Hello Innovate Families,
As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, I want to recognize another extraordinary leader, Malala Yousafzai. Malala became a global advocate for girls’ education after bravely standing up for her right and the right of all girls to attend school. Even after surviving a life-threatening attack, she continued her advocacy, becoming the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Her courage reminds us that one voice, when rooted in conviction and purpose, can truly change the world. At Innovate, we strive to empower our Sparks to use their voices, pursue their goals, and lead with confidence, just like Malala.
This week is an important one for our students and families.
On March 12th, students will be presenting their Student-Led Conference (SLC) projects and goal/grade presentations. These presentations are an opportunity for students to reflect on their growth, take ownership of their progress, and share their goals for the final quarter. If you have not yet received a scheduled time for your child’s presentation, please reach out directly to their advisory teacher as soon as possible.
We are also excited to celebrate our Level Up + Lace Up incentive winners! Scroll down in this bulletin to see which Sparks earned this recognition. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, consistency, and excellence they demonstrated.
Looking ahead, our first in-person testing begins soon.
March 18th — Grades 5 and 8
March 19th — Grades 6 and 7
It is imperative that your child is present on their assigned testing day so they understand expectations and feel fully prepared for CAPE. Attendance and readiness are key to student success.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to helping our Sparks grow, achieve, and lead. Let’s have a focused and successful week ahead!
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:
Mar 11, 2026- SAT for 11th Grade
Mar 11, 2026- 8th Grade Signs of Suicide
Mar 11, 2026- Quarter 3 Awards Assembly during Advisory
Mar 12, 2026- Student-Led Conferences (School Closed)
Mar 13, 2026- Schools Closed
Mar 16, 2026- Power Up for Cape Incentive Begins (details will be shared)
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 19, 2026 ANET TESTING
Mar 18, 2026- Grades ⅝ ANET Testing In-Person
Mar 19, 2026- Grades 6/7 ANET Testing In-Person
Mar 20, 2026- Movie Incentive: Hidden Figures
Mar 23, 2026- Quarter 4 Clubs Start up
Mar 30, 2026- Graduation Ticket Request and T-Shirt Form Due
Planning ahead with more details to come!
Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 17, 2026 SPRING BREAK
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
Sparks Shine, All the Time!
MARCH VALUE OF THE MONTH: PERSEVERANCE
At Innovate, we believe Perseverance means continuing to try even when things feel challenging, staying committed to your goals, and learning from mistakes along the way. Perseverance is about showing determination, resilience, and a growth mindset — understanding that success often comes from effort, patience, and not giving up.
When we practice perseverance, we build confidence in our ability to overcome obstacles and develop the skills needed to tackle challenges both in school and beyond.
What Perseverance Looks Like:
Sticking with a task even when it feels difficult.
Trying new strategies when the first attempt doesn’t work.
Completing assignments and responsibilities with effort and care.
Learning from mistakes and using feedback to improve.
Staying focused on goals despite setbacks or frustrations.
What Perseverance Sounds Like:
“This is hard, but I’m going to keep trying.”
“I didn’t get it yet — I’ll try a different way.”
“Can you help me understand so I can improve?”
“I’m proud of the progress I’m making.”
When we embrace perseverance, we learn that challenges are opportunities to grow. By continuing to push forward, supporting one another, and believing in our ability to improve, we create a community where all Innovate scholars can achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential.
Community Events and Activities
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, April 3, 2026.
POWER UP CAPE TESTING! ⭐
We are excited to announce our upcoming Power Up CAPE Testing Incentive! Students will have the opportunity to earn rewards and recognition for their effort, focus, and progress toward standards mastery and growth on the CAPE assessments. This incentive celebrates both hard work and dedication to academic growth.
More details will be shared on our launch day, Monday, March 16, so be on the lookout for all the exciting ways your student can participate. Let’s Power Up and make this testing season a positive and rewarding experience!
Level Up, Lace Up: Win Custom Nike Shoes
Congratulations to Our Level Up + Lace Up Winners!
Grades ⅚: Milan B.
Grades ⅞: Zaakiyah U.
High School: Eryn Q.
Mrs. Casagrande will meet with each of you this week to design and order your custom kicks! Congratulations!
8th GRADE GRADUATION!
We are excited to celebrate our 8th grade students as they reach this important milestone! Our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 11th from 9:00–11:00 AM. This year’s student-selected theme is “Dream Big, Shine Bright”, with elegant gold and black decorations. Students are encouraged to dress in business casual or dressy attire for this special occasion.
Families are asked to complete all required forms by March 30, 2026. This includes the Graduation RSVP and the promotion t-shirt request with size selection. The t-shirt will serve as a commemorative keepsake, and students will have the opportunity to have their shirts signed by classmates and staff. Completing these forms on time ensures we can finalize event planning and order all items correctly.
Graduation Additional Ticket Request
Graduation T-Shirt Size Request
We look forward to celebrating our amazing 8th graders and sharing this memorable day with families!
Parent Corner
SLC: March 12th!
Our Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) will take place on March 12. These conferences are an important part of our school community and attendance is mandatory for all students and families.
During the conference, students will lead the conversation by sharing their academic progress, reflecting on their growth, and discussing goals for the remainder of the school year. This is a valuable opportunity for families to hear directly from their child about their learning and celebrate their accomplishments.
All conferences should already be scheduled with your child’s advisory teacher. If you are unsure of your scheduled time, please reach out to your student’s advisory teacher as soon as possible. We look forward to partnering with you and your students for these meaningful conversations!
ANET 3 Testing Schedule
Grades 5 & 8
March 18 — Section 1 (ELA & Math): IN PERSON at Signal House
March 19 — Section 2 (ELA & Math): VIRTUAL
Grades 6 & 7
March 18 — Section 1 (ELA & Math): VIRTUAL
March 19 — Section 2 (ELA & Math): IN PERSON at Signal House
Important Note for Grades 6 & 7
We understand this is a change from our original plan. Because all testing must be completed by the end of the week, this schedule allows students to complete their assessments in a timely way and be fully prepared.
Our team will be supporting students with reminders and outreach to ensure they are online and ready for their virtual testing so that their in-person session runs smoothly.
We hosted a parent information session on March 3rd. If you were unable to attend, we have linked a recording below for you to review and listen to at your convenience!
Parent ANET Testing Information One Pager
CAPE
We hosted a parent information session on March 3rd. If you were unable to attend, we have linked a recording for you to review and listen to at your convenience!
Clubs
This week for Clubs, our Sparks are completing their SLC projects and slides. Quarter 4 Clubs will resume March 23, 2026 due to in person testing.
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.
