Our first class of Penn Foster graduates donned caps and gowns to receive their high school diplomas at our inaugural Penn Foster Graduation ceremony this past Spring. This ceremony marked a significant milestone for our adult learners, who demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout their coursework.

The event, held at the University of Illinois-Chicago, was a fitting tribute to the graduates’ incredible journey. Amidst the backdrop of UIC’s commencement ceremony, these graduates, who balanced the roles of parents, employees, and students, were celebrated for their relentless pursuit of education.

Thanks to the Whole Child Initiative and 21st Century funding, these learners were granted scholarships, paving the way to earn their official high school diplomas at no cost. Armed with their education and diplomas, each of our graduates has a bright future; some are leveraging their newfound credentials to secure promotions and salary raises, pivoting to new career fields, and others are pursuing post-secondary education, including applying to UIC!

This inaugural class of graduates stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of our adult learners and the unwavering support of the KIPP Chicago community to create opportunities across generations. Our partnership with Penn Foster continues to serve as an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of education and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

OneSight Clinic at KIPP One

Vision is critical to learning, with nearly 80% of classroom learning being visual. Shockingly, 1 in 4 students have an undiagnosed vision problem, which could significantly impact their academic performance and overall well-being.

We had the pleasure of partnering with OneSight, EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and LensCrafters to host our fourth vision clinic. Over 730 students, staff, and family members were screened, and 82% of patients received free prescription glasses made on-site. This was our longest clinic, spanning five days, with the greatest impact. OneSight demonstrated heart and expertise as they provided vision services to our families. They even taught one student how to make her glasses in the manufacturing lab.

Welcoming KIPP Foundation CEO to the Windy City

Earlier this year, Shavar Jeffries was named the CEO of the KIPP Foundation. A civil rights attorney and a preeminent advocate for educational equity and excellence, Shavar has been a long-time advocate at the KIPP Foundation and KIPP school network. 

We were thrilled to host him last Spring for a visit, where he immersed himself in the student experience to see firsthand what sets KIPP Chicago apart—from coding and building computer games in 4th Grade to stepping into virtual reality for a math lesson and observing our early literacy teachers implement the Science of Reading. One second-grade class was lucky to share a storytime session with Shavar for a reading “Daryl’s Dream,” by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, a captivating children’s book that centers on essential themes such as mental health, dreaming big, and believing in oneself. During this read-aloud, he was able to bond with our students on a personal level and underscore the importance of nurturing their dreams and aspirations.

KIPP Detroit Kindergarten Promotion

Congratulations are in order for our sister region, KIPP Detroit Imani Academy, as they closed the books on their founding year and celebrated their very first kindergarten promotion. 

The students at KIPP Detroit Imani Academy made remarkable strides, quadrupling their MAP Data scores. Even more impressively, in their first five months at KDIA, they displayed astonishing growth, achieving a remarkable 92% improvement in math skills and an impressive 97% boost in language arts. These achievements surpass the performance of their peers on a national scale, as indicated by NWEA Map Results. These early successes are a testament to the dedication and unwavering efforts of the KDIA educators. Together, they have laid a solid foundation for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. We take immense pride in being a part of a network that is making a genuine and lasting impact on the lives of these young scholars.

With such impressive results in their first year, we can only imagine the transformative progress they will continue to make. We look forward with great anticipation to the future and the profound and lasting impact KIPP will have in Detroit.

2nd Annual Detroit Wellness Fair

Our sister region, KIPP Detroit Imani Academy, closed out its founding year with our 2nd Annual Community Wellness Fair, ensuring that students and families were set up for a healthy and happy summer break. Intergenerational yoga, mental health consultations, financial wellness consultations, health and wellness screenings, and immunizations were offered. In collaboration with our Detroit-based community partners, we provided food boxes with fresh and pantry-stable items, grooming services for adults and children, and enjoyed ice cream together on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

The post Increasing Family and Community Partnerships appeared first on KIPP Chicago Public Schools.

KIPP Chicago is proud to support the Whole Child Initiative at our sister region, KIPP Detroit. Over four weeks, kindergarten students at KIPP Detroit Imani Academy received a variety of on-site medical services, including hearing and vision screenings, immunizations, dental cleanings, and cavity fillings. 

The Whole Child Initiative is designed to remove barriers to access for families to promote student success. By offering medical services on-site, we remove the barrier of transportation, avoid interruptions to parents’ work schedules, and demonstrate that we are true partners in the well-being of our students. We are thankful for our partners Portable Smiles, Smiles for Tomorrow, and Unify Detroit, all African-American-owned businesses. 

Common Ground

KIPP Chicago has had the privilege of partnering with the Common Ground Foundation for over ten years. Each year, ten graduates from our middle school campuses are invited to participate in the Dreamers and Believers mentor program, transition to College and Career mentoring program, and the Dreamers and Believers youth summer camp. As program participants, KIPP students can participate in monthly mentoring, community service projects, fine arts activities, and cultural field trips. The program has allowed students to be creative and innovative while forming lifelong bonds with peers and mentors. We are grateful that through this partnership, our students have gleaned lifelong skills in character development, civic engagement, health & wellness, technology, generational wealth, entrepreneurship/career exploration, creative expression, and leadership. 

Daja Brooks knows Common Ground’s impact firsthand. After graduating from DRW College Prep in 2016, Daja enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana (HBCU) and received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology in the Spring of 2020. Daja is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education at Purdue University while simultaneously teaching 6th-grade ELA at KIPP Ascend Middle School, where she graduated in 2012.

Reflecting on her experience, Daja shared, “Common Ground is a wonderfully meaningful program to be a part of. I enjoy that program participants meet at Kenwood [High School] every 3rd Saturday of the month to engage in sessions ranging from college career readiness, learning an art of your choice, and mentoring from experienced individuals in various fields of study and performance. 

I received an award for having the highest GPA as a senior in high school. I also had the chance, along with nine other students, to attend a private tour of the White House and personally meet Michelle and Barack Obama free of charge. I’ve attended their annual Gala three times, which gave me exposure to many celebrities and affluent individuals. 

Common Ground has instilled in me the importance of networking. They have opened so many doors for me that I thought were closed to students like me. Common Ground places me in rooms with people who have the power to put me in a position to win and who want to see me achieve great things. I truly enjoy the summer camp we do every year at the end of July for all incoming freshmen. It’s a time to connect, bond, and reflect on your earlier years and begin to help mold and inspire the next generation’s journey into high school”.

Penn Foster 

In previous editions of the Whole Child Review, we celebrated our partnership with Penn Foster. Penn Foster is a regionally and nationally accredited program that helps participants to complete a high school diploma (instead of a GED). KIPP Chicago sponsors each cohort of parents, covering enrollment and tuition costs to remove financial barriers. KIPP Chicago staff act as facilitators at each campus and are responsible for coaching and supporting parents through the program towards graduation. They serve as the participants’ first and primary point of contact while pursuing their high school diplomas. Each facilitator demonstrates a commitment to their student’s success, a history of supporting adult education, positive and progressive leadership at their respective campuses, and a passion for helping others achieve their dreams. 

Meet Carla Crespo
KIPP One Academy-ML Case Manager & Assistant Principal, Penn Foster Facilitator 

Rep your school and share how you define yourself beyond your title.

This school year, I have the honor of serving as the 8th Grade Assistant Principal at KIPP One Academy and the Case Manager for Multilingual Learners in 5th-8th grade.  My work in education is deeply personal, as I am the proud daughter of an immigrant family who instilled in me the power of education. I love working with our families at KIPP One Academy beyond academics, whether supporting families with grant applications, translating, or helping them navigate their first year in this country as immigrants. 

In addition to your role at KIPP One Academy, you serve as a Penn Foster Facilitator. You are helping a cohort of five adults earn their high school diplomas. Can you describe a position you’ve held or experiences you’ve had that prepared you for this role?

I have worked with adults since my undergraduate college career through academic tutoring and teaching ESL courses. It’s inspiring to me to support individuals wanting to achieve their dreams and complete a goal that was once paused for various reasons. 

Where have you experienced the most pride, joy, or resilience in leading this cohort within your community?

Seeing the trajectory of students in my cohort from the moment they interviewed for the opportunity to now has been incredibly inspiring. Two students in my cohort are close to completing the program and graduating in 2023 with their high school diplomas! 

What is one thing you’d like readers to know about our community?

Our community is incredibly resilient, and our KIPP parents are the best. At KIPP One Academy, our families are present from the moment they sign the Commitment to Excellence to the moment their children graduate 8th grade. Their partnership is so important in the success of their KIPPsters, and I hope we can continue to bring new opportunities to our KIPP adults in the future. “They buried us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.” – Dinos Christianopoulos

Meet Marlene Roldan
Penn Foster Student

Tell us what you do AND how you define yourself beyond your work or title.

I am a mother of 5, a wife, and a daughter. I define myself as a busy mom who loves creativity and family and always tries to be a better individual at whatever needs my attention. I’m striving to teach my children that anything in life is possible if you put all your hard work and effort into whatever it is. I sometimes think that I tend to take on too many tasks, but I feel that those are opportunities that present themself for me to build my strengths in my life/path. I also feel that, at the same time, I show my children that there is always something going on in life that needs to be focused on and that no matter what, we must persevere. I don’t like sitting and waiting for things to happen; I’ve always been a go-getter. I would like my kids to learn these skills from me. I want to help make them strong-minded and eager to learn, reach their dreams and goals, and make good decisions. I consider myself an outgoing and resourceful individual who likes to help others in need. 

Please share your motivation for earning your high school diploma.

Getting my high school diploma has been a long-life goal and dream of mine. My motivations for earning my diploma were to further my education, better career opportunities, be financially stable to provide for and sustain my family, and be a role model to my children and my community. I have always been passionate about school and education; I love learning. 

Please share with us how earning your diploma impacts your life. What changes do you anticipate? 

Earning my diploma might seem like something very simple to many; however, to me, earning my high school diploma is everything. It will be the beginning of a new transition to further my education. Although I know that life isn’t easy and that obstacles tend to arise, I aim to overcome obstacles with positive thinking and persistence. Earning my high school diploma will impact my family positively in many different aspects. Not only will I be able to continue my education by attending college, but I will also be able to prove to my kids that giving up is not the key and that we must always continue to reach for what we want in life. Even as I say these words, I feel so content knowing that I’m on my way to making this happen. I am indeed grateful for Penn Foster. By doing this, I will continue to be a mother my children can look up to. My goal is for my children to learn that education is essential and that college helps to provide career opportunities.

Where have you experienced your most pride, joy, or resilience in yourself and being a part of this program?

I have experienced joy just being part of the program. It has been a humbling experience to have been selected as a candidate to go “to and through” the program. It hasn’t been easy trying to juggle work, family life, and school; however, it has been an opportunity of learning time management. It has been exciting to see how well I’m coming along. 

What is one thing you’d like readers to know about our community?

Our community is beautiful. We make our community what it is. If we spread love, unity, and respect, we will continue building a strong and beautiful community with togetherness and strength.

The post Increasing Family and Community Partnerships appeared first on KIPP Chicago Public Schools.

Our sister region, KIPP Detroit Imani Academy (KDIA), opened its doors to beautiful kindergarteners this year. To help families prepare for the new school year, Detroit Superintendent, Candace Rogers, and the entire KDIA team introduced the school to Detroit’s Cody Rouge community with a vibrant community wellness fair.

During the two-day fair on August 24th and 25th, approximately 15 vendors and community organizations provided wellness services for 300 community members, including KIPP families, across three generations.  

• One Sight provided free vision screenings for 102 children and 143 adults. Of those screened, 90% needed and received glasses. We even had some news coverage.
• Forgotten Harvest provided 126 boxes of fresh fruits and produce to community members.
• Wayne State Medical van provided parents and grandparents with blood pressure checks and comprehensive health screenings.
• Local hair stylist, Daniella Wallace, provided free haircuts and braiding services for more than 40 children, so they could start their first day feeling fresh and confident.
• Children played games, jumped rope, and ate all the ice cream they could.
• Beautiful community artwork was created by attendees that will hang inside the school to commemorate the event. 

This event was possible due to an amazing group of collaborators. Superintendent Candace Rogers and VP of Whole Child and Community Partnerships, Jennifer Hodges, co-created the vision. Former KIPP Chicago team member Erin Delaney led operations and logistics alongside VP of Impact & Innovation, Mariah Schroeder, who led project management, and KDIA teachers and Executive Director, April Montgomery, brought volunteerism and joy.

KAC & KACP Community Back to School Bash 

Our KIPP Academy Middle and Primary school campuses took their annual Back-to-School Bash to new heights this year. Sponsored by 10-year veteran linebacker and former Chicago Bears player Danny Trevathan, this partnership was rooted in community empowerment, outdoor play, and fun. This is Danny’s second engagement with KIPP Chicago to promote student well-being and joy on the heels of COVID-19, with a deep commitment to the Austin community.

The Back-to-School Bash was a joint event between KAC and KACP to welcome returning families and recruit new students. Approximately 300 people attended the event, and the entire community had a great time dancing, playing games, taking pictures, eating, and celebrating.  This was also a time to celebrate and welcome Camille Allen, KAC’s new Principal. Camille was promoted to the role after many years of service as a KAC teacher and Assistant Principal. Thanks to Danny’s sponsorship, students had access to game trucks, bounce houses, fun giveaways, free school supplies, catered lunch, games, and photography.

Danny Trevathan, on partnering with KIPP:

I’d previously supported programs on the south side, so I wanted to extend my reach to other city corners. So many kids could use a smile right now. Students have spent a lot of time on technology over the last couple of years, bringing face-to-face engagement down. There is power in reconnecting and having fun. When you’re excited and enthusiastic, that energy transfers to the classroom. If you can enjoy playing together, you can enjoy learning together. I appreciate KIPP’s focus on the Whole Child; it feels aligned with the supports and interventions that mattered to me as a kid. I just want to do my part. 

 

Penn Foster Program Celebration 

Penn Foster offers career-focused diplomas, degrees, and certificates to help people take the first steps toward their next career. KIPP Chicago is proud to have sponsored two cohorts of Penn Foster students to earn their high school diplomas. We are proud to announce that we had four graduates over the summer. Because of their dedication and commitment to their education, and with the support and leadership of their facilitator, these graduates completed the program within six months. We are so proud of each of our graduates and our facilitators. Please learn more about one of our facilitators, Tiffany Sommerio, and one of our first graduates, Matthew Walton. 

Meet Tiffany Sommerio
KIPP Ascend Primary, Penn Foster Facilitator 

Rep your school AND how you define yourself beyond your title. 

On the campus of KIPP Ascend Primary, I am the Department Chair of the Diverse Learning team, 2nd-3rd grade Diverse Learning teacher, mentor teacher, and Penn Foster Facilitator. I am confident that KIPP Ascend Primary is the best school in the North Lawndale area and by far the best school I have had the pleasure of teaching. My home life consists of being a wife, mother, and paw parent. In my leisure, I am a doctoral learner who has dedicated my career to disability studies focusing on ableism and social justice for people with physical and mental impairments. I define myself as an African American woman doing transformative work through education.

In addition to your role at KIPP Ascend Primary, you serve as a Penn Foster Facilitator. You are helping a cohort of five adults earn their high school diplomas. Describe a position you’ve held or experiences you’ve had that have prepared you for this role. 

My work as a social worker has prepared me for this role the most. I was a part of an adult cohort and tried to replicate the camaraderie and motivation I felt while in a cohort of like-minded individuals. After graduating from college with a BA in social work, I helped families in the Englewood area of Chicago find resources for economic, social, and educational advancement. During this role, I also developed a love for education and started my journey to becoming a teacher. 

Where have you experienced the most pride, joy, or resilience in leading this cohort within your community?

I find my pride in knowing that I come from a marginalized community in Chicago and can utilize my knowledge to assist people from similar situations. I find joy in knowing that I may inspire my Penn foster cohort to help others beyond my reach. Finally, I find my resilience in my ancestors, who were forbidden an education, knowing that I must stand in the gaps for as many people as possible.

As an educator, how do you make space for students to tell their stories and see themselves in the instruction? Ex. windows and mirrors (developing identity, exposure to others identities and cultures) 

As an educator, I ensure texts serve as both mirrors and windows. For a meaningful reading experience, I present my student with materials that display our intersectionality represented through stories, poems, and informational texts. I try to find reputable sources that reflect factual, current, and historical people, places, and events. I enjoy finding books and resources that are genuine and authentic to the culture and the human experience through diverse people telling their stories. As well as ensuring images support diversity and language choice. 

What is one thing you’d like our readers to know about our community?

I want people to know that KIPP Chicago is the place for your family if you have had an adverse experience with an educational institution. We send four key expectation messages explicitly and implicitly at all times, so families feel supported and known. 1. This is important 2. You can do it. 3. I won’t give up on you. and 4. You belong here. I believe that offering programs such as Penn Foster to our families and community is a testament to the abovementioned expectation.

Meet Matthew Walton
Penn Foster Graduate, Proud North Lawndale Community Member

Please tell us what you do and how you define yourself beyond your work or title. 

I currently work as an EVS Tech. Outside work, I would define myself as a loving and devoted father and husband.

Please share with us your motivation for earning your high school diploma.

My motivation for earning my high school diploma would be providing a more consistent lifestyle for my family and being more confident in not only the jobs I go after but jobs that I accept.

Matthew, you are one of our first graduates in the program —congratulations! Please share how earning your diploma impacts your life. What changes do you anticipate? 

Earning my diploma has impacted my life by allowing me to achieve a goal I let slip away from me in my youth. I anticipate better opportunities in the future and abundance for my family. 

Where have you experienced your most pride, joy, or resilience in yourself and being a part of this program? 

I am proud to attain my high school diploma in about 100 days. I could set a goal and complete said goal through the motivation of family, friends, and the staff at KIPP/Penn Foster. My diploma was in my mailbox in less than a week. I found joy in knowing that better days are ahead for my family and me. Being a part of this program wasn’t by chance. I had researched Penn Foster’s high school diploma program in the past, and when I received the flyer from KIPP about the same program for free, I felt blessed to make it through the interview process and all the learning modules.  

What is one thing you’d like our readers to know about our community?

I want everyone to know that I am thankful. Allowing others to assist me in creating a better future was hard (I usually go at things like this on my own), but it was worth it. I would find myself so motivated to finish the lessons that the system would prompt me to slow down. I was so excited to log into the student portal and learn something new every day, and I thank KIPP/Penn Foster for considering me in the selection process. You all have my sincerest gratitude.

The post Increasing Family and Community Partnerships appeared first on KIPP Chicago Public Schools.

In a continual effort to provide more wraparound services for students and families, we recently launched the KIPP Closet. Housed in our Children’s Museum of Art and Social Justice, we’ve been organizing donated clothing for all ages. For now, the KIPP Closet acts as a quick way to distribute clothing on a case-by-case basis for students and families with a need. We look forward to expanding our offerings to allow families to visit and shop for what they need regularly.

Alumni-Owned Businesses

We are so proud of these alumni and their entrepreneurship! From bakeries and hair care products to movers and skin care, our alumni are showcasing their skills, passion, and drive through their businesses.

Paris Clark (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2011) baker and owner of And She Bakes Too

Jazmine Walton (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2018) owner of 7 Decades Promised

Deshawn Nelson (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2017) co-owner of Nelson Movers

Maurice Henderson (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2017) owner of Rhygro

Robert White (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2017) Founder of Chicago Fathers for Change

Shamika Hall (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2012) owner of The Queen Mek Collection

Brenda Gilbert (KIPP Ascend Middle School, class of 2011) violin performances Windy Indie

Stedman Graham Workshops

In February, Mr. Graham launched his new Parent Identity Learning program, designed to raise self-awareness in order to lead a life of choice. The virtual workshops, held on February 9th and 22nd, brought KIPP Chicago families together to learn about the tenets of building a life designed around an individual’s identity.

Family and staff participants gained a lot from the conversations, sharing positive feedback about Mr. Graham’s approach and presentation.

“I love the idea of turning inward and capitalizing on what makes our identity OURS.”

“I learned new information because Mr. Graham gave a 9 step process to get to self identity, which organizes it in a way that makes sense and helps me to know what to master first before moving forward.”

“Stedman encouraged us to define ourselves, instead of letting the world define us. We should put ourselves at the center and build the image we want.”

“It was wonderful! I really appreciate the way Mr. Graham explained everything and breaking it down to where it’s evident that everyone can do this if they truly put their mind to it. Also by explaining how we get into an everyday pattern which puts us in a state of being stagnant. It helped me to identify where I was and where I need to go to reach my full potential.”

Penn Foster Program Launch

In partnership with Penn Foster, a regionally and nationally accredited program that offers completion of a high school diploma (instead of a GED), KIPP Chicago is sponsoring a cohort of 20 parents. Covering enrollment and tuition costs removes the financial barriers in order to help this first cohort realize the goal of earning their high school diploma. The virtual program is flexible, allowing individuals to create their own schedule and learn at their own pace.

With KIPP Chicago staff acting as facilitators at each campus, they are responsible for coaching and supporting parents through the program towards graduation. They serve as the first and main point of contact for the students pursuing their high school diploma. Each of the facilitators demonstrate commitment to their students’ success, a history of supporting adult education, positive and progressive leadership at their respective campuses, and passion for helping students achieve their dreams.

The post Increasing Family and Community Partnerships appeared first on KIPP Chicago Public Schools.

As she heads into her 3rd year with KIPP Chicago, we couldn’t be more thrilled for Jennifer Hodges’ well-deserved feature in Crain’s Chicago Business’ cohort of 71 notable Black Leaders and Executives. Check out her video feature to hear more about the early experiences that shaped her current purpose. As mentioned in the article, “Jennifer Hodges is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of KIPP Chicago’s Whole Child Initiative. During the pandemic, she led food distribution efforts and also coordinated with the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide free and immediate access to vaccine clinics for Englewood and Austin residents. In recent months, KIPP implemented the 1619 Project into the curriculum of middle schools to help reframe how history is taught and to share the contributions of Black people to U.S. and global societies. Another initiative featured 18 weeks of content aligned to topics that parents said were critical to their families’ success, such as nutrition education, financial literacy, mental health and assisting formerly incarcerated people.”

Milton Rodriguez, Featured Speaker

The Association of Fundraising Professionals: Chicago Latinx Affinity Group celebrated their last gathering of 2021 with a featured talk with KIPP Chicago’s Milton Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Growth Strategy & Development. Group members heard Milton speak about his career journey and lessons learned along the way.

Danny Trevathan Brings Holiday Joy

Chicago Bears linebacker, Danny Trevathan, generously offered a donation so that some of our KIPP families would be able to shop for holiday presents. KIPPsters were presented with Target gift cards on the last day of school before winter break and their smiles say it all! Thank you, Danny and Chicago Bears!

Gratitude toward Bloc and Cruelty Free You + Me

Thank you so much to The Bloc and Cruelty Free You + Me for generously donating clothing and winter items to our students and families. Both of these organizations were founded by former KIPP teachers and we are so happy to continue our partnerships together!

The Bloc (co-founded by former KIPP Academy Chicago teacher, Juli Cannon) spreads the love of boxing to provide resources and opportunities to Chicago’s communities. The Bloc offers a no-cost, enriching opportunity, connecting boxers to mentors, engaging them in academic services, and expanding their horizons with college trips and explorational learning. Since 2016, The Bloc has maintained 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rates. Fighters’ average GPAs have been over 3.2 every year. Youth who come to The Bloc to learn to fight, ultimately learn how to fight for their success.

Cruelty Free You + Me (founded by former KIPP One Primary teacher, Victoria Hauptman) strives to build a cruelty-free future in the Chicagoland area by making plant-based options accessible in under-resourced communities, advocating animal rights and vegan lifestyles through outreach and education, and strengthening awareness and support for animal sanctuaries.

CFY+M is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that started in early 2020 as a cruelty-free club for vegans, activists, and those curious. Founder, Vick Hauptman, who has been both vegan and a teacher for over eleven years, wanted to merge her passions to build a community that focuses on education and partnership to lead a more compassionate world.

Penn Foster Expansion

Starting February 7th, a cohort of 20 KIPP Chicago parents will participate in a virtual program, in partnership with Penn Foster, to complete their high school diplomas. One KIPP Chicago staff member will act as a liaison for each campus to ensure all needs are being met to facilitate this partnership. Thank you to Bryan Warner, Carla Crespo, and Tiffany Sommerio for your dedication to seeing that this opportunity for our students’ families can happen!

Stedman Graham’s Identity Learning Program

On November 18th, Stedman Graham led a group of KIPP Ascend Primary parents through a virtual introduction to his program, Parent Identity Learning. Parents have shared their excitement for this program:

“I exited the school that evening with a new found motivation. I now have a grander purpose that is centered with myself in mind. I no longer feel selfish because I now know that I have the tools to truly be a great leader…by way of knowing who I am as a person and being able to keep from allowing others to define who I am. As he puts it early on in the book, true leaders are looking to make a difference and to fulfill their mission in life.’”

“It was really a transformative experience. I could feel the positive energy in the air. We all left the library at Ascend a little lighter despite the burdens we carried before participating in the pilot Identity Learning program. Thank you for the book, autograph, and conversation.”

“I learned information that I didn’t know and it made me look at many things differently and helped me to understand the positive decisions and changes that I’ve made in my life.”

We are looking forward to partnering with Mr. Graham to launch his new parent curriculum, Parent Identity Learning, across all campuses. The Identity Learning program is driven by the proprietary Nine-Step Success Process, based on the philosophy that individuals hold the power to their educational, career, and personal success or failure. The goal of the curriculum is to help people self-actualize their own potential. “I get to help people and turn them into identity leaders. They are able to understand authenticity, how to create a vision for themselves, how to build a plan and a dream team for themselves, and make up a lot of their own rules.”

The post Increasing Family and Community Partnerships appeared first on KIPP Chicago Public Schools.

A Visit from Stedman Graham

Last month, we welcomed Stedman Graham and Angelica Sturm to tour our KIPP Ascend Primary campus. Stedman and Angelica visited three of our third-grade classrooms, engaged with our teachers and school leadership and toured our (traveling) “Self(ie) Love” installation.

Stedman shared his day with members of our executive team and board members to discuss the foundation of his Identity Leadership Development program and curriculum. He delivers his identity message throughout the country and globally to corporations, professional associations, government and civic organizations, colleges and universities, and community groups’ senior leadership.

Our visit centered on the goals of the Identity Leadership Program, our Whole Child Initiative goals, and how KIPP Chicago’s parents, teachers, students and community members can benefit from the program. We are excited to explore the multiple facets of Identity Leadership with Stedman and pilot the content and curriculum to our community next quarter.

Stedman Graham is the chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates, a Chicago-based management and marketing consulting firm specializing in corporate and educational markets. Graham has authored ten books, including two New York Times bestsellers, You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success and Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps to Success. Build Your Own Life Brand! which explores the concept of personal and professional branding. Here is a podcast episode featuring Stedman’s Identity Leadership discussion.

Angelica Sturm, Founder of Sturm Realty, specializes in portfolio advisory services, build-to-suit, brokerage, consulting, and representation for the real estate needs of corporate clients. Angelica is Chairman of Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, Former Chairman and Founding Board Member of Luster Learning Institute; Calm Classroom.

KIPP Parent Feature: Janise Alston and Bessie Conners

We concluded 13 weeks of virtual workshops in June, ending with a legal series with Winston & Strawn. As we continue to evolve our family workshop offerings, we are surveying families to gauge their interests and needs. We are excited to feature two KIPP parents who attended each one of the virtual workshops. Their presence and participation were a delight as they added humor, curiosity, and fun to the space.

Tell us about yourself and your connection to KIPP Chicago.

My oldest daughter, Holly Alston, was a founding KIPPster from the Bloom campus under Ms. Sale (I love her so much!). By the way, Holly graduated high school with honors and now attends Columbia College downtown Chicago.

What do you do for work and what are your interests? How did one or more of the workshops help you?

I’m in social services as a clinical facilitator for youth in foster care who experience disrupted placement or need additional support services for them or their caregiver. I meet with youth, ages 12- 21, hospitals, lawyers, caseworkers, school staff, their caregivers, probation officers, mentors, and anyone else involved with the youth.

I enjoy most things that don’t require me to problem solve or process dire circumstances! I love to laugh, so sometimes I make lame jokes, so beware.

The workshops that I’ve applied to my career from last year were: Womanhood/motherhood because it was so encouraging. Those women on the panel were absolutely powerful! The legal sessions were helpful as I support youth in detention. The Pride mental health was informative and I completed the cooking sessions with my youngest daughter, Ava Alston, who is now a 7th grader at KIPP Bloom College Prep.

Tell us about yourself and your connection to KIPP Chicago.

My name is Bessie Conners, and I’m a proud parent of KIPP Chicago. My children, who are 10 and 7, attend KIPP Academy and KIPP Ascend.

I am currently attending Culinary Arts classes at Michael Barlow Center, learning knife skills and making food from scratch. I also graduated from there in 2016. They help people who were once incarcerated get back on their feet. And I am an online student at Purdue University Global and will earn my Bachelors of Science in Organizational Management in June or July of 2025.

What do you do for work and what are your interests? How did one or more of the workshops help you?

What I enjoyed/learned from KIPP Chicago is how to cope after having a mental health disorder due to the loss of my sister, grandma, and mother. KIPP Chicago gave me a reason to keep my head up. I had a chance to talk to people from Rush Hospital about my mental health. I also got a chance to speak to Winston & Strawn about learning my rights. I also learned how to cook/eat more healthily with their cooking series, and I got a chance to discuss the LGBTQ+ community, which helped me not trespass against others. And I could never ever forget about Fifth Third Bank teaching me about Financial Literacy and how to keep me and my household growing.

OneSight Eye Exams and WNBA Chicago Sky

This summer, in partnership with OneSight, we hosted a free vision clinic at KIPP Bloom for the Englewood community. Our goal was to provide 150 Bloom families with free vision screening and glasses on site. We exceeded that goal by serving 194 residents! We watched three generations of families receive the vision care they needed but weren’t able to easily access.

“I’ve been getting emails from the school for about a month telling me they were going to have an event here,” said Deanna Berry, who was at Bloom with her son and daughter. “I was so thankful I didn’t have to call and make an appointment at a doctor’s office to get both of my kids’ glasses.”

OneSight demonstrated both expertise and heart as they provided this service to families. They treated our space and our families with respect and genuine care. From carrying residents across the street in chairs to singing happy birthday to children, they went above and beyond to care for our students and families. In addition, they graciously cleaned every spot their 60+ volunteers occupied and asked for feedback on our partnership and performance over the two-day clinic.

Oakley and WNBA’s Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields sponsored the event. On site, Diamond ran basketball drills with students, signed autographs and toured the vision clinic. In addition, Chicago Sky provided complimentary tickets to the Saturday game, including transportation to and from the event.

Rheaply Partnership

Supporting the Whole Child also means supporting the environment we inhabit. We are identifying solutions that allow our organization to minimize our waste and carbon footprint. One of the ways we are minimizing our environmental impact is by identifying opportunities to reuse and repurpose items no longer in use.

Rheaply is a Chicago-based company designed to empower people to save money and the environment. The foundation is built on the pillars of “the circular economy”, which is a new economic system in which we design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. Rheaply uses their digital platform to facilitate the exchange of goods when needed and catalyze the new connections to ensure nothing goes to landfills.

As KIPP Ascend Primary and KIPP Academy Chicago filled classrooms with updated desks and chairs, Rheaply utilized their platform to recirculate and reuse all 500+ pieces of furniture to local Chicago organizations and schools such as: the Carole Robertson Center for Learning, Richardson Middle School, Hearst Elementary School, Sidney Sawyer Elementary School, the Alternative School Network, Dirksen Elementary School and the Chicago Public School System. Because of this partnership, we were able to recirculate approximately $76,000 worth of goods in our community and divert over four tons of waste from the landfill.

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Enrichment Programs
As part of our 4th quarter school plan, 40 minute enrichment periods were added to all K-8 students’ days. Enrichment classes are being taught by school-based staff and topics range from robotics to watercolor exploration to dance. Enrichment time was designed to offer students a creative and social-emotional reprieve during the school day. Check out the engineering work with Ms. Parker (KIPP One Academy) and the rock painting to spread positivity with Ms. Gates (KIPP Academy Chicago).

 
Mentor program:
KIPP Chicago On-Site Mentors are supporting the academic and social-emotional growth of primary and middle school students. The Mentors, comprised of KIPP alumni, parents, and community members, are in schools supporting teachers’ efforts to provide a positive hybrid learning experience. They ensure that students are fully engaged in learning by providing additional support in classrooms. Mentors are also providing academic tutoring for students in one-on-one and small group settings.

“She’s incredible. We wouldn’t be able to provide this quality of an experience for kids without her.”

– Danni Quider, Assistant Principal, KIPP Ascend Primary

Monthly workshop series for KIPP families:
We dedicated this year to holistic health and wellbeing for KIPP families. Each month centered on a wellness theme to be discussed in weekly workshops. The intention was that each workshop series would elevate, educate, and enhance our families’ wellbeing. By the end of the school year, we hope that our families will have resources and new information to support their mental health, physical health, and economic health.

The months of January and February highlighted food nutrition which included cooking demos. Our community partner was Erie Neighborhood House. In February, families cooked sweet potato quesadillas, banana splits, and apple nachos. The workshops included a 45-min presentation for healthy options, food groups, reading nutrition labels, the dangers of sugars and food coloring, and portion control. Following the presentation, families learned how to cook tasty heart healthy meals.

 
The month of March elevated mental health. KIPP partnered with RUSH University Medical Center to offer a month of mental health workshops. The series included managing grief and loss of loved ones and social engagement (including COVID); How to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health; Supporting your child’s mental health. Our goal for the Mental Health series was to provide resources and tools for our KIPP Chicago community to navigate the direct and tangential aspects of COVID in a healthy and supported manner.

 
April’s focus was Financial health, so we participated in Money Smart Week. Money Smart Week is a national public education program coordinated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and delivered by a network of supporters that empowers people with the knowledge and skills to make better-informed personal financial decisions around the key financial pillars of saving, borrowing and planning. In partnership with Fifth Third Bank Chicago, we expanded Money Smart week to Money Smart Month, which featured weekly topics: Financial Check-up 101, Savings and Budgeting, Protecting Your Identity, and Boost Your Credit Score.

 
The month of May centered legal “Know your legal rights” in partnership with Winston & Strawn we are partnered with Winston & Strawn Law Firm for a 3-part weekly series of legal discussions centering knowing your legal rights, careers for reentering society after incarceration, career development if you have a record, and careers in the legal field. Our goal for this workshop series was to offer families the tools and education they need to legally protect themselves, pursue careers in the legal field, and feel empowered to pursue new opportunities of choice.

 
KOP logo update
School Operations Leader at KIPP One Primary, Mr. Anthony Whaley, worked with our Communications Director, Brittany Jones, to create a new logo to represent the school and its values. Mr. Whaley was passionate about including school staff and families in the process so that the final resulting logo was truly a community collaboration. The new logo was presented to founding Principal Rashid Bell, as a tribute surprise!

We’re looking forward to seeing more new branding for KIPP Chicago! Our new Director of Brand Strategy & Communications, Brittany Jones, is working hard to ensure that our schools and special programs are represented with intentional logos and branding.

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This school year, Erie House offered several virtual workshops for KIPP Chicago families, in English and Spanish, on topics including immigration rights and the process of applying for public benefits. They also helped families submit applications for public benefits. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with Erie House!

They also participated in our outdoor October 21st Community Market at KIPP One and demonstrated healthy, low-cost recipes.

Rush and Norweigan American Hospitals
We’re so grateful that these two hospitals helped us administer free flu shots at the KIPP One Community Market event.

Cruelty Free You + Me

On December 17th, along with KIPP One, they hosted a warm clothing and food drive + gift event. We’re so grateful for this partnership that continues to bring assistance and joy to our students and families. Check out the KIPPster in line, still logged in for virtual learning while standing in line!

Family Wellness Workshops

 
This January will mark our inaugural Family Wellness Workshop series! As families filled out the wellness survey, the data overwhelmingly suggested that health & nutrition, financial literacy, and parenting resources are top interests. With 13 current partners, we will be offering thematic one-time wellness workshops and workshop series each month.

The first session was held virtually on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Participants cooked a heart-healthy baked parmesan meal with our community partner, Native Tongue, who also offered one bag of free groceries to 10 participating families. While leading the cooking demo, they also answered questions about heart-healthy food staples, low-cost nutritional food options, and quick swaps with current pantry items to make meals heart healthy.

To continue the theme of nutrition and wellness in February, Erie Neighborhood House and KIPP Chicago will offer a virtual cooking and nutrition series for KIPP families. Each week, the menu will consist of low-cost, nutritious recipes that can be prepared by and for the entire family.

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Connecting with families this past spring and summer
We value the connections we have with our students and families and we were determined to maintain those connections this past spring and summer. School leaders and teachers didn’t waste any time creating new ways to engage with our students and families. This past spring, KIPP One Academy packed art kits for families to pick up and they hosted a Zoom paint class. KIPP Bloom Primary had a drive-through popsicle party so families could safely come by, one at a time, to say hi and enjoy some treats. Each of our schools has also organized essential item giveaways. We’re so humbled and grateful for the volunteers who made these events happen with safety, efficiency, and care top of mind.

Centering family wellness
As we embrace and adjust to online learning this fall, we are also working to engage with our KIPP Chicago families in new ways. Families were invited to fill out a survey to let us know what workshops and experiences they’d like most. As we continue to grow our family outreach through the Whole Child Initiative, we are looking for external partners to collaborate with, engaging with our families to bring educational, informational, and joy-filled experiences.

Our family wellness survey inquired about their educational desires, personal interests, and KIPPster support. After collecting responses, we learned that financial literacy, pursuing higher education, and entrepreneurship are topics of high interest. We’re looking forward to expanding our family wellness-focused initiatives!

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Rails-to-trails

Mural Park will be a primary destination along Chicago’s new El Paseo, a 4-mile bicycle and walking “rails-to-trails” corridor connecting University Village with Pilsen and Little Village. A large public plaza featuring local art installations, community gathering amenities, and year round gardens will connect the two 100-year old buildings of Mural Park.

As local artists are filling the space with artwork, 8th grade students from KIPP Ascend Middle School (the class of 2024) are showcasing their creativity on white bins that will be placed throughout the Mural Park space. Pasting their photos on the cans first, students used paint markers to add drawn elements, turning themselves into activists. Activism is a big part of our Children’s Museum of Art and Social Justice and the students did a beautiful job illustrating the many ways we can all be activists.

Coat Drive

In late November, the law firm Barack Farrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg visited KIPP Ascend Primary to get our 560 students there ready for winter with new coats! This is the 8th year that the firm has engaged with our students, and we continue to be grateful for their generosity.

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Updates

Our Director of the Whole Child Fund, Jennifer Hodges, has been working with Rush University Medical Center to bring a health clinic to all of our west side schools. We currently have a clinic at KIPP One Academy and we’re looking forward to establishing clinics at all of our schools.

In partnership with the Carole Robertson Center for Learning (CRCL), two Pre-K classrooms are opening at KIPP Ascend Primary this winter. We know that Pre-K provides the foundation for learning, socially, emotionally, and academically. With the structured setting of Pre-K, children are better prepared for the greater academic rigor they encounter in Kindergarten. We are excited for this partnership with CRCL!

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Other articles in this issue:

• Increasing family and community partnerships
• Embracing an inclusive and challenging curriculum
• Sharing resources from our CMASJ
• Integrating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Cultivating identity development practices
• Addressing food insecurities
• Enhancing teacher wellbeing

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