Explore! families, this week's update is linked, including our newest Pathfinders! As a reminder, there is no school for Explorers on Friday, March 8. Spring Break is March 11-15. Explorers return on Tuesday, March 19.
Full update linked here: Explore! Families Update 3/1/24
Explore! Families,
We had a fun-filled Friday, with our Kindergarten Exhibition of Learning and our 5-8 Valentine’s Dance! A special “thank you” to all of the parent volunteers who created these memorable experiences for our community. As a reminder, there is no school for Explorers on Monday, February 19, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
We invite you to join us for this year’s Black Renaissance Celebration on Thursday, February 22 from 5:00-6:30 PM. There will be plenty of food, dancing and entertainment! Thank you to our staff committee for planning this year’s event!
In addition, the 2024-25 school calendar is now available at https://www.explore.school/family_resources. The first full day of school for all Explorers is Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Love,
Explore! Leadership
View Full Update Here: https://shorturl.at/iEQU0
Help support Explore! Community School's black history program: "Nashville" Renaissance Night! Sign up here to donate food. Venmo donations also accepted. We also need volunteers to help with set up, serving food and cleanup!
https://docs.google.com/
The Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s-30s celebrated soul food and saw the creation of the still popular dish: chicken & waffles. Help us bring this historic night to life!
Explore! Families,
In less than a week, Explorers return to campus for the 2023-24 school year! Classrooms are getting decorated, lesson plans are being drafted, procedures are being finalized, and soon enough, our smiling Explorers will be walking the hallways. Our staff has been on campus all week ensuring we are ready to start the 2023-24 school year with a unified commitment to our mission, vision and values.
Each week, I’ll send an update with school-wide information to guide the week ahead. Moving forward, this will be sent via PowerSchool. Please review this information carefully. Teachers will also send grade level information each week via PowerSchool to share announcements, homework, assessments and other important information. We hope this communication plan provides transparency and also gives you the information necessary to support your Explorer this year.
Love,
Explore! Leadership
Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)
Explore! Families,
Believe it or not, the 2023-24 school year is quickly approaching! New and returning teachers join us on-campus for Professional Development next week to prepare for an exciting, engaging, and energetic school year. The Explore! team includes over 90 staff members, each of whom brings individual skills and expertise that make our community special. We can’t wait for you to meet our newest faces and greet our returning faces, too!
We invite all Explore! families to join us on Monday, July 31st from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for our “Back to School Night!” Explorers will meet their teacher, unload school supplies, meet new friends, etc. 7th and 8th Grade Explorers will also receive their locker assignment. Our K-8 enrollment will exceed 600 for the first time this year and we encourage all families to attend!
As we have previously shared, PowerSchool is replacing Bloomz as our school communication system. We expect PowerSchool to be operational very soon. A new “Back to School” section is on the Explore! website and information is also being shared on our social media pages. Please monitor these sites until PowerSchool is fully operational.
We are looking forward to a GREAT school year together! It’s almost time to RISE UP!
Love,
Explore! Community School Leadership
Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)
Explore! Families,
We hope that summer vacation has been a great opportunity to spend time as a family, play with friends, and travel to new places. Many of our Explorers have been building their academic skills at Promising Scholars and we are so proud of their hard work! While you enjoy the remaining days of summer vacation, our leadership team is busy planning for an exciting 2023-24 school year. This letter provides some new information, frequently asked questions and important dates.
As we shared in the Spring, there are a number of exciting updates that we believe will better serve Explorers and families this school year. One important change is that PowerSchool is replacing Bloomz as our school communication system. We anticipate that PowerSchool will be operational by mid-July. Information will continue to be shared in Bloomz through the summer for returning families, but will transition to PowerSchool in mid-July. To ensure clear communication for all families, a new “Back to School” section will be added to the Explore! website in early July and information will also be shared on our social media pages. Please monitor these sites until PowerSchool is fully operational.
We are looking forward to a GREAT school year together! It’s almost time to RISE UP!
Join us on Tuesday, May 23rd for the Spring 2023 Explore! Talent Show! Mr. Rand has been hosting auditions for Explorers and we’re excited to share this performance with you!
8:30-9:15 - Kindergarten and 1st Grade
9:30-10:15 - 2nd and 3rd Grade
11:30-12:30 - 4th Grade
1:30-3:00 - 5th-7th Grade
The Family Advisory Council (FAC) is looking for caregivers to RISE UP and volunteer to be an officer for the 2023-24 school year. Positions to be filled include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, along with heads of committees for Events, Teacher Appreciation, Fundraising and Community Care. Please fill out the following form to express your interest or email explorefamilies@gmail.
https://docs.google.com/forms/
Explore! Families,
As we prepare for the final year of our K-8th Grade buildout, there is strong momentum to make the 2023-24 school year a special year for our community! Prior to accepting additional Explorers, we must know how many current families plan to return.
The Google Form linked below is an official record which confirms or declines your Explorer's seat for the 2023-24 school year. W e need 100% of current families to complete the form on or before Wednesday, February 1st. Please complete this Google Form for EACH of your current Explorers. Families who decline their Explorer's seat, or do not complete the form, are at risk of not being able to enroll for the upcoming school year.
If you have an incoming Kindergartener, please provide that information when requested. There is also space to share the names of prospective families who would like more information about Explore!
https://forms.gle/
If you have any questions while completing the form, please reach out to Ms. Booker at jbooker@explore.school or call the front office at 615-784-8222. You may also contact Mr. Gish at cgish@explore.school with other enrollment-related questions.
Rise Up, Explore! Rise Up!
Cameron Gish
Executive Principal
Explore! Community School
Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)
Explore! Families,
Happy New Year! We enjoyed a terrific start to 2023 and look forward to welcoming Explorers back for a full week of learning tomorrow. I am especially proud of the way Explorers showed cr aftsmanship in meeting expectations in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria and other spaces. As a reminder, Explorers are marked tardy after 7:45 AM. Daily, on-time attendance is an important part of your Explorer’s academic success!
Don’t forget! Our FAC has their monthly meeting this Thursday, January 12th with a special guest and “Wait Until 8th” presentation. We highly encourage families to attend! Food is served at 5:30 PM and the presentation begins at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria. Please read the flier for more information.
We also invite you to join us for our first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Friday, January 13th. In addition to the community event after school (3:30-5:30 PM in the gym), we will have in-school celebrations during Morning Program and Family Meeting. Please read the flier for more information and contact Ms. Knight with any questions at jknight@explore.school.
Community Celebrations:
We are so proud to announce that our Music Teacher, Ms. Frank, has been named a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award! Ms. Frank is one of ten finalists from across America who are vying for the prestigious awa rd. Read more information at https://www.grammy.com/
Our 4th Grade Poetry Slam was recently highlighted by News Channel 5 in their “School Patrol” segment. Check it out! https://www.newschannel5.com/
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, January 12th - Lifetouch Class Pictures
Friday, January 13th - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration (3:30-5:30 PM)
Monday, January 16th - No School for Explorers
Monday, January 30th - First Day of the Book Fair
Thursday, February 2nd - Lower School Math Academics Night (5:00-7:00 PM)
School Tours for 2023-24
The recruiting season is upon us! As we look toward next school year, many families with rising Kindergarten students or those seeking a different environment are planning school tours. Explore! is hosting school tours every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM and Thursday afternoon at 3:30 PM throughout January. Interested families should visit http://www.explore.
Book Fair
Save the date! The Book Fair is returning to Explore! from January 30th through February 3rd. Explorers will have scheduled time during lunch and recess to purchase items, in addition to after school hours. Lower School families may also purchase during the Academics Night on February 2nd. More information will be shared next week!
Athletic Director Update
We are proud to announce that Grayson McGinnis will serve as our Athletic Director for the Spring semester! Mr. Grayson will support our 6th and 7th Grade Explorers participating in Basketbal l, as well as Boys Soccer and Track this semester. If you have any questions or want to receive information about these opportunities, please contact gmcginnis@explore.school.
Nashville PROPEL E vent
A local organization is hosting a school recruiting event on Saturday, January 14th from 12:00-2:00 PM at Eloisa Salazar Event Center. This event is specifically geared toward Nashville charter schools and Explore! will be represented! If you have friends and neighbors who are interested in learning more about Explore!, please encourage them to attend!
TCAP Dates
Our annual TCAP assessment for 3rd-7th Grade Explorers is scheduled for April 17-21 (week 1) and April 24-28 (week 2). Daily, on-time attendance is required for Explorers. Please avoid scheduling any appointments or other conflicts during this time frame.
Make it a great day,
Cameron Gish
Executive Principal
Explore! Community School
