Philip’s Education Partners
Fall 2015
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PIONEERING 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION
Philip’s Academy Approved for Paterson Expansion Philip’s Academy has been granted approval to expand the school’s successes into Paterson, NJ. School officials aim to open in September 2016 with Kindergarten and add a grade each consecutive year until Philip’s Paterson is fully enrolled up to 8th grade. In addition the school is seeking approval for Pre-K, which will be announced in early April. “We’re thrilled to expand into Paterson and bring more than 25 years of experience in urban education with a model that has garnered the academic results while giving kids the social, emotional and life tools to succeed and thrive in the 21st century” said Miguel Brito, CEO of Philip’s Education Partners and Executive Director and Lead Founder of Philip’s Academy of Paterson. “We’re so proud of our 100% high school graduation rate and 95% college acceptance rate and we expect this to be the norm for our Paterson students as well.”
The organization has identified a school principal from within Philip’s Newark, in order to maintain the current culture and philosophy. With a unique and holistic approach to education not seen in most other area charter schools, Philip’s Newark focuses on nourishing children’s minds and bodies. The children of Paterson will have the same benefit, as the school will pilot the Ecospaces Education program. “As far as we know, we’re one of the few schools that has a comprehensive program surrounding health, wellness and nutrition and we’re excited to bring it to the children and families of Paterson” said Brito. Philip’s Academy of Paterson will be replicated in the image of Philip’s Newark and will have the full support of its Board of Trustees. “The Board of Philip’s Academy of Newark seeks to provide in Paterson what we have provided for over 25
years in Newark--rigorous, innovative education with attention paid to each child and their family’s needs” said Dale Anglin, Chair of the Philip’s Newark Board of Trustees. Philip’s Paterson will be supported by Philip’s Education Partners (PEP) and governed by a separate Board of Trustees, which will be led by Gigo Taylor, who has dedicated many years to volunteering with community organizations such as St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation in Paterson. Mrs. Taylor also has experience mentoring and tutoring students from the Paterson public schools. She brings with her experience from the private sector, where she worked as an Accountant, Auditor and Controller for nearly two decades.
A Day in the Life of - i2 Camp i2 Camp is a co-ed summer day camp that blends Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM). Curriculum and activities have been developed for i2 Camp by some of the world´s leading STEM organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, MIT, and NASA. Our Newark site is one affiliate in an international program. Through gifts and grants, PEP was able to provide deserving students with camp scholarships.
Dear Friends, When I first walked into Philip’s Academy of Newark in the fall of 2010, I knew right away that I had entered a very special place – a place I think I’d been searching for, for quite a long time. That cool autumn day included a tour of the school, introductions to adults and children, and a very hopeful conversation with Miguel Brito. Although it wasn’t until a year later that I started working at Philip’s as a third grade teacher, a seed had been planted, and it was just a matter of time before that seed would grow and flourish. I am humbled by this opportunity to introduce myself as the Founding Principal of Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson. That hope that Miguel showed me in 2010, is very much present in our expansion into Paterson. This expansion presents a unique opportunity to extend our mission so that we can serve more children with the Philip’s advantage: a high-quality educational experience that values every child individually and nourishes his or her ability to grow and learn academically, emotionally, and even physically.
Contagion: Pandemic Response
Robotics I Campers used LEGO® MINDSTORMS® to build and program robots. They worked with motors and sensors, and explored how light, touch, sound, color and accelerometer sensors enhanced each robot.
Campers explored how to prepare for outbreaks of highly contagious diseases. They considered real-life and fictional epidemics such as Spanish Flu, the Black Plague, and even zombies. They then engineered and tested a system to respond to an outbreak and prevent a pandemic.
Working with the children, faculty, and families at Philip’s Newark has helped to prepare me to step into my new role as Founding Principal. I’ve learned to work even more collaboratively, communicate effectively, maintain a sense of humor, and support success. These lessons, along with our nurturing culture, our foundation of strong and innovative academic programming and generous gifts from friends, will guide our growth into Paterson, a city greatly in need of high quality schools. It is my deepest hope and my strongest belief that we can create a loving, encouraging and joyful environment that promotes learning, growth, success and opportunity for the children and families that we will serve in our new home in Paterson. Warm Regards,
Digital Game Design
Building Vertical Farms
Campers used a program called Scratch to create an original video game with custom graphics, sound effects and music.
Regina Lauricella Founding Principal, Philip’s Academy of Paterson
Alumni Notes
Campers worked like engineers to design sustainable indoor farms that could provide food for urban populations year-round. They learned about food issues affecting urban areas and engineered their own model vertical farm.
Alumni Notes Randolph Brown, Class of ‘06 | CTO, Jopwell During his time at Princeton, Randolph got hooked by the coding bug. He is putting those skills to use as the CTO of Jopwell, a startup that is helping make the workforce more colorful by connecting talented minority candidates with top-tier companies.
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Chelsea Odufu, Class of ‘07 | Writer, Director & Producer Emann Odufu, Class of ‘03 | Director & Producer This brother sister duo is making their mark in the film industry with their new film, “Ori Inu,” a coming of age story about a young immigrant woman.
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID S. Hackensack, NJ Permit # 79
342 Central Ave. Newark, NJ 07103
PEP RALLY
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WY OU RS UPP OR T
SAVE THE DATE APRIL 28TH, 2015 6:30PM
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YO N A
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COCKTAILS, DANCING AND SILENT & LIVE AUCTION
Join us at Philip’s Academy to see this incredible school firsthand and meet the children you help support! For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit www.philipsed.org/Peprally or contact Lcohan@philipsed.org.