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Important Dates
Early Release Day
September 25, 2015- Dismissal begins at 1:00 p.m.
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Family,
If you've been to a KIPP Vision Primary School Open House, you've probably heard me talk about my children. If you step into my office, you'll see that I have pictures of my "school babies" on my wall and my birth babies on my desk. Not only am I the proud caretaker of 303 of the smartest, funniest, most talented scholars on the planet, I am the proud birth mother of three bold, beautiful, fierce and fabulous little gifts. Sydney is my moody 17 year old. Kennedy, who will be joining the KVP family next year, is my incredibly creative 4 year old. Clark, my Clarky Bear, is my whirlwind child. He is funny, bold and seems to have no fear of broken bones. He is my daring - soon to be 3 year old- and I live for them.
My Sydney is now a senior at St. George's School in Rhodes Island. During her 8th grade year at KIPP WAYS Academy, we began the process of looking for a high school that was "right" for her. She's an intelligent young lady with a passion for the arts, so I wanted to find a school that would nurture her gifts. We applied to 8 boarding schools and 5 private day schools. Like many families do, we decided that those options would be the "best" options for her. My Sydney got into 11 out of the 13 of the schools that we applied to and received scholarship money to attend all of them. We decided on St. George's School because they have a strong arts program; rigorous academics, a small campus feel and not to mention the $54,000 full scholarship didn't hurt either. After three "lesson packed" years, my Sydney will be graduating and heading to college and I am so proud of her. HOWEVER, not one single day goes by where I do not think to myself, did I make the right decision? Is private school always the best option? Could she have received the same experience somewhere else? Has her experience as one of the only three African American females in her grade level harmed her or equipped her to face the world that we live in? Have I been too hard on her? Was I too focused on her grades and not focused enough on her talents? Was I hard enough? Did she need less freedom or was it the right move for me to allow her to explore? Will she ready to navigate the journey on her own and to compete once she leaves college? Have I given her the tools that she will need to be successful? DID I DO ENOUGH? DID I MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES? Do you ever feel that way?
As I begin the journey all over again with my two younger children (what was I thinking, right?), I can't help but see this as an opportunity to learn from my decisions and to perfect them. Yes, I am still on the journey to raise, educate and prepare successful children to find their purpose and place in this country and in this world.
That's why the movie that I've selected is American Promise
American Promiseis an intimate and provocative account, recorded over 12 years, of the experiences of two middle-class African-American boys who entered a very prestigious--and historically white--private school on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The Dalton School had made a commitment to recruit students of color, and five-year-old best friends Idris Brewster and Oluwaseun (Seun) Summers of Brooklyn were two of the gifted children who were admitted. The boys were placed in a demanding environment that provided new opportunities and challenges, if little reflection of their cultural identities.
The film examines the ins and outs of familial relationships, as parents push for success and boys struggle to find their own identities, plus the challenges and tragedies that life brings along the journey. At stake, beyond the challenges of being white or black in America, is the meaning of success in our country. "All American families want to give their children the opportunity to succeed. But the truth is, opportunity is just the first step, particularly for families raising black boys," says co-director and co-producer Michèle Stephenson. "We hope American Promise shines a light on these issues."
I haven't watched the movie. In fact, I've had it now for a while, but I have been waiting to watch it with YOU. We are all raising young children of color and we all want to make the best educational choices for them. I also know that deep down we all ask ourselves "Am I doing the right things?" What better movie dates to have than YOU? We are on this journey together and can help each other navigate along the way. It is my hope that this movie will make us think and will spark some great discussion about raising successful children of color against the odds. Doesn't that sound like fun?
Please join me on Friday, October 16; 6:00 - 8:30 pm. Bring your spouse, significant other, and the kids. It takes a village to raise a child and the entire village should be informed. The scholars will watch a movie of their own in their classrooms (bring a sleeping bag if you'd like). It's a family affair and it's all about doing what BEST for our babies. I hope to see you there!
With my whole heart,
Dr. Wheda A. Carletos, Ph.D.
Principal
KIPP Vision Primary School
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Visionary of the Week
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Kindergarten
Cynthia Lagon- UWG
Leah Dupont- UGA
Gabrielle Wood - GSU
Spelhouse- Zachariah Christopher
1st grade NA - UGA Jayden Knight- UNC Aqwati Abdul-Azim - Wesley Lon'Dahn Thomas- Spelhouse 2nd grade Kendrick Thomas- Maryville Janiya Hayes - Clark Atlanta Assata Fields- Emory Lianna Miller - Morris Brown
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| Week At A Glance |  Here's an overview of what scholars will be learning the week of September 14 - September 18, 2015 (click on the blue links below to view the documents).
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| Partners In Action |
Title I Meeting - September 14 and again on September 18
Please join us on Monday, September 14, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
OR Friday, September 18, 4:15 - 5:15 PM to offer your input on our Parent Involvement Plan and our School/Parent Compact. Each year we revise these documents to ensure they reflect your thoughts as parents and that they are an accurate representation of our school community's goals. We will meet in the multi-purpose room in the new 3rd grade hall.
Annual Fee Extension Dates
Kindergarten - Payment due 9/17 by NOON, no exceptions; permission slips by 9/15
First and Second Grades - Payment duet 9/18 by end of day (no permission slips needed at this time)
Kindergarten's First Field Trip
On Friday, September 18, all kindergarten students who have met the payment and permission slip deadlines will spend the day at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, located at 980 Briarcliff Road NE. Scholars will tour the gallery and explore the beautiful grounds of this popular site. They will be guided through a hands on art project with a local artist, and have lunch on the lawn (weather permitting). This trip was designed to support their science lessons about trees and nature.
Parents may select the "chaperone" option on the permission slip if they would like to assist, however there are limited spots and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. You will be notified by email if you have been offered one of those spots.
We will leave the building at 9:15 AM and return no later than 2:00 PM.
Upcoming Trips for 1st and 2nd Grade
1st Grade - Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, October 2
2nd Grade - High Museum (Mo Willems Exhibit), September 30
Flag Football Tryouts for 2nd Grade
Monday, September 14, 4:20 - 5:20. Please be sure to complete a permission slip online so that we know your son has permission to stay back for practice, and should he qualify, for the game on Wednesday, September 16. Details will be provided on Monday, including directions to the soccer park.
No School Transportation Provided to Games
KVP will NOT provide transportation to the games. Wednesday dismissal is 2:40 - 3:10 and scholars will go home according to their primary transportation arrangements. Please arrange transportation for your cheerleader or football player to the games on Wednesdays. Participating scholars need to be at the park by 5:45. Thank you for ensuring your scholar is on time to the games and is picked up on time after the games.
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| KIPP Through College Event |
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| Kindergarten Immunizations | |
During the month of September, a state-mandated survey of immunization records for all students enrolled in kindergarten and 7th grade will be conducted. It is mandatory that 100% of children attending the school must have a valid immunization certificate on file for the school to meet the requirements of the law.
Immunization certificates will be retrieved from the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) and/or all available Permanent Record Folders for Kindergarten or 7th Grade students who will be reviewed. A list of students out of compliance will be compiled. A parental notification letter will be sent to parents of students who have failed to meet immunization requirements. If your scholar is non-compliant by the due date of September 21, 2015, the state law requires us to withdraw them from school.
All kindergarten and 7th grade students who do not have a valid immunization record on file (cannot be expired) should be withdrawn no later than the close of business September 21, 2015 pursuant to Administrative Regulation JBC-R (Student Admissions) if a valid Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231) OR a notarized "Affidavit of Religious Objection" statement has not been received. Administrators or school officials who permit a child to attend school after 30 days without proper documentation will be guilty of a misdemeanor and could be fined $100 per student. (Georgia Code 20-2-771)
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support. If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact Mrs. Knox at tknox@kippvisionacademy.org
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| Fundraiser- Great American |
It is time to fundraise!! Family, please join me in the kickoff of our first fundraiser for the 2015- 2016 school year! The Great American Fundraiser will begin on September 4, 2015 and it will end on September 18, 2015. The money raised will go towards supplementing the cost of our end of the year field trips. Complete details and information were sent home on Friday, September 4, 2015. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Knox at tknox@kippvisionacademy.org.
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| September Menu |
Click here for the September breakfast and lunch menu.
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| Counselor's & Social Worker's Corner | |
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