The Sankofa Bird Newsletterp1cdn2static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers... · Good Job! 2013...
Transcript of The Sankofa Bird Newsletterp1cdn2static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers... · Good Job! 2013...
April-May, 2014 Volume 5/Issue 6
Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School
Leadership Team
Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO
Bro. Isa Clark, COO
Baba Mwlimu Waset,
Principal
Mama Geraldine Newton, Business Manager
Bro. Elisha Tigah,
Technology Coordinator
Sis. Nieka Brown,
Middle School Coordinator
Baba Norman Bayard,
Upper School Dean
Bro. Darrius Rowser
Middle School Dean
Bro. Maurice Patterson,
Lower School Dean
Dr. Kelli Sparrow Mickens,
Servant Leadership Coodinator
Tameka Thomas
Transition Coordinator
Dione Pride,
Executive Administrator
Transformation
The 4th grade continues its fight
against food deserts through promot-
ing the Sankofa Freedom Garden.
Fifth grade campaigned against cuts in
education. The sixth grade had a con-
cern for homelessness and campaigned
for housing as a human right. The
seventh grade stood against mass in-
carceration of juveniles, and the 8th
grade is insisting that we protect our sacred ancestral burial grounds. Fi-
nally a group of middle school sisters
stood up for the Nigerian girls who
have been kidnapped from their
school. All of this was happening
while the 9th and 10th grade held
their Poetry Slam: Speaking their
truth with and for incarcerated youth.
The 11th grade sponsored their media
literacy workshops and the 12th grade
finished up their senior exhibition
presentations from their social justice
internships. The young people who
stood for justice in the 1960’s left us a
powerful legacy. I am so proud that
the scholars and servant leaders of
Sankofa Freedom Academy are con-
tinuing that legacy to this day. Our
fundi, Ella Baker, must be proud. I
know that I am!
On Friday, May 23, we had one of
the best days in our five year history.
Our scholars and servant leaders
dedicated the entire day to standing
up for freedom, justice, and equality
as they shared their year long pro-
jects that came from their essential
questions of freedom. This is what
we call our SBA to HEKA festival.
As some of you know SBA is a Ke-metic (Ancient African) term that we
interpret as “deep thought”. Heka is
a Kemetic term that we interpret as
“righteous action”. Here at Sankofa,
we believe that education is a proc-
ess designed to take us from deep
thought to righteous action; which
should result in deeper thought and
more righteous action. Of course
that is what education is about in a
real freedom school.
Well, if anyone wondered what
Sankofa is, on Friday, we sent the
message out loud and clear: Sankofa
Freedom Academy is a Freedom
School in the tradition of the free-
dom schools movement which is
celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Just like our ancestors and elders
from 1964, our children stood up
for civil and human rights for those
in our society and our world who
far too often are denied basic ne-
cessities like food, housing, and
education. Our children also
stood up for concerns in the
Frankford community that can
make it a better place to live such
as the Freedom Garden.
Over the next two editions of
the Sankofa bird newsletter, we
will feature some of the projects
from this amazing day! The day
started with a March for Justice
that began with the middle school
emerging leaders marching to Paul
street to pick up our elementary
scholars. It ended in a Rally in
Womrath Park. Children carried
signs and banners as they chanted
and cheered to bring attention to
their causes. The kindergarten
students stood up for early child-
hood education. The first grade
stoodfor healthy eating in our
community. The second grade
spoke out against hunger. The
third grade wants to bring back the
arts in schools throughout the city.
Peace and Blessings from Dr. Mama:: Still Fighting for Freedom!
Volume 5/Issue 6
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter of
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
4256 Paul Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19124 215-288-2001
www.sfacs.us
Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School
Leadership Team
Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO
Bro. Isa Clark, COO
Mama Geraldine Newton, Busi-
ness Manager
Bro. Elisha Tigah,
Technology Coordinator
Sis. Nieka Brown,
Middle School Coordinator
Baba Norman Bayard,
Upper School Dean
Bro. Darrius Rowser
Middle School Dean
Bro. Maurice Patterson,
Lower School Dean
Dr. Kelli Sparrow Mickens,
Servant Leadership Coordinator
Sis. Tameka Thomas
Transition Coordinator
Sis. Dione Pride,
Executive Administrator
Transformation
April-May, 2014
Kemet: We are Moving to The Land of The Red
Congratulations to the Students in Kemet
that have submitted all assignments to
move to the Land of the Red! They have
worked on the Black folder since July of
2013. When you see a student in the nation
of Kemet that has moved to the red folder
give them positive affirmation for all the
hard work they have completed an still
need to complete to move to the next
folder.
From Left to Right: Sis. Aja, Sis.Tammye, Sis. Siani, Sis.Efraj, Bro.Sakwon,
Bro.Aboubacar, Sis. Shakira, Bro.Quran, Sis. Dominique, Sis.Zainabou, Sis.Ladira
Bro.Khaleef ( not shown)
Congratulations to the
A -Team!
(900 or higher)
Congratulations to the Live
Five !
Kemet
on the
campus
of Temple
for a College
Tour.
Lets Go
Kemet!
Aboubacar Doukoure: 1824
Nyeerah Long: 1624.5
Jazmear Ross: 1302
Ladira Saunders: 1231
Zainabou Dabo: 1206
Left to Right: Sis.Nyerrah, Sis.Zainabou, Sis. Aja, Sis.Ladira, Sis.Dominique,
Bro.Drew, Sis. Tianna M., Bro.Egypt, Sis. Tianna, Sis. Siani, Bro.Sakwon,
Bro.Taje, Bro.Jaylen
Students in the Land of the Red
Page 2
Senior Internships
Students of Kemet were required to complete a 4-6 week internship at a site that
connected to their topic. We were able to place our seniors with many different organi-
zations in the city. Below, you will see our scholars hard at work at some of the various
sites that provided internship opportunities.
Khaleef Alexander City Controller/Jeff Hornsten
Aboubacar Doukoure UNA-GP
Sakwon-Ali Epps American Civil Liberties Union
Quran Harrison American Civil Liberties Union
Precious Thomas Woman Organized Against Rape
Tiara Wilson Councilwoman Maria Sanchez Office
Simeon Browne MFI Law Group, PLLC
Linda Brown Black Women Health Alliance
Michael Lockett Black Women Health Alliance
Samira Williams Woman Organized Against Rape
Dayonna Randall-Fletcher Woman Organized Against Rape
Siani Rojas Drexel Women Center
Shahira Travis Wissahickon Charter School
Shakera Yates-Hinton Wissahickon Charter School
Selwyn Gabriel Imani Educational Circle
Luis Martinez Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
Taje' Oliver Imhotep Institute Charter School; Imani Educational
Circle
Anthony Davis Sankofa Charter School
Anthony Wright-Downing Big Brother Big Sister Program
Jazzmaine Lancit Best Behavioral Healthcare
Jadzeair Clark Law Office of Stephanie Sawyer
Brianna Heard Drexel Women Center
Aja Jordan-Long One Art Center
Egypt Shabazz Sankofa Charter School
Efraj Davis Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Museum
Devin Cooper Department of Human Services
Roy Schofield Wakisha Charter School
Darryl Lloyd Sankofa Charter School
Symone Nelson Black Women Health Alliance
Nyeerah Long Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Museum
Quinton Donaldson SOZA Clinic
Jaylen Price Stenton Family Manor
Zainabou Dabo Law Office of Stephanie Sawyer
Drew Jones Stenton Family Manor
Ladira Saunders Harding Middle School; Carson Valley
Ra'shawn Ladson Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Janiaye Brown Philadelphia Youth Advocate Program
Dominique Deverteuil Carson Valley
Tiana Johnson One day at a Time
Ryan Patterson Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Jazmear Ross Philadelphia Youth Advocate Program
Tammye Caldwell North Central Victims Service
Braheem Bey Emir Healing Center
Ladira Saunders:
Harding Middle School
Efraj Davis
Lest We Forget Black
Holocaust Museum
Nyeerah Long
Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Museum
Page 3 Volume 5/Issue 6
Aaboubacar Doukoure
Jalen Price
Anthony Wright-Downing
Michael Lockett
Roy Scholfield
Selwyn Gabriel
Taje Oliver
Simeon Browne
Anthony Davis
Luis Martinez
Braheem Bey
Ra’shawn Ladson
Drew Jones
Khaleef Alexander
Darryl Lloyd
Egypt Shabazz
Symone Nelson
Tiara Wilson
Dayonna Randall-Fletcher
Dominique Deverteuil
Linda Brown
Precious Thomas
Samira Williams
Efraj Davis
Ladira Saunders
Nyeerah Long
Janiaye Brown
Tammye Caldwell
Aja Jordan-Long
Brianna Heard
Siani Rojas
Jadzeair clark
Jazmear Ross
Jazzmaine Lancit
Shahira Travis
Shakera Yates-Hinton
Tiara Johnson
Zainabou Dabo
Congratulations to the servant leaders and intellectual warriors of the nation of Kemet,
who successfully presented their Senior Exhibition projects before an external panel from
the community at large during the designated presentation window. You have earned
your place in the final Senior Rites of Passage Experience.
In September, the Upper School student body chose to support the Sickle Cell Disease, Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer and Heart Walks. During the first marking period, the Mighty Na-
tion of Dagara was responsible for helping our school community to prepare for our Walks for
Causes in their Servant Leadership Class. In the weeks prior to these walks, the Dagarans re-
searched the conditions, created informative posters and planned fundraisers that resulted in an
average of 45 people per walking team and over $1000.00 in donations over a two month pe-
riod. Good Job! Good Job!
2013 Walks for Causes
Nubia II: Serving Our Scholars
The Mighty Nation of Nubia II (9th grade) has begun their service with the Mighty
Nations of Yoruba (Kindergarten), Kongo (1st Grade) and Kush (2nd Grade). In the
first marking period, they delved more deeply into the Nguzo Nane, as well as the
lives and examples of our ancestors Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, William Still and
Ramon Emeterio Betances. They learned about Multiple Intelligences and the vari-
ous ways that these are made manifest in our Sankofa classrooms. Beginning in the
second marking period, they began their service with an observation to see demon-
strations of the Nguzo Nane and the Multiple Intelligences. Then, they began to as-
sist with Guided Reading. Said the Servant Leaders, “They are so sweet and cute!”
The Nubian Servant Leaders will be going to the Main Building on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays during their Servant Leadership period.
(Photo and text by Sis. Dr. Kelli)
Page 4
Volume 5/Issue 6
At the Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell Disease Walkathon
At the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
At the Heart Walk
Page 4 Volume 5/Issue 6
KEMAX JAMBASSADORS 2014
On April 6, 2014, the first combined
team of Seniors and Juniors left for
their international service journey to
Jamaica. Three members of Kemet,
Class of ’14 and four members of
Axum, Class of ‘15 boarded flights
with their chaperones Mama Holliday
and Bro. Isa for their 10 day experi-
ence. Here are two reflections that
they posted during that time.
Servant Leaders For Life
April 13, 2014
Today I had an extraordinary day in Jamaica. We went to Reach Falls and Boston Bay Beach. It was an enjoyable experience because I got to go
to such well known Jamaican landmarks. Also, I had plenty of excitement while we were on the beach and enjoying our day. While I was enjoying
the day, I began to speak with Brother Dave who is Dr. Keith’s younger brother. We had a positive and productive conversation about his life
and about culture. He told me that he was a retired engineer, and he suffers from being 90 percent deaf in one ear. Even though he is partially
deaf, he still manages to sell merchandise on eBay to earn extra money, and he assists his brother by being an instructor for students from
Sankofa and Temple University when they come to Carleva Bay. Brother Dave told me that in Jamaica you cannot retire unless you are rich.
The reality Brother Dave told me about in Jamaica is similar to many people back home. For example, my Grandmother, who is retired, semi
handicapped, suffers from arthritis, diabetes and many more diagnoses, still manages to assist people who are in need and older than her. I always
believed that if you work hard for a long period of time then you shouldn’t have to work again. But this is barely the truth in many places outside
of Jamaica because I see this reality for my grandmother. My grandmother was a working class woman, who raised her children to be educated
and wanted more for them. Out of the kindness of her heart she still works to assist people who are in need.
-Khaleef Alexander
Overcoming My Fear
April 13, 2014
Today was AMAZINGGG! We all went to the
Boston Bay Beach and to Reach Falls. While at
Reach Falls I overcame a fear of mine. Walking
towards the cliff, accompanied by Drew and a life-
guard, I could feel my heart racing. I was beyond
frightened, but with the support of Drew and
counting to three, I took a deep breath and jumped
into the water.
That experience alone is truly life changing. I was
finally able to do something I thought I would never
do, and do it with help from my teammates. Back
at home, I never try anything, I stick to the same
schedule. I was never a “dare devil”, and I definitely
never jumped off of a cliff at the top of a water fall.
I totally believe that this affected my community
because there are plenty of students, and even
adults, in the city who would never come out of
their comfort zone to do anything. People world-
wide are affected in the same way. Not realizing
that when and if they do succeed in overcoming
their fear, it will bring them up and make them feel
so much better. Also, not to mention, they will
have a wonderful experience to share and fear to
cross off.
-Taylor Duncan.
International Trip Reflections
My name is Baba Mwlimu Waset, and I am the new Upper School
principal at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. I am extremely
excited to be a part of the Sankofa family, and I am enthusiastic about
working with the children here. My goal is to ensure that they are the best
and the brightest that Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School has to
offer. You should know that I am committed to ensuring academic excel-
lence in each and every student, so that they ultimately become the intel-
lectual warriors that we all know that they are capable of becoming.
I hope that you will join me in working along side all of our staff, so
that we may begin to stave off the stereotypes that are so frequently la-
beled upon our children. Our children have greatness within them, and
thus it is our job to push them and discover that greatness from within.
On Saturday, October 19,
servant leaders in the Upper School
joined thousands of families across
the Delaware Valley to lend a hand
in making strides against Breast
Cancer. Sankofa Freedom Acad-
emy, once again, happily joined
forces with others who walked in
the spirit of Umoja to advance
more and better research, so that one day breast cancer will be a
distant memory.
This year’s effort ,especially, was
led by the nation of Dagara, whose
essential question of freedom in-
volves exploring ways to help
our communities be healthier.
We hope that this month,
Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, you will make a contribu-
tion in the name of Sankofa
Freedom Academy. Although
the march is over on Saturday,
you can still donate all year long.
Please visit the Breast Cancer
website at:
http://komenphiladelphia.org/the-
race/
Winning Words from Baba Waset
Breast Cancer
Kemet Seniors Show Sankofa Leadership and Love
bacar Doukoure took action.
- At SFACS we take pride in
teaching our students to be
servant leaders to each other,
and also to members of the
surrounding community. We
believe that it is important for
our children to understand that,
given certain conditions of our
society, there are things that each individual can do to make
it better, and as a collective,
even greater things can be done.
The staff is extremely proud of
the seniors of Kemet, who lead
the drive through which we
raised over $1000, which was
presented to Isaiah’s family.
This act demonstrated love,
kindness and servitude. We
give thanks to the spirit of
Sankofa.
Join Upper School
Fight Against
Our entire community has
been mourning the lost of one
of our former students, Isaiah
Torian-Ford, who passed away
on Saturday, October 5.
The sudden death of Bro. Isaiah
especially impacted the nation
of Kemet. Bro. Isaiah started
his high school years with us at
Sankofa, as a member of Ke-met. His sister, Alisha, was a
member of the Nation of Nu-
bia. Thankfully, two seniors of
Kemet decided to do more
than mourn. Instead, Bro.
Simeon Brown and Bro. Abou-
Many thanks to all of the parents,
students, and staff who contributed to
the family of Isaiah Torian Ford in their
time of need.
Page 5 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter Page 5 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Annual History Bowl Competition Announcing the Winners! Nubia 2 B
Congratulations to:
Marquise Madison-Lawrence, Quashe Fitch,
Manthita Diawara and Mia Heredia
Four intellectual warriors from the 9th grade Nation of Nu-
bia 2 arose victorious through the tough battle of the annual
SFA History Bowl Competition. 2013 was the first year the
title for the History Bowl had been won by an incoming ninth
grade Nation, Dagara over the Nation of Axxum.
CONGRATULATIONS, to all of the Intellectual Scholars
that worked to prepare for this intellectual battle.
“The Rains” Tour of Philadelphia & Institute of Colored Youth
Every year students in the tenth grade study their essential question of
freedom through American History by reading , The Rains by Dr. Sullay-
man Clark. Each year we culminate the reading of the text with a site
visit to Mother Bethel Church, The Institute for Colored Youth and Col-
lege tour of Cheney University. This year the Songhai Nation and Dagara
Nation collaborated to experience this historic tour together.
Dagara & Songhai Nation Collaborate
Students in the Dagara and Songhai Nations
stood on holy ground at the Historic Mother Be-
thel Church on the corner of 6th and Lombard,
and read the Historic marker that identifies the
church as a stop along the Underground Railroad.
Making College Connections with Nubia I
While on our tour of Cheney University, we were
blessed to see our beloved Alumni, Briana Robinson-
Wallace, and Nyjia Nuble.
This year, for the first time, we are organizing an upper school parent group, to work on issues that relate specifically to the upper
school servant leaders. We want to be able to explore together the college consideration and selection process, as well as ways of
handling some of the social concerns that arise for our teenagers, such as relationship issues, substance abuse, depression, and ca-
reer exploration. We know that being the parent of a teenager brings its own kind of stress and struggle. We invite you to join the
upper school Parent Support Circle. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month, during the time that we usually
hold our parent meetings. Parents will meet with our new principal, Baba Waset, and have the opportunity to take part in a wide
range of guest discussions and activities. If you are interested in providing leadership for the circle, please contact our new Execu-tive Assistant, and Parent Involvement Coordinator, Sis. Dione Pride at 215-288-2001. Meetings of the Upper School Parent Circle
will be held at the Penn Street Campus. The next meeting will be on November 12th at 6:00. JOIN US!
Upper School Celebrates Students of the Month
Calling All Upper School Parents: We Need One Another!
Breast Cancer Walk
Darrien Johnson
Sahir Chambers
Cassandra Boyd
Rasheeda Boelter
Jasmine Thomas
Jewel Allen-Washington
Jamil Williams
Damon Carr
Taleia Prince-Forrest
Axum
Carolyn Coleman
Justin Anson
Talia Nelson
Aminah Wilkinson
Tylia Ross
Rashid Young
Chai Holiday-Lawson
Malik Chambers
Nubia II
Davon Ward
Taliyah Barnes
Nijah Lewis
Mia Heredia
Yacob Hart
Bahsir Matthews
Krissy Devine
Amar Harris
Rasheed Ross
Marquis Lawrence-Madison
Dagara
Page 6 Volume 5/Issue 6
Here are the list of scholars:
Nubia II
Devohn Ward Taliyah Barnes Nijah Lewis
Mia Heredia Yacob Hart Bashir Matthews
Krissy Devine Amar Harris Rasheed Ross
Marquis Lawerance
Dagara Darrien Johnson Sahir Chambers
Cassandra Boyd Rasheeda Boelter Jasmine Thomas
Jewel Allen-Washington
Kemet
Zainabou Dabo
Jaylen Price
Egypt Shabazz
Siani Rojas
Shakiara Boston
Aboubacar Doukoure
Sakwon-Ali Epps
Simeon Browne
NEA ONNIM
NO SUA A,
OHU
"He who does not
know can know from
learning"
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter Page 6
Dagara
Darrien Johnson Karen Rowell Taalib Prater Jamil Williams Rasheeda Boelter Robert Lee Shamira Boyer Ahnya Mack Ajeenah Ross
Axum (right): Rodney Artison, Raekwon Hamilton, Infinity
Pennington, Dayonna Farmer, Nasir Johnson, Dontae Lee, Chai Brooke Holliday-Lawson, Shequan Newton, Talia Nel-son, Ciani Fleming- Evans, Brenndan Stevens
Nubia II
Manthita Diawara, Kristan Devine, Keita Bostic, Moussa Doukoure, Evan Turner, Johura Khan, Aleya Smith, Azeize Smith, Marquis Lawerence-Madison, Diavion Northington, Nadir Dempsey, Delilah Rodriguez
Kemet: Symone Nelson, Nyeerah Long
Upper School Students of the Month
Page 7 Volume 5/Issue 6
“Books are for Brothers” Middle School
A Spotlight on Sisterhood On Friday, March 28, 2014, the fifth grade girls gathered for a Sisterhood group. Our session
was designed to help us respect each other. I learned that is important to say kind words to all of the
girls in our school, no matter if someone is right or wrong. Respecting other girls is important be-
cause without it you may get into a fight. For example, we watched a video called “Jan the Bully” in
which I saw that one girl hurt another girl. In fights, anybody can get hurt, even girls. Both girls felt sad
and mad about what happened. Also, respect can help you keep friendships. In another movie we
watched, a girl lost her friend because she did not show respect for her friend. Overall, we should show respect for other girls. For instance, we wrote encouraging words on a paper for each girl in
the group to show respect to each other. Through Sisterhood group, I learned how to be more ma-
ture and respectful to the girls in fifth grade. I can specifically do this by not fighting and by showing
my friends respect. For all of the activities about respect that I described above, Sisterhood group was
fun!
-Maeva Brea
Intellectual Warriors from the Ashanti
Nation with MK Asante author of the
Book Buck
On March 14, 2014, Ashanti scholars Tyreek Walker, Tariq
Mines, Omar Long, Mylz Ward, and Sherman Jones went to
Temple University to interview author M. K. Asante about
his recently published autobiography, Buck. These brothers had previously read and spent weeks analyzing the text
through a literature circle. The group made deep connec-
tions between their own experiences and events in Buck. The
scholars were able to directly share with Professor Asante
how transformational his book has been for them. Both Pro-
fessor Asante and the Educational Psychology Department at
Temple University have commented on how impressed they
were by the Sankofa scholars’ close reading, provocative
questions, and deep thought. The Sankofa teachers couldn’t
be prouder of them.
This year, for the first time, we are organizing an upper school parent group, to work on issues that relate specifically to the upper
school servant leaders. We want to be able to explore together the college consideration and selection process, as well as ways of
handling some of the social concerns that arise for our teenagers, such as relationship issues, substance abuse, depression, and ca-
reer exploration. We know that being the parent of a teenager brings its own kind of stress and struggle. We invite you to join the
upper school Parent Support Circle. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month, during the time that we usually
hold our parent meetings. Parents will meet with our new principal, Baba Waset, and have the opportunity to take part in a wide
range of guest discussions and activities. If you are interested in providing leadership for the circle, please contact our new Execu-tive Assistant, and Parent Involvement Coordinator, Sis. Dione Pride at 215-288-2001. Meetings of the Upper School Parent Circle
will be held at the Penn Street Campus. The next meeting will be on November 12th at 6:00. JOIN US!
Upper School Celebrates Students of the Month
Calling All Upper School Parents: We Need One Another!
Breast Cancer Walk
Darrien Johnson
Sahir Chambers
Cassandra Boyd
Rasheeda Boelter
Jasmine Thomas
Jewel Allen-Washington
Jamil Williams
Damon Carr
Taleia Prince-Forrest
Axum
Carolyn Coleman
Justin Anson
Talia Nelson
Aminah Wilkinson
Tylia Ross
Rashid Young
Chai Holiday-Lawson
Malik Chambers
Nubia II
Davon Ward
Taliyah Barnes
Nijah Lewis
Mia Heredia
Yacob Hart
Bahsir Matthews
Krissy Devine
Amar Harris
Rasheed Ross
Marquis Lawrence-Madison
Dagara
Page 8 Volume 5/Issue 6
Here are the list of scholars:
Nubia II
Devohn Ward Taliyah Barnes Nijah Lewis
Mia Heredia Yacob Hart Bashir Matthews
Krissy Devine Amar Harris Rasheed Ross
Marquis Lawerance
Dagara Darrien Johnson Sahir Chambers
Cassandra Boyd Rasheeda Boelter Jasmine Thomas
Jewel Allen-Washington
Kemet
Zainabou Dabo
Jaylen Price
Egypt Shabazz
Siani Rojas
Shakiara Boston
Aboubacar Doukoure
Sakwon-Ali Epps
Simeon Browne
NEA ONNIM
NO SUA A,
OHU
"He who does not
know can know from
learning"
Page 8 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Dogon: 5th Grade
Front Row: Mzyah Heck,Joshua Lubin
Back Row: Zayada Flanagan,Naja Lumsden, Isaiah
Webb, Nadira Abdullah
Bambara: 6th Grade
Front Row: Jayda Gill,Tahirah Arter,Azirah Bowman,
Emani Gentry
Back Row: Jeremiah Butler, Tashaan McGill, Keyvon
Montague, Luis Padilla, Nyree Shelton
Mighty Middle School
Students of the Month
Fulani: 7th Grade
Front Row: Cion Rawls, Ousamae Fofana, Shaimeria
Tilghman, Jhanae Geiger, Paulinda Nicholson
Back Row: Sada Nianghane(Bambara), Quadirah Mor-
rison-Thomas, Jada Patterson, Heaven Pickett,
Keolobogile More
Ashanti: 8th Grade
Front Row: Lariq Byrd, Tahir Bolton
Back Row: Jada Mcleod, Aasiya Boone, Viviana Padilla,
Omar Long, Terry Monroe-McNeil, Andryanna,
Smith,Ronesha Holloway, Sierra Lumsden
Page 9 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
SFA Lower School Family! We are hosting a library card drive!
To participate, all you have to do is follow the TWO easy steps below:
1) Fill out the library card application. Note: Even if your child has fines, please fill out the application! Children materials no longer carry a fine. Just return whatever has been checked
-out!
2) Return the form to school!
It will take about 2-3 weeks for the library cards to be processed. All cards will be sent directly to Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School (main building) and distributed to students. If you would like the
card sent to your home address, please write “MAIL TO HOME ADDRESS” at the top of the application.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in the literacy development of your child!
Peace, Love, and Reading Power!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
Greetings SFA Family!
At the October Parent Meeting, I had the wonderful
opportunity to speak with the Lower School parents about the
importance of reading for 20 minutes each night. Research proves
that students who read daily acquire more words. Check out the
graphic to the right!
As we work to ensure that our scholars are reading for
at least 20 minutes every night, we need to give them access to
books. One way to do this is to use a resource right here in our
community...the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Join Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School as we host our
very first Library Card Drive! The Lower School will kick off the
drive in the month of November, and the Middle School will have
in the month of December.
I am so excited to work with the entire Sankofa village to promote
the importance of literacy!
READING IS POWER!
Page 9 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
TEXT TALK AT HOME Scenario: Your child comes home and completes their
Liberation Work (homework) assignment for the night.
They ask you to sign off their daily reading log. You ask
them did they read. They happily say, “YES!” You sign
the log, but have no idea what they read or if they un-
derstand what they read.
Sound familiar?
As busy parents, it is very difficult to read every story,
passage, or article that your child brings home every
night. Let me let you in on a little secret. It is difficult
for teachers to read every single book that students
select from our classroom libraries. However, we
know the right questions to ask to assess their under-
standing (comprehension) of the text.
So, now I am equipping you with some questions you
can ask your child at home. If they have a hard time
answering the question, it is probably because they did
not understand what they read. Now you have insight
into how you can help your child, and can tell them to
go back and reread!
Use these questions to participate in what I’m calling
“Text Talk”. The questions listed allow you to have a
conversation with your child before, during, and after
reading. Lastly, make sure they are answering the ques-
tions in complete sentences.
Happy Text Talk Time!
READING IS POWER!
Before reading:
• Looking at the title, cover and illustrations/pictures, what do
you think will happen in this book?
• What makes you think that?
• What characters do you think might be in the book?
• Do you think there will be problem in the story? Why?
• What do you already know about the topic of this book?
• Does the topic or story relate to you or your family? How?
• Do you think it will be like any other book you’ve read? If
so, which one, and how do you think it will be similar?
During reading:
• What has happened so far in the story? Can you tell me
using sequence words? (first, then, next, after, finally, etc.)
• What do you predict will happen next?
• How do you think the story will end?
• Why do you think the character did ____________?
• What would you have done if you were the character?
• How would you have felt if you were the character?
• When you read, what pictures did you see in your head?
How did you imagine it looked like?
• What are you wondering about as you read? What
questions do you have?
• Think about the predictions you made before reading; do
you still think the story will go that way? Why or why not?
How do you think it will go now?
After reading:
• Why is the title a good title for the book/story? If you had
to give it a different title, what would be another good title
for it?
• Were your predictions correct? Where did you have to fix
your prediction as you read?
• If there was a problem, did it get solved? How did the
character try to solve the problem?
• What happened because of the problem?
• Did any of the characters change through the story? Who
changed, and how did they change?
• Why do you think the author wrote this?
• What is the most important point that the author is trying to
make in his/her writing?
• What was your favorite part? Why?
• If you could change one part, what would you change?
• If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
• Can you retell the story in sequence order (use your fingers
and sequence words: first, second, then, next, etc.)
• Is there a character in the story that reminds you of some-
one
you know? If so, who are they like, and why do you think
that? • Does this book remind you of another book you know?
Does it remind you of something you’ve experienced in real
life?
Courtesy of http://www.tufsd.org/
Page 9
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Sankofa Warriors Shining Bright This Winter
Boys & Girls Basketball and the Cheer Team
Senior Captain, Anthony Wright-Downing (number 11),
passed the 1,000 point total for his high school career. You
can see him and the other seniors pictured above.
The Sankofa Lady Warriors are having their best season in school history. For the first time, Sankofa Lady Warriors have
seniors on the team, and those seniors are leading by example. Since Sankofa opened in 2009 with only freshmen, our
Lady Warriors have not had seniors on the roster. Lead by Seniors Jazzmaine Lancit, Tiara Wilson, Shakiara Boston,
Symone Nelson and Dominique Deverteuil, the Lady Warriors are in prime position to make the playoffs for the first
time in school history. You can see the improvement and growth in these student athletes, as they anchor a team of
freshmen sophomores, juniors and seniors. Special thanks to the coaches, Sis Justine and Bro Isa. Let’s support our Lady
Warriors this winter as they make a run for the playoffs.
Sankofa’s First Scholar to Reach1,000 career points!
The Cheer Leading Team
Represented us WELL!
Congrats to the Lady Warriors
2013-14 Cheer Team. They did a
great job representing us at the
City Wide Annual Cheer Com-
pletion this past December.
Their routine was excellent and
we are exciting about what they
will do next year. Thank you to
the coaches Sis Jones and Mama
Nikki!
The mighty Yoruba nation uses their Kuumba
when it comes to math. Above, we have
Kyz’ceon Walls and Zariya Smith comparing
numbers with Jaws (greater than), baby bird (less
than) and equal to.
Teamwork
Makes the
Dream Work
Kongo-Anderson Style……
During the week of 3/21,
the nation of Kongo read an
informational text telling of
the “Ways People Live”,
which provided information about ways people lived in
the Arctic, deserts, rainfor-
ests and places with four
season. Students took the
information in the text and
created a non-fiction writing
piece telling of the ways
people lived in a particular
place…. Look at our 1st
graders citing evidence from
the text!!!
Page 9 Volume 5/Issue 6
They then took a swim in the ocean, as students
studied the ocean as a habitat. Above, we see that
the nation used their Kuumba, Ujima and Umoja to
create an ocean habitat that has brought the kin-dergarten wing to life in the Lower school. If you
haven’t had the opportunity to visit, come take a
swim.
Kongo-Anderson students using
teamwork for classwork..
Page 10 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
SFA Lower School Family! We are hosting a library card drive!
To participate, all you have to do is follow the TWO easy steps below:
1) Fill out the library card application. Note: Even if your child has fines, please fill out the application! Children materials no longer carry a fine. Just return whatever has been checked
-out!
2) Return the form to school!
It will take about 2-3 weeks for the library cards to be processed. All cards will be sent directly to Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School (main building) and distributed to students. If you would like the
card sent to your home address, please write “MAIL TO HOME ADDRESS” at the top of the application.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in the literacy development of your child!
Peace, Love, and Reading Power!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
Greetings SFA Family!
At the October Parent Meeting, I had the wonderful
opportunity to speak with the Lower School parents about the
importance of reading for 20 minutes each night. Research proves
that students who read daily acquire more words. Check out the
graphic to the right!
As we work to ensure that our scholars are reading for
at least 20 minutes every night, we need to give them access to
books. One way to do this is to use a resource right here in our
community...the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Join Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School as we host our
very first Library Card Drive! The Lower School will kick off the
drive in the month of November, and the Middle School will have
in the month of December.
I am so excited to work with the entire Sankofa village to promote
the importance of literacy!
READING IS POWER!
Page 10 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
TEXT TALK AT HOME Scenario: Your child comes home and completes their
Liberation Work (homework) assignment for the night.
They ask you to sign off their daily reading log. You ask
them did they read. They happily say, “YES!” You sign
the log, but have no idea what they read or if they un-
derstand what they read.
Sound familiar?
As busy parents, it is very difficult to read every story,
passage, or article that your child brings home every
night. Let me let you in on a little secret. It is difficult
for teachers to read every single book that students
select from our classroom libraries. However, we
know the right questions to ask to assess their under-
standing (comprehension) of the text.
So, now I am equipping you with some questions you
can ask your child at home. If they have a hard time
answering the question, it is probably because they did
not understand what they read. Now you have insight
into how you can help your child, and can tell them to
go back and reread!
Use these questions to participate in what I’m calling
“Text Talk”. The questions listed allow you to have a
conversation with your child before, during, and after
reading. Lastly, make sure they are answering the ques-
tions in complete sentences.
Happy Text Talk Time!
READING IS POWER!
Before reading:
• Looking at the title, cover and illustrations/pictures, what do
you think will happen in this book?
• What makes you think that?
• What characters do you think might be in the book?
• Do you think there will be problem in the story? Why?
• What do you already know about the topic of this book?
• Does the topic or story relate to you or your family? How?
• Do you think it will be like any other book you’ve read? If
so, which one, and how do you think it will be similar?
During reading:
• What has happened so far in the story? Can you tell me
using sequence words? (first, then, next, after, finally, etc.)
• What do you predict will happen next?
• How do you think the story will end?
• Why do you think the character did ____________?
• What would you have done if you were the character?
• How would you have felt if you were the character?
• When you read, what pictures did you see in your head?
How did you imagine it looked like?
• What are you wondering about as you read? What
questions do you have?
• Think about the predictions you made before reading; do
you still think the story will go that way? Why or why not?
How do you think it will go now?
After reading:
• Why is the title a good title for the book/story? If you had
to give it a different title, what would be another good title
for it?
• Were your predictions correct? Where did you have to fix
your prediction as you read?
• If there was a problem, did it get solved? How did the
character try to solve the problem?
• What happened because of the problem?
• Did any of the characters change through the story? Who
changed, and how did they change?
• Why do you think the author wrote this?
• What is the most important point that the author is trying to
make in his/her writing?
• What was your favorite part? Why?
• If you could change one part, what would you change?
• If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
• Can you retell the story in sequence order (use your fingers
and sequence words: first, second, then, next, etc.)
• Is there a character in the story that reminds you of some-
one
you know? If so, who are they like, and why do you think
that? • Does this book remind you of another book you know?
Does it remind you of something you’ve experienced in real
life?
Courtesy of http://www.tufsd.org/
Page 10 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
3rd and 4th Grade Writing Corner
My Favorite Season By Kayla Harris
My favorite season is summer. I am going to convince
you to like summer too. The reason why I like summer
is because it is a time when you can get water ice. Don’t
you think it is a time to get water ice in the summer? I
know! Also, summer is when you can sometimes get
water ice for free because it is so hot. Another reason
why I like summer and you should too is because sum-
mer is when you don’t have school. When you are in
school all year long, don’t you feel like you need a break?
Yes! So, summer is the time when you can relax and
chill from all of the hard work.
Spring By Jennifer Orteus
My favorite season is spring. Spring is my favorite
season because it is not too hot or too cold, it’s just
right. I also like spring because it is a time when you
can see flowers (roses are red, violets are blue). In
addition, in the spring I see flowers and I hope you
do too. I like seeing colorful backyards as I walk
past them. Lastly, spring is my favorite season be-
cause my mom lets me go outside and play with my
brothers, sisters and friends. That is why spring is
my favorite season.
Summer By Shaun Sanders
My favorite season is summer. I love summer because I get a break from school. Another reason I like summer
is it’s the best time to get a pool. Also, summer is the best because I can have fun without anyone telling me
not to. In addition, I love summer because I’m the one feeling free and wonderful. Summer is fun, warm and
the longest vacation ever. I will enjoy this summer because I have a new little sister to play with,. For me, sum-
mer is the best thing ever. I love summer!
Art Heals The Heart By Mecca Patterson-Guridy
Did you know that art can heal your heart? When people have heart problems, don't have limbs, have lupus or
any other conditions, they need happiness to help them feel better. I just discovered that people use art to
make children feel better. Children just feel free to do art, make a mess, be creative, or even make something
on your own. I remember once when I was sad, I looked at a pretty piece of art and I felt better. I really felt
good. Art really does heal the heart.
Informative Essay: Something I would like to try By Joselyn Olivencia
One activity I would like to try is gymnastics. I would like to do gymnastics because it is a very
fun activity. I love it because it makes you feel free, doing it when you’re up in the air and flipping. I am
not that type of child that who would rather stay inside and play on a mobile device. My legacy I would
want to leave is to become the world’s most famous gymnast. When I grow up I want other children
to follow in my foot steps and encourage other children to follow after their dreams and stand up for
who they are. One reason I want kids to do gymnastics is so they can grow up to be healthy and
strong in a fun way. My favorite athlete is Gabby Douglass. She is my favorite athlete because she was a big influ-
ence on me. She knew she was struggling at the time, but she didn’t quit. Everybody pushed her, but
she did not fall. She got up and did what felt right to her until she achieved her dreams of going to the
Olympics and there she did her best. Now she is a famous athlete going around the world achieving
more and more. That is why Gabby Douglass was a big influence to me. In closing ,thought about becoming an athlete and I wanted to do gymnastics so I can follow after my
aunt and influence others. That’s why I want to do gymnastics.
Page 11 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter Page 11 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
TEXT TALK AT HOME Scenario: Your child comes home and completes their
Liberation Work (homework) assignment for the night.
They ask you to sign off their daily reading log. You ask
them did they read. They happily say, “YES!” You sign
the log, but have no idea what they read or if they un-
derstand what they read.
Sound familiar?
As busy parents, it is very difficult to read every story,
passage, or article that your child brings home every
night. Let me let you in on a little secret. It is difficult
for teachers to read every single book that students
select from our classroom libraries. However, we
know the right questions to ask to assess their under-
standing (comprehension) of the text.
So, now I am equipping you with some questions you
can ask your child at home. If they have a hard time
answering the question, it is probably because they did
not understand what they read. Now you have insight
into how you can help your child, and can tell them to
go back and reread!
Use these questions to participate in what I’m calling
“Text Talk”. The questions listed allow you to have a
conversation with your child before, during, and after
reading. Lastly, make sure they are answering the ques-
tions in complete sentences.
Happy Text Talk Time!
READING IS POWER!
Before reading:
• Looking at the title, cover and illustrations/pictures, what do
you think will happen in this book?
• What makes you think that?
• What characters do you think might be in the book?
• Do you think there will be problem in the story? Why?
• What do you already know about the topic of this book?
• Does the topic or story relate to you or your family? How?
• Do you think it will be like any other book you’ve read? If
so, which one, and how do you think it will be similar?
During reading:
• What has happened so far in the story? Can you tell me
using sequence words? (first, then, next, after, finally, etc.)
• What do you predict will happen next?
• How do you think the story will end?
• Why do you think the character did ____________?
• What would you have done if you were the character?
• How would you have felt if you were the character?
• When you read, what pictures did you see in your head?
How did you imagine it looked like?
• What are you wondering about as you read? What
questions do you have?
• Think about the predictions you made before reading; do
you still think the story will go that way? Why or why not?
How do you think it will go now?
After reading:
• Why is the title a good title for the book/story? If you had
to give it a different title, what would be another good title
for it?
• Were your predictions correct? Where did you have to fix
your prediction as you read?
• If there was a problem, did it get solved? How did the
character try to solve the problem?
• What happened because of the problem?
• Did any of the characters change through the story? Who
changed, and how did they change?
• Why do you think the author wrote this?
• What is the most important point that the author is trying to
make in his/her writing?
• What was your favorite part? Why?
• If you could change one part, what would you change?
• If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
• Can you retell the story in sequence order (use your fingers
and sequence words: first, second, then, next, etc.)
• Is there a character in the story that reminds you of some-
one
you know? If so, who are they like, and why do you think
that? • Does this book remind you of another book you know?
Does it remind you of something you’ve experienced in real
life?
Courtesy of http://www.tufsd.org/
Page 11 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
SFA Lower School Family! We are hosting a library card drive!
To participate, all you have to do is follow the TWO easy steps below:
1) Fill out the library card application. Note: Even if your child has fines, please fill out the application! Children materials no longer carry a fine. Just return whatever has been checked
-out!
2) Return the form to school!
It will take about 2-3 weeks for the library cards to be processed. All cards will be sent directly to Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School (main building) and distributed to students. If you would like the
card sent to your home address, please write “MAIL TO HOME ADDRESS” at the top of the application.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in the literacy development of your child!
Peace, Love, and Reading Power!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
Greetings SFA Family!
At the October Parent Meeting, I had the wonderful
opportunity to speak with the Lower School parents about the
importance of reading for 20 minutes each night. Research proves
that students who read daily acquire more words. Check out the
graphic to the right!
As we work to ensure that our scholars are reading for
at least 20 minutes every night, we need to give them access to
books. One way to do this is to use a resource right here in our
community...the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Join Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School as we host our
very first Library Card Drive! The Lower School will kick off the
drive in the month of November, and the Middle School will have
in the month of December.
I am so excited to work with the entire Sankofa village to promote
the importance of literacy!
READING IS POWER!
Page 11
I have a recognition! I would like to recognize
Lamar Guerra as the Lower School Leader for the
month of April. Lamar has been selected as a stu-
dent of the month already this year, and he has
made the honor roll all three grading peri-
ods. Lamar proves that you don't have to be an
older scholar to be a leader. Every time I see this
wonderful brother he is demonstrating what we
expect from all of the scholars at Sankofa. He is a
wonderful Servant leader. Lamar does a wonderful
job of representing his family, Sankofa, and his Kin-
dergarten nation of Yoruba.
Lower School Students of the Month
K1- Turbin Lubin, K2- Kaylen McPhaul, 1A- Asiyah Bowman, 1B- Taj Horton , 2A- Keon Burns, 2B- Kaiyana Allen, 3A- Terferia Thomas,
Tristin Lee, 3B- Saneya Church-Webb, 4A- Gregory Askins, 4B- Aaliyah Johnson, Art- Shamirah Turner, Music- Ishtar El, Vita Saana-
Aaliyah Johnson, Drummers- Jaia Price, Reading Specialist- Asiyah Bowman, Lower School Leader- Lamar Guerra
Volume 5/Issue 6
Page 12 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Page 12
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
One of the most common questions I get asked as a Reading Special-
ist is how a parent can help their child. While each situation may be
different, there is one thing that all parents can do to help their chil-
dren practice and perfect that art of reading at home. What is it you
ask?
READ ALOUD!!! We often think that reading aloud is for our babies and toddlers.
However, even older children benefit from listening to readers who
read with expression at a “just right” pace. In the education world,
we call this modeling. Modeling is when you demonstrate a task or
skill and students learn by observing. Remember you are the first
teacher! So model, model, model by doing a read aloud every day.
Oh, and don’t forget to ask questions along way, because reading is
thinking!
Here’s to the power and magic of the read aloud!
READING IS POWER!
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
The lower school parents’ meeting on November 12 was a success! We enjoyed a very informative financial presentation by Sis. Aisha Blackshear, and Sis. Kathe-rine Chappelle informed us about some helpful resources available at The Free Library of Philadelphia. Baba Ras Angola was also available to address questions
about our Special Ed. Program.
Parents and students enjoyed a pizza dinner, and four lucky parents went home with Shop Rite gift cards. The Wazuri officer elections will be rescheduled for a future meeting. Please check the school announcements, and the Sankofa Parents
Facebook page for updates.
We would love for more of our parents to take advantage of everything that is of-fered at the monthly Meetings. Mark your calendar for the Kwanzaa Extravangazaa, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at the Sankofa An-
nex. You don't want to miss this event!
Parents’ Corner
Resources
Page 13 Volume 5/Issue 6
The Wazuri Word
Page 15
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Page 13 Volume 5/Issue 6
Page 13 Volume 5/Issue 6
The Cultural Arts Department
Spotlight on the Lower School Scholars and Sister Dasha
This year we have been busy using our KUUMBA in Elemen-
tary School Cultural Arts. The students have worked with
various mediums and materials including crayon drawings and
engravings, oil pastel and oil pastel resist, tempera paint, water
color and India ink, collage and tissue paper college, and much
more. We are currently working on mosaics, which I look
forward to continuing with the fourth grade when we embark
on our Community Garden Project. We are also excited to
be making our own crayons by recycling our old broken ones,
melting them, and creating new color combinations. What is
in store for Cultural Arts this month? Printmaking! Keep
your eyes open for the beautiful student work to come.
The lower school parents’ meeting on November 12 was a success! We enjoyed a very informative financial presentation by Sis. Aisha Blackshear, and Sis. Kathe-rine Chappelle informed us about some helpful resources available at The Free Library of Philadelphia. Baba Ras Angola was also available to address questions
about our Special Ed. Program.
Parents and students enjoyed a pizza dinner, and four lucky parents went home with Shop Rite gift cards. The Wazuri officer elections will be rescheduled for a future meeting. Please check the school announcements, and the Sankofa Parents
Facebook page for updates.
We would love for more of our parents to take advantage of everything that is of-fered at the monthly Meetings. Mark your calendar for the Kwanzaa Extravangazaa, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at the Sankofa An-
nex. You don't want to miss this event!
Parents’ Corner
Resources
Page 14 Volume 5/Issue 6
The Wazuri Word
Page 15
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Page 14 Volume 5/Issue 6
Parents’ Corner
The Importance of Parental Involvement
Although parents conscientiously send their children off to school every day and expect them to do well, they can add an important extra
ingredient that will boost their children's success. Parent participation is the ingredient that makes the difference. Parents' active involvement
with their child's education at home and in school brings great rewards and has can have a significant impact on their children's child's lives.
According to research studies, the children of involved parents:
are absent less frequently
behave better
do better academically from pre-school through high school
go farther in school
go to better schools
Research also shows that a home environment that encourages learning is even more important than parents' income, education level, or
cultural background. By actively participating in their child's education at home and in school, parents send some critical messages to their
child; they're demonstrating their interest in his/her activities and reinforcing the idea that school is important.
"Involved Parents: The Hidden Resource in Their Children's Education | AboutOurKids.org." Involved Parents: The Hidden Resource in Their Children's Education |
AboutOurKids.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Don’t miss the last Parents’ Meeting of the 2013-2014 school year on Tuesday, June 10th @ 6: 00 p.m.
FREE Stuff
Kids bowl free! All summer long…
Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever
Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the
community and to provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.
Visit kidsbowlfree.com for details.
Free YMCA Membership for 7th Graders
Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA has partnered with the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs in p!romoting the 7th Grade Mem-
bership Initiative, which provides a FREE one-year membership to all 7th Graders in the area. Registration for the 7th Grade
Initiative program is easy. Students simply need to take proof of 7th Grade status (a roster or report card), along with a
parent or guardian to any location of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA.
Stamp Pass
(Free zoo/museum membership for high school students)
STAMP is a major new initiative from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to
engage more Philadelphia high school students in arts and culture. The goal is to increase
teens’ access to all of the incredible arts and culture Philadelphia has to offer, as a means to
discovering their own identities and including culture in their menu of leisure-time options
(as we like to say: “a movie, a mall, a museum!”). The pass grants Philadelphia teens, 14-19
years old, free access to 12 area museums and attractions. https://phillystamppass.org
Summer Movie Series
at Penns Landing Every Thursday night in July and August, a
different film will be screened outdoors
on a big screen at Penn’s Landing. Bring a
blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a great
summer treat!
Sit back and cozy up to blockbuster mov-
ies on the big screen right on the banks of
the Delaware River.
The screening will begin at dusk and, as is
the case with all events at Penn’s Landing,
admission is free. Prior to the start of
each screening will be themed activities,
coordinated with the theme of that
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
426 Paul Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19124
Your Address Line 3 Your Address Line 4
Phone: 215-288-2001 Fax: 215-288-2099
Upcoming Events: Calendar BUSIN NAME
Building Intergenerational Communities of Scholarship, Culture, and Activism
“We who be-
lieve in free-
dom shall not
rest until it
comes!”
….Ella Baker
Sankofa Freedom Academy Board of Trustees Meetings 2013—2014 Board Meetings are held every third Monday at 6:00 pm. Meeting dates are as follows:
Jackson Mayor, Chokwe Lumumba, a human rights activist and
nationally prominent attorney who as city leader persuaded voters
to accept a sales tax to fix crumbling infrastructure in Mississippi’s
capital, died Tuesday. He was 66.
Officials said Lumumba, a Democrat, died at a Jackson hospital. A
cause of death wasn’t immediately clear.
As an attorney, Lumumba represented Tupac Shakur in cases includ-
ing one in which the rapper was cleared of aggravated assault in the
shootings of two off-duty police officers who were visiting Atlanta
from another city when they were wounded. Shakur died in 1996.
In 2011, Lumumba persuaded then-Gov. Haley Barbour to release
sisters Jamie Scott and Gladys Scott from a Mississippi prison after
they served 16 years for an armed robbery they said they didn’t
commit. Barbour suspended their life sentences but didn’t pardon them.
Lumumba served one term on the Jackson City Council and was sworn in as mayor last July. He
persuaded voters to pass a referendum in January to add a 1-cent local sales tax to help pay for
improvements to crumbling roads and an aging water and sewer system.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat whose district includes most of Jackson, said he has
known Lumumba since 1974.
“One of the reasons I was so public about my support for the mayor was that I believed once peo-
ple got to know the real Chokwe Lumumba they would find him to be an extremely bright, caring
and humble individual,” Thompson said Tuesday. “His election as mayor and very short term in
office demonstrated exactly that.”
Lumumba is the second Jackson mayor to die in recent years. In June 2009, Mayor Frank Melton
died while unsuccessfully seeking re-election in the Democratic primary.
City Council president Charles Tillman has become acting mayor, and the council will set a nonpar-
tisan special election for voters to choose a new mayor.
Lumumba was born in Detroit as Edwin Taliaferro, and changed his name in 1969, when he was in
his early 20s. He said he took his new first name from an African tribe that resisted slavery centu-
ries ago and his last name from African independence leader Patrice Lumumba.
He moved to Jackson in 1971 as a human rights activist. He went to law school in Michigan in the
mid-1970s and returned to Jackson in 1988.
Lumumba was involved with the Republic of New Afrika in the 1970s and ’80s. He said in 2013 that
the group had advocated “an independent predominantly black government” in the southeastern
United States. Lumumba was vice president of the group during part of his stint. The group also
advocated reparations for slavery, and was watched by an FBI counterintelligence operation.
“The provisional government of Republic of New Afrika was always a group that believed in human
rights for human beings,” Lumumba told The Associated Press in 2013. “I think it has been miscast
in many ways. It has never been any kind of racist group or ‘hate white’ group in any way…. It was
a group which was fighting for human rights for black people in this country and at the same time
supporting the human rights around the globe.
"Jackson, Miss., Mayor Chokwe Lumumba Dies at 66." Black America Web RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Ashe’ - Spotlight on Chokwe Lumumba
We’re on the web:
www.sfacs.us
Like ‘Sankofa Parents’
on Facebook
May 30 Career Day—Upper School June 13 Donuts with Dad
June 2 8th Grade Freedom Ride June 13-14 Upper School trip to Niagara Falls
June 5 Oratorical Contest June 17 4th Grade Transition
June 5 Senior Prom June 18 12th Grade Graduation
June 6 Dinner Dance—Grades 5 & 6 June 20 8th Grade Transition
June 11 Kindergarten Move–up Day June 21 Family Day at Sesame Place
“Working to Restore Excellence in Scholarship, Culture, and Community”
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School Board of Trustees
Steve Blackburn, President
Oshunbunmi Samuels, Secretary
Jennifer Powell-Folks, Member
Nadine McNeil, Parent Representative
Toni Winston, Staff Representative
Joseph Foster, Treasurer
“One Heart, One Love, One Earth, One People”
Harambee!!