Dear Ray,
As we approach the end of the school year and the start of the summer, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared this past year. Celebrating RISPE's 5th Anniversary has brought renewed energy and momentum to our mission.
This newsletter highlights our recent accomplishments and offers a glimpse into the promising future we are building together. We are thrilled to celebrate our 2023-2024 Accelerated Teacher Certification (ATC) cohort, who will complete their program later this month. These dedicated individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their professional development and to the diverse communities they will serve. Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate welcoming our new ATC cohort and continuing to expand RISPE's impact.
We also take pride in supporting Pride Month and Juneteenth. These celebrations are essential in recognizing and honoring the diversity, resilience, and history of our communities. We understand the significance of creating safe and inclusive educational environments where every student can flourish, and we are dedicated to advocating for equity for all.
Thank you for your support and commitment to RISPE. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for education in Rhode Island. I wish you all a wonderful summer filled with joy and relaxation.
Sincerely,
Christine W. Alves, Ph.D.
President
RISPE's 5th Anniversary Celebration
On March 27, 2024, the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) celebrated its fifth anniversary at CIC Providence. During this memorable event, we honored Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Karla E. Vigil, Carlon Howard, and Central Falls School District Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Downey Toledo for their notable contributions.
The celebration also unveiled our strategic endowment campaign, which aims to reshape education through diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We are proud to partner with the Rhode Island Foundation, where our endowment is hosted, to ensure a lasting impact on future generations.
This milestone event highlighted RISPE's ongoing mission and future goals, emphasizing past achievements and the vision for continued innovation and collaborative success in education. We invite our community to support RISPE's sustainability and growth through contributions to the Rhode Island Foundation.
Your donations are crucial for us to continue making an impact. Additionally, we are seeking dedicated volunteers to join our event committee for RISPE's next event. Volunteering your time is a valuable way to support our mission and help us organize successful events that further our cause.
For those interested in making a lasting impact through bequests and planned giving to RISPE's endowment or to volunteer, please contact Nancy Cao Levesque, Director of Development, at [email protected].
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Impact Updates
Elementary Accelerated Teacher Certification (ATC) Program
We are excited to celebrate the upcoming completion of the 2023-2024 Elementary Accelerated Teacher Certification (ATC) Program cohort. An awards ceremony will take place at Farm Fresh later this month to honor these dedicated educators.
These passionate individuals have undergone intensive training and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to significantly impact the lives of our diverse student population across Rhode Island. Their commitment to excellence and inclusivity ensures that every student will have the opportunity to succeed and thrive in a supportive learning environment.
Congratulations to our graduates! We are eager to witness the positive changes they will bring to our schools and their lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Pictured above are participants of our 2023-2024 ATC cohort (left to right): Angelina Soares, Judiean Polanco, and Dennisse Grullon. They are among the participants we will celebrate later this month as they complete their ATC program.
Announcing a New Partnership with Middletown School District
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between RISPE and the Middletown School District for our Multilingual Learner (MLL) Endorsement Program. This collaboration will involve 47 dedicated teachers from the Middletown School District enrolling in our program, which begins this June, and a second program in August.
The Middletown School District serves about 2,300 students, with an average class size of 20. This group of 47 educators will collectively impact approximately 940 students. By providing these teachers with specialized skills and knowledge to support multilingual students, we aim to create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for a significant portion of the student population.
The dedication of these teachers to professional development and educational excellence will improve the learning experiences of multilingual students and contribute to the overall success and inclusivity of the Middletown community.
If you want to learn more about our MLL Endorsement Program or wish to participate, please contact Jerre' Snead, Director of Academics, at [email protected].
Amplifying Voices: RISPE's Advocacy and Legislative Success
We are proud of our ongoing efforts to address the critical shortage of BIPOC and culturally competent teachers in our education system. RISPE is grateful for the powerful testimonials from President Christine Alves, Bill Foulkes, Angelina Soares, and Jessica Vega in support of our House Bill H7771, which was presented to the House Committee on Finance on May 14, 2024. These heartfelt testimonies have highlighted the critical need for our mission, and the broadcast has brought much-needed attention to this pressing issue.
We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who sent letters to the House about their experiences and stories, emphasizing why RISPE's mission is crucial to Rhode Island's urban public schools. Through your letters and testimonials, we secured level funding at $200,000 to continue our programs to create all-inclusive classroom environments.
To watch the full testimonials, please visit our YouTube page.
Shop for a Cause: Support RISPE with Second Serve Resale
Get ready for summer with stylish, designer clothes while making a difference! We are excited to partner with Second Serve Resale, which offers high-quality, curated resale clothing. Shop online and select RISPE at checkout—85% of your purchase will support our mission.
With amazing deals on designer clothes, you can gear up for summer and special events while contributing to educational equity and sustainability. It's a win-win-win!
Start shopping now and make a stylish impact!
Invest in Our Future: Donate to RISPE
As we approach the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2024, we kindly ask for your continued support to help us achieve our mission. Please consider donating to RISPE to ensure that we can continue our impactful work in education and equity. Every contribution helps us create a brighter future for our students and communities.
We look forward to sending out our next quarterly newsletter in the fall, highlighting highlights of our summer and our plans for the coming year. Your support is crucial as we expand our efforts and make significant strides in creating inclusive and equitable classrooms.
Thank you for being a vital part of the RISPE community and supporting our vision for an inclusive and equitable education space.
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