During December, Bernie’s Book Bank and Open Books partnered to deliver books to all KIPP campuses, ensuring that each student has access to quality reading materials. This collaboration is a part of their ongoing mission to promote literacy and provide students with the tools they need to succeed. By offering new and engaging books, both organizations are helping to foster a love of reading and encourage students to explore new worlds through literature. These donations play a crucial role in building home libraries for our students, increasing access to books, and supporting the overall academic growth of KIPP scholars.
In an exciting new initiative, KIPP Bloom College Prep (KBCP) students are now empowered with direct and immediate access to the expansive resources of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) through the 81 Club. This groundbreaking partnership is transforming literacy access for students in the Englewood community, placing the power of reading and discovery right into the hands of our youth.
Thanks to a collaborative effort facilitated by Robert Cohn and a dedicated guardian of a former KIPP student, every 5th-8th grader at KBCP is now a proud member of the 81 Club. Each student has been issued their very own CPL library card, allowing them the freedom to explore any of the city’s 81 branches independently. This eliminates the traditional barriers of needing a parent or guardian to accompany them to check out books, enabling students to take full ownership of their literacy journey.
For many KIPPsters, receiving their library card is about more than just access to books—it’s an invitation to explore new worlds, ignite their imaginations, and fully embrace their educational potential. The library is no longer just a place for borrowing books; it’s a space for growth, discovery, and the unfolding of dreams.
This partnership is a powerful example of community collaboration and a shared commitment to equity in education. It showcases what can be achieved when schools and public institutions unite to meet the needs of students. Already, the KIPP Bloom community is seeing the positive impact, as students confidently explore CPL’s resources and take full advantage of the opportunities available to them.
With their library cards in hand, KIPPsters are set to explore, learn, and grow in ways they never imagined. The 81 Club is more than just a library program—it’s a movement that honors and nurtures the potential of young Chicagoans, ensuring every student has the tools and resources to succeed. KIPP Bloom is proud to be part of this transformative initiative, working to pave the way for a brighter future for both our students and the Englewood community as a whole.
Recently, 40 students from our KIPP Academy Chicago (KAC) and KIPP One Academy (KOA) Model UN teams participated in an inspiring visit to Google’s office, featuring a Design Thinking workshop, a tour of the vibrant space, and an engaging lunch conversation with Google employees.
During the Design Thinking workshop, students learned the five key steps of the process—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—and applied these principles to solve real-world, human-centered problems. One group tackled the challenge of designing an app to assist families evacuating from the LA fires. Their innovative ideas included features like an Uber service for those without transportation and a “find the nearest hotel” option.
Litzyani, a 6th-grade student at KOA, shared her excitement about the experience:
“My favorite part is how this experience showed me how creative I am. I’ve never explored my brain like that before, and it showed me how much I can learn from my partner. It also made me think about working with technology in the future because I find it so interesting. I loved cooperating with other people, understanding that others don’t always share my opinions, and being open to different perspectives. It really helped me grow.”
She added:
“Looking around the Google office was also fascinating, knowing that every piece of art has meaning behind it and reflects the beautiful city of Chicago that I live in. It was such an incredible opportunity to explore my mind and ideas with others.”
Our students represented KIPP Chicago and our Model UN teams with immense pride and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to take our KIPP Bloom College Prep (KBCP) and KIPP Ascend Middle School (KAMS) teams to Google this spring for another exciting experience!
