Family Nights

Higher Achievement is committed to being a resource for our families.  While we work closely with scholars on a daily basis, periodically, we also engage families in learning opportunities aimed at empowering families dealing with challenges that are most commonly encountered by scholars/families in each grade.  Parent participation is strongly encouraged.  Families may also attend meetings for topics they would like to know more about, regardless of their scholar’s grade.  I hope to see all of you at our upcoming parent nights.

8^th Grade: This meeting will focus on the 9^th grade transition for families and scholars.  During this meeting we will provide all families with options for support for their scholar as they transition out of Higher Achievement, and into High School. This meeting will take place on March 18^th from 6:30-7:30pm

7^th Grade: This meeting will introduce families to the High School placement process.  During the meeting, families will also be informed about the upcoming 8^th grade transition requirements for their scholars.  It is our goal that families are aware of all of the resources provided to families, and expectations for families and scholars as they matriculate to 8^th grade. This meeting will take place on March 17^th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

6^th Grade: The 6^th grade meeting will focus on how to talk with your scholars about Higher Achievement, and how to support a healthy balance of activities while in Higher Achievement.  6th grade scholars will only get more active as they get older, during this transition many scholars experience decline in their interest in Higher Achievement in tandem with a strong desire to do something else.  This meeting will focus on how to talk openly with your scholar’s about Higher Achievement, and how to begin laying the foundation for expectations in regards to scholar’s grades.  This meeting will take place on  April 8^th from 6:30-7:30 pm

5^th Grade: This meeting will focus on supporting your scholars during their transitioning to middle school, and educating families about the middle school landscape for families dealing with middle school choice. This meeting will take place from 6:30-7:30 on  April 1^st from 6:30-7:30 pm

No Center Reminder!!

There is no Center Monday April 15^th, or Tuesday April 16^th! Center will resume on Thursday April 18^th!

Report Cards

Please be diligent about submitting report cards to me as you receive them.  I’ll be establishing several incentives for report card collection, and performance, so please be sure to submit your report cards by February 22nd so that your scholars can be included.  Thank you to those of you who have already submitted your scholars’ report card, your effort and diligence is much appreciated.

No Center Reminder!

As a reminder to all Families… there is no Center on the following upcoming days of Center.


Monday February 18th (Presidents Day)
Monday February 25th (Regional Literary Love Poetry Competition)

No Center Reminder

Due to the upcoming MLK Holiday and the Inauguration we will not have Center on Monday January 21^st. Center will resume on Tuesday January 22^nd.

No Center Reminders!!

No Center on Thursday October 18th!! (Higher Achievement Gala)
No Center on Monday October 22nd (DCPS Parent teacher Conferences)

Welcome Back

Families, welcome back to Higher Achievement.  I hope you enjoyed the Summer Academy, and subsequent vacation.  Now it’s time to begin preparing for Higher Achievement’s After School Academy.  As we prepare to begin After School Academy, we are working hard to develop relationships with schools and establish systems that will assist us in effectively collaborating with families, schools, and scholars to facilitate success.

New Staff at Ward 6

Please welcome Ms. Jessica Wolf, our new Assistant Center Director, and Ms. Kelsey Perdue, our new AmeriCorps Fellow. Ms. Jessica will be stepping into the big shoes left behind by Mr. James; in her role as Assistant Center Director, she will be recruiting and supporting our corps of volunteers in addition to assisting me in running a high quality achievement center. Ms. Kelsey will be filling a void left by Ms. Amelia as she works towards strengthening the relationships between Higher Achievement, and our schools. When you get a moment, please send them both a warm welcome to our Ward 6 family.



jwolf@higherachievement.org
kperdue@higherachievement.org

Connecting Higher Achievement with Teachers

Engaged families are an extremely important part of a scholar’s success; communicating with your scholar’s teachers is an integral part of supporting the scholar and Higher Achievement. This year, we are focusing on a communication initiative designed to strengthen our supports for scholars. I am asking every parent to send an e-mail to all of their scholar’s teachers and include me on the e-mail. As a means of assisting with this communication, I provided an example of a letter from a current parent. (found on the side-bar under Center Documents)


The letter should include, but is not limited to the following:
-Briefly summarize how to best work with your scholar
-Commit to what you are willing to do
-Communicate exactly what you need from them as teachers
-Share your scholar’s involvement in Higher Achievement
-Please ask teachers to share their contact info with you and Higher Achievement staff

Please help us provide meaningful support for scholar, and connect us with their teachers; Thank You!

Carpooling

In the coming week, look out for an e-mail sent to you and the  other Ward 6 families at your school to assist in the facilitation of a carpool.  Transportation is not provided by Higher Achievement; however I am willing to assist in coordinating this for families in need. Please look out for this e-mail, and whenever possible lend a hand to those in need.

Monday July 30th...

Parents,

Monday July 30th is a half day for Higher Achievement.  Please make arrangements to have scholars picked up by 1pm.  Scholars can leave at 12:30 or stay for lunch then be dismissed at 1pm.  Also feel free to join us  for a brief awards ceremony and showcase beginning at 10:30 am.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Each Summer Academy we take a week to appreciate the teachers we have at Center; this year, we are having teacher appreciation week during this upcoming week July 16-20^th.  Please take a moment to e-mail, call, or talk to your scholars teachers to thank them for all that they do.  If you would also like to contribute to our teacher lunch on Thursday, please feel free to send food, and or treats for the teachers on Thursday.  There is no theme as I am ordering pizza for them, so all food is welcome.

Scholar Projects

Scholars have a project due in each of their classes so please communicate with teachers regularly to ensure scholars are in good standing with their work; failure to complete any of their projects will result in them not getting checked off for their checklist, and subsequently not going on the college trip. You received a checklist on the night of the kick-off, and you can also find one on the sidebar under Center documents.


The only project you need more detail on should be the portfolio’s which you can now find on the blog sidebar under Center Docs. Please be very diligent in knowing exactly what must be done, and communicating with scholars teachers to ensure work gets completed.

Loss of a Scholar

Dear Higher Achievement Families –


It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that, on July 9th, our scholar, Traig Hunter, lost his battle to cancer. As many of you know, Traig was a kind hearted, smart, and caring individual. He often talked about how people should love each other, and take time out to truly appreciate those around us. We are all deeply saddened by this loss.

Our 7th graders – the group closest to Traig – spent much of Tuesday discussing this loss with Higher Achievement staff and mental health professionals. Families, if you have questions or concerns, or if you notice that your child is struggling with this loss, please are in touch with Mr. Sam or Ms. Amelia, who can help connect you with resources.

At this time, as always, it is important that the scholars, staff, and families of the Ward 6 community support one another. We will keep you posted (via a letter) about opportunities to support Traig’s family, and any arrangements for services during this trying time. In the meantime, again, please reach out to our staff with any questions or concerns you may have.



Sincerely,

Mr. Sam

Family Matters!

Our Ward 6 Higher Achievement Family is need of some support. Last September, one of our 6th grade scholars, Traig, was diagnosed with stage 2 Lymphoma. Traig is a 12 year-old, spirited young man. He enjoys playing sports and spending time with his friends and family. Please watch his performance in our Poetry contest from last year (the link is at the bottom). Traig has been under chemotherapy since his diagnosis and will continue for the next 2 years. Traig comes from a large family and is one of 7 children; the oldest is 15 years-old and the youngest is 3. Sonserria, better known as Mom, is a hard worker and a dedicated parent. Luckily, Traig’s medical costs are covered by his medical insurance, but there are still many strains on the family.





The Higher Achievement Family at Ward 6 is putting together a fundraiser to help the Hunter family through their difficult time. We know that many of us are struggling, so anything you can give is appreciated.
The family is specifically in need of:
• Groceries
• household items
• reliable transportation

In order to support Traig and his family we are asking for gift cards to:
• Safeway or Giant (both of these stores are close to home)
• Target- To get non-grocery items, like clothing, bedding, etc.

We are looking for some other creative solutions for our WISH LIST:
o Restaurant Gift Cards- for the family to spend time together over a nice meal.
o A new car- The family’s van recently broke down. With 7 children, public transportation is difficult and Sonserria’s job requires her to travel. We know that this is a long shot, but it is very much needed. Repairing their van would be costly, but if you have connections with a mechanic or other suggestions let us know!
o If would like to support this family in any other way, please contact me. My information is listed below.
Please bring all donations to our End of Term Celebration on Thursday April 26 at 6:00 PM

Email Ms. Amelia at acrowl@higherachievement.org with any questions! Please put TRAIG in the subject line. ****Please note that we cannot take any CASH donations at this time.

End of the Year Celebration

If you have not done so already, please be sure to RSVP for the End of the Year Celebration. Additionally, we are still in need of contributions to our potluck. It is definitely our goal to have everyone attend the final celebration of the year; I encourage everyone to attend.


Groups /Food Contribution

5th & 6th graders/ Entrees

7th & 8th Graders/ Side Dishes

Mentors/ Desserts & Drinks

End of the Year Celebration

360’s-Please complete your 360’s and/or CYS forms if you have not done so already. Parents, please be sure to complete the survey marked parent.


CYS Forms- Please complete your CYS (Confirm Your Spot) forms. All CYS forms need to be submitted by April 26th if scholars plan on remaining in the program.

Extended Study Hall

Each year, Higher Achievement offers continued support for scholars that continue to demonstrate a need for prolonged academic support. Generally, we recommend this Extended Study Hall to scholars with C’s or below in Math and/or Literature, however this year I would like to enlist your help in making this mandatory. Extended Study Hall will occur on Monday's, Tuesday's, and Thuirsday's, and will  run from April 30th to May 17th, from 4-6:30pm.


As part of what we do at Higher Achievement, academic outcomes are of primary concern. I aim to make this Extended Study Hall a mandatory requirement for these scholars based on their 3rd quarter report card, and need your support in getting these scholars to Center, and working alongside us to ensure scholars are working toward improving their grades. I will provide each of the required scholars with forms, and look forward to your support in ensuring scholars attend. If you have any questions or concerns about this Extended Study Hall, please feel free to contact me.

End of the Year Close-Out Responsibilities

Dear Higher Achievement Families,


It’s that time again! The last day of the After-School Academy is less than a month away, on April 26th, 2012, and we have already begun preparing for an excellent Summer Academy full of learning, exploration, and growth for your child. Between now and then, there will be a number of important activities and events for your child at school and at Higher Achievement. In order to close out the After-School Academy and prepare for Summer Academy, there are a few items that I need you to complete:

Please gather and return the following to me as soon as possible:

• Confirm Your Spot Form for Summer Academy 2012 – BEST COMPLETED DIRECTLY ONLINE! This is very important; if we do not receive this form by April 26th, we cannot guarantee a spot for your child in Summer Academy. Please complete this form online by following the attached instructions, or let me know if you would like a paper copy of the form.

• Please submit a copy of your child’s health insurance card, if available

• Complete a 360 Evaluation of your Scholar – BEST COMPLETED DIRECTLY ONLINE! Please complete this evaluation of your scholar online by following the attached instructions, or let me know if you would like a paper copy of the form (you can complete both the CYS and 360 in one visit to our online data system, ISIS!) The Deadline is April 26th

• Third quarter report card and fourth quarter report card, when it becomes available

• Copy of acceptance, decline, or waitlist letters from high schools (8th graders only)


Mark your calendars!

-April 26th, 2012: End-of-Year Celebration and last day of 2011-2012 After-School Academy

-May 7th, 2012: Annual Green Apple Awards! 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Carnegie Institution for Science, 1503 P Street, NW.

-June 25th, 2012: First day of Summer Academy
  
 -August 2nd, 2012: Final Day of Summer Academy

Please mark your calendars and join us for these exciting events. You may complete online (highly preferred!), mail, return to Center through your child, email, or fax all documents to me at 202-544-3644. As always, feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns at 202-375-7701



Sincerely,



Samuel H. Dodson IV
Ward 6 Achievement Center
sdodsoniv@higherachievement.org

8th Grade Families Close-out

It’s been an amazing 4 years!! In just over a month, your scholars will be graduating from higher Achievement, and moving on to new and exciting opportunities. As we wind down our final weeks of Center, here are some closeout responsibilities/opportunities I want to make you aware of. Please work alongside me to ensure scholars complete these things, and make the necessary RSVP’s for upcoming events as well. Here’s to having a great ending to what has been a memorable experience.


Close-out Responsibilities:
-Scholar 360’s: Complete your Scholar’s 360, which will “Go live” on Saturday March 31st.

-Higher Achievement Yearbook: All Higher Achievement 8th graders are asked to complete a (5.5x8.5) yearbook page, which will be included in their class yearbook. The page consists of the Scholar’s name, Favorite quote, Shout out Section, and a picture of themselves. Please work with them over break to complete this. (Due 4/12)

-8th Grade Speeches: I have asked each scholar to write a speech about their Higher Achievement Journey/experience. While only one will be selected to represent us at the Green Apples Ceremony, each of them surely has a story to tell, and I would like everyone to be included in the selection process. Please work with them over break to complete this. (Due 4/14)

Things to RSVP for

Pre-Graduation Dinner (at my Home): Saturday evening May 5th 6-9pm
Graduation: Annual Green Apple Awards! 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Carnegie Institution for Science, 1503 P Street, NW

Ward 6 Yearbook: Over break I will be working on a hardbound yearbook that celebrates the Ward 6 graduating class. It looks like each book will be approximately $40 when completed. I will be purchasing one, and wanted to extend the offer to families as well. Please let me know if you are interested.