IDEA is pleased to announce the appointment of our own Vice Principal of Academics Nicole McCrae to the position of Principal, effective July 1.
Mrs. McCrae knows IDEA's scholars, families, and staff well, as she has worked at IDEA since 2007, starting as an English teacher. IDEA is literally in her blood too, as her father Sgt. Carroll Travers (Ret.) was one of the school's original founders. She has fond recollections of volunteering with him when the school's foundations were laid by a group of committed former military leaders started a JROTC pilot-program in the basement of Phelps High School in the 1990s.
An expert in data-driven instruction, Mrs. McCrae has been a strong force behind IDEA's continued improvement in effective teaching strategies and outcomes for our scholars. Over the past few years, she moved up to serve first as an English lead teacher and instructional coach, and then as vice principal of academics for the last year. During this time, she also completed the Emerging Leaders and Aspiring Principals program with New Leaders for New Schools. We are confident that Mrs. McCrae's warm and intelligent leadership will move IDEA forward on the path to becoming a Tier 1 school.
We invite all IDEA parents, community members, and partners to come meet or re-introduce themselves to Mrs. McCrae at an ice cream social during our first Farmers' Market event on Saturday, June 10 from 11-2. It will include free ice cream, a food truck on site, and locally grown produce featuring the first fruits and vegetables from IDEA's own school gardens.
Previously we had indicated that Kirk Sykes would be our next principal, but ultimately Mr. Sykes was unable to take the position.
Justin Rydstrom
Head of School/CEO
Inaugural Earth Day Planting Celebration a Success
Thank you to all the students, families, teachers, and community members who came out to help at IDEA's inaugural Earth Day celebration. They braved the rain to help build out IDEA's kitchen gardens. Volunteers planted hundreds of lettuce, herb, and strawberry seedlings. We look forward to serving the (literal) fruits of these labors in IDEA's cafeteria soon.
IDEA also wishes to thank Frager's Hardware, Casey Trees and Uprising Muffin Company for their in-kind contributions to this event.
IDEA to Partner with Barr Center Next School Year
IDEA is excited to announce that we will be bringing the innovative and effective program from the Barr Center to our school next year. BARR stands for Building Assets, Reducing Risks, and has helped teachers and scholars across the country overcome obstacles to success and create significant academic achievement. Visit www.barrcenter.org to learn more or contact Mr. Rydstrom or Mrs. McCrae with questions.
Every Member of Class of 2017 Accepted to College
IDEA is proud to announce that 100% of our graduating seniors have been accepted to at least one college for fall admission. Colleges that have invited IDEA scholars to enroll include:
Allegany College of Maryland
Bennett College
Bethune-Cookman University
Bowie State University
Claflin University
Coppin State University
Delaware State University
Fayetteville State University
Garrett College
George Mason University
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Johnson & Wales University
Norfolk State University
Northern Virginia Community College
Penn State University
Prince George's Community College
Potomac State College
Shaw University
University of Dayton
University of the District of Columbia
University of Hartford
University of Maryland, College Park
DC Students Construction Trades Foundation Hosts Meet the Future Luncheon; Honors ACAD Students
Scholars Contribute to Deanwood Community through Massive Cleanup Under Benning Road Bridge
IDEA collaborated with the DC Department of Public Works and Department of Energy and Environment on Thursday, April 27, to lead a community cleanup. This year's cleanup took place under the Benning Road Bridge directly off of Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road Northeast. This site has been plagued with an enormous amount of debris such as tires and bulk trash. With the help of our phenomenal IDEA volunteers, we cleared this entire area of all trash and recyclable items. Thanks to everyone who helped!
Seniors Share Their Paths for the Future at DC College Signing Day
Seniors from high schools across the District gathered at the Smith Center at George Washington University on April 28 to affirm their intention to pursue higher education after graduating from high school. Seniors from IDEA who attended included China Plater, Dominique Whittaker, and Ja'Tavia Thompson, who will attend Norfolk State University; Endiaja Jefferson, who will attend Bethune-Cookman University; Demonte McCoy, who will attend Prince George's Community College; Steve Cheuko, who will attend George Mason University; Tyree Wheeler, who will attend Fayetteville State University; and Kevin Jennings, who is undecided. One hundred percent of IDEA's senior class has been accepted to college. Many seniors have been accepted to several colleges and earned thousands of dollars in scholarship offers.
Congratulations, Class of 2017!
Youth Farmers Market Opens at IDEA
Join us at IDEA on Saturday, June 10, from 11am until 2pm for a community festival hosted by the Academy of Construction and Design. Summer is almost here and scholars are excited to share what they have accomplished building infrastructure for the school's kitchen garden and a greenhouse of plantings for IDEA's Youth Farmers Market. Choose fresh, first-of-the-season vegetables or take home a small planting project for your own garden.
View a demonstration from ACAD students currently building a tiny house based on the American Institute of Architects award-winning Minim House design. Meet IDEA's new principal, Nicole McCrae, and talk with ACAD training partners who are helping IDEA scholars build pathways to high demand jobs, college, careers, and entrepreneurship in today's technology-driven building industry.
We look forward to welcoming you to ACAD on Saturday, June 10, for ice cream, light refreshments, and family fun for all ages. For information and to RSVP, call us at 202-399-4750. See you there!
Contact
Justin Rydstrom
Head of School IDEA Public Charter School
1027 45th Street NE
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively
and to think
critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education
.."
Youth Farmers Market Opens at IDEA
