GGA Monthly Newsletter - 01_2021

GGA Newsletter – January 2021

Girls Global Academy Updates

Greetings Girls Global Academy Community!

Although we continue to face the same COVID-19 health crisis and political tensions, our focus remains the same; we have an unwavering commitment to you and the students that attend Girls Global Academy. Together we are partners in the mission of fostering pathways to lead and learn. While COVID continues to impact education, we appreciate the choice that families have made to have your student attend Girls Global Academy. We remain excited for the school year and all that we will experience together in 2021!
 
We concluded the Because Girls Matter fundraiser on December 31st. Our goal was to raise $10,000 by December 31st to strengthen our virtual enrichment programs. With your support, I am pleased to announce that we have met and actually exceeded our goal. We raised $12,199.30!
 
Thank you for continuing to partner with us to create a successful virtual learning experience and environment for students. We are encouraged by our attendance rates of over 93%, daily evidence of learning, and student ownership of their growth by setting goals. As our partners in education, thank you for everything you do to support your students learning virtually. The focus for Trimester 2 is to continue to build relationships and self-care. I host Executive Director roundtable discussions on the 2nd Wednesday of the month to hear feedback about the school and on areas that matter to you most.
 
We also have other avenues for your voice to be heard and we need your voice. Parent organization meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. These sessions will be led by our GGA parents. We also will continue to offer parent workshops. The most recent was on our student information system PowerSchool.
 
Some of you may be thinking about how long we will be in a virtual learning pattern and testing in a virtual setting.
 
Reopening Plans
We surveyed our families in November to gather interest in reopening school in December or after the winter break. 48% of families expressed interest with the majority stating only when it is safe. Safety remains the priority and we continue to monitor COVID-19 cases in the city. Based on the collective feedback from our entire school community we will continue to offer virtual learning to our students. We will bring students on-campus on a case by case basis. Please contact Jason Mellen at jason@girlsglobalacademy.org. Another interest survey for reopening school and participation on the reopening planning team will be sent later this month.
 
Together,
 
Karen Venable-Croft

Academic Updates

ACT Aspire assessments
We will administer ACT Aspire Reading and Math on January 19th and 21st. The purpose for this assessment is to measure growth in both reading and math from the beginning of the school year.
 
What is an interim assessment? 
An Interim assessment is an assessment that Girls Global will use to evaluate where a student is with their learning progress and to predict how a student might perform on future assessments.
 
What does the interim assessment measure? 
Girls Global interim assessments measure each students’ reading, writing, mathematics, and science progress to gauge a student’s college and career readiness.
 
How do I receive information about my student’s performance on the interim assessments?
Girls Global staff will provide students and their families with access to interim assessment data on report cards and in PowerSchool.
 
“ACT Aspire is an assessment system that measures academic achievement in English,
math, reading, science, and writing in grades 3 through 10. ACT Aspire is linked to the
ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, research-based information that makes
test results meaningful by connecting a student’s ACT Aspire score to specific skills and
knowledge important for college and work success. Your child’s teacher can use this
information to address areas for improvement, build on strengths, and most importantly
impact your child’s potential.”
 

GGA Test Taking TIPS



Service Learning & LEADership Academy

GGA Virtual MLK DAY of SERVICE
Card Making event for Seniors
Create your card at home and drop it off at Girls Global Academy before February 5th.
There will be a container labeled GGA Cards Seniors
Make Valentine's Day Card for Seniors Because YOU matter is about more than ourselves. We live in a global world and ripple effects have both small and big impacts. Our girls will develop a “roll up our sleeves” approach to making change using compassion and understanding of both themselves and others.
IB Learner Profile Traits: Caring; Thinkers
 
Welcome one and all! January 19th We are so excited to introduce you to our LearnServe team who will be guiding the students through our 6-week LearnServe Hackathon program. The purpose of this orientation will be to introduce LearnServe, provide an overview of the program, and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to getting to know you and can’t wait to begin this exciting journey soon! LearnServe Hack-a-thon Orientation

Resources Folder

We know that keeping track of the different newsletters with resources is a challenge and we have now started housing everything in one place! Check out the info from the DC Libraries, summer enrichment opportunities and COVID-19 recovery. Click the image to the right to explore!
Group of diverse women put their hands together in stack empowering each other in breast cancer awareness campaign meeting

Special Announcement: GGA on Civil Unrest

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

Angela Y. Davis

Over the last few days, recent events have revealed frustration, pain, and inequities over the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  This is on the back of the many others, like Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, that have lost their lives or faced the trauma of institutional racism.  It created a host of emotions and actions across the country and right here in Washington, DC.  Last week reminded us and continues to remind us that hate- filled actions have no place in a world where we seek, inclusion, kindness and liberation.

At Girls Global Academy, our focus is on educational justice to ensure that girls have access to opportunities to actualize their dreams.

We know that systemic barriers continue to exist on our path to equity in achievement gaps, STEM and business gaps and life outcomes.  This is not separate from pay inequities, which is not separate from food insecurities, which is not separate from health care gaps, which is not separate from forced childhood marriage, which is not separate from domestic violence, which is not separate from police brutality, which is not separate from the impact of the pandemic, which is not separate from the criminalization of girls of color in schools.  These are reminders that there is still work to do so that we, together, can build and fight for the future that our girls deserve.  

We are building a school based on positive systems that affirm individual identity and uplift our school community.  Our students can explore what is possible and create a path to obtain it.  If we are to be true to our vision of creating leaders that influence change for global benefit then we must begin to have the dialogue about issues that will have an impact on our students both inside and outside of our physical school structure. 

Our mission is to foster pathways to lead and learn so that our school community feels empowered.   We want to give voice to what happened and how it impacts a school community.  Therefore, we continue daily to uphold our pillars.  

Safety: We commit to providing safe spaces to discuss and cultivate mental wellness and self- care because we value people.

Scholarship:  We continue to host and join forums for our founding students, families, and staff to dialogue on issues that matter.

Service:  We stand with people that work to disrupt and dismantle systems of oppression.

Sisterhood:  We honor and celebrate our identity and connection to the local and global society. 

The GGA leadership team wanted each of you to know that You Matter and look forward to you joining us to ensure that we are creating pathways for our students to lead and learn maximizing each student’s unique potential.

Here is a resource to support conversations with students at 6:00 pm this evening through Common Sense Media.

Helping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, and Race in a World of Nonstop News 

Together,

Karen Venable-Croft, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Girls Global Academy

Shayne Swift, Co-Founder and Principal of Girls Global Academy

Beth Blaufuss, Board Chair of Girls Global Academy

may-nl-erollment

GGA Newsletter – May 2020

May's Erollment Opportunities

From our Founding Teachers

 
We conduct discovery sessions with our families and also conduct them with our founding staff. There are two quotes from our founding Engineering teacher and founding Physical Education & Health teacher that resonated. We wanted to share these words of wisdom with you. Stay tuned for additional staff spotlights!
 
“Balance one day does not look like balance the next day”
 
“With all the uncertainties, optimism and gratitude are our greatest allies”

Resources Folder

We know that keeping track of the different newsletters with resources is a challenge and we have now started housing everything in one place! Check out the info from the DC Libraries, summer enrichment opportunities and COVID-19 recovery. Click the image to the right to explore!

In This Issue:

  • Erollment Roll Call
  • Erollment Support
  • What’s Upcoming
april-nl-image1

GGA Newsletter – April 2020

April is Financial Literacy Month

From The Girl Scout Research Institute:

 
“Financial literacy is a growing concern given the state of the U.S. economy over the past five years. The recession has led to high unemployment, foreclosures, personal and national debt, inflation, and financial uncertainty. In order to properly grasp these concepts and prepare themselves for their financial future, today’s youth need a solid understanding of age-appropriate money management and economics. This is especially important given the fact that financial literacy is not currently a standard component of the K−12 education curriculum in the United States, and thus the responsibility for teaching these skills has fallen to parents, families, and out-of-school-time programs.”

GGA’s take on financial literacy:

 
Question
Who takes financial literacy at GGA?
 
Answer
EVERY STUDENT AT GGA!

Welcome Paige our Student Support Services Coordinator

Paige will oversee and support our students who have Individualized Education Plans, 504 Plans, and students who are English Language Learners to ensure our instructional staff meet student needs and families are our partners.

In This Issue:

  • Four Pillar Resources
  • Priority One: We will know our students
  • Financial Literacy Reads

 

Your Safety Matters

Special Announcement on Social Distancing from GGA – Because You Matter

At Girls Global Academy, health and safety are important and we want to take the necessary precautions to ensure that we uphold our Safety pillar. We are located at 733 Eighth Street NW and our staff will be teleworking.  We will not be hosting any building tours from March 16 – March 31.  Although this may disrupt some of our plans to host our families, we will continue the work of our mission.

Social distancing not only applies to the employees and Board members of Girls Global Academy, it applies to our efforts to personalize our interactions with our families and community.  Outreach has been a staple for Girls Global Academy since we started this journey.  We will continue to work with City Bridge Education, Education Forward DC, and PAVE as they provide guidance on creative ways to continue our interactions with families and community members.  We have already begun to set a plan in motion so that our families continue to feel that they are connected to Girls Global Academy.

Stay tuned to how we will connect virtually for our March 28 Open House.

Please click on this Meal Distribution link for the DC Public Charter Schools Citywide Meal Distribution sites for all students under age 18. 

Thank you for continuing to engage as we work to fulfill the promise that we will open a high quality school that gives girls the voice and confidence to explore all that is possible.  Because you matter we are just a phone call away if you need anything.

Be safe.

Together,
Karen

karen-cropped

Karen Venable-Croft

Co-Founder / Executive Director
Women's History Month

GGA Newsletter – March 2020

March is Women’s History Month which celebrates the important roles women have played in American History!
 
We are participating in the 2nd Annual #FITDC HerStory 5K Walk/Run on Saturday March 7, 2020. It is not too late to join us. Check out the activities Apple is hosting this month at their store near us using the link below.
 

Girls Global's Four Pillars

A true global sisterhood is about being able to discuss the universal struggles of womanhood. Shared language is used to celebrate, support, and uplift each other to ensure students are writing their own narratives for their futures both individually and as a collective.

How will GGA do that?

  • Advisory
  • Community Meetings

 

The world is our backyard and “just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” Through service-learning you try on a range of leadership identities while supporting your community in both local and global contexts.

How will GGA do that?

  • LEADership Academy
  • Global Partnerships

Future-ready scholarship must address the fact that skill-sets will change based on industry. Students must be life-long learners so they have the ability to flex, adapt, and pivot to gain additional skills as needed or reinvent themselves if the skill-sets become out-of-date.

How will GGA do that?

  • Global Curriculum
  • Engineering &
  • Entrepreneurial Mindsets

 

Safety starts with you by having compassion for yourself and others. Physical and emotional safety are critical for wellness. Confidence is fostered when students feel safe and is a skill that is taught, much like the development of muscle memory and supports moving thoughts to actions.

How will GGA do that?

  • Safe Passage to School
  • Developing a Growth Mindset

Post-Lottery & March Open House Events

Priority One: We will know our students.

One of the best parts of working in education is getting to know students and their families. We have met with eight awesome students and their families thus far for one-to-one meetings and would love to get to know more of you. If you need interpreter services, then we will provide it to you. Schedule a coffee/tea/water meeting with us!

Parent Perspective
~ by Shanti Martin, parent of a rising 9th Grader

This kind of meeting is important from a student and parent perspective because it gives the student a chance to ask questions that are important to them entering high school. It also gives the staff the opportunity to meet the student to see personality traits and ask questions that could possibly help the school be more empowering when it comes to activities, subjects, community service etc.

These meetings are important because the staff will have a head start before the school year starts on what to offer students and what’s best for the the school, parents etc as a whole. It truly takes a village and it’s better when the students have input so that they know the school truly cares about any needs and concerns.

After our meeting Savannah was relieved and felt so much better. She is super excited to become apart of the Girls Global Academy. I as a parent would love to join their organization as well because I believe in the mission and what they are offering to all young ladies…our future entrepreneurs.

What do you discuss during the meeting?

  • Hopes and dreams
  • Excitement and fears about high school
  • Student areas of strength and areas of growth
  • Interests, hobbies, and activities
  • Anything else the student and their family would like to discuss
Where do you conduct the meeting?
  • Your home
  • Local library
  • Starbucks
  • You pick the location
 
How long is the meeting?
  • Just one hour of your time
 
 
What do I bring to the meeting?
  • Your ideas
  • Your hopes
  • Your dreams
  • Your questions
  • Your concerns
  • Anything else you think would help us get to know you

Repost: Families Are Our Partners

Parent Perspective
by Tosha Crawford, parent of a rising 9th Grader
 
I was honored to be asked to participate in a panel interview for prospective teachers at Girls Global Academy (GGA). I jumped at the chance and thought it would be a wonderful experience where my voice could be heard by the administrators regarding the culture and expectations of teachers.
 
Over the years, I have listened to students and parents talk about teachers and their inability to connect to girls of color. So it was important to me to have my voice heard when establishing the culture at GGA. 
 
I wanted to meet candidates who chose teaching as a passion rather than a job. Teachers who would be able to relate the subject area to the real everyday world for the girls. And most importantly, I wanted to hear authentic responses to scenarios which included understanding urban girls of color and cultural sensitivity.  
 
The experience was eye opening! 
 
Here are some ways for you to be involved right now:
 
 
~ Follow us on Social Media @GirlsGlobalDC and like our posts.
~ Attend our service events and volunteer beside your student.
~ Weigh in on what social-emotional skills we should prioritize for year one.
~ Distribute flyers/posters to get the word out about Girls Global.
~ Join our steering committee to guide engineering and business pathways.
~ Make a suggestion on how you would like to be involved!
~ Participate on our hiring panels for staff members.
mlk8

GGA Newsletter – January 2020

MLK Day of Service

What a joy it was to have so many enthusiastic children and adults come out to our event on the MLK Day of Service. 88 volunteers packed over 10,000 meals and made over 150 care packages . The meals have been picked up by the Capital Area Food Bank and the care packages were delivered to So Others Might Eat. Thank you to WGirls, Palantir Tech, and CHCI for volunteering as groups.A special shoutout is extended to Miss District of Columbia’s Outstanding Teen, Kiana Kelly-Futch for volunteering with us.
 
Our next community event is the #FITDC Her Story 5K walk/run on March 7, 2020 to honor Women’s History Month. The race begins at Freedom Plaza and we would love for you to join us! Please email us if you would like to participate!

The My School DC Lottery closes soon!

My School DC tutorial video!

Year One Instructional Priorities

As a new school, we are prioritizing what we have identified from five years of feedback from families and community members:
 
  • We will know our students academically and social-emotionally.
  • We will establish a culture for learning with parent and student input.
  • We will assess learning in diverse ways to meet student need.
  • We will communicate regularly and transparently with families.

Families Are Our Partners

“Educators need to tear down the artificial wall between schools and parents”
~The Merrow Report
 
We sought family feedback when we started the application writing process in 2015 and continue to seek input and feedback from families. It is both appreciated and expected that your voice is at the table in making decisions.
 
Here are some ways for you to be involved right now:
 
~ Follow us on Social Media @GirlsGlobalDC and like our posts.
Attend our service events and volunteer beside your student.
Participate on our hiring panels for staff members.
Weigh in on what social-emotional skills we should prioritize for year one.
Distribute flyers/posters to get the word out about Girls Global.
Join our steering committee to guide engineering and business pathways.
Make a suggestion on how you would like to be involved!
 

The Girls' School Advantage: By the Numbers

“I was really lucky because I went to an all-girl school and that single sex education really helped me because I really learned to bond with women and to not compete with or compare myself as much because we were all allowed to be ourselves and be unique and kind of have our unique strengths. But I always felt like my value was much more in my intellect than it was in my appearance, and so that’s what I spent time cultivating .
 ~Actress, Kerry Washington
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