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Dear KIPP Texas Families,
KIPP Texas’ mission is to work together with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose, we have to first see the whole child and champion equity. The history of education in the United States as well as each student’s identity are critical to who our KIPPsters are.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka is, to this day, a groundbreaking decision. Not too long ago, in 1954 the Supreme Court Justice ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Segregated schools from then on were understood as “inherently unequal.” The story, however, doesn’t stop there. Since then, the education system has continued to be impacted by this ruling and its ripple effects. You can learn more here.
Throughout the month of February and beyond, we will continue to celebrate Black History Month in my weekly messages and the KIPP Texas social media channels. This week, I want you to hear from an amazing educator, Adaugo Ogike-Love, on how she consciously leads through her identity. She has been a Big KIPPster for five years: first as an Assistant Principal of Instruction and Dean of Culture at KIPP Austin Vista and now as a founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Austin Paseo Primary. She is also a member of Austin’s Regional Equity Team, which supports and leads the region’s equity priorities.
“No matter how far a stream flows, it is always a part of and never forgets its source”
– Yoruba (Nigeria) proverb.
“My passion for education, and specifically the work I have done over the years with students in my community was birthed out of my own experiences as a student and is rooted in this proverb. As a young girl, it was rare to see teachers that looked like me, we were not given books with characters that looked like me unless it was stories about slavery. I did not see my reflection in the halls or the walls of my classrooms, and I rarely heard about the achievements of others that looked at me. I did not realize until college how profoundly impactful that was to my sense of belonging and self-love, and its impact on my academic achievement and the effect on me towards learning.
When I became an educator, I made it my mission to return myself and my students to our “source.” I was passionate and intentional about bringing a sense of self-pride, self-love, and connections to my students’ cultures and communities through lessons that were connected to their stories, their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs, in addition to supporting their academic growth.
As I reflect on Black History month and how important it is to be connected to our roots, our source, I am reminded of my mission. It is my duty, along with all the amazing educators I am honored to work alongside, to ensure all students see themselves reflected in our curriculum, our halls, and our actions, so they can graduate from our schools with the tools to become productive and contributing members of society, with a love for self and others, walking their paths and returning to their source of greatness.”
– Adaugo Ogike-Love
Thank you Mrs. Ogike-Love for sharing with us the thoughtful way you bring your full self into your school and create the space for our KIPPsters to do the same.
_________
Method of Learning Survey – Deadline is today
Last week, you received the Method of Learning survey for the school year’s fourth quarter. The deadline to complete the survey is today, February 8. If you haven’t already completed it, please take a moment to fill it out as this survey is your opportunity to select your child’s method of learning for the last instructional cycle of the school year.
Here are the two options (unchanged from previous surveys):
- Option 1: 100% online learning, five-days-a week. This would continue virtual learning for students for the fourth nine week instructional cycle if parents opt into this method.
- Option 2: 100% in-person learning five-days-a-week in a classroom in a school building on our campus.
Families who do not make a choice for their KIPPster’s method of learning by today will remain in the current (third nine-week instructional cycle) method of learning choice for the upcoming instructional cycle. However, if we don’t receive your response by the deadline, we cannot guarantee bus transportation.
Re-Enrollment – Deadline has been extended until February 19
We can’t wait for your KIPPster back at KIPP again next year! The deadline to re-enroll for the 2021-2022 school year has been extended until 9 pm on February 19. In order to let us know that you’ll continue your KIPPster’s educational journey with us, please log on to SchoolMint. 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 February 19 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.
Advocacy Corner
Did you know that the Texas Legislature is one of only four states across the country that meets every other year? State lawmakers are “in session” right now, though it looks a little different this year due to the pandemic. While the Texas Capitol is open to the public, we won’t have the opportunity as a KIPP Texas community to show up in person for a celebration of the public charter school movement — or to visit elected officials to call on them to support our KIPPsters in person — like we normally would.
However, it is more important than ever that we stay engaged in this process! State lawmakers will be making major policy decisions in the next few months that impact all of us. I encourage you to join together with education advocates across the state for a virtual rally hosted by the Texas Public Charter Schools Association next week:
- Family Advocacy Rally on Wednesday, February 10 from 5:30 pm 6:30 pm. Parents, caregivers, and supporters alike can register for the virtual rally here.
I am personally following the Texas Legislature closely this session — dozens of bills that would directly impact KIPP Texas classrooms and communities have already been filed. For general information, visit capitol.texas.gov. Updates on major issues relating to KIPP Texas will be posted at www.kipptexas.org/get-involved and on our social media channels throughout the legislative session. Together we can ensure that the voices of our KIPPsters and communities are heard!
Thank you for continuing to support your KIPP school!
_____
She did it again! Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate who captivated the nation at President Joe Biden’s inauguration a couple of weeks ago, recited another powerful original poem. This time, she highlighted the three frontline worker honorary captains at yesterday’s Super Bowl. Here is a link to her poem, in case you didn’t see it or you want to see it again, like I did with my daughters. I hope you and your KIPPster find the poem and Amanda as inspiring as I do.
With gratitude,
Sehba Ali
Important Links:
Virtual Learning Portal
At a Glance Back to School Guide
Complete Family Back to School Guide
Grab & Go meals
