Welcome to another exciting week, families!
First and foremost, I want to take a moment to celebrate our incredible Sparks for achieving a 100% completion rate on both the ELA and Math CAPE assessments! This is an amazing accomplishment and a true reflection of the commitment, perseverance, and hard work our students demonstrated throughout the testing process.
With just one section remaining, our 5th and 8th grade students will close out CAPE testing on Tuesday with their Science assessment, and we know they are going to bring it home for us! These assessments are long, mentally demanding, and require sustained focus, but our Sparks powered through with determination and resilience. We are so proud of the effort they put forth and cannot wait to see how they have leveled up academically this year.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, we are also looking ahead to finishing Quarter 4 strong. We are officially in the home stretch of the school year, and every assignment, grade, and learning opportunity matters. If you have not checked in with your Spark recently regarding their grades, missing assignments, or next steps, now is the time. Our teachers and staff are committed to supporting students through the finish line, and we want to ensure every Spark ends the year feeling successful, confident, and proud of their growth.
We also have so many exciting events and celebrations ahead as we close out the year together! As part of that planning, I want to draw your attention to an important update regarding our field trip permission slip process. Moving forward, all field trip permission slips will be completed through JotForm. Families must complete the electronic form in order to secure their child’s spot on the trip. This adjustment helps us ensure that permission slips are being completed directly by parents/guardians and that we are receiving accurate and signed documentation in a timely manner.
Of most important note, we did need to make a change to our upcoming Level 99 field trip location. Due to an unexpected issue finalizing the original contract, the trip location has been changed to Main Event. Updated emails, permission slips, and trip information have already been sent to eligible families. If your Spark was originally invited to attend, please make sure to check your email carefully for all updated details. While the location has changed, we are still incredibly excited for students to enjoy a fun-filled experience celebrating their hard work and accomplishments this year.
Lastly, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, aunts, and incredible women in our community who supported and celebrated their families this Mother’s Day weekend. We hope you felt appreciated, loved, and celebrated for all that you do for our Sparks each and every day.
There is so much to celebrate right now, and we are incredibly proud of the growth, determination, and joy our Sparks continue to show each day. Thank you for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support as we finish this school year stronger than ever.
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:
May 12, 2026- Grades ⅝ CAPE In-Person Testing (Science)
May 15, 2026- Sneakerball (5:00-7:00) Shaw Campus
I-READY EOY ELA TESTING: May 18, 2026 - May 21, 2026
May 22, 2026- Level 99 Field Trip (CAPE and Sparks Points Incentive Trip)
May 25, 2026-School Closed
I-READY EOY MATH TESTING: May 26, 2026 - May 29, 2026
EOY DIBELS BENCHMARKING: May 26, 2026 - May 29, 2026
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- Spark-a-Palooza: End of Year Celebration Bundy Field
Jun 11, 2026- Laptop Return at Shaw Campus/Bundy Field
CAPE Testing - IN PERSON!
We are in our FINAL week of testing! One day left to go!! Our 5th/8th Graders will be completing their Science CAPE assessment on May 12th. Lets Do this!
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 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!
Spark Shoutouts!!
Congratulations to our 6th and 7th Grade students for receiving 100% attendance for CAPE Testing! That is absolutely amazing and we are so grateful to all of our Sparks Parents for partnering with us to make this happen!
Shout out to our 5th Grade Sparks who started their final unit in Fish Tank off strong this week. They fully engaged and worked hard to complete all of their Amira minutes!
Shout out to our 8th Grade Sparks who did a great job on their projects this week! They wrote really powerful poems and made very creative collages!
Shout out to Heaven L. (Grade 6) for making huge improvements and growth in Math during quarter 4! Keep up the good work!APRIL ACCOUNTABILITY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
MAY CORE VALUE OF THE MONTH: RESPECT
At Innovate, we believe respect means recognizing the value in yourself and others through your words, actions, and attitude. Respect builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates a positive learning environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
What Respect Looks Like:
Listening actively when others are speaking.
Using kind and professional language in class chats and discussions.
Taking care of your learning space and materials.
Honoring teachers’ directions and peers’ ideas, even when you disagree.
What Respect Sounds Like:
“I appreciate your perspective—here’s what I think.”
“Thank you for helping me understand that better.”
“I’ll wait my turn to share.”
“Let’s encourage each other to do our best.”
When we practice respect, we strengthen our community. We show others that we care, we value differences, and we are committed to making Innovate a place where everyone belongs and thrives.
Community Events and Activities
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: New Location
Due to an unexpected issue with finalizing the contract, we are no longer able to move forward with our original plans. While we understand this change may be disappointing, we are excited to share that we have secured an alternative experience that we believe our Sparks will truly enjoy. We are excited to announce that on MAY 22, 2026, KIPP DC: INNOVATE will be going on a trip to the MAIN EVENT: 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy Ste 2520 Columbia, MD 21044
Students who earned the Piranha Level on their Power Up to Level Up CAPE Challenge will now be attending Main Event in Columbia, MD for a fun-filled and engaging field trip experience. This venue offers a wide variety of arcade games and interactive activities, giving students the opportunity to celebrate, connect with their peers, and enjoy a well-deserved day of fun. In addition, food will be provided for all students, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. We are confident that this updated trip will still provide a memorable and exciting opportunity for our students to unwind, celebrate their hard work, and build community together. Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as we work to create meaningful experiences for our Sparks.
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!
June 11th, 12th, AND 15th: Laptop Return
LAPTOP AND TECHNOLOGY RETURN!
On June 11th, we will host our Spark-a-Palooza, where we will have a designated table for Chromebook and hotspot return.
As we continue communicating expectations for the close of the school year, please note that students must return all school-issued electronics in order to receive their report cards and transcripts. Additionally, students who do not return their devices may be issued a fine and will not receive a new Chromebook at the start of the upcoming school year.
Students will have three opportunities to return their devices:
June 11th: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
June 12th: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
June 15th: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
To ensure continuity of instruction, students have already been provided with instructional packets to support continued learning after device return. For attendance purposes on June 11th and June 12th, teachers will contact students by phone to check in and confirm completion of their assignments. Students who complete their packets and participate in the check-in will be marked present for the day.
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 Thursday, June 4th 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.
