November 2010

Please join the faculty and staff of KIPP Charlotte in congratulating the following students who earned straight A’s for first quarter: Kya Bunn and Khalil Hardy (Pride of 2017); Nautijaye Heard and Yussra Mahmud (Pride of 2016); and Bryana Andrade Williams, Digna Bermudez and Arianna Pullin (Pride of 2015.) These students and their parents were invited to attend a catered lunch generously donated by Chicken Box restaurant on Nov. 3.

In addition, thanks to everyone who attended the boarding school panel discussion on Oct. 21 where participants shared their experiences and the pros and cons of attending boarding school. Kudos to our panelists including: Wallace Brance (Woodberry Forest), Jody Thomas (Virginia Episcopal School), Fredricka Yellets (Woodberry Forest), Cecil Stodghill (Director of Admissions at Providence Day; McCallie), and Jenkie Atkinson (parent of student attending Chatham Hall), as well as the High School Placement Department for hosting the event.

Finally, thanks to all of the parents who attended the first All Parents’ Meeting of the 2010-2011 school year on Oct. 21. We had strong attendance, which we believe is due in part to the new system in which parents earn points for participation in such events.


We look forward to seeing even more students and parents at future events!


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

Volunteer Spotlight: Brian and Judy Barry

Brian and Judy Barry share a passion for helping all children reach their potential, and as a result of their dedication to KIPP Charlotte, are this month’s featured volunteers. After retiring, Mr. Barry began to look for ways to help his community. Their friends Chuck and Priscilla Sawicki (dedicated supporters of Irwin Avenue Elementary School) suggested that Mr. Barry begin tutoring there.

Mr. Barry was impressed with Irwin but worried about what would happen when these children entered Charlotte’s middle schools. He found one school that gave him hope: KIPP Charlotte! The extended hour format, devotion of teachers and extensive parental involvement grabbed the Barrys’ attention.

Inspired, the Barrys quietly began working behind the scenes, regularly encouraging their friends and associates to get involved with KIPP. Mr. Barry began volunteering as a mentor and reading buddy and was matched up with Malik Pressley (Pride of 2017). Malik recalls meeting Mr. Barry during his first year at KIPP. Mr. and Mrs. Barry would visit Malik and sometimes brought him to their house to work on his reading skills. “It’s fun reading with him,” Malik says. “He helps me read and do homework.”

Mr. Barry continued to tutor students at Irwin as well. He asked some of the teachers to recommend a student who they believed would do well at KIPP, and Khristian Ellington (Pride of 2018) was suggested. They began meeting once a week for tutoring and after a few weeks Mr. Barry told Khristian about KIPP Charlotte. Soon after, he brought Khristian and his mother to visit KIPP.

“I saw one of the seventh grade classes and I was inspired,” Khristian recalls. “I knew that [at KIPP] I was going to succeed and be able to focus so I could learn enough to go to college.”

Both Malik and Khristian have benefited from Mr. Barry’s guidance. Malik was named a “Shining KIPPSTER” in September, and Khristian made the A-B Honor Roll for first quarter.

Mr. Barry is proud to say that he is “mentoring two young men” at KIPP, as well as Khristian’s younger brother, a third grader at Irwin who plans to attend KIPP for middle school. It is easy to see the deep bond that Mr. and Mrs. Barry have forged with the boys. “I have three daughters, and now I have three sons,” Mr. Barry says proudly.

“The children have done so much for us,” Mrs. Barry agrees. “They’ve been so refreshing. They’ve become part of our family.”

Mr. and Mrs. Barry plan to work with the three boys as they continue into high school and beyond. When it comes to mentoring children, The Barrys believe “you get back more than you give.” KIPP Charlotte thanks this very special couple for being an integral part of the KIPP family!
Barrys_Malik Pressley_Khristian Ellington
Khristian Ellington, Brian Barry, Malik Pressley, and Judy Barry
Brian Barry and Malik Pressley
Mr. Barry helps Malik Pressley (2017) with his reading

Club Saturdays


While many students might not be too excited about going to school on a Saturday, KIPPSTERS regularly enjoy a different experience through Club Saturdays. Held once a month to encourage extracurricular involvement, Club Saturdays offer students and teachers a break from their rigorous academic schedule while preparing participants to be more well-rounded for high school and college. 

Each semester students can choose to join three of the following clubs: spoken word/poetry, honors chorus, chess, recycling/service projects, robotics, ambassadors, lacrosse, volleyball, film, student government, dance, and step. Clubs are led by KIPP teachers, guest teachers and volunteers from local organizations such as Charlotte Slam Poetry, Queens University and the Charlotte Observer.

Tiffany Flowers-Washington, co-founder of KIPP Charlotte and leader of the Club Saturdays program, is pleased that KIPPSTERS and their families take full advantage of the programs. “It’s a good time for kids and teachers to get to know each other in a different light,” explains Mrs. Flowers-Washington. “The kids really seem to enjoy them and choose to come out on Saturdays.”

Some students are also invited to attend a block of tutoring on Club Saturdays, and are still able to attend the meetings of two clubs.

Nov. 13 was the final regular meeting for clubs for the fall 2010 semester. On Dec. 11 the KIPP Charlotte Chorus will perform its winter concert. Club Saturday will resume in January for the spring 2011 semester!

Students discuss public speaking at a meeting of the Ambassadors’ Club
Students discuss public speaking at a meeting of the Ambassadors’ Club

Lacrosse 2010
Mr. Gates’s 2010 Lacrosse Club members


We are team and family.

Career Day


KIPP Charlotte’s High School Placement Department recently hosted the second Annual Career Day for fifth and sixth graders and we received tremendous support from local community leaders. Over 40 professionals staffed 11 stations for students to learn about Marketing, Business and Finance, Education, Media, Law, Medical, Public Service, Graphic Design, Engineering, Technology, and the Arts.

Many thanks to all of our guests who shared their secrets for success and the paths they took to get there!

Tentative plans are underway for an eighth grade Job Shadow Day during the spring semester. Please contact Director of High School Placement, Emily Kronemeyer (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), if you would like to be included in this possible addition to our career and college programming!


Career Day Tech Station
Students at the technology station on Career Day

Our volunteers for Career Day
Our wonderful volunteers for Career Day

 

Ubuntu: “I am who I am because
of what we all are.”

  - African Proverb

Upcoming Events

November 30: Classes resume from Thanksgiving break
November 30 - December 16: Food Drive. Contact Ms. Leslie with questions: 980-297-3602
December 11: Winter Chorus Concert; all other clubs canceled
December 16: Last day of class before Winter Break