The Whole Child Review Issue No. 14, October 2024

Embracing an Inclusive and Challenging Curriculum

Model UN Students Engage in Leadership and Healthcare Insights at Lurie Children’s Hospital

Our Model UN students took a field trip to Lurie Children’s Hospital! Our KIPP Academy Chicago Model UN team had the special opportunity to participate in this event thanks to West Side activist Aisha Oliver, founder of the Root2Fruit Foundation and employee at Lurie Children’s Hospital. After Aisha spoke at our Model UN practice and was incredibly impressed by our students, she extended the invitation for this memorable visit.

Our day began with a meeting with United States Senator Dick Durbin. In a roundtable discussion, our students shared their experiences growing up in the Austin community and posed insightful questions about national leadership. Team President Ah’king asked Senator Durbin, “As a member of Congress, you’ve been elected to be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. What makes you fight for justice and risk your political status for activism?” Senator Durbin shared that his personal experiences navigating the healthcare system without insurance inspired him to run for office. He praised our students for their thoughtful questions and talked about how his high school debate experience prepared him for powerful speeches and connections with other leaders.

In the afternoon, students toured various areas of the hospital and participated in hands-on simulations, learning CPR and the importance of emergency preparedness. They also heard from a panel of medical professionals at Lurie, who answered questions about careers as doctors, nurses, PAs, and hospital workers. We wrapped up the day with an engaging arts presentation.

It was an enriching experience for our students, combining valuable insights into leadership and healthcare with hands-on learning and inspiration.

KIPP Chicago Students Shine at Global Classrooms International Model U.N. Conference in NYC

40 KIPP Chicago students, representing each of our Chicago Schools, had an incredible 4-day experience at the Global Classrooms International Model U.N. Conference in New York City. They visited the United Nations Headquarters, presented speeches to their committees, and engaged with delegates from around the world.

We are thrilled to share that four of our students were honored with awards for their exceptional representation of Japan on topics such as Expanding Eco-Friendly Trade Systems and Developing a Framework for Political Education. This is the first time we’ve had four students recognized for their outstanding work at this event!

Beyond the conference, our students had the chance to see “The Outsiders” on Broadway and explore the excitement of Times Square. They enjoyed memorable meals at Carmines and the Hard Rock Cafe, and sampled iconic NYC-style pizza and bagels, which they found “pretty good!”

During our closing dinner, students from each of our four KIPP Chicago middle schools shared their proudest moments. Kentaysia, the 7th grade Model UN President at KOA, remarked, “One thing I’m proud of is being comfortable in my own skin. There aren’t a lot of people who look like me in that room, which could make me feel uncomfortable, but it actually made me more comfortable. It made me want to speak more, not only on behalf of Chicago but on behalf of people that actually look like me.”

This experience truly reflects the spirit of our work. Our students showcased their voices and ideas alongside future leaders from around the globe, and we couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.

Transforming Learning and Family Engagement: KIPP Chicago’s AI Partnerships

This year, KIPP Chicago teamed up with three incredible AI partners who helped us take our academic programs and parent engagement to new heights. These partnerships have not only enriched our students’ learning experiences but also brought our school community closer together.

The “Empowering Tomorrow’s Children through Afrofuturist-Inspired AI Education” session, moderated by Brittany Jones at GSV’s AI Revolution in Education Conference, showcased the incredible impact of our partnerships. Panelists Evonne Bankston (Playlab), Victoria (Paloma), Mya Clark (Playlab), and Yodit (CMASJ) shared how they’re bringing Afrofuturist themes into the classroom using AI tools to inspire students, boost creativity, and celebrate culture. The session resonated with educators from all over the country, who were eager to learn how to make their own AI practices more culturally responsive. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm and interest as people connected and reached out for advice on how to incorporate these ideas into their schools. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, we highlighted how AI can truly transform education when it’s used to honor and elevate diverse voices and perspectives.

Paloma has brought our families into the heart of our educational mission in a truly meaningful way, particularly at KIPP Bloom Primary and KIPP Ascend Primary. Their mobile app encourages families to spend just 15 minutes a day on math and literacy activities that are perfectly matched to their child’s needs. This small daily habit has made a big difference. Across Bloom and KIPP Ascend Primary, 82% of all Kindergarten families successfully completed a tutoring session on Paloma. During each cycle, nearly half of participating families tutored their children at least three times per week on average. We’ve seen parents become more engaged than ever, and in just five weeks, they’ve contributed 275 hours of instructional time at home! It’s been inspiring to witness the teamwork between teachers and families, all working together to support our kids’ learning journey. Paloma has truly made education feel like a shared effort, and we’re so grateful for that.

MagicSchool.ai has been a game-changer for our teachers. We know how hard our educators work, and it can be overwhelming to juggle so many responsibilities. MagicSchool.ai, founded by former teachers who truly understand the challenges, stepped in to help. Their tools save our teachers precious time by automating tasks like lesson planning, writing IEPs, and creating assessments. This means our teachers can spend more time doing what they love—connecting with students, personalizing lessons, and making a real impact in the classroom. It’s been heartening to see our teachers feel more supported and energized, and the positive effects this has had on our students.

Kyron Learning has been a wonderful partner in making learning more personalized and engaging for our students, including our multilingual learners. They’ve created interactive video lessons tailored to each child’s needs, ensuring that every student—regardless of language background—gets the support they need to succeed in math. Their focus on conceptual understanding has been especially beneficial for our multilingual learners, helping them grasp complex ideas in a way that’s accessible and engaging. It’s been amazing to see how these lessons have sparked curiosity and confidence in our students, giving them the tools to thrive.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue and expand these partnerships. We believe that by working together, we can make our schools even stronger and deepen the connections between our teachers, students, and families. At KIPP Chicago, we’re all about creating an environment where every child can thrive, and with the help of Kyron Learning, MagicSchool.ai, and Paloma, we’re well on our way. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together next year!