Happy Monday Innovate Families!
As we enter the week before Spring Break, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of finishing this stretch of the school year strong. While we are excited for the upcoming break, we have noticed a recent dip in student attendance and engagement. This is a critical time in the academic year, and every lesson, assignment, and interaction matters.
We are continuing to focus on mastering grade-level standards and ensuring that all students are meeting our expectations for learning and growth. Strong attendance, active participation, and consistent effort right now will directly impact your child’s readiness for what comes next. We ask for your partnership in reinforcing the importance of showing up each day, staying engaged, and completing all assigned work.
When students return from Spring Break, we will enter the final stretch of our CAPE preparation. This is a pivotal moment for our students, as they work toward demonstrating their proficiency and growth on the CAPE assessment. Our goal is for every SPARK to feel confident, prepared, and ready to succeed. You can support us by ensuring your child returns from break rested, focused, and ready to fully engage from day one.
Spring Break is also an important opportunity for students to recharge and reset. We encourage all families to use this time to rest, reflect, and prepare for a strong finish to the school year. We have many exciting activities, celebrations, and milestones ahead, and we want every student ready to fully participate and enjoy these moments.
To support our planning for CAPE, please take a moment to complete your student’s transportation form. This information is essential so we can ensure all students have a clear and reliable plan for getting to and from Signal House during testing. If your family has any transportation needs, please be sure to indicate them on the form so we can provide the necessary support. As a reminder, CAPE is a mandatory, in-person assessment, and all students are expected to attend and complete testing.
We also encourage you to review your student’s Power Up/coin levels to monitor their progress toward CAPE proficiency. If your SPARK’s name is not yet listed, it means they have not reached a level at this time. This is a great opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with your child about the importance of engagement, assignment completion, and striving for grade-level mastery each day.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can ensure every SPARK finishes strong and is fully prepared for success.
Let’s have a wonderful week!
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
Ms. Casagrande
Director, KIPP DC Innovate Virtual Academy
Upcoming Events & Important Announcements
Here's a look at what's happening at our school in the coming weeks:
Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 17, 2026 SPRING BREAK
Apr 22, 2026 - Apr 23, 2026- DIBELS Progress Monitoring for WB and Below
Apr 27, 2026- Power Up for CAPE ends
Apr 28, 2026 - Apr 30, 2026- Grades ⅝ CAPE In-Person Testing (ELA/Math)
May 5, 2026 - May 7, 2026 - Grades 6/7 CAPE In-Person Testing (ELA/Math)
May 12, 2026- Grades ⅝ CAPE In-Person Testing (Science)
May 15, 2026- Sneakerball (5:00-7:00) Shaw Campus
May 22, 2026- Level 99 Field Trip (CAPE and Sparks Points Incentive Trip)
May 25, 2026-School Closed
Jun 5, 2026- Kings Dominion Trip
Jun 8, 2026- 8th Grade Graduation Dress Rehearsal
Jun 11, 2026- 8th Grade Graduation (9:00-11:00) @ Shaw Campus
Jun 11, 2026- End of Year Celebration Bundy Field
CAPE Testing - IN PERSON!
At the conclusion of each day of testing, students will receive a special treat. On the final day of testing, an ice cream truck will be here, and students will get to choose their favorite ice cream as a reward for their hard work and for powering through CAPE! Students must complete all portions of CAPE to the best of their ability in order to receive their treat.
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
Kassidi, Destiny, Gracie, and Braylen for persistence in constructed responses this week!
Journey, Christian, Nyla, Heaven, and Diamond for consistent use of testing strategies each day last week.
Our Sea Turtles had a great week working so hard on test prep!
Demarko and Kaden for working hard in coding this past week
MARCH STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
Congratulations to our March students of the month! We are so proud of you and the perseverance you showed. As a reward, each student of the month will receive a $25 gift from Walmart. Please email Mrs. Casagrande your order and current address so we can have it shipped directly to you! Congratulations!!
APRIL VALUE OF THE MONTH: ACCOUNTABILITY
At Innovate, we believe Accountability means taking ownership of our actions, choices, and learning. It’s about being responsible for what we do, following through on commitments, and understanding that our decisions impact both ourselves and our community. Accountability helps us grow into dependable, reflective individuals who take pride in doing what is right—even when no one is watching.
When we practice accountability, we build trust with others, strengthen our sense of responsibility, and develop the habits needed for success in school and beyond.
What Accountability Looks Like:
Taking responsibility for your work, actions, and behavior.
Completing assignments and tasks on time and to the best of your ability.
Admitting mistakes and working to make things right.
Being prepared and ready to learn each day.
Following through on commitments to yourself and others.
What Accountability Sounds Like:
“I take responsibility for that and will fix it.”
“I will make sure this gets done.”
“I made a mistake, and I’m going to learn from it.”
“How can I improve next time?”
When we embrace accountability, we create a community built on trust, respect, and responsibility. By owning our actions and supporting one another
Community Events and Activities
POWER UP CAPE TESTING! ⭐
As we enter our third week of POWER UP for CAPE, we’re excited to recognize the following Sparks who have leveled up through earning coins—check out their levels and their earnings!
SNEAKERBALL
We are delighted to host our Grades 5–8 Sneakerball on May 15 from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Shaw Campus! This will be a fun celebration for our Sparks and a way to recognize their effort during the testing season.
Students who complete all portions of the CAPE Assessment will earn a ticket to Sneakerball. At the conclusion of testing, eligible students will receive their ticket along with an RSVP form, which families will need to complete so we can plan for the event.
We look forward to celebrating our Sparks and their hard work together! ✨
KINGS DOMINION FIELD TRIP!
We are excited to offer our Grades 5–8 Sparks an end-of-year trip to Kings Dominion on June 5 from 7:30 AM–6:00 PM! Students will meet at the Shaw Campus, where we will travel together by bus to the park for a full day of fun and celebration.
In order for a Spark to receive an invitation to attend, students must complete all portions of the CAPE Assessment and demonstrate our Power Up strategies during testing.
Once your Spark has completed all portions of the CAPE assessment, an RSVP form will be shared so families can confirm participation and help us finalize planning for the trip.
We are excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and dedication with this special experience! 🎢✨
8th GRADE GRADUATION!
We are looking forward to celebrating our 8th grade Sparks as they reach this important milestone! Our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on June 11 from 9:00–11:00 AM at the Shaw Campus. This year’s student-selected theme is “Dream Big, Shine Bright.”
8th Grade Families must complete the Graduation RSVP, additional ticket request, and promotion t-shirt size form by March 30th . Each Spark will receive up to four guest tickets, and additional tickets may be available based on space.
Students will also participate in a mandatory graduation rehearsal on June 8 from 9:00–11:00 AM at the Shaw Campus. Attendance at rehearsal is required in order for students to participate in the ceremony.
We are incredibly proud of our 8th grade Sparks and look forward to recognizing their hard work, growth, and accomplishments as they continue to dream big and shine bright. ✨🎓
GREAT ATTENDANCE EACH MONTH = GROCERIES FOR PARENTS!
Congratulations to Reeaz H. in 11th Grade for winning our March Grocery Show Up, Stock Up! Ms. Maxwell will be reaching out to get your grocery order.
A new month means a new winner! Parents whose children have an attendance rate of 90% or higher will be entered to win $50 of groceries! Our next drawing will be on Friday, May 9, 2026 during advisory!
Parent Corner
Kids Ride Free Cards
Kids Ride Free Cards can now be requested for our new school year. Please use this form to complete your request.
KIDS RIDE FREE CARD REQUEST FORM
Once you have completed the form, please wait to receive confirmation regarding pickup. All cards will be available for pick up at the Shaw Campus.
Additional Supports:
Scheduling for IEP and 504 meetings is currently underway. If you have an upcoming meeting, please watch for an email invitation. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to the following individuals for further support:
SPED (SWIEPS): Manager of Student Success, Candice Davis, (540) 202-1035
504’s: Mental Health Practitioner, Mary Lohoury, (301) 750-3767
SST (attendance): Director of Systems, Caitlin Maxwell, (708)-408-0399
SST (academic): Manager of Student Success, Candice Davis, (540) 202-1035
School Policies Reminders:
Attendance:
If your Spark is going to be absent, please complete the absence form located on our website (www.kippdcinnovate.com).
Website:
We are so excited to have our website to support you with all current information.
Remember some pages are password protected to protect internal information. It enter these pages please type the password:
Innovate2025!
Communication:
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher first.
Important Documents:
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.
