online at http://www.pspdc.org/collegeprepworkshop or by calling 888.210.8501, ext. 555. Light refreshments will be served.
Reminder
WHAT: Howard Road Academy PCS Flea Market
WHEN: Registration deadline - Saturday, March 31; Event - Saturday, April 14 from 9 am - 12 pm
WHERE: Howard Road Academy PCS - Main Campus (701 Howard Road SE)
DETAILS: Howard Road Academy PCS is hosting a flea market. If you would like to set up a table to sell your old goods, the registration fee is $10 and table fees start at $5.
CONTACT: Please contact Ms. James at 202.610.5780 or the PTO at howardroadpto@gmail.com
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SCHOLARSHIPS / CONTESTS / AWARDS
WHAT: Family Engagement Middle and High School Teacher Fellowships
WHEN: Applications are due at 9:00 am on April 12.
DETAILS: The Flamboyan Foundation is pleased to invite middle and high school teachers in Washington, DC public and public charter schools to apply for Family Engagement Middle and High School Teacher Fellowships ($2,000). The Fellowship is designed to recognize middle and high school teachers in DCPS or Washington, D.C. public charter schools who do a good job engaging families in ways that accelerate student learning and are interested in growing the knowledge base of what works in family engagement at the secondary school level. Up to ten teachers will be chosen for this thirteen-month opportunity to strengthen their own practice and adapt tools, templates, and programs for family engagement to better fit the middle and high school context. The Family Engagement Middle and High School Teacher Fellowship application process is not time-consuming, and we urge you to consider applying and/or to share this information with other teachers who might be interested in this opportunity.
CONTACT: Email applications to Lela Spielberg at lspielberg@flamboyanfoundation.org.
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Reminder
WHAT: Become a Generation Hope Scholar
WHEN: The deadline to apply for the 2012-2013 school year is Friday, 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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YOUTH PROGRAMS / WORKSHOPS / CLASSES / CAMPS
WHAT: U12 Boys Travel Soccer Tryouts for CFC Diplomats
WHEN: Ongoing through Spring 2012
WHERE: Watkins Elementary School (13th and E St NE) or Marine Barracks Field (7th and Virginia Ave SE)
DETAILS: There are several openings on the Diplomats team: http://www.ncsl-soccer.com/teams/36465765/28324546-36465874/TEAM.html. Please contact us if your son or someone you know is interested. You can also request a tryout directly by completing this form: http://sites.google.com/site/capitalfutbolclub/tryouts. We practice Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Barracks Field.
CONTACT: Learn more about Capital Futbol Club and its teams here: http://www.capitalfc.org/
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Reminder
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: Clothes for Change Clothing Drive
WHEN: Items will be collected from now until Friday, 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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COMMUNITY EVENTS
WHAT: Cherry Blossom Music Festival
WHEN: Sunday, April 1 at 11:30 am
WHERE: National Gallery of Art (4th and Constitution Avenue NW)
DETAILS: The gallery celebrates the Cherry Blossom Festival with a family-friendly performance by harpist Mariko Anraku and sho player Mayumi Miyata.
COST: Free!
CONTACT: Visit http://www.nga.gov/programs/family/index.shtm#anrakumiyata
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WHAT: Easter Crafts Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, April 7 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
WHERE: Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place SE)
DETAILS: Join artist Tamara Thomas in this exciting Easter crafts workshop. Let your creative juices flow as you design, build, and decorate your favorite take-away.
COST: Free!
CONTACT: For reservations, call 202-633-4844. Space is limited.
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Reminder
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 e-mail groups@arenastage.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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