Dear Innovate Families,
We are thrilled to kick off a new quarter filled with opportunities for growth and achievement. As we begin this next phase of the school year, it’s a perfect time for our Sparks to reflect on their progress and set new goals for success.
This week, students will lead their Student-Led Conferences (SLCs), where they will share their grades and academic progress with you. SLCs are a vital part of empowering our Sparks to take ownership of their learning and develop the skills to advocate for themselves. Additionally, we will be sending out letters regarding any core course failures to ensure families have the information and resources needed to make academic changes and support their child’s movement toward grade-level mastery.
With the start of Quarter 3, students will continue their coursework in French, and we are excited to share that they will now also receive instruction in Health. This expansion of our curriculum allows our Sparks to grow academically, socially, and personally as they explore topics related to wellness, healthy decision-making, and lifelong learning.
Quarter 3 will move quickly, and we want to ensure all of our Sparks start strong and maintain that momentum. This is a critical time for building on the progress they’ve made so far this year. We encourage families to stay connected with teachers and use resources such as office hours to address questions or concerns early.
We are also excited to announce an attendance incentive challenge for this quarter! Attendance plays a crucial role in academic success, and we want to celebrate the commitment of our students and families. Stay tuned for more details about the challenge and the incentives we have planned. Together, we can make meaningful gains in both attendance and academics this quarter.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let’s make this quarter a successful and rewarding one for all of our Sparks. Here’s to a fantastic week and an even stronger start to Quarter 3!
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:
Jan 15, 2026 - Jan 16, 2026- SLC Conferences
Jan 19, 2026- MLK Day: Schools Closed
Jan 20, 2026- Quarter 3 Clubs Begin
Jan 23, 2026
Jan 27, 2026- Reading ANET
Jan 28, 2026 - Jan 29, 2026 - Math ANET
Jan 29, 2026- DIBELS Red PM
Jan 30, 2026- Grades 7-12 Field Trip to the DC History Center
Feb 3, 2026- Grades 5-6 Field Trip to Lego Discovery Center
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
MOY GOAL REACHERS!!
Congratulations to the following students for reaching ALL of their MOY Goals! Each of our winners received an Innovate Beanie Hat!
QUARTER 2 AWARDS:
We are so excited to celebrate our Sparks who received various awards throughout Quarter 2 for demonstrating excellence in their academics, attendance, and character. Awards for Quarter 2 will be shared Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 during Advisory. Our presentation will also be shared in our next bulletin. Keep up the great work, Sparks!
JANUARY VALUE OF THE MONTH:
At Innovate, we believe Service means contributing to our community, supporting those around us, and using our skills to make a positive impact. Service is about taking action—big or small—to help others succeed and to strengthen our learning community. When we serve, we show responsibility, compassion, and leadership in both our words and actions.
What Service Looks Like:
Offering help to classmates during lessons or group work.
Participating actively and positively to support the learning of others.
Completing responsibilities on time so the community can function smoothly.
Using your strengths and talents to uplift classmates and teachers.
Showing kindness, patience, and respect in all virtual interactions.
What Service Sounds Like:
“How can I help you?”
“Let’s work through this together.”
“Thank you for helping me—I appreciate it.”
“I noticed you needed support, so I stepped in.”
When we embrace service, we become stronger classmates and leaders. We learn that our actions matter and that helping others helps our entire community grow. By practicing service every day, we create a supportive, caring, and inclusive Innovate community where everyone can thrive.
Community Events and Activities
Grades 7-12 Go to the DC History Center!
We are excited to share that our 7th–12th grade students have been invited to attend a special field trip to the DC History Center on Friday, January 30, 2026! During this experience, students will explore the history of civic engagement in Washington, learn about local changemakers, and make meaningful connections between their community and what they are learning in school.
Please note that this trip is ONLY for students in Grades 7–12. Permission slips are due January 23rd, and all trip details can be found in the linked permission slip below:
GRADES 7-12 GO TO THE DC HISTORY CENTER PERMISSION SLIP
Grades 5-6 Go to Lego Discovery Center!
We’re thrilled to announce that our 5th–6th grade students are going on a field trip to the Lego Discovery Center in Springfield, VA on Tuesday, February 3, 2026! Students will meet staff at the Shaw Campus at 9:15 AM, return at 12:30 PM, and lunch will be provided at no cost. This trip is a fun opportunity for our Sparks to explore creativity, engineering, and play-based learning. Please be sure to complete the permission slip no later than Friday, January 23, 2026. More details can be found in the permission form linked below:
Grades 5-6 GO TO LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER PERMISSION SLIP
GREAT ATTENDANCE EACH MONTH = GROCERIES FOR PARENTS!
Parents whose children have an attendance rate of 90% or higher will be entered MONTHLY to win $50 of groceries! Monthly drawings will start at the end of February and carry through Quarter 3
Parent Corner
MOY TESTING!
We are super proud of our Sparks and their many accomplishments. Please see how we have progressed towards our schoolwide goals.
We want to congratulate the following Sparks who hit ALL THREE of their MOY goals and growth. We are so very proud of you. Each of the following Sparks received an Innovate Sparks Beanie!
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.
