Hi LEARN Alumni,

We are bringing you a note from some of our principals in this newsletter to showcase how we are tackling remote learning at LEARN. Remote learning has been a major change that no one expected to have to overcome but,

"Excel staff are teaching children remotely on a computer the best they can with the resources at hand. Our scholars are very resilient and learning as much as possible. I can't wait until we can all get back into the school building." Sekou Robertson, Excel Principal

While this was not what we expected for the school year much like others around the country, we have been doing all we can to ensure that our scholars do not suffer. We are managing due to the amazing support and adaptability of our teachers, students, and parents.

"Our community at LEARN 6 has come together this year to support each other through this unprecedented time. Working together, our school has been able to maintain a daily attendance rate above 95% and our scholars in K-4 were recognized for having the highest percentage of students meeting their Stretch and Typical Growth goals on the Winter math diagnostic assessment. The silver lining of this year has been how close we have become with each other." Kelly Tyson, LEARN 6 Principal

We want all our alumni to know that we are always striving to provide the best education to our scholars in the same way that we are working to provide the best support to you.

All the best,

Alumni Support Team
News
Featured News

Congratulations to Alyce Roberson RB'12 for starting her career as a credit repair specialist. Contact her here for appointments!
Share your news!

This has been a crazy year but we are beyond proud of all of our alumni for persevering and adapting to the changes.

Send us a picture to be featured in next month's newsletter!
  • Kayla Thomas RB'13 for making the Dean's List 3 semesters in a row!

  • Aniya Donaldson RB'17 for being accepted to 5 colleges!

  • Matayiah White and Demeris Wright RB'13 for graduating a semester early!
Opportunities
Scholarship: The College Board
This program provides students with a digital college planning guide and chances to earn $500 for each action they finish. When students complete all six steps, they earn a chance at a $40,000 scholarship. Students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year have double the chances to earn scholarships. Signing up now and starting a college list will automatically make you eligible for $500 scholarships.
Job: Social Media Coordinator
Neighborhoods.com is seeking an organized and enthusiastic Social Media Coordinator to join its talented team. This position will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring social media across the organization and its brands in order to strengthen customer service, improve online reach, and support larger marketing and business objectives.
Job: Virtual Wellness Coach
Our Coaches help members develop healthy habits by eating healthier, while still enjoying foods they love, moving more, sleeping better, and shifting their mindset. In this position, the WW Virtual Wellness Coach is responsible for coaching members in group virtual formats toward reaching their wellness goals using the WW program and behavior change techniques. Coaches will form strong online communities via a live virtual experience and digital community and will develop and share wellness content across social platforms.
Job: Marketing Communications Associate
Delivering world-class content for our clients and prospects is a strategic priority for the Commercial Banking Marketing team, and our Editorial team is the central hub for content production. We are seeking a Marketing Communications Associate (Writer) to support us in the development and delivery of a wide variety of marketing content. You’ll use newsroom-style precision and agility to meet the high volume demands, and your creativity will help you deliver compelling, engaging, and educational B2B content. We’re looking for someone who enjoys a mix of assignments, but has a strong eye for short-form, promotional and digital-first copy, so the most important quality is that you really love to write and edit.
Chicago Scholars: Applications due!!
We are sending this email to inform you that the Chicago Scholars applicationis live. The deadline is thisThursday, February 11thso complete the application now. This program helps prepare students for college, get them there, support them through, and help them find employment after!
Girls Who Code: Virtual Summer Immersion Program
This summer, girls and non-binary students in 9th-11th grade will have the experience of a lifetime as they learn to code alongside peers from across the country in virtual classrooms hosted by leading companies like Twitter, Disney, Bank of America, and so many more. Not only is the program completely free, but we also offer stipends of $300 to students who demonstrate financial need. Girls Who Code's Virtual Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a FREE, 2-week program for current 9th–11th grade students (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors), to learn about computer science, gain exposure to tech jobs, and join a supportive sisterhood of thousands of students around the world.

Apply Now! The early acceptance deadline is February 17th and the regular deadline is March 19th.
For more Job, Scholarship, and Internship information visit the LEARN Alumni Page.
Need Help Understanding Financial Aid?
Willow Walker, our Assistant Director of High School Placement and Alumni Support will be offering 1:1 sessions to help alumni understand their financial aid packages. You can make an appointment with her here! If you are solely looking for resources please utilize this document to help you and your family understand options.  
Things to do!
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching we will be including restaurants and flower delivery services along with other things now open to the public.
  1. Enjoy a romantic dinner or get takeout at one of these restaurants.
  2. Virtual cooking class via The Chopping Block
  3. Curling at The Gwen or a visit to Maggie Daley Ice Skating Rink
  4. Get flowers from Bouqs, 1800, or Urban Stems
  5. Visit the Movie Theater
  6. Visit a museum
Don't Forget Black History Month Activities! Click the photo to see things to do in Chicago for Black History Month
Tip of the Month
Starting a business can be a. dream and aspiration for many as you work to turn your passions into something profitable. Many people will tell you that in order to start a business you must have the entire plan worked out but that is not always the case, while it is important to have a foundation your business will grow as you learn so you must be open to change. Click the button below for the full Forbes 35 step guide but make note of these 10 quick steps.

  1. Conduct Market research: Research the business market you want to enter. Will you have a lot of competition? What sets your business apart? Who is the target audience?
  2. Formulate a business plan: Start building your structure if you want investors, you will use this plan to sell to them. This will also determine your marketing strategy to bring in customers.
  3. Funding: As previously stated, a business plan will help you figure out how much money you need. You can either raise the money via investors, borrow, or invest personal funds.
  4. Location: Business location is important because it determines your taxes and legal requirements so do research before making a move.
  5. Identify your business structure: Will you be registering as an LLC, C Corp, S Corp, or Sole proprietorship. This decision will affect your taxes, personal liability, and registration.
  6. Choose your name: The fun part! Choose a name that reflects your business but make sure it isn't taken by someone else.
  7. Register your business
  8. Get federal and state tax IDs: This ID number will be used to open a bank account or pay taxes
  9. Apply for licenses and permits: Make sure you are staying legally compliant, licenses and permits will vary by state
  10. Open a business bank account

*These books can be a great resource to see the journey of other entrepreneurs and get tips
Alumni Spotlight
These alumni are recognized for exuding the core values of high expectations and bringing the LEARN mission to life.
Malik Smith '12
Founder & CEO, Credit Sails

Starting your own business feels like being the new kid in class that nobody knew or nobody liked. You have to earn clients/customer respect like you had to earn your respect on the recess field. It’s okay not to be good at your job. It's to be bad...but not okay to not start and keep going. I started my credit repair business in early 2020 but, with COVID-19 and relocating to Atlanta, life was anything but normal. After taking a suggestion from my mom, I decided to put my credit repair tips on Tiktok.  At first, NOTHING, because what nobody told me then was that I was BAD! I had to learn, grow, and adapt. I still do to this day. But, it all changed with one random video of me sending off client letters. My work life, along with my personal life, changed ever since. Creditsails has now removed over 100,000 in debt. We have expanded our services along with bringing on a budget coach for extra enrichment for our clients. What I want to leave you with is: be bad, be very bad but don’t be "bad" at not being bad because then you will never have the chance to ever get good! 
LEARN Charter School Network | alumni@learncharter.org | www.learncharter.org