Dear Friends of Center City,
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It’s hard to believe we are almost at the end of the school year! Our students just completed the PARCC Assessment and are hard at work preparing for end-of-year events. Many of our end-of-year projects and trips provide our students with opportunities to learn about social issues that affect our society, come up with solutions, and engage in community service activities. Our students learn about these social issues through classroom projects, outdoor classrooms and gardens, local and overseas field trips, and through after-school programming.
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ESL After the Bell Gets Results
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Our ESL After the Bell program was featured in two national publications recently--Education Dive and The 74 Million! The articles describe how this unique program meets the needs of our English Learners. You can see the articles
here
and
here
. Our ESL After the Bell students also participated in an end-of-year showcase. Throughout the program, students explored their cultural identities and learned about the inequalities that many groups of people face based on their identities. They then designed products to advocate for solutions. Students from our Shaw, Brightwood, and Petworth campuses presented their original product designs alongside students from our program partner, HD Cooke Elementary (DCPS).
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Global Ambassadors Travel to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic
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This year during spring break, students from our Petworth Campus traveled to the Dominican Republic and students from our Shaw Campus traveled to Costa Rica as part of Center City’s Global Ambassadors Program. Leading up to the trip, students from both campuses learned about the geography, culture, language, and physical environment of these countries. The Petworth students visited three different cities on their trip--Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, and Santiago. Students also enjoyed ziplining at the Monkey Jungle in Puerta Plata. The ziplining company invests their profits in a free health and dental clinic. After returning, students will support the Monkey Jungle either through fundraising or service.
Shaw students learned a lot about animals and the environment on their trip to Costa Rica. They visited the Costa Rican Animal Rescue Center and learned about how the animals were rescued and how people's actions affect the environment for animals. The students then contributed to a painting in one of their social spaces and presented a donation. They went on a river tour of the Tarcoles River and spotted wildlife, including crocodiles!
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Students Delve into Capstone Projects
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Teachers across Center City are working on 2018's capstone project with their students. Our teachers have designed projects for students that are aligned to their curriculum, require rigorous inquiry, and are relevant to our students. For example, fourth-grade students recently studied the American Revolution and fifth-grade students studied the Civil War. As they began capstone, Center City's fourth and fifth-grade English/Language Arts teachers asked students, "What is a cause you are willing to fight for?" In their PLC meetings, teachers collaborated to determine 21 topics students could choose to research, including bullying, gun control, animal rights, and gender equality. We are excited to see the products they present at their celebrations of learning later this month!
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Center City Makes New Friends
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Center City held its third annual Friend-raiser at the Embassy of Costa Rica on April 26. The Friend-raiser is an opportunity for new and old friends to learn about Center City and our unique programming. This year the event focused on the Global Ambassadors Program. Our students and teachers talked about their trips and shared their experiences with our visitors. Our visitors also had the opportunity to meet Center City staff and learn about our schools.
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Brightwood and Capitol Hill Design Outdoor Classroom and Garden Programs
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Our Brightwood and Capitol Hill Campuses received a grant from the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to design and implement outdoor learning spaces. The DOEE provided our teachers with professional development, teaching them about DC's water systems and their impact on the surrounding environment, ways to eliminate erosion, and the damaging effects of polluted water run off. Teams from each campus participated in the professional development and came up with a plan for designing their outdoor classrooms and gardens. For example, Capitol Hill has proposed two small outdoor classrooms, as well as rain gardens and pollinator gardens. Brightwood proposes creating a space on their field that will prevent stormwater runoff and provide an area for the students to go outside and experience the benefits of nature. Staff from the campuses presented their plans for feedback to peers and staff at the DOEE. Once their plans are approved, the DOEE will fund and manage their construction.
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Spotlight on Character, Excellence, and Service at Center City PCS!
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Niya White, the principal of the Congress Heights Campus, was selected as a Washington Post Principal of the Year Finalist! Ms. White shows tremendous dedication to her students. She greets students and families at the door every morning and takes the time to get to know every student. She makes visits to their homes when needed to address issues such as attendance, behavior, or homework completion. Ms. White knows her students. “I know them. I know their first and last names, where they live, and who their siblings are. I see them walking around the neighborhood. So when we have a conversation it can be about everything.” She walks students to the bus and waits for them to get on safely to make sure they are safe. She monitors students’ grades and stays after school with students who need the structure to complete their homework. She then drops them off at home if necessary.
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Brightwood has launched the second phase of their kindness challenge. They are engaging teachers, parents, and students in capturing “acts of kindness” and posting them on Instagram. Check out these photos
here
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Shaw 8th-grade students were selected as finalists in the Letters about Literature Competition run by The Library of Congress! 691 DC students submitted letters to their favorite authors and 25 moved into the finalist stage to compete at the national level. Three students of those 25 were chosen from Center City Shaw! Congratulations to Brianna Vega (pictured), Siraj Carter, and Bryan Cruz. Special recognition goes to Siraj who was the Level II First Place winner for all 7th and 8th-grade contestants.
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Center City Public Charter Schools expand extra curricular and enrichment offerings thanks to
generous contributions from our supporters.
Thank you!
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Center City Public Charter Schools | 202-589-0202 |
Email |
Website
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