MAGAZINE 2020-2021, ISSUE 2

FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE

GOING THE DISTANCE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND REINVENTING SCHOOL WITHOUT A BLUEPRINT. KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 3 Class of 2020 Valedictorian Class of 2020 | One of the beauties of our school is how well people could people well school is how beauties of our One of the done have couldn’t things they accomplish to together work of the value forget never our graduates alone... I hope KIPP.” learned at which they teamwork, Aldo Vera-Espinoza It’s not something . It’s

GRADUATING IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC A GLOBAL IN THE MIDDLE OF GRADUATING you’ll soon forget. The KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School Class of 2020 of 2020 High School Class Collegiate KIPP Nashville The forget. soon you’ll a joyful and socially distanced celebration at our high school. celebration and socially distanced a joyful

donned their cap and gowns, and marked the beginning of a new chapter with chapter the beginning of a new and marked donned their cap and gowns, CELEBRATION A DRIVE-THROUGH DRIVE-THROUGH A 2 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 5

William Seibels William Ed Settle Will Tom Wylly Tom Opportunities Outside the Classroom Coming Full Circle Full Coming Construction and a New High School and a New Construction Our Students Why We Choose KIPP Choose We Why National Teacher Recognition National Teacher Transportation Team Spotlight Team Transportation Making the Investment Beth Harwell Rick Martin Camiqueka Fuller Camiqueka J. Andrew (Drew) Goddard (Drew) Andrew J. Jeff McGruder Emerging ArtistsEmerging KIPP Nashville During COVID-19 During KIPP Nashville Celebrating KIPP Nashville’s First Employee First KIPP Nashville’s Celebrating Mr. Rivera and Kingston Rivera Mr. Doing by Learning Committed to a More Just World a More to Committed COVID-19 and Beyond COVID-19 Pipeline Leadership Building a Diverse Erin Holt, Rovarro Sanders Erin Holt, Rovarro GOING THE DISTANCE: GOING THE DISTANCE: IN THE LIFE: A DAY WITH FAMILIES: TOGETHER AND EXTRACURRICULARS: ARTS, SPORTS, BUSES, NEW PLAN: SAME 15 YEARS OF IMPACT: 15 YEARS OF IMPACT: IN TEACHING: EXCELLENCE THE WIN: FOR ART MATTERS: ATTENDANCE IS PERSONAL: WHEN THE WORK OF MUSIC: THE POWER COLLEGE AND THROUGH TO 2.0 THE WORK VOICES: ALUMNI

Karl Dean Karl Dennis Elizabeth Cynthia Arnholt Cynthia Chris Barbic Jim Flautt, Board Chair Board Jim Flautt, COVER STORY COVER 32 PERSPECTIVES 46 50 52 54 OF DIRECTORS KIPP NASHVILLE BOARD 2020-2021 WRITERS schools Erin Holt and KIPP Nashville Davidson, Y Courtney PHOTOGRAPH KIPP NASHVILLE UPDATES NASHVILLE KIPP 6 VISION AND NEW MISSION A GLANCE: AT 8 OUR SCHOOLS JUSTICE: RACIAL 10 OUR TEAM: 12 UPDATES: SOUTH NASHVILLE 14 FEATURES FAMILY TEAM AND 16 18 19 20 22 24 COLLEGE KIPP THROUGH 26 28 30 TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE

Executive Director Executive RANDY DOWELL RANDY With gratitude, With Over the summer, as it became clear we would not be able to open in person in August, we once again doubled down again once we in August, open in person not be able to would as it became clear we the summer, Over In March when the tornado hit, it impacted many KIPP families and staff members. We were able to raise almost to able were We and staff members. KIPP families many it impacted hit, when the tornado In March when the weeks few in need. In the first families and our team to distribute to 48 hours in 20 thousand dollars redirect able to were and schools, we businesses and shutting down country the sweeping pandemic began get home to financial aid needed alums with college-going to support efforts relief our tornado funds from remaining launch a to tirelessly worked our teams spring break, Over learning. distance and set up food, campus, get from learning. synchronous all our students, which included for learning program distance team, and growth. In true KIPP fashion, we find a way or make one. or make way find a we fashion, In true KIPP growth. and team, of school, day the first leading up to weeks all our students. In the three learning plan for distance a robust on creating DEAR TEAM, the to tornado a devastating imagined. From could’ve we any has been unlike at KIPP Nashville last year The heart, flexibility, resilience, immense has shown our team impact of a global pandemic on schools, unfathomable The 2020-21 school year is challenging us all, and we will succeed by maintaining a growth mindset, communicating maintaining a growth by will succeed us all, and we is challenging school year 2020-21 The will we ahead and believe the work for and excited I am both eager of teamwork. our culture and strengthening well, the for grateful are We KIPP Nashville. a much stronger learned, and as out of this pandemic both with lessons come and families. support of our community continued Amidst the backdrop of the pandemic, we also recommitted ourselves to racial justice. We introduced shared shared introduced We justice. racial to ourselves also recommitted the pandemic, we of Amidst the backdrop our community, in our work, plays race about the role discussions and normalize facilitate to and goals language students. As one of our our and normalcy for stability create to on our teachers heavily relied it all, we’ve Through students teachers, Without of the world. the heroes are put it, “Teachers members high school student council especially now. been spoken, never have words Truer learn, let alone grow.” to the opportunity not have would We were the first school in our district to announce that we would begin the school year in full distance learning mode. year in full distance would begin the school we that to announce school in our district the first were We and engagement daily attendance of average high levels saw and we quickly, and students adapted Our teachers phase in some able to were we In November, and interventions. on reading which focused in our small groups for in-person of elementary middle and high school students, groups well as small as kindergartners graders, and first virtual back to learning, these go to having before weeks a few for only in person were though we Even learning. were joyful,families. and relationships with students safe that further solidified our weeks our charter approved of Education Board as the State excitement, with renewed the future also looking to are We support plans to estate the launch of KIPP on real moving are high school in Antioch. We a new application for 2023. a 1,200-student High School, in August launch plan to school we Prep Antioch College our teams distributed over 2,800 laptops and school supplies needed for our students to succeed. We made made We succeed. our students to and school supplies needed for 2,800 laptops over distributed our teams hotspot who needed a Wi-Fi family Any and food. access internet needs around assess calls to of phone hundreds offering in addition to our bus stops, from food distribute to our buses repurpose able to were one, and we received at each of our campuses. meal service and are racial groups gaps between performance to eliminate we will aim students and staff, For and our country. and mentoring through Black leaders emerging developing to and commitment of transparency adding a level our internal through grow of color leaders help emerging will believe which we programs, preparation leadership pipelines. leadership FROM THE FOUNDER THE FROM 4 INTRODUCING THE NEW KIPP VISION AND MISSION

Over the past year and a half, the KIPP Foundation embarked on a journey together with our families and communities across the United States to OUR VISION reexamine our mission and vision through answering Every child grows up free to these two questions: create the future they want for themselves and their What is the change we’re trying communities. 1 to create in the world?

We set out to answer these questions WITH and NOT FOR our communities. KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 What work should we be doing OUR MISSION every day to create the change Together with families and that unifies us in this purpose? communities, we create joyful, 2

academically excellent schools Thousands of students, family, alumni, and staff, that prepare students with including from KIPP Nashville, participated in the the skills and confidence to yearlong process. pursue the paths they choose— 5,500 40 7 400 college, career, and beyond—so students, families, focus groups with weeks of iteration by community members they can lead fulfilling lives and alumni, and staff students, families, a working group of gave feedback build a more just world. responded to our staff, and local students, families, staff, on drafts via an initial survey board members and local board members online survey

The KIPP Foundation began this work because now, more than ever, it’s critical to speak in one voice about who we are and who we want to be. As we write the next chapter at KIPP, it’s crucial that we’re all aligned on what we’re working to achieve, no matter where we are in the country.

Through the process, KIPP heard a few themes loud and clear from students, families, alumni, and staff. First, that KIPP is and should be about partnering with families and communities. That we ultimately want our students to have real choices bolstered by a great education and exposure to different people, places, and ideas. We also heard that KIPP should be about more than test scores and that, ultimately, our collective goal is to create a better world for everybody.

6 7 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 9

Asian Other Education Special ELL Students AVERAGE DAILY DAILY AVERAGE STUDENT ATTENDENCE 2% 0.1% 12% 11% 51% FEMALE STUDENTS 95%

Black/African American Hispanic Multi-Ethnic White 63% 23% 6% 5% STUDENT RETENTION STUDENT reason most common The left due to a student was out of district. moving A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS SUCCESS FOR A RECIPE RETENTION STUDENT OCTOBER TO OCTOBER to 1, 2019 October from with KIPP Nashville of students staying number The the incredible to testament is a huge nearly 10%. This increased 1, 2020 October especially during in the loop and engaged, families keep do to school teams our work time each morning to devote teams such uncertain times. Our school operations such roadblocks, school and troubleshoot of students absent from call families pulse-check sending regular began we 2020, In March technology. to as access still unmet what needs were understand better to in order all families to surveys emails, and All of these phone calls, texts, improving. continue could we how and in the loop and they’re like feel our families where surveys create an environment region. school and our entire their student’s across supported 49% MALE STUDENTS STUDENTS 2,840 93% 11% 19-20 18-19 20% ANTIOCH 17-18 19% EAST NASHVILLE EAST BERRY HILL BERRY MADISON 19% 16-17 NASHVILLE SYLVAN PARK SYLVAN 15-16 22% WHITES CREEK

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

YEAR-OVER-YEAR ATTRITION – KIPP NASHVILLE – ATTRITION YEAR-OVER-YEAR SOUTH EAST / NORTH / EAST

FOUNDED IN 2013 FOUNDED Grades 5-8 FOUNDED IN 2018 FOUNDED Grades 9-12 IN 2014 FOUNDED and 5-6 Grades K-2 Grades 5-8 2005 IN FOUNDED Grades K-4 IN 2015 FOUNDED Grades K-4 IN 2017 FOUNDED OUR SCHOOLS OUR 8 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 11 Racial justice work is not “other not “other is work Racial justice our to is core work This work”. be integrated must and mission do. we everything into

the ways in which characteristics of White in which characteristics the ways transparency of access to teacher leader roles leader roles teacher to of access transparency within schools been diving deep into Our principals have rules unwritten creates Culture Supremacy develop to and how and norms in our team, those characteristics for antidotes racially just, conscious, and intentional language and intentional just, conscious, racially our lead by projects School-based equity 2nd year Principals in Residence to increase 2nd increase to in Residence Principals year Social Studies department, replacing it with more Social Studies department, replacing boosted the racial diversity of our leadership diversity the racial boosted in their language revised and recently audited input on distance learning and reopening plans learning and reopening input on distance bringing all circle, Expanded the leadership has which Team, Leadership the Regional with of color 50% leaders over 20% to meetings from High School team Collegiate KIPP Nashville Regular pulse-check surveys for staff for pulse-check surveys Regular Bi-weekly/recurring surveys pulse-check families for get to Group Advisory Teacher A newly-formed input and decision-making meetingsweekly Principals and Directors of Operations into of Operations and Directors Principals

• •

• • have launched: have • • • To prioritize the voices and perspectives of of and perspectives the voices prioritize To we our equity, to increase staff and families

at least at least

reduce gaps for for gaps reduce increase talent retention talent retention increase

MORE JUST WORLD JUST MORE COMMITTED TO A TO COMMITTED of 2020, we set up our foundational systems to to systems foundational set up our we of 2020, and and in spring semester meet these goals, those foundations. built on we beyond, – of these goals action in pursuit taken We’ve not just ideas, developing were we making sure semester In the fall and accountability. but systems 50% of open leadership roles (Grade Level Level (Grade roles 50% of open leadership Black andby internal filled Chair and above) Latinx candidates attendance and retention of Black students and retention attendance Leadership Development: Leadership Family Engagement: Family Talent Retention: Talent

We have committed to three main goals main goals three to committed have We the 2020-2021 for justice racial around school year: Over the past year, we’ve witnessed violence violence witnessed we’ve the past year, Over that shines a and women Black men against and systemic deep, persistent, spotlight on the injustices These in our country. injustice racial just build a more to our commitment strengthen a path education can be believe and we world, so that our students and opportunity equity to for want they the future create to free are communities. and their themselves to 80% with no gap of staff members of color of of staff members 80% with no gap to 10 | KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 13 KNCPE Kindergarten Teacher KNCPE Kindergarten | I am excited to work with a community of educators who truly put of educators with a community work to I am excited students, especially those whomy to inspire want I first. children see to class in my of color students the young me. I want look like in front what is immediately opportunities are beyond that there in lead and do important them to work for is space of them. There their communities.” Peavler Grant

FEMALE 72% PERSONS OF COLOR PERCENTAGE OF NEW OF NEW PERCENTAGE MALE HIRES IDENTIFYING AS HIRES IDENTIFYING AS 28% 55% term talent retention and development over time over and development talent retention term phase of the process support to long systems talent management Strengthen further to diversify and outreach Expand strategies our talent pool risk of bias at each reduce to hiring practices Evolve

• AUDIT, ANALYZE AND IMPLEMENT AND IMPLEMENT ANALYZE AUDIT, racial to commitment As part of KIPP Nashville’s has spent the team our talent recruitment justice, analyzing our months auditing and several past with an eye and selection processes recruitment switched have We and equity. justice racial toward hiring model, using clear and to a competency-based all our schools and created aligned rubrics across anti- specifically address questions to and utilized has team talent recruitment mindsets. The racism the 2021-2022 for changes strategic made several season: recruitment • • MIRRORS AND MIRRORS WINDOWS

In 2020-2021, 12% of our new hires speak a a speak hires our new 12% of In 2020-2021, LEAD AND LEAD AND (19-20 to 20-21, May–July) 20-21, to (19-20 TEACHER RETENTION TEACHER TOTAL TEACHERS ASSOCIATE

70%

language that is commonly spoken in the homes of KIPP families (Spanish, (Spanish, families in the homes of KIPP spoken that is commonly language communities. our school reflect to team our on diversifying focusing We are committed to hiring a diverse group of teachers and staff that reflect ourreflect that and staff of teachers group hiring a diverse to committed are We population. student and family This represents progress, and we are excited to continue continue to excited are and we progress, represents This and Kurdish). Arabic,

BUILDING A DIVERSE LEADER PIPELINE BUILDING A DIVERSE LEADER internal candidates candidates internal 67% of our cohort were were of our cohort 67% are Black women are 83% of our current PIRs 83% of our current

Our Principal in Residence (PIR) program is a two- program (PIR) in Residence Our Principal generation the next develop designed to program year Each PIR embeds as an in KIPP Nashville. of leaders at one of our schools and works Principal Assistant inclosely with their colleagues the cohort throughout the are building a leadership to We year. committed families. our students and pipeline that reflects OUR TEAM OUR 188 12 |

KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 15 We had 900 900 had We for applications open seats 250 our current for school year. BREAKING GROUND Construction on KIPP Antioch College Prep Middle School’s building is well underway. underway. is well building School’s Middle Prep on KIPP Antioch College Construction Elementary Prep Antioch College as KIPP middle school is on the same property The is 48,661 The building track. field and outdoor soccer a large by School, separated graders seventh our incoming welcome and will floors three across spread feet square school year. 2021-2022 the for

Artist rendering of the new KIPP Antioch of the new Artist rendering College Prep Middle School entrance. Prep College

A NEW HIGH SCHOOL HIGH A NEW and middle schools continue to garner interest interest garner to and middle schools continue the community. from We are looking toward the future in South the future toward looking are We excitement! and energy renewed with Nashville Nashville the Metro denials from two After of Education Board the State School Board, Public high school a new our charter appeal for approved School High Prep Antioch College in Antioch. KIPP our and welcome 2023 will open in August key The as rising 9th graders. 5th graders founding our families demand from the this decision was to to wrote KIPP Antioch families 150 current - over this new approve asking them to Board the State their students. Our elementaryhigh school for 14

“Words can’t express how much I truly admire you and the work you do. There is no one else like you. The heart that you have CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF IMPACT for our students and families is unmatched. You have gone above and beyond for families - shared your home, your dinner table, money, and your time with those who needed that Fifteen years ago, Chantelle Stoxstill, better known by Q: What did your first few months on the job look like? extra love the most, all while balancing a family of your own. KIPP Academy Nashville students, families, and staff as A: It was spring 2005, and I remember I didn’t get paid The impact that you’ve had on our region, school, students, Ms. Sha’, took a big risk. She left her job at Vanderbilt, until closer to the end of May. We were working so and families is far-reaching and undeniable. There is no KIPP where she had been for ten years, to become KIPP hard trying to do all the things I think WE forgot... But Academy Nashville or KIPP Nashville without you!” Sha's son DeAndre' as a KIPPster. Nashville’s first official employee. Ms. Sha’, who is daycare was due, and they definitely didn’t forget! I KAN’s Dean of Students, has been an integral part of the bought a laptop and did everything from home staying Mrs. Roberts | KIPP Academy Nashville Assistant Principal KIPP Nashville Team and Family ever since. Through up until 4 or 5 every morning. Once I am committed to the years, Ms. Sha’ has loved, counseled, taught, something, I am committed. nurtured and supported 1,500 KIPP students and countless staff members in our community. Ms. Sha’ Q: What were some of the things you did during the day Q: What was that first year like? Q: What has kept you at KIPP all these years? reflects on taking risks, what’s kept her at KIPP for so to support the school, students, families, and staff? A: Overwhelming, exciting, scary, so many things. I A: I love what I do. I love my kids. I love my families, long, and community impact in this Q&A. A: I knocked on so many doors recruiting new students had to learn in the moment. Even how to deal with upset and I love thinking how my voice can make this a better and scheduled home visits with families. We gutted parents when we failed in communicating something - place for all students to get the same opportunities Q: How did you meet Randy? and painted the building. At one point, I rented a I always had to remember I am a parent first and to put as those students in Brentwood. I was that kid who KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE A: I was looking for a school for my son (DeAndre’ UHaul to drive to Atlanta and pick up furniture. While myself in their shoes. struggled in reading and math, but I only can really Stoxstill) because he was the typical 10-year-old boy in Atlanta, I visited KIPP South Fulton to see how they remember two teachers who were outspoken in their Q: How has your role evolved over the years? What’s the whom all the teachers at his previous school thought ran their front office and operations side of things. belief of me and who inspired me - they happened to same and what’s different? had ADHD. I heard about a new school coming to At the time, I wore most of the hats - I was the office both be Black females. I want to make sure I have the Nashville on the radio station. Randy was holding a manager, director of operations, nurse, and counselor. A: My role has definitely evolved. What’s the same for same impact on students’ lives that I wish someone meeting that night at the East Library at 6 p.m. so my There really wasn’t anything I didn’t do. From me is what we stand for. I was reminded this summer had on mine. husband and my son went to hear about the school. coordinating bus routes with MNPS to buying and what the shield on our shirt stood for and after reviewing I wanted to try something new. handing out snacks for our students (we didn’t get out that motto…. We are true to that shield. Many things Q: What is your favorite part of working at KIPP? of school until 5 p.m. at the time), to creating Saturday have changed since that first year, and in my opinion, A: The kids! I never set out to want to keep working Q: How did Randy pitch KIPP Academy and why did you school rotation and lunch schedules, ordering and those changes have been for the good. We get better with kids. At the beginning I was only doing this for decide to take the job? organizing supplies and shirts, to picking up students every second, minute, hour, day, month, and year. my kids, but as I started working with families and I A: He sold me honestly on “giving kids in East and taking them back home. I can keep going... knew my voice mattered, and even if one small word Q: What do you think makes - and continues to make - Nashville the same opportunities as kids in Brentwood.” changed the destiny of their lives, I wanted to give that | Q: What was the feeling you had on the first day when KIPP Nashville special or different? 2020-2021 I grew up in East Nashville my entire life and gone to one word. students came in? the very schools that were failing at the time. Though A: We try to figure out what works for your student I lived in East Nashville at the time he hired me, my kids A: Excited, scared, not knowing what I had just gotten to help them in their educational journey. If one way Q: When you reflect on your time with KIPP, how do attended school in West Nashville, because I could not myself into, especially considering I just left my secure doesn’t work, we think of other ways until we figure you feel like KIPP has impacted the community? afford to send them to a private school but job after ten years. out what works for them and their families, while still A: Actually showing that we are team and family to I wanted a better education for them. I loved my job holding the bar high. those in the community. I still hang out with some of my at Vanderbilt. I had been there for 10 years and really was students and some of their parents. I may invite them Q: What do you think keeps families here? not looking for a job. I honestly took a pay cut when I to a kickball game at the park or send them a “Happy started at KAN, but I wanted to see what this school A: Safety and love. People know you care about them Holidays” text. I have even gone to Disney with some could do for my son, and I was excited about being on and their wellbeing. If we get nothing else right, we of them. Just showing them we are more than a school, the same schedule as him. My husband Michael and I show we genuinely care to the best of our ability. that we are family and we believe in their child. prayed about it and the rest is history. 16 17 |

KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 19 ART FOR THE WIN FOR ART Month, KNCPE students participatedDuring Black History in a special unit in Art class. Mailou Jones and Kehinde American artists Lois Our Kings and Queens studied African in those artists’ styles. on projects working process, the creative explore to and got Wiley artists Black artists students to and in particular, introduce to idea behind the unit was The and masks style her African for Mailou Jones is known Lois careers. who had successful Obama. As part of the art Barack of President his portrait for is best known Wiley Kehinde to a chance and got unit, students also learned about museums and museum etiquette in Hendersonville. Center Cultural Arts & by visiting the Monthaven it firsthand experience I had never seen one of these masks before.” seen one of these masks I had never “I like using the paint and the oil pastels. pastels. the paint and the oil using “I like | 1st grader Layla

in our community, I never imagined that I would be receiving be receiving imagined that I would I never in our community, Award. in Teaching Ball Excellence Harriett the prestigious videos of former watching honored and truly touched I was memories from and giving their numbers rolling KIPPsters see to excited was so I class. fifththeir time in my grade in one together and colleagues students and current former has truly moment. Being part and family of the KIPP team better a become and pushed me to life my to been a blessing to serve to continue to I am honored and teammate. teacher our community.” for tomorrow help build a better KIPP Academy Nashville 5th Grade Math Teacher Math Teacher 5th Grade Nashville KIPP Academy Award in Teaching of the Harriett Ball Excellence Recipient 2020 Misty Caldwell Misty “When I logged into the Zoom call to celebrate KAN’s 15 years 15 years KAN’s celebrate call to the Zoom into “When I logged

IN TEACHING TEACHING IN RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZING Ms. Caldwell has been with KIPP for 15 years and was one of the original teachers when KIPP Academy KIPP Academy when one of the original teachers was and 15 years has been with KIPP for Ms. Caldwell than 1,500 students…and and taught more has inspired then, Ms. Caldwell started in 2005. Since first impact a huge make) to Her dedication, heart, has made (and continues and sense of team counting. this much receiving for of Ms. Caldwell so proud We are staff. and our entire on our school community recognition! deserved KIPP Academy Nashville 5th Grade Math Teacher, Misty Caldwell, got quite a surprise this fall. fall. a surprise this quite got Caldwell, Misty Math Teacher, 5th Grade Nashville KIPP Academy Ms. celebrate to a surprise ceremony for came together and alumni, family school community, The winners! Award” in Teaching Harriett Ball Excellence as one of this year’s” being recognized Caldwell award. this prestigious for schools selected all 255 KIPP across teachers is one of eleven Ms. Caldwell outcomes improving to in dedication leadership their for outstanding teachers recognizes award The of KIPP. the creation students and is named after who inspired Ball, a teacher Harriett for 18 |

KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 21

These efforts paid off and within These KIPP Kirkpatrick saw one year, ten drop absenteeism its chronic points. percentage 22% 12% 2018–2019 QUARTER 1 QUARTER 2018–2019 1 QUARTER 2019–2020 CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM ABSENTEEISM CHRONIC YEAR COMPARISON YEAR OVER Steve Frederick, KIPP Kirkpatrick Assistant Assistant KIPP Kirkpatrick Frederick, Steve families many that know “We explains, Principal real very have absent chronically who are with kids schedules, - work challenges and multi-layered kids homelessness, transportation, health issues, Often etc. a adult caretakers, between moving leads to with families and trust relationship strong challenges, about these conversations honest more and together school work which can help the get ultimately them to around solve problem consistently.” more the child in school on with families partnered team KIPP Kirkpatrick’s school on time, like to get their students could ways setting alarm clocks, bedtime routines, talking through that there the morning so and putting out clothes for barriers. no attendance were with whom I “I can think of parents says, Frederick or see at arrival did ARB meetings and then I would on those ARB action check-in be able to I’d dismissal. at home. And in going were they see how to steps who I with parents celebrate the best case scenarios, and be improvements make to trying hard were knew kids off dropped with them as they celebrate able to on time.”

KIPP Kirkpatrick also formalized and continued to to continued and formalized KIPP Kirkpatrick also Board Review Attendance for the structure refine ARB meetings The with parents. meetings (ARB) started to attendance student’s happened when a meet school to came to Parents red. the toward creep attendance discuss member to team with a leadership This progress. a plan for and create challenges being filed, which happens truancy happened prior to absences. unexcused or more when a student has five of Student Support, Dean Katie Elam, KIPP Kirkpatrick’s ARBs for structure the formalized “ I think says, started and they families for became predictable This and expectations. the process understand to and improve investment alignment helped increase closely and more together work to began we as results and important as supportive the system saw parents education.” their child’s for KIPP to be effective, efforts attendance for In order its strengthen to also worked team Kirkpatrick’s sharing for systems communications internal plans. data and ARB about attendance information leadership across go needed to information This and student support/counseling operations, teams, goal The teachers. homeroom especially back to efforts of attendance was aware was that everyone the and reinforcing messaging and was with a family same things. of the attendance the most important piece Perhaps combined accountability heightened equation was relationship and communication with improved building with families.

Neighborhood police officers, led by led officers, Neighborhood police “walking club” Clemons, started a Officer and school regularly to help kids get to met students at specific on time. Officers points in the neighborhood each morning school, which was them to and walked students. many for highly motivating in bus transportation, invested KIPP Nashville some a crucial part of keeping which was the school who had to connected families likely and would’ve out of the zone moved a at absent or enrolled been chronically school without a bus option. different were Attendance Students with Perfect and school level in grade recognized Some students also won celebrations. (in a suite)! game a Titans to tickets ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE MATTERS most school is one of the to kids get Making sure Research operations. important parts of day-to-day school attend that students who consistently shows develop their community, to connected more “feel importantand are social skills and friendships, high school, from to graduate likely significantly more future.” a strong setting them up for of KIPP Kirkpatrick percent of 2018, 22 In the fall absent chronically Elementary School students were ten percent which is defined as missing school, from school. KIPP Kirkpatrick tackled this of or more approach a multipronged creating head-on, problem school on time. This students to more getting to families, school team, the entire involved approach students, and the community. 20 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 23

The families in Antioch are diverse in the backgrounds the backgrounds in diverse are Antioch in families The for their want they unified on what but and beliefs access. and – equity futures their respective kids and in a career I chose why is similar to rationale The me is that this to and the only difference education, is home.” with I interact students are adds, “There Wallace think about the I just me of myself. who remind and today our KIPPsters planting in seeds we’re this be getting much further along they’ll how foundation.” strong and closing educational access on As someone focused with working “I enjoy Carr says, the opportunity gap, own, my to similar backgrounds students who share the students of populations whobecause those are are because Often, targeted. or wrongly ignored typically aren’t these students of the lack of support in place, the and can’t comprehend of their potential fully aware help is to My mission being limitless. idea of the world the act upon it for then that potential, students realize a It’s and their community. of themselves betterment and securing their futures.” it forward of paying way will be fully grown Prep KIPP Antioch College 2023, By 1,200 close to and educate the Antioch students in Its 8th grade. through in kindergarten community and than tripled in size, more will have school teams to middle will be heading off KIPPsters its founding completing and high school – just that much closer to college. and through to their journeys up in Antioch, imagining the someone who grew “As we of our school and all the additional families future mom and me think about my makes will welcome, her if this had been an option for felt she would’ve how a was there like felt she would’ve me. I know and for had to have son, and she wouldn’t her for here future worry about my school. I can’t go back in time for my back in time for school. I can’t go about my worry who won’t on all the other parents Mom, but I can focus choices.” and tough those concerns face to have

When reflecting on his public education experience, education on his public When reflecting a for apply had to mother “My Carr remembers, school so I could high me before for special transfer school. zoned and not my of choice school my attend upside: I was The granted. was transfer special The downside The choice. the school of my to go able to had to and we on the other side of town that it was was bus meant taking the city at This handle transportation. to then transfer ride downtown, to of dawn the crack and me as close as it could, another bus which took morning. school each to the way of the rest then I walked in but the same journey In the afternoons, I completed Early on I understood the evening. into and late reverse way.” real in a very the educational inequity paths different of the “I became aware says, Wallace applying to friends began my taking once people were in Antioch, but I think stay magnet schools. I chose to work to have that I would age, a young at even I knew, get to myself prove else to as everyone as hard twice AP and honors in every I enrolled college. a good into my head down.” and put school offered my class be on a to the opportunity Carr and Wallace, For at KIPP Antioch College of educators team founding in believe not only because they exciting, was Prep a free, to all students access – providing mission KIPP’s education – but because college-prep high-quality, with students and families in the see themselves they future. their child’s for big dreams a unique presents Antioch community “The back and positively come me to opportunity for impact the shaped me,” that helped community but so are great, are challenges “The Carr. explains work. truly transformative the opportunities for

“I’m basically the chief problem solver,” says Wallace, Wallace, says solver,” “I’m basically the chief problem shirt a student who uniform for a new for as he searches run smoothly.” help our school to it takes whatever toward of members founding are Both Carr and Wallace of the middle Principal Carr as Assistant their teams: of of Operations as the Director school, and Wallace the elementary school. do the to and the reason each of them, the work For is deeply personal. work, up in, which is in the house I grew mom still lives “My spilled their drink during breakfast. “My time is in service “My spilled their drink during breakfast. know “I Wallace. says school,” from miles away three seen the community and I’ve well really the community deeply with more helped me connect I think it’s evolve. the same zip code.” shared because we our families, middle and and attended up in Nashville Carr grew high school in the Antioch community.

On the first floor below, Robert Wallace is checking Wallace Robert floor below, On the first daily sure make to classrooms on kindergarten is recorded. attendance “My day-to-day includes a variety of lesson plan of lesson includes a variety day-to-day “My meetings, running co-planning content observations, student point on building and sustaining a positive up come may else that anything about just and culture, is that no two beauty The school day. during a typical truly the same.” are days As KIPPsters weigh in, Denon Carr walks around the around walks in, Denon Carr weigh As KIPPsters checking in one-on-one with and taking notes room, of the text. comprehension gauge students to “Why do you think his Mom said that?” asks their asks think his Mom said that?” do you “Why Pryor. Mrs. teacher, During a recent fifth grade Reading class at KIPPReading class fifth grade During a recent a lively having students are Prep, Antioch College in the book, "Wonder". about a passage discussion WHEN THE WORK IS PERSONAL WORK WHEN THE 22 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 25 programs across the country,” he says. “I know our “I know he says. the country,” across programs learn.” to excited and they’re capable are KIPPsters also has big dreams. Nevaeh but life, an easy didn’t have and Mozart “Beethoven Nevaeh. explains loved,” what they still pursued they American string players African any aren’t “There be the first to so I want Symphony, in the Nashville chair in the be first to American female African violin.” for goal my That’s symphony. Seeing Brown. of music, says the power That’s big, and dream in themselves, students believe than bigger that’s on something with a group work the playing goosebumps get If you themselves. just extra. then that’s music along the way,

visiting our family, we used the bottles to blow into blow used the bottles to we visiting our family, to make sounds.” make to experience first their it’s students, many For even holding an instrument, let alone playing holding an instrument, let alone playing even with a group. big opportunities, presents music believes Brown music helps students to because, “Being exposed in a Playing as individuals and as a team. develop a gift and share can take that you you band teaches music.” make to it with others trumpet playing says also in 6th grade, Shaylin, as for, And she has an affinity happy. her feel makes that most trumpet players” school she puts it, “old do not. middle school students probably and on Chicago, to go “Sometimes we Shaylin, Adds old school trumpet to dad listen me and my our way, Marsalis. and Wynton Armstrong Louis like players, it sounds.” the way I love bit building the band program he’s says Brown Mr. Instruments for donations from to bit. Thanks by are Music, there for and Hungry Music Educators students some instruments at school so fewer now play. what they rent to have saw they once super excited “Kids started getting play to get would they the instruments and realized about it’s year, “This Brown. explains on them,” read learning to building the fundamentals, like as something simple together music and playing an ensemble.” the musicians. for also has big dreams Brown compete be able to to KIPP Nashville “I want instrumental musically with other schools that have

THE POWER OF MUSIC OF POWER THE “I like playing music, because it has different tones, music, because it has different playing “I like Nevaeh. says harmonies and melodies,” different the playing something. Like feel you makes “Music to buy peachmy dad used reminds me of when flute home from bottles, and on the way soda in glass Like Nevaeh, a 6th grader at KNCP. She’s been She’s at KNCP. a 6th grader Nevaeh, Like taking on the and is now six years violin for playing challenge. a new flute, Some students in Mr. Brown’s band have had prior band have Brown’s Some students in Mr. taking with music and instruments, even experience lessons. private regular “Music has afforded me so many opportunities,” he opportunities,” me so many has afforded “Music different in three played I’ve “Professionally, says. 100 thousand of over of crowds in front countries on the play to people. I also had the opportunity Barack President for South Lawn House White been able to I would’ve Obama. I don’t believe had it not been of events these types experience of music.” the power for – whose primary instrument is trombone Brown, instruments all brass although he can fluently play were experiences of his most formative some – says because of music. KIPP Nashville College Prep students to to students Prep College KIPP Nashville a lasting create in a band and to playing program. instrumental MarVelous Brown is on a mission to introduce introduce to is on a mission Brown MarVelous The beginning of band practice in Mr. Brown’s Brown’s in Mr. beginning of band practice The and the sounds with laughter is mixed classroom instruments as students and woodwind of brass rehearsal. set up for get 24 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 27

INCLUDE COLLEGES ATTENDED CLASS OF 2020 IS ON TRACK TO TRIPLE THE COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE OF THEIR PEERS. OF RATE GRADUATION THE COLLEGE TRIPLE TO ON TRACK IS OF 2020 CLASS

* persisted topersisted junior year Class of 2020 Class 31% 72% CLASS OF 2018 CLASS GRADUATION RATE GRADUATION COLLEGE APPLICATIONS COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES COLLEGE STUDENTS Class of 2019 Class 550 385 85% 62 41% persisted topersisted year sophomore 67% CLASS OF 2019 CLASS Class of 2018 Class

(this 10% drop is on par with the rest of the KIPP network and national college enrollment trends across the United States) the United across trends enrollment and national college of the KIPP network is on par with the rest (this 10% drop 42% 21.6 AVG SCORE AVG 21.6 school graduation, compared to 76% of KIPP Nashville’s Class of 2020. Class of KIPP Nashville’s 76% to compared school graduation, matriculated to college to matriculated and or a Career Education Technical (CTE) program (CTE) on the ACT, qualifying a 21+ on the ACT, scored the Hope Scholarship. them for

Low-income

For the class of 2020, 56.9% of MNPS students enrolled in college immediately following high following immediately in college enrolled of MNPS students 56.9% of 2020, the class For

76%

12% 12% THROUGH COLLEGE, CAREER, AND BEYOND. CAREER, COLLEGE, THROUGH AND AND TO ALUMNI AND OUR STUDENTS SUPPORTING KIPP THROUGH COLLEGE THROUGH KIPP Our KIPP Through College team currently supports 128 KIPP Nashville Collegiate High school supports Collegiate 128 KIPP Nashville currently team College Our KIPP Through alumni across 39 unique colleges, universities, and technical schools around the country. the country. schools around and technical universities, colleges, 39 unique alumni across *Note: everyone who started their senior year graduated. This percentage has been adjusted to reflect how MNPS calculates graduation rate, which is based on how many freshmen go on to graduate in four years. four in to graduate go on freshmen many which is based on how rate, graduation calculates MNPS how reflect to has been adjusted percentage This graduated. who started their senior year everyone *Note: CLASS OF 2020 AT A GLANCE AT OF 2020 CLASS Estimated College Completion College Estimated CLASS OF 2020 CLASS COLLEGE MATRICULATION AND PERSISTENCE MATRICULATION COLLEGE The composite average of the class of 2020 was in was of 2020 of the class average composite The 10% of all high schools in Tennessee. the top AVERAGE ACT SCORES: ACT AVERAGE 58% 26 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 29

senior year process, many are struggling to fully engage as fully engage to struggling are many process, year senior the list. do on thing to one more like it feels this students pandemic will affect think the do you Q: How plans or students’ Has this changed going forward? and year thinking about the future? important. Students more ever are Chaelsa: I think finances about taking worried talking about being more already are college for pay to saved anything on debt and not having mental health effects I also think that the out of pocket. students will impact how a long time and that will last for and college including do, they everything through move close staying about more also talking Students are career. supportbe close to to their family home. Some want to getting sick and of leaving scared are others financially, still planning on are of our seniors Many themselves. but I am last year, with their plans from carrying through progresses. as the year this will change see how to interested out of all of this? linings coming silver been any there Q: Have one-on-ones with setting my In a traditional Brandi: during of the classroom in a corner place students take as I divide my or in the hallway, Readiness College full of one student and a classroom between attention attention 100% of my setting, I give In the remote others. the students, to learned about what matters students. I’ve to that, I With backgrounds. their family their day-to-day, with students. relationship counseling my improved have and Because I am asking students does this matter? Why of future and the their future trust me with to their families parental financial information, their child. I am asking for has This anecdotes. personal very dynamics, and reading of COVID. the best outcome far, been, by our students’ resilience by been impressed I have Loretta: students putting in I also see several and self-advocacy. year. this finish strong to the work lining is that this has silver Chaelsa: I think a possible making way, learn in an alternative to taught students how able to Students that are overall. resilient them more skill that learned an amazing virtual learning have conquer years. many for them well will serve Q: How is COVID impacting our students the most? most? the our students impacting COVID is Q: How end of the on one that students are I am finding Loretta: struggling really are they or the other: either spectrum their friends and staying with the interactions missing are with virtual or they learning, and motivated organized their independence foster to proven finding that this has without the distractions successful and help them be more of being in-person. on both their mental impact Chaelsa: It has had a huge as their financial security. as well and emotional states, much/what how think about to having now Students are turned the electricity keep help their parents to eat, how to in truly suffering students are that. And some on, things like and maintain friendships to struggling are isolation. They depressed. lost and frankly feeling people, and are meet new this. from will rebound they how for I am scared this time has as a teacher, role Based on my Brandi: than ever, more our students’ soft skills. Now, challenged a schedule, calendar meetings, and follow to the ability seen I’ve is necessary! about procrastination be strategic who households, parents students with two-parent many older siblings in college and/or college, graduated have who are for them. Other students works that system find a learning in remote siblings younger home alone or have been not have this skill quickly and it may develop to have so natural. challenges for the biggest been think have Q: What do you the pandemic began? since our students and for KTC application process the college has slowed COVID Brandi: parents meeting for usually a large-scale What was down. a lot of creates one-on-one meetings. This turned into Students second- process. the application around anxiety is very tolerance their stress do, they everything guess the and I cannot blame them. Although I teach narrow, some students Readiness, in College application process missing a week, only meet once we and since class miss application college is brutal. Meanwhile, one class still the same. deadlines are students has been one of the to Chaelsa: Lack of access had students completely have We so far. challenges biggest We and that is scary. younger, older and off the map, fall with. in contact can’t get can’t help students that we their and manage Helping students prioritize Loretta: applications should be an exciting time. When completing McDonald Loretta Counseling Dean of College Brandi Smith Brandi 12 Instructor Readiness College Chaelsa Williams-McKay College KIPP Through of KIPP Nashville Director

I agree, not having them in the building has made getting those little in the building has made getting them having not Chaelsa: I agree, freshmen on to visit difficult. Also not being able things done much more see a student so fun to has been sad! It is always campuses this year college them there, get do to you campus after all the work thriving on their college real. less it feel makes that this year not having The biggest adjustment has been student access. In a traditional a traditional In adjustment has been student access. biggest The Brandi: each other during passing to access have setting, students and counselors after school. In some cases, lunch, and, of course breaks, periods, bathroom around a study hall if a deadline was pull a student from to allowed were we be scheduled, text meeting has to learning, every In remote the corner. the decrease and to days, for unread go quick responses requiring messages refrain to we try experiencing, already gap they’re of the opportunity effects classes. other students from pulling from Q: What has been the biggest adjustment for your work since COVID began? COVID since work your for adjustment Q: What has been the biggest When the pandemic began shutting down schools, universities, and schools, universities, shutting down When the pandemic began action jumped into team College our KIPP Through in March, businesses technology, them to back home, connecting get helping students safely helped KTC began, semester 2020 the fall Once food. and providing in with check to continuing remotely, college attending students adjust to emails, and the occasional calls, texts, Zoom through alumni regularly the same, the remains visit! While the heart of the work lawn front team tackles their our KTC how pandemic has significantly changed team KTC of our Some members and matriculation work. persistence linings. and surprise silver roadblocks, on the challenges, reflect

DIFFERENTLY WORK DONE DONE WORK THE SAME SAME THE 28 | KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 31

Nashville alum who graduated from from alum who graduated Nashville in University Nazarene Trevecca recently Silverio 2020. December cleaning business, started his own Cleaners”. Fabulous “Nashville’s KIPP Academy Nashville alum Nashville KIPP Academy Silverio Arzate Silverio other alumni and students in our city. A lot of my friends and peers have taken a different a different taken have and peers friends A lot of my in our city. and students other alumni way. in their own is succeeding and everyone college, to straight than going pathway Silverio Arzate is a 2013 KIPP Academy KIPP Academy is a 2013 Arzate Silverio So KIPPsters in Nashville need to know know need to in Nashville So KIPPsters pathway, one not just pathways, are there open doors to is a way College success. to be the well and it might but it’s way, known not the only way. is super Networking important, and I think our alumni will help group with that.” “I love the idea of getting involved with a KIPP Nashville chapter to be able to connect with connect be able to to chapter Nashville with a KIPP involved the idea of getting love “I

—so can lead fulfilling lives they

AND AN ALUMNI NETWORK AND AN ALUMNI COLLEGE, CAREER CAREER COLLEGE, ALUMNI VOICE ALUMNI With KIPP’s new mission, KIPP Through College teams across across teams College KIPP Through mission, new KIPP’s With to support students who ways find to continue the country choose alternative and instead college to go do not choose to schools, or going technical two-year the military, paths like KIPP is supporting One of the ways a career. into straight launched National KIPP Alumni its newly is through this work 80 thousand approximately KIPP will have 2025, By Network. The the country. things across alumni doing incredible resources, career KIPP alumni to connects Alumni Network fields, other alumni, and provides in their respective mentors the Alumni Network opportunities. Additionally, leadership of local KIPP alumni chapters. supports the creation and build a more just world. and build a more Together with families and communities, we create joyful, joyful, create we and communities, with families Together students with schools that prepare academically excellent choose— the paths they to pursue the skills and confidence and beyond career, college, “The KIPP Through College program has helped me me has helped program College KIPP Through “The obstacles the pandemic has the overcome significantly job dad’s has caused my the pandemic example, For raised. to pay wasn’t able result, he As a significantly. decrease to the KIPP Through plan. However, insurance college my for situation and my understand able to was program College My parents plan. off the insurance help me pay willing to was a time the is never There the major help. and I appreciate help those who need to fails program College KIPP Through their students.” assist to there always are it. They Hector Tinoco-Herrera is a freshman at Rhodes College College at Rhodes is a freshman Tinoco-Herrera Hector or Biomedical Science major in Computer planning to for has been remote Hector COVID-19, to Engineering. Due family in Nashville. and living with his college year of his first 30 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19

WHEN THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE, WE DID WHAT WE DO BEST: GOING THE DISTANCE FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE

MARCH 3 MARCH 16 – MARCH 20 MAY 30 AUGUST 4 NOVEMBER 23 Tornadoes rip through KIPP Nashville staff work through Spring Break to KIPP Nashville First day of school for the KIPP Nashville follows MNPS’ Middle Tennessee and leave create distance learning plans and create hundreds Collegiate High 2020 – 2021 school year. lead and closes buildings for significant damage in our of packets for students to pick up to continue learning School Class of Let’s do this! in-person learning again due to school communities. at home. KIPP Through College teammates reach out 2020 Drive-Through the spike in COVID-19 cases to our alumni across the country and world, helping graduation ceremony. and increased transmission rate coordinate flights home, including an alumna who in our city. was studying abroad in Spain.

MARCH 11 MARCH 23 JULY 22 OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 20 All KIPP Nashville schools Students welcomed back from Spring Break with School teams organize and pack Students in kindergarten and 1st grade, along closed due to COVID-19. virtual learning plans and daily asynchronous work. 2,800+ supply bags, including with small groups of elementary, middle, and a Chromebook for each student high school students, attend in-person school. and necessary learning supplies.

MARCH 23 KIPP Nashville staff make phone calls to every family across our seven schools to assess needs and begin to develop plans to distribute Chromebooks and HotSpots to families who need technology and internet access. The KIPP Through College team continues reaching out to students, sending grocery gift cards to those who need it.

32 33 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19 WHEN THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

On the morning of Tuesday, March 3, KIPP Nashville “First our job was to get in touch and just check in, ‘How HOURS PRACTICING staff members worked quickly to begin reaching out to are you, how are you feeling, what do you need?’. We BY AUGUST 4 TEACHING ONLINE all families to make sure everyone was okay in the wanted to know what to provide. I also wanted to make 2,670 aftermath of devastating tornadoes that ripped through sure I was able to stay in touch, because I wanted my our city, and particularly impacted the East and North families and students to know that even though this was Nashville communities. Our operations team was so different, we were still here, we were still a team and relieved to confirm that none of our school buildings family, and we’d get through this together.” were damaged. The KIPP Nashville team quickly pivoted to meet the needs of families and raised over 20 Mariah Garner, a 12th grade Composition and AP Seminar thousand dollars within a few days to cover food, rent teacher at KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School adds, and help staff members recover. Schools in Nashville “Similar to most people, the transition from in-person + + were closed from Tuesday, March 3 through Friday, March 6. school to virtual learning wasn’t easy. 216 1,000 500 Meanwhile, as news of COVID-19 cases spreading VIRTUAL ORIENTATION across the United States dominated headlines, the NBA HOURS PREPPING SURVEY RESPONSES “KIPP did a great job of giving us the FROM OUR PARENTS MEETINGS HELD announced it was suspending the rest of its 2019-2020 resources we needed during that time SUPPLY BAGS season on March 11. On March 12, KIPP Nashville AND STAFF TO CRAFT to be able to continue instruction schools, along with all Metro Nashville Public Schools, THE RIGHT PLAN closed down school buildings. as much as we could and support students as much as possible." During spring break the week of March 16, KIPP Nashville teammates worked around the clock to develop a plan for distance learning that could be rolled out to students “Like everybody else, we were moving quickly to figure when they returned from break on March 23. This out how to move school to a remote setting,” says Nancy involved creating learning packets and lessons plans, Livingston, KIPP Nashville Chief of Schools. "At that creating an online learning hub on our website, and point, most instruction was asynchronous, and teachers determining a plan for getting students and families to recorded lessons that students would watch on their pick up needed materials from our schools. 8 30,000 2,800 own time.” “We began multiple meetings daily to try and wrap our During the last months of Semester 2, schools focused FAMILY TOWN HALLS MEALS SERVED LAPTOPS DISTRIBUTED heads around what school would look like March 23 on continuing regular personal touchpoints with families and beyond. At this point we didn’t know if or when we to assess needs and get technology to students who would be returning for the rest of the 2019-2020 school didn’t have a computer or internet access. We also began year,” says Dowell. offering drive-through meal pickup at all our campuses. By April 16, KIPP Nashville and Metro Schools The KIPP Through College team reached out to all our announced buildings would be shut down for the alumni and helped coordinate with students to get them remainder of the year. I think back in March, we knew deep down that this pandemic would drastically home, including one alumna who was studying abroad in alter the way we conduct school, but I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted just Spain when COVID began shutting things down around “My first instinct was to check on the world. how different the 2020 – 2021 school year would look. Our team, and schools families," explains Mary Beth across the country, literally had to reinvent school without a blueprint.” One thing became clear early on, says Livingston, “We Winston, a kindergarten teacher at knew this wasn’t going away and we knew we had to be Randy Dowell | KIPP Nashville Founder and Executive Director KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary School. ready for the 2020 – 2021 school year and have a strong plan in place.”

34 35 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19

PLANNING FOR A NEW NORMAL PREPARING TO LAUNCH

As the 2019-2020 school year ended, KIPP Nashville celebrated the Class of As teachers focused on learning the new technology and 2020 with a socially distanced and masked drive-through ceremony at the readjusting how they were going to teach through high school. Two days later, planning for the upcoming year began. a computer screen, school operations teams were executing on all the materials students and families would “One of our top priorities was making sure we had 100 percent equity with all need to create a seamless transition to virtual school and students having access to a computer and the internet. We placed an order ensure success. for Chromebooks so that all 2,800 plus KIPPsters would be ready to start virtual learning,” says Dowell. During July, school operations teams assembled over 2,800 supply bags, which included a Chromebook for The big question was what our distance learning model would be and how each student and necessary supplies like notebooks, would we train teachers to deliver that model. pens, pencils, and highlighters. “We started thinking about the tech piece first, and then what are the delivery Since the switch to virtual learning also relied heavily models for high-quality learning,” says Livingston. “Being a part of the KIPP on parent involvement and understanding of the new network, we’re connected to other KIPP schools and charter systems around technology platforms, schools prepared “how-to” tutorial the country. We talked to and learned from each other to see how people videos, scheduled back-to-school family info sessions were approaching school design, like using Zoom for instruction and Nearpod on Zoom, and conducted orientation meetings. KIPP for engaging with students and keeping lessons interactive.” teachers and staff made personal contact with every Once KIPP Nashville landed on the technology platforms and basic outline student to offer a personal orientation meeting. During the of how instruction would work, our schools began executing on the plan. orientation meetings, families and students got hands-on The plan included six and half hours of instructional time spread out over instructions for how school would work, everything from a combination of live classes and independent work. logging on to the computer, to being able to chat with a teacher in Zoom and how to turn in assignments.

ALL OF US WILL LEARN ALL SYSTEMS GO

“The first real hurdle was ‘Can we learn this in the span of three weeks?’,” says “Kids are resilient and learn fast. A virtual classroom still feels like a classroom,” says Winston. “Kids can unmute Hada Flores, KIPP Academy Nashville Principal. “From the time all staff came and ask a question, just like they could ask a question in an actual classroom setting. We’ve even seen some back and when we had to make it live on August 4, there was a lot that needed parents who were there at the beginning for support, kind of step away to let their children figure it out and let us to happen in three weeks.” help them.” “Educators constantly need to adapt, but no one had ever adapted like this Schools launched on August 4th and from day one they began refining systems and doubling down on best practices before. Everyone was learning at the same time, everybody,” says Flores. “As we across the region to maximize virtual learning. were operating and doing this, we tested all the systems and did our professional development in Zoom, so teachers could start figuring things out by trying them “I think one of the amazing things about KIPP are our teachers and how they believe so deeply in our students,” themselves. We knew we had to use Nearpod so teachers played around with it says Dowell. “Just as we would in a regular year, we focused on finding which strategies were getting the best and did mock lessons so we could give feedback. We had a lot of practice time.” results and worked to spread those across all of our schools. I have always had a lot of faith in our ability to adapt and improve the quality of our instruction. This has proven true again, even in this remote landscape. Our Principals Winston adds, “Every day was a learning experience for me. We did a lot of and Assistant Principals are empowered to coach and lead their teams to ensure teachers are supported and we troubleshooting and figuring out what worked really well, and then planned meet students where they need us.” around what we had learned. We were going to find a way or make one.”

36 37 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19

BETTER EVERY DAY

As schools would be doing during a normal year, teachers continued to take daily attendance and families were notified if students weren’t logging into classes. Front office teams became an extended Across the board, information technology department trained to troubleshoot the most common tech issues so families and students could quickly fix them schools saw and get into their classes.

“I think this virtual learning thing seemed impossible for a lot of people. high levels of But it’s working and my families and kids are logging on every day,” says Winston. “Kids are learning and engaged and it’s amazing to see these attendance, with connections still happening over Zoom. My style, my personality, and what I’m teaching is the same as what it was in the classroom, and it average daily was a sigh of relief to know I can still do this.” attendance rates Flores says, “We’re doing our best based on what we know and getting better. That’s one of the things about this, it’s not going to be perfect, above 95 percent. FINDING OUR WAY TOGETHER but we’re going to make it better every day. We’ll learn from other teammates and other people across the country, and just keep at it.” While teachers and staff worked tirelessly to recalibrate multiplication and looks forward to her small group reading routines, so did KIPP Nashville students and families. From instruction. Kaleigh’s Mom, Velinda, says she’s been grateful changing work schedules, to coordinating with relatives and for the opportunity to weigh-in on KIPP Nashville’s in-person taking advantage of the YMCA childcare partnerships at our reopening planning and the ongoing communication. Ewing Park and Antioch campuses, many adjustments were made to ensure kids could be in class and focus on learning. While Velinda says getting the hang of virtual school took some time, their family has settled into a routine. Velinda For students like Kingston, a 3rd grader at KIPP Kirkpatrick adds,“Kaleigh is enjoying being at home doing virtual Elementary School, the important part was finding a routine. learning and having a relaxed setting while being safe during First thing after he wakes up, he feeds his cat Mittens, then this pandemic. Virtual learning is going absolutely great, he wakes up his mom, Shae, who works late at night. Then and KNCPE’s teachers, as well as the Principal, have been Kingston eats breakfast and logs onto the computer for his awesome in supporting us with any problems that arise.” class morning meeting. If it weren’t for the fact that Kingston can simply walk from the counter to his couch, instead of getting himself to the actual school, this morning wouldn’t The virtual learning environment be all that different. is working for some students and Kingston goes back and forth between some live classes yet many students are struggling. together with his teachers and classmates, and work he

is assigned to complete on his own. Mittens likes to hang It is much harder for teachers to teach over the computer around and often makes appearances during class. There are and even harder still for students to get the individualized, legos to help with math and the occasional costume to dress one-on-one interventions needed to make sure they are up in when you need a little something to get you through learning grade level material. the afternoon.

Not too far from Kingston, Kaleigh, a 3rd grader at KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary School, works on

38 39 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19 TOGETHER Our families have always been critical partners in their students’ education. This year, our schools relied even LEARNING LOSS WITH more on this relationship, especially with our youngest learners who needed help logging into a computer and Once school began, we knew there would be academic “We anticipate it could be years before we are able to FAMILIES reading. While communication and relationship building gaps from the spring quarantine. Teachers built in content adequately address the learning loss that has occurred from have been priorities since KIPP’s first year, the pandemic from the previous grade that students might need to access hundreds of days of lost in-person instruction time,” says required another level of understanding in order for us to new content. Some of the technology KIPP Nashville Dowell. “Even though our teachers are going absolutely is using, like Nearpod, has built in structures that allow above and beyond in more ways that I can list, there are be able to effectively plan and meet families’ needs. teachers to assess in real time where students may be still many students struggling to access online learning and struggling with a lesson and content. master new content.” In service of that goal, KIPP Nashville parents began 80% receiving regular pulse-check surveys in August so schools Garner explains, “With Nearpod, you can create Dowell says, “We know getting our students caught up could better understand what was working and where checkpoints and collaboration points. Required student and back up to speed is one of our biggest priorities for the OR MORE OF families and students needed more support or where responses help us determine where learning breakdowns remainder of our current school year, as well as the 2021- OUR FAMILIES happened and pinpoint what you have to reteach instead 2022 and 2022-2023 school years. We are committed to changes needed to be made. of moving ahead before students master a concept. We investing in whatever it takes as a region to make up for lost SAID THAT continuously create structures where we’re in contact with instructional time.” WE MET Since August, we have sent several surveys asking the students daily so we can combat learning loss. Learning question “Are we meeting your child’s needs this week?” loss is my biggest worry and also where we (KIPP) have School leadership teams are already planning for strategies THEIR NEEDS dedicated the most time to figuring out.” to address learning loss in the second semester of this school year and thinking of ways to leverage the summer “When we returned this fall, we expected math learning months to begin this critical work. loss to be greater than losses in reading,” says Livingston. WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING “We saw this difference in our initial fall data and it has continued throughout the year. We are making some “My child’s teacher has been very supportive while my child has been adapting to virtual adjustments to our math approach in the second semester to prioritize essential content for the next grade. We are learning. I feel the teacher and I are partners in my child’s development and that is a true also beginning to think about the investments we’ll need to blessing during these stressful times.” make next year.” – KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary School parent

“We’re adjusting well! I’m grateful she’s still getting an impeccable KIPP education while safe at home. Thank you! – KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School parent

“I am writing to express my sincere thanks for all you do to improve the school and online learning. Without your impressive organization and incredible passion for the students, our community would not be able to benefit from such excellence. You all are making a great difference in the life of our son Michael and for that my husband and I are forever grateful!” – KIPP Antioch College Prep Middle School parent

40 41 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19

ROADMAP TO REOPENING

Driven by a survey of our kindergarten and first grade from them and used their reopening plans as a guide to our families in September that showed almost half of families planning,” says Dowell. preferred to send their child to school in person, the KIPP Nashville team began preparing for what in-person school With safety front and center, operations teams once again might look like during a pandemic. Learning to read can be dove into the work needed to prepare schools to welcome difficult, but learning to read remotely is a big challenge. students back if the city’s health data went down. This meant acquiring PPE for all staff who would be in person, We also surveyed our KIPP Nashville team members to purchasing needed cleaning equipment, additional signage, determine their needs and preferences. We committed to and getting plastic sneeze guards for all desks. honoring teacher preference so only teachers who opted in to in-person learning would be in our buildings. “It took an immense amount of preparation, planning, and effort from our schools to operationalize in-person learning, As the city’s numbers decreased in early and mid- but once we got kids back in the building, we were able October, KIPP Nashville announced its plans to phase in to see how well the safety protocols worked,” explains kindergarten and first grade families who opted in, and Adrianna Clemons, KIPP Nashville’s Chief Operating small groups of elementary, middle, and high school Officer. “While we were able to be open, we did not see any students who needed extra support. school-based transmission of COVID-19, which was our ultimate goal – to prevent the spread within our buildings.” “By this point, we had seen a few other KIPP regions, including KIPP Jacksonville, open with in-person learning, A small group of high school students came back on and we were encouraged to see they were successful in October 19, followed by kindergarteners and a small group preventing the transmission of COVID-19. We learned a lot of elementary students on November 2, and first graders and a small group of middle school students on November 9.

THE PATH FORWARD

After three weeks of in-person learning, KIPP Nashville back in school, that’s real. Parents have jobs and lives have followed Metro Nashville Public Schools’ lead and closed had to change and shift with this for a lot of people. I’m just buildings down again due to rising case numbers and so grateful to our families, because they’re wearing all the increased spread. hats right now – they’re the parent, the extra teacher, and a provider. We really, really appreciate everything they “We are certainly disappointed that we had to close down are doing.” our buildings again, but grateful for the time our students and teachers got to spend together,” says Dowell. “Those When, if, and how schools will reopen for the third and were joyful weeks for our in-person teammates, and fourth quarter of the 2020-2021 school year remains cemented relationships with families while filling some gaps uncertain. The only guarantee is KIPP Nashville’s for students. The health and safety of our students, families, commitment to making the best of this unprecedented and staff is our number one priority and we will continue time, and doing our best every day to educate our to work toward a time when we can reopen again.” students and support our families.

Winston, who returned to teach in-person for those three weeks, says, “I think everyone wishes we could be

42 43 KIPP NASHVILLE DURING COVID-19

FOCUS ON THE WHOLE CHILD AND STAFF ROVARRO SANDERS SUPPORT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

A CONVERSATION WITH MS. PAPINI Q: How have you seen the pandemic and the switch to STUDENT PERSPECTIVE distance learning impact students? Ms. Papini is in her 5th year at KIPP Nashville and her Rovarro Sanders is a sophomore at KIPP Nashville Collegiate 14th year as an educator and counselor. Ms Papini leads A: I think the constant unknown of when we might go High School and the class president. Rovarro reflects on how the Trauma Informed Leadership Committee (TLC) at back made the transition to being fully remote much more virtual learning and the use of technology is impacting him. the high school, which includes 12 high school staff difficult. A lot of our students are dealing with a chaotic Since March 2020, the last time that I attended school members. The TLC focuses on training teachers on environment, not in a negative way, but, for example, in person, I’ve been on a computer basically all day, the science and research behind how the brain drives their younger siblings are also home, so our high school everyday to go to school and make sure I keep my grades behavior in students, and on learning how to respond to student is the oldest playing part time babysitter, up. I’ve also been more active on my computer and Immediately after seeing her leave in disappointment, best support students. caretaker, and also trying to study and attend class. It’s not a classroom environment where it’s structured and phone just for entertainment, because there isn’t much to I had to figure out what was wrong. Why am I always in Q: How did your team at the high school approach planning calm, and there can be tech issues. On the flip side, we do since we are trying to stay home as much as possible. a bad mood!? Now don’t get me wrong, my sister can be for the 2020-2021 school year, knowing this would be a also have some students who are thriving in the home very annoying, but I don’t have a valid reason to force her I think phones and technology are a way of escaping year unlike any we have ever experienced? environment, because they do happen to have a quiet out for just asking a simple question. reality. Many of us may even have started an entire new place to be where they can focus, and when they’re not A: We immediately took the mindset that this pandemic life online, talking to new people, finding new games, and What I’m starting to realize is that when I’m on my distracted by the school environment, they are doing wouldn’t just be impacting our students, but our staff, having fun on social media. From my experience, being phone, I tend to forget about reality, to lose focus of much better. For them, going back into school may be too. We trained teachers to recognize signs that a immersed in this way is a double-edged sword. what’s real, and start to find myself focused on the wrong a challenge. And then, from a counseling perspective, a student may be struggling virtually, because it’s harder things and progressing in the wrong way. lot of kids who were regulars for me don’t get that same Let me start with the positives. Technology definitely has over a computer than if you can see that student in class type of support. Because we’re at a distance, kids are just a bigger role in my life since switching to virtual school. This experience of virtual school has given me a lot or in the hallways every day. As a whole school, we kind of making do, but what I predict overall we’re going I’ve become reliant on it in order to attend classes, study, to think about. It’s made me realize that even though intentionally decided to loosen some of our expectations, to see down the road is a lot of undealt with social and and continue succeeding and progressing in school. technology is super important and allows me to be able so to speak. We knew we couldn’t stick to the same emotional issues. Without my computer, I wouldn’t be able to log into to attend school safely, there are probably a lot of other expectations and playbook than if this was a regular year, school, do homework or take tests. Without my phone, important things I can — and should! — still be focusing so we wanted to focus on practicing empathy, patience, Q: Are there any things that have surprised you with how I couldn’t keep in contact with friends and teachers. on, like the relationships I have with my sister and family. understanding, and assuming the best with our students. students are dealing with this challenging environment? When I’m constantly staring at a screen for school, it We’ve also been doing regular home visits, outside, But, continued and constant access to technology also A: I think in a general sense, I’ve been impressed with feels like my real life is there, on my phone or my laptop. socially distanced and with masks, of course, so we can has its downsides. Sometimes, I feel like it can destroy how well our students are doing. They get it, they get It’s a hard habit to break. For me, I’ve realized that when touch base with students face-to-face. Those meetings people and devour relationships. It’s almost like I have that it’s not ideal, but they have to do it. In times where it comes to living my life and growing myself mentally have been very helpful in identifying additional needs and a different attitude, or turn into a different person when they could easily say “forget it,” they haven’t given up, and physically, technology does nothing for that. We for ongoing relationship building. As for our school staff, I’m on my phone for the hundredth time that day. For and that’s impressive. should learn to balance how we use it and when it’s a we pushed our team to make sure they were prioritizing example, whenever I’m forced to get off, I’m no longer good time to use it. their own self-care, because we recognize that a lot of in a good mood. I noticed that whenever I’m accused teachers are working from home and also juggling their MS. PAPINI of being on my phone too much, I often get mad and Recently, I had another interaction with my sister, and own student, who is virtual learning. Our leadership offended by it, when it is the truth. The other day when I have to say, it went a lot better. Instead of getting mad team has done a lot of great work around emphasizing my sister came into my room and asked if we can play at her for no reason and asking her to leave, I played the narrative that your mental health comes first, and if a game I said “No, I’m busy” without thinking about Uno with her and it was a lot of fun. you’re not in a good place, we are here to support you it. When asked what I was doing I just said “Nothing, and figure out how to help. go play or do something other than bother me.”

44 45 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 47

12:00 PM 12:00 after of classes. a long morning time! It is much deserved Break we else something quickly as and everyone myself make I try to time for have What I ALWAYS classes. Zoom all in between are realize I didn’t cup of coffee. My midday during this short break? afternoon virtual coffee and my can be, teaching exhausting how startafternoon a kick to me enough of strong. my gives This is the time where I try to connect with my students. Seeing with my connect I try to time where is the This calls the Zoom shine through their personalities strong how can actually meet in person. when we for me so excited makes and other distractions, I also see siblings “joining” our classes, do their best in a not quite to hard working are they and I know ideal set up. 2:00 PM MR. RIVERA MR. LIFE: IN THE A DAY 4:00 PM hang and we down shut everything we 4 o’clock time! At Family It might out as much as possible. get try to We out as a family. with a hose. Other yard might be the front be the backyard, that family ensure try to we Either way, games. board times it’s rest up to and try computers and log off time is sacred, for another day. 1:00 PM bonuses and attendance, put in final During this time I try to children own my get small time logistics. It is also time to however, is great, This work. on their asynchronous working hands my say To is teaching. wife this is also the time that my an understatement. full is are

7:45 AM Time to get ready! I have a three screen setup. My wife thinks it’s it’s thinks My wife setup. screen a three I have ready! get to Time Nearpod, and the one for Zoom, is for ridiculous, but one screen students Nearpod so I can see what my into is me logged iPad teach! to see. Almost ready

8:00 AM 7:00 AM It’s time to teach! Today I’m teaching a lesson on the Neolithic on the Neolithic a lesson I’m teaching Today teach! time to It’s be able to I would about how worried was I really Revolution. while in virtual level students on a personal with my connect hard really work the best. They students are but my classrooms, amazing as well. and their insight is pretty within the lesson, making the are most of us, we though this isn’t ideal for Even time. a great having best of it and are I try to grab a bite to eat with my family. After breakfast we are are we breakfast After family. eat with my to a bite grab I try to connect to is our chance so this a chunk of the day for all in class rather ambitious “heading off”The kiddos are to school. before with their portions.

What’s it like to be a teacher and a student during distance learning? Follow along a “day in in along a “day Follow learning? during distance and a student be a teacher to it like What’s Middle Prep College at KIPP Antioch History 6th grade who teaches Rivera, with Mr. the life” has also Rivera Mr. KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary School. at grader a 3rd School, and Kingston, His 5th grader and a 5th grader. a 4th grader, – a kindergartner, kids learning at home three Middle. Prep College KIPP Antioch attends A DAY IN THE LIFE THE IN DAY A 4646 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 49 11:30 AM 11:30 some lunch! to have time it’s work. Now, my with I’m finally done 4:00 PM on mom lets me play my the day, school is done for my After fun! They’re costumes. in new I dress Sometimes technology. 7:30 PM lights out. it’s Then me read. mom makes sleep, to I go Before 1:30 PM math problems. solve help me to Sometimes, I use Legos the day. I’m almost done with school for

7:45 AM I start happily eating my breakfast. Thank you KIPP for giving KIPP for you Thank I start breakfast. happily eating my I say where morning meeting my time for it’s Then, us food. and classmates. teachers my hi to 7:15 AM I wake up on my own. Sometimes I like to sleep in my costume. costume. my sleep in to like Sometimes I own. up on my I wake Mittens. kitty, my and feed I go dressed, I get After

10:15 AM 7:30 AM I work on my assignments by myself on the computer. on the computer. myself by assignments on my I work with my and helps me comes kitty Sometimes my lessons. asynchronous My mom works late so I let her sleep in. Going to wake her her wake to so I let her sleep in. Going late My mom works part of the day. up in the morning is her favorite

A DAY IN THE LIFE: KINGSTON LIFE: IN THE A DAY 4848 |

KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE 2020-2021 51

KIPP is like a second home to us. Both my us. to home a second is like KIPP the education like and I feel thriving, are kids needs. their to is tailored receiving they’re The first thing I noticed when I took a tour was tour took a when I thing I noticed first The – I was here was the environment peaceful how in structure was There away. blown honestly I love KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary both as a KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary I love children three My and as an employee. parent on so I can say here, and I work here, go That is really important to me, because my son hasimportant my me, because to is really That so has grown Ryan KIPP, to coming Since palsy. cerebral a has matured and Cam’Ron friends, made new much and being and enjoying responsibility taking on more lot. She’s choir and step. activities, like in extracurricular involved

School teacher and parent, with her three children, children, her three with and parent, School teacher and Ari’onna Jarvis Jatavious, the halls and participated through walked students how clearly enjoying but at the same time, kids were in class, and I know is here, daughter my so happy learning. I’m home talking about it, because she comes she loves much fun she had at school, especially with Art andhow is and atmosphere whole environment The classes. STEM truly are and teachers uplifting, positivity, students giving about their work.” passionate College | KIPP Nashville Bransford Velinda with her daughter School parent Elementary Prep grader a 3rd Kaleigh, When the staff knows your family and understands what family and understands your knows When the staff effort.” team a real like it feel it makes through, going you’re parent, Nashville | KIPP Academy Lee Shay 9th (KAN alum and current with her son Ryan (7th grader) and Cam’Ron grader) will build so is. You place special this how multiple levels think wouldn’t that you here amazing relationships many because kids academically, place a great not just It’s of. kids where also a place a lot with that, but it’s growing are of support inside and level The emotionally. will grow been an amazing It’s is incredible. outside the classroom children!” alongside my professionally grow to experience Jenene Phillips | KIPP Kirkpatrick Elementary

I heard about KIPP through my son. He my about KIPP through I heard school, so at his previous happy wasn’t me he his options and told he researched Since coming to KIPP, I have seen a huge seen a huge I have KIPP, to coming Since son. He has shifted from impact on my to books any someone who doesn’t read

Here are a few of our families’ stories. of our families’ a few are Here families than parents choosing to continue sending their students to KIPP Nashville. KIPP Nashville. students to sending their continue choosing to than parents families There is no stronger indicator of how well we are meeting the needs of our students and meeting the needs are we well of how indicator is no stronger There wanted to go here. One day we visited, the next day he day the next visited, we day One here. go to wanted environment a wonderful KIPP has been enrolled. was to about going Aldo is excited children. both my for a lot. I would grow daughter my seen and I’ve college, Collegiate KIPP Nashville recommend 100 percent other families.” High School to Prep Office Manager, with her son Marcilino, with her son Marcilino, Manager, Office Prep a 6th grader | KIPP Antioch College College | KIPP Antioch Thabet Moreen someone who reads every day. I like how his teachers how I like day. every someone who reads take him to and encouraging read pushing him to are to going loves him. He really that challenge on books He’s and responsible. organized more school, and he’s because academically, not just as a person, growing and truly cares dedicated is beyond here the team the whole student.” about developing | KIPP Nashville Collegiate Collegiate | KIPP Nashville Raquel Morales of 2020 with her son Aldo (Class High School parent 12th grader) (current Keysi alum) and daughter,

TOGETHER WITH FAMILIES WITH TOGETHER 50 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 53 school students. Debate Team won two rounds rounds two won Team Debate The KIPP Nashville Collegiate Collegiate KIPP Nashville The The KIPP Antioch College Prep Prep College KIPP Antioch The High School Cheerleading Team High School Cheerleading Team and took home three powerhouse powerhouse three home and took Antioch College Prep Elementary Elementary Prep Antioch College leading a cheer camp for our KIPP leading a cheer camp for Learning from big kids is the best! big kids is the best! from Learning speaker awards at their first debate! first at their awards speaker after school. KIPP Nashville College Prep 6th grader, 6th grader, Prep College KIPP Nashville The KIPP Academy Nashville Environmental Environmental Nashville KIPP Academy The Nevaeh, playing the flute during band practice during band practice the flute playing Nevaeh, Club doing their part to take care of our planet. care Club doing their part take to

unit on Lois Mailou Jones. unit on Lois Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony. Tree Capitol School students working hard on mask hard working School students KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary Prep College KIPP Nashville helping spread holiday cheer by singing at the cheer by holiday helping spread projects during a special Black History Month during a special Black History projects The KIPP Academy Nashville Performance Choir Performance Nashville KIPP Academy The a win at a fall meet! a win at a fall

The KIPP Nashville Collegiate High Collegiate Nashville KIPP The Our KIPPsters are proving the possible in and out of the classroom. From From classroom. in and out of the the possible proving are Our KIPPsters and soccer basketball, country, artchoir to cross and other clubs, to participate opportunity to the in a variety our students have cheerleading, of enrichment opportunities. These pictures are from the 2019-2020 and 2019-2020 the from are pictures opportunities.of enrichment These school years. 2020-2021

EXTRACURRICULARS SPORTS, ARTS, AND AND ARTS, SPORTS, School Cross Country Team celebrating celebrating Team Country School Cross 52 KIPP NASHVILLE MAGAZINE | 2020-2021 55

the food, and for us to be able to put our buses put be able to us to and for the food, she says. use,” good to “It’s nice to see the kids when they come pick up come when they see the kids to nice “It’s bus monitor. “I stayed home for awhile, but was tired tired was but awhile, home for “I stayed bus monitor. on, I said come to me Jim asked when Mr. of that, so 2018.” since ever been here and I’ve yes, on her the students while she misses says Eldridge her a chance has given food distributing route, regular doing. they’re see some of them and hear how to grown now are whose six children Dickerson, up, create him to driving buses has allowed says had with students that have relationships new lasting impact. the kids here with experiences had a lot of great “I’ve and now, grown who are children I run into at KIPP. me, do don’t remember Jim, you Mr. ‘Hey say, they still remember they that good me feel It makes you?’ school me to getting for you ‘Thank say me, and they me inspire did to on time and doing the things you be doing, helping me to were with what we stay to a better person’.” Now, buses are a partto effort of the distribution buses are Now, not be may who students and families sure make nutritious receive to still able are school to get able to and Friday through out Monday buses are meals. The East that span from eight routes across stops 56 make a supplement are bus routes The Antioch. to Nashville at each campus. pickup in-person ongoing to and, an entrée and lunch contain breakfast The juice, fruit, vegetables, depending on the meal, fresh and milk. them with wholesome breakfasts supply to want “We it'll help them “Hopefully, Dickerson, says and lunch,” with studying and do, do what they be able to at home.” taking place everything and helped 2007 has been with KIPP since Dickerson the start, Mr. Department. At the Transportation found Now, with just one route. the only bus driver Jim was people on the and 24 20 buses, 16 routes are there team. transportation Eldridge, says church,” me from “He actually recruited a part-time become to who came out of retirement

four-month period, period, four-month campuses. During that distributed we meals. 29,850 up at each of its four up at each of its four grab and go meal pick go and grab KIPP Nashville offered KIPP Nashville From March to June, to March From Dickerson, who says the kids call him Mr. Jim, says, Jim, says, him Mr. the kids call who says Dickerson, the out to the food get we sure make just try to “We particular time there on time and spend some stops late.” might come students that any for waiting It’s a team effort, with James Dickerson driving the James Dickerson effort, with a team It’s bus monitor, a KIPP Nashville bus and Dotsie Eldridge, the back of handling the distribution of meals from the bus. On a normal Thursday morning at 11 o’clock, KIPP morning at 11 o’clock, On a normal Thursday the driving around not be out buses would Nashville’s the transportation and be parked, would They city. afternoon routes, up for be gearing would team school back home. Instead, from students delivering now learning, the buses are with school in distance meals. delivering SAME BUSES, NEW PLAN NEW BUSES, SAME 54 P.O. Box 78126 Nashville, TN 37207

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We are officially opening a high school in Antioch! We are grateful to the State Board of Education for approving our new high school. When you can’t share a hug, heart in hand We look forward to opening our high school Shout out to our #TeamandFamily for going is the next best thing.  Our hearts are full in Antioch for the 2023-2024 school year, the extra mile, getting everything prepped, and of gratitude after another great week of in- welcoming both current KIPP Antioch College having catch up conversations through car person learning with some of our students! Prep Middle School students and new families. windows about all the important elementary #TeamandFamily #TeamandFamily school stuff - like new big kid teeth.” 

Ms. Smith and Ms. Atkinson putting the finishing touches on our student supply bags Our @ktc_nashville team has adapted in many We love seeing these pictures from some of our at @kippcollegiate! Schools are hosting supply ways over the past several months, working to newest kindergarten KIPPsters! Welcome to the pickups for families this week. A lot of love ensure @kippcollegiate seniors and alumni are #TeamandFamily, Raigan and Lavie! ❤ went into creating these bags, and we can't able to matriculate to college and navigate new @kncpe_royalty @kipp_kirkpatrick WAIT to see everyone! ❤ #TeamandFamily challenges. #ToandThrough 