REACH at 940 Fillmore St, 80206 Denver, Colorado

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Frequently Asked Questions Q: What does REACH mean? A: Reimagining Excellence for All in a Community with Heart. The new-school committee deliberated at length about what to call our new school. We like what the acronym tells the community about what we are striving to be but we also embrace the simplicity of the word REACH as a vision for what we will expect all of our staff, families and students to do as part of our community. Q: How did the idea of REACH get started? A: Sewall Child Development Center, a Denver non-profit since 1944, has been putting inclusion to practice for over 35 years with success at the preschool and early childhood level. Sewall provides high-quality early education programs for all children and team-based early intervention practices for children who have seen or unseen special needs. When it comes time for children to move to the next level of elementary education, many parents have great concerns when considering what will come next for their children. Concerns of segregation, bullying, lack of compassion, ignorance and disregard contribute to their decisions about which school to choose. Because of this need from current families for another choice, Sewall has made it their mission to create an elementary school that “grows up” what Sewall is already doing well. In 2013, Sewall presented an application to Denver Public Schools (DPS) for a district performance school which was denied. Now, we are submitting a charter school application to DPS having learned from the 2013 process how to articulate our vision for a school of excellence that offers the unique model of inclusion for which Sewall is known. Q: What does it mean to be a charter school? A: Charter schools are public schools that are approved through the school district and funded through public school channels. REACH, like other charter and public schools, will not charge tuition for K-5. Charter schools are held to a higher degree of accountability in exchange for greater degrees of freedom in curriculum and instruction. REACH will have a board of directors that oversees the school. Charter schools must show their successes to the school district and regularly renew their charter to continue. Q: Is there another school like REACH? A: Yes and No. Yes in that REACH is following in the footsteps of other full-inclusion schools across the country. In particular, the leadership team is following in the footsteps of a thriving school in Boston, The Dr. William Henderson Inclusion School. The Henderson School was founded on the inclusion of typical developing children with children with disabilities, ultimately helping their school community develop into a more effective learning environment for everyone. The reason this model works is that inclusion accentuates the need for more extensive collaboration and makes its potential even more powerful. No in that REACH will be the first full-inclusion model in DPS. Q: What is the process of getting the REACH charter approved? A: The first draft of the charter is under review by a committee as well as external reviewers at this time. The final application is due to the district on March 14, 2014. The application will be reviewed by the district and there will be opportunities for public input throughout April and May. Near the end of May, our new school development team will have the opportunity to present to the school board. The final vote will take place in mid-June. Once approved, the school leadership team will enter “Year Zero” and start planning for the opening of the school in the fall of 2015. Q: Who can enroll at REACH? A: When REACH opens in the fall of 2015, preschool age children (3 and 4), kindergarteners and 1st graders will fill the first classes. After the opening year, REACH will grow one grade at a time until 2019 when it will enroll children in ECE through 5th grade classrooms. If you have a child that would be eligible to enroll in REACH, we would appreciate your support of our charter application by filling out a “Intent to Enroll” form. The form does not bind you to enrolling in REACH (nor does it guarantee admission) but it will make sure that we have your contact information to receive the latest news as well as indicate a level of support to the district as they consider approval. See our website for the form www.sewall.org Q: When will REACH open? A: Fall of 2015 Q: What is the relationship between REACH and Sewall Child Development Center? A: Sewall is an organization with a 70 year history, a solid board of directors, a proven leadership team, and a desire to see REACH succeed as a charter school in DPS. Sewall and REACH will overlap in their missions for educating children through inclusion but will have separate boards of directors and governance structures. The CEO of Sewall, Heidi Heissenbuttel, will sit on the board of REACH. REACH will have its own Principal and leadership team. The staff for REACH will be hired during the planning year for the school and the organizations will work cooperatively but separately. Q: Where will REACH be located? A: The physical location of REACH will be in a Near Northeast neighborhood in Denver but the exact address is yet to be determined.

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School category, Denver