OCTOBER 2014 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
ACCPA Elementary
African-Centered College Preparatory Academy
6410 Swope Parkway
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas City, Mo 64132
Phone: 816-418-1175
Volume 2, Issue 3
Message from the Principal
Claire Thornton-Poke
THE ANCESTORS
REMEMBERING THOSE ON WHOSE SHOULDERS WE S TAND
Through the celebration of Marcus Garvey and our ancestors, during the
month of October, we are given the opportunity to honor the
trailblazers whose shoulders we stand on today. As we reflect
on the many contributions, famous Africans and African
Americans have made across our country and the world, we
also must not forget those in our families who have been our
heroes and sheroes. We remember our relatives who
marched, prayed and fought for the rights we have today .
This is why we will be recognizing Marcus Garvey and others, both known
and unknown, throughout this month at AC Prep School. As a staff we
understand that the journey we now take would not be possible without the
courage and sacrifices made by so many who relentlessly fought and prayed
for justice in their churches, quality education in our schools and for peace
and jobs in our communities. While some of these individuals have passed,
others are still alive today serving their communities and promoting justice. As
we continue to reap the harvest they sowed, the least we can do is share the
stories of these extraordinary men and women so that their contributions will
have their proper reference in our nation’s history and in our own personal
studies. Their impact on us individually, this nation and the world are
immeasurable.
This month we will be reflecting on and appreciating the many people on
whose shoulders we stand. Their lives and contributions have eased our path.
We've been the beneficiary of the hard work, achievements, scrimping and
saving, sacrifices, inventions, services, risk-taking, genius and generosity of all
who've come before us, and those who are here with us now.
With every event comes an opportunity to mine it for gold. Used well,
whatever happens helps us learn, grow and evolve. We appreciate each
opportunity. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, the ones who have
passed on, with reverence, respect and gratitude.
There is an Afrikan saying that states, “I Am because You Are.” Alone, we
do nothing. Alone, we've created nothing. Alone, we've accomplished
MONTH OF OCTOBER
Oct. 3rd – Fun Friday
Oct. 6th – Haircuts and Hair braiding
begins every first Monday
Oct. 10th – End of 1st quarter
Oct. 14th – SAC Meeting
Oct. 16th – Parent Teacher
Conference
Oct. 23rd – LINC’s Lights On Program
Oct.24th – Math Contest
Oct. 30th – Ancestors Day
MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Nov. 13th – SAC Meeting 6-7 p.m.
Nov. 14th – Umoja Feast
Nov. 20th – Picture Day
Nov. 24th – Prepare Kwanzaa Doors
DON’T FORGET!
Is every Tuesday morning at 9:00
A.M. Parents and guardians are
welcome to attend! Awards and
medals are given during this time.
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Cont’d
nothing. To all who have helped us, been diligent for us, inspired us, stood for
us, and shown us a better way, we appreciate you and say, "Thank You!"
No matter where you are in the world, taking time to reflect on and
remembering those on whose shoulders you stand, is a good investment of
time and energy. You don't need a special holiday to celebrate and honor
all of the good, wonderful people who have lifted you. Honor those on whose
shoulders you stand - those who have come before you and paved your path
in significant and subtle ways. It is our sincere hope that all will join us this
month in honoring those who made our journey today possible.
MARCUS GARVEY
AN INSPIRATIONAL FIGURE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS
Garvey was a Jamaican-born black nationalist who created a
'Back to Africa' movement in the United States. He became an
inspirational figure for later civil rights activists.
Marcus Garvey was born in St Ann's Bay, Jamaica on 17 August
1887, the youngest of 11 children. He inherited a keen interest in books from his
father, a mason and made full use of the extensive family library. At the age of 14
he left school and became a printer's apprentice where he led a strike for higher
wages. From 1910 to 1912, Garvey travelled in South and Central America and also
visited London.
He returned to Jamaica in 1914 and founded the Universal Negro
Improvement Association (UNIA). In 1916, Garvey moved to
Harlem in New York where UNIA thrived. By now a formidable
public speaker, Garvey spoke across America. He urged AfricanAmericans to be proud of their race and return to Africa, their ancestral homeland
and attracted thousands of supporters.
To facilitate the return to Africa that he advocated, in 1919 Garvey founded
the Black Star Line, to provide transportation to Africa, and the Negro Factories
Corporation to encourage black economic independence. Garvey also
unsuccessfully tried to persuade the government of Liberia in West Africa to grant
land on which black people from America could settle.
In 1922, Garvey was arrested for mail fraud in connection with the sale of stock
in the Black Star Line, which had now failed. Although there were irregularities
connected to the business, the prosecution was probably politically motivated, as
Garvey's activities had attracted considerable government attention. Garvey was
sent to prison and later deported to Jamaica. In 1935, he moved permanently to
London where he died on 10 June 1940. In 1964, his body was returned to Jamaica
where he was declared the country's first national hero.
There are many other Ancestors that contributed to the cause as well as
coonsidered heroes. A few consist of:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - widely considered the most influential leader of the
American civil rights movement. He fought to overturn Jim Crow segregation laws
and eliminate social and economic differences between blacks and whites.
George Washington Carver who was offered a horticultural position by Booker T.
Washington at the Tuskegee Institute and went on to discovering countless uses for
the peanut and other important crops.
Ida B. Wells was an African-American journalist and activist who led an antilynching crusade in the United States in the 1890s.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT AC PREP ELEMENTARY
What’s it going to take for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) to regain full
accreditation? What’s it going to take for your school to regain/sustain full
accreditation? How can we retain and attract students? In order to answer
these questions and more, School Improvement Advisory Committees
(SIACs) will begin work in Fall 2014 to address strategies for each KCPS school
and the district as a whole. Each school's SIAC will include representatives
from school staff, parents and the community. Each KCPS school is now
seeking parents interested in serving on the SIAC. The committee will meet
monthly through the end of the school year.
KCPS staff, students, parents & partners will be visiting neighborhoods
Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to share the great things
happening in KCPS schools! For more information visit
kcpublicschools.org/rise.
Parents, We
encourage
you to come out or
send a representative to come and experience our Scholars’ leading the
Parent/Teachers Conference. It is important that we stay active in out childrens
education, so they can have the support that they really need to succeed.
Conferences are Thursday, October 13th, 2014.
We would like to thank all of the Fathers, Uncles, Grand Dads, and Step Dads
who came out to our Dad’s breakfast. This was a huge as well as a succesful
event. We look forward to double the size at our next event in January.
The Before and After-school
program will be having their
Lights On Celebration on
Monday, Oct. 28th, 2014 at
5:00.
Please come out and support
our Scholars’ and they put on a
special presentation for you.
The LINC choir, Boys II Men,
Sister Girls, LINC drummers, all
the scholars’ in LINC, and
special guests will be
performing at this event.
Invite your family, friends, loved
ones, and everybody! This is an
event that you don’t want to
miss!
For more information, please
contact Mrs. Newsome or Ms.
Camille at 816-418-1207
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AC PREP IS ON THE RISE!
BUILDING OFF THE BLOCKS OF OUR PAST
Step Pyramid Contest Winners
Class Winners
1st Place
Pre-K
Professor
Brown/Carla
2nd Place
5th Grade
Professor
Arnold
3rd Place Tie
3rd Grade/5th Grade
Professors
Dayse / Golson
Classes were judged on how well they could collaborate as a team to build a
Step Pyramid. The purpose (Nia) of the project was to encourage Professors and
Scholars to use the Nguzo Saba in the lessons that we teach.
What we were looking for was:
•Creativity – (Kuumba) thinking outside the box
•Teamwork- (Ujima and Umoja) the whole class to be involved.
•The classes that showed and displayed the best work received a popcorn
party.
1st Place
LaChrista
FuQua
2nd Place
Kahil
Ridge
3rd Place
Navaeh
Miller
Congratulations
Scholars!
These Scholars’ are our Individual winners of the Step Pyramid Contest. The
Scholars’ have shown excellent self-determination.
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ACCPA Elementary
Ancestor’s Day Essay Contest
After the processional on October 31, 2013, Ancestor’s Day prizes will be awarded in the field house.
There will only be 3 prizes awarded for the entire school.
The grade level will be taken into consideration when judging.
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
$40
$25
$10
The requirements for the essays
by grade levels are:
6th grade must write 350 words
5th ---------------------- 300 words
4th ---------------------- 250 words
3rd ---------------------- 200 words
2nd ----------------------150 words
1st ---------------------- 100 words
Kdgn------------------- 2 to 3 sentences
Pre-K ------------------ 1 sentence
Pictured above is the baobab (BOUGH-bob) tree. This
tree is known for its size and spiritual significance in
many African cultures.
As a college preparatory academy, we encourage our scholars to do more. While the essay project is not a requirement,
it is an opportunity for growth and learning for the scholars. Please take this into consideration as you are planning for
your participation in Ancestor’s Day. Scholars can wear ancestral costumes and not submit an essay, but only essays will
qualify for the prize.
Scholars are to do an essay (research project-performance event) on an “ancestor.” This can be a “family project.”
 Scholars can choose a deceased family member, well known, famous or influential African- American
ancestor. Scholars are encouraged to interview grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, any family member, or close
family friend to get factual information about a deceased person, i.e. family member, friend or freedom fighter.
 Pre-K and Kindergarten scholars may bring in a short essay that was developed with the help of their family.
All Essays are due to Professor Poke or Professor Newson
no later than Wednesday, October 23, 2013.
Scholars may only wear “ancestral dress” and must be able to share knowledge/history of the
ancestor he or she is dressed as or depicting.
ABSOLUTELY NO HALLOWEEN COSTUMES ARE TO BE WORN
TO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013.
NO HALLOWEEN CANDY IS TO BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL.
PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CHURCH OR
SHOPPING MALL FOR HALLOWEEN TREATS.
THE SCHOOL WILL GIVE COOKIES TO SCHOLARS IN EACH CLASSROOM.
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Contest Rules:
This is a whole class contest and the entire class must participate equally. The class
must put together your best interpretation of the Black Star Line Ship. The Ship must be
st
nd
rd
able to float for at least a minute. There will be 1 , 2 , and 3 place winners.
Winners will receive a Nacho Party!
Whirlwind Contest
This contest is about Whirlwinds. Marcus
Garvey said in one of his speeches “You’ll
see me in the Whirlwind”; We are looking to
see the best examples of Whirlwinds.
st
nd -
rd
There will be 1 - $10, 2
$5, and 3 - $3
place winners.
Scholars can choose a deceased family member, well known, famous or
influential African- American ancestor. Scholars are encouraged to interview
grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, any family member, or close family friend to
get factual information about a deceased person, i.e. family member, friend or
freedom fighter.
Pre-K and Kindergarten scholars may bring in a short essay that was developed
with the help of their family. SUBMIT BY FRIDAY, OCT. 24TH.
st
1 Place - $40 2
th
th
nd
rd
Place - $25 3 Place - $10
th
6 Grade – 350 Words 5 Grade - 300 Words 4 Grade – 250 Words
rd
nd
st
3 Grade - 200 Words 2 Grade – 150 Words 1 Grade – 100 Words
Kindergarten – 2-3 Sentences Pre-K - 1 sentence
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