Dear KIPP Texas Families,
I know many of us are still dealing with the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, but something that’s helped me regain a bit of a sense of normalcy has been getting back to working in partnership with you to provide our KIPPsters with a joyful, equitable, and academically excellent education, virtually and in-person.
I have been so proud to see our Team and Family come together in so many different ways this week to support each other, our KIPPsters, and our communities. Along with lots of other Big KIPPsters, I had the chance to volunteer at one of three KIPP Texas Cares Recovery Fairs held in Houston last week. It was such a blessing to be able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to over 3600 people during these recovery fairs. In Austin, we received a donation of a semi-truck full of pallets of water bottles! We have been able to put that water directly in our families’ hands. Thank you to the many volunteers from our Team & Family who helped at these events, and in so many other ways, to care for our KIPPsters, their families, and our communities.
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Storm Uri Recovery Resources
If you need access to shelter locations, water and food distribution centers, socio-emotional support city-specific resources for yourself, family, friends, or as you speak with other families, please check out the following links resources:
Austin Dallas-Fort Worth Houston San Antonio
Re-Enrollment – Deadline has been extended until March 5
This is it! There are three days left before the deadline to re-enroll for the 2021-2022 school year. Remember, you have until 9 pm on March 5 to confirm that you will continue your KIPPster’s educational journey with us. If you haven’t already, please log on to SchoolMint to complete the re-enrollment process. All current KIPP families should have received an email on January 11, via SchoolMint, to notify how to log on and start the process.
Please do not create a new SchoolMint account. Your username will be provided in the SchoolMint email, or you may contact your school for login support.
For all families with KIPPsters currently in Pre-K4 through 11 grade, the Re-Enrollment forms need to be completed by March 5 at 9 pm. For students currently in Pre-K3, the forms will be available from April 1 – April 23, in alignment with TEA guidelines.
For more information on the re-enrollment process, please visit www.KIPPtexas.org/enroll to see our frequently asked questions. We can’t wait to have your KIPPster and your family back at KIPP again next year!
Deadline extended for New-to-KIPP Family Applications (March 5) and Lottery (March 22)
Our application process for new-to-KIPP families originally had a deadline of February 19, with the lottery running on March 1, but due to the aftermath of Storm Uri, we have extended the enrollment deadline to March 5, 2021 and will run the lottery on March 22, 2021. Please consider sharing this link to the KIPP Texas enrollment page on your social media profiles with family and friends who are looking for an amazing, high-quality, public education for their children.
If you would like to connect your friends and family with someone to learn more about KIPP, you can find contact information for our student recruitment managers at: https://kipptexas.org/enroll/#Registration. Thank you for continuing to tell your friends and family about KIPP Texas!
Updated CDC Guidelines
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at schools. The great news is that we are already doing many of the suggested strategies, and we will continue to analyze their guidance against our health and safety protocols to identify and bridge any gaps if needed. One recommendation we want you to consider is to add layers of material to your mask by:
- Using a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric or
- Wearing a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask (double-layering) – the second mask should push the edges of the inner mask against your face (knotted ear loops and tucked-in sides).
Correct and consistent mask use is a critical step we can all take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. KIPP Texas strongly encourages all Big and Little KIPPsters to double-mask or wear a cloth mask with multiple layers, washing and disinfecting our hands frequently, and maintaining six feet apart whenever possible. We will provide additional information in upcoming communications.
Grab & Go Meals
KIPP Texas Public Schools provides free Grab & Go breakfast, lunch, and supper meals to our for any students learning virtually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at all KIPP Texas campuses. Meals can be picked up at any campus, not just your KIPPster’s campus. Students do not need to be present. Click HERE for a list of campuses, distribution times, and addresses. We want to make sure our Little KIPPsters learning virtually get breakfast, lunch, and supper each day.
Federal Report Card
The 2019-2020 Federal Report Cards have been released for all KIPP Texas schools. You may find copies of all KIPP Texas Federal Report cards here.
KIPP Texas Accolades
I’m so proud that I’m able to share with you some great news. Little and Big KIPPsters all work so hard every day, I’d like for us to pause, reflect, and celebrate some of our recent wins:
Dr. Anthony Smith (Regional Superintendent for KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth) wins the 46th annual Elite News Dr. H. I. Holland Education Award! Elite News is a community publication that recognizes community leaders and role models throughout Dallas. Dr. Smith was recognized last week, on Thursday, February 25. Congratulations on this incredible recognition, Dr. Smith, and thank you for your incredible dedication to make a positive difference in the life of more than 3,200 DFW KIPPsters!
Nine KIPP Texas schools were recognized by Educational Results Partnership’s Honor Roll Program as high performing based on student achievement data! Schools that receive the ERP Honor Roll distinction have demonstrated consistently high levels of student achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time, and a reduction in achievement gaps among student populations. The schools are:
- KIPP 3D Academy
- KIPP Academy Middle
- KIPP Academy West Middle
- KIPP CONNECT Middle
- KIPP Explore Academy
- KIPP SHARP Lower School
- KIPP Sharpstown College Prep
- KIPP SHINE Prep
- KIPP Unity Primary
On the first day of Women’s History Month, I’m proud to share this accolade and opportunity that recognize the work we’re doing with young women in our schools to prepare them for college, career, and beyond!
Four KIPP Texas schools named College Board’s Female Diversity Award in Advanced Computer Science Courses! KIPP Austin Collegiate along with KIPP Generations Collegiate, KIPP Northeast College Preparatory and KIPP Sunnyside high school in Houston were given this prestigious distinction from among more than 830 schools across the country.
Big KIPPster, YaMinco Varner, KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth’s College Services Manager on the KIPP Through College Team has established the Young Women of Excellence Scholarship! The two-year program is designed to provide female students with two years of mentorship, a one-year $1,000 scholarship, and ongoing college persistence coaching and support. The scholarship is open to high school girls attending KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth and KIPP Texas-Houston who plan to attend a Historically Black College & University (HBCU). The deadline for KIPPsters to apply for the Young Women in Excellence Scholarship is March 31. Click here for more information and to submit an application if you have a female high school KIPPster that is going to an HBCU and would like to apply. Thank you YaMinco for creating this incredible opportunity!
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I’m sure it’s marked on your calendars, but just as a reminder: KIPP Texas-San Antonio will be on Spring Break the week of March 8, while KIPP Texas-Austin, KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth, and KIPP Texas Houston will be on Spring Break and the week of March 15. I hope we all continue recovering from Storm Uri and chase excellence for our KIPPsters in these last days before Spring Break. For our San Antonio families, please enjoy the break next week and do so while wearing a mask, socially distancing whenever possible, and washing your hands frequently during your scheduled Spring Break.
With gratitude,
Sehba Ali
Important Links:
Sign up to be an advocate
Virtual Learning Portal
At a Glance Back to School Guide
Complete Family Back to School Guide
Grab & Go meals
