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MAYA ANGELOU SCHOOLS RECEIVE CONTINUING ACCREDITATION FROM THE MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leah Lamb

 Email: llamb@seeforever.org

 Phone: 202.797.8950 ext 1005

MAYA ANGELOU SCHOOLS RECEIVE CONTINUING ACCREDITATION FROM THE MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION

WASHINGTON, DC (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)  — The Middle States Association  (MSA) Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools has awarded continuing accreditation to the Maya Angelou Schools.  The northeast DC-based charter school network comprises three educational programs that include Maya Angelou Public Charter High School, Maya Angelou Young Adult Learning Center, and the Maya Angelou Academy at the New Beginnings Youth Detention Center.

“It is a major undertaking to go through re-accreditation for one school.  We went through this intensive process for all three of our schools within a twelve-month period during a worldwide pandemic.  I am so proud that the work that we do – the collective efforts of our school leaders, staff, students, and parents –  continues to be validated through MSA”, said Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation.

The network underwent a rigorous review process conducted by MSA commissioners beginning in early 2020 for the Maya Angelou Academy and completing the process for the Maya Angelou Public Charter School and the Maya Angelou Young Adult Learning Center in early 2021.  The MSA reviewers measured academics, student engagement, and operations focused on research-based school effectiveness and improvement standards. Reviewers noted that each school network exceeded the standards and expectations since the prior review process in 2013. Chief of Schools, Azalia Speight noted, “The visiting team was extremely impressed with the consistency of services and support that students receive. They commended teachers  for their relentless efforts to provide quality instruction and they praised support staff for building strong relationships and providing strong interventions.”

For more information about the Maya Angelou Schools re-accreditation status and organizational updates, visit the website at www.seeforever.org and contact Leah Lamb, Chief Institutional Advancement Officer, at llamb@seeforever.org. For more information regarding the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary schools, visit https://www.msa-cess.org

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About Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation

The mission of the Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation is to create learning communities in lower-income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can succeed academically and socially. Maya Angelou Schools has served opportunity youth in the District of Columbia for close to 25 years. At Maya Angelou, a network of alternative schools,  our students develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need to build rewarding lives and promote positive change. Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Young Adult Learning Center and Maya Angelou Academy at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center provide a comprehensive education in a non-traditional setting to all students including those who have not been successful in traditional educational settings. We achieve this through a demanding academic program, socio-emotional learning support, and tiered interventions that focus on the whole child. Our students leave us with a foundation to be successful in their educational and career pursuits.

For more information about the Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation, visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

Maya Angelou Schools and the See Forever Foundation Announces Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis as new Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maya Angelou Schools and the See Forever Foundation Announces Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis as new Chief Executive Officer

The Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation announced that Dr. Clarisse Mendoza Davis will serve as the new Chief Executive Officer, concluding a three-month-long search. The CEO will lead the organization’s network of schools with a primary focus on academic performance, long-term planning, and sustainability. 

Since 2016, Mendoza Davis has served as Chief of Schools for the Maya Angelou Schools network, leading the organization through many achievements, including the re-accreditation of the Maya Angelou Academy located at New Beginnings Youth Detention facility. Mendoza Davis has a wealth of experience in urban education, both as an educator and administrator. Before joining the team at Maya Angelou Schools, Mendoza Davis served in multiple roles within the District of Columbia Public Schools, as Principal of Tindley Renaissance Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana, and as Deputy Chief of Schools at the UNO Charter School Network (now the Acero Network of Schools) in Chicago, Illinois. In 2019, The Leadership Center for Excellence recognized Mendoza Davis in their “40 Under 40” 2019 Class for her demonstrating exceptional and impactful leadership.

Outside of her career, Mendoza Davis enjoys spending time with her husband, William, andtheir daughter Sophia. Some of her hobbies include baking, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and reading.  Her cupcakes are often highly requested for staff-wide gatherings.  Read Mendoza Davis biography, here. 

Mendoza Davis provided insight into her role as the new CEO:

What theme defines the new CEO’s leadership style? 

Mendoza Davis defines her leadership style through this quote written by Dr. Maya Angelou, “Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” 

According to Mendoza Davis, students, families and staff will come first. She states that the Maya Angelou School network is at a place of reflection. “We moved out of that survival space and can ask ourselves at this juncture– what else can we do that’s in line with our mission?” 

Internally, she’d like to review how the work will support scholars beyond the diploma? How does one implement the expertise that the organization has in serving opportunity youth? 

Externally, how can the story be told to truly represent the mission? How can the Maya Angelou Schools’ network lend resources to support the needs of vulnerable DC communities? 

“It is my job to find resources, fiscal or otherwise, that align with what school leaders, teachers, counselors, and staff are trying to do on a daily basis to support students,” Mendoza Davis said. 

What can the public look forward to from the new CEO? 

She shares, “This role is a shift from the Chief of Schools. I get to be much more of an external advocate for our students, families, and staff. Our mission to serve opportunity youth is really unique in this city, and it is my job to make sure that everyone understands what that experience is like and what we [Maya Angelou Schools] need to continue doing this exciting work.”  

Mendoza Davis officially began her role as CEO on Monday, April 13, 2020. Find out more information about our schools and practices at www.seeforever.org. Stay connected with us on Facebook @SeeForeverFoundation and @MayaSchools on Twitter and Instagram. 

Community Eats Wednesdays

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Community eats wednesdays

Community Eats Wednesdays, hosted by the Maya Angelou Schools, is a weekly meal and grocery distribution effort that addresses Ward 7 community needs as a response to COVID-19.  The effort was started by L’Tanya Holley, Director of Community and Family Engagement, and stemmed from the Maya Angelou Schools Monthly Community Pantry— a place where students and families gathered to get essential needs.

Recently Thomson Reuter visited and covered Community Eats Wednesday, which can be viewed here. To support ongoing Community Eats Wednesdays and other Maya Angelou community support programs, visit seeforever.networkforgood.com.

Maya Angelou Schools launches Virtual Learning Plan and Campaign in Response to COVID-19

 

On March 11, 2020, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Muriel Bowser declared both a state of emergency and a public health emergency. During this unprecedented public health emergency, Maya Angelou Schools remains committed to ensuring the well-being of our students and school communities.

Find out more information about our virtual plans and additional resources on our site at www.seeforever.org/coronavirus-notice

NBC4 Features Hoop House on News

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On Thursday, July 18, 2019, Urban Farm at Maya was featured on NBC Washington’s morning and afternoon noon segments on yesterday. We recently marked the one year anniversary of the Urban Farm and this was a perfect way to celebrate and share the important work that we do at Maya Angelou Schools and the See Forever Foundation with thousands of viewers.  See News Story here.

News anchor Aaron Gilchrist visited the campus last week to talk with school leaders about the program, day to day operations, and plans for the future.

Toward the end of the interview, Gilchrist shared our anticipated plan for the Urban Farm program over the next two years—- we will continue to educate young-enthusiastic scholars, set up a way to provide fresh produce to members of the Wards 7 and 8 communities and strives to become a primary local resource for the food industry in the District of Columbia. We hope to have you by our sides during this journey.

If you’d like to support the Hoop House and ongoing program initiatives at Maya Angelou Schools, please email your interests to communications@seeforever.org.

If you are sharing this exciting news on social media, tag us and use hashtags #MayaSchools and #MayaRising.

Thank you for your support so far and enjoy the exclusive release of our Urban Farm short film, here.

 

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New Mural of Dr. Maya Angelou Graces School Campus

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“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you are.” This is an infamous quote written by Dr. Maya Angelou and will soon be covering the left side of the High School entrance of Maya Angelou Schools campus. The Department of Public Works recently awarded the school with the MuralDC grant that afforded the costs of aerosol artist, Eric B. Rick.

The muse behind the mural is a dedication to namesake, Dr. Maya Angelou. WJLA reported, “The main motif is a bird feeding a younger bird because she’s nurturing the young mind and this is where you are feeding the mind,” said by the artist Ricks. “I’m using colors, in a way, to provoke a sense of calm and joy.”

The mural painting began earlier in August and has staff members and community members excited. During the interview with WJLA, L’Tanya Holley , Director of Family Engagement started, “I can’t wait for the kids to see. I can’t for the staff to see. It just makes me happy. In a world where you have a whole lot of negative stuff going on why not have some joy with color.”

Check out the news story, here.

Check out the progression of the mural from staff pictures.

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