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February 2, 2017
IMPACT ACADEMY: A TOP BAY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS

For the second year in a row, Envision's Hayward school, Impact  Academy, has been recognized by Innovate Public Schools (IPS)  in their annual report, Top Bay Area Schools for  Underserved Students .  Each year, IPS analyzes how well Bay  Area schools are serving low-income Latino and African-American students -- and the majority of them are not serving these communities very well. Impact Academy is bucking this trend!

The report recognizes Impact as one of fewer than 50 Bay Area schools  where low income students of color have higher proficiency rates than the average California student, of any income or background.  ( Read the full report here.)  This is important because it means that Impact is giving students the opportunity to go to and succeed in college -- an opportunity they might not otherwise have.  In their report, IPS says: "We want to celebrate these schools and encourage attention to their practices, so that all schools in the Bay Area can learn from what works."

At Envision, what works is  Portfolio Defense.  In this nationally-recognized model, our students  regularly present and defend their academic work, their growth, and their readiness to advance. They are empowered to reach higher and go farther, to set educational goals for themselves, persist through challenges, and succeed on their chosen paths of college and career. 

Portfolio Defense is helping low income students from traditionally underserved communities imagine a bright future and step into it with confidence and skills.  We are so proud to help these first generation students prepare for college success.  And we thank Innovate Public Schools for recognizing the importance of great schools for all California students!

DEFENSE DESIGN STUDIOS: NOW STATEWIDE

Click the image above for
all the design studio dates
Envision Learning Partners is excited to announce the expansion of our signature Defense Design Studios!  Each year, we host these popular events for educators from around the country to witness live student defenses and learn how our Portfolio Defense system works.  It's an "A-HA" moment for many of them, as they see first hand what a difference authentic performance assessment makes for students.  

This year, for the first time we are adding design studio dates in Sacramento and Los Angeles, hosted by our partner districts in those cities.  With the expansion, we are now offering eight dates in five different California cities for educators to experience student defenses in action.

Defense Design Studios are truly special events, showcasing our transformative model and inviting educators to imagine bringing it to their own school or district.   Seeing is believing, so come see a Portfolio Defense for yourself!

Click here more information, and for dates, time and locations.   For more information, email Rachel Maida, ELP Program Manager.
BLACK STUDENT UNION GIVES BACK

These students know a thing or two about building a strong community!

Last Fall, members of the Black Student Union at Impact Academy, our Hayward school, decided to address an issue about which they felt strongly -- and they made a huge difference in the lives of other young people in the process.  As students of color, they were bothered by the lack of diversity in the toys, books, dolls and games available from mainstream retailers.  In response, they set a goal to improve the options available to one specific group of kids: those staying at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland (CHO).  They knew they could give these children a little bit of joy during the holiday season, and they turned to their school community to help.  

They gathered donations from teachers and students, as well as through a donation website; they spread the word with family and friends and used social media to widen the circle.  Just before Christmas, they had collected over $800, as well as 5 bags full of new toys   from Impact Academy students, teachers and staff.  The money they raised allowed them to buy all kinds of toys, books, and games featuring people and children of color.  

In mid-December, the students headed to CHO to deliver the huge bin of gifts they had amassed.  The hospital staff, thrilled with all of the diverse dolls and toys, filled their on-site store with Impact's donations, for parents and patients to choose gifts from for free.  Thanks to our students, these families can now choose from a wide range of gifts that represent the diversity and richness of their communities.

Impact Academy''s Black Student Union is proud to be part of this important comfort system for Bay Area children and families.  And we are proud of our Black Student Union!

BECOME AN ENVISIONER

Envision Education's mission is to transform the lives of students - especially those who will be the first in their family to attend college - by preparing them for success in college, career, and life.  We are excited to  announce two key opportunities for education leaders to help us achieve that mission!    We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Chief Schools Officer: This position will oversee our schools, coach our Education Leadership Team, and lead  the implementation of our  Portfolio Defense  system.   This position is a key driver of bringing our mission to life and preparing first generation students for college success.  Download the  CSO job announcement  here.

Principal, Impact Academy High School, Hayward: We are looking for an experienced educational leader who possesses the conviction that urban schools can send 100% of their students to college through rigorous instruction, excellent school culture, and a professional adult community that drives the school's success.  Download the  Principal job announcement here.

Join us to transform students' lives! Instructions for how to apply for both of these positions are in the job announcements.

We have other openings as well: visit Join Our Team to learn more.