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Important Parent Forms for SY 2026-2027 The Re-enrollment Form should be completed by returning families only. When completed, email or drop off the form to: Mama Keviana, kholmes@rootspcs.org . All other enrollment materials for new families can be found here ! Health and Safety Plan COVID Plan Home & Hospital Instruction Policy School Health Profile (SY 2025-26) MARCH NEWS & INFORM ATION Heroes & Sheroes of the Month School Meals Download Monthly Newsletter RPCS Charter School Profile Download School Calendar School Uniforms Calendar Roots Covid-19 Safety Policy (SY 2025-2026) (In-person Instruction) Students and staff will be screened each day before entering school. Failed screening or getting sick during the day will constitute non-admission until well or negative test is shown. Students will be in separate cohorts, keeping intermingling to a minimum. Students and staff will wear masks throughout the day except when eating. Students and staff must bring a negative test result every Monday to be admitted. Students and staff will wash hands frequently. Disinfecting will be done throughout the day. The school will has upgraded HVAC filters. There are portable air filters for each class area and restroom. We have water coolers and throw away cups. When a student, staff, or cohort test positive they must be quarantined for five days and return on or after the sixth day with a negative test result. Close contacts within the class may Test-To-Stay (TTS) if they test negative at that time and when retested two days later also test negative. All staff must be fully vaccinated.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM MISSION & PHILOSOPHY The Mission of Roots Public Charter School is to: Encourage success, leading to self-reliance and economic, social/political contributions to society; Promote and secure the connection of Mother Africa within our children; Prepare students to break the chains of psychological conditioning that attempt to keep them powerless in all phases of society; Provide students with a strong African-centered learning environment; Guide students toward academic excellence, exemplary character and social responsibility. Roots Public Charter School believes in the principles of Nguzo Saba – The Seen Principals of African Heritage: The teachers and staff of Roots believe that children of African heritage have unlimited potential that, if appropriately nourished, can flourish and bring about a brighter world. We believe in teaching from an African-centered perspective, which includes hands-on and holistic activities. Our school is designed to facilitate organized activity using open spaces that are strategically divided. Students are grouped in a multi-grade fashion so they can grow and develop naturally as siblings do in a family; the younger children learn skills faster, and the older children acquire a sense of responsibility, maturity, and advanced academic skills. In this simulated family, homeroom teachers remain with the group as the group advances in grade: Pre-Primary (3-5 years old), 1st - 5th grades. Our motto is “Youth are the roots of change, and exposure is the key to intelligence.” Roots, therefore, provides its students with a stimulating academic curriculum of language arts, math, social studies, science, music, art, and physical education. The goal is to enable students to become successful, lifelong learners and valuable, contributing agents of change in our global community. We invite you to schedule an appointment to see our team of educators in action. Our non-discrimination policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, etc. We also invited teachers to contact us for career opportunities .

ROOTS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISCOVER MORE At Roots Public Charter School, we nourish our children to have a strong sense of African-centered culture and to maintain high expectations of academic excellence. As educators, our responsibility is to educate them well, so they develop into the strong, sturdy oak trees that become our leaders of tomorrow. From Acorns To Oaks nourish the children and brilliant acorns become magnificent oaks

Our Heroes and Sheroes

Academic Instruction Weekly Lesson Plans Michelle Abney - Kindergarten Khadija Bryant - 1st/2nd Grade Betty Laichena - 3rd Grade Camara Nicholes - 4th/5th Grade More Time on Task Roots P CS teachers spend approximately 20% more time in school than most other DC public school teachers. The elementary school day is from 8:00 am-4:00 pm and the Prek3 and PreK4 schedule is from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm., allowing for increased time on task and after school daycare. Standards-Based Instruction Roots PCS uses the Common Core to ensure high quality instruction. Grade-level teams and support team members collaborate regularly to map Roots PCS curriculum, benchmark it against standards, and drive instructional decision-making in a rigorous, meaningful way. Research-Based Curricula Roots RPSC adopts resources that have proven success with similar populations of scholars. Nightly Homework: Regular homework is essential to mastering content and developing strong study habits. Students receive developmentally appropriate homework on a nightly basis to reinforce skills and develop study skills Homework is checked on a daily basis and families are kept apprised of scholar success through phone calls and written logs. Enrichment Our enrichment program ensures that scholars enjoy a variety of specials activities which contribute to scholar success both inside and outside of the classroom. Dr.Boyd’s Monthly Hands- on Science Weekly African Drumming and Dancing classes Weekly DC Hand-Dancing classes Weeky Jump Rope classes Kiswahili/Spanish/French (Introductory classes) Continuous Assessment Regular analysis of and reflection on scholar progress is central to Roots PCS's culture and to achieving our mission. The Principal leads assessment implementation and data collection efforts to ensure data-drive instruction; All students will take four interim assessments in Reading, Writing and Math each year to gauge progress towards grade-level standards; Student - specific plans are created following analysis of Interim data; All scholars take the ELA and Math Benchmarks for K-2, Common Core for Grades3-5). These tests comply with our student achievement goals, and gives the school an end-of-year snapshot of scholar mastery of grade-level standards; Students in grades 3-5 participate in the PARCC English Language Arts and Mathematics exams, and in the DC Science Assessment and the Health and Physical Education Assessment (HPEA); Students' reading fluency and comprehension levels are consistently monitored with DIBELS.

Click here to see the DC Public Charter School Board school profile that includes school transparency documents for Roots PCS. Download our Local Wellness Policy (LWP) Document March Menus National School Lunch Program SY 2025-26 Roots Public Charter School offers a comprehensive meal program for all students. The school participates in the District of Columbia National School Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Program. The school participates in the District of Columbia National School Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Program which follows USDA meal pattern requirements, rules and regulations. In addition to participating in the NSLP, Roots PCS is also operating under Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and all meals are free to all students enrolled. The program enhances children’s learning abilities. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class. Click on this link to find more information about Roots Public Charter School’s Wellness Policy and Healthy School Act Compliance. Roots PCS participates in SSO, in the event of school closure, meals will be available to families enrolled for the current school year. Click here for information on the Healthy School Act . Meal Charge Policy Roots Public Charter School is a Community Eligibility Provision School. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. For information regarding the National School Lunch Program at Roots Public Charter School, please contact Tyshawn Chisholm at tchisholm@rootspcs.org or 202-882-8073. Breakfast Lunch Snack Vegetarian Monthly Nutrition Analysis Breakfast Lunch USDA Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov *This institution is an equal opportunity provider* Also, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, approved December 13, 1977 (DC law 2-38; DC official code §2-1402.11(2006), as amended) states the following: It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to do any of the following acts, wholly or partially for a discriminatory reason based upon the actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, or political affiliation of any individual. To file a complaint alleging discrimination on one of these bases, please contact the District of Columbia's Office of Human Rights at (202) 727-4559 or ohr@dc.gov . For more information, please contact: Tyshawn Chisholm, Principal RPCS Anti-BULLYING PREVENTION PLAN Our anti-bullying policy prohibits any Roots PCS defines bullying as any severe, pervasive, or persistent "mean" act or conduct whether physical, electronic, or verbal that is harmful that is harmful and discourages positive learning and social interaction in any way. Click here to download the RPCS Anti-BULLYING PREVENTION PLAN. Mayor’s Bullying Prevention Task Force Model Bullying Prevention Policy On June 22, 2012, the District of Columbia City Council passed the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012 (hereafter referred to as ‘the Act’) to address bullying on a comprehensive, citywide level. The policy requires that all District agencies, grantees, and educational institutions that provide services to youth adopt a bullying prevention policy. Click here to download the Mayor’s Bullying Prevention Task Force Model Bullying Prevention Policy.

Links to Exciting Activities Ujima Program (TikTok) Kuumba Program (TikTok) December Kuumba Program (You Tube) Kuumba Program (You Tube) Engaging & Fun Activities

The Roots Community Our Volunteers Enrich Our School Roots PCS relies upon the efforts of parent volunteers to enrich all aspects various aspects of our school community. We are constantly amazed at what we can accomplish by our group of dedicated volunteers. We welcome the energy, creativity, ideas, and mentoring of parents, grandparents, high school and college students, and the community. There are a number of ways to get involved, including; assisting teachers in the classroom or on field trips; staffing various events, or sharing an area of expertise or talent with the students and our staff. If you can contribute in any way, please contact either your child’ s teacher or the sch ool office. Volunteer Clearances We welcome volunteers who want to use their skills and resources to help our students succeed. There are a number of ways to get involved. Please contact us directly to explain your volunteer service and when you are available. Complete the Volunteer Clearance Process All volunteers, including parents, must complete the Roots PCS Online Volunteer Form ... AND ... undergo the DC PS Clearan ce P roce ss . The exceptions to t he clearance process apply to the following situations: Chaperoning field trips Working with a small group of students or with an individual student Working in the library Driving a team/group to an activity Participating in extracurricular events on-site and off-site College students observing or studying at the school Assisting in a classroom Volunteer clearances/certifications are NOT required for the following activities: Classroom presentations or parties Attendance at school events such as assemblies, meetings, performances, festivals, etc. If you are RPCS parent or guardian If you have a secret or top-secret clearance. If you would like to start volunteering while your clearances/certifications are being processed, you must sign an affidavit and show proof of request of the DCPS clearance/certification forms. The affidavit is acceptable only for the interim period that the clearances are in process. Download the Volunteer Affidavit and the Volunteer Co mmitment Form (Coming Soon)

Apply Today! We are now accepting applications for grades PreK-5 for the 2026-2027 school year. Complete the online general charter school application. You may also apply in-person at 15 Kennedy Street NW (Wash, DC). Our main office is open Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. How My School DC Lottery Works My School DC Lottery determines the order in which students are granted admission into Roots PCS. Once all available spaces are filled, names are drawn to determine the order of the waitlist. Students will be admitted from the waitlist as spaces become available in each grade. The My School DC lottery is a school-choice service provided to families interested in enrolling children in public schools within the District of Columbia, including: Prekindergarten (PK3 and PK4) K-12 out-of-boundary schools Selective high schools My School DC lottery application is not required to attend an in-boundary or feeder-pattern school. To identify your in-boundary and feeder schools, visit the Enrollment Boundary Information System (EBIS) . To apply, visit the My School DC lottery website at MySchoolDC.org . Roots PCS SY 2026-2027 Charter School Lottery Applications for grades PK3-5 for the 2025-2026 school year are being accepted now. In order for your child to be included in the Roots PCS lottery, you must submit a 2025-2026 Lottery Application Form by March 3, 2025. Legal parents or guardians may complete the online school application. Lottery results will be available on Friday, March 28th! We are excited to announce that Roots Public Charter School is now participating in My School DC, the common application for nearly all DC-based public schools. Families interested in joining the Roots PCS community are invited to attend one of two Open Houses that will take place in January-February. Enrollment Day is Saturday, April 26th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. New student applications for the upcoming year will be accepted through www.myschooldc.org . When selecting a school, you will select Roots Public Charter School as your FIRST choice on the preference list. Once your application has been submitted and you receive notification that your child has been matched/accepted to our school, the following documents are required and must be submitted to the school: ● School Enrollment Application Packet ● Re-Enrollment Form (Returning Families Only) ● Before Care & After Care Interest Form ● Home Language Survey (New Families Only) ● Proof of DC Residency (English) ● Proof of DC Residency (Spanish) ● Proof of DC Residency (Amharic) ● DC School Immunization Requirements Guide ● DC School Immunization Exemption Details ● 2025 District Pediatric Vaccine Locations Guide ● DC Universal Health Certificate ● DC Oral Health Assessment Form ● DC Asthma Action Plan Please navigate HERE for step-by-step guide on the MSDC lottery system. Students are not enrolled in the school until all supporting documents have been received. Parents are required to attend the Parent Orientation in August 1, 2026. The school year will consist of 180+ instructional days beginning in September and ending in June, with the same federal holidays and snow days as the D.C. Public School system. School day hours are as follows: School Day Hours : 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM for K-5 | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM for Pre-primary Before Care - begins at 7:00 AM | After Care - ends at 6:00 PM (included at no cost, upon request) Roots PCS participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (free and reduced breakfast, lunch, and PM snack) for all enrolled students. RPCS is an equal opportunity organization committed to non-discriminatory practices in hiring and services rendered based on race, color, or national origin. The Closing Date is Important The My School DC common lottery close date—not open date—is what matters. The My School DC common lottery opened on December 12, 2020, but closes March 1, 2021. There is NO advantage to completing the lottery application early. I repeat: You will NOT get a better or worse lottery number depending on what day you complete your lottery application. I filled out our lottery applications the day before they were due and successfully got two kids into PK3. Recently Moved to DC? Have you recently moved into the District or are you seeking to apply to transfer to another DC public school (DCPS or charter) during the current school year? You can submit a mid-year application by calling the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No application is needed to enroll at a DCPS in-boundary school for students in grades K-12. You can locate your DCPS in-boundary school by entering your address into the School Finder. Lottery Tips for Parents In-bound Guarantee There is an in-bound school guarantee for kindergarten and up, but not for PK3 or PK4. You are guaranteed a spot in your in-bound DCPS school for Kindergarten and above. However, there is no in-bound guarantee for Pre-K3 or Pre-K4. To me, this made the My School DC common lottery make so much more sense. I previously really grappled with why there was simultaneously so much pressure to try to live in a good school district and get a good lottery number. You do not have to visit dozens of schools. One of the resources available to parents participating in the lottery—at least before COVID—is school open houses. You can get a real sense of the school—meet the principal, tour the facility, and some offer tours while school is in session. Some parents run themselves ragged going to lots and lots of open houses. I have friends who went to almost two dozen. Personally, I approached school visits differently. I went to one school fair where a number of public, charter and private schools were present, then only went to the open houses for a very small number of schools. Other than the temporary feelings of mom guilt for not going to more, this was the right decision for us. No Need to Visit, but... Location, Location, Location While considering schools for nearly three-year-olds, location was a major factor in how I ranked schools. But, I had very little awareness of the schools near me other than my in-bound area. School Finder is an easy way to know what schools are near you. You can type in your address and then filter by grade, ward, STAR rating, and a number of other options, e.g. whether the school has before or aftercare or requires uniforms. I searched far and wide for a resource showing all schools, DCPS, charter, parochial, and other private schools on a map, but alas—this still eludes me. With so many charter schools to choose from, what makes Roots PCS a good fit for you and your child? Well, first, the teachers and staff of Roots believe that children of African heritage have unlimited potential, that if nourished properly can flourish and bring about a brighter world. Second, we provide an African-centered learning environment, which includes hands-on and holistic activities. We strongly believe it takes a village! Third, our school is designed to facilitate organized activities using open spaces which are strategically divided. Students are grouped in a multi-grade activity so they can grow and develop naturally as siblings do in a family; the younger children learn skills faster and the older children acquire a sense of responsibility and maturity along with advanced academic skills. In this simulated family, homeroom teachers remain with the group as the group advances in grade: Pre-Primary (3-5 years old) and 1st through 5th grades. Finally, but no less important, our motto is “Youth are the roots of change and exposure is the key to intelligence”. Roots, therefore provides its students with a stimulating academic curriculum of language arts, math, social studies, science, music, art and physical education. The goal is to enable students to become successful, lifelong learners and valuable, contributing agents of change in our global community. Here's what R P C S alumni and supporters say.

September Heroes & Sheroes