Community Partnership School 2012 2013
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CURIOSITY • COURAGE • COMPASSION Community Partnership School ESTABLISHED 2006 2012 2013 ANNUALREPORT Our Mission Community Partnership School meets talent with opportunity by providing pre-kindergarten and elementary age children from low-wealth, low-income backgrounds in North Central Philadelphia with a high- quality, affordable education that prepares them for lifelong success and strengthens the communities to which they belong. We appreciate your support this fiscal year. Thank you for your help! PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR COMMITMENT BY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. October 2013 Dear Friends, n behalf of the faculty, staff, students, families and Board of Trustees of Community Partnership School, we are pleased to present our 2012-2013 Annual Report. Through the dedication and hard work Educating of many, Community Partnership School continues to inspire success the mind Oin our students and loyalty from our families while adding value to our North without educating Central Philadelphia neighborhood. the heart is no education We thank you, our donors, for your investment. There are many organizations at all. you could choose to support, and we are so very grateful that you have chosen –Aristotle Community Partnership School, where developing the “whole child” is our goal. By joining us, you invest in a community where the need is certainly pronounced—the poverty level in the 19121 zip code is 79.9% greater than the Philadelphia average and 323% greater than the Pennsylvania average. In making a commitment to Community Partnership School, you partner with us in our work of educating and shaping strong learners during our students’ most formative school years, developing people of good character—capable, informed and vested citizens. Through our unique child-centered practices, we work on all aspects of their growth—what we refer to as the “head, heart and hand” approach. Pure and simple: we make a difference. We make a difference not just in the lives of our students, but with our families as well, partnering with them in paving the way to broadened access and opportunity. Our success proves that we’ve made a difference, as 100% of our graduates are now enrolled and thriving in top regional middle schools. Through Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do for Community our unique Partnership School. We operate from the premise that all children deserve access child-centered to a high quality education. Together we continue to build that world. practices, we work on all aspects Sincerely, of the growth of our children – what we refer to as the ‘head, heart and hand’ Eric C. Jones, Lynn Gadsden, Chair approach. Head of School Board of Trustees –Community Partnership School Community Partnership School • 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT • www.cpsphilly.com • PAGE 1 Alumni Family Story sim Richards, a kind and studious young man with an easy-going nature, graduated from Community Partnership School in June 2012. He lives in a tidy, brick row home in West Oak Lane with his mother, stepfather, older Abrother and younger sister, who is a proud member of CPS Class of 2015. Asim started CPS in 3rd grade and quickly became a quiet leader among his peers. Students gravitated towards him and he always led by calm example. Though Asim was a full year younger than his classmates, CPS knew that he was the right fit for the Class of 2011 and offered him a space in that class. As his fifth-grade year approached and the middle school placement process began, it Asim continues to be a quiet leader became clear that his family had some important decisions to make as they considered at The Philadelphia School, just as the next steps for Asim. Given his age, Asim had three options: to apply to 6th grade he was at CPS. Mr. Friedman called along with his classmates; to apply to 5th grade at other area schools; or to spend another him the classroom’s “moral compass,” year in the 5th grade at CPS. In conversation and consultation with various members who always does the right thing. of CPS staff—from the Head of School to the Director of Enrollment to the lead 5th Not surprisingly, his peers follow his grade teacher—Asim and his family decided it would be beneficial to his overall growth example. Asim says he is confident that to spend another year at CPS. he is getting an excellent education at The Philadelphia School. Outside of “CPS showed so much care in this decision making process and helped us to realize that the classroom, he is a natural athlete this was a great opportunity for him,” explained Genise Richards, Asim’s mother. “Asim who loves that he can compete on had another year with a wonderful teacher, Ms. Vacarro, and he gained tremendous the basketball team and run track confidence so that he could become a leader in middle school.” with his classmates. Even though his schoolwork can be challenging, he says Following his additional year at CPS, Asim was accepted to several middle schools for the that he learned how to work hard and 2012-2013 academic year. He and his family ultimately decided that The Philadelphia be curious in his elementary school School, a small progressive independent school in Center City Philadelphia, was the right years at CPS. He is thankful for his fit for him. time at CPS and is always excited to return monthly to his alma mater From the moment he walked through the for alumni programming, where Community doors of The Philadelphia School, Asim he reconnects with old friends and Partnership felt welcomed by both peers and adults participates in enrichment programs. School has been as he prepared to meet the challenges and wonderful for us. expectations of his new school. Matt Eskin, His mother, Genise, appreciates the It has allowed our Associate Head of School, explained that Alumni Program because it affords entire family so Asim’s cohort at the school is one of the her son the opportunity not only to many opportunities strongest he has ever encountered and that see old friends, but also to discuss that we may not Asim fits right in. “Relative to his peers, Asim their similar experiences, successes and have had, if we has a real openness to exploring different challenges at their respective schools. weren’t a part of ways of doing things when the work becomes “Community Partnership School has the Community challenging.” His 6th grade teacher, Michael been wonderful for us,” Genise says. Partnership School Friedman, says “Asim is motivated to learn “It has allowed our entire family so family. about the world around him, has the habits many opportunities that we may not –Genise Richards, of a lifelong learner, and always strives to do have had if we weren’t a part of the Asim’s mother his best.” CPS family.” Community Partnership School • 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT • www.cpsphilly.com • PAGE 2 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR Highlights It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. –Frederick Douglass A Song for You…Lena Vetri “Eatiquette” Lunch Program Wendi Joy Franklin, the creator PS students enjoyed a second year of Eatiquette, and star of a one woman show in the Vetri Method for school lunch. This program tribute to Lena Horne—A Song for aims to transform a child’s lunch from the You...Lena—visited Community traditional cafeteria assembly line to a “family Partnership School in the Fall of 2012 Cstyle” eating environment where children gather at round and spoke at the weekly Community tables, pass plates of food to one another, and experience Meeting, sharing her thoughts on social interaction and communication. Teachers and adult how to achieve your goals. She also volunteers model for students how to set a table, how to work met with the 2nd through 5th grade together as a team and how to try new foods. CPS students students and led them in creative would love you to join them for Friday lunch. Please call brainstorming exercises. the CPS Advancement Department to reserve a spot. Celebrate CPS: An Evening with Mark Vetri Friends, families and guests of CPS enjoyed Ms. Franklin’s dramatic tribute to Horne’s civil rights journey at the fall fundraising event in September, co-chaired by Mary On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, Jeff and Karen Regan graciously welcomed 125 guests into Ammon and Kezirah Vaughters. The their home for a magical evening celebrating Community Partnership School. CPS supporter New York Times has called Franklin’s and acclaimed chef, Marc Vetri, created a sumptuous dinner for portrayal of Horne “uncanny; her all. Broadway Dreams Foundation faculty member, Quentin speaking voice and demeanor are Earl Darrington, performed for the CPS devotees, capping off remarkably suggestive, and even his performance by singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” with a manages a likeness of Horne’s group of CPS students. The event mesmerized everyone who stunning high-cheekbone beauty.” attended and created great enthusiasm and momentum for CPS students completed the show the Partnership Challenge that was announced that evening. by joining Ms. Franklin on stage Our success that evening would not have been possible without the hard for a tribute to the great artist. work and generosity of Karen Regan, Kelly Jo Korman and Jeff Benjamin. Community Partnership School • 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT • www.cpsphilly.com • PAGE 3 2012-2013 Highlights SCHOOL YEAR Young Friends Kickoff Event On April 18, 2013, The CPS Board of Trustees and Nancy Dunleavy, founder and CEO of Dunleavy & Associates and one of Philadelphia’s “Top 101 Connectors,” sponsored a Young Friends of CPS event at the Union League of Philadelphia. Forty- five young adults attended the evening of A Night at the Phillies in Doc’s Box networking, socializing and a short program about the n Tuesday, September 11, 22 Community power you have to make an Partnership School students attended a Phillies impact in your community.