What/Who We’re…
🎉 Celebrating: September Birthdays: Caroline (9/5), Ines (9/7), Chrisma (9/8), & Alice (9/15) — and Happy New Year to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
💡 Planning: Things to do in Philly this Fall — The Philadelphia Citizen
🌟 Shining the spotlight on Revolution alum, Sodd Whitehead, for his entrepreneurial spirit! He was frustrated by the prices for lunch in our neighborhood. We talked about asking Zahid about creating a special lunch for Revolution School? Today, Sodd shared that after a conversation with Zahid, they created a Sodd Special for the Revolution School community. For $8.00 (regular price $11.00), you will receive chicken over rice marinated in oregano, lemon, and coriander, chicken thighs are browned, chopped into chunks and served over a pile turmeric-yellow rice. Of course, it wouldn’t be halal-cart style without the ubiquitous (and none too fancy) salad of iceberg and tomatoes, and that mysterious sweet-sour-tangy white sauce that just has to be ladled all over the chicken and rice for true street-style authenticity. Kudos to Sodd, and order your Sodd Special soon!
🏫 2023-2024 Advisors: Families, please reach out to your child’s advisor with any questions that you may have as we begin the new year.
- Grade 9/10: Sydnie, sydnie@revolutionschool.org
- Grade 9/10: Patrick, patrick@revolutionschool.org
- Grade 11/12: Dirk, dirk@revolutionschool.org
- Grade 11/12: Joel, joel@revolutionschool.org
Photo Scavenger Hunt: Congratulations Chrisma, Donald, and Sudan, the winners of this year’s photo scavenger hunt. Here’s the complete list of items the students had to find.
Opera Philadelphia’s Simon Boccanegra: Dress Rehearsal Program, Wednesday, September 20, 2:00-5:30 pm at the Academy of Music.
All Revolution school students have been invited to attend Simon Boccanegra: A powerhouse cast and some of Verdi’s most sumptuous music fuel this sweeping story that mixes political turmoil with poignant family drama. Baritone Quinn Kelsey stars as Simon Boccanegra, a leader coming into great power who must balance duty to his nation with his duties as a father after his long-lost daughter Amelia (soprano Ana María Martínez) re enters his life. Surrounded by poisonous rivals, can he be the man those who love him need him to be and survive the plots of those who hate him?
Cousin Mike’s Tasty Tuesday Lunch for Revolution
Starting Tuesday, September 19th, students are invited to partake in Tasty Tuesday lunch. ($40 for four lunches: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10). If you are interested, please send Sydnie $40.00 via cash, cashapp @$ydthebid, venmo @sydnie-schwarz, or Zelle sydnieschwarz@gmail.com
Perfect Attendance Monthly Breakfast Celebration!
Be on time and present every day for the entire month of September and you will be cordially invited to the Revolution Perfect Attendance Breakfast! Are you up for this monthly challenge? If you have perfect for the entire year, there will be a super surprise in June!
We are excited to introduce Beable, a new software designed to boost literacy skills while also helping students plan for the future! To learn more about Beable, check out this welcome video. Ask your students about their RIASEC letters!
Important: Health Forms
Students must return to school with a completed health form and immunization record from your physician. Please return your health form to jeanne@revolutionschool.org asap. Health forms are state mandated. Therefore, students will not be allowed back to school without a completed form or a scheduled date for their annual wellness exam.
Save the Date September 28–29th
9th & 10th Grade Students and Families Echo Hill Leadership Overnight. We are delighted to share that the 9th & 10th graders will visit Echo Hill. The Outdoor School at Echo Hill provides a positive community building experience in the outdoors. The overnight experience enhances thinking, strengthens citizenship, empowers students to make informed decisions, and increases students’ awareness of themselves and the surrounding environment.
A Conversation with author CJ Gross: Tuesday October 10 from 7–8pm at the Parkway Central Library’s Skyline Room. Revolution School is hosting groundbreaking author and speaker, CJ Gross, and Philadelphia Revolutionary, Marshall Mitchell, as they examine a simple, but powerful question: What’s Your Zip Code Story? From the classroom to the boardroom, CJ Gross offers research-based strategies to break down bias, build understanding, expand our definitions of inclusion and equity, and ultimately, create an environment where productivity leads to prosperity. Our goal is not just to host an event, but to begin to build a community around educational change and the future of work. RSVP: Click here to RSVP by October 5! Questions? Contact georgia@revolutionschool.org.
Parent & Community Series: September–April 2023
We are pleased to report that we are partnering with PAIS/in (6) one hour zoom webinars for parents and caregivers as well as our faculty and community members. Prior to the first webinar, PAIS/ISACS will email the link to Revolution School, and we will share the 2023-24 Parent Series Zoom Pre-registration links with our community.
Webinar #1: Voice Lessons for Parents & Caregivers: What to Say, When to Say It & How to Listen, Thursday, September 28, 2023, 7:30–8:30pm. Most parents are adept and savvy communicators, even when mild tensions arise in relationships — until they are talking to their children. Addressing this growing challenge for families, Dr. Mogel developed a series of specific “voice lessons” for parents.
Educate
Educate is the place to check student progress, attendance, and reports. You can access Educate on our website anytime by clicking the family portal button at the top of our website. All students and households should now have their usernames and passwords. If you did not receive this information, or if you need a password reset, please email jeanne@revolutionschool.org.
Planet Fitness
Our partnership with Planet Fitness will continue for the 2023-2024 school year! All Revolution students will receive a PF Black Card that allows each student access to all PF clubs. Jonathan Collins, the program instructor for Wellness, will lead this health initiative for the students on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Revolutions & Citizenship
9th and 10th grade students are studying world religions in history class this quarter. We have been defining the characteristics of religions to prepare to study Hinduism and Buddhism. Fieldwork this quarter for 9th and 10th grade students will center around visits to several religious institutions, where we will meet with and interview religious leaders.
Spanish
In Spanish class students are starting off the year learning vocabulary for family members and practicing their pronunciation. Students are currently creating and presenting Google Slides presentations of their family members and friends using their new vocabulary.
Sciences
The 9th and 10th grade students have begun the year of Environmental Science exploring the nature of science in preparation for their participation in upcoming Science Fairs. They explored the use of the scientific method, the importance of Latin affixes to science as well as the nature of observation and patters of discovery.
The 11th and 12th grade students explored the nature of science as well but from the perspective of Chemistry, from exploring the use of Latin roots in creation and naming of elements of the periodic table as well as preparation to explore the Grand Challenge of drawing attention and awareness or addressing problems or identifying resources relating to Chemistry intersecting the notion of poverty and prosperity in Philadelphia.
English
Both English classes are starting off the year by thinking critically about the definition of literature and the canon. The 9/10 cohort will begin Steve Lopez’s novel Third & Indiana, which takes place in North Philadelphia in the 90s and contends with this year’s grand challenge, poverty and prosperity. The US Literature students have chosen to read Octavia Butler’s Kindred for their first novel.
Fieldwork Highlights
Grade 9/10
The 9th and 10th grade visited WHYY, Philadelphia’s public radio station. Students toured sets, production and editing rooms (we even spotted Terry Gross!) and learned about interviewing and recording techniques. Students practiced their skills on Independence Mall, where they interviewed people on various topics.
Grade 11/12
Students visited the Natural Museum of Science and completed a Chemistry scavenger hunt. Ask your students what the BAKELITE was used for and what billiard balls are made of!
Calling for RFA Volunteers
2023-2024 Revolution Family Association (RFA) members serve as ambassadors of Revolution School through event support and involvement, event planning, and social media presence. RFA members are stewards of Revolution School and work — as volunteers — to create an inclusive and engaging community for all parents and family members. Please email justine@revolutionschool.org if you are interested in joining the inaugural RFA and attending the RFA Kick off on Wednesday, September 20th at 8:30 am.
Class of 2023: Join the Alumni Council!
We are humbled and proud to welcome our new Revolution alums to our newsletter! The Revolution School Alumni Council proudly welcomes you. Our Alumni Council has 13 members. As a new tradition and growing group, we encourage all Revolution graduates to participate in all alumni activities. We would love to get updates about what you are up to, photos and news about your adventures. We welcome any and all updates, thoughts and/or suggestions on how we may best serve you, our Revolution Alums, and growing community. Revolution plans to host two alumni events/meetings this year, and we would love you to join us with the planning! Please email justine@revolutionschool.org if you are interested.
NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
For the second year, Revolution School will be fundraising to send six students to the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a 1600-student, national conference the week after Thanksgiving. The conference runs Wednesday, November 29th to Saturday, December 2nd in St. Louis. Students who attend will engage in affinity groups, identity workshops, speaker keynotes, and a conference talent show. Revolution faculty and staff are currently selecting the attendees from students who expressed interest following the conference info session last week.
Opera Philadelphia: Backstage Pass
Registration is now open for the 2023-24 season of Backstage Pass! Sessions begin November 2023. All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to register. This vocational training program helps high school students set the stage for an exciting career behind the curtain in theater, concert, opera, television, film, corporate events, and more. Participants of the Backstage Pass program discover the ins and outs of each job, networking on their journey of learning to launch their careers and find future employment. Over the course of this program, students will meet industry professionals, visit theaters and workshops, and build their skills through professionally taught, hands-on training sessions. Sessions begin in November and will be conducted on Mondays from 4:00-5:45 pm. through May 2024. Each student receives a $250 stipend upon their successful completion of the program.
REVchat Update
REVchat is Revolution School’s new internship program that hires students as cultural consultants. 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students will receive training on team building, communication, and cultural consulting, join an innovative startup team of their peers and seasoned professionals, conduct cultural consultations for businesses and non-profit organizations, and get paid for their hard work. The REVchat team is currently preparing for its official launch in January 2024. Be on the lookout for more updates and an upcoming informational session about how students can apply to this innovative future ready program. Questions? Contact Chief Advisor, Roger Lee, at roger@revolutionschool.org
WHYY After School Program
WHYY is offering FREE media production courses for teens! This afterschool program is a great opportunity to create stories and documentaries. To learn more about this program, click here.
Do you have news or announcements that you want to share with the school community? Is there information you’d like to see featured here? Please share your ideas! Email justine@revolutionschool.org.
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