Hello Innovate Families,
As we continue celebrating Black History Month, I want to highlight another remarkable change maker: Katherine Johnson.
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA’s early space missions. At a time when both racial and gender barriers limited opportunities for Black women, she persevered, and her work quite literally helped launch astronauts into space and bring them safely home. Her precise calculations were so trusted that astronaut John Glenn personally requested she verify the computer data before his orbit around Earth.
Katherine Johnson’s legacy reminds us that excellence, preparation, and determination can break barriers. She didn’t seek the spotlight, she simply mastered her craft and let her brilliance speak for itself. That same commitment to consistent effort and high standards is what we encourage in our students every day.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, this season also reminds us to lead with kindness, gratitude, and appreciation. A small act of encouragement can go a long way — whether it’s a positive word to a classmate, a thank you to a teacher, or extra support at home. Love and learning go hand in hand.
A quick reminder that students do not have school this Friday due to our Staff Professional Development Day. Our team will be engaged in learning and collaboration to continue strengthening instruction and student supports.
Additionally, our Level Up, Lace Up incentive is officially underway! We currently have a small group of middle school students in contention — and we are proud of their focus and consistency. However, we want to see every student in the running. Meeting our goals for attendance, I-Ready minutes, and Amira lessons is essential for academic growth. These daily commitments build the foundation for long-term success.
Families, let’s partner together and encourage our students to show up, log in, complete their lessons, and stay committed to their goals.
Innovate — let’s get after it! 💪🏽
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:
Feb 2, 2026- Level up, Lace Up! School Incentive starts!
Feb 3, 2026- Grades 5-6 Field Trip to Lego Discovery Center
Feb 5, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026- Midway Progress Check-In
Feb 10, 2026- Feb 11, 2026- DIBELS YELLOW and RED PM
Feb 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026- PD: Schools Closed for Students
Feb 16, 2026- Presidents Day: Schools Closed
Feb 20, 2026- Fun Land Permission Slip Due
Feb 25, 2026 - Feb 26, 2026- DIBELS Red PM
Feb 26, 2026- Grades ⅚ Rescheduled Trip to Lego Discovery Center
Feb 27, 2026- Grades 7-12 Rescheduled Trip to DC History Center
Mar 4, 2026- Quarter 3 Ends
Mar 6, 2026- Funland Quarter 3 Community Trip
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
Spark Shoutouts!!
Shout out to Rita Branham for mastering an IXL math skill the same day she started working on it!
Shout out to Heaven Taylor for her commitment to wanting others to feel valued and for starting a friendship alliance for her peers.
Shout out to Shagion Walters for the confidence he showed in classes this week and for demonstrating increased engagement.
FEBRUARY VALUE OF THE MONTH: SELF ADVOCACY
At Innovate, we believe Self-Advocacy means knowing your needs, using your voice, and taking ownership of your learning and experiences. Self-Advocacy is about speaking up respectfully, asking questions, and seeking solutions so that you can succeed. When we advocate for ourselves, we show independence, confidence, and responsibility in both our communication and our actions.
What Self-Advocacy Looks Like:
Asking questions when something is unclear or you need more support.
Communicating with teachers about assignments, deadlines, or challenges.
Taking initiative to find resources or tools to help you learn.
Requesting feedback to improve your work or understanding.
Setting personal goals and tracking your progress toward them.
What Self-Advocacy Sounds Like:
“I don’t understand this yet—can you explain it another way?”
“Can we meet to go over my work together?”
“I need more time or support to complete this assignment.”
“I found this strategy works well for me—can I use it?”
When we embrace self-advocacy, we become active participants in our own learning. We learn that our voices matter and that we have the power to ask for what we need. By practicing self-advocacy every day, we build confidence, strengthen our independence, and create a learning environment where all Innovate scholars can reach their fullest potential.
Community Events and Activities
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
Level Up, Lace Up: Win Custom Nike Shoes
Throughout Quarter 3, students in Grades ⅚ and ⅞ who hit their weekly goals, completing 3 i-Ready lessons, logging 45 Amira minutes, and maintaining 90% attendance, will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of custom Nikes!
For High School students, eligibility is earned by being on track or ahead in all coursework and maintaining an attendance rate of 90% or higher throughout Quarter 3.
One winner will be selected from each grade band: Grades 5–6, Grades 7–8, and High School.
Check the pace, stay on track—earn those laces!
Show up. Put in the work. Earn your shot at custom kicks! Here are the students who are on track to being entered on the big wheel!
DC History Center Field Trip: RESCHEDULED!
Students in grades 7–12 will attend a rescheduled field trip to the DC History Center on Thursday, February 27th, from 10:00 AM–2:30 PM. Updated permission slips are required and must be submitted by February 13th. Families impacted by the date change should reach out directly. A follow-up communication with logistics and chaperone information will be sent on Tuesday, February 24th.
DC HISTORY CENTER FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIP
Lego Discovery Center Field Trip: RESCHEDULED!
Our Grades 5–6 students will be visiting the LEGO Discovery Center on Thursday, February 26th, from 9:15 AM–12:30 PM. Permission slips have been updated to reflect the new date. All permission slips are due by February 13th. Families who were unable to attend the original date but can participate now are encouraged to complete the permission slip. Additional details regarding logistics and chaperones will be shared on Tuesday, February 24th.
COMMUNITY FIELD TRIP TO FUNLAND!
We are excited to invite Innovate families to our Funland Community Field Trip on Friday, March 6, 2026, for students in grades 5–12! This special day is all about connection, community, and fun.
Families may choose to meet us at the Shaw Campus and ride the bus together or meet us directly at Funland in Centreville, VA. One parent or guardian is welcome to attend with each student. Lunch will be provided for students at no cost, and students may bring additional money for snacks if they choose.
Please be sure to complete the permission form by February 20, 2026. Important reminders and arrival/dismissal details are included in the form.
We look forward to spending this fun-filled day together and continuing to build strong partnerships with our Innovate families!n make all the difference.
Parent Corner
Snow Days Moving Forward:
As a reminder:
If KIPP DC calls for in-person school buildings to be closed with an asynchronous learning day, Innovate will follow a modified schedule which will be shared on Google Classroom
If KIPP DC calls for a 2-hour delay, Innovate will follow our 2-hour delay schedule, which begins at 10:30.
These procedures will allow us to maintain clarity and consistency for our students and families.
Clubs
As a reminder, Clubs and Homework Help are required parts of the day at Innovate Virtual Academy. Attendance is taken for both. These components ensure students receive the academic support they may need while also engaging in extracurricular activities for a well-rounded educational experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
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.
