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KIPP Charlotte News
Service. Excellence. Integrity. Passion. Courage. Leadership.
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Work hard. Be good. Think.
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January 2010
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No shortcuts.
No excuses.
High expectations.
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Dear Reader,
Happy new year! KIPP Charlotte ended 2009 on a beautiful note, literally. On December 12, 2009, The KIPP Pride Chorus performed for the very first time during their Winter concert, 'On a Cold Winters Night'. The chorus sang songs to celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas and friendship. Chorus Director, Ms. Cox debuted the ensemble to a reception of adoring parents, families, teachers and school supporters. There are no words to describe the sweet euphonious harmonies and melodies that captivated the audience. The Honors Chorus brought down the house with a finale to envy.
Mr. Burnam, Ms. Cox and the entire KIPP Charlotte team are so proud and excited to see what the future holds for The KIPP Pride Choir.
Sincerely,
KIPP Charlotte
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 SAT Fun
Written by Mr. A.J. Stich, seventh grade writing teacher.
The other day, seventh grade student Iyana and I were walking to the gymnasium to pick up a binder she forgot. On the way, she asked me, "Mr. Stich, what score did you get on the SAT?" "I think I got something like an 1120. Not too hot. I didn't take my education seriously until college." "That's pretty good. I just got a 1060." She replied. "What? You're a seventh grader. Why were you taking the SATs?" I asked.
She said she was taking it as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program, which she is very proud to be in. Then she went on to say, and I quote, "It was fun!"
I laughed slightly because I never thought I would hear the words "SAT" and "fun" used, purposefully, together in a proper English sentence. However, this little episode was yet another reminder that the students at KIPP are brilliantly-artfully-articulate. Many of them are utilizing brain synapses that I did not even consider capitalizing on until my later years of high school.
Focus on results.
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Mustaches for Kids
www.m4kclt.org
Last year, Mustaches for Kids Charlotte raised $65,000 for local classrooms, making Charlotte the #3 Mustaches for Kids chapter in the world! This year, they are going head-to-head with cities like Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Help us support them so they become #1!
Here's how it works: Each year, during the four-week Growing Season, Growers sprout sweet, sweet Mustaches. Per Mustaches for Kids bylaws, they shave their faces, except for the Mustache, a minimum of one time per week and solicit donations from friends, family, co-workers, and people in the community. Kind of like getting pledges to run a marathon. Without the exertion, cramping, or dehydration. Call it a facial hair marathon.
At the end of the Growing Season, each Mustaches for Kids chapter hosts a Mustache Competition, which is a cross between a beauty pageant, dog show, and police line up. During the Competition, Growers, often in Mustache-enhancing costumes, are put through a test of mind, body, and Mustache. They allow their facial hair to be evaluated by an independent panel of judges, and one Mustache is declared to be the "Sweetest."
So it's all pretty simple: mustache, charity, competition infused with meaningless pageantry. You can spare four weeks of your life for that.
This year, Mr. Burnam and Mr. Plum have shaved off all their existing facial hair and are growing sweet 'staches to raise money to fund several KIPP Charlotte projects on Donors Choose.
"I am excited to join a team of men, from across the city, who are humiliating themselves for the greater good! I ask that you support the cause and consider donating a dollar a day (30 dollars) to show your belief in my Mustache."
To support Mr. Burnam's 'stache growing efforts CLICK HERE
To support Mr. Plum's and his already ridiculous looking 'stache CLICK HERE
Build a better tomorrow.
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 What it feels like to get an 'A'
Written by Ms. Crystal Myers, seventh grade Spanish teacher.
When I first met new student Iran during summer school, I was nervous that he wouldn't stay. He came to me after 3 days and said, "This school is too hard. Why do we have to raise our hands like this and do so much homework? I'm not coming back." I explained that if he were to leave that I would cry - and he would not want to be responsible for making a woman cry. He laughed and said, "Yeah, okay. I'll think about it." On the following Monday, I greeted him at the door with a huge hug and said I was so excited to see him. He just laughed and thought I was silly. I did that for the rest of summer school to let him know that his presence mattered and that he could do it.
Over the next few months, Iran was shy when it came to speaking aloud in class, but he continued to do a little more every day in all his classes - even math and reading where he felt most self-conscious. Every weekend, I checked in with him to ensure he was coming back. He would joke and say he wasn't coming back, but sure enough, he was one of the first students here at 7:00 am every Monday.
Last week after Pride time, where we talked about working hard at KIPP, Iran pulled me aside and told me his story. He explained that he used to skip school all the time and constantly got bad grades. He felt like his teachers had given up on him because of his absenteeism and poor grades. He said, "I used to wonder what it would feel like to get an A. And now at this school, I know what that feels like. And it feels good." I almost cried. He has made so many improvements since the first day of school. Even though he said this school is tough and he doesn't like raising his hands like crazy, this is the first time he has felt so supported by all his teachers and classmates and wants to continue to feel good when he earns those good grades.
We are team and family.
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 The Kaye Bernard McGarry Scholarship Fund
Thank you to Kaye Bernard McGarry for establishing 'The Kaye Bernard McGarry College Scholarship Fund', benefiting KIPP Charlotte students. We appreciate your support and your belief in the mission and vision of the school.
"Visit KIPP Charlotte and see for yourself why this school enjoys such success with teaching and learning. They get results! I am proud to be able to start a scholarship fund for a KIPP Charlotte student to enable them to go on to college after high school graduation. If someone is looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of children and families, this is another opportunity for you to invest in their future." Kaye Bernard McGarry, M.Ed.
Climb the mountain to college.
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