TEAM & Family Magazine—Camden—Spring 2021 by KIPP New Jersey

TEAM

FAMILY SPRING 2021

Connection, Creativity, and Service

EXT RACU RRICULAR S D U RING COVID-19

CELEBRATING ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN OUR TEAM + FAMILY

STUDENT AUTHORS A MAGAZINE BY AND FOR THE KIPP NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY

Dear KCNA Families,

elcome to the Spring edition of TEAM & Family Magazine. We hope your family is safe and well.

As we navigated the majority of our school year in virtual classrooms, we are more grateful than ever for your support of your child’s educational journey. We are hopeful that declining COVID-19 cases and the widespread availability of vaccines will ensure that 100% of next school year is spent reconnecting in-person with our team and family. In this issue of TEAM & Family Magazine, you will find:

in this issue LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 02 SCHOOL UPDATES 04 SUPPORTING EVERY KIPP GRADUATE 06 A FOUNDING YEAR AT KIPP HIGH SCHOOL 08

Celebrating Essential Workers

During a pandemic, many members of our team and family worked behind the scenes to ensure the Camden community stayed safe. Read their stories on page 9.

CELEBRATING ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN OUR TEAM + FAMILY 09 CONNECTION, CREATIVITY, AND SERVICE: EXTRACURRICULARS DURING COVID-19 12 CELEBRATING OUR STUDENT AUTHORS 15 FAMILY RESOURCES 19

Extracurricular Engagement

Hear the voices of our students and staff who kept virtual clubs and extracurricular activities going during COVID-19 on page 12.

Student Writing

Our students’ voices always shine through. Check out the work of our student writers, and their recommendations for summer reading on page 15.

We hope you take this summer to relax and reconnect (when it’s safe!) with family and friends. If you need additional support during this time, please call our hotline at 973-6797199—and head to page 19 for academic resources to keep your child engaged in learning this summer. Take care, Drew Martin Executive Director, KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy

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.

KIPP NEWARK COLLEGIATE ACADEMY

KIPP UPPER ROSEVILLE ACADEMY

At KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy, our scholars have been engaged in our classrooms learning about the significant contributions made by and for African Americans and women during Black History Month and Women's History Month. As we roll into the final months of the year, we look forward to spotlighting the hard work of all our scholars, and especially celebrating our amazing Class of 2021 Seniors!!!!!

KIPP NEWARK LAB HIGH SCHOOL

At KIPP Upper Roseville Academy, our students continue to shine and show that they are truly living testaments of greatness, even in the virtual world. We are continuing to bring joy to learning through events like virtual field trips, science experiments and art projects.

The KIPP Newark Lab Academy Sharks have been working hard in this virtual setting because we know nothing can get in the way of designing our lives! We are proud of our staff for creating engaging lessons and our students for demonstrating grit, both of which has led to over 95% attendance every day.

KIPP RISE ACADEMY KIPP NEWARK COMMUNITY PREP

Extended Learning Programs were just one of the ways KIPP Rise ensured our school community remained connected. Our Male Mentorship club was offered by Antwann Brown and Jeff Austin who met with young men virtually to discuss everything from identity to social justice. The group even collected 20 bags of clothing items and shoes to donate to the Salvation Army in Newark, in support of the homelessness and challenges families have faced due to the pandemic.

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At KIPP Life Academy, we are on a roll! Over the course of the 3rd quarter we have averaged our highest attendance so far this year! Each month we have hosted multiple family events, and for scholars we have really ramped up our fun Friday incentive parties including activities like dance parties and game nights! Check our regular updates on Dojo, Facebook, and our school website!

KIPP SEEK ACADEMY At KIPP Seek Academy, we celebrated Read Across America Month in March with guest readers, a reading competition, and so much more. We take reading seriously...but with a lot of fun sprinkled in!

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At KIPP Newark Community Prep, our kids run to virtual school each day thanks to the hard work of our families and staff as they cultivate meaningful relationships with students. This year, we have launched student clubs and hosted a Black Excellence career fair and a reading challenge.

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KIPP THRIVE ACADEMY

KIPP TEAM ACADEMY At KIPP TEAM Academy, we're grateful to our Wolfpack for coming together to work hard during virtual learning. As we reflect on a great school year in preparation for next year, we wish the Class of 2025 the best of luck in high school and can't wait to welcome the 5th grade Class of 2029!

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We loved hosting Read Across America read-alouds this March in our virtual classrooms and our inaugural Black History Month program. KIPP SPARK Academy has been working hard to ensure that academic pride, our focus this school year, rings through even during virtual learning.

KIPP BOLD ACADEMY In April, students completed in the Spring Fling-o challenge! Each week students had a chance to win BIG prizes by showing KIPP BOLD Academy values in class and being high-achievers. Every month at BOLD we try to keep the kids excited, engaged, and having fun while learning.

This spring KIPP THRIVE Academy surveyed families to gain feedback on their experience this school year and what they look forward to next year. The vast majority of families responding agreed that THRIVE promotes a safe online learning experience— and we can't wait to implement our family's ideas in the upcoming school year! Shared from a THRIVE Family, "I love that my child's teacher goes above and beyond to make sure the kids understand the work and have what they need to succeed in her class."

L O O H SC S E T A D P U KIPP LANNING SQUARE PRIMARY

Even during virtual learning, KIPP Lanning Square Primary has remained dedicated to offering art, music, and physical education to students this year. We look forward to engaging with our community even more next year!

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The KIPP Lanning Square Middle familia brought joy and connection to our virtual learning classrooms. We celebrated Black History Month with poetry shareouts, Blacks in Wax presentation, and more. As we enter the final months of school, we could not be more proud of our student and families—our familia is nothing without their continual support. Onward!

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KIPP Whittier Middle teammates came together to develop a Friday Elective program for students across our school. Since October, students have engaged in interactive lessons based on current events, Black and brown history, the fight for social justice and women in history. These elective lessons encouraged students to find their voice and think of ways they can impact their own future.

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KIPP HIGH SCHOOL KIPP High School is proud to have launched a Student Government Association in its founding year that has elevated student voice throughout the community through the selection of a school mascot and mentoring activities. They look forward to building on this work next school year! S RD

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SUPPORTING EVERY KIPP GRADUATE Step Inside our KIPP Through College and Career Program

Jahani Boateng has found support from the KIPP Through College & Career team as he gains career skills in website development.

IPP Through College and Career (KTC&C) Director Kyla Kenny and her team have one ambitious mission: To ensure every graduate of KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy middle schools and KIPP High School has an opportunity to succeed in college and career. For the past four years, Kenny and her team have worked with over 300 middle school students and middle school graduates on every aspect of preparing for their future. “We support every student, it doesn’t matter whether they’re in our classrooms anymore. Our counselors assist with everything from academic advising to tutoring to skill-building. We even work with their placement high schools to ensure students are making academic progress,” said Kenny.

The KTC team gave Jahani a lot of opportunities he might not have otherwise had, from SAT training to college visits. NICOLE SCOTT Jahani’s mom

The program is available to students whether or not they opt for a college or career path. “Breaking into the Camden workforce can be difficult for a young person, but we’ve connected several students to technical training that will help them gain connections and certifications in different fields, and we hope to have 25 rising sophomores at KIPP High School

placed in internships at local companies this summer,” said Kenny. Over the past four years, the program has developed formal and informal community partnerships that help students access opportunity. One connection the KTC&C program is particularly excited about is their partnership with Hopeworks. Hopeworks is a career and technical education (CTE) program that works to train and place Camden youth in internships at local companies like Subaru of America and Campbell’s Soup Company. “Our goal is that by the time our KIPP High School students are juniors, they’ll have the opportunity to intern at a local company or enroll in classes at a local community college and receive course credit,” said Kenny. A graduate of KIPP Lanning Square Middle, Jahani Boateng completed a 6-week Hopeworks CTE program, where he studied website design and learned basic programming skills like HTML and Javascript. After this course, Jahani interned for Hopeworks’ Youth Healing Team, which supports Camden schools as they develop trauma-informed practices. He helped the team prepare and make presentations to the schools about the organization’s practices. “My counselor, Kate Esposito, connected me to Hopeworks. I wasn’t sure whether I would like it at first, but I wound up really enjoying it. Now, my goal is to study computer science and website design

The KIPP Through College & Career Team are true problem solvers —and they proved it at their pre-pandemic ‘Escape the Room’ team-builder.

further,” he said. This spring, Jahani enrolled in courses in computer science at Camden County Community College. “The KTC&C team gave Jahani a lot of opportunities he might not have otherwise had, from SAT training to college visits,” said Jahani’s mom, Nicole Scott. KIPP Lanning Square Middle Graduate Zhamina Faulkner also worked closely with her KTC&C counselor, Kris Smith, as she approached her college search this year. A senior at Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy, Faulkner hopes to become an actress. “Working with Mr. Smith has been very cool. Being the youngest in my family meant that it had been a while since my mom had gone through the college process, so my counselor helped me stay on track as I applied to ten schools, completed the FAFSA and explored my options,” said Faulkner. “It would have been way more stressful without him,” she added. Her hard work paid off. Faulkner received an early acceptance from Barnard College last year, where she intends to major in theater and eventually become a screen actress. “Barnard was my number one school. I wanted a small school feel and to find a sisterhood,” she said. Interested in learning more about what services KIPP Through College & Career can offer students? Reach out to Kyla Kenny at kkenny@kippnj.org.

KIPP alumnae Zhamina Faulkner recently earned an acceptance to Barnard College, her first choice school, where she intends to study theater.

Being the youngest in my family meant that it had been a while since my mom had gone through the college process, so my counselor helped me stay on track as I applied to ten schools, completed the FAFSA and explored my options. Z H A M I N A FA U L K N E R KIPP Lanning Square Middle Graduate

A Founding Year—AND UBUNTU— at KIPP High School

At a movie night, the KIPP High School community gathered for a showing of Black Panther.

n a Tuesday afternoon in February, the Student Government Association at KIPP High School had a problem: How could they solicit the votes they needed to ensure a fair selection of the school’s mascot? The students and staff at the new school were choosing between the Titans, Phoenix, and Knights— but two options were in a close tie and the group was missing 100 votes.

school that would be defined by the Zulu word ‘Ubuntu,’ which translates roughly to, ‘I am because we are.’ “That was the headline challenge of our year. How do we create Ubuntu virtually, particularly during such a difficult time for our Camden community?” said Warshawer. During a virtual launch, the school remained dedicated to the principles of

Ubuntu (ùbúntú) n. I AM BECAUSE WE ARE. “Let’s ask teachers to get the word out that people should be voting in their homerooms. A lot of students don’t know about it,” said ninth grader Zanya Hill. Ajaya Wilson suggested eliminating the mascot with the least number of votes (the Knights), and narrowing it down to two. The suggestion is met with agreement from the group and soon a plan is hatched to weigh the two logo options during an upcoming community meeting. When interviewed, student leaders agreed that starting their first year of high school virtually was something they never imagined—but it forced them to be creative in their approach to learning and leading. That sentiment was echoed by KIPP High School’s founding principal, Stu Warshawer. As Warshawer planned the vision for KIPP High School, he imagined a 8

Ubuntu, even if it had to scale back some of its plans. “There have been pain points,” said Warshawer, citing low attendance early in the year, student internet access challenges, and a stalled athletics program. “Nonetheless, we’ve been able to take on an extraordinary number of virtual community events and programs,” he said. From entrepreneurship and running clubs, to Warrior of the Week celebrations honoring top students and school talent shows, Warshawer reports that students have opportunities to connect with one another frequently. Those connections happen each morning, in school ‘Ubuntu’ groups. These groups meet daily and offer a space for discussing everything from academics to the challenges students are facing in their lives. “These groups have been a lifeline,”

said Warshawer. “It’s an access point for parents, students, and teachers to all mutually support one another,” he added. The school community is looking forward to the coming school year, which will likely bring all students, teachers, families, and staff together in-person for the first time ELA teachers Ken O’Kane and Destiny Bingham get ready for a socially distanced book fair.

and in which the school adds a tenth grade and a new group of students. When asked why families and students should choose KIPP High School, Warshawer had an easy answer: “You come to a KIPP school because you know you’re going to have an adult that cares deeply about you and believes in you and your potential,” he said. “That’s the magic factor.”

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hen COVID-19 arrived in March of 2020, essential workers across the world had their personal and professional lives turned upside down as they navigated a new normal.

The same was true within our team and family in Camden. Below are a few of the stories of our community’s essential workers who have worked tirelessly during a pandemic to keep their families and communities safe and connected. We thank them—and the many more essential workers in our community—from the bottom of our hearts.

THE GALVAN FAMILY Dulce and Daniel Galvan have sold customers deli sandwiches, groceries and household supplies in Camden since they opened Rosemary’s Mini Market on South 6th Street in 2001. But when COVID-19 arrived in March 2020, the pair contemplated shutting their doors to protect their health. Their customers changed the Galvan’s minds. “People approached us and said ‘please don’t close.’ There were people who had no food and didn’t keep groceries in the house,” said Ms. Galvan. The couple had to be creative as they navigated a shortage of products like deli meat from their suppliers, but Rosemary’s kept their loyal customers and was one of the few stores in the area to stay open. “Some people would ask us for food,” said Ms. Galvan. “Nobody leaves here hungry, if we can help it,” she added. Through it all, her family navigated remote learning at KIPP Lanning Square Middle School with sixth and seventh grade sons, Daviel and Derrick. “It’s been hard at times, keeping up with working in our store and making sure they’re logged in every day for virtual learning,” said Ms, Galvan. But she is grateful to her children’s teachers. “I can call their teachers anytime, and we’ve been working with them as a team,” she said.

YESENIA SANTIAGO For the past twenty-five years, Yesenia Santiago has worked to provide exceptional care for patients at Cooper University Hospital. Currently, she’s a health coach at the hospital’s Infectious Disease department and previously worked for the Early Intervention Program. In both roles, Santiago’s work ensures patients’ medical and non-medical needs (like access to housing) are met. “We treat patients with any type of infectious disease, from HIV to MERSA. Since COVID-19 arrived, we’ve been extremely busy treating patients,” said Santiago, who has worked in the often understaffed office continuously since March 2020. “I love what I do. And now, we’re helping our patients get vaccinated, which is rewarding,” she added. Her son, a ninth grade student at KIPP High School, is looking forward to returning to in-person school in the near future. “It’s been hard for our family, but I’m hopeful that the vaccine will make things safer for everyone,” said Santiago.

Cooper University Health Care

I love what I do. And now, we’re helping our patients get vaccinated, which is rewarding. YESENIA SANTIAGO KIPP High School parent 10

JACOB MARTINEZ There are many dedicated firefighters in the city of Camden, but you might be hard-pressed to find one as patient as Jacob Martinez. A lifelong Camden resident, Martinez passed the test to become a firefighter at eighteen, but city budget cuts put his career on hold. Martinez opened a pest control company but kept his dream of firefighting alive, taking the qualifying exam every few years. Fourteen years later, they offered him the job. “I’ve always been interested in firefighting, and I’ve always wanted to serve the people of Camden. You have to be selfless,” said Martinez. “Every call is important. We’ve been busy, but we’re continuing to serve the community during a difficult time,” he said. The father of first and third grade boys who attend KIPP Lanning Square Primary, Martinez says that virtual learning has had its challenges for his family, but his children have adapted well. “You gotta roll with the punches these days,” said Martinez. “During this time, I appreciate my children’s teachers. They bring so much energy to the classroom. You need energetic people in a moment like this,” he added.

KHALID WAYS A highlight of Khalid Ways’ role as an Assistant Dean at KIPP Whittier Academy is building relationships with students, one of whom is his son, sixth grader Davion RossWays. Pre-COVID, the Whittier approach to relationship-building was exemplified by the mantra, “reaching every mind every day.” But when the virus prevented the daily, in-person interactions that are critical to supporting students and caused attendance to drop, Ways and his team soon realized they would need to revise this mantra. “Our new core value became ‘doing whatever it takes to support our families,’” said Ways. “I asked myself ‘what does that look like?’ and ‘how can I make sure families feel seen and heard?’” he added. For Ways, the answers included socially-distanced, outdoor visits to chat with students, dropping off computers or chargers for families experiencing technical difficulties that interfered with virtual learning, and connecting virtually with students as much as possible about their wellbeing. The approach paid off. “Today, I know every kid in and out. I can tell when they’re worried or stressed, and I can help them access support in our community,” he said. Ways and his wife have worked hard to ensure some sense of normalcy for Davion, who has managed to stay on-track academically. “My wife and I have had a lot of conversations about how you can only worry about what you can change. He’s applied that attitude,” said Ways. “We’re taking things one day at a time, and we can’t wait to create a greater sense of normalcy for our kids as things get safer,” he added. 11

Extracurriculars During COVID-19

hen COVID-19 forced schools to go remote in March of 2020, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy senior Makylia McGee didn’t know what the move meant for her favorite school club, Student Leaders for Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity (SLIDE). The club, which seeks to foster a school culture of inclusion for all students, had previously undertaken live events, planning Latinx Heritage Month potlucks and community service projects.

virtual learning. Antwann Brown and Jeffrey Austin lead the club, which focuses on empowering young men. Each session covers a different topic, from leadership skills to conversations about racial equity. “Recently, we were talking about the

“We knew we wanted to keep SLIDE going virtually,” said McGee. “I remember being a KIPP Rise freshman and how hard it was Academy performing to connect with people in a new arts teacher Asha Lindsey walks students through school. Starting high school scales (with some help from virtually this year is even her daughter!) during a harder,” she said. That’s Zoom rehearsal in February 2021. why this year, McGee and SLIDE members are importance of showing up for every leading a mentorship initiative that pairs opportunity,” said Brown. “We want them seniors with freshmen, offering them a to understand that you never know what chance to learn from one another. For opportunities you might miss if you’re not McGee, the mentorship program is a way on time and committed,” he added. to give back to a club that helped her find her voice as a sophomore. “When I was a The club completed a service project in freshman, I was the student who knew the March, donating clothes to the Newark answer but didn’t always raise my hand. community. “I think the clothing drive was SLIDE helped me find my voice,” she said. important because most of my friends have clothing and shelter, but not everyone The Male Mentoring group at KIPP Rise does, especially in the cold weather,” said Academy has also kept meeting during 12

seventh grader Bashir Moss. “We came together as a club and donated lots of clothing to the Salvation Army,” he added. Moss looks forward to next year, when the club will likely be able to gather in person again. Students also kept connected through arts-based programs. KIPP Rise Academy Performing Arts teacher Asha Lindsey realized students had fewer outlets to express themselves during the pandemic—and she saw an opportunity to keep students engaged through music, dance, and acting. That realization resulted in a virtual production of The WIZ, with the script revised by Lindsey and the songs written by her students to reflect themes of the pandemic. In this version of The WIZ, Dorrien (played by a male student) is trying to get back to his (virtual) homeroom—he’s moved from Zoom classrooms, Youtube channels, and even Minecraft because of the coding genius of a fellow classmate, Evie, the musical’s villain. As her thirty students rehearsed for the musical, they used apps like Flipgrid to record themselves singing and practiced scales together over Zoom at rehearsals that took place two to three days a week.

KIPP Lanning Square Primary students Brennan and Noah Rirchardson show off their art projects at home.

“The unexpected benefit of rehearsing virtually is that students are becoming screen actors, not just stage actors,” said Lindsey. But mostly, she said she wants her young performers to have something they can take ownership of during the pandemic. Their musical will be unveiled at the end of the school year and likely feature a virtual red carpet walk! KIPP BOLD Academy’s principal, Lisa Bonnifield, also supports students’ acting dreams through her ‘Actrify’ club which helps students ‘electrify’ their acting. “In our Zoom meetings, we warm up physically and vocally, play theater games, and then dive right in to scene work. Actirfy is the place to practice acting skills from the comfort of your own home!” said Bonnifield. At KIPP Lanning Square Primary, art teacher Michelle Jones has helped students stay connected to the visual arts through remote and asynchronous art classes. This year, as students quarantined, Jones took them on a virtual trip around the world. “We’ve studied art from Kazakhstan to Egypt,” said Jones. Eric Richardson’s two sons, Brennan and Noah, take Jones’ art class. “The boys love art. When we can’t gather together in-person, art brings everyone together,” said Richardson. Noah applied his art skills recently when he created a Black History Month project poster for class about

Ruby Bridges and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Brennan, an animal lover, enjoyed sketching an alligator for an art project. The inspiration for his drawing? Ms. Jones taught class from her mother’s house in Florida, where baby alligators were frequent guests in the backyard! “We did a unit on the difference between Florida and New Jersey wildlife—so we toured the backyard,” said Ms. Jones, who said the project was a hit with her students. Even during the pandemic, KIPP Seek Academy families continue to tune into Seek Speaks TV when they want to know what’s new at their school and in the world. The brainchild of teacher Sabine Vilsaint, this twice a week video series offers families updates on everything from the weather to current events like the 2020 election. Vilsaint reports that the best shows are the ones where students take ownership of the show and make script edits. Chas Miller said that Seek Speaks has helped her son, Elijah, gain confidence. “He’s much more vocal. At first he was shy, but now he’s always eager to participate,” said Miller. Elijah finds a supportive presence from Ms. Vilsaint in practice sessions before the final recordings. “Ms. Vilsaint helps me with how to say certain words. I really liked reporting on Winter Wonderland [a virtual winter concert] last year,” said Elijah.

KIPP High School 9th grader Danaijah Wilson loves capturing images of Camden during photography club.

Arts-based electives have also shone at KIPP High School, as the school navigates its first year remotely while keeping its commitment to offering community-based electives. This year, students enrolled in the school’s photography program have worked closely with local Camden artist and activist Erik James Montgomery, who is teaching students the basics of photography after school on Zoom and plans to include their work in an upcoming exhibit.

I’m inspired by the beauty of the world around me, and I wanted to capture those images, so I started taking photos!” DANAIJAH WILSON KIPP High School

Elijah Miller anchors Seek Speaks, informing the school community about the upcoming ‘Winter Wonderland’ celebrations!

According to the high school's ELA teacher and extracurricular coordinator Ken O’Kane, it’s particularly valuable for students to engage with their community when they explore new interests and pursue their passions. “Community connections help students retell the narrative of Camden and visualize possibilities for their futures,” said O’Kane.

Celebrating Our Student Authors (and their favorite books!)

ur schools are full of talented writers who enjoy sharing their work with the community. Publishing great student work is always a highlight of our Magazine—and this edition is no different. We’ve selected the poetry and fiction work of four Camden students to share with you. But we also have a bonus for you: Because we know your household might be seeking great summer reads, we’ve asked each student author to share their favorite books with you. Dive into their work—and recs—here!

Love

BY KEVI N PELLOT 9th Grade, KIPP High School Fatal love is a bird with no wings, stunted from true experience. Toxic love is like a duet song with no rhythm or synchronization. No love is like a hole in your heart that was never filled with the things you mentally and emotionally desire.

Kevin’s Book Recommendation: If you like supernatural horror and mystery books, The Outsider by Stephen King is perfect for you. The characters battle false accusations and prejudice in this classic police investigation story. The first half of the book discusses the murder of a boy in a small town where his death really impacted the people. The characters’ loyalties are torn throughout the case as this mystery continues. This novel addresses human nature and the difficult decisions people must make. The plot will have you wondering whose side you’re on as you read!

Camden Proud

C H I K A O G B U O K I RI 7th Grade, KIPP Lanning Square Middle I am from the motherland, the great jewel of this earth, AfrIca. I am from Camden, city of warriors, story of resilience. The fight in my veins started long ago—my ancestors have been dragged from their home, but look at the determination that has been shown. I am from the country of the UnIted States, where they kneel on our necks, To take our breath away. Our courage away. Our humanity away. But this land was built on our backs, from the sweat of our brow, so hear me now. He uttered, “I can’t breathe”—and we stood in unity to give air to the lungs of all those who would live on, Air to fight for justIce. Air to call this nation to face the oppression—because Black lives do matter. See, I am from Camden where we will ourselves to succeed, We fight even when we bleed, We take justIce back, we don’t have to plead.

Chika’s Book Recommendation: A book I would recommend for summer reading is They Both Die In the End by Adam Silvera. It’s an easy read that will capture your interest quickly. This dramatic love story offers a way for scholars who are in the LGBTQ community to see themselves in the literature they read. Giving readers the opportunity to learn about people from all walks of life promotes unity and a broader perspective of the world.

We cry in the dark but rise to any battle in the light, We spring from the concrete and take flight. I am from Camden and I, Chika Ogbuokiri, Am a beautiful sight. Now you know that’s right.

Inspired by the Maya Angelou poem, “Still I Rise.”

Nola and Ollie Save The Day! BY JAVI ELEI S VA ZQUEZ 4th Grade, KIPP Lanning Square Primary

I woke up on a beautiful Sunday morning. First, I greeted my dog Ollie. “Hi Ollie!” I patted her on the head. Then, I ran downstairs for breakfast. Nobody was there, which was really odd, just a cold breakfast on the counter. I ate yogurt instead and saw a note from my parents saying they would be back later, Then my parents called—they said my aunt was there and told me to open the door, so I greeted her.

Excerpted, catch the whole story on our blog soon!

Aunt Luna is so nice! She always brings Ollie treats and brings me sweets, like honey buns. This time she got me an apple and medicine and a peculiar kind of pen. I wondered what the medicine and pen were for, but I ate the apple. It was delicious! I put the medicine away in the shed and I locked the shed. We left Ollie outside to play.

That evening, Aunt Luna said “Nola, we should make cupcakes and cookies—it’s New Year’s Day!” I had forgotten that today was a holiday! I said yes—I love cupcakes. We started on the cupcakes first. I grabbed the mix, the eggs, sugar, white chocolate and the mixer. I sprinkled some white chocolate in the cupcakes and then we put them in the oven. We started the cookies—and Aunt Luna told me not to put white chocolate in them. I said okay—maybe she didn't want to use too much? Then, the oven dinged! The cupcakes smelled delicious. I grabbed one she made without chocolate and she grabbed a cupcake with chocolate that I made. We finished them in seconds. But suddenly, she was spitting out her cupcake and turning blue!

Javieleis’ Book Recommendation: I highly recommend the book Judy Moody Saves the World by Megan McDonald. This book explains how we can save the world through the 3 R’s (Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle). I could relate to the main character, Judy, because she sometimes thinks her siblings are annoying, but knows you can also have a good time with them. I like that this book gave us information on how to protect the earth and I liked how relatable the characters were. I give it a 9/10!

Black Lives Rise

BY CA S H M E R E E P PS 7th Grade, KIPP Lanning Square Middle You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may try and forget me, But like the name and legacy of Breonna Taylor, I'll rise. Does my swag upset you? When I come thru like I own the room? ’Cause I walk like I've got the spirit of Malcolm X Whether you see me in person or on Zoom. Just like moons and suns, With certainty and pride,

Just like the dream of Dr. King My fate is up to me to decide. Does my kinky hair upset you? Does it come as a surprise? That I let my coils dance on top of my head and walk with my chin held high? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from every hood rooted in pain I rise I'm a Black scholar, learning and wise, Enjoying every win because I am a prize.

Cashmere’s Book Recommendation: I recommend the book, Promises to Keep by Paul Langan. This book is about a high school student named Tyray Hobbs who once bullied other students, but is now bullied himself. I was able to identify with the characters in this book and their struggles. We all need more books where we can relate to the characters and the narrative.

Camden Community Resources As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis together, if you are in need of services or food, please call or text our hotline at 856-295-1999. To learn more about scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine, call 855-568-0545. FAMILY S U P P O RT Promise Neighborhood Family Support Team @ KIPP Contact: Erin Kucinski 609-315-8363 | ekucinski@kippnj.org

FOOD KIPP Food Pantry

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.

Grocery boxes delivered to families’ homes on Fridays. Text or call 856-295-1999 for delivery. Food available for all KIPP families and community members.

M EN TAL HEA LTH PerformCare

Hope Mobile Food Distributions

Center for Family Services

www.performcarenj.org State-wide system hotline for children’s psychiatric care (24/7): 877-652-7624 www.centerffs.org/ Access Center contact: 877-922-2377

H E A LT H Cooper Health Center @ KIPP Lanning Square

Contact 856-225-8800 for rental assistance and other resources, or apply online at www.njhelps.org

ACAD E M I C RE SO U RC ES TO SUP P O RT S U M M E R L EARN IN G FOR A L L G RA DE S

HO USING A ND HOME S ERVI CES Camden County Board of Social Services

Camden County OEO

UTI LI TY A SS I STA NCE Camden County OEO

Contact 856-964-6887 for LIHEAP and other resources Contact 856-365-7393 or 856-541-6985 for LIHEAP and other resources

LEGA L A I D South Jersey Legal Services www.lsnj.org/sjls/ 856-964-2010

TRA NS P ORTATI ON SE RV ICE S LogistiCare

Call 866-527-9934 to learn about free transportation to and from medical appointments for Medicaid participants

JOB TRA I NI NG Hopeworks

Contact 856-964-6887 for rental assistance and other resources

Head to www.hopeworks.org to learn more about job training for young adults in technology.

BrainPop

Cosmic Kids Yoga

www.brainpop.com Videos and activities aligned to a range of subject areas for K - 8 students

Khan Academy

Sign in through Clever and click on Khan icon or go to www.khanacademy.org and sign in with your KIPP apps account. Each grade level has all of the lessons necessary to complete in order to pass the grade. Try to complete as many objectives in each mission!

NewsEla

www.newsela.com/about/resources Level texts available for all levels. Free account creation available.

Have general COVID-19 questions?

856-966-8117 | www.sjcscamden.org

Hispanic Family Center

In-person food distributions on the third Wednesday of every month in the KIPP Lanning Square gym. Food available for all KIPP families and residents of Cooper Plaza and Lanning Square.

856-536-1511 (request an appointment at KIPP when calling) Reopening M-F starting in April 2021 Full-service health center, available to all KIPP and Head Start families

St. Joseph Carpenter Society

Here are some numbers to know.

www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.

Libby, By Overdrive

www.overdrive.com The app partners with public library networks, so there is a vast selection of great titles!

Vooks

www.vooks.com Vooks offers a month free trial for their collection of animated story books

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 19

KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy 525 Clinton Street Camden, NJ 08103

We’re growing our team and family and we need your support. Scan this QR code using the camera function on your phone or visit http://bit.ly/KNJRaﬄe. You'll have a chance to earn a Nintendo Switch!