New Hope celebrates successes

This letter was distributed to New Hope Academy Charter School faculty and staff on May 31, 2012:

Dear Mighty Ants,
As we conclude this school year, we are very proud to announce that we are anticipating a 95.7 percent graduation rate this year, a more than 4 percent jump over last year’s already impressive 91 percent. While these numbers are not yet official, I can confirm that every graduating student is leaving New Hope Academy with a plan for success, including 86.6 percent going on to college or the military, a nearly 3 percent improvement over 2011. We’ve achieved major milestones this school year, even sending every single one of our basketball team players, girls and boys, to college – every single one. This is game changing.
Our accomplishments are measured by the success of our students. This year has been a true reflection of how we are changing our educational landscape with choice beyond traditional public school options. Our commitment and determination to foster a new generation of students that is prepared to compete in a global economy has gained notice and support from community leaders, including Robert Kinsley, Deb Stock, Ken Wesler and Mayor of York, C. Kim Bracey.
We are working hard to tell our story. During the past two months, state Sen. Joe Scarnati, Deputy Secretary of the state Department of Education, Carolyn Dumaresq, and state Rep. DePasquale have toured our school and experienced our impact first-hand. After touring, we’ve heard phrases like, “impacting kids’ lives,” “a chance at success for the future” and “very creative in delivering education.” This is why we believe in choice.
Our passion for a better-than-average education that includes performing arts, science, mathematics and technology is palpable. We will not stand for our nation falling behind the rest of the world’s students. The U.S. ranking 14th in the world for reading, 17th for science and 25th for mathematics is simply unacceptable. Change begins with choice. It starts here, with us.
Just as our students prepare for summer, New Hope Academy Charter School administrators, 3 Cord, Inc. and the Urban Impact Community Fund will be gearing up to ensure our students and their families have access to a public education of choice. We will be hard at work telling our story and sharing our successes with decision-makers who will positively affect the appeals process for our charter.
Charter schools offer choice, innovation, accountability and put kids first, as it should be. I’m very concerned that the current discussion on education has been solely focused on dollars without sense. Educational funding should be tied to performance and student-centered outcomes. More money does not mean improved performance. More accountability does.
We are anticipating and prepared to go through an appeals process for our charter. We are confident that we will win. As we continue our focus and prepare to be open in the fall, we will also be preparing to service more students in our community. Your commitment to the children we serve, your drive to raise the bar and your desire for increased accountability are what will make New Hope Academy Charter School the school of choice.
Please enjoy your summer. You’ve earned it.

3Cord Managing Officer
Isiah Anderson

Evil Thrives In Indifference

EVIL THRIVES IN INDIFFERENCE

 

First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Martin Niemoller

When I read this quote, I think of the challenges that are facing my organization and my community. What I’m seeing are community leaders who will not take a stand. They’ll say, “I support you but I want to stay neutral. It’s a political issue, and I don’t want to get in the middle.”

No, it’s not a political issue; it’s a civil rights issue. For generations, our nation’s urban children have been undereducated. As a nation, we have failed, and we continue to fail our children who live in poverty. Our educational system is broken and has been for many, many years.

I ask myself: “Who is going to stand up and be a voice for our children? Who is willing to take a leap of consciousness and protect our children from the evils of indifference?”

My mind continues to ruminate: “When are the leaders in my community going to take a stand against undereducated children graduating from high school year after year? What about the same children who have babies, babies who have no choice but to continue down the same path of educational dysfunction as their parents have?” “What about those children who see jail as their future, supporting research that the United States leads all countries in the sheer number of people incarcerated?” Please tell me why we continue to wallow in this evil of indifference.

I guess I just don’t understand why the leaders in my community say in private that they support the need for educational reform but, in groups where their voice could make a difference, they choose to remain in obscurity. Is it because the urban educational system doesn’t affect their own children and they feel it’s not their fight? Or, is it because they fear taking a risk, getting “dirty, or openly challenging the status quo”?

To many, what I’ve written may seem dramatic. But, it’s not. We have an educational system that has no conscience, sees no boundaries, and lives by no rules other than the ones that benefit them the most. We have an educational system that is negatively affecting the economic progress of our community and reeks of social inequities. If we do not take a stand, the evils of indifference will continue down the same ugly path they have for generations and eventually, it will overtake us.

I refuse to remain one of the silent majorities in York who ignores the evils of indifference. Therefore, I am asking the leaders of our community to come together and make a promise to the underserved children of York City. I want us to lead with action, not from the sideline. I want us to provide “promise” college scholarships for children who make a commitment to return to York, develop businesses, and live in the City. If Pittsburgh can do this, I truly believe that York can, too.

Are you willing to throw the evils of indifference aside and join with me in the fight for the educational civil rights of our children?

 

Isiah Anderson, Managing Officer, Three Cord Inc

 

If I Owned Burger King

SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE
February 15, 2012 6:30PM
New Hope Academy Charter School

The United States was built on the premise that every human being has the freedom of choice. The Pilgrims came to America because they wanted a choice in how they practiced their religion. Our forefathers fought the American Revolution, in part, because they wanted a choice of how and to whom they paid their taxes.
Recently, President Obama gave his State of the Union speech. He did not demand that we, as Americans, must only buy Ford cars. When Governor Corbett unveiled his budget, he didn’t state that all Pennsylvanians are required to buy their groceries only at Giant. We, as Americans, have a choice because it is a core value upon which our democracy was built.
Yet, for decades, our K-12 educational system has provided us with no choice, requiring that we send our children to the school district in which we live. If we choose to have our children educated elsewhere, we have had to pay tuition. The United States was built on choice and yet we, as Americans, have had no choice as to where our children went to school or how they were educated.
Several years ago, it became apparent that our school system was antiquated and our students were academically behind those in other countries. As has been at the very fiber of our democratic society, when things need to be changed to better serve all people, Americans rise to the occasion and devise a plan. Thus, the school reform movement began and charter schools emerged.
Since their inception, many charter schools have been met with jealousy, resentment, and fear by some school districts. School Boards cannot seem to grasp that “one size does not fit all” nor can they get beyond petty politics to realize that others can educate children as well as they can. Some of their own schools are in financial demise and their students are failing, yet they currently have the power, to deny charter school applications and renewals.
I use the example that, if I own a Burger King, I wouldn’t go to McDonalds to get their approval to market a new burger. Why, then, should charter schools have to get their approval from the local school boards, the very same people who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of their own school district?
New Hope Academy Charter School has teamed with StudentsFirst, a national organization whose focus is to transform American schools, York City charter schools, and local politicians to host a “Support School Choice” rally on February 15, 2012, 6:30PM at 459 W. King Street, York, PA. The purpose is to join like-minded, school choice parents together to support our charter schools and to develop a platform for charter school policy reform in Pennsylvania.
I urge all of you to attend. Bring your families, neighbors, and friends. Together, we can bring some awareness that charter school parents and supporters are taxpayers. Charter Schools are public schools.
Go to http://www.chooseyourschoolyork.com

CALL FOR ACTION

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Go to http://www.chooseyourschoolyork.com Be heard!
February 3, 2012

New Hope Academy Charter School Educates Community About School Choice

YORK, PA — This week New Hope Academy Charter School received notice that the Board of Directors for the School District of the City of York does not intend to renew the charter that allows the school to operate. New Hope Academy’s Charter was granted in 2007 and remains valid for 5 years, when it is then up for renewal. There will be a hearing on February 23, 2012, at School District Administration Building at 31 N. Pershing Avenue York PA 17401, where New Hope Academy Charter School will make the case for why the school’s charter should be renewed.

The School District of the City of York alleges that poor academic performance is to blame for the decision to revoke the charter. But, as noted by Chief Academic Officer Karen Schoonover, “The data just does not add up. When comparing like school buildings (Hannah Penn, Smith, and William Penn), New Hope Academy is the only school that met the PA Academic Standard for Growth in 2011 which is measured by PVAAS data. Further, since its inception, New Hope Academy has demonstrated a 56-point increase in the percentage of AYP targets met, as compared to decreases of 24, 31, and 6 points for Hannah Penn, Smith, and William Penn, respectively. As a school, we continue to have more work to do to ensure that our students are excelling academically, but the district’s allegations do not show the portrait of growth that NHACS has experienced over the last four years.”

Steve Mitchell, President of the Board of Trustees of NHACS, says “We are extremely dismayed about this proposed action by the Board of Directors of the School District of the City of York. What is more disturbing is the sudden reversal of the School District in its actions toward NHACS. Since the approval of our charter in 2007, YCSD School Board has granted amendments to New Hope to add 6th grade, 5th grade, and just last October, approved our amendment for our Performing Arts Program. Clearly our record of success was recognized in those votes. Why would they now choose to revoke our charter? This appears to be more about a political agenda than educating our children. We are confident that with the stellar representation by the education law attorneys of McNees Wallace & Nurick, we will refute the erroneous claims made by the District and continue our work to educate students in York.”

Isiah Anderson, Managing Officer of 3Cord Inc., the education management company for NHACS, says “I am concerned about the overall leadership of this School Board and the Superintendent. This has the potential to affect more than 720 students whose parents have chosen to send their children to our school. This is not just about New Hope Academy. This is about school choice and ensuring that our parents and families have educational options. The York City School District is on the verge of collapse. We, as community leaders, need to come together to ensure that the children of York City have access to an excellent education. It is time to get involved, be strategic, and change the outcomes for our kids.”

“Not every school is right for every child, and not every child is right for every school. My children have thrived at New Hope Academy. We need to ensure that parents have the opportunity to make the best educational choice for their child.” –Bev Awkward, parent, NHACS.

How can you get involved?

3Cord Inc will be hosting a School Choice Rally at New Hope Academy Charter School on February 15, 2012, at 6:30pm. Information will be shared about parental involvement and choice. We will be welcoming local dignitaries and Students First, a national organization with a presence here in Pennsylvania. Founded by Michelle Rhee, Students First seeks to “build a national movement to defend the interests of children in public education and pursue transformative reform, so that America has the best education system in the world.”

A new website will be launched, http://www.yorkschoolchoice.com, which will feature the option to send local and state leaders messages about the need to defend school choice.

Founded in 2007, New Hope Academy Charter School is located at 459 West King Street and serves grades 5 through 12 with approximately 700 students. The charter school is a part of 3Cord Inc. 3Cord Inc. is an education management program with the goal of creating real change and opportunity in the field of Urban Education through community partnerships. For more information about New Hope Academy please call 717-845-4046 or visit http://www.3cordinc.com.

My Heart Aches

Random uncut facebook post about my thoughts on not so random violence in our community..

Whenever a young kid dies in this community it reminds of the kids that I was really close to that I loss along the way. It makes me think of Boo Banks, a great leader on the basketball court. The last thing he said to me was coach get me off these streets I’m ready to get out of York. It makes me think of Tre McCanic the man-child, gentle giant, father, great friend; I still don’t know why it happened. I know what I’m being told but I just don’t understand it. Then there’s Ian Brenner a kid that lived in my home ate from my table a kid that had over 1100 SAT scores. Despite some troubles I was able to get him a division 1 basketball scholarship at Sacred Heart in Connecticut. I couldn’t get him to go. Now he’s doing 40 years to life. My heart Shane Liggins I had him in a Division 1 JUCO everything paid for.. He came home on the weekend during the winter.. He should have stayed in school he’s now doing 40 to life.. I could go on and on.. But then there is Seth Leonard, Jason Phillips, Jason Roscoe, the Lopez boys, Richard Miller, Omari Pearson, Brandon Deshields, Jeff Harris, Dontez Dean, Chris Charles.. Now it’s my New Hope kids who came to see me at my home on Saturday we had dinner exchanged appreciations and they went back to college the next day.. K’ron Washington and Steven Smaw.. You have stay in school if you want to increase your chances of staying a live in this community.. York eats young men alive then it spits you out.. it’s those interactions that lead to the creation of New Hope don’t get confused by the hype.. There’s only one purpose and that’s to save lives!!!!!!!!

Straight from my heart…

I’m from the hood but I ain’t from the streets.. It can be done.. question my heart if you want many have done that.. I’m a soldier! Yeah I said it, I’m a soldier I earn the gold bars from the US Army.. I was trained to fight, paid to fight, I choose to fight against the hate that’s present in my community.. I don’t want your appreciation, your likes, even your comments, I don’t want to hear your excuses, I want you to tell your kids get the hell up and go to school, I want you to have them read for 20 minutes a day.. I want you to stop buying weed from them, I want you to tell them what kind of company they can keep, I want you to turn a face them instead of putting your head in the sand.. I want you to go out and look for them the moment they are 15 minutes late coming home.. I want you to stop saying don’t do what I do, you got to do it different.. I want you to lead them by example and not by the words you say.. I want you to follow your dreams so they can follow theirs..cause another one gone die.. The next time he might be yours he might be mine.. It might be me.. Yeah it’s that close.. I didn’t know this young but I know this man.. Yeah I’m pissed!

What are going to do???

YES, CHARTER SCHOOLS WORK, MR. KIRKLAND

YES, CHARTER SCHOOLS WORK, MR. KIRKLAND

I am writing a rebuttal to Mr. Jeffrey Kirkland’s editorial posted in The York Dispatch on January 19, 2012 entitled “OP-ED: Charter schools capitalize on community’s woes.” Rather than dispute paragraph by paragraph the misconceptions and misleading information Mr. Kirkland’s chose to present, I would like to provide you with facts that counteract his statements and allow you to draw your own conclusions based on information rather than emotional sensationalism.
Mr. Kirkland quoted a report from the Center of Research on Education Outcomes. Further in the same July 15, 2009 study by Stanford, it states, “For students that are low income, charter schools had a larger and more positive effect than for similar students in traditional public schools. English Language Learner students also reported significantly better gains in charter school while special education students showed similar results to their traditional public school peers. The report also found that students do better in charter schools over time. While the first year charter school students on average experienced a decline in learning, students in their second and third years in charter schools saw a significant reversal, experiencing positive achievement gains.” The June 17, 2009 US News reported that “students in poverty and English Language Learners outperformed their public-school peers in both reading and math.
97% of New Hope Academy Charter School students are residents of York City. 92% of our students are minorities. 98.85% fall in the high poverty level. Data from NHACS 2010 Keystones Opportunity PIMS snapshot indicate that 15.5% of our students are English Language Learners and 22.6% of our population has IEPS. Data from the 2011 PSSA indicate that our African American students met the reading and math target using Safe Harbor with Confidence Level, and our Latino or Hispanic students met the reading and math target using Safe Harbor. Our IEP students met the reading target using Safe Harbor with Confidence Level and met the math target using Safe Harbor. Quite an accomplishment for a charter school that, at the time, had only been existence for 4 years and had added new grades and students every year!
The majority of students enter New Hope Academy Charter School two to four grade levels below their peers. Although our 2011 PVAAS scores indicate that we have met the state expectations for student progress over the past year, we will not be satisfied until all of our students are proficient. Our students continue to have difficulty catching up and gaining the skills necessary to compete with their suburban peers.
To provide more extensive learning opportunities and to increase reading and math skills, NHACS applied for and won a 1.7 million dollar School Improvement Grant, and, in partnership with the YWCA York, received a 1.1 million dollar 21st Century Grant. (Please note that many school districts and charter schools in Pennsylvania were eligible to apply for these grants, and York City School District was not awarded either.) We are currently providing after school tutoring and enrichment for our students and will hold a summer school this year for all York children, specifically those in 5th through 8th grade.
To the general public and specifically Mr. Kirkland, I would like to invite you to tour New Hope Academy Charter School. Mr. Kirkland, I would like to sit down and discuss your “predatory action” comments, especially the totally inaccurate statement that “one charter school has gotten so bad that it has opened its own alternative education school for disruptive students.” I would like to show you our 94% graduation rate data and the college acceptance letters 85% of our graduates received. Please call my administrative assistant at 845-4046, extension 1301 or drop by the school.
See, Mr. Kirkland, the law doesn’t allow public schools to consider their own finances when granting a charter. If you remove this from your equation, take me up on my offer to tour and talk, I believe that you will come to understand that charter schools are working and offer a positive, productive educational choice for students and parents.

York Public Safety

We are living in the worst economic times that I have ever experienced. We’ve all had to curtail our personal spending and focus on what is “absolutely essential” for the wellbeing of our families. We’ve seen businesses respond to the economic crisis in a similar fashion by strategically planning and developing ways to ensure that they are operating in the most cost efficient manner possible.

The York City Council is facing the same financial crisis that we as heads of households or as business owners are. Running the City is a business, and the Council is charged with deciding what is “absolutely essential” for York to continue operation in a fiscally responsible way.

I applaud the time and effort that the Council members have given to York City to reach a balanced budget. However, I have a serious concern about reducing the workforce within the police and fire departments. I see increasing the manpower in these departments as “absolutely essential” for the safety of our children, families, residents, business owners, human services agencies, and visitors. We cannot continue to have the worst crime rate in the County and remain a competitive, viable marketplace.

Our children must have a safe passage to walk to school or to an evening school or community event. All of our residents and especially the seniors and disabled need to feel safe living and walking in the City. Businesses need to feel confident that consumers will not fall victim to crime in route to their establishments. And, we know how York City is perceived by those living in the surrounding towns; they fear coming into the City for dinner or to see a show at the Strand.

We must create a means for economic development in York City, one that will fill our restaurants and bring more business into our specialty shops. It is “absolutely essential” for our City’s future that new businesses emerge, flourish, and provide jobs for our unemployed. We must ensure prospective home buyers that York City is an exciting place to live, and we must keep current homeowners from fleeing the City. We cannot begin to make an impact in these areas without first ensuring that York City is a safe place to live, to work, and to play.

I took to heart the words of York City Chief Police Wes Kahley who was quoted in The York Dispatch on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. “The problem is when you compare us to the other third class cities around the state, we’re already well below the manpower that these other cities have. We’re already working at a bare bones minimum.”

I feel it is “absolutely essential” that we heed the words of our Chief, and I urge the York City Counsel to supply him with the staff he must have to keep our City safe.