IDEA PCS EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING #ward7 #deanwooddc #edreform

Shortly before the holidays The Washington Post reported that IDEA Public Charter School, located in Deanwood, was in danger of closing because of poor academic progress.
Mr. Morris Redd, the school's community liaison, alerted stakeholders to a meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the school, 1027 45th Street NE. The email alert is below.

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Morris Redd	Tue, Jan 3, 2012 at 3:17 PM
To: Morris Redd
IDEA PCS EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING Welcome to 2012, Family and Friends: I hope your holiday season was smooth sailing. Additionally, I pray that the best is yet to come! Unfortunately, I returned to rough waters, here at IDEA. I encourage you, however, not to be alarmed. I too believe, the best is yet to come. The purpose of this brief correspondence is to address what ruffled me. You may have heard rumors, speculation, or news reports that IDEA PCS is closing. The truth of the matter is that we were delivered a proposal from the DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) informing us that our charter is in danger of being revoked. The PCSB has made a preliminary recommendation to revoke the charter of IDEA Public Charter School in 2012 for failing “to meet [our] academic goals and student achievement expectations”. In a nutshell, this means that the school could permanently close its doors after the June 2012 graduation, if we do not immediately and effective address these issues. We are indeed addressing these grave concerns, in house, as we speak. I’ll share some of our strategy with you soon. Right now, we are also seeking your support in this fight to stay open. In addition to the families we serve, you, our partners, friends, and stakeholders, can paint the true picture of the value that IDEA brings and of the good work we do here (in Deanwood, in Ward 7, and throughout the City). On Wednesday, January 4, 2012, we will conduct a Community Meeting to address our supporters on this matter. There, folks will find out what IDEA is doing to address the PCSB’s concerns and how you can help. We will also discuss what we do not want you to do. For now, I would very much like for you (or a representative) to be at IDEA for that important meeting. Secondly, I’m asking that you bring a letter of support from your Office/Organization, sighting the cooperative relationship that we have shared. Specific examples and warm stories are wonderful tools in demonstrating value. I’d be more than happy to assist with your draft, if you’d like. You can give examples such as: Our providing student and adult participants in one or more of your programs; Our bringing your organization into our school to provide a wider audience for your products/services; Student service learning projects, or color guard performances that we have partaken; Our coordinated support of your agency’s programs and initiatives (financially, programmatically, or otherwise; Our opening of our doors for community meetings and other events; Etc. The letter can be addressed to the school’s Executive Director, Norman N. Johnson at IDEA Public Charter School, 1027 45th Street, NE – Washington, DC 20019. NOTE: What we are not asking you to do is petition, lobby, or otherwise antagonize the Public Charter School Board. We do not want letters or calls going to them on our behalf. The PCSB is an independent Chartering Authority who has merely identified some issues that we, as a school community, must address. So, again, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE DC PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD FOR ANY REASON ON OUR BEHALF. We are handling this as professionally, comprehensively, and expeditiously as possible. Thanks for your continued support. I hope to see you at the Emergency Community Meeting on tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30 PM. Be blessed, Morris