EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Announcements

• This Week at Explore! - November 27th

  Explore! Families,

   

  We are excited to welcome back Explorers tomorrow morning after a relaxing Thanksgiving Break with friends and family!  It’s always good to slow down for a few days and reflect on all of the blessings around us.  We are so glad that your family is part of ours!

   

  When Explorers return on Monday, there are three weeks before Winter Break.  This is an important stretch where Explorers can focus on improving grades in their classes prior to the end of the grading period.  Please reach out to your Explorer’s teachers with any questions or concerns!

   

  Upcoming Dates:

  • Thursday, December 1st - Tornado Drill

  • Thursday, December 8th - 7th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Monday, December 12th - 5th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Wednesday, December 14th - 6th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Thursday, December 15th - 2:45 PM Dismissal

  • Friday, December 16th - PD Day (No School for Expl orers)

   

  Tornado Drill

  Throughout the year, Explorers practice the appropriate response in a variety of emergency situations.  On Thursday morning, Explorers will practice our tornado drill procedures after morning arrival.  We know this can be triggering for some Explorers, so our Culture Team will be available for any Explorers who need or request support.

   

  Compassion for Community

  The Family Advisory Council (FAC) is proudly hosting our annual “Compassion for Community” campaign again this year.  One of the goals for this holiday season is for Explore! families to meet the needs of other Explore! families who may be in need.  No amount is too big or too small!  Our FAC’s goal is to have at least 100 families donate $50 toward this important cause.  To donate money, Venmo @explorefamilies (memo: Compassion + child’s grade/teacher).  Class participation will be tracked and the top 3 classes will receive a special donut party before Winter Break!

   

  If your family is experiencing food insecurity during Winter Break, please contact TaBoya Holman at tholman@explore.school

   

  Boys and Girls Basketball

  Explorers pla ying boys and girls basketball are off to a great start to the season!  Games continue through January and weekly athletic calendars are added to our social media sites on Monday morning.  Come cheer on these hard-working athletes representing Explore!

   

  Possip Feedback

  A special “thank you” to everyone who shared feedback via Possip in our first “pulse check!”  When asked if families were happy with Explore! that week, 80% of respondents said “yes” and 17% of respondents said “mostly.”  Within the 107 responses, there were many areas of celebration, as well as areas of growth.  As a leadership team, we will reflect on these comments and adjust our procedures to better serve the commun ity.  In future Bloomz posts, I’ll provide a summary of the feedback and also share more about how the feedback is being used by our leadership team.

   

  Make it a great day,
  
  Cameron Gish

  Executive Principal

  Explore! Community School

   

  Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• This Week at Explore! - November 20th

  Explore! Families,

   

  A special “thank you” to everyone who boarded the plane and joined for our first Exhibition of Learning last Friday!  Explorers in our lower school worked to answer the question, “How are schools around the world similar and different?”  We had over 300 caregivers join on Friday and look forward to our middle school Explorers sharing their learning in December!

   

  Upcoming Dates:

  • Monday, November 21st - Progress Reports Go Home with Explorers

  • Tuesday, November 22nd - 2:45 PM Dismissal

  • Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th - Thanksgiving Break

  • Thursday, December 8th - 7th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Monday, December 12th - 5th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Wednesday, December 14th - 6th Grade Exhibition of Learning

  • Thursday, December 15th - 2:45 PM Dismissal

  • Friday, December 16th - PD Day (No School for Explorers)

   

  Thanksgiving Break

  As a friendly reminder, dismissal for Explorers is 2:45 PM on Tuesday, November 22nd.  Explore! Community School is closed from Wednesday through Friday, for Thanksgiving Break.

   

  Media Coverage of Ms. Frank and Music Class

  Recently, our music teacher, Ms. Frank, was named one of 25 Semifinalists nationwide for Grammy Educator of the Year.  As part of an effort to share this story with our greater comm unity, beginning Monday, November 21st, local news media will visit Explore! Community School to capture photos and video of Ms. Frank and Explorers during music class.  In addition to these currently scheduled visits, we anticipate there may be additional visits in the near future.  

   

  While this is a unique opportunity for your young musician’s talent and hard work to be showcased, we understand that not all families may want their Explorer to participate.  If you would like your Explorer to be opted out from participation in music class while news media crews are present, please let us know ASAP by calling our front desk at (615) 784-8222, texting Ms. Frank directly at (615) 944-9817,  OR  returning this form by Monday morning (11/21) at 7:45 AM.  This will allow us time to make alternate arrangements for your Explorer during their regularly scheduled Music Class.  

   

  Cold and Flu Season

  As we enter the peak holiday season, we know that cold, flu and other illnesses tend to increase as well.  Please encourage Explorers to wash their hands frequently, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and stay home if they have a fever or are feeling ill.  Additionally, w e encourage Explorers to wear a mask if they’re experiencing symptoms to limit any possible exposure to other Explorers or staff.

   

   

  Make it a great day,
  
  Cameron Gish

  Executive Principal

  Explore! Community School

   

  Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• Week of November 14th

  Post: This Week at Explore! - November 13th

   

  Explore! Families,

   

  Fall has quickly faded to Winter in Nashville!  Take a few moments to dig out your heavy coats, gloves and hats for the week ahead.  Our weather looks chilly and we want Explorers to stay warm!

   

  Upcoming Dates:

  • Wednesday, November 16th - End of Progress Report 2

  • Thursday, November 17th - Spirit Night at Boombozz Pizza

  • Friday, November 18th - Lower School Exhibition of Learning

  • Monday, November 21st - Progress Reports Go Home with Explorers

  • Tuesday, November 22nd - 2:45 PM Dismissal

  • Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th - Thanksgiving Break

   

  Updated Breakfast Process

  Beginning on Monday, November 14th, Explorers will notice a new process for eating breakfast.  Instead of serving food in the classrooms, cafeteria staff will have serving stations at the car-rider, bus and walker entrances.  Explorers who want breakfast will grab a bag and continue to their classroom.  Additional staff will be available to support Explorers tomorrow and we hope this new process makes it even simpler to enjoy a healthy breakfast at school!

   

  Spirit Night at Boombozz

  Join our Family Advisory Council on Thursday, November 17th at Boombozz Pizza in East Nashville!  All proceeds will benefit our Community Care Fund, supporting the needs of families in our community.  

   

  Lower School Exhibition of Learning - Schools Around the World

  We invite all lower school families to Explore! on Friday , November 18th from 9-11 AM for our first Exhibition of Learning!  This is an important part of the academic experience at our school and gives Explorers the opportunity to showcase their hard work in front of peers, staff and families.  This year, Explorers have worked to answer the question, “How is learning around the world similar and different?”

   

  If you plan to attend, please bring a photo ID for entry.  All guests will enter and exit through the main entrance.  Explorers must remain with their teacher at all times, so if you choose to check out your Explorer early, return to the main entrance and our Operations Team will assist.  Ms. Talbot has posted additional information on the lower school Bloomz channel!

   

  Cold and Flu Season< /u>

  As we enter the peak holiday season, we know that cold, flu and other illnesses tend to increase as well.  Please encourage Explorers to wash their hands frequently, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and stay home if they have a fever or are feeling ill.  Additionally, we encourage Explorers to wear a mask if they’re experiencing symptoms to limit any possible exposure to other Explorers or staff.

   

  Middle School SAC Elections

  Last week, middle school Explorers had the unique opportunity to cast their ballot in our Student Advisory Council (SAC) elections.  Thank you to Ms. Smith and Ms. McIntyre for making it happen!  E xplorers who ran for office displayed immense courage, so we want to give a special shout-out to everyone who made posters and speeches last week.  The following six Explorers were elected by their peers to serve on this year’s SAC!

   

  5th Grade - Cedar Lacy and Damien Cochran

  6th Grade - Ada Hill and Asher Outlaw

  7th Grade - Molly Darrow and Trevin Johnson

   

  Possip

  Explore! Community School recently partnered with Possip, a digital family engagement tool that is used by many schools across the country, including Nashville.  The goal of this partnership is to increase opportunities for caregivers to provide feedback to school leadership about areas of strength, as well as areas of concern.  Beginning later this month, caregivers may receive a text from Possip with a short survey.  These “pulse checks” are designed to take less than 60 seconds to complete and are translated into nearly 100 languages.  We invite you to share your feedback to help make Explore! Community School the best charter school in Nashville! 

   

  Make it a great day,
  
  Cameron Gish

  Executive Principal

  Explore! Community School

   

  Cameron Gish - Executive Principal (Explore! Community School)

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• Week of 3.28

  Dear Explore! Families,

  
  Spring is in the air! I just love seeing our city in full bloom. Please see below for this week's updates.

  
  Health and Safety:

  -Please remember that we will continue to wear masks this week. Beginning on 4/4 the wearing of masks will be left to individual families.

  
   Academics:

  - TNReady is scheduled for April 18th - April 29th. Please mark your calendars and plan to have your children in school and on time. This is a very important time for our community! We will have a parent informational meeting on Monday, April 11th from 5:00 - 6:00. This meeting will share more about the ways your can support your Explorer during this important time!

  
  Community Outreach:

  - Ms. Smith will be holding a meeting to discuss plans for our Middle School. This meeting will be for rising 4th through 6th-grade families. Please be on the lookout for a date and time to be shared in this week’s mid-school post.

  
  - Monday, April 4th will be the camping informational meeting. If you are signed up to go camping you must attend. Families who do not attend will not be able to go.
   

  Volunteers:

  - On April 3rd we will have a recruiting event for prospective families. In order to ensure it is a success, we need family volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please email kellyschummbacher@gmail.com.
   

  - We are almost ready to launch our milestone project. Please help us prepare by helping us to create buttons.

  - We will be scheduling a community workday to help prepare the building for its next stage. Please stay tuned for the next date!

  
   Thank you for your partnership! We look forward to a strong week of learning!

  
   Best,

  Ms. Talbot and Ms. Smith

   

  Jessica Talbot - Director of Academic Operations and Project-Based Learning (Explore! Community School)

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• Alert: MNPS Promising Scholars Summer Program 2022 (Immediate Response Required)

  Greetings E!CS Families!

  MNPS is offering a summer learning loss camp, the Promising Scholars Program, for students who will be in 1st through 8th grades in the 22-23 school year. They recently made this program available to charter schools. Eligibility for participation is based on students testing below proficient on MAP and/or TNReady Data. Eligible students will be assigned an attendance site based on their home addresses. 

  
   The Promising Scholars Program for summer 2022 will be:

           ○ Monday - Friday, June 2-30 with June 20 as a holiday. 

           ○ Elementary school camps will be 8am-3pm

           ○ Middle school camps will run 9am-4pm. 

  
  If you are interested in your child participating please complete the form linked below no later than this Friday, March 11 @ 9am. No applications will be accepted after that time, no exceptions. If your child is eligible MNPS will contact you with additional information.

   

  If you have more than one student at Explore, please complete the form for each child individually.
  
  Warmest regards,
  Ms. Smith & Ms. Talbot
  
  https://forms.gle/tmHA2gfHN582eQpH6

   

  Deirdra Smith - School Admin of Explore! Community School

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• Post: This week at Explore! 3/7/22

  Dear Families, 

   

  Wow, only five more days until a well deserved break for all! We had a busy week this past week. Between Sprit Week, Lower School Exhibitions and the induction of our new student and staff Pathfinders! We had a lot to celebrate!!!!

   

  As we head into spring break here are a few important updates and reminders you should be aware of: 

   

  Calendar Reminders

  As previously mentioned we will make up our snow day this week. Here is a reminder of the adjustments to our schedule this week:

   

  - On Thursday, March 10th students will be in school and we will have a 1:45 dismissal. 

  - On Friday, March 11th students will be in school and we will have a 1:45 dismissal. 

   

  Spring Break for Explorers will begin on Monday, March 14th and end on Tuesday, March 22nd. Explorers are not in attendance. 

   

  Explorers return to school on Wednesday, March 23rd.

   

  Report Cards & Conferences

  Quarter 3 ends on Friday, March 11. Please make sure your Explorer has turned in all assignments due by that date.  

   

  Report Card Conferences

  We recommend attending virtually, however in person conferences are an option. Please arrange that directly with your Explorer's teachers. 

   

   • Lower School will have report card conferences on Tuesday, March 22nd

   • Middle School will have report card conferences on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22nd

    ○ Middle School Teachers will be sending out a link and reaching out to families directly to schedule conferences.

   

  Hard copies of report cards will be sent home on Wednesday, March 23rd for both Lower and Middle School.

   

  Let's Celebrate

  Please help us congratulate our 2022 Pathfinders:

   

  Students:

  Virginia Winn - Community

  Cheldriana Conley - Community

  Gracie Chapman - Craftsmanship

  James Gibson - Curiosity

  Devon Rogers - Courage

  Lilah Susi - Compassion

   

  Staff:

  Caesar Melchor - Community

  Antoinette Walker - Courage

  Marvetta Norris - Community

  
  Enjoy a few photos from our ceremony on Friday!

   

  Special thank you for all the love and support from our community this past week. It was great seeing so many of you at our Lower School Exhibition and at our Pathfinder Ceremony! 

   

  We hope you continue to enjoy the beautiful weather! 

   

  Have a great week!

   

  Love,

   

  Ms. Talbot and Ms. Smith

   

  Deirdra Smith - School Admin of Explore! Community School

  EXPLORE! COMMUNITY SCHOOL