Bringing Joy

KIPP Texas Families,

One of my favorite traditions at KIPP is how we approach the school day–with a joyful start. At KIPP, yes, we are eager to dig into learning; yes, we are relentlessly focused on achievement for our KIPPsters; but, ahead of that, we are a heart-first, people-first organization that is grounded in Bringing Joy.  We Bring Joy in both the micro and macro moments as we work day in and day out in the pursuit of greatness for our KIPPsters, Little and Big.

This week, I am excited to provide a joyful start with some incredible news. The U.S. News & World Report recently announced that it ranked nine of our schools among the best in the state and country. Five of our elementary schools and four of our middle schools are among the top 10 charters schools in their respective cities! And, we are the proud home of the top 1, 2, and 3 charter elementary schools in Houston! 

This year, 102,610 Pre-K, elementary and middle schools across the country were evaluated, including 1,942 in Texas. Scoring was almost entirely rooted in students’ performance on mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. The U.S. Department of Education-sourced data was from the 2018-2019 academic year and preceded the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. 

Are you curious which schools were named? Check out our KIPP Texas blog for more details. Congratulations, Team & Family! This is absolutely something to stop and celebrate for all of us. When one of us wins, we all win! We Rise Together!

This week, I want to introduce you to KIPP Texas students and third-grade cousins, Paiton and Parker. They are shining examples of resilience and Persisting with Purpose. Last year, these KIPPsters learned virtually while living together but temporarily relocated due to the heartbreaking circumstance of flood damage in their home. Their mothers, who are sisters, made sure that neither Paiton nor Parker missed a beat, which is extremely difficult to do while relocating and juggling virtual learning with then second graders. Through it all, Paiton and Parker stayed focused on school, and this year, they are back in person and thriving personally and academically. I greatly appreciate their teachers and school leader for caring deeply for our KIPPsters and bringing out the best in them through life’s challenges. 

They are a prime example of what it truly means to be a Team & Family. It truly takes a village to support our KIPPsters and create brave and belonging spaces, and we cannot do it without the support of families.

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COVID-19 Vaccine For Ages 5-11

We are likely merely days away from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. For a list of frequently asked questions about the vaccine for this age group, click here

We are also working to determine interest in hosting vaccine clinics on KIPP Texas campuses in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. If you or your family are interested in getting the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for your KIPPster, please fill out this interest form.

We also invite you to join our Facebook Live information session on Monday, November 1 at 5:30 pm (English) and 6 pm (Spanish) where you will hear from pediatrician Dr. Maria Rivera, our Managing Director of Student Wellness, about the vaccine. If you have a question that you would like answered during the session, please submit it here.

Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Sehba Ali