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Important Dates

Early Release Day
August 28,2015- Dismissal begins at 1:00 p.m.
 
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Issue: # 3
August 10, 2015
Family,
 
KIPP Vision Primary School is not a destination; It's a journey...and THE JOURNEY MATTERS!
 
While this is the theme for the 2015-2016 academic year, it is a sentiment that I became all too familiar with six years ago, when I first joined the KIPP team and family.  Six years ago, I joined the KIPP Metro Atlanta family, both as a teacher and as a mommy. I was looking for a school that would partner with me to empower my scholar with the academic tools and character skills needed to change the world and I found KIPP.  I quickly fell in love with KIPP and I knew immediately that I had to become a part of this movement.
 
As a teacher, the work was hard.  As a KIPP parent, the work was even harder.  It was not enough that I brought my daughter to school each and every day (she had no choice, she rode with me).  But, even as a KIPP employee, working at her school, I had to make sure that I got her to school on time.  On the days that she was late for school because she stayed behind to help mommy get school supplies out of the car, she still received an infraction. Why? Because we knew the expectations and it was my responsibility to manage my time accordingly. 
 
I had to make sure that her homework and her paychecks were reviewed and signed each and every night.  It did not matter that I was a single-working mom and dead tired (and I mean dead tired), making sure that she did her homework in excellence was my responsibility and I had to find a way to get it done.  Uniforms were also my responsibility.  If she were out of uniform, someone came to my classroom door and insisted that I make it right.   
 
Moreover, not participating was NOT an option.  During report card conferences, I had to hurry up after talking for hours during parent conferences with the families of the scholars that I taught, to attend my own parent conference.  I had to be involved!  There was no choice in the matter.  She was my child and this was OUR journey.  So, no matter how exhausted I was after a long week of teaching science and social studies to 100 5th grade scholars and going to graduate school classes until 10:30 pm three nights a week studying for my PhD., it was still my responsibility to find the energy to crawl out of bed and to take her to Saturday School because attendance was mandatory and when KIPP says No Short Cuts and No Excuses, KIPP means No Short Cuts and No Excuses. 
 
You see, even for ME, KIPP was not a place where I could just drop off my scholar or a place where the rules would adjust to meet MY needs.  KIPP was a journey that I had to travel WITH my scholar which meant that I was going to have to quickly learn all that I could learn about KIPP and then seek out all of the help that I was going to need to be successful on this journey. Why? Because as her parent, how I steered OUR journey would ultimately affect HER.  So, I had to do it right! No Short Cuts, No Excuses! The Journey Matters! 
 
What can YOU do to effectively steer your scholar along his/her journey at KIPP Vision Primary School:
  • Communicate often with your homeroom teachers - Every teacher has a school cell phone and they are ready and waiting to speak with YOU about strategies that you can use to help your scholar at home.  We believe that parents are our partners and the teachers want to hear from YOU.
  • Read The KIPP Vision Primary School Student and Family Handbook.  Become an expert on the school systems, routines and expectations. 
  • Join your homeroom GroupME and become a part of the homeroom family.  Parents are using GroupMe to share resources, discuss homework and to fill each other in on the "happenings" at KIPP Vision Primary School. If that wasn't enough, teachers post pictures and videos daily so that YOU feel like a part of the learning
  • Log onto your homeroom Webpage to read important school updates and to find out what your scholar is learning by reviewing the KVP Week at a Glance. You can also access the KVP family handbook and other important resources and links.
  • Read the Weekly Bulletin. The bulletin is one of the many ways we try to keep our families informed about what's happening at KVP
  • Grab your KVP Journey Card and come to the school and volunteer OR attend a KVP Parent University, Carnival, Literacy Night, Spirit Night, or any other KVP event.  These events give you an opportunity to earn points towards the end of year field trip for your scholar AND they are great opportunities to build your KVP Network.  The journey is so much easier when you do it with FAMILY!
  • Join the KIPP Vision Primary School PTA. Become a part of the team that helps to make things happen at the school.  All parents are welcomed and all gifts and talents are needed!
 
The Journey Matters!  While the road is tough, it can be done and at KIPP Vision Primary School, there are structures in place to ensure that you do not have to travel this road alone.  I made it and YOU CAN TOO!
 
Today my daughter is a senior in one of the top boarding schools in the country on a full scholarship.  We are now working on her applications for top quality colleges.  After OUR experience at KIPP, WE are truly ready for whatever the journey brings!!!!!
 
Let's continue to journey towards getting YOUR SCHOLAR to and through college.  Are you ready for the ride?
 
The Journey Continues,

Dr. Wheda A. Carletos, Ph.D.
Principal
KIPP Vision Primary School

Visionary of the Week
Starting the week of August 10, we will restart our weekly Visionary celebration. Talk this up with your scholar and tell him or her how much you are looking forward to sitting at the Visionary lunch table one day soon. Please be reminded that the criteria for Visionary is:
  • No uniform infractions for the week
  • No homework infractions for the week
  • Perfect attendance for the week
  • No tardies for the week
  • Purple and Green for the week
  • Scholar that has gone above and beyond!!!!
To be a Visionary means that YOUR SCHOLAR IS A ROCK STAR!

Week At A Glance
Here's an overview of what scholars will be learning the week of August 10 - 14, 2015 (click on the blue links below to view the documents).



 
Partners In Action
Journey Cards
Many of you picked up your Journey Cards at our Parent Orientation on July 9 and already have received 2 or more stamps!

If you did not attend the orientation you will need to pick one up from your scholar's homeroom teacher. As was explained at orientation, your scholar will need your participation points to be eligible for the End of the Year field lessons. Please refer to pages 57-58 of the Family Handbook (located on our school's webpage under the Family Resources tab) for more details.

Thank You
It was exciting to see so many of you at our first Title I meeting and the Back to School Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A. The more engaged you are in the school's activities, the more your child will succeed. It's a proven fact! We look forward to seeing more of you throughout the year.

Annual Student Fee
The annual student fee is required and is due by September 11, 2015.  Payments can be made during school hours in the main office.  We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and money orders.  There was some confusion during orientation regarding what is included in the fee.  Listed below are the items included in the fee.

KIPP Vision Primary Annual Student Fee- $80.00
  • 5 Field trips
  • 1 Drawstring cinch sack
  • 1 Cardigan

August Menu
Click here for the August breakfast and lunch menu.
 
Counselor's & Social Worker's Corner
Back to School Tips
  • Get the children to bed on time. During the summer, children aren't always on a schedule. But, proper rest is essential for a healthy and productive school year. Help your child get used to the back-to-school routine: start the transition now to earlier wake-up times and bedtimes. 
  • Communicate with teachers and the school. Contact your child's teachers at the start of the school year. Get acquainted with them and let them know you want to be an active partner in helping your student to learn and grow. Plan to keep track of your child's subjects, homework, activities and progress throughout the school year. 
  • Provide for healthy meals. Hungry kids can't concentrate on learning, so good nutrition plays an important role in your child's school performance. Studies show that children who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches do better in school. 
  • Take your child to the doctor, and make sure your child has health insurance coverage. It's a good idea to take your child in for a physical and an eye exam before school starts. Most schools require up-to-date immunizations, and you may be asked to provide paperwork showing that your child has all the necessary shots and vaccines. 
  • Prepare a study area. Set up a special place at home to do school work and homework. Remove distractions. Make it clear that education is a top priority in your family: show interest and praise your child's work.
  • Read Together. Take the pledge to read with your child for 20 minutes every day. Your example reinforces the importance of literacy, and reading lets you and your child explore new worlds of fun and adventure together.