That's how we begin each and every day at KIPP Vision Primary School. My team and I gather together to calibrate for the day ahead and we begin by reminding each other why we do the work and what an honor it is to share this journey with you, our partners.  The reality is, empowering scholars with the academic tools, character lessons and scholarly habits is so much easier because we have the honor of working with partners like YOU. SO, today I want to celebrate YOU for the work that you do to ensure that your scholars are reaching for excellence in all that they do. There are so many parents/guardians that we could celebrate, but today I will begin with just a few of the wonderful examples that make my team and I so proud and honored to serve you:

Ibis Toole's (Kindergarten) Mother. We celebrate YOU! When your scholar left her homework packet at the YMCA, YOU went above and beyond and created a new homework packet from scratch for her. 

No Excuses! No Blame! No Shortcuts! You wanted to make sure that your scholar continued to reach for Excellence and you modeled that by being the excellence that you wish to see from your scholar.  

Kyliegh Reese's (2nd grade) Father. We celebrate YOU! You are always either the first or second car in the carpool lane each and every morning.  I see you when I pull up at 6:50 am.  Each morning when you kiss Kyliegh good bye, you remind her to have an excellent day and that it starts before she even enters the building. We appreciate you and we thank you!

Chelsea Leaks' (1st grade) Mother. The YMCA refused to provide the KVP scholars with transportation. After several attempts to get the Y to bring their van to KVP, we found a way to transport our scholars to their facility using our  limited resources.  Our babies needed to get there and we were going to make a way.  While frustrated with the process, you remained solutions-oriented and you understood that we were all working TOGETHER with your scholar's best interest in mind.  You then took the initiative to speak to representatives at the YMCA on our behalf.  Thank you!  I was then able to place a follow-up call that resulted in YMCA transportation for everyone.  We couldn't have done it with out you. Parents voices used for positive action ALWAYS results in progress for their scholars.  We thank you!

Christiana Kimber's (2nd grade) Mother and Rhyanna and Rodricus Reachell's (2nd grade and Kindergarten) Father. A uniform infraction is not an option for your scholars. When you received a phone call, your response was to come up to the school with a change of clothes. We didn't ask you to do it, but you did it anyway and we appreciate you.   You may not think that we notice the extra mile that you will go for your scholars, but we notice and we honor you for it. Thank you!

We celebrate our parent volunteers. Thank you for making the time in your busy day to staple packets, file papers and to just be a presence at the school.  Our doors are always open and thank you to Madison Hamlette's (2nd grade) Mother and Rylee Cobb's (Kindergarten) Mother for dropping in.

Kennedy Williams' (2nd grade) Mother. Good is never good enough for you. The day after assessments, you already had a meeting scheduled with the teachers and had taken the time to stop by the school  to review copies of the tests to see where you could put in some extra practice with Ms. Kennedy.  Your study guides on GroupMe were impressive.  Your willingness to help other families and your relentless pursuit for the very best for your scholar are the reasons that she is working so hard to be a role model for her teammates and the reason she continues to push herself towards excellence each and every day.  We're talking about GRIT this month and she never ever gives up no matter how hard things get. She gets it from YOU! Thank YOU!

Andrew Lattimore's (Kindergarten) Mother. You advocate for your scholar beautifully. Before the school year even begun, you had read every page of the Family Handbook and knew more about KIPP Vision Primary School than some of the families that have been here from the beginning. You knew that in order to effectively navigate Andrew's Journey, you had to be well informed. You seek clarity when you want to know more and you are always willing to share what you know with other families along the way. Thank YOU

Maliyah and Alex Irving's  (2nd grade and Kindergarten) Mother. Being a KIPP Vision Primary School parent for one scholar is a job. You have TWO KVP scholar's and you are navigating both of their journeys in EXCELLENCE. We see you on GroupME sharing homework strategies with both Kindergarten and 2nd grade. BOTH of your scholars have perfect homework .  They are BOTH always present and they are BOTH ALWAYS in perfect uniform. We thank YOU!

Families, I listed the names of your scholars because your actions ultimately enable THEM to navigate their journey in excellence.  We realize that all that you do, you do it with your scholars in mind and it's because of you that the sky is truly the limit for these  bold, beautiful, fierce and fabulous little powerhouses.  Thank you for your devotion to your scholars; for your dedication to KIPP Vision Primary School and for your commitment to EXCELLENCE.  For those of you that may not have been listed by name, WE SEE YOU and we thank you for all that you do.  We truly do teach the most amazing scholars in the world. Our parents are our partners and it is an honor to serve you .  Thank YOU! 

The journey continues.