Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle

CAO & AP Messages

Hotep Students, Parents and Caregivers!

 

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! We are excited to see our returning and new families and look forward to developing and nurturing bonds within our school community.  I hope that your summer was filled with fun activities with your friends and family and that you may have even take the time to read a good book or do a few math problems. We have been preparing for the new school year and can’t wait to see you!

 

We concluded the previous school year with victories in many areas due to the hardwork and commitment of our students, parents, and staff.    Some of the highlights included:

 

  • Growth in each of the Keystone tested areas,
  • The number of positive HERO points awarded,
  • Celebrating our students’ involvement in extracurricular activities,
  • Community service hours completed,
  • Internship experiences,
  • JEGNA mentoring program between our 9th and 12th grade students,
  • Watching our students thrive in leadership roles,
  • Cheering on our students during their respective Empire Days,
  • Induction into the Waset National Honor Society,
  • Hosting an interactive intergenerational STEAM show,
  • Family Math & Science Competition,
  • Red Cross Blood Drive Donations,
  • Senior Exhibitions,
  • Grade promotions, and 
  • Graduating 138 seniors.

 

Our theme for this year is Amini which is Swahili for believe. We are marching into the school year with firm beliefs and conviction that we will:

 

  • Increase academic outcomes for all of our students
  • Become reflective practitioners of our craft and take ownership of all responsibilities as they relate to our roles
  • Encourage our students each and every day with not only empathy but heshima and love
  • Deepen the relationships with our families to nurture them into being the resources and partners we need to develop our students
  • Receive a 5-year charter renewal!!!

 

I’m hopeful and believe in US because collectively we have the talent, knowledge and resources to do whatever we set our hearts to do.

 

While we have certainly relished in the academic, social and emotional impact each of the aforementioned accomplishments brought to our school community, we believe that with your help we can do so much more.  We want to awaken the Imhotepian genuis of our scholars and increase the depth of knowledge we impart to our students. This will ensure that our students are college and career ready upon graduation. With this goal in mind, we have decided to make adjustments to our instructional programming.  Our 9th grade students will benefit from a writing intensive course that will complement their English class. Our 10th grade students will benefit from a literature and algebra concepts course that will prepare them for the Literature and Algebra I Keystone exams. These courses will not take the place of their English and Algebra II classes.  We are also offering additional AP courses in United States History, Literature, and Computer Programming. Eligible students will continue to be able to take advantage of our fully funded dual enrollment courses through our partnership with Community College of Philadelphia.

 

Our school climate is something that we have always been proud of here at Imhotep.  In a truly African-centered process, our Director of School Climate hosted several ujima meetings with staff, students, and parents to discuss a solution to the countless violations to our cell phone policy.  One of the solutions involves utilizing Yondr pouches which would allow students to maintain possession of their devices while the magnetic lock would prohibit them from using them while in school will be implemented this year.  The magnet on each pouch will be released at dismissal and students will take their pouch home each day. Please review the enclosed letter from our Director of School Climate, Brother Andre Noble for additional details.

 

As it relates to technology, we have increased the number of classrooms with SmartTVs that will be used for the delivery of interactive instruction.  We also replenished our inventory of chromebooks and will continue to allow students in grades 11 and 12 to take their devices home. Each student will be charged a nominal $55 usage fee for the year.  Students who fail to return their laptops will incur a $200 replacement fee which until paid will prohibit them from participating in any extracurricular activities such as sports, prom, trips, and graduation.   On the other hand, both the 9th and 10th grade students will continue to have access to the devices in their respective classrooms.  

As you can imagine, this summer has been fast paced, with staffing changes, new hires, and a two week summer institute training that will serve as the foundation for moving us forward.  We will miss staff members who are no longer working directly with our students but remain embedded in our hearts.  Please take a moment to welcome our new family members who are joining us this school year:

  • James Alderiso, Literature
  • Bryan Carter, STEM
  • Sosthene Coffi-Ahibo, Math
  • Michelle Guerra, Behavior Specialist
  • Helen Nance, Student Support Services
  • Taryn Timko, English
  • Shaneka Briggs, English
  • Dana Pinckney, Attendance Coordinator

 

Parental involvement is a vital component in the education process.  We hope that you will take an active role in your child’s education by joining our Wazuri Parent Association and attending monthly Wazuri meetings which are held at the school on the fourth Thursday of the month.  (See the calendar for specific dates.) Be sure to log into PowerSchool to view your child’s grades which has an app that you can download on your mobile device. Below, you will find helpful information for the start of this new year as we continue the journey towards academic excellence!

 

First Day of School

The 9th Grade is scheduled for 8:30 am – 12:30 pm on Monday, August 26, 2019.

The 10th – 12th Grade is scheduled for 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm on Monday, August 26, 2019.

 

During this time students will meet their teachers; complete baseline assessments in math, science and English; take photos for their school identification cards; and be assigned their locker for the year. 

 

All students will report from 8:30am – 12:30 pm on August 27 – 30, 2018.

 

Note: Students MUST be in proper uniform.

 

Uniforms

  • Students are required to wear loose fitting black bottoms (pants, sweats, jeans, skirts), and a dashiki.
  • Dashikis can be purchased at the school and cost $15.00 each. The Main Office will be open for dashiki purchases beginning August 19, 2019 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.

 

School Supplies

Instruction begins in all classes on September 3, 2019.  Students should come prepared with the following items in order to facilitate learning in every class. If additional materials and supplies are needed, your child will be notified during orientation. 

 

  • 6 - single subject spiral notebooks
  • 6 – folders with pockets
  • 1 – 1” inch binder with college ruled notebook paper
  • 3x5 cards
  • Pencils and a sharpener
  • Ink pens
  • Highlighters
  • Scientific or graphing calculator

Enclosed in this mailing you will also find the Tentative School Calendar and Emergency Contact Form. After completing the form, please have your child return it on the first day of school.  

Enjoy the remaining time you have in these last days of summer and send your child back to us excited and believing they’re  ready to meet and exceed expectations of academic excellence. We are looking forward to an awesome 2019-2020 school year!

Yours in the spirit of Ujima,

Sister Jury Segers Sister Carla Pitt

Principal/Chief Academic Officer Associate Principal

 

P.S.  Please plan to join us for our Back-to-School Night on September 26, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to meet our administrative team and teachers.