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Letter from the CEO's Office
May 2025 |
| Dear U91´óÉñ Charter School Families and Friends, Teacher Appreciation Week may have come and gone, but our gratitude for the U91´óÉñ Charter School’s extraordinary educators is unwavering. Their commitment to our students and community deserves recognition year-round. At U91´óÉñ Charter, our teachers do far more than deliver lessons—they inspire curiosity, build confidence, and create a sense of belonging for all the students who walk through our doors. Their dedication, creativity, and care are the foundation of the supportive learning environments we strive for across all our campuses. We know that great teaching doesn’t happen in isolation. It is made possible through a community that values education and believes in our young people. I thank our families and community members for your continued partnership in this work—it truly takes all of us to create the kind of learning experiences that empower students for a lifetime. To our teachers: your work is powerful, purposeful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you for everything you do to light the path for our students, day in and day out.
With gratitude,
Tanika Island Childress
Chief Executive Officer |
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NKO’s Annual Career Day
Wednesday, May 14
UCW High School Class of 2025 Decision Day
Wednesday, May 14 Donoghue’s Annual Mother’s Day Celebration
Thursday, May 22 Memorial Day: No School
Monday, May 26
Last Day of School
Now Tuesday, June 10
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| | A New Logo for the U91´óÉñ Charter School |
| | We have a new logo! Our updated branding brings the U91´óÉñ Charter School in alignment with the University of 91´óÉñ logo system, featuring the University of 91´óÉñ signature logo alongside the names of our campuses. The U91´óÉñ Charter School’s new logo will be used in all our communications moving forward. Please note that students will not be required to purchase new uniforms or other materials to reflect our logo change. |
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| | | | Donoghue staff organized the campus’ first-ever art fair in April. During the fair, teachers led their scholars on a gallery walk around the building to observe art projects completed by scholars in other classrooms as well as some of our artistically oriented staff members. The fair also included creative activities in the gymnasium, where scholars could paint, make slime, and create bracelets. |
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| | North Kenwood/Oakland Campus News |
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| “Breakfast with Math” Engages Families in NKO Math Instruction |
| | On April 16, NKO hosted the campus-wide event “Breakfast with Math.” Families were invited to enjoy breakfast while exploring how math is taught at NKO, with opportunities to learn about resources to support their scholar’s learning at home. This event saw an impressive turnout, with over 100 families in attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback. Parents had an opportunity to engage in scholars’ math lessons, participate in math games, go on scavenger hunts, and interact with technology-integrated math stations designed to deepen their understanding of math instruction at NKO. |
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| | NKO Students Learn About Black Musicians and Performers in “History Is Power” Performance |
| | On April 24, NKO scholars’ arts curriculum culminated in the campus’ annual spring performance exploring key figures and moments Black history. This year’s theme was “History Is Power.” It highlighted the accomplishments of Black musicians and performers in different periods of American history and the impact they made on American culture. The performance ended with a memoriam honoring musicians who have recently passed, including 1970s and 1980s R&B star Frankie Beverly. We deeply appreciate the work of NKO teachers Ms. Chatman and Ms. Johnson who coordinated performances for and prepared over 300 students to perform for a live audience. Thank you for helping our scholars put on a fantastic show! |
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| | Second Annual STEAM Expo Welcomes 100 Scholars and Family Members to Campus |
| | Eighth-grade leaders facilitated a balloon car design station based on their earlier learning in science class this year. Tables were led by volunteers across the middle and high school, as well as parents and partner organizations. Now in its second year, the U91´óÉñ Charter Woodlawn (UCW) Middle School was a vibrant celebration of curiosity, creativity, and community on April 17. This year’s event welcomed over 100 participants, including 66 students from pre-k through twelfth grade and 25 UCW households. With hands-on learning experiences facilitated by seven university and community partner organizations, as well as volunteers among staff, students, and families from both the middle and high school, the evening was a true showcase of the power of collaboration. Thank you to all who made this inspiring event possible! |
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| | Students Learn How to Create a Profit-Yielding Business through “Seminar Snacks” Project |
| | In Shark Tank style, the Seminar Snacks team received their investment check from the U91´óÉñ Charter leadership "sharks" in December after pitching their business plan. Kyle Losey’s eighth-grade elective class wrapped up a hugely successful student-led business project “Seminar Snacks” this spring. After setting an ambitious goal to earn $1,000 in profit, the Seminar Snacks team hit their target just before spring break! They thoughtfully planned to donate 30% of their profits to Feed the Children and use the remaining funds to celebrate their accomplishments. Throughout the year, students developed a business plan, pitched to network leaders for an initial investment, adapted their menu based on customer feedback, offered promotions and freebies, and even created a delivery system for staff. Seminar Snacks quickly became a go-to spot for both students and staff to enjoy great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Losey, now in his second year with UCW on the science team, for guiding students through such a meaningful and impactful learning experience! |
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| | Cheer Team Makes Strides at 2025 Competition |
| | The middle school cheer team just wrapped up an incredible second season under the leadership of their coaches Amber Kelley and Kenya Davis. After placing ninth in their very first competition last year, the team made impressive strides, earning third place in the medium division and fifth place in the semi-finals this season. Leading the way was their multi-talented captain, eighth grader Ari S., who balanced cheer with her commitments to a competitive traveling dance team while also taking high school courses. Ari will continue to shine next year as she heads to Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy. |
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| | Annual UCW Middle School Theatre Show Features a Tribute to Black Broadway |
| | We are incredibly proud of our talented seventh graders, who recently took the stage of the University of 91´óÉñ’s Logan Center for the Arts on April 25 for a fantastic performance of “A Tribute to Black Broadway” under the direction and leadership of seventh-grade theatre instructor Mrs. Jasmyne Griffith-Hubert! Their hard work, creativity, and passion lit up the stage as they honored the rich legacy of Black artists and productions that have shaped Broadway history. From powerful musical numbers from Hamilton, Dreamgirls, and a dance by the High School Cheer Team under the direction of Ms. Sirrah Joof, to heartfelt scenes from “Fences” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” every student brought energy and authenticity to this unforgettable celebration. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making this tribute a truly inspiring and memorable event, and congratulations to Mrs. Griffith-Hubert for another amazing performance! |
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| | | UCW Class of 2025 Earns Record-Breaking Scholarships |
| | On March 12, UCW’s College Graduation Office (CGO) held a college acceptance celebration. More than 70 seniors shared with the UCW community all their admittances thus far. The UCW Class of 2025 has earned over $58 million in scholarships to date from public and private scholarship programs as well as the colleges to which they were admitted. In March, Morgan Jordan broke our record for the highest scholarship total in UCW history, having accumulated over $3.1 million. Last month, Akeylah Ross set a new record of just over $4 million! |
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| | Jalen Odem Awarded $40K Scholarship from the College Board’s BigFuture Program |
| | Jalen Odem, 12th grader, was awarded a $40K scholarship from the College Board in March. These financially reward students who complete steps online in the college and career planning process via , a free online platform that helps students personalize their plan for the future. Completing at least one of the key steps earns students a chance to win a $40,000 scholarship, currently awarded monthly to high school students in the class of 2024, 2025, and 2026. College Board staff visited UCW to present on the BigFuture platform to our students and then presented Jalen with the $40K scholarship. The UCW community was ecstatic! |
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