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KIPP Texas Families,
As you are likely aware, there were shootings last week, at Covenant School in Nashville, TN and Arlington, TX. I am deeply saddened by this heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with all of the families affected by these tragedies, and with the entire Covenant and Lamer community and City of Nashville and Arlington as they respond and grieve this terrible loss. These events are tragic and hit close to home as we work in schools. We will continue being vigilant and spread love with our KIPPsters. I love you, KIPPsters.
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The Texas Capitol is buzzing, and several Big KIPPsters have been meeting with lawmakers and testifying on proposed legislation that would impact our students and public charter schools like KIPP Texas. Here are some highlights from last week.
Dr. Maria Rivera, Managing Director of Student Wellness, testified in front of our state legislature and provided public testimony about the impact of HB 1507. It is important to create brave and belonging spaces that are identity-affirming, supportive, and celebrate the diversity of our KIPPsters. This policy would have a significant impact on KIPP Texas’ approach. We will continue to Champion Equity and provide all of our students with belonging spaces where each KIPPster is accepted and celebrated, so they can have the confidence to pursue their dreams – college, career, and beyond.
Ann Scott, Chief Advancement Officer, spoke to lawmakers about an issue that has directly affected KIPPsters in three of our four regions; political interference in local permitting and fee decisions.
Brian Veracruz, Julie Norton, and Ian Nolan from the Strategic Scaling Team visited lawmakers across Texas about the importance of partnerships between ISD and public charter schools and their communities.
Are you looking for ways to be more involved in this legislative session? We strongly encourage you to sign up for alerts from the Texas Public Charter Schools Association, which sends timely and targeted messages to advocates based on where they live. Our own KIPP Texas Community Impact team also sends similar alerts throughout the year about upcoming events, elections, and significant charter-related proposals at all levels of government.
New Computer Lab at KIPP Austin Collegiate prepares students for Careers
While some Big KIPPsters were Championing Equity at the Texas Capitol, our students continue to Chase Excellence in our schools. Thanks to a global semiconductor company with a home in Central Texas, they are supporting our students to prepare for the STEM careers of the future so they can become excellent coders and work towards earning certification licenses.
About 250 Little KIPPsters in two high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes at KIPP Austin Collegiate High School have a new computer lab thanks to a donation from Austin-based company, AMD! The lab includes 25 new computers that will ignite the imagination of our brilliant students! I am very thankful for AMD for driving innovation in our KIPP Texas – Austin school. AMD partners with local organizations to establish AMD-powered Learning Labs that inspire students to pursue STEM education.
Students enrolled in CTE courses learn career skills, work towards earning certification licenses, and gain work experience through internships. Our KIPPsters benefit from the impactful partnerships KIPP Texas has with industry leaders in the community to bring these programs to students.
KIPP Somos Receives Funding for New KIPPsters to Join the Team and Family!
To continue preparing more students for college, career and beyond, the City Education Partners organization has partnered with KIPP Texas – San Antonio to support our KIPP Somos schools to open seats for new KIPPsters. I am incredibly thankful for their partnership in providing more San Antonio students with a joyfully excellent education. The smiles will radiate from the first class of Little KIPPsters this August as we open the doors for KIPP Somos Primary and KIPP Somos Collegiat which is the new home of KIPP Poder Little KIPPsters. I am excited to celebrate the new campus opening in August! We are still accepting applications for the beautiful, new, state-of-the-art school campus. Please share with your family and friends to apply today!
Diversity Awareness Calendar
There is much to celebrate this April! Happy Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, for our Jewish KIPPsters who will begin celebrating Passover on Wednesday, April 5 and end by Thursday, April 13! We Champion Equity and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our KIPPsters. Check out the Diversity Awareness Calendar on the Net to view holidays and observation days. Please contact our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team if you notice a date missing from the calendar. They can be reached by emailing DEI@KIPPTexas.org.
- April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
- April 2: International Children’s Book Day
- April 2: Palm Sunday
- April 3-7: National Robotics Week
- April 3-7: National Assistant Principals Week
- April 4: National School Librarian Day
- April 5: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
- April 5-13: Passover
- April 7: World Health Day
- April 7: Good Friday
- April 9: Easter
- April 15: World Art Day
- April 21: National Kindergarten Day
- April 21: Ramadan Ends
- April 21-23: Eid
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 23-29: National Infertility Awareness Week
- April 27: National Administrative Professionals Day
We are hopping into a three-day weekend with the celebration of Good Friday and Easter Sunday on April 9. As a friendly reminder: Monday, April 10, is a Rest and Renew day, and KIPP Texas is closed. We hope you all spend your long weekend with family and friends! Happy Easter, KIPPSters!
With gratitude,
Sehba Ali
CEO of KIPP Texas
