Team and Family Magazine—Camden—Fall 2020

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We Set The Weather Helping Children Stay Mentally Healthy in a Time of Uncertainty

COMMUNITY

VOICES

SHAPING A MORE EQUITABLE WORLD

2020

TE AM SPY W INNER S A MAGAZINE BY AND FOR THE KIPP NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY

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TO T H E FA L L E D I T I O N O F

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Dear Families, We hope with the arrival of fall that you and your family are safe and well.

The world can feel unpredictable right now—but KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy remains more committed than ever to partnering with you to support your child’s wellbeing and academic success. This year, we made history together when we launched KIPP High School, our first high school in Camden. Its mission, to offer students an education that prepares them to lead in the 21st century, feels more relevant than ever in today’s world.

This edition of TEAM and Family Magazine elevates the voices of our students, staff, and families around a number of issues that have been brought to the forefront this year as our country confronts a pandemic and takes steps towards undoing long-embedded systemic racism. Their voices are a testament to the power and potential that lives within our students and communities.

In this issue, you will find:

STAYING HEALTHY IN MIND AND BODY

COMMUNITY VOICES Hear the voices of our team and family as they speak about what needs to change to create a world of racial equity.

In these difficult times, self care and mental health are critical. Hear advice from our social workers and step inside the lives of our families during COVID-19 on page 8.

STUDENT WRITING The power of our students’ pens is strong. Check out the work of one of our student writing contest winners on page 19.

Please reach out to us with any questions you might have about how to support your child’s continued learning, and know that we are here to help and support. If you need additional support during this time, please call our hotline at 856-295-1999. We are grateful for your continued partnership with us in your child’s educational journey.

Best, Drew Martin Executive Director, KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy 2

in this issue LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 02 SCHOOL UPDATES 04

COMMUNITY VOICES 14 THE ROAD TO COLLEGE DURING COVID-19 18

ALUMNI ENTREPRENEURS MAKE THEIR MARK 06

THE POWER OF THE PEN 19

WE SET THE WEATHER 08

FAMILY RESOURCES 22

CELEBRATING OUR 2020 TEAMSPY WINNERS 11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 20 CALENDAR 23

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL! @KIPPCooperNorcrossAcademy

@KippCooperNorcross

TEAM & FAMILY CONTRIBUTORS A special thank you to the KIPP parents, families, teachers, and staff for partnering with us and contributing to this issue.

RESOURCES Visit kippnj.org/school-resources for student handbooks and more information about your child’s school.

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? marketing@kippnj.org ABOUT KIPP NJ The aim of KIPP New Jersey is to create a network of schools in Camden and Newark, New Jersey, that instill in their students the desire and ability to succeed in college, in order to change the world.

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KIPP UPPER ROSEVILLE ACADEMY

KIPP NEWARK COLLEGIATE ACADEMY

KIPP NEWARK LAB HIGH SCHOOL

The KIPP Upper Roseville team is excited to welcome the next class of Kindergartners as we double in size to serve grades 1-2. We're focused on continuing to build community to ensure students feel connected, even virtually, by hosting fun events like dance parties, scavenger hunts and movie nights for scholars and families.

KIPP NCA is leading the way when it comes to virtual celebrations. We inducted our largest National Honor Society and hosted an online graduation with over 500 participants. KIPP NCA is also committed to practicing Grace, Gratitude, Patience, Positivity and Adaptability (G.P.A.^2).

As we navigate remote instruction G.P.A.^2 allows us to foster a community where students and staff feel safe, supported and successful.

At KIPP Newark Lab High School our students design and build things every day because we believe in preparing for the future. COVID-19 has solidified for us the importance of preparing students to thrive and adapt in an uncertain world. We are doubling in size this year, welcoming a new team of teachers and students to our community—our 'Sharks' are off to a great start!

KIPP RISE ACADEMY We're excited to continue focusing on dismantling the systems and structures that have perpetuated oppression for our students. Along with the network, we will strategically build opportunities that will empower and amplify the voices of our students, families, and staff, and that will create a stronger and more inclusive learning community.

KIPP NEWARK COMMUNITY PREP KIPP Newark Community Prep is elated to launch our second year—we've increased both our staff and student populations by 100%! Moreover, we are starting the school year strong and have developed a crystal-clear vision for creating meaningful relationships and strong systems that support our teammates and help kids feel safe, known and loved during this difficult year!

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KIPP Life Academy leads the way!

We are so looking forward to entering this new phase of learning with families as closer partners than ever before. This summer, hundreds of our returning students participated in online summer programming, while our school leaders and operations teams have individually "met" with every new family at least twice!

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KIPP SPARK Academy's vision for this school year is to ensure that "Academic Pride" rings through loud and clear during remote learning just as it would during in-person school.

Our school staff has been working hard to reimagine what the student experience should look and feel like to bring this to fruition; "The Marathon Continues," as we support our students education and wellbeing.

KIPP SEEK ACADEMY KIPP Seek Academy is focused on building relationships and community partnerships with our families and students as we launch this year fully remote. Teachers are excited to jump into teaching—whether it's live online or in-person. We look forward to hosting monthly family/staff Chat and Chew meetings as we navigate through these difficult times together and ensure our students have a year of learning and growth.

This summer, over 200 TEAMmates participated in the National Summer School Initiative program. It was a great opportunity for students and TEAM teachers to keep the learning going all summer. We closed out the summer with two curbside book swaps for TEAM families to swap out library books and pick up books to keep! We're maintaining the focus on reading into this school year!

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KIPP THRIVE ACADEMY

KIPP TEAM ACADEMY KIPP BOLD ACADEMY Teachers and teammates at KIPP BOLD Academy didn’t let the pandemic stop them from keeping an important BOLD tradition alive: home visits! BOLD ran its first ever virtual home visit program to welcome the class of 2028 by ensuring that every single student felt the love, even over Zoom. We will continue to focus on social-emotional health this year!

This summer, KIPP THRIVE Academy teachers June Yaw, Angelica Ramirez and Naquana Haynes led a virtual summer program for K-2 scholars that ensured that they received summer enrichment and stayed mentally healthy even while virtual! We carried that focus on social-emotional learning and academic learning into this school year for our virtual launch.

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This summer, LSP held a virtual summer program that provided academic support as well as a variety of enrichment options including mentoring, cooking, strings, read alouds, fitness club, science, and more! This year, our school priority is loving, restoring, and rebuilding. We look forward to partnering with our families and students during this unprecedented school year.

KIPP LANNING SQUARE MIDDLE While this year will look different in many ways, we are committed to keeping the promise we made to our families when we opened our doors—to provide a place for each and every child to thrive. As we forge ahead, we are grounding ourselves in being the revolution we seek. This work is critical as our country attempts to remedy systemic racism and our school seeks to educate black and brown children.

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In the face of uncertainty and unprecedented times, Whittier is focused on building relationships with our families and students. Teachers are excited to jump into teaching—whether that is live online or live in-person—as we move through this school year. The idea of Parents as Partners will be brought to life as we continue to navigate these difficult times together.

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KIPP HIGH SCHOOL We are THRILLED to welcome our founding group of 9th graders this fall at KIPP High School in Camden! We can't wait to get to know you to make our school a place you can call your second home!

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Alumni Entrepreneurs Make Their Mark Our alumni have big dreams, and they’re making them a reality. These four young entrepreneurs represent only a fraction of our team and family who are making their mark by doing everything from selling custom-made hoodies to running their own makeup business.

They’re bringing their creativity and genius to the world and we’re sharing their unique stories with you here.

Z A H I R MILLER TH E F INESS E C LOTHING @FI N ESS ETHEBRAND WWW. F INESS ETHEBRAND.CO M What inspired you to start your own business?

My inspiration came in part from my parents. Growing up, I saw how into fashion they were and that played a role in me starting Finesse. The company started off as me designing a hoodie for myself—I was never planning to sell anything. But then I posted a picture of myself wearing my design on Instagram and people liked it and asked if I was selling them.

Eventually this led to me obtaining an LLC and website and the business grew from there.

But to me, Finesse Clothing is much more than a clothing brand. I want to have an impact on people. I want to influence them to do more than what they think they can, whether that means to start a business, go to school, or any other goals they may have.

Tell us about your most memorable moment with Finesse.

I was asked by one of my high school teachers from KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy, Mr. Brown, to come and speak to his class about entrepreneurship. I was able to share my own experiences and give some insight into the mindset and skills needed to be an entrepreneur.

It was memorable because I realized that I could influence someone to take a leap of faith and step out of their comfort zone. My advice to them was that failure is something good and is a stepping stone to your success.

What inspired you to start your own business?

I wanted to start my own business selling hair bonnets for a long time. When we were in quarantine, I had more time on my hands, which encouraged me to get started on my line.

Satin Majik started off as a satin hair bonnet line with a target audience of Black girls—though not limited to them. I sell bonnets for children and adults.

Tell us about your most memorable moment as a business owner.

When I first launched, I sold out in two days. This was a pretty big accomplishment. Something else that really stuck with me is when my younger cousin saw my children’s bonnets, she immediately acknowledged the print on the bonnet and said, “the girls on the bonnet look like me.” That was a proud moment for my business.

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EMAJANAE JAC KSO N SATIN MAJIK @SATINMAJIK

S HAMIYAH JAC KSO N CAREF ULLLY C RAF TED @CAREF ULLLYC RAF TED What sparked your interest in the makeup industry and starting your own business?

When I was a freshman in high school, my mom didn’t allow me to wear mascara or heavy makeup to school. One day that year, I stole her mascara before school and applied it anyway! But my mom also inspired me by teaching me how to do brows when I was a kid. Still, I never thought I would take a leap of faith and consider entering the makeup industry. I met a girl on campus at my college and she was passionate about doing her own makeup. She exposed me to a lot of different types of makeup that I didn’t know existed. After that, I did makeup for fun.

I realized in college that I wasn’t really happy with my experience and decided to write down a list of things that made me happy. Makeup was on it. That’s when I realized that I could pursue that full time.

MAE-EMMA JO NES LAS HED BY MAE @_LAS HEDBYMAE

What inspired you to start Lashed by Mae? I have always gotten my eyelashes done by someone else in the past, but eventually I was encouraged by those around me to learn how to do them myself. Lashed by Mae started off as a side hustle. I plan on going to law school in the future, and I knew that once I was in law school, I couldn’t be employed full-time, so this would give me an income on the side.

Tell us about your most memorable moment as a business owner.

When I first started working for my clients, I was very nervous. But I was able to attain a skill I never had before I became a lash technician: patience! August of 2019 would have to be my most memorable moment. I had a lot of clients and I was able to see the ups and downs of owning a business. There came a time where my business took a hit because the majority of my clients are college students, and around that time they go back to school.

Any advice for those who might follow in your footsteps?

I always tell aspiring entrepreneurs that it’s important to have multiple streams of income— and there’s always room for growth of your business. I tell them to never give up because you can always improve with time!

Tell us about a memorable moment you had as you started Carefullly Crafted?

Before I entered the industry full-time, I went to a networking event for people in different beauty-related industries. It was an amazing experience and I realized the power of networking when I met the organizer. We talked about makeup and later she reached out and asked if I would give a makeup tutorial to people in her company who were interested. It went really well and was a highlight because I never thought I’d be able to teach a group full of women about makeup.

What’s your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be patient! That’s so important right now. It’s not a fast-acceleration business, you’re not going to be great overnight. You have to be patient and work at it. I’m still mastering the perfect eyeliner look! Also, we had no idea that COVID-19 would hit. I think it made me more patient and it made me realize that I need to have other streams of income. I would also encourage people to have their own unique style. You can look at others for inspiration, but people will come to you because you’re your own person with your own style.

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We Set The Weather Helping Children Stay Mentally Healthy in a Time of Uncertainty

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ow can my child maintain relationships with friends and family? How do I explain what we see on the news? What can I ask to find out if my child is coping well with changes?

These are just a fraction of the questions parents across the country are grappling with as they navigate the 2020-21 school year during a pandemic. We asked our social workers and KIPP parents to share their advice, stories, and wisdom on how to address the many social and academic concerns brought up during COVID-19.

Below you’ll find their thoughts on these topics alongside parent narratives from life in quarantine in Camden and Newark.

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O N H OW TO EXPLA I N THE UN C ERTA I NTY OF THES E TI MES TO C HILDR EN. Taylor Wegmann, a social worker at KIPP Whittier Middle, encourages parents to think about their child’s age and developmental progress when they approach a conversation about COVID-19.

“My recommendation is always to be as open and honest as is appropriate for your child’s age and development,” she said. “For example, it’s appropriate to talk to your child about the severity of the pandemic, without discussing all of the symptoms of a severe case of the virus, which might make them feel anxious.”

Understanding how the virus spreads is also important to get kids on board with social distancing practices. In Newark, KIPP SPARK Academy parent Shana Boyd-Merisier found that her daughter had misconceptions about the virus and how it was spreading, so she had each member of her family hold hands one-by-one and explained that each link represented a potential passing of the virus.

“By the end, she understood that it didn’t matter where the virus had originated—it was possible for us to spread it to people we loved, even if it was an accident. That visual really helped,” said Boyd.

Social workers say that parents should do their best to model social and emotional

wellness. Behavior Analyst Elizabeth Callahan said, “Find ways to ensure you’re coping well, because we set the

to spend a ton of time on FaceTime—it can help to get them excited to share small moments in their day. For example, if a teenager asks if the malls are open, I would say something like, ‘I’m not sure but let’s call Aunt Tricia and ask.’ For younger kids, I would have them share their —T I N N E E S H A RE E D, KIPP Whittier Parent drawing with their favorite uncle – i.e., weather. Everyone responds differently to ‘Let’s call Uncle Lewis and show him your stressful situations, and your responses cool drawing,’” said Riaz. will teach your child how to cope during stressful times.”

Callahan suggests families follow in Tinneesha’s footsteps—but also consider O N H ELPI NG CHI LDR EN A S low-tech ways to stay in touch. “Families THEY COP E W I TH THE LACK OF can go old-school with a pen pal—pick a SO C IALI ZATI ON WI TH FR I ENDS friend or family member and write or send AN D SUP P ORT NETWOR KS them pictures,” said Callahan.

AT SC HOOL. ON A P P ROACHI NG YOU R CH IL D In Camden, KIPP Whittier parent Tinneesha TO FI ND OUT I F THEY ’R E Reed and her family are taking full DOI NG OKAY. advantage of technology to stay in touch with family. “We’ve had Zoom birthday Every family differs in how often they talk parties. My child’s grandmother is high- about difficult topics and emotions. But risk and we meet with her through Zoom Riaz says there’s a variety of ways to do this regularly,” said Reed. And it wouldn’t be a effectively. “For families where this is not Sunday night in the Reed household without part of the daily conversation, it may help a dance party. to start by asking their child about how a certain character felt during a TV show you Director of Social Work and Student watch. This opens the door to talking about Support Sheyla Riaz agrees that technology other's feelings,” said Riaz. “It can also start is a great way to create small moments of with a “how was your day?” And as they joy. “For those kids who just don’t want are sharing, we can ask more open-ended

“Every Sunday night after dinner, [my kids] FaceTime with their three cousins and we all have a dance party together. It feels good to connect like that."

Resources to Keep Your Family Connected & Learning

• Open Culture: This collection provides a list of free educational resources for K-12 students and their parents and teachers. www.openculture.com/free_k-12_educational_resources • ActivEd is offering free access to its "Walkabouts" platform with web-based lessons for students in grades pre-K-2 that integrate movement with language arts, math and reading content and correlate to state learning standards. Students, teachers, and parents can access grade-level content. www.info.activedinc.com/covid • Kahoot! Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that brings together students to engage in learning activities together. www.Kahoot.com • Nova Labs at PBS offers aspiring scientists video, animation and games on scientific topics like predicting solar storms and constructing renewable energy systems. www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/ • National Geographic Kids offers a variety of fun and education games, quizzes, and puzzles for students of all ages. www.kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/ • KIPP families who have questions about our school closures, are in need of services or food, or have been in close contact with someone affected by COVID-19 should call 973-679-7199.

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questions like ‘what was that like for you?’”

Riaz added.

Setting time aside daily to check-in on emotions is something Reed does with her children in Camden. “I try to create space for them to talk and process how they’re feeling and I try to encourage these conversations over dinner as a family,” said Reed.

ON SIG NS A CH I L D MIGHT BE ST R UG G L I NG TO CO PE. “Anxiety and depression in children looks much different than it does in adults,” says Wegmann. “Depending on their age, children might not yet have the emotional vocabulary to express how they are feeling

verbally. Instead, changes in behavior are more reliable indicators that your child is struggling,” she added. Additionally, Wegmann says this behavior can manifest physically (headaches, stomachaches, problems sleeping) or behaviorally (increased tantrums, irritability).

Callahan encourages parents to look for signs, because often kids won’t come right out and say it, but their behavior may give us cues. Look for things like excessive crying or irritation, difficulty with attention or concentration, poor sleep habits or school performance, or a return to previously outgrown behaviors (like bedwetting) if they’re concerned about their child.

Family Life During COVID-19

As a parent, it became an exciting challenge to keep them educated and deal with the very real emotions they’re feeling, as they try to understand what’s happening in the world. This summer, we planted a garden. We watched them bloom and grow, we harvested them, and now they’re cooking and eating the food they’ve grown. No excuses not to eat those vegetables!

They’ve always been readers, but this moment in time has them interested in history. They’ve been reading historical nonfiction. They’re interested in what happened during the Civil Rights movement. We just watched the documentary about Representative John Lewis’s life.

I let my boys suggest something they wanted to do each day. My best ideas come from them. So if on a normal day at school, they played kickball with their friends, we would go to an open space to play kickball or throw a ball around together.”

—T I N N EESH A REED, KIPP Whittier Middle Parent

I have a three-year-old boy, a one-year old boy, and my oldest daughter, Micahya, at home during the quarantine. Micahya is in second grade at KIPP SPARK Academy.

This summer, we spent a lot of time in an inflatable pool in our yard. We do arts and crafts projects. When it’s safe, we’ll go to Dollar Tree for craft supplies. Micahya loves fashion. We have her make sketches of clothing designs and then carry them out using towels or sheets—even though she’s not able to sew yet. She makes dresses for her dolls!

Shana Boyd-Merisier and her family

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Her birthday was in May and originally she wanted a skate-themed party. Instead, we did a Zoom party and a drive-by birthday celebration. Her teacher, Ms. Gadsden, dropped by as a surprise and Micahya was so happy to see her! Afterwards, we did a socially distant skate party in Veteran’s Park where everyone wore masks and brought their own skates.”

—S H A N A BOY D - ME R I S I E R , KIPP SPARK Academy parent

Celebrating our 2020 TEAMspy Winners Every year we celebrate the work of our staff at our annual TEAMspy Awards event. But the 13th Annual TEAMspy Awards looked a little different this year because this school year looked very different! But that doesn’t mean we didn’t take the time to celebrate the incredible contributions of our teammates in Camden. Now more than ever, we appreciate what they do to partner with our families and communities each day—nothing can stop their dedication—not even a global pandemic! They found creative ways to step up to the plate during COVID-19 and keep our team and family connected while ensuring the health of our community was top of mind.

Superstar Staff We celebrate our KIPP New Jersey administrative TEAMmates who were recognized for their incredible contributions!

KR I STI NA HA AG Director of Literacy Achievement Ms. Haag: “I’m so grateful to have received the Heartbeat award this year. Early childhood is a magical time full of exploration, curiosity, and wonder and I love working with our teachers and leaders to share in the joy of our littlest learners. Watching a new reader's face light up for the first time with understanding and excitement is an irreplaceable feeling, and I’m so thankful to work with the beautiful kids in our Newark, Camden, and Miami schools.”

DI A NE A DAMS-WHITE Managing Director of KIPP Through College Ms. Adams-White: “This award is representative of all of the incredibly hard work the KIPP Through College Persistence Team put into making sure our alumni were well-supported this year.

As a team, we worked hard to be responsive to the needs of our students, particularly once COVID hit. We threw out our typical spring “playbook” and prioritized getting in touch with all students on our caseloads more frequently as the world around us was in constant flux. Working on this team is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had because we get the privilege of guiding students as they work to achieve their highest visions of themselves.”

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Heartbeat Award

Freedom Award

Impact Award

The Heartbeat Award is given out to staff members who truly exemplify all of our values. Whether they are showing us what it means to go above and beyond for all of our kids or constantly seeking improvement so they can make themselves and their schools better or always putting the interests of our kids and teammates before themselves, these teammates are truly outstanding.

The Freedom Award is given out to staff members who always exemplify this value by using the freedom that is given to them to develop new programs, practices, and ideas in service of our students. Our freedom nominees believe that some structures are necessary and freeing, but seek to remove, and avoid creating, unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Impact Award is given out to staff members who always show us what is possible by believing that the ultimate results we seek are all of our students getting to and through college or the career training they choose.

AMA NDA G E I G E R KIPP Lanning Square Primary According to nominators, “Amanda is intentional with every student in her classroom, building a culture centered around kindness and love.

She pays attention to every little detail and knows how to make each student feel special.”

Ms. Geiger: “This award is humbling and inspiring. I’ve been teaching at KIPP for ten years now and during this time over a thousand students have entered my classroom and my life and they all occupy precious space in my heart. Their smiles and stories have truly become a part of my own heartbeat—and I’m grateful for how much they’ve taught me about the power of unconditional and uncompromising love.”

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BRANDI W I LLI A MS KIPP Whittier Middle Brandi has devoted hours to developing and making sure her teammates are successful. One of her many nominators listed over 15 events and rituals that she has developed and led that have become mainstays in the KIPP Whittier community!

“Similar to many of our students, while growing up I often dreamed of having all the ‘freedom’ that comes with being an adult (silly me). As an adult, winning the Freedom award means I achieved this ‘dream’ because I have some semblance of power to control the environment I operate within.

Winning this award during this time in history means I am utilizing my ‘freedom’ to create opportunity, systems and structures to benefit our students so they can break barriers and dismantle systems in order to live out the freedoms our ancestors dreamed of.”

A LONDRA BRA NCH KIPP Lanning Square Primary This teammate was described in her many nominations as “humble and hungry—a team player and someone who truly lives and breathes that our promises to children are sacred.

Her academic impact on students is next-level—she works hard day in and day out to set the bar high for her students and makes learning fun!”

Ms. Branch: “It was such an honor to receive the Impact Award! I have always wanted to teach in the city where I’m from and I believe that is what motivates me. When I see our kids, I see me, so the sky's the limit!

I’m inspired by my scholars every day to be the best I can be, personally and professionally, while having an impact on all those around me. I truly love what I do!”

Improvement Award

Kid Focus Award

Fun Award

TEAMwork Award

The Kid Focus Award is given out to staff members who remind us what it means to go above and beyond for our kids by always believing that promises made to children are sacred and keeping their commitments to them 100% of the time.

The Fun Award is given out to staff members who can always be found making class fun for students and work fun for their co-workers. Fun means recipients don't take themselves too seriously and make time to laugh and play.

The TEAMwork Award is given out to staff members who we can count on at any time or any day because they put the interests of students and their team above personal interests and are egoless in seeking to do what’s best for the whole organization and their colleagues.

J O RDA N LACY KIPP Lanning Square Primary According to one colleague, “At lunch and recess, this teammate hops on the megaphone to share trivia facts to entertain our kids. He may also be found getting pied in the face, playing his guitar, dancing with kids or adults in the hallway, or cooking with students after school. In the words of one nominator—the students love him.”

SA NDRA JUA R EZ KIPP Lanning Square Primary One nominator says, “There isn’t a specific time she goes above and beyond, because she always does.” Sandra constantly gives up before school, after school and prep time to jump in and lend a hand.

She embraces challenges, delivers feedback head-on and is relentless about upholding team norms.

K AR E N B O NNA NO KIPP Lanning Square Middle According to her colleagues, Karen “sacrifices her time, opens her doors, opens her heart, and believes every promise, no matter how small, is truly sacred to our children. She fights for our scholars for more opportunities and does whatever’s necessary to make sure our kids succeed.”

Ms. Bonnano: “I feel very honored to receive this award—especially considering all of the kid-focused individuals I have the privilege of working with every day. Being kidfocused has been our constant in this ever-changing world, and it is with this in mind that I look forward to the upcoming school year and feel ready for the challenges it will present.”

The nominees of the Improvement Award model what it means to get better by constantly seeking to improve their work and their school, no matter how good it already is—and creating and sharing new practices, ideas, or approaches that improve our schools and communities.

Mr. Lacy: “The fun award highlights, to me, the impact joy can have as a vehicle to both drive academic success and support a rich, memorable experience for scholars. I am humbled to be recognized amidst the incredible teachers KIPP has in Camden.”

Ms. Juarez: “I am the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents that came to this country undocumented decades ago so their children could have an education. I teach and lead with KIPP so that parents just like mine know they’re not alone.”

LUI S SA NTI AGO KIPP Lanning Square Campus This custodial teammate constantly seeks to improve his work and proactively seeks the solution to problems that “aren’t even there yet.” In the words of one nominator, “Luis sets an extremely high bar and holds himself and others accountable for achieving it. He’s often the first into our building in the morning before his scheduled start time and also often the last to leave as he’s called back to deal with emergencies.”

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SHAPING A MORE E Q U I TA B L E WORLD

Breonna Taylor. Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Trayvon Martin. These names represent only a small fraction of the people killed by police violence. This year, the murder of George Floyd brought police brutality, and the systemic racism that underlies it, to the forefront of our national consciousness. We are outraged by the long list of victims, both named and unnamed.

Our community has not stood by silently. The central tenets of our ‘Heartbeat’—the core values that our organization lives by—is that our community shares a deep belief that our students will change the world and that we are responsible for dismantling systems of oppression that hold our students back from achieving their full potential. Above all, the promises we make to them are sacred. It is our mission and responsibility to build a more just world for our students and prepare them to do the same.

We’ve asked members of our team and family—teachers, parents, and students—to reflect on the ongoing work it will take to end systemic racism in their communities and in our country and what a more equitable and just world looked like from their perspective.

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EVAN BOYER 8th Grader, KIPP Whittier Middle What I think will help end systemic racism is for all people—not just people of color— to stand up for what they believe in and what’s right in order to achieve greater equity.

They need to educate themselves about how long racism has gone on past the time of slavery and do a lot more reading about racial issues.

There’s so much unfairness in the world. The issues I care most about solving are racial violence, racism, and world hunger. During these hard times, fairness and equity matters more than ever. People need to stand up for a more equal world by speaking up even though they might be afraid. They have to trust their instincts and believe that they have a voice.”

KANEESHA MOORE Dean of Students, KIPP Lanning Square Middle “If we as a nation want to end systemic racism in the U.S., we have to first commit our whole being to the truth. This means we acknowledge that this country was created and founded on racist principles and ideologies. White people in power must commit to tell the truth that this country wasn’t created for people of color to thrive. Many white people readily acknowledge racial inequalities—but few will admit that they feel fearful about members of other racial groups—or acknowledge that their racial identity is associated with certain advantages.

As a result, many people in positions of power are unaware of markers of systemic white privilege and therefore cannot be a true ally for people of color. Instead, we tend to focus on more surface issues, such as a Ku Klux Klan rally against the removal of Confederate statues, or a racially biased post made by celebrities on social media—but we miss opportunities to instruct the public about larger patterns of racial inequality—such as biases in U.S. voting laws, unfairness in the criminal justice system, employment biases, and racial segregation in schools.”

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TANISHA FERRIS KIPP Lanning Square Primary Parent "To end systemic racism and create a more equal world, I think there’s a lot things that have to happen on both an individual and national level. It’s critical that everyone, particularly people of color, vote in every election. Our government needs to end voter suppression that happens through gerrymandering, not allowing mail-in ballots, and preventing prisoners who are serving their time (or who have already completed their sentence!) from voting. Sentencing reform also matters. There’s been so many cases where Black drug dealers go to jail for significantly longer than white murderers. While our military is important, I think there’s sometimes wasteful spending that happens and I’d prefer to see that money going into education—particularly in underresourced communities. My child’s preschool teacher told me she sometimes pays for school supplies out of her own pocket. Why should she have to do that?

We need to make sure our schools have the resources they need. Those are things that I think will help level the playing field."

SHAREE MERCADO English Teacher KIPP Whittier Middle Stereotypes are often placed on people of color both consciously and subconsciously. People tend to carry those stereotypes and pin them on Black people, resulting in unfavorable impressions and misinformed biases.

In order to break the cycle, we must have the desire to truly understand people and get to know them. We cannot continue to stay stuck in this systematic mindset in which we automatically believe that people of color are oppressed and powerless. We deserve to be treated just as well as our counterparts, as we are all capable of being successful regardless of the unique backgrounds we come from. Equality means everyone has the same thing; equity allows everyone to benefit from that thing fairly."

CHARLES LANE Music Teacher, KIPP Lanning Square Middle “The US is a society that was founded upon ideals of white supremacy and racial inferiority. Generally, this truth has, at best, been an addendum to the histories taught in our nation’s classrooms and households. Until white people confront their own learned and implicit biases, until they truly confront their privilege and are willing to sacrifice their positions within the systems of white patriarchal supremacy that dominate our culture, racism will endure. In order for any semblance of equity to be achieved, these systems must be dismantled and reparations must be paid to African Americans who have endured over forty generations of continued, direct oppression. Governments should prioritize social safety nets and reallocate resources to the places that need it the most.”

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THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

DURING COVID-19

their options for paying for college. The same holds true for making decisions about the type of application a student submits.

“We don’t have time to say ‘let’s just see’ when it comes to college options and decisions around whether to apply Early Decision or Early Action” said college counselor Jackie Broomfield. “The landscape this year will benefit students who really evaluate their options early.

If you’re confident that your top-choice schools can also meet your financial need, then applying EA/ED makes sense—as qualifying students will likely be first in line for financial aid,” she added.

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his year, the class of 2020 faced challenges on their journey to college that their predecessors at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy never encountered: the effects of a global pandemic. Between shrinking financial aid, travel barriers, and job loss, many students changed or rethought their plans for college or career with the support of their KIPP Through College (KTC) advisors.

While there is still uncertainty about the challenges the Class of 2021 will face as they apply to college this year, our KTC team is prepared to help students face the unpredictable. Here is some advice from KTC counselors to seniors as they contemplate their options for next year: 1. The early bird gets the worm. All of our counselors said that students seeking college admissions this year will benefit from a proactive approach—particularly when it comes to financial aid and filing for FAFSA. “Families should do their best to fill out the FAFSA and get their paperwork in order as soon as possible this year,” said KTC counselor Aixa Carmona. She added that families should take advantage of online tools like the FAFSA4caster to understand

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2. Virtual visits matter. According to Carmona, “Before COVID-19, many schools offered students fly-ins for tours and interviews, but sometimes they were more exclusive. Now that these visits are virtual, they’re opening them up to more students.

These tours are often led by a current student, which makes them more personal.”

3. Get to know your admissions counselor.

Counselors say students have new opportunities to stand out through Zoom interviews and meetings with admissions counselors. College counselor Natasha M. Stone says that getting to know your admission representative matters more now than ever. “If you have a virtual session with the admission rep, be sure to ask them good questions about their school—even if you may already know the answer to it!

Don’t be afraid to ask for mailing addresses to send personalized thank you cards after interviews. You can even call Financial Aid offices to learn more about different scholarship opportunities,” said Stone.

4. It’s about more than a score. With many schools going test-optional, our college counselors agree that it’s a good time for students to put together a thoughtful

application that stands out from the competition. Counselors say this can be accomplished through a thoughtful college essay and through highlighting meaningful experiences. Stone encourages students to find opportunities to safely perform community service, when possible. Carmona suggests students can write about their personal experiences during COVID-19 and how that impacted the person they’re becoming—but this shouldn’t limit their topics for an essay. “If they’ve been creative or explored a new interest since March, they could write about that experience—but we don’t want them to feel like COVID-19 has to define their whole high school experience either.”

5. Use your KTC resources. Stone says there’s one upside to meeting with students’ virtually via Zoom: “We have the chance to be even more focused on the college search. When we meet with students, they aren’t getting distracted by anything else going on in our room—plus it gives them the opportunity to have ownership over the process a little more. I can screen share with them easily to help them walk through certain parts of the application, but they have to take some of those key steps themselves.” She emphasized the importance of students using tools provided by KTC—like the virtual organizer spreadsheet platform that allows applicants to view their correctly weighted GPA, all prospective colleges, lists of KIPP partner schools, and many other tools to keep them on track with the college application process.

6. Balance your list. Developing a balanced list of colleges that includes a reach, a match, and good bet for acceptance are important for students every year—but this year it’s even more important, says Broomfield. “I’ve been telling students to reach out early and often to colleges to get a clear picture of what their financial aid might look like—and encouraging students to consider in-state options as well. We don’t know what might happen in the future right now with COVID-19, so making sure your list includes some in-state options isn’t a bad idea. A balanced list is a rock amidst a lot of uncertainty.”

As we navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19, our college counselors are here to help students ensure they have what they need to be successful in their journey to and through college.

The Power of the Pen

Each year, we challenge our students with a writing contest that showcases their immense intellectual talents. This year’s theme was Make Your Mark!

We saw a range of styles and genres, from poetry to biography to narrative to speeches. Below is just one example of the work of these talented students. You can find all of their work on our Remote Learning Site!

THE DOVE OR THE CROW IZANEE BRYANT

BY 9TH GRAD ER, KIPP HIGH SC HOOL

The Dove or the Crow We are who we are.

We stand loud, proud, and say Black Lives Matter They don’t hear my voice They only see the dark faces of my people.

Not all blacks are criminals Not all whites are racist But if I’m forced to worry so often, what am I? Am I the dove I see in myself? Hopeful?

Or am I the crow you see in me? A sign of death.

This time This outbreak Will break the gates of racism Stand loud and say We Are Who We Are I Don’t Need To Change MLK said that one day, freedom would be ours.

Can’t you tell we’re tired?

Tired of the judgement.

Just let me be me, No matter the color They tell our men “Don’t have loud music” “Don’t drive at night” “Don’t do this” “Don’t do that” They tell the white man nothing Why is that? Is my color harming you?

When you step to a car, and see my color, Do you say hands up?

Or just shoot?

My color should not define me Let me be who I am.

I am the Dove.

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ALUMNI IN THE NA DI A STO KE S KIPP Schools Attended: KIPP TEAM Academy KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy College and Graduation Year: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Class of 2021 Major/Area of Study: Nursing Internship Employer: Davis Integrated Medicine

n o i t i d E p i h s n Inter

For KIPP New Jersey alumni interested in pursuing their career goals over the summer, 2020 presented a challenge. Instead of learning how to deliver a presentation in a conference room or getting to know their coworkers over lunch, many focused on their Zoom background and making sure they were ready for their first video call.

But that didn’t stop them from taking internships in fields ranging from healthcare to education. Explore what they took away from their experiences!

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What is one key takeaway from this experience that you will continue to use in the future?

The healthcare team is always collaborative and connected; therefore it is vital that all members of a team communicate for the wellbeing of the patient.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students navigating internships and the workplace after graduation?

Never refuse or reject an experience just because you think it does not align with what you want to do. All experiences are great experiences.

N ICHOL AS OSAGI E KIPP Schools Attended: KIPP TEAM Academy, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy College and Graduation Year: Dickinson College, Class of 2021 Major/Area of Study: Neuroscience/Psychology Internship Employer: KIPP New Jersey Special Education Team What is one key takeaway from this experience that you will continue to use in the future?

I have learned much about the importance of communication. When you start a new position, it can sometimes feel like you are expected to know how to do everything immediately. This internship has taught me that it is fine to ask questions when you don't understand something.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students navigating internships and the workplace after graduation?

Understand what your big picture is--if you can find a way to relate your work to your big picture, the internship/job that you are doing will become so much more rewarding. Make the most of the opportunity.

CYAN PE RD U E KIPP School Attended: KIPP TEAM Academy College and Graduation Year: Syracuse University, Class of 2021

TA H L I YAH TA B RO N KIPP School Attended: KIPP Rise Academy College and Graduation Year: Boston University, Class of 2023

Major/Area of Study: Social Work

Major/Area of Study: Biology (Pre-Vet)

Internship Employer: KIPP New Jersey Special Education Team

Internship Employer: Montclair Democratic County Committee

What is one key takeaway from this experience that you will continue to use in the future?

Research! Throughout this internship I have been doing a lot of research about many different topics surrounding the connection between mental and physical health. I’ve been able to use the research I’m doing for KIPP in my personal life in my use of mindfulness techniques and it has helped to inform my path for social work. It’s been such a big part of my experience that I will be creating my own mindfulness platform to share with others. It was something I always wanted to do but this internship helped to build my confidence around this.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students navigating internships and the workplace after graduation?

I would say to ask as many questions as possible! Clarity is key and you want to ensure that the internships you are looking into will benefit you in the long run somehow. Even if it isn’t directly in your preferred field, always inquire about the skills you will need and/or gain from the internship.

What is one key takeaway from this experience that you will continue to use in the future?

One takeaway from this experience is how important it is to go for any opportunity I’m interested in, even if I may not feel like I am the most qualified. Although my career goals and current qualifications stray from my internship, I have learned a lot from being an intern for the Montclair Democrats. Remaining ambitious—even if I am doubtful of my abilities—is something this internship taught me, and I am grateful for that.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students navigating internships and the workplace after graduation?

Networking is extremely important. I have been able to meet some amazing people and make great connections because of the opportunities I’ve had to speak with people from various fields. I was even able to intern at the Utica Zoo this past Spring semester because of someone I met and spoke to at a KIPP networking event, and it was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to another potential career option based on my interests in animal science and medicine.

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Camden Community Resources As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis together, if you are in need of services or food, or have been in close contact with someone affected by COVID-19, please reach out to your child’s teacher or social worker or call our hotline at 856-295-1999.

NJ Mental Health Cares has established a hotline for people dealing with anxiety related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. Calls will be answered from 8am to 8pm seven days a week by live trained specialists.

For more information, please contact your school social worker for assistance in navigating community services. Your school’s social worker may have additional resources not listed here.

You may also go to the NJ.gov site for general information on several benefits & resources at: www.knj.news/NJCOVIDAssistance.

Have general COVID-19 questions?

The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the Public on COVID-19: Call: 2-1-1 Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253 Text: NJCOVID to 898-211 Text: your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance

FAMILY S U P P O RT Promise Neighborhood Family Support Team @ KIPP

Center for Family Services

Contact: Erin Kucinski 609-315-8363 | ekucinski@kippnj.org Resources Available: Housing assistance, emergency assistance, mental health services, family counseling, support connecting families with resources

www.centerffs.org/ Access Center contact: 877.922.2377 Various Locations, including telehealth appointments Resources Available: Intensive family therapy; Individual, group and family counseling; Grief and traumatic loss counseling; Structured intervention for traumatized children, adolescents, and families; Teenage support groups

FOOD School meal distributions and deliveries

HOUS I NG A ND HOME S ERVI CES Catholic Charities Emergency

All KIPP students can still receive their school meals. They are given out in person at KIPP Lanning Square on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm. Meals can also be delivered to your home. If you would like to sign up for meal deliveries, text or call our hotline at 856-295-1999.

856-342-4100 Resources Available: Housing assistance program, electric bill assistance, rental assistance programs, veteran housing services, matched savings program (for first-time home buyers), disaster response

Grocery distributions and deliveries

www.sjcscamden.org | 856-966-8117 Resources Available: Home repairs, home buying counseling, homes for sale

We give out groceries most Wednesdays at KIPP Lanning Square.

We also deliver groceries to families’ homes on Fridays. If you would like to sign up for grocery deliveries, text or call our hotline at 856-295-1999.

H E A LT H Cooper Health Center @ KIPP Lanning Square [closed until school reopens]

856-536-1511 Open every day from 9:00am-3:00pm Full-service health center, available to all KIPP and Head Start families Resources Available: Sick visits, well visits, physicals, immunizations, referrals to specialty care

Gracious Smiles Dentistry

609-744-1200 | gracioussmiles73@gmail.com Full-service dentist every week at both KIPP Lanning Square and KIPP Whittier. While school is closed, Gracious Smiles will still see patients at KIPP Lanning Square every week.

Resources Available: Dental check-ups, cavities/toothaches, advanced dental needs

M E N TA L H E A LT H PerformCare

www.performcarenj.org | 877-652-7624 State-wide system Resources Available: Phone interview with parent for immediate services, evaluations, psychiatric care, children’s mobile response programs 22

St. Joseph Carpenter Society

LEGA L A I D South Jersey Legal Services

www.lsnj.org/sjls/ | 856-964-2010 Resources Available: Legal services for non-criminal cases (evictions, housing, public benefits, etc.)

TRA NS PORTATI ON S ERVI CES LogistiCare

866-527-9934 Resources Available: Free transportation to and from medical appointments for Medicaid participants

FA MI LY S UP P ORT Kinship Navigator

877-569-0350 Caregiver support for those who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their relatives’ children.

JOB TRA I NI NG Hopeworks

www.hopeworks.org 808 Market St 3rd floor, Camden, NJ 08102 Resources Available: Job training for teenagers and young adults in technology

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Feb 4-5 Half Days: Q2 RCCs Feb 12 No School: Staff PD Day Feb 15-19 No School: Mid-Winter Break Mar 19 No School: Staff PD Day Apr 2 Half Day Dismissal Apr 5-9 No School: Spring Break Apr 22-23 Half Days: Q3 RCCs May 31 No School: Memorial Day Jun 7-11 Half Day Dismissals Jun 10-11 Q4 RCCs

Note: For the latest updates to our school calendars, please visit www.kippnj.org/calendar.

Jun 11 Last Day of School Jun 19 Juneteenth Jun 28-30 Closed 23

Here’s what we’re offering to make sure our students stay healthy and on-track for success this year: LIVE instruction 5 days a week FREE weekly grocery distribution Mental health and wellness supports for the whole family through dedicated social workers FREE Chromebook for use at home and WiFi set up Strong supports for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) FREE school supplies, uniform shirts, and backpacks Dental services available at our KIPP Lanning Square campus— even when buildings are closed

Know a family seeking a great school for their child? Send them to kippnj.org/enroll today!

KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy 525 Clinton Street Camden, NJ 08103