Happy Monday Innovate Families!
We have an exciting week ahead and so much to look forward to as we continue finishing our school year strong!
This week, our 5th and 8th grade Sparks will take their CAPE assessments. They have worked incredibly hard all year building their skills, practicing strategies, and preparing for this moment. We are confident that they are ready. Our students will lean on what they’ve learned, stay focused, and show their growth. They have truly done everything they can to power up to level up, and we are so proud of them.
Students in grades 5 and 8 will report to Signal House on Wednesday, April 29th at 8:15 AM for testing. Please be on the lookout for reminder emails that will support families with this temporary shift in schedule.
Our 6th and 7th grade students will continue their preparation this week through full, live instruction Monday through Friday. It is important that they log on each day by 8:30 AM, ready to engage and continue building toward their own level-up moment.
We are also excited to share that our Power Up to Level Up challenge is coming to an end! 🎮✨ Student levels and prizes will be announced during Virtual Vibes tomorrow morning, Tuesday, April 28th. We cannot wait to celebrate all of the effort and achievements of our Sparks.
Families of students who earned Level 99 should be on the lookout for invitations and permission slips, which will be sent out soon. This is a celebration your Spark will not want to miss!
And the excitement continues…our $50 prize drawings and wheel spins will take place during Virtual Vibes on Friday, May 1st.
There are so many wonderful moments ahead as we close out the year, and we are grateful for your continued partnership in supporting your Spark every step of the way.
Let’s keep the momentum going, finish strong, stay focused, and keep leveling up!
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 27, 2026- Power Up for CAPE ends
Apr 29, 2026 - Apr 30, 2026- May
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
May 26, 2026 - May 29, 2026 I-READY EOY MATH AND DIBELS TESTING
Jun 5, 2026- Kings Dominion Trip
Jun 8, 2026- 8th Grade Graduation Dress Rehearsal
Jun 10, 2026- SLC Conferences
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.
Enrollment
Re-enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is open, and we have two raffles coming up that you do not want to miss! On May 8, we will raffle off a 55-inch TV (or an electronic of equivalent value). On May 15, we will raffle off a dinner for your family.
Any KIPP DC family who is fully enrolled by each of those dates is automatically entered into that day's drawing. Re-enrollment closes June 1, and the review process takes several days on our end. Finishing early is the best way to be eligible for both raffles. If you have not started yet, please log in and complete the form. If you started but did not submit, please go back and finish. Hurry up and get enrolled!
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Maxwell directly.
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
Shout out to Heaven H. for the use of 4-square everyday in ELA during Performance Training.
Shout out to the following Coding Rockstars:
Robert B.
Lennox H.
Tristan F.
Lila A.
Isa S.
Asyria S.
Keep up the wonderful Coding work!!
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 fourth 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! ✨
Level 99 Field Trip!
Get ready, Sparks! 🎉 We’re celebrating your hard work with an exciting Level 99 Field Trip on May 22!
This trip is for students who reached Piranha level during Power Up for CAPE by earning 45 coins OR MORE in March and April and completing all parts of the CAPE assessment. If you qualified, keep an eye out, your official invitation will be emailed to you and your family on May 15!
You’ll travel by bus from the Shaw Campus to Level 99, an amazing experience filled with real-life games, cool technology, and interactive challenges unlike anything else around.
Keep pushing, stay focused, and let’s finish strong. Level 99 is waiting for you!
KINGS DOMINION FIELD TRIP!
We are excited to offer our Grades 5–12 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 in Grades 5-8 to receive an invitation, they must complete all portions of the CAPE Assessment and demonstrate our Power Up strategies during testing. In order for a Spark in High school they must complete all portions of the CAPE Assessment (if they are in grades 9 and 10 ) and must have all courses complete.
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.”
All tickets will be passed out on May 1st at the conclusion of CAPE Testing.
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. ✨🎓
Get ready for SPARK-A-PALOOZA: Celebrating Our Brightest Sparks! 🎉✨
Join us on Thursday, June 11 from 1:00–3:00 PM at Bundy Field for an unforgettable end-of-year celebration! Families and Sparks will enjoy carnival games, a video game truck, cookout favorites, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, an ice cream truck, interactive activities, a live DJ, and so much more. We can’t wait to come together as a community to celebrate an incredible year of growth, achievement, and joy!
GREAT ATTENDANCE EACH MONTH = GROCERIES FOR PARENTS!
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.
