2019-2020
A LETTER FROM OUR CEO: Dear friends and family, This year has been an unprecedented year and I cannot be more proud of our staff, students, families and our partnerships that allowed us to rise to the challenges this global pandemic has presented. We have been in a remote learning model since March and plan to enter into a split schedule in the short future. Our values of feedback and collective responsibility have been the foundation of our success. We have distributed over 1,700 Chromebooks and almost 150 hotspots and continue to provide meals to our students. Equity has been at the forefront of our decision making. Recognizing that our students and families have been deeply impacted by the pandemic, social emotional learning continues to be core to our programming. In addition, we continue to partner with Overcoming Racism to learn and grow to best meet the needs of our communities. Equity is achieved when our students are receiving quality instruction. Our focus in each virtual classroom has been rigorous content, effective teaching and student engagement. We have been absolutely thrilled with the level of conversation our leaders and coaches are having with teachers. We are becoming better practitioners daily in pursuit of providing an equitable education for every child in every classroom. Human capital is a key driver in all great organizations. We have retained 76% of our teachers and 85% of all staff on our teams. In addition, this is the inaugural year of our Career Pathway program designed to grow our future leaders. Lastly, through many of your kind contributions and generosity, we have been able to provide over 1,000 families support in accessing food, medicine and shelter through our Caliber Cares program. This would not be possible without the support and partnership of all of you.
In gratitude,
Terence
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
3
Caliber launched virtual learning the week of March 16th, just a few days after closing schools. Our goal has always been to create a virtual space that emulates our classrooms. A space where students feel supported, cared for, loved and challenged. We are ensuring every student has targeted instructional minutes with their teacher in whole and small group settings. We are working to provide students time to connect outside of academics by making space during advisory or circle time to discuss current events and by providing lunch bunches and social time to informally connect.
2019-2020 ANNUALREPORT REPORT 2018-2019 ANNUAL
WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A 5TH GRADE CALIBER STUDENT Our students are busy during the week with a schedule that closely reflects a normal school day and plenty of time to connect with their teachers. Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9:00 10:00 am
ELA
ELA
ELA
ELA
9:00 9:30 am
Advisory
10:05 11:05 am
Math
Math
Math
Math
9:30 10:00 am
Reading
11:10 11:40 am
Reading
Reading
Reading
Reading
10:00 10:45 am
ELA
11:45 12:15 pm
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory
10:45 11:30 am
Science or SS
12:15 12:45 pm
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
11:30 12:15 pm
Math
12:45 1:45 pm
PE
Do U
PE
Do U
1:50 2:50 pm
Science
Science
Science
Science
2:55 3:55 pm
SS
SS
SS
SS
4:00 4:25 pm
Office Hours
Office Hours
Office Hours
Office Hours
5
OUR MISSION Our mission is to achieve educational equity by shifting the experiences, expectations and outcomes for students in historically underserved communities. Our strengths-based educational program validates, affirms, respects and supports students, families and staff members to reach their full potential.
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
THE CALIBER MODEL OUR MODEL IS ANCHORED IN:
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING COMMUNITIES
EQUITY
OUR PILLARS Our goal is to equip every Caliber graduate with the real world skills they need to succeed through college, career and life. At Caliber, we establish a safe and supportive environment (HEART) so that students can engage in rigorous learning (SMART) and develop the skill set to be critical thinkers (THINK) who then become agents of change in their communities and world (ACT).
HEART
Emotional Intelligence
SMART
Academic College Readiness
THINK
Critical Thinking
ACT
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Agents of Change
RECONNECTING TO OUR VALUES Our values haven’t changed, but we are reconnecting with what they mean to us in a virtual world. We have been reflecting, connecting and working to live out our values even though we are not physically together.
FEEDBACK We are committed to a culture of feedback, development and continuous improvement.
AFFIRMATION & VALIDATION We validate and affirm the identities, strengths and passions of each person.
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY We work in service of and alongside our school communities.
EMPATHY & KINDNESS We approach situations and people with empathy and kindness.
9
FEEDB
BACK at
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Community feedback has been an essential part of Caliber’s transition to distance learning. In order to create virtual classrooms that best meet the needs of Caliber students, the Caliber team has held community meetings to discuss our response to COVID. We have also collected survey data to help us better understand the needs and priorities of families and staff.
BETWEEN APRIL AND JULY CALIBER HELD:
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
7 7 7
family meetings staff meetings board meetings SURVEYS
3 2
family surveys staff surveys
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
“I am incredibly appreciative of all you guys have done through this. You guys have been prompt and went above and beyond anything I could imagine so thank you.“ - PARENT, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
83%
Families satisfied with distance learning
93%
Families feel supported by Caliber
“I really appreciate the ways Caliber has continued to try and build community through this.” - PARENT, BETA ACADEMY
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
“You guys are amazing and we are so thankful for everything you do. Please know that we don’t want to endanger our school faculty. You are our family.” - PARENT, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
“I would like to say thank you to every administrator working for Caliber Public Schools. During this time I have watched many educators and students at different schools struggle with distance learning and staying informed on learning, policies, and school closure updates. I have worried about a lot the last two months, but due to CMA’s strong start early on and the weekly updates, I haven’t had to worry about any of those things. Thank you!” - TEACHER, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
15
0.0
67%
Of staff felt that distance learning was effective
88%
Of staff felt informed on Caliber’s planning related to COVID
89%
Of staff felt supported by Caliber
0.2
0.4
0.6
“I have so much gratitude for the team. Everyone is doing their part to make the best of the situation and it shows! Our kids are loving the sense of normalcy that we’ve created for them, and they are eager to learn. I’m so proud to be part 0.8
1.0
of all of this.” - INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
“I was pleased to serve the students this trimester. They were awesome! I got to know them in different ways as they allowed me to come into their homes, and they in mine.” - TEACHER, BETA ACADEMY
IDENTIFIED NEEDS In family and staff surveys we asked about top priorities and needs during the pandemic.
FAMILIES
STAFF
Priorities
Priorities
• Advancing education
• Advancing education
• Protecting physical health
• Student SEL needs
Top Needs • Food • Mental health support • Childcare support
Top Needs • Diagnostic tools to accurately assess student learning • Additional planning resources
We worked to respond to these needs and priorities by continuing to offer meal service and dedicated social-emotional learning time throughout the year. We also implemented mechanisms for teachers to assess students in the fall and worked to provide more trainings and planning support for teachers.
17
AFFIRM & VALID
MATION DATION at
EQUITY APPROACH OVERCOMING RACISM AUDIT In October of 2019, Overcoming Racism conducted an equity audit of Caliber Schools to assess our progress on issues relating to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at our schools.
96%
of staff believed that DEI work would improve academic achievement, retention of staff and sense of community within staff.
75%
of staff responded positively to the statement “people like me can be successful at my school or office�.
Caliber earned top marks in several areas related to discipline:
90%
of staff believe that restorative practices are preferred over punitive methods of discipline.
94%
of staff agreed that alternatives to suspension are used whenever possible.
The next steps out of this audit are to create an equity vision statement and to align systems, practices and policies to this equity vision. Caliber has created an equity working group to support the realization of these goals.
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
STAFF DEMOGRAPHICS African American 26% Asian/Pacific Islander 10% Latinx/Chicanx 20%
176
Multi 10%
staff members
Middle Eastern 1% White 33%
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
African American 22% Asian/Pacific Islander 8%
1,745
Latinx/Chicanx 60% Multi 6%
students
Middle Eastern 0% White 4%
70.6%
Free Reduced Lunch
20%
English Language Learner
12%
Special Education 21
COLLECT RESPONS
TIVE SIBILITY at
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS... Ensuring school meals are still accessible for students and families
“We had to use the food program for a few weeks. Thank you.... I was hesitant to use your food service, but boy did it help. It brought peace of mind knowing that my son could have a decent meal. Thank you again. Very happy you will continue the service for Caliber families over the summer.” - PARENT, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Y
1,600 meals
handed out between March and July
25
C R I
26
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS...
Celebrating our students in any way possible 27
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS... Creating the Caliber Cares program to support families through generous donations from our funders
Y
CALIBER CARES PROGRAM STATISTICS AS OF JULY 31,2020
Distributed 925 gift cards from Safeway, Target or Amazon with a monetary value of $91,800
Caliber Cares also offered $150 hotel gift cards to families who have been evacuating due to recent fires
29
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS...
Teachers and staff giving their all so students have what they need to learn
Y
“I really am happy with the distance learning. I feel that my son’s teachers have provided him with all of the lessons and skills in a clear and understanding way.” - PARENT, CHANGEMAKERS ACADEMY
“I just want to express my appreciation for the Caliber staff and administration. I have felt so lucky to be a part of the Caliber community during all of this.” - PARENT, BETA ACADEMY
31
2019-2020 FINANCIALS Caliber Schools is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. As a public charter school, our operation costs are largely funded by federal, state and local governments.
Assets
$36,986,000
Liabilities
$26,913,000
Net Assets
$10,072,000
REVENUE
92% Public/Operating $19,354,445
8% Philanthropy $1,604,143
EXPENSES
51%
9%
School Staff & Benefits $9,985,548
Facilities $1,850,141
7% School Support Organization Staff & Benefits $1,418,588
9% Other Instructional Costs $1,763,938
19% Other School Expenses $3,703,862
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
5% Other School Support Organization Expenses $1,012,173
C R I
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IS...
Donors supporting us through it all Thank you! 33
$2,000,000+ Tipping Point Community Foundation
$1,000,000+ Pete & Devon Briger The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Public Charter School Grant Program
Russ and Beth Siegelman Family Foundation Silicon Schools Fund
Next Generation Learning Challenges
Toni Rembe Rock & Arthur Rock
New Schools Venture Fund Susan & Bill Oberndorf
Walton Family Foundation
EGG Foundation Kowitz Family Foundation Matt & A.K. L’Heureux Swati Mylavarapu & Matt Rogers
Andrew & Elizabeth Spokes Zierk Family Foundation
Philip & Alicia Hammarskjold Henrik Jones Lisa Pritzker Tom & Jill Pulley
Mike & Paula Rantz Greg & Lisa Wendt Vivian Wu Poju & Anita Zabludowicz
JP Conte Fortress Investment Group Full Circle Fund Jonathan & Abby Gans The Kwait Family Laura & Gary Lauder
Drew McKnight Bryan & Tara Meehan Pantera Capital Management Paul & Sara Recktenwald James Tananbaum Diane & Howard Zack
Michael Feldman & Ms. Christine Glastonbury Sarah & Quentin Gallavin Gliffy Inc.
Ken Linsteadt Jonathan Mariner Paul Ullman Ted Ullyot
$500,000+ John Atwater & Diana Nelson
$250,000+ Julie & Greg Flynn Ron Beller & Jennifer Moses
$100,000+ Ms. Cecily Cameron & Mr. Derek Schrier Charter School Growth Fund Divco West
$25,000+ Stacey Case Mr. Kit Codik & Mrs. Carrie Wheeler Martha Conte Jill Cowan & Stephen Davis
$10,000+ Steve Almeida Matt Apfel & Jackie Reeses Courtney Benoist & Jason Fish Gwen Campbell Dan Carroll Wences Casares
$5,000+ The Baker Family Chris Buchbinder Melinda Ellis Evers & Will Evers John Fisher
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
FOUR PILLARS LEADERSHIP CIRCLE The Four Pillars Circle is a group of our dedicated supporters who serve as advisors to the Caliber leadership team, ambassadors to the community and commit to providing financial support for Caliber for three years. The Group is named ‘Four Pillars’ to reflect our student goals of Heart, Smart, Think and Act.
Matt Apfel and Jackie Reses John Atwater and Diana Nelson Ron Beller and Jennifer Moses Pete and Devon Briger Cecily Cameron and Derek Schrier Stacey Case Kit Codik and Carrie Wheeler Martha Conte Jill Cowan and Stephen Davis Greg and Julie Flynn Henrik Jones Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Russ and Beth Siegelman
35
EMPAT & KIND
THY DNESS at
EMPATHY & KINDNESS Social-Emotional Learning continues to be a focus of our work. Although we’ve had to be creative, we’ve found ways to connect and support our students’ mental health. We are working to keep empathy and kindness front and center in all we do.
DAILY ADVISORY/ CIRCLE TIME • Circle time provides students an opportunity to connect with peers and staff • Circle time has focused on the wildfires, COVID-19, protests, police violence, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor
MENTAL HEALTH STAFF • Have created space for teachers to reflect, practice mindfulness and focus on wellness • Have continued to check in with students and families to support mental health needs
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
The 2019-2020 school year was unprecedented to say the least. We were able to continue to provide quality education to our students through incredible efforts from families, teachers, staff and donors like you. THANK YOU!
39
www.caliberschools.org