LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy Families,

WELCOME

to the fall edition of TEAM and Family Magazine! We are grateful for the continued partnership of our returning families and warmly welcome new families as we head into fall.

Over 2,200 students and their families are enrolled in our schools in Camden this year and we’re committed to supporting each of those students on their path to a choice-filled life.

Reflecting this growth, we’ve recently opened a new elementary school, KIPP Sumner Elementary (KSE), under the leadership of Ken Calemmo, an education leader who has been with KIPP in Camden since our founding in 2014. KSE is a community school grounded in honoring the traditions of Camden and the pursuit of a world class education for all children.

We have also completed renovations on our Whittier campus that will allow KIPP High School to have access to a new state-of-the-art campus. See the photos on page 6!

This edition highlights our community’s efforts to encourage a commitment to lifelong learning and cultivating students’ natural curiosity. From families making big career moves and staff earning graduate degrees, to the vivid imaginations of young writers and big ambitions of our alumni, our community is modeling what it means to keep learning throughout life.

In addition to this magazine, I will be sending monthly newsletters and hosting several virtual family town halls. Keep your eyes out for those and for those dates.

As we go through this school year together, I look forward to working in partnership with families to ensure every child receives an excellent education that prepares them to achieve their goals.

Special Education

Our special education team supports all learners on their educational journeys. Hear from a parent, special education teacher, and our Director of Special Education on best practices to support special students.

Lifelong Learners

Meet members of the Camden community who embody lifelong learning on page 12.

Authors in Our Community

We’ve featured the work of two student authors who were recognized by our annual Writing Contest! Head to page 16 for more.

Sincerely, Drew Martin Executive Director, KIPP New Jersey

in this issue

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 02 SCHOOL UPDATES 04 THE NEW KIPP HIGH SCHOOL 06 MAKING SPACE: NAVIGATING DIFFICULT TOPICS 08 IEP PERSPECTIVES 10 LIFELONG LEARNERS 12 MEET OUR STUDENT AUTHORS 16 COMMUNITY RESOURCES 18 SCHOOL CALENDAR 19 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.