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Three New Board Members Selected

Three New Board Members Selected

The Children’s Guild (TCG) DC Public Charter School has recently appointed three new members to their School Board.  Mark Lerner, Cassandra Blassingame and Jessica Rios join Robert Seabrooks, Board Chair, Michael Curran, Mayra D. Figueroa-Clark, Jason Henderson, Yolanda Lusane, Charles W. McNeill, Jr., Angelo Wong and Parent Representative Cleo Green on the board.   The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School is a unique and free DC public charter school serving grades K-8 which offers personalized supportive educational services, safe transportation hubs around the city, a nurturing and engaging learning environment and a true sense of community.

“Cassandra, Mark and Jessica each bring years of valuable experience to our school board, and we look forward to working with them on delivering our educational services to the DC community,” said Robert Seabrooks, Chair TCG DC Public Charter Schools board.  “Our school board is committed to the strategic direction and mission of TCG DC which is to prepare students with disabilities and general education students for college, career readiness, and citizenship in their community by developing in them critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, self-discipline and a commitment to serve a cause larger than themselves.”  The three new board members are:

Casandra Blassingame is CEO of the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training in Sterling, VA.  As CEO, Blassingame provides leadership for this international standard developing organization that serves the continuing education and training industry. She oversees the standards development process, daily operations and administration. She is responsible for strategic plan execution, operating budget development, profit & loss, partnerships, business strategies, contracts, and business agreements. Blassingame also monitors education regulations and legislation, and provides leadership organization wide with direct reporting to the Board of Directors.

Jessica Rios, a former middle school teacher at DC Prep, is a professional, caring, organized teacher with 15 years’ experience in teaching multiple grades and adults.  Her dedication is to provide students with appropriate learning activities and adventures designed to fulfill their potential for emotional, intellectual, social and physical growth.  She developed a comprehensive curriculum for a 2-12 English Language Arts/Literacy program and integrated data from system-wide testing programs to better instruct students.

Mark Lerner, R.T. is a healthcare recruiter for PSI Recruiters and has been actively involved in Washington  , D.C.’s charter school movement and the issues surrounding school choice for over 20 years as a tutor, board of directors’ member, and board chair.  Mark has been writing about charter schools in the nation’s capital since 2009.  Mark’s blog Parents Have School Choice Kids Win focuses on education reform in the nation’s capital.  “I recently visited The Children’s Guild to write about them for my blog, and literally had tears in my eyes at their story, that is when I knew I needed to get more involved in this organization.”  Mark writes:

The school’s mission is to “use the philosophy of Transformation Education to prepare special needs and general education students for college, career readiness, and citizenship in their community by developing their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, self-discipline and a commitment to serve a cause larger than themselves.”  Mr. Daniels offered that this is accomplished by providing both an inclusionary model in a general education setting and through self-contained classrooms led by teachers with the support of dedicated aides.  “Our aim with the self-contained setting is to be much more therapeutic and allow these students to attend school with their siblings who may not require the same level of instruction,” Mr. Daniels said.  “The goal is to transition the self-contained students to a less separated environment.”

When I asked how the school can manage students with such variations in learning ability, most with their own Individualized Education Plan, the two leaders simultaneously looked me in the eyes with smiles on their faces and practically recited in unison, “at the Children’s Guild we are here to make the impossible, possible.”

This is probably when tears started flowing down my face.  

 

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School is part of The Children’s Guild’s schools and programs which respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.  For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
The Children’s Guild Releases 2021 Annual Report

The Children’s Guild Releases 2021 Annual Report

The firsts we achieved, the service we undertook, the recognition we earned, and the funds we raised to better serve communities made 2021 a year to remember for The Children’s Guild. Join us to reflect on an inspiring year by checking out our 2021 Annual Report.

The new look and feel of the Annual Report helps to better demonstrate the exciting things happening in The Children’s Guild. The successes we experienced in 2021 are celebrated by our participating families and communities, and our talented and highly trained staff across all our schools and programs. And they’re made possible by the generous support from our donors and board of directors.

This presentation shares some of the amazing stories from 2021, including the opening of Transformation Academy, the expanded services offered by many of our schools and programs, The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus’ success in statewide competition, and many other stories. Also included in this report is an overview of our 2021 financials.

During this past year, we have grown and expanded our influence and impact. The Children’s Guild will continue to provide individualized transformational experiences that help ensure children, families, and their communities thrive. 2021 put us a step closer to achieving our vision: generations of curious and courageous children, healthy families, and thriving communities. The impact that The Children’s Guild made in 2021 will continue to move us to do big things for those we serve in 2022.

Experience the 2021 Annual Report presentation today!

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, which uses a whole child teaching approach, to participate this week’s EdFest

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, which uses a whole child teaching approach, to participate this week’s EdFest

Registration Now Open for Virtual Event Taking Place on Saturday, December 11

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School (TCG DC), a free DC public charter K-8 school which meets the needs of all types of learners, and guided by a Transformation Education philosophy supporting the whole child, will be participating in the Virtual EdFEST21.  This online event is DC’s annual public school fair, where families can learn about the public school lottery, is taking place on Saturday, December 11 from 10 am – 1 pm.  Families are invited to register for the event, for free, and make plans to visit TCG DC’s virtual booth to learn how the school uses a Transformation Education philosophy to educate the whole child, with a focus on special education.

“All students at TCG DC -The Children’s Guild receive the personal attention and support they need to be successful in school by having access to special education resources and a caring teaching staff to see them through,” explained School Principal Bryan Daniels.  “At The Children’s Guild, we provide a safe and reassuring learning environment that promotes personal accountability, academic achievement, and a true sense of community. We have transportation hubs around the city to get children safely to school each day.”

“TCG DC is great!  I needed a family friendly environment for my son to learn and feel nurtured and this school provides the best education and lifelong memories that has helped him to grow into a young man. Now he’s in honors courses! I couldn’t be prouder of him and the place we will forever call home at TCG DC,” Katrena Nash, DCPCS graduate parent.

To meet with TCG DC school representatives and explore more about their whole child teaching approach and how to get a child enrolled, register for EdFEST (virtual event). Families who need support registering for the event or navigating the lottery process are encouraged to call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The DC Public Charter School is a program of The Children’s Guild.  Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, The Janet and Frank Kelly Autism Center, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Outpatient Mental Health Center, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.  For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

 

The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Kids First Celebration honors Dr. Andrew L. Ross

The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Kids First Celebration honors Dr. Andrew L. Ross

The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations in Maryland and Washington, D.C., will hold its 2021 Kids First Celebration, an evening honoring Dr. Andrew L. Ross, senior advisor and former president and CEO. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

At the event, The Children’s Guild Alliance will present the 2021 Sadie Award to Ross for his 26 years of visionary leadership of The Children’s Guild Alliance and lifetime dedication to putting kids first and transforming the way America cares for and educates its children. The Sadie Award recognizes people who embody the organization’s spirit and vision of making the seemingly impossible possible.

Dr. Andrew L. Ross became president and CEO of The Children’s Guild in 1995. When Ross joined The Children’s Guild, the organization had two special education schools, one group home and a $6 million budget. Today, with over an $80 million budget, the organization serves close to 6,000 children through two special education schools, four charter/contract schools, three therapeutic group homes, a treatment foster care program and a behavioral health program that serves students in 90 schools throughout Maryland.

Ross was instrumental in developing TranZed Apprenticeships, returning preschool programming to The Children’s Guild Alliance and creating Transformation Education, which puts the needs of the child ahead of the needs of the adult and creates a culture of learning to meet the individualized learning styles of each child using brain-based learning methods.

For more information and sponsorships or tickets to The Kids First Celebration, visit KidsFirstAmerica.org.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Holds Virtual Hiring Fairs For Educators and Clinicians

The Children’s Guild Alliance Holds Virtual Hiring Fairs For Educators and Clinicians

The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., will conduct three virtual hiring fairs from March 24-26, 2021 for child-serving professionals seeking positions as teachers, teacher assistants, clinicians, school social workers and instructional and behavior coaches.

The hiring fairs will take place on three consecutive days:

  • Wednesday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET – Education Week K-12 Virtual Career Fair featuring The Children’s Guild Alliance
  • Friday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET

The Children’s Guild Alliance consists of more than 500 professionals in special education schools, charter and contract schools, clinic and school-based mental health services, therapeutic group homes and other programs. The organization serves thousands of youths, young adults and their families and works to transform how America cares for and educates its children.

To learn more and register for a virtual hiring fair, visit ChildrensGuild.org/join-our-team.

The Children’s Guild Alliance Featured on WJZ

The Children’s Guild Alliance Featured on WJZ

Baltimore’s WJZ featured on their evening news on March 3, 2021, “Children’s Guild Works To Provide Students With Unique Ways To Learn, Boost Success In The Classroom,” with interviews from Jenny Livelli, incoming President and CEO;  Julie Hummer, The Children’s Guild Alliance Board member, who is the parent of an 8th grader at Monarch Academy Global Laurel, and a parent of a graduate of Monarch Academy Glen Burnie; and Jamie Wilson, Clinical Supervisor for The Children’s Guild. The segment highlighted our unique educational and mental health approach, as students return to in-classroom learning. 
 

The article noted:

Not every student flourishes in school. Some need a different approach to learning tailored to their needs that goes beyond books and traditional classroom instruction.
 
That’s where the Children’s Guild comes in.
 
The nonprofit organization is being led by Jenny Livelli, its first female CEO and President.

 
She said their program gives students in Maryland and Washington, D.C., a chance to learn through hands-on and project-based learning at four charter schools and two special needs schools.

 

“It’s not just sitting and receiving education, it’s actually becoming part of the learning process,” Livelli said.

Watch the video and read the article.