As we bring this year and decade to a close, it is with much gratitude we look back on a year of amazing triumphs. In 2019, we witnessed 91吃瓜网 scholar athletes dominating DC sports, the welcoming of a new campus in Ward 8 with 91吃瓜网 Honor Academy and 91吃瓜网 Somerset College Preparatory, Heights Academy being nationally recognized for their incredible work, and students raising their voices on important citywide issues like Safe Passage. None of these accomplishments could have happened without the support of all of the community members, partners, and families who worked tirelessly alongside 91吃瓜网. For this, all of us at 91吃瓜网聽 would like to extend a large and well deserved 鈥淭hank you鈥�.
We are looking forward to deepening our community efforts to ensure an even brighter 2020 for our students, families, and community.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,
Althea Holford
91吃瓜网 Heights Academy Named 2019 National Blue Ribbon School
We鈥檙e proud to celebrate 91吃瓜网 Heights Academy being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! This year, 91吃瓜网 Heights Academy is one of only three DC public schools to receive this distinction.聽 This is a tremendous achievement for students, families, staff, and the Ward 8 community. We鈥檙e eager to continue empowering more students in Ward 8 in the coming years.
91吃瓜网 Celebrates Parent at Appreciation Event
In January, we were especially honored to recognize the contributions of so many of our parents at the Parent Appreciation Event. School leaders, students, and parents alike gathered inside the for a night of fellowship and gratitude. Parental involvement is a cornerstone of a great education, and we鈥檙e proud to continue this work with such terrific parents in the new year.
2nd annual Young Men鈥檚 Empowerment Summit
During early spring 2019, we welcomed nearly 200 young men and their fathers, mentors, and father-figures to the 2nd annual Young Men鈥檚 Empowerment Summit. The day consisted of empowering discussions, on self-determination, sexual health, high school transitions, and mentorship. We鈥檇 also like to extend a special thanks to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, DC Transit Officers, DC Public Defenders Office, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for joining us for a great day.
2nd annual G.E.M.S. Summit
In March, we kicked off聽 Women鈥檚 History Month with our annual G.E.M.S. Summit! We welcomed girls, mothers, and mentors for a day of empowerment and professional development. This year, the sessions emphasized economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for young girls of color. We were grateful to have so many great session leaders and women entrepreneurs join us to empower the next generation of business owners, entrepreneurs, and their families!
91吃瓜网 College Preparatory Wins First DCSAA Championship
We were thrilled to be at the Sports & Entertainment Center in Ward 8 to cheer on the 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory boys basketball team as they competed in the DCSAA Class-A Championship game! In a thrilling game, the KCP Panthers came out on top with a 55 -47 win. In the spring, our lady panthers won gold at the DCSAA track championship! We are proud of our students, who work hard inside and outside of the classroom! We look forward to celebrating many more championships at 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory in the future.
Safe Passage Citywide Convening at 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory
This year, through our partnership with the Deputy Mayor for Education鈥檚 Office, we hosted a series of Safe Passage town halls at schools across Washington, DC that culminated with a citywide convening at 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory on May 15.聽 More than 200 attendees were joined by Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, as well as leaders from WMATA, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other community organizations to find solutions that remove one barrier towards a great education鈥攕afe travel for students to and from school.
91吃瓜网 Launches Alumni Association
This May, we launched the 91吃瓜网 Alumni Association! With a growing alumni network, it is our goal to provide and curate a space where former students, parents, and teachers can re-connect, engage, and help grow the 91吃瓜网 community. We were beyond grateful to be alongside dozens of our young alumni and even some former 91吃瓜网 teachers.
91吃瓜网 and Somerset PCS Partner in 2019
In 2019, we announced our partnership with Somerset Public Charter School and ultimately welcomed them as the newest team & family members to 91吃瓜网!聽 Nearly 300 students, families, and staff joined us to celebrate at 91吃瓜网 Somerset Team & Family Day. The day, held at the DC Pavilion, included food, face painting, free haircuts, moon bounces, a water slide, and even a rock-climbing wall for students and families to enjoy. It was great seeing all of our new families at the 91吃瓜网 Somerset Campus come together to enjoy a Saturday of fun.
Ferebee-Hope Community Meetings
This year we were proud to partner with our community, students, staff, and constituents as we prepared a proposal for 91吃瓜网’s permanent second high school facility. In Summer 2019, the Mayor’s office released the Ferebee-Hope recreation site for redevelopment. With KIPP’s DC growing student population and the need for a redeveloped community center and high school site in Ward 8, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for our students. We worked hard to get input from every community member, parent, community organization, and ANC commissioner. In the end, we feel good about our comprehensive proposal and await a decision. We look forward to working more on this effort in the new year.
