Parkside Campus - High School

Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010

tags: school

After a three-year search for a location, Tiger Woods’s charitable foundation will announce Tuesday that it plans to open campuses for the Tiger Woods Learning Center this fall at a pair of District charter schools, following through on a pledge to make Washington the East Coast base for Woods’s philanthropic efforts.

The campuses will be located at two branches of the Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy, one at the Capitol Hill Campus in Ward 6, the other just off the Anacostia Freeway at the Parkside Campus in Ward 7 in Northeast, and are due to have construction completed in mid-August, with openings in October.

“I’m excited we are moving forward on this initiative in the Washington, D.C. community,” Woods said in a statement released through his Tiger Woods Foundation. “The two campuses will bring the best of our curriculum to some very deserving kids. A lot of people have helped to make this happen, and I’m very grateful for their support.”

Woods has one learning center open in Anaheim, Calif., where underprivileged children in grade 5 through high school concentrate not on golf, but take classes ranging from forensic science to graphic design. Officials from Woods’s foundation intended to open a similar center in Washington — and still may do so — but struggled to find an appropriate, affordable piece of property to rent, renovate or buy.

“What we’ve decided to do was to commit to the campus model right now,” Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation, said by phone. “And then I think we’re going to evaluate from there and see exactly how well it’s working out. But we absolutely have not ruled out doing a bigger facility, by any means.”

Woods’s foundation will hire between five and eight staff members for the two campuses, which will be housed in renovated space within the two schools, and foundation officials said they hope to serve more than 2,000 children over the course of the 2010-11 school year. The curriculum will focus on career exploration in science, technology, engineering, math and communications.

The Chavez schools, opened in 1998, have four campuses in the District that serve more than 1,400 students in grades 6-12. Some programs will be open to other District students, but Chavez students will have the first opportunities.

“We envision it being something that our students will benefit from a great deal,” said Jeff Cooper, the managing director and chief operating officer of the Chavez schools. “It’ll bring great technological resources, and they’ve got a reputation of having a lot of success out in California. We’re really excited about what these programs can bring our students.”

Article excerpt taken from Washington Post Article on June 8, 2010.

Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010

tags: school

Actor and author Louis Gossett, Jr. applauds the achievements of Nina Thompson (from the Capitol Hill Campus) and other D.C. charter school graduates during an event sponsored by the D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium in Northwest, Fri., May 21.

The audience, comprised of District charter school graduates, not much older than 16 themselves, had their own stories of challenges and achievements that made the evening with Gossett, a night to remember.

“Have a good time; enjoy yourself, but put a plan together for your life,” the 78 year old actor said. “You know to realize why you were put on this planet and what you’re expected to do with it. It may not work out perfectly, but God will help you to do it. Stick with your plan,” he said.

The D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools hosted the event that also served as a fundraiser and celebration of the achievements of six outstanding charter school college graduates and two Class of 2010 charter school high school graduates. Gossett talked talked about his life and provided words of encouragement to the group, especially those who are pursuing careers.

The winners of the DCACPS 2010 college graduate award was Antwain Coward, a SEED Public Charter School graduate who received a B.S. in Management from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio. Nina Thompson, a 2010 graduate of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School received the outstanding high school graduate award. The other finalists included Alvin Brown, of Hospitality High School and a graduate of Michigan State University; Nicosia Young of Cesar Chavez Public and a graduate of the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.; Claudia Alvarez, a graduate of Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers; I-sha Davis of Friendship Collegiate Academy; and Chantel Washington, Integrated Design and Electronics Academy (IDEA).

(story excerpt taken from the The Washington Informer)

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010

tags: parkside-hs

May 12, 2010

Dear Senior Families,

As the school year winds down there will be several important senior activities that will be taking place. Below you will find a time line of these activities and we hope to have you and your senior’s participation.

June 2, 2010 we will be hosting the Senior Banquet. This will take place at
Maggiano’s (5333 Wisconsin Ave ,NW Washington DC 20015 ) from 6pm to 8pm. The student will be allowed to bring two guests only. There will be no charge to you or your child for this event. This will be a night of recognition and awards.

June 4, 2010 our Senior Prom will be taking place. This event will be held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. MD from 7:30 to 11:30. The prom tickets are $50.00 per person and can be purchased up until June 3rd. During the prom your child will have the opportunity to purchase pictures and a pricing list has been included to assist your child with his/her selection.
June 7, 2010 rehearsal for graduation will be held at the Arc. This event will be from 2pm to 4pm.

June 8, 2010 Graduation will be held at The Arc at 5pm. Each student will be provided with seven tickets. We will be measuring your child this week for their caps and gowns and a payment of $30.00 needs to be paid by Friday May 14, 2010. We are requesting that for graduation your child if females wear a dress or slacks with a black shoe and if male wears a collar shirt, black slacks, and black shoes.

June 9, 2010 Senior trip will be taking place. I have attached a flyer which provides all of the details of the trip. We are asking that you attempt to follow the payment schedule as closely as possible. The seniors will be fund raising which will assist with the cost of the trip.
I realize that this is a lot of information and the dates are approaching fast. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me or Mrs. Waller. This is an exciting time for your child and I hope that we can work to make each of these events a success!

Sincerely

Cortney L. Morgan
DC CAP Advisor

Yvonne Waller
Co- Prinicipal

Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010

tags: parkside-hs

April 23, 2010

PSHS Families:

We cannot believe that the year is almost to a close. We wanted to send some updates for you on measures that have been taken here at the school, plans for next year, and activities that are under way or being planned. Below are our most recent updates☺

Parent Teacher Association
We eagerly want to organize a sound PTA for the upcoming school year. We will have a community meeting on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10am to discuss next steps, gather ideas, and get input on how to get more parents involved with our PTA. Come out and give your input.

Security (In School & After School)
We have instituted a revised security plan in which we have a two new security monitors. Mr. Spruill and Ms. Jones are new additions to our security team. Everyday we will have a person monitoring the front security desk. All visitors must first check in at the security desk, show their identification, and receive a visitor’s pass.

After school, we have Mr. Sturdivant, Mr. Singleton, Mr. Wright, and Mr. S. Brown posted in various locations outside of the school (bridge to Metro station, Circle Seven Grocery Store, and Hayes Street).

College Counseling Department
We will have a new model for our counseling department next year. We will now have two college counselors!! One for grades nine and ten, and one for grades eleven and twelve. This will allow our scholars and parents to have key point people and guidance around class schedules, college application process, scholarship information, test prep and test administration.

Math Department
Recently we lost a math teacher for two of our Geometry classes and one Pre-Calculus class. On Monday, April 26, 2010, all of those classes will have a math teacher and not a substitute. Information introducing the teacher and outline of the fourth quarter expectations will be sent to all the homes of scholars in these three classes.

Freshman Class Camping Trip
Our Freshman Scholars had a wonderful time at their camping trip this past week. During Earth Day they had an opportunity to get real close to nature. They presented environmental projects and really had a chance to bond as a group. Kudos to Mr. Mark Sturdivant for planning this great experience along with all of the 9th grade teaching team.

Sophomore Class Rock the DC CAS!
Our sophomores took the DC CAS this week. They did an amazing job by showing up on time, and taking the test seriously. To reward their efforts, they will go on a field trip to Kings Dominion on May 7, 2010. All permission forms have been sent home with the scholars.

Juniors Do an AMAZING Job at Their Fellowships
Our junior class spent an entire week at different Public Policy Internships. The following are the organizations that our scholars conducted their fellowship at. Below is a kudos email sent from one of our Fellowship partners!

Good Afternoon:
I cannot contain the excitement. The US Attorney, Ron Machen, would like to come to Chavez and speak with students because he was so thoroughly impressed with Rachelle, Ingrid and William. Moreover, on yesterday, the DC CYITC are in love with Ingrid. Actually, everyone there was in love with Ingrid. Rachelle and William definitely pulled their own weight. Each task they have accepted the challenge and exceed expectations. Councilmember Alexander’s office also wants the youth to work more closely with her office. I have never been so proud of a group of youth in my life.
You guys really have done well with the scholars this year.

SAT PREP COURSE for Juniors
The SAT Prep Course for Juniors begins on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 9am. We still have two more slots if your scholar is interested in joining the class. Scholars will receive an Elective Credit for the course if they successfully complete the entire class.

Seniors Continue Work on Public Policy Thesis
Our seniors are busy at work on their thesis papers. Thesis presentations will be on May 17 and Tuesday, May 18 See Ms. Dingle or Ms. Mohnkern for additional information. Thesis is a requirement for our seniors to graduate.

Countdown to Graduation
All senior families should have received information about senior events and activities. If you have not received this letter in the mail, please contact the school so that information can be sent to you as soon as possible. The Senior Grad Fest has been moved to Monday, May 10, 2010 at 2pm.

Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010

tags: parkside-hs

April 30, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

To assist in creating an environment conducive to learning, Chavez scholars are required to be uniformed to school every day. This policy is designed to permit scholars to focus their attention on academics. The uniform worn by Chavez scholars emphasizes the fact that the school is both a community and a place of academic work.

Studies have proven that School Uniforms

• Decrease violence and theft over designer and expensive clothing
• Helps students resist peer pressure.
• Identifies students to a particular school.

Beginning Monday, May 3, 2010, Skirts are not allowed to be worn at any time. We want to ensure that there is consistency throughout the building in regards to skirt lengths and what is and is not appropriate. Therefore, we have removed skirts as part of the Chavez Uniform Policy. NON-COMPLIANT scholars will not be allowed into the school building. No exceptions will be made. Written excuses will not be accepted. Scholars will be sent home with a uniform policy release letter.

The School Uniform is as follows:
Shirts: Official Logo Cesar Chavez White Oxford or Grey Polo Shirts (Long or Short sleeve)
Trousers: Kaki color only
Sweater: Official Chavez Logo Sweater and/or White, Black or Grey knit sweater
Shoes: Shoes must be all black in color and heels should be no more than two inches

Students may not wear the following items:
NO jeans/denim shorts, denim skirts, sweatpants
NO open toe sandals and/ or shoes not covering foot heal to toe
NO jewelry outside school uniform (bracelets, beads, dangling and/or medium to large hoop earrings, buttons, pins, Etc)
NO hats, gloves, headbands, bandanas (hats and gloves may be worn TO school, but removed during entry)
NO sleeveless shirts and tank tops
NO jackets during school hours will be worn. Students may wear long sleeve same color shirt under the short sleeved uniformed shirt.

Uniform shirts can be purchased on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 4pm to 5pm. If you have any questions please call Mr. Sturdivant at 202.398.2230 ext 158.

Yvonne C. Waller Sah Brown Mark Sturdivant
Co-Principal Co-Principal Vice Principal