The Children’s Guild Alliance experienced a year like no other in its 67-year history. Our amazing team responded to the COVID-19 crisis with extraordinary compassion, energy, creativity, and commitment. Through these difficult and challenging times, we pulled together and accomplished more than we ever could have imagined.

We invite you to take a moment to read this year’s annual report and celebrate the many ways The Children’s Guild Alliance supported children this year.

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Annual report highlights:

• The heroic efforts of our staff members during the pandemic.
• Our rapid transition to distance learning through the distribution of more than 1,000 Chromebooks so our students could continue learning even though in-person teaching stopped on March 13, 2020.
• The opening of food distribution centers in our schools and the delivery of more than 10,000 pounds of food to our students and their families in Annapolis, Washington, D.C., and the surrounding communities.
• Our launch of teletherapy to provide social and emotional support for 2,550 students and their families in more than 90 schools.
• An agreement with Steve Wozinak’s Woz U and Infosys, the seventh largest tech employer in the U.S., to provide nontraditional apprenticeships as an alternative to college.

This is just a sampling of the milestones achieved in 2019-2020. We could not be more grateful to our students, families, staff, and friends for making this school year a success. Together we are transforming the way America cares for educates its children.

Andrew Ross will step down as president and CEO of The Children’s Guild Alliance on June 30, 2021, after 26 years. The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, serves children, families and child-serving organizations.

When Ross joined The Children’s Guild, the organization had two special needs schools, one group home and a $6 million budget. Today, with a $82 million budget, the organization serves close to 6,000 children through two special needs schools, four charter/contract schools in Anne Arundel County and Washington, D.C., three therapeutic group homes, a treatment foster care program and a behavioral health program that serves students in 90 schools in Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Cecil counties.

Ross was instrumental in the development of TranZed Apprenticeships, the TranZed Academy for Working Students and the Transformation Education Institute that holds national conferences and programs for child-serving professionals throughout the year.

“Among Dr. Ross’ greatest contributions was the introduction of Transformation Education to The Guild and caring for the whole child. Transformation Education puts the needs of the child ahead of the needs of the adult and creates a culture for learning to meet the individualized learning styles of each child in creative, attractive environments,” said Chris Zimmerman, chair of The Children’s Guild Alliance board of directors.

Most recently, Ross launched Kids First, a national campaign to transform the way America cares for and educates its children. Effective July 1, 2021, Ross will become senior advisor to the Kids First campaign, which will work nationally to create the cultural awareness, teacher preparation and political will to put kids first.

Ross said, “Until June 30, I will continue to support the deployment of the new initiatives in The Guild’s strategic plan to include a preschool in College Park and Monarch Academy Annapolis and the expansion of our special education schools to serve more students with autism. I will also continue to support our work on diversity, equity, inclusion and Kids First. In addition, I will be preparing the organization for a seamless transition to a new president and CEO.”

The Children’s Guild Alliance retained Koya Leadership Partners, an executive search firm, to implement a national search for Ross’ replacement. Zimmerman will head the search committee, which will work to hire the new CEO by March 2021.

“It has truly been an honor to have led The Guild over the past 26 years. Life has taught me that this change will result in great opportunity and growth for the organization and for me,” Ross said. 

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many challenges to life as we know it. Our new issue of Transformation highlights how The Children’s Guild Alliance has responded and continues to put kids first during these unprecedented times. We share stories about our staff and how they developed new ways to deliver education, services, and operations. Learn how our educators adapted to distance learning and connected with students and personalize their virtual learning.

 Join us as we reimagine The Kids First Celebration as a virtual event and redirect the funds raised to support our Chromebook campaign. Learn about our new Chromebook initiative established to provide every student with the technology they need to access online learning.

 Of special interest is our recent launch of food distribution centers in Annapolis and Washington, D.C. Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on food insecure communities, we have pivoted our services to ensure the families and communities we serve continue to be fed.

 We invite you to read this issue of Transformation and support and celebrate the very real ways The Children’s Guild Alliance is stepping up during these difficult times to meet the needs of the whole child.

Dear TCGDC Families,

Based upon recommendations from DC Health, to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and families, The Children’s’ Guild DC Public Charter School (TCGDC) will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, August 24, 2020 with distance learning and continue for the first and second quarter through Friday, January 22, 2021.

Distance learning will include instruction five days a week with more live teacher-directed lessons, supplemented by recorded lessons. Small group and individual breakout sessions, delivered by instructional, behavioral, and social-emotional support staff will ensure student growth both academically and behaviorally. We will also be incorporating social-emotional learning strategies in the classroom environment to support students during distance learning. Related services will continue to be delivered through teletherapy. Students with disabilities will receive all special education services agreed upon in their Continuity of Learning Plans.

Depending on health conditions and guidance from DC Health, TCGDC will offer families the option to remain with full-time distance learning or begin delivering hybrid instruction with two days of in-person learning and three days of distance learning as soon as the DC Health advises that is safe to do so. If you would prefer this option, when it becomes available, please notify Mrs. Carter at carterf@childrensguild.org.

Technology Access

We want to ensure all students have the necessary technology devices to access the instructional program and the Internet capacity needed during distance learning. We will be distributing Chromebooks, internet hotspots, and/or headphones for our students who need them prior to the start of the school year. More information on distribution will be sent out in future communications.

Meal Access

If you are having difficulty accessing meals for your children, please email, meals@childrensguild.org. Information on meals for the upcoming school year will be announced soon.

This summer, children’s meals are available at locations throughout the city. There is also grocery distribution for all families at select locations. View the list of locations and service times at: coronavirus.dc.gov/food

Communications

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing a comprehensive video with our families to prepare for the start of the school year and hosting a virtual town hall on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Information will be emailed to families with the time and the link. 

Thank you for your vigilance, understanding, and patience while we continue to navigate these difficult times. We will provide regular updates as more information is made available about our 2020-2021 school year plans. We appreciate your feedback, guidance, and support during this time. As we continue to provide our students with the safest platform for instruction and grow our platform for family support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at bdaniels@childrensguild.org or Dr. Jackson at jacksonta@childrensguild.org.

Sincerely,
Bryan Daniels, Principal
bdaniels@childrensguild.org
202.774.5442 x 3288