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HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to our February 2021 edition of our online newsletter (LAP) The Learning Academy Post
Happy Black History Month 2021! We are grateful to stand on the shoulders of giants 365 days a year. 
Most Improved Student: Brieona Johnson

Congratulations to Breiona for earning our most improved student in Mr. Forrest’s 9th Grade English I course at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter School. Enjoy the certificate and Wawa gift card. We are proud of your recent accomplishments. Keep going! 






Citizenship Award: Mikey Cochran


Congratulations are for Mikey who earned our citizen of the month in Mr. Forrest’s 5th-period Literature class. Thanks for your academic leadership and positive attitude. Enjoy the gift card and certificate. It’s well deserved. 

Each month, Donovan Forrest, DonCARES Executive Director and high school English teacher at Simon Gratz High School grants certificates to high performing students in his English and Writing Seminar classes. Forrest believes that while all of his students are worthy of positive reinforcements, he enjoys recognizing those who show leadership qualities in class that includes taking the initiative during classwork activities and perseverance through life's challenges.
Third Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Social Justice Essay Contest
Our third annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Social Justice Essay Contest is officially underway. Essay contest information for high school students at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter is available under "Essay Contest" on our website.

The objective of this contest is for high school student participants to think critically about the challenges that existed and remain for black and brown people in America. Participants will also use Alexander's narrative as a starting point for thinking about some issues that affect marginalized people of color. Students will also consider their definitions of “justice” and “progress” to serve as a basis for change
Essay Contest Judges: Thank you for your commitment to serve.
DonCARES would like to extend a sincere thanks to our essay contest judges for February 2021. This year, we are attempting to increase civic service amongst college students of color at Temple University by encouraging them to be part of the reading and ranking process for our annual contest for high school students in North Philadelphia. 

We are grateful to have the following students from Temple University serve students at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter School this year. 

(L to R, Top to the bottom first)

Ollisha Fisher
Major: Economics
Year: Senior

Drew Uboma
Major: Civil Engineering Major
Year: Temple University ‘22

Nkati Amare
Major: Philosophy major Pre-law, Chinese language minor
Year: Sophomore (Class of 2023) 


Sotonye Ogolo
Major: Biology Premed at Temple University 
Year: Junior Class of 2022

Ayana Curtis
Major: Africology at Temple University 
Year: Junior (2022)

"The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat."

-Cicely Tyson