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Pictured: Welcoming new families at KIPP Inquire; One-on-one instruction at KIPP Elements.

Dear KIPP NYC Team and Family,

Each week of August we’ve welcomed new KIPPsters into our buildings. This week, even more students walked through our doors - some in brand new schools - to pursue their unlimited futures. Each student gives us new reasons to smile and to celebrate. Alongside everything happening inside and outside of our classrooms, we have implemented new policies and strategies for the future of KIPP NYC. Below you’ll find an important update regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and our school expansion.

COVID-19 Vaccine at KIPP NYC

The health and safety of our students, staff, and families is the most fundamental priority at KIPP NYC. We must ensure that our students are in a supportive and caring space to learn and that our staff are in an environment where they can do their jobs safely.

Last year and throughout the summer, we provided students and staff with PPE, installed HEPA air purifiers throughout our buildings, and executed a COVID testing program in which we conducted approximately 27,000 tests across our schools.

As part of our continued commitments to health and safety, we are now requiring all KIPP NYC staff to get their first COVID vaccine shot no later than September 27th. We’ve made this decision for several reasons:

• Science has demonstrated that the COVID vaccine is the number one way to keep our community safe since people who are unvaccinated are about 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated, according to a study released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• The Food and Drug Administration has formally approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

• Children under 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, and we’ve heard from some of you that you are concerned about teachers potentially being unvaccinated.

• The persistence of COVID with the highly contagious Delta variant.

We are encouraging everyone - staff, parents, and community members - to please see this page from the CDC for more information on the benefits of the vaccine. New York City continues to provide incentives, including $100, if you get your first vaccine dose at a New York City-run vaccine location. On our Community Resources page, you can find information about the vaccine, including NYC Health’s Vaccine Finder to search for a location near you.

New Schools

This month, for the first time in our history, we are starting the year by opening not one, not two, but three new schools! We are so excited to welcome the staff, students, and families of KIPP Inquire Elementary, KIPP Affirm Middle, and KIPP Beyond Middle School!

These three schools join our other growing schools, KIPP Freedom Elementary, KIPP Freedom Middle, KIPP Elements Primary, and KIPP All Middle. By 2028, KIPP NYC schools will educate over 10,000 students annually!

We thank you for your support and cooperation as we celebrate returning to school while ensuring the health and safety of our students, staff, and families.

Warmly,

Alicia Johnson, President
Jim Manly, Superintendent