The Vine Fall 2016 by Philip's Academy

Philip’s Education Partners

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Students proudly sing “Agents of Change”

Fall 2016 PIONEERING 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

State and local officials join students of Philip’s Academy of Paterson, CEO, Miguel Brito, Principal, Regina Lauricella, and Board Chair, Gigo Lee-Taylor for official cutting of the ribbon.

Philip’s Academy Charter School Of Paterson Celebrated Grand Opening With A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony PATERSON, NJ – Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson was proud to announce a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the tuition-free, public charter school’s first year of operation on Wednesday, September 28 at the school’s location on 47 State Street in Paterson. Among the guests who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony were Colleen Eskow, Deputy Chief of Government Affairs for the NJ Department of Education, Peter Simon, Member of the State Board of Education, and Andre Sayegh, Councilman of Paterson’s 6th Ward. “Philips Academy has established a long history of student success in Newark. As we think about effectuating change for the underserved children in

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our urban centers, education is at the heart of that. We believe that access to a free, high-quality education that propels them from the life they have been handed to the life they always dreamed of, is the right of every child, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Miguel Brito, CEO of Philip’s Education Partners. “It is our responsibility as adults to provide that opportunity to every child within our own dream. Opening in Paterson is a logical next step towards ensuring that opportunity for growing numbers of children every year.” Philip’s Academy of Paterson serves 60 kindergarten students in its first year, and will grow each following year to serve 576 students in Pre-K-8 by 2025. The school focuses on a curriculum

that embraces environmental sustainability, technology as a learning tool and analytical inquiry in an atmosphere where, in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “love is the basis of state.” The school aims to nurture within the students, a love of learning, intellectual curiosity and a sense of duty to the community, thereby enabling them to make thoughtful and morally-informed decisions throughout their lives. “We are excited to have Philip’s Academy Charter School open its doors in Paterson,” said Tammie Reid, Board Member for Philip’s Academy of Paterson. “Paterson’s Parents and community members have long advocated for more quality school options, and we believe Philip’s Academy can answer their demands for high caliber education.”

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Dear Philip’s friends, I am delighted to return to Philip’s. Though I am new to the role, I have been a long time friend and supporter of the Philip’s mission. I am honored that Miguel and the Board of Trustees have entrusted me with upholding our tradition of excellence. Our leadership team, our teachers, and, most of all, our students inspire me daily. I have dedicated my life to serving the children who need it most. After attaining my degree in Policy from Harvard in 2004, I sought a role that would change the trajectory of communities. I joined Philip’s as the middle school English teacher. Under Miguel’s mentorship, my role expanded to the Director of Admissions and Placement. In this role, I was able to bring the ‘Philip’s Promise” to life for the children in my classroom. Through the program we created, many of my students went on to amazing independent schools. I left Philip’s in 2008 to serve another charter management organization. I ultimately transitioned to business school at Columbia and joined Citibank. But, my true passion to serve led me back to Philip’s. Philip’s has changed quite a bit since I left in 2008, when we were new residents of 342 Central Avenue. Our rooftop garden went from bare plots of dirt to what is now a verdant garden filled with vegetables that feed our students. The hard work of many individuals has made Philip’s what it is today, and I am intent on helping Philip’s fulfill its dream of providing students with a foundation to take life on. Love fuels everything we do. It inspires us to continuously advocate for our children and to provide them with the best teaching. It is a promise we will continue to make and keep. Thank you for my warm welcome. I see my return to Philip’s as a homecoming, and I am excited to re-engage with all of our community members. Best, Kelly Garnes Chief Operating Officer Philip’s Education Partners

Urban Farming Comes to Newark By Frank Mentesana

First Lady Michelle Obama and Al Roker join Philip’s students for a tour of our AeroFarms Urban Farming Lab.

It has been eight years since the AeroFarms system came to Philip’s Academy, where it is now fully incorporated into the science curriculum and operated by our

upper school students. As for the AeroFarms folks, they too have committed to the city of Newark and are just moments away from opening the “world’s largest indoor vertical

farm.” The relationship between AeroFarms and the EcoSpaces Program at Philip’s Academy continues to be strong. We purchase greens from them for our lunch program, and grow even more greens in our growing system (talk about local). We also learn from their new technology and watch the growth of this innovative company as they support our operational needs, and include us in conversations with food industry leaders, while supporting us as collaborators. Our ability to look forward as progressive educators is the conduit of this relationship and one that continues to guide our growth.

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A Dedication to Greg Taylor By Peter Anderson I first met Greg Taylor almost fifteen years ago when I joined the staff of St. Philip’s Academy, first as the Assistant Head and then as the Associate Head of School. I remember our first conversation – it was about the New York Mets. But what struck me was not how knowledgeable he was about baseball, but his keen intellect and sharp wit. I relished future conversations with him. It was not long before I counted him as more than an employee, but rather as a dear friend. Greg joined the staff of St. Philip’s Academy as a P.E. teacher. But we quickly realized that where he belonged was in a classroom exploring language, literature, history and culture. He was the rock who anchored the fifth grade team for several years –partners came and went, but Greg remained: strong and steady. He was cerebral without being obtuse, he was challenging, without being obnoxious, he was insouciant without being detached

– he was someone with whom kids wanted to spend time. Greg loved words – he loved introducing new ones to students. He loved reading well-constructed lines of prose. He loved experimenting with different combinations of words. He knew how to write. (Some of my favorite emails were ones he wrote me over the years.) And writing well is central to a life of thinking well. But he also knew the power of language in relationships. The measure of how big a person you are is how big others feel after they have been around you. There are many people who are bigger today because they spent time around Greg – benefiting from his humor, from his insights into all sorts of things from European soccer to Ancient China to school choice, or from his heartfelt expressions of love. More than anything, Greg was comfortable in his own skin. I admired the ease with which he navigated the various worlds of which he was a part. I was inspired

Greg Taylor with alumnus, Jarrett Adams.

Greg’s wife, Alvina pictured with the recipients, Java Bradley and Sharon Alonzo, of the Greg Taylor Humanities Award.

by his deep belief in the dignity of children and his profound love for his wife. My life is richer and fuller because of the time I spent with him – personally and professionally. His light may have been extinguished too soon, but while it burned, it burned bright and hot.

Donor Spotlight | St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church | By Chris Walsh St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, NJ, has enjoyed a close relationship with Philip’s Education Partners for many years where members have served in board leadership positions and interest and engagement has

Members of St. Elizabeth’s help get our Paterson school ready for students.

deepened over the years. In addition to leadership support, the church has supported Philip’s financially, most visibly through annual contributions from its Outreach fund. The past several years have provided an opportunity for Philip’s and St. Elizabeth’s to consider how we might make our relationship even stronger. The coincidental occurrences of Philip’s exploring the idea of opening a Charter School in Paterson and St. Elizabeth’s receiving a significant gift have been serendipitous. After months of deliberations, St. Elizabeth’s concluded that supporting the establishment of the new Philip’s

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Academy of Paterson fit best with the church’s desire to serve families and children and provide volunteer opportunities for parishioners. In May, the St. Elizabeth’s Vestry agreed to support the Philip’s Academy of Paterson with a multiyear grant and to create a standing committee of parishioners charged with ensuring that we remain closely engaged with each other. St. Elizabeth’s congregation is very excited about the opportunity to partner with Philip’s to help provide an effective, rigorous education in Paterson. We look forward to many more years of working together closely.

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342 Central Avenue Newark, NJ 07103

SAVE THE DATE

APRIL 7, 2017 Join us for our biggest event of the year! The Dream Maker will feature silent & live auctions

and memorable entertainment. Profits from the fundraiser will benefit children from Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Paterson and, through EcoSpaces Education, all over the world.

COCKTAIL PARTY

TICKET PRICING

Maplewood Country Club | Maplewood, NJ

Individual Ticket: $250 | Couples Ticket: $450 | Junior Ticket*: $200