Volume
1 • Issue 3 • Summer Edition Graduation 2006
Chairman’s message they accepted their diplomas, the anchor leg in a 12-year journey of academic perseverance.
Chairman Hense celebrates with Woodridge kindergarten graduate.
T , F’ . Our five campuses collectively held nine graduation and promotion ceremonies for more than 700 students in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. As your chairman, it was a joy to share in every moment – pre-kindergarteners clad in cap and gown; jubilant 8th graders eager to become high school freshman; and euphoric seniors marching to thunderous applause as
Inside this
issue: Chairman’s Message
...................................1 Collegiate Grads Prepared for College Success
...................................1 Blow Pierce Raises Expectations
...................................2 Woodridge Sows Seeds of Learning
...................................3 Chamberlain Continues Tradition of Excellence
...................................3 Southeast Elementary Makes School History
...................................4 Friendship Calendar
...................................4 About Friendship
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For the Friendship community, graduation season represents the fulfillment of a sacred promise. When your child enters one of our elementary, middle or high school campuses, we pledge that he or she will leave academically prepared and ultimately ready for a college education. I am proud to report for the eighth consecutive year, Friendship has done its job! In a city where barely 52 percent of young people graduate from high school, this year, Friendship’s Collegiate Academy achieved a 92 percent graduation rate among a senior class of nearly 300. Bucknell University, the College of William and Mary, Carnegie Mellon University, Howard University and the Rochester Institute of Technology are just a few of the institutions that will welcome Friendship seniors in the fall.
Blow Pierce Junior Academy, one of two Friendship middle schools, not only achieved one of the District’s largest eighth grade graduating classes; both the valedictorian and salutatorian are young black boys – a stark contrast to the pervasive images of underperforming, at-risk black youth. Friendship’s Chamberlain Elementary continued its tradition of producing some of the city’s highest academic achievers; Woodridge Elementary and Middle graduated its second pre-kindergarten class; and the new Southeast Elementary Academy made school history with its first generation of kindergarten and 6th grade graduates. “It takes a village to raise a child, and our village has prepared us to reach new heights,” said Torrin King, Blow Pierce salutatorian. Indeed, the Friendship community is gratified by the success of our students and schools.
As the 2006 senior class savored the final moments of graduation and high school life, I shared these words inspired by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays – eminent educator and former Morehouse College president whose incomparable leadership helped to create a village of learning for me. “It is expected that the student who enters a Friendship school will do well. It is expected that the student who graduates from Friendship and bears our insignia, will do exceptionally well… May you forever stand for something noble and high. Let no person dismiss you with the wave of a hand or the shrug of a shoulder. May you get in the arena of life, perform in an exemplary manner and emerge victorious. It is expected of you.” To our graduates, parents, school staff and community, Congratulations!
Donald L. Hense Chairman Board of Trustees
Collegiate Grads Prepared for College Success “Our teachers convert raw material into polished gems. They have invested their hardearned experience in us so that we are poised to face the challenges of the future. I extend my thanks to my institution by saying lucky are those who are destined to be here.” Rajaa Qadri, Collegiate Academy valedictorian Bucknell University, fall 2006 2005 Posse Foundation Scholar, $120,000 in scholarships
Friendship Scholars Program The Friendship Scholars Program awards college scholarships to Collegiate seniors that have demonstrated exceptional academic and civic leadership. All applicants submit a personal statement, transcripts and are interviewed by Friendship administration. This year, 13 students were awarded scholarships of $2500 each.
2005-06 Scholars: Donesha Bullock Ashley Butler Khadijah Dargan Emerald Jackson Rajaa Qadri Ronee Simmons Tyeshia Watkins
Edward Freeman Carnelius Halmon Treyvon Jackson De’Von Robinson Keith Wiggins Henry Williams
Continued on next page
Collegiate Academy
2006 Graduation (continued)
Academy Director Peggy Pendergrass presents Lamika Robinson with Outstanding Leadership Award, Lafayette College, fall 2006 2005 Posse Foundation Scholar, over $120,000 in scholarships
Senior Class Graduation Constitution Hall June 1, 2006 Treyvon Jackson accepts Perseverance Award, Lafayette College, fall 2006 2005 Posse Foundation Scholar, over $120,000 in scholarships
Blow Pierce Raises Expectations
“Let us not sit on our bottoms and think someone is going to hold our hand the rest of the way. Instead, let us be that next doctor, lawyer or how about the first person to discover a cure for AIDS.” Clifton Williams, 14, valedictorian, Blow Pierce Junior Academy
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Crampton Auditorium, Howard University June 9, 2006
Above: Courtland Milloy, guest speaker and Washington Post columnist Right: Blow Pierce Principal Ralph Neal, Academy Director LouCresha Young with 8th grade graduate.
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Woodridge Sows Seeds of Learning Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony Woodridge Elementary and Middle Campus
“From the first day of a child’s formal education, Woodridge provides a vibrant learning environment that encourages academic discovery, dedication and achievement.” Principal Mary Dunnock, Woodridge Elementary and Middle Campus
June 6, 2006
* Woodridge also hosted prekindergarten and 5th grade promotion ceremonies.
Chamberlain Continues Tradition of Excellence 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Collegiate Academy Auditorium June 8, 2006
Guest speaker and NASA Atstronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, M.D. inspires Chamberlain 5th grade graduates.
“This year, Chamberlain promoted over 100 talented, academically strong 5th graders – building on six years of student performance that exceed state goals.” Principal James Shepard, Chamberlain Elementary Campus
Teacher Allison Page, Principal James Shepard with graduate Jessica Fernanders.
* Chamberlain also hosted a kindergarten promotion ceremony.
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Friendship Calendar
Southeast Elementary Makes School History
July 5-August 1
Kindergarten and 6th grade promotion ceremonies
Summer school for all five Friendship elementary, middle and high school campuses.
July 31 Deadline to complete student enrollment process. Parents/guardians must submit proof of D.C. residency and current student immunization records to finalize enrollment.
August 7 New teacher training begins. For more information contact Michael Cordell, Chief Academic Officer, mcordell@friendshipschools.org.
August 15 Friendship Convocation ceremony for 2006-07 academic year.
August 16-19 Fourth Annual Friendship Teaching Institute for all school staff.
THEARC Theater June 16 and June 21, 2006 Southeast Elementary Academy concluded its inaugural school year by promoting its first generaton of kindergarten and 6th grade graduates. In the fall, Southeast will launch of a comprehensive reading initiative for grades k-3 supported by the Walton Family Foundation and undergo a major campus expansion that will add 16 classrooms, a new gymnasium, cafeteria, interactive library and technology-rich SmartLab™ computer center.
August 28 First Day of School for all Friendship campuses.
Special Thanks: Jason Miccolo Johnson Photography www.miccolo.com (Collegiate, Woodridge graduations)
Victor Holt Photography www.victorholtphotos.com (Blow Pierce, Chamberlain, Southeast graduations) For more information on the Friendship schools and programs featured in this newsletter, contact Candice Tolliver, director of media relations and public affairs at ctolliver@friendshipschools.org.
About Friendship Friendship Public Charter School, located in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1997 with the mission of providing a world-class education that motivates students to achieve high academic standards, enjoy learning and develop as responsible, ethical contributors to their communities. Friendship opened its first schools in partnership with Edison Schools Inc., the nation’s leading charter management organization. Today, Friendship serves nearly 3,500 students at five academically thriving campuses.
Woodridge Elementary & Middle Campus
Southeast Elementary Academy Campus
Junior Academy at Blow Pierce Campus
Principal James Shepard Grades K-5 1345 Potomac Ave., S.E. (202) 547-5800
Principal Gary B. Bartee Grades K-6 645 Milwaukee Pl., S.E. (202) 562-1980
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Principal Mary Dunnock Grades Pre K-7 2959 Carlton Ave., N.E. (202) 635-6500
Principal Ralph H. Neal Grades 6-8 725 19th St., N.E. (202) 572-1070
Collegiate Academy at Carter G. Woodson Campus Principal Brian Beck Grades 9-12 4095 Minnesota Ave., N.E. (202) 396-5500
Design: CEDC (www.cedc.org)
Chamberlain Elementary Campus