December 11, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians:

            We are writing to you today with news that City Collegiate Public Charter School will continue operations through the 2009-2010 school year but that we will not be re-opening school for the fall of 2010. 

            This year marked the 4^th year of operations.  We have been fortunate, indeed, to have the leadership of Dr. Angelia Saunders, her dedicated faculty and staff and your student as part of our CCPCS community.  Several factors, though, work mightily against the school’s continued operation for next year.

            We have seen the school’s enrollment shrink in the last two years.  Last year, 88 students comprised our enrollment. This year, we budgeted for 100 students but were able to enroll only 70.  On graduation day this June, 2010, 53% of our current student body will prepare to move on to high school yet our current 6^th grade numbers only 11 students. While this makes for small class sizes and a small school community it does not generate the per-pupil funding we will need to run a viable school next year.  Again, we want to emphasize that we are well prepared to have a very successful spring semester.  Your student will be the beneficiary of both a small school environment and a low teacher-to-student ratio through June 18, 2010, the last day of school.

            We are committed to ensuring that your student makes a seamless transition to their next school.  It is for this reason that we write to you so early in the planning process for next year.  While CCPCS was adept at adding many wonderful new students from a local school that decided to close its doors in August, we believe it is in the best interest of our students to broadcast the news of our plans for fall of 2010 at the earliest possible moment to allow you and your family time to explore with us appropriate next-school placements.  To this end we will work to:

• Host school fairs for local charter, independent and DCPS schools, inviting representatives from these schools to visit with your student here at school;
• Make your student’s testing records and grades portable so that their next school will be able to more easily place your student in appropriate classes;
• Provide your student with a vibrant spring semester where they can be the beneficiaries of small classes and a school where “every child is known and valued” and help them perform to their personal potential on the DC CAS;
• Make available our hard-working Head of School, Dr. Saunders, to speak by phone with principals and admissions officials of any potential schools about your student’s academic record and abilities. 
• Provide every family with a copy of the 2010 School Chooser catalog that becomes available January 9^th.  This book describes all Washington, D.C. public charter schools, DCPS schools and many of the area’s independent schools.

Please share with us any other ideas or information you have that would be valuable to fellow parents/guardians.  Dr. Saunders will be available to take your questions during your regularly scheduled conference meeting on December 16.  Conferences run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  In addition, there will be a PTA meeting on Saturday December 19 at 10:00 a.m. at school; as always, we encourage your attendance and participation.

Enjoy the holiday season, and kindly reinforce this message to your student:  the spring semester will be filled with challenging assignments and learning opportunities.  Your student will want to be well rested and up to the challenge of a successful spring semester.

Sincerely,

Julie Klingenstein                        Pebble Randolph

                                                                                    Co-Chair                                      Co-Chair