KIPP SoCal Public Schools’ Post

As another school year comes to a close, I wanted to list three things I tried to focus on this year, which was my second year as a manager: 👂Listen: To my staff, students, families, and coworkers. Everyone has something to share. Everyone’s opinions and feelings are valid, though I may not always agree. 🧱Build Relationahips: I did my best building relationships cross-functionally and intend to do more next year. My organization employs many people and we have many departments. I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface with this one and want to do more in this area. 🙏 Give Grace: To myself, my staff, and my coworkers. Everyone has a life outside work, not everyone can be 100% all the time. Some days will be better than others. We’re all human. I really feel like I found my footing this school year and was more confident sharing ideas but also continued to learn more. Early education has changed so much since I started part time in that toddler room in 2008. I’m not the same person I was then and I’m certainly not the same teacher. These are also not the same students. All teachers and schools had to make a radical shift to meet the needs of our students and families. Just a few more days and summer vacation begins. Wishing all my teacher and education friends a great summer full of rest, we certainly earned it this year. #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhood #headstart #educator

A Recap from La Plaza's Summer Discovery Camp 2023 – our five-week summer educational program designed for students entering 1st – 8th grade to prevent summer learning loss while encouraging positive personal development and healthy living. This year, 86 students embarked on a journey of learning, growth, and giving back, and the results are nothing short of remarkable! Academic Achievements: 88% of students improved their reading and language arts scores. Pre and post-tests showcased significant gains in both Math and Reading skills. Community Engagement: 100% of our young learners participated in at least one service activity. Our students found these community service initiatives fulfilling, expressing understanding and appreciation for maintaining a clean environment and helping others. Enriching Experiences: 100% of our students had the opportunity to explore new activities through our enrichment partners and exciting weekly field trips, broadening their horizons and igniting their curiosity. Parental Satisfaction: Post-camp surveys revealed that 90% of parents rated our program with the highest satisfaction score of 5, with 10% giving it a 4 on a scale of 1-5. Parents emphasized the positive impact on both their children and themselves, highlighting invaluable resources, educational fun, kind staff, and enhanced readiness for their children for the upcoming school year. We thank our funders, enrichment partners, and dedicated staff for making La Plaza's Summer Discovery Camp a success! If you know a family that would benefit from La Plaza’s Summer Discovery camp, they can fill out the interest form here http://bit.ly/464anbP to receive updates on 2024 dates and location! 

Who wants to come hang with me? Due to a few retirements, our Treetops School Staff will welcome some new faces next year. We’re looking for the following roles 👇🏽 2nd Grade Reading Language Arts 2nd Grade Science/Social Studies 3rd Grade Math Middle School Science *Possibly HS Art/Photojournalism) Could that be you or someone you know? ☺️ A little about us: 🌳We’re a magical K-12 public charter school campus on 22 acres in Euless, TX (roughly 400 students). 🤾 If it’s 40 degrees or above, you can catch us outside. Not just at recess, but whenever a teacher feels their class may need a bit of a break, boost, or whatever the case may be. ✅ Teachers are treated as the professionals they are. Admin is here to support, but you’re the pros in your space. We trust you to do what’s best for kids. 🤜Stong levels of parental support. We send out the bat-signal, they come through with the quickness. Our community is a true community of folks from all walks of life. 🏫 Small class sizes. We understand the effect class size has on the learning environment and our ability to ensure each student gets what they need. ☺️The best part - THE KIDS! We have amazing young people at Treetops. Truly, I could go on and on about all that makes this place so special. It’s one of those places you have to see it to believe it. Thanks for taking the time to engage with this posting. If you’re interested in becoming a Treetopian, check out our openings at the link in the comments.

As an early childhood educator this is especially important to remember. One thing I love is the moment I step into the program space I immediately feel a sense of genuine joy, even if my attitude wasn’t positive before I stepped into the space. I feel that immediate shift. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of many programs and the successful ones are the ones that have educators who come into the space with positive attitude even on the difficult days. Anytime I mentor or support, one of the first things I say is have fun, and enjoy what your doing, take this opportunity to be creative and silly. We are here for the children and families. One thing I say to a lot of educators is put the fun back into it, and to the newer educators I say hold on to that joy and passion you have and don’t let it go. I’ll leave this post off with a question to reflect on; How would you feel everyday if you had yourself as an educator? (Revert back to the age of the group you support each day.)

🌟 Embrace the Journey: Be a Brave Learner! Here a few actions to consider taking this month for the children in your life: 👪 Parents 🌟Get to know the children and families in your child’s class, grade and extracurricular activities. 🌟Look for opportunities to connect across lines of difference and learn about others with different lived experiences from yours. 🌟Seek out extracurricular activities for your children that will provide an opportunity to meet families and teammates from different backgrounds and neighborhoods. 🍎 Educators 🌟Use your introduction to your class and families (by email and in Meet the Teacher night) to model your own learning and lived experience. Think about what you can highlight… 🌟Make choices about your classroom environment that invite students to learn about the experiences of others across races – think about the books on your bookshelf, the music you play, the photos or artwork on your walls. To learn more about our Color-Brave Caregiver Framework visit: bit.ly/BraveLearnerER

Reflections from a newly-posted school staff, after a 3-year stint in MOE HQ: 1) School life is hectic, fast-paced and exciting. (There’s so much going on in a 9-12h window. Starting the day with a to-do list and realising that many other ad-hoc tasks overtook the list, because your student needs you or a concerned parent needs you to call back… is all part of the job). 2) The HQ stint prepares you to think deeper into issues and understand the educational ecosystem (Professional Development materials and opportunities, curriculum documents and policies) 3) It take intentionality to think about the experience, both in school and HQ, to find connections to experiences and what can be applied across. I’m interested to connect with fellow teachers who may want to discuss about a stint in HQ, or the transition back to teaching after a stint outside the school. Drop me a message to connect!

Explore the rewarding role of a preschool teacher, from fostering early childhood development to creating a positive learning environment. Delve into the responsibilities, skills, and qualifications that define this impactful position in early education. https://ow.ly/ctht50Q8QOA

Creating a Fun and Educational Summer Program for Kids Summer is a fantastic opportunity to engage children with exciting and educational activities. Here are some ideas to make your summer program stand out: 1. Outdoor Adventures: Plan nature walks, gardening projects, and outdoor sports to keep kids active and connected with nature. 2. Creative Arts and Crafts: Set up art stations where kids can explore their creativity with painting, sculpture, and crafting. Theme days, like "Pirate Day" or "Space Adventure," can add extra fun. 3. Science Experiments: Simple science experiments, such as making slime or volcano eruptions, can spark curiosity and teach basic scientific principles. 4. Reading Challenges: Encourage a love of reading with summer reading challenges. Set goals and reward kids with small prizes to keep them motivated. 5. Cultural Exploration: Introduce children to different cultures through music, dance, food, and crafts. It’s a great way to teach diversity and inclusivity. 6. Field Trips: Organize safe and educational field trips to local museums, farms, or nature reserves. These outings can provide memorable learning experiences outside the daycare. Implementing a variety of fun and educational activities can make your summer program enriching and enjoyable for children. What activities do you have planned for this summer? Share your ideas and get inspired in the comments! --- Would you like to explore more about these topics or need help with another aspect of your daycare business? Let’s engage in the comments!

Is your child socially ready for kindergarten? Can they play in a group? Follow instructions? What about emotional readiness? Do they show some degree of independence? Are they comfortable in a group? One of the best ways to boost your child’s social-emotional readiness for kindergarten – and life – is with an early learning program. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ziUDGG