We are proud to announce that we’ve been selected for the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s 2020-21 class of nonprofits! The Catalogue recognizes the best local nonprofits, and we are so honored to be part of such a great group of organizations. To learn more about the new class and the other organizations joining us, go to cfp-dc.org.
Dear YouthBuild Students and Families,
Earlier today, the Mayor announced that DC Public Schools (DCPS) will conclude its school year on May 29.
As an independent public charter school, we are not required to follow the DCPS calendar. We will be reaching out to staff and students before determining any changes to our school calendar for the remainder of this year, potential summer learning opportunities, and the 2020-2021 school year start date. We will provide an update as soon as possible once those decisions are made.
In the meantime, YouthBuild PCS will continue with distance learning following the personal daily schedules and updated stipend policy shared via email on Sunday, April 12th.
I will continue to update you on what the public health needs will mean for your family and our school community. If you have any questions regarding distance learning or need any assistance at this critical time, please do not hesitate to contact me at claire.libert@youthbuildpcs.org
Many thanks and best wishes,
Claire
***
Estimado YouthBuild Estudiantes y Familias,
El día de hoy, la alcaldesa anunció que las escuelas públicas de DC (DCPS) concluirá su ciclo escolar el 29 de mayo.
Como una escuela pública independiente, no estamos obligados a seguir el calendario de DCPS. Nos comunicaremos con el personal y los estudiantes antes de determinar cualquier cambio en nuestro calendario escolar para el resto de este año, posibles oportunidades de aprendizaje de verano y la fecha de inicio del año escolar 2020-2021. Proporcionaremos una actualización lo antes posible una vez que se tomen esas decisiones.
Mientras tanto, YouthBuild PCS continuará con el aprendizaje a distancia siguiendo los horarios de programación semanal y la política de estipendios actualizada compartida por correo electrónico el domingo 12 de abril.
Continuaré informando sobre lo que las necesidades de salud pública significarán para su familia y nuestra comunidad escolar. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la educación a distancia o necesita ayuda en este momento crítico, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en claire.libert@youthbuildpcs.org
Muchas gracias y mis mejores deseos,
Claire
Stimulus Package Application Guidelines
March Newsletter
School Closure Update
School Closure Notice
March 13, 2020
Dear YouthBuild Students and Families,
The health and safety of our community is our utmost priority and we have been working closely with city officials to respond to this rapidly evolving situation. This email outlines our ongoing efforts to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Earlier today, DCPS announced that they will move forward with the staff development day they have scheduled on Monday, 3/16. DCPS will then close from 3/17 – 3/31. At the end of March, DCPS will decide whether it is safe to reopen. The Mayor has strongly encouraged charter public schools to consider closing as well to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our city. Given this guidance, we have made the decision to close YouthBuild DC PCS, beginning on Monday, March 16th and remaining closed to students through at least March 31st.
What’s happening with stipends?
In order to provide students as many resources as possible during closure, we will distribute paychecks for both last week’s hours (March 2-6) and this week’s hours (March 9-13) tomorrow.
When we return from closure, all students will earn $16.50 per hour (or double the construction rate) for the same number of days we were closed, whether you are at school or site. So, for instance, if we are closed for two weeks, you can earn $16.50/hour for two weeks when we return.
The closure will not impact eligibility for the monthly performance bonus. We will only consider attendance and performance on days school was open.
How do I continue learning?
Classwork is available in Google Drive, hard copies, and in online platforms. Google Drive folders have been shared to all students via their YouthBuild emails. You may reach out to teachers during their office hours. For more information please see the attached Academic Plan for Students handout.
What will happen with special education during the closure?
The Academic Support team has distributed additional individual work aligned to students with disabilities’ IEP goals and will provide daily phone instruction (via Google Hangouts - see calendar invitations) and daily office hours from 1-2pm.
Eva will continue providing IEP-specified counseling services over the phone.
IEP meetings will continue as scheduled via Google Hangouts.
How can I find help with groceries, medical care, and other personal needs while we’re closed?
Case managers will have supplemental groceries, diapers, formula, etc. available for pick-up during lunch today.
Attached is a guide to community resources (food banks, medical clinics, etc.) as well as mental health supports available from our team during closure.
Case managers will be calling to check-in throughout the closure. If you need to reach them, please call: Makuti (202-319-8648), Gina (202-319-8649), and Eva (703-401-5242).
Where can I go for meal assistance during the closure?All students are welcome to participate in DCPS’s meal program during YouthBuild’s school closure. Meals will be available for every weekday from Monday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 31 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the following sites:
School Name
Address
Ward
Anacostia High School
1601 16th Street SE (Ward 8)
Ballou High School
3401 4th Street SE (Ward 8)
Banneker High School
800 Euclid Street NW (Ward 1)
Brookland Middle School
1150 Michigan Avenue NE (Ward 5)
Cardozo Education Campus
1200 Clifton Street NW (Ward 1)
Columbia Heights Education Campus
3101 16th Street NW (Ward 1)
Coolidge High School
6315 5th Street NW (Ward 4)
Eastern High School
1700 East Capitol Street NE (Ward 6)
Jefferson Middle School
801 7th Street SW (Ward 6)
McKinley Education Campus
151 T Street NE (Ward 5)
Woodson High School
540 55th Street NE (Ward 7)
What help is available with college or job applications while we’re closed?
The Transitions team is available to provide college and career coaching (help with resumes, cover letters, mock interviews, etc.) over the phone, email and social media. Please contact Kate Salasky and Ariana Lindo at 219-789-4290 or 240-645-3477.
How will I know when school is re-opening?
YouthBuild expects to re-open to students on Wednesday, April 1st. However, we will continue monitoring guidance from the DC Health Department and other city agencies as the closure progresses.
We will provide updates to students and families via social media (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook), our website (www.youthbuildpcs.org), texts and emails.
If your contact information has changed, please be sure to share that with us via this Google form: https://forms.gle/P9nz7YuDh8FgaRCV8
Thank you so much for your patience and flexibility during this uncertain time. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me at claire.libert@youthbuildpcs.org.
Best wishes,
Claire Libert
Interim Head of School YouthBuild DC PCS
Estimados estudiantes y familias de YouthBuild:
La salud y seguridad de nuestra comunidad es nuestra máxima prioridad y hemos estado trabajando estrechamente con los funcionarios de la ciudad para responder a esta situación en forma rápida. Este correo electrónico describe nuestros esfuerzos continuo para garantizar la salud y la seguridad de nuestra comunidad.
El alcalde ha alentado firmemente a las escuelas públicas chárter a que consideren cerrar también para ayudar a frenar la propagación de COVID-19 en nuestra ciudad. Teniendo en cuenta esta orientación, hemos tomado la decisión de cerrar YouthBuild DC PCS a partir del lunes 16 de marzo hasta abril 1.
¿Qué pasa con los estipendios?
Para proporcionar a los estudiantes la mayor cantidad de recursos posible durante el cierre, distribuiremos los cheques de pago para las horas de la semana pasada (del 2 al 6 de marzo) y las horas de esta semana (del 9 al 13 de marzo).
Cuando regresemos del cierre, todos los estudiantes ganarán $ 16.50 por hora (o el doble de la tasa de construcción) por el mismo número de días que estuvimos cerrados, ya sea que esté en la escuela o en el sitio. Entonces, por ejemplo, si estamos cerrados por dos semanas, puede ganar $ 16.50 / hora por dos semanas cuando regresemos.
El cierre no afectará la elegibilidad para el bono de rendimiento mensual. Solo consideraremos la asistencia y el rendimiento los días que la escuela estaba abierta.
¿Cómo sigo aprendiendo?
Trabajo escolar está disponible en Google Drive, copias impresas y en plataformas en línea. Las carpetas de Google Drive se han compartido con todos los estudiantes a través de sus correos electrónicos de YouthBuild. Puede comunicarse con los maestros durante sus horas de oficina. Para obtener más información, consulte el adjunto Plan académico para estudiantes .
¿Qué pasará con la educación especial durante el cierre?
El equipo de Apoyo Académico ha distribuido trabajo individual adicional trabajo alineado con los objetivos del IEP de los estudiantes y proporcionará instrucción telefónica diaria (a través de conferencia en Google - ver invitaciones de calendario) y horario de oficina diaria de 1-2pm.
La Sra. Camacho continuará brindando servicios de asesoramiento específicos del IEP por teléfono.
Las reuniones del IEP continuarán según lo programado a través de conferencia en Google.
¿Cómo puedo encontrar ayuda con alimentos, atención médica y otras necesidades personales mientras estamos cerrados?
Los administradores de casos tendrán alimentos suplementarios, pañales, fórmulas, etc. disponibles para que los recojan durante el almuerzo de hoy.
Se adjunta una guía de recursos comunitarios (bancos de alimentos, clínicas médicas, etc.), así como los apoyos de salud mental disponibles de nuestro equipo durante el cierre.
Los administradores de casos llamarán para registrarse durante el cierre. Si necesita comunicarse con ellos, llame a: Makuti (202-319-8648), Gina (202-319-8649) y Eva (703-401-5242).
¿Dónde puedo acudir para recibir asistencia alimentaria durante el cierre?Todos los estudiantes pueden participar en el programa de comidas de DCPS durante el cierre de la escuela YouthBuild. Las comidas estarán disponibles para todos los días laborables del lunes 16 de marzo al martes 31 de marzo de 10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. en los siguientes sitios:
Nombre de la escuela
Dirección
Ward
Anacostia High School
1601 16th Street SE (Ward 8)
Ballou High School
3401 4th Street SE (Ward 8)
Banneker High School
800 Euclid Street NW (Ward 1 )
Brookland Middle School
1150 Michigan Avenue NE (Ward 5)
Cardozo Education Campus
1200 Clifton Street NW (Ward1)
Columbia Heights Education Campus
3101 16th Street NW (Ward 1)
Coolidge High School
6315 5th Street NW (Ward 4)
Eastern High School
1700 East Capitol Street NE (Ward 6)
Jefferson Middle School
801 7th Street SW (Ward 6)
McKinley Education Campus
151 T Street NE (Ward 5)
Woodson High School
540 55th Street NE (Ward 7)
¿Qué ayuda hay disponible con las solicitudes de ingreso a la universidad o al trabajo mientras estamos cerrados?
El equipo de Transitions está disponible para proporcionar orientación universitaria y profesional (ayuda con currículums, cartas de presentación, entrevistas simuladas, etc.) por teléfono, correo electrónico y redes sociales. Comuníquese con Kate Salasky y Ariana Lindo al 219-789-4290 o 240-645-3477.
¿Cómo sabré cuando la escuela está reabriendo?
YouthBuild espera volver a abrir a los estudiantes el miércoles 1 de abril. Sin embargo, continuaremos monitoreando la orientación del Departamento de Salud de DC y otras agencias de la ciudad a medida que avance el cierre.
Proporcionaremos actualizaciones a estudiantes y familias a través de las redes sociales (Twitter, Instagram y Facebook), nuestro sitio web (www.youthbuildpcs.org), mensajes de texto y correos electrónicos.
Si su información de contacto ha cambiado, asegúrese de compartirla con nosotros a través de este formulario de Google: https://forms.gle/P9nz7YuDh8FgaRCV8
Muchas gracias por su paciencia y flexibilidad durante este tiempo incierto.
Mis mejores deseos,
Claire Libert,
Directora Interina de la Escuela YouthBuild DC PCS
Cheers to Another 15 Years
Time flies when you are transforming lives! YouthBuild Public DC Charter School DC has been committed to the mission of aiding students in receiving their GED and construction certifications, since 2005. In order to continue to operate as a Charter, schools are reviewed by the DC Public Charter School Board every 15 years. Board members determine if the school has fulfilled the expectations of a successful educational program. On Monday, January 27th, YouthBuild’s Charter Renewal Application was reviewed and the board voted to renew our Charter for another 15-year term.
In response to the news, Interim Head of School, Claire Libert shared, “This is a HUGE victory for our students and our entire school community... We have become a Tier 1, high-performing public charter school where:
More than 60 of our students have earned their GED (a DC High School Diploma), giving us one of the highest GED passage rates in the Adult CharterSector.
More than 125 students have earned their HBI or NCCER certifications, preparing them for work and life, whatever path they may take; and just this past year
More than 75% of exiting students survey obtained employment - and more than 90% of those retained employment 9 months after leaving us.
This is just the beginning. We know that we still have lots of work to do. We have the opportunity to continue to grow and realize our long-term vision for YouthBuild and our students. I can't wait to kick off our next 15 years together.”
Thank you to all the staff members, students, and volunteers, who have made the last 15 years of YouthBuild DC’s operation a success. We look forward to continuing to serve our students and community.
New Year, New Energy
January 7th is the first day back to school after the winter break. Teachers and support staff are gearing up to welcome students! We are so excited to begin this new year on a positive note. With the start of a new year comes changes and improvements. There are some new policies that we are implementing including new attendance policies, new lunch rules, and an updated cellphone policy.
The attendance cutoff is now 10am. School begins at 9am and any student who arrives past 10 am, will be unable to enter the building. Students at the construction site have a cutoff time of 9:30am.
Lunch is from 12pm-1pm, and students are expected to return to the school by no later than 1pm.
Cellphone use is not allowed in the classroom. If a student needs to make an urgent phone call, they will be allowed to go to Mr. Crutchfield’s office in order to do so.
Please come on time and prepared to make the best out of the new year!
Written By: Solane Nemera
A Global Day of Giving
Every day is an opportunity to serve your community but Tuesday, December 3rd (Giving Tuesday), is a day designated for giving back. Serving the organizations that you believe in, is a great way to demonstrate your support and allow them to continue to improve the world we live in. There are a multitude of ways that one can give back to non-profit organizations including direct service, monetary donations, and supplies. Nonprofit organizations need the support of the community, which is why Giving Tuesday is so valuable. At YouthBuild Public Charter School DC, we are always happy to have others lend their services so that we may be able to better serve our students. The following are five ways that you can contribute to the YouthBuild community:
1) Direct Service
The first from of service can be to engage in direct service. Our organization is always in need of volunteers to lend a helping hand, so giving your time is a great way to give back. Direct service requires showing up in person to provide assistance.
2) Monetary Assistance
Funding is an essential element in helping non-profit organizations operate. We at YouthBuild understand that people have hectic and busy lives and may not be able to physically participate in volunteering. If you are unable to participate in direct service due to previous engagements or time constraints, donating money is a helpful and convenient way to lend support.
3) Tutoring
If you have a strength in the academic sphere, tutoring is a wonderful way to serve YouthBuild. Our students need volunteers who are able to meet for one-on-one sessions to work through assignments and GED prep. Both Spanish speaking, and English speaking volunteers are welcome to apply.
5) Career Coaching
YouthBuild students have a great sense of drive and ambition. They work hard not only in the school, but also in the real world. Many of our students are in search of jobs, and preparing for their future careers. If you are a career professional, one way to give back is to help these students create/update resumes, learn interview etiquette and apply for employment.
5) Clothes Donation
Here at YouthBuild PCS DC, we provide professional clothing servies to our students for their job interviews. Many of our students do not have the means to purchase expensive work-attire, and we do not want that to hinder their ability to gain employment. Donating lightly used or new professional clothing and shoes is a useful way to support our organization and clear your closet of unwanted clothes .We are especially in need of Mens clothing ranging from size 28-34.
If you are interested in volunteering and joining the YouthBuild family, please click here to APPLY.
In order to provide monetary funds, please DONATE here
All donations are tax deductible.
Written By:Solane Nemera
Why Apply to College?
Today for college awareness month, we have our AmeriCorps VISTA explaining why she made the decision to apply to post-secondary school and ultimately earn a college degree. Solane is a graduate from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Political Science and International Studies. When asked what factors led to her decision, she stated, “ From a young age, I knew that attending University was something something I wanted to do. It is a great way to gain a deeper uderstanding of life and be exposed to different world views/opinions. Another reason I applied was because I believed that college was going to be essential in helping me reach in my professional goals and ensure that I am financially secure one day. Overall, the whole experience was positive and one that I would not trade for the world..”
Written by: Solane Nemera
Recognized as a Tier 1 school
The DC Pubic Charter School Board (DC PCSB) released its annual School Quality Report on October 28. We are so excited to announce that YouthBuild Public Charter School DC, has received a Tier 1 rating for the 3rd year in a row! This lands our school in the highest-rating area for all public charter schools in the city!
We are so honored to have received such a prestigious rating and are grateful for our teachers and support staff. Their dedication to providing a high-quality education on a daily basis and their passion for our students has played an integral role in YouthBuild PCS DC’s success.
Our school continually strives for excellence and this lets us know that we are moving in the right direction. We will continue to make improvements and provide our students the high-quality education that they deserve.
Written By: Solane Nemera
College Awareness Month
November is College Awareness Month! We want to take this opportunity to encourage our students to explore the options of post-secondary education after successfully completing the YouthBuild program. Although post-secondary school is not the right path for everyone, it can greatly benefit and elevate many individuals in their journey to a career. For those who know exactly what career field they desire to work in, post-secondary education is a great way to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be prepared and excel in that career. In regards to income, research has shown that, on average, college graduates earn more money than those with just a high school diploma/GED. While a college degree can be beneficial to those who already know what their career goals are, college can also be a way to explore a variety of fields and discover which one is best suited for you. Finally, college can create an opportunity to create a large network of friends and potential colleagues/business partners. These are just a few of the benefits to receiving a post-secondary education.
Every Friday we will be posting someone from the staff and explaining some of the benefits to attending college/university. If you are in post-secondary school or graduated from one, let us know why you applied! #whyapply #collegeawareness
Written By: Solane Nemera
National Apprenticeship Week
Today marks the beginning of National Apprenticeship Week! Many of our YouthBuild students excel on the construction site. It is an opportunity for them to receive guidance and master valuable construction trades. Dinah Bullock is a shining example of a student that works hard and is strongly benefitting from her apprenticeship opportunity. #NAW2019#YBNAW2019 #YouthBuildUSA
Written By: Solane Nemera