Newsletter 5: Town Halls, Thanksgiving & Remote Learning
Reopening & Community Town Halls
In yesterday’s email, Chuck Jackson announced that Creative Minds will continue on an all-remote schedule for the rest of 2020. We will continue with our all-remote schedule when we return from winter break on January 4, 2021. January is our next check-in point for considering when to reopen the school building.
Join Chuck at a Community Town Hall the first week of December to ask questions and learn more about our decision to remain in the remote classroom:
Tuesday, December 1
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Register
Saturday, December 5
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Register
Thanksgiving Break
School will be closed, or offline, from Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27, for Thanksgiving.
We wish everyone many moments of joy and togetherness in what is likely to be a very different Thanksgiving from the one we celebrated a year ago. And we encourage you to keep in mind the guidance from DC Health for staying safe this holiday season.
For tips on “reducing stress, helping kids cope, and making new traditions,” see this article from the Child Mind Institute.
Assessments & Growing Our Program
Last week, Nayamka Long, our chief academic officer, sent a letter that discusses student assessments, social-emotional development, and how we’re growing our remote-learning program to offer Creative Minds students even more support.
This additional support begins after Thanksgiving break, when we’ll offer social groups four days a week to all preschool and prekindergarten students. Also ahead is assigned tutoring with teaching assistants, for kindergarten through 4th-grade students.
Stay tuned to your email for more information from your child’s teachers.
Applications & Reenrollment
You may have received an email from My School DC about its lottery application period—which begins on December 14—and wondered whether the lottery is relevant to you.
The My School DC lottery is for first-time applicants only. At Creative Minds we’ll host our own 2021–22 reenrollment, for returning students, in the spring. Here’s who should apply through My School DC:
Siblings of Current Students: Apply to Creative Minds for the sibling of a current student, or another new student, at My School DC. The deadline is March 1, 2021.
Eighth-Graders: At My School DC, 8th-grade students can apply to charter schools or selective high schools in the District of Columbia. The deadline is February 1, 2021.
Meals Program
Our free-meal delivery program will continue for the entire 2020–21 school year. Enrollment is ongoing and open to all Creative Minds students, as well as to other children in their households. Learn more and sign up.
On the Calendar
November 25–27
Thanksgiving Break • No School for Students & Staff
December 23–January 1
Winter Break • No School for Students & Staff
January 18–20
Minibreak • No School for Students & Staff
For more events, see our Academic Calendar and the calendar on our website.