March 2011

With the year over halfway done, End of Grade tests are fast approaching! The KIPPsters are working hard so they can prove what many of us already know: all of us will learn.

One of the highlights of the past month was the Black History Month Performance on Saturday, February 26. All of the students and several parents attended the program to witness moving performances by students in the KIPP chorus, Dance Club, and Spoken Word Club.

We would like to extend a warm thank you to the parents who were involved in providing a spectacular lunch to faculty and staff on February 23. The food was delicious, and we deeply appreciate all that you do for the school. We are team and family.

Warm regards,
Keith Burnam and Tiffany Flowers-Washington
(Co-Founders and School Leaders)


IN THE STUDENTS’ WORDS
Carlisle and Gallagher

By Kya B. (Pride of 2017) and Joy W. (Pride of 2018)
Carlisle and Gallagher

Two students were selected by Mrs. Lynch, 6th grade writing teacher and staff leader of the student newspaper, to interview a company that recently provided KIPP Charlotte with a major gift. The students developed interview questions and were treated to lunch and a tour of the Carlisle & Gallagher offices. They wrote the following article about what they learned.

On the afternoon of March 7, Joy and Kya, members of the KIPP Charlotte student newspaper, visited Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group at their office in Uptown Charlotte. We interviewed Jena Gallagher, co-founder and Director of Information Technology for Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group. The company supports our school. Ms. Gallagher had heard about KIPP in other cities and found out about KIPP Charlotte in the local newspaper. She likes the work ethic that the students put into the work they do. She is impressed with our dedication. Carlisle & Gallagher also supports other nonprofit organization such as Hands on Charlotte, the MS Society, the Blumenthal, the United Way, Meals on Wheels and the Charlotte Rescue Mission. Overall, Joy and Kya enjoyed the visit uptown, especially the opportunity to see the company in action.

Thank you, Carlisle & Gallagher!

MOCK INTERVIEW DAY
Pride of 2016 Practices Interview Skills

On Friday, February 15 the KIPP Charlotte auditorium was buzzing with activity as the Pride of 2016 (7th grade) participated in Mock Interview Day. The event, organized by Mrs. Kronemeyer and Mr. Gates of the High School Placement Department, provides a safe space for students to practice interview skills that will be vital as they apply to competitive high schools this fall, and eventually colleges and jobs.

45 representatives of several local businesses and private high schools took time out of their busy schedules to help KIPPsters prepare for their futures. We are grateful to employees of TIAA-CREF, Teach For America, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, New Leaders for New Schools, Nelson Mullins Law, and several other local companies, as well as Davidson Day School, Providence Day School, and Gaston Day School.

Each student interviewed with two unfamiliar faces: members of the community and business world who support KIPP Charlotte’s mission but are not well known to the student. Interviewers provided students with constructive feedback, and then gave them the chance to incorporate the feedback into their answers.

Mock Interview Day was a great success as our students are now better prepared to interview for top high schools. Thank you to those of you who participated!


VISIT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BELK FOUNDATION
On Wednesday, February 2, leaders of the Belk Foundation paid a visit to KIPP Charlotte as part of the board’s series of site visits to keep up-to-date with education in Charlotte. Mr. Burnam (co-founder and school leader) joined forces with three students to give a tour to Belk Foundation board members Katie Morris, Kirk Glenn, Kat Belk-Cook, Johnny Belk, and Claudia Belk, as well as the foundation administrator Susan Blount and foundation director Johanna Anderson. We would like to thank the Belk Foundation for their continued support of and involvement with KIPP Charlotte.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS

March 26: Mandatory Saturday School

April 3: Third Quarter ends
April 4: Teacher Workday
April 7: Third Quarter Principal’s List Luncheon for students with straight A’s
April 9: Mandatory Saturday School
April 18-24: Spring Break

May 16-19: End of Grade Testing