LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

to the fall edition of TEAM and Family Magazine! After an incredibly difficult year for so many, we were thrilled to welcome our students back to our classrooms in-person this August. As always, we are grateful for your partnership with our schools as we continue to prioritize the safety of our community.

This year we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of KIPP New Jersey’s first school year. Currently, we have nearly 8,000 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12th grade in 18 schools across Newark and Camden and over 1,700 alumni, dozens of whom work in our organization today! We’ve come a long way since opening our doors to 80 fifth graders in 2002 in Newark’s South Ward yet our core belief in the power of our students and communities remains the same.

Another reason for celebration is the opening of three new schools in Newark; KIPP Truth Academy, KIPP Purpose Academy, and KIPP Justice Academy. We can’t wait to grow these new school communities in partnership with families.

We hope you enjoy this edition of TEAM and Family Magazine, which attempts to capture this moment in our school communities and elevate the voices of our students, families, and staff. In this issue, you will find:

As we go through this school year together, I look forward to getting your feedback and working in partnership with our Newark families to ensure every child receives an education that supports their journey to college, career and a choice-filled life.

Award-Winning Student Writing.

We’ve featured the work of one student author who won our annual Writing Contest. Check out his powerful work on page 20.

Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing.

In-person learning will be an adjustment for our students and their families. Our social workers offer their tips for supporting your family’s mental health on page 11.

Race, Equity and Inclusion.

Our organization remains committed to our core values of creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and staff. Learn more about this evolving work on page 14.

Take care, Drew Martin Executive Director, KIPP New Jersey

in this issue

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 03 SCHOOL UPDATES 04 SNAPSHOTS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 06 6 TIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING THIS YEAR 08 KIPP FORWARD 10 A YEAR OF TRANSITION 11 THE JOURNEY TO 100% 14 BACK IN THE GAME 18 STUDENT WRITING 20 FAMILY RESOURCES + CALENDAR 22

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 mission 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.