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June

6/20 Commencement
6/23 Final report cards
6/24 Last day for teachers
6/27 Summer school begins


Each student is an important and valued member of the IDEA community. In order to be a community member in good standing, one must embody in word and action the following principles that guide who we are and how we behave as members of the IDEA community:

~We are prepared to learn and do our best

 

~We respect ourselves, each other, and our community

 

~We take responsibility for our actions and learning

 

~We work together to resolve challenges in thoughtful and meaningful ways

 

~We celebrate our individual and collective successes

 

A Message from the Head of School

On a beautiful, sunny day we marked the end of another successful school year for IDEA Public Charter School. We watched 51 graduates walk across the stage, all of them accepted to college and ready for the next step on their journey. Collectively, they earned tens of thousands of dollars worth of scholarships and impressive recognition of their achievements in high school. We wish all of our graduates the best and encourage them to come back and visit anytime with stories of post-high school life!

Even as we say goodbye to our seniors, next week we will welcome a new class of freshmen to our summer bridge program to help them acclimate to the increased rigor and cultural expectations of high school. Mr. Talib will be running the summer bridge program. Summer school for credit recovery will also be taking place beginning next week, under the leadership of Ms. Smith. We are always working to help scholars reach their full potential. 

Thank you so much to our scholars, their families, our faculty and staff, our board of trustees, and all of our community partners for your dedication and hard work this year. Our accomplishments are the result of a true team effort. 

Enjoy your summer!

Justin Rydstrom
Head of School
Congratulations to IDEA's Class of 2016

This morning 51 IDEA scholars became IDEA alumni during IDEA's 18th annual commencement ceremony, held at Arena Stage. Congratulations to our graduates and their families on a significant accomplishment. 

Alexia Arroyo
Takeara Barfeld
Diamond Beauford
Brianna Bennett
Daryl Bones
Brevard Bowens
Alexis Boyce
Aliyah Boyce
Lamar Brown
Jermonie Bryant
Kira Butler
Niya Carroll
Shaquan Cheeks
Dimitri Cheuko
Chynna Dandridge
Cyree Fizer
Raquan Ford
Inga Graham
Kierell Green
Jamesha Hall
Patricia Harrison
Derrick Hines
Asia Jackson
Alexis James
Tykerra Jones
Star Leonard
George Martin
Landen Mayo
Justin Milstead
Ahmaad Nelms
Imoni Nelson
DaQuana Nixon
Al-Fawaz Olagunju
Folasade Olugbuyi
Miguel Palacio
Stephanie Parker
Angelika Pratt
Ashley Pratt
Gloria Prue
Any� Queen
Daysha Robinson
Victor Settles
Titilayo Shobo
Ricardo Stepney
Dexter Turner
Remani Wideman
Antonio Williamson
David Wilson
Nicholas Wright
Royalty Wylie
Antonia Young

Class of 2016 Graduate Spotlights

Victor Settles, Valedictorian 
During his time at IDEA Victor distinguished himself as a visible leader among his peers With his personable nature and his hunger for learning, Victor has excelled in Advanced Placement Biology, taken classes at the University of the District of Columbia while enrolled at IDEA, and completed summer internships at the National Institutes of Health. Victor's hobbies include reading, writing, drawing, running, and acting. After graduation he plans to attend the University of Maryland, College Park Victor would like to work as a field zoologist for National Geographic to discover new species of animals and teach biology. His college major will be animal science, and he also plans to earn degrees in theology and education. Victor's philosophy is "Being intelligent and wise are completely different ideas Anyone can be as intelligent as they wish, but wisdom is truly a gift."

Al-Fawaz Olagunju, Salutatorian
Shola, as he is known to friends, is a calm and confident spirit who has excelled at IDEA. A hard worker and a visionary, Shola was accepted to multiple colleges and universities, but will attend the University of Maryland, College Park. Shola excelled in Advanced Placement Biology and has actively participated with the JROTC Raider Team. He is dedicated to healthy living and competes in JROTC tness challenges, demonstrating his drive and focus on excellence.

Diamond Beauford
Diamond is the oldest of three siblings, and she always aims to be a positive role model for them, She is family oriented and has a caring spirit Diamond's favorite subject is biology. Her hobbies include writing poetry and short stories and playing basketball. She plans to attend Colby-Sawyer College in the fall, where she will pursue a degree in biology on the pre-med track. Her career goal is to become an OB/GYN and work with community-based organizations that exemplify her vision of families working together.

Niya Carroll
Nina enjoys history and the wealth of information it offers, along with reading, listening to music, and comics. While at IDEA Niya was committed to JROTC, where she served as an officer and held a variety of other leadership positions. Niya is always driven and focused on finding a way to motivate others and help them to achieve their goals. Following graduation, Niya will attend Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and major in psychology. She plans to become a psychologist and project manager. Her philosophy is reflected in a quote from Seneca: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Cyree Fizer
Cyree began at IDEA in his senior year. With his classy style, trademark hair, and great personality, he began and ended this year on high notes. Cyree's favorite subject is math and he enjoys football. Cyree plans to attend Delaware State University to study mass communications. His goal is pursue a career in sports broadcasting.

Raquan Ford
Raquan has attended IDEA since seventh grade, and the IDEA family has watched him grow into an upstanding, respectful, and poised young man. He has played on both the varsity basketball and football teams. Raquan loves his community and believes in positively interacting with not only his peers but with all youth. He served on the District of Columbia Youth Advisory Council through which he participated in conflict resolution training and led group projects. Since 2010 Raquan has worked as an HVAC engineering assistant, gaining experience to add to his credentials. He plans to continue his love for athletics when he attends Virginia State University and majors in sports marketing and management.

Patricia Harrison
Patricia is an avid mathematician. Following graduation, Patricia will attend Sweet Briar College and plans to become an elementary school teacher. Her amiable personality, perseverance, and attention to detail have contributed to Patricia's success at IDEA. Her life philosophy is "Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you no one would believe it."

Gloria Prue
Gloria exemplifies professionalism, a positive demeanor, and a hunger to learn along her life journey. She enjoys literature but truly enjoys capturing and sharing moments through social media. Gloria is a freelance photographer and also has her own YouTube channel in which she promotes positive imagery and displays her photography. After she graduates, she will be attending Norfolk State University, majoring in mass communications and journalism. Gloria plans to enter the world of media, and film, and to perfect her craft of photography. Gloria's philosophy is "Life is a photograph. You capture the image you create."

Dexter Turner
Dexter came to IDEA as a senior and jumped right in. His favorite subjects include mathematics and physical education. Dexter played on the varsity basketball team and excelled academically. Dexter's calm and collected demeanor allows him to remain focused and have a holistic perspective on what it takes to be successful. Dexter enjoys playing basketball, eating steak, and hanging out with family and friends. While currently undecided on a college, Dexter plans to attend in the fall and study business, finance, and entrepreneurship. Afterward, he plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration. Dexter's life philosophy is "Don't let your failures hold you back from your ambitions."

Class of 2016 College Acceptances 

Allegany Community College
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Benedict College
Bennett College
Bethune-Cookman University
California University of Pennsylvania
Colby-Sawyer College
College of Southern Maryland
Coppin State University
Delaware Community College
Delaware State University
Fayetteville State University
Garrett College
Grambling State University
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology
Hinds Community College
Hofstra University
Howard Community College
Jacksonville University
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson C Smith University
La Salle University
Langston University
Lincoln University
Livingstone College
Mary Baldwin College
Montgomery Community College
Newberry College
Norfolk State University
Ohio University
Oklahoma Panhandle State
Penn State
Piedmont Technical College
Potomac State College
Prince George's Community College
Shaw University
Sweet Brier College
Trinity Washington University
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
University of the District of Columbia Community College
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University

IDEA Scholars Recognized at Commencement for Special Achievements 

The diligence, motivated attitude, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by several members of the senior class was recognized during our commencement ceremony with the presentation of several special awards.

Stephanie Parker received both the Caple-Kelly Perseverance Award, presented by Dominique Kelly, and the Booker T. Washington Scholarship, presented by Col William Dexter, US Army (Ret.).

Niya Carroll received a $20,000 David M. Rubinstein scholarship from the Economic Club of Washington, DC, presented by Linda Larson. 

IDEA Board Chair David K. Owens presented four Karen Owens Scholarships, including to Raquan Ford for Most Improved Academics Overall, Asia Jackson for Most Improved Reading/English, Patricia Harrison for Most Improved Math, and Justin Milstead for Student Achieving Balance with Academics, Sports, and Community.

Congratulations to all of our seniors who went above and beyond to excel.

Geometry Students Think Outside the Cube, and the Triangle, and the Sphere
On May 17, all geometry students went on a field trip to the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. While at the Library of Congress the students completed a scavenger hunt of Geometry terms and took pictures to show that they actually found Geometry terms throughout the library. While in class the students built and learned to use inclinometers to approximate height in and around the school building, when students got to the Supreme they used the inclinometers to approximate height of pictures and statues within the Supreme Court.

On May 24 all Geometry students completed a creative hands on experiment, "Popcorn, Anyone?" where the students built rectangular prisms out of card stock and construction paper and used popcorn to compare and analyze the volume of two prisms. The students worked in groups to form a hypothesis, defended their hypothesis to the group, then worked through experiments to test the hypothesis.
Some student reflections from the experiment:

"I think that the experiment was fun and a great was to practice the formulas in a hands on type situation." - Kayla F.

"I think the experiment was something fun because I didn't know if you put the two prisms inside one another then it would prove a different outcome of the hypothesis I formed....plus the popcorn was good." -Kemah W.

On May 26, Mr. Rydstrom had a surveyor on campus who was completing a survey of the land. Mr. Rydstrom came into my classroom and said, "How would you like to do a quick on-campus Geometry field trip?" We took the second period classes out to learn what surveyors do for living and how the instruments they use everyday are related to the work that we have been building on everyday since the first day of Geometry.

~Teika Thompson, Geometry Teacher

IDEA Earns Gold Standard of Excellence from OSSE for Second Consecutive Year
Last month IDEA officially received special recognition by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for the school's dramatic growth in student achievement for two consecutive school years. As a Reward School in 2013 and 2014, we were among the top 5% in the city in terms of our students' improvement on the DC-CAS. Nicole McCrae accepted this honor at a reception at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Friday, May 20, following OSSE's Best Practices LEA Institute. Thank you to our scholars, families, faculty, and staff for their hard work!


(photo at left: DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson with our own Nicole McCrae)
Mrs. McCrae and Mr. Brooks Share Strategies at OSSE Conference

Our own Nicole McCrae, English teacher and instructional coach, and Marco Brooks, English teacher, had the privilege of sharing their strategies for excellent teaching at a recent OSSE conference for DC educators, held at the Walter Washington Convention Center.

Mrs. McCrae's presentation was called A Teacher's Literacy Toolbox: Student Centered, Standards-based Approach for Accessing the CCSS Utilizing PARCC Aligned Strategies.
 
Mr. Brooks presented Perception vs Perspective: Using Images from
the African American Literary Movement Era to Enhance Student Analytical Writing

Congratulations to two outstanding IDEA teachers for developing fantastic new ideas for educating our scholars and sharing them with others so more students and teachers can benefit!