The following upcoming and recent school community events were shared for awareness:

• December 19: High School Homecoming
• January 6: Middle School New Year’s Breakfast
• January 7: Open House
• January 10: Open House
• January 26: Family Zoom Meeting

Regina Walker was introduced.

Presented by: Dr. Karen Valbrun Executive Director & Leadership Team

Instruction & Academic Priorities (Middle School)
The Executive Director provided an overview of key instructional and academic focus areas, including:

• Strengthening school culture and student support systems
• Science Fair planning and execution
• Consolidation of student support services under a unified structure
• Expansion and integration of the arts
• Continued development of inclusive classroom practices

Safety & Operations

• Distribution of Moose Jackets
• Confirmation that the school remains in compliance with all applicable requirements

Family Engagement

• Family Breakfast events
• Parent-Teacher Conferences
• ELL training offered through Parent University

Human Resources Update

Science (Position Filled)

• A new instructional model ensures full science coverage across all grades
• Newly hired teacher instructs all 8th grade Science
• 7th grade Science is shared between the new hire and Ms. Caldwell (6th grade Science)
• This structure maintains instructional continuity and strengthens middle school coverage

Physical Education & Health (Position Filled)

• Schedule adjustments allow full coverage of both PE and Health
• Changes create additional capacity for a Co-Dean to provide targeted culture and behavior support

Speech Services (Secured)

• An in-house Speech Pathologist has been secured through Taylor’d Speech
• Scheduling and logistics are in progress
• Services will begin following the school break

Intervention & Literacy Support

• A Literacy Consultant has been contracted
• Consultant will conduct small-group instruction to support low-level readers and strengthen intervention services

Presented by : Li'Esha Garcia, CFOO

Fundraising Pipeline Overview

• The fundraising pipeline is intentionally limited to high-alignment funders to protect internal capacity
• The portfolio includes national, corporate, and NYC-based foundations to diversify funding risk
• Focus remains on restricted or strategic funding rather than reliance on general operating support

Enrollment Update & Outreach Efforts

Current Strategies

• Posting and sponsoring enrollment content on social media
• Attending and identifying additional enrollment fairs in Harlem and the Bronx
• Ongoing enrollment communications with families
• Monthly recruitment visits conducted by the Parent Liaison and Student Registrar to schools where 5th grade is the terminal grade
• Exploration of a partnership with Possip to develop an enrollment success toolkit

Family Communications

• Prospective Family Newsletter distributed on December 15, 2025

Upcoming Enrollment Fairs

• January 10, 2026: Harlem Charter School Fair & Kids Activity Expo (Harlem)
• January 14, 2026: Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School Fair (Bronx)
• February 2, 2026: Harlem Charter School Fair & Kids Activity Expo (Bronx)

Middle School Update

Academics

• Focus on Close Reading as a core instructional strategy to support deep text analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and critical thinking

Attendance

• 73 students achieved 100% attendance for the month
• Grades 6–8 earned multiple 100% attendance days, celebrated with hallway parties

Accountability

• Mid-year teacher observations are currently underway

School Atmosphere

• Two (2) In-School Suspensions issued for Level 2 behaviors
• Two (2) Out-of-School Suspensions issued for Level 3 physical altercations
• One (1) Pre-Expulsion Hearing scheduled for January 5, 2026
• Distraction-Free School Policy: On average, three students per week were found with phones; violations were addressed in accordance with the student handbook

Presented by: Fred Givens, High School Principal

High School Update

Attendance (November)

• 9th Grade: 95.3%
• 10th Grade: 93.4%
• 11th Grade: 94.7%
• 12th Grade: 94.9%

Accountability (November)

• Eight (8) suspensions issued related to:
• Extreme disrespect
• Off-campus fighting
• Vaping

School Atmosphere

As of December 8:

• College scholarships awarded total $771,000
• College acceptances: 14 of 94 seniors (15%)