October 2010

Please join the faculty and staff of KIPP Charlotte in welcoming outstanding new members to the Pride this school year as they lead students to achieve their best and highest good!

They include: James Barnett, 8th Grade Science; Christopher Bloom, 6th Grade EC; Alyssa Goodman, 5th Grade Math; Latasha Hailey, 7th & 8th Grade History; Nivan Khosravi, 7th Grade Reading and Writing; Morgan Pierce, 7th & 8th Grade EC; Sarah Sparks, 5th grade Science; Blake Zimmerman, EC Coordinator; Andrea Fernandez, office assistant, Donna Rogers, Office Manager and Jacqueline Bearman, Director of Finance and Operations. We are thrilled to have these highly qualified individuals join our ranks and hope you will help them feel at home.
Warm regards,
Keith Burnam and Tiffany Flowers-Washington
(Co-Founders and School Leaders)

KIPP Students attend Leadership Summit

Two members of the Pride of 2017, Lindsay Cureton and Aldair Hernandez recently participated in the 2010 annual KIPP Student Leadership Summit in Houston, Texas, Oct. 7-10. Held near a different KIPP campus every year, the Summit allows each KIPP school to select two 6th grade students to attend for leadership training, problem solving and team building activities.


Cureton and Hernandez were excited to attend the Summit, though both were nervous about their first plane flights.

Hernandez believes he was chosen because “I showed a lot of growth throughout my first year [at KIPP].” His goal for the Summit was “to learn the person I am inside and who I’m going to be in the future.” He had never been to a camp and was looking forward to making friends.


Cureton describes herself as a big goal-setter. “My goal was to go on the trip, so I worked extra hard,” beamed Cureton. She, too, was excited about meeting new people and making friends with fellow KIPPsters from across the country.


The students were accompanied by KIPP Charlotte Associate Director of High School Placement, Derrick Gates, who was pleased with Cureton and Aldair’s success on the low-ropes and high-ropes courses.


“I was very proud of the kids,” Gates said. “They challenged themselves and represented us very well. They opened their minds to the idea that they can do more [than they thought possible].”
Lindsay Cureton and Aldair Hernandez
Lindsay Curteon and Aldair Hernandez before departing for Houston, TX.


After returning from the Summit, both students said they met their goals.

Cureton “met a lot of new people and learned a lot about other states and cities like California and Harlem, New York” from her new friends.

Hernandez “got to know a lot of people and see what other kids live like.” Of the activities, he says “it was exhilarating. We went bungee jumping, rock climbing, and tight-rope walking.”

In the spirit of pushing themselves past their comfort-level, both students braved their plane rides and ended up agreeing that flying is not too scary after all!


Focus on Results.
High School Information Fair

On Tuesday, September 28, KIPP Charlotte hosted its first annual High School Information Fair. The event featured admissions staff, teachers and students from 20 area high school programs. The Pride of 2015 (8th grade) and their families were able to visit each booth to learn more about private and charter schools serving the region.


The event was a huge success with the visiting schools schools eager to work with our students as they plan for grades 9-12. Parents were pleased with the opportunity to learn about schools with which they were not previously familiar.


KIPP Charlotte would like to thank all the schools that participated including:

Brisbane Academy, Cannon School, Carmel Christian, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Country Day, Charlotte Latin, Community School of Davidson, Countryside Montessori, Covenant Day, Davidson Day, Dore Academy, Gaston Day, Harding University High, Kennedy Charter, Northside Christian Academy, Northwest School of the Arts, Queens Grant, United Faith Christian

Academy, West Charlotte IB Magnet, and Woodlawn Academy.

Bryana Andrade Williams and her mom
Bryana Andrade Williams and her mom speak with Mr. Diskin from Cannon School

Juan David introduces himself to Ms. Rhyne from Gaston Day
Juan David introduces himself to Ms. Rhyne from Gaston Day School

We are team and family.
Torchbearer of Excellence Award

Congratulations to Keith Burnam, co-founder and school leader of KIPP Charlotte for receiving the Torchbearers of Excellence Award in Education. The award was given by Imam Khalil A. Akbar, the resident Imam (spiritual leader) of the Charlotte mosque Masjid Ash-Shaheed at their Moral Summit Weekend Oct. 7-10.


Burnam was in good company as other awardees included Mayor Anthony Foxx for politics, Reverend Dr. Maria Hanlin for religion, Aijaz Khan for business, and the Wells Fargo Corporation for community service. A special thanks to Masjid Ash-Shaheed and Imam Akbar for their work in the community and the wonderful recognition of Mr. Burnam and his work for KIPP and education as a whole.

We are team and family.

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

  - African Proverb

Fall Career Day

The High School Placement Department will host a fall career day on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Career Day helps to expand our students’ horizons about the various professional and entrepreneurial opportunities available to college graduates. We would love to have you come to speak with our 5th and 6th grade students about your career, business and professional experiences!

Please RSVP to Emily Kronemeyer, Director of High School Placement:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or, call her at (980) 297-4714.