Head Coach Sam Harris Turns SEED Girls Basketball Team into Playoff Contenders

Sam Harris, pictured left, and his family with the SEED DC’s Lady Falcons girls’ basketball team

After 25 years as a basketball coach, Sam Harris thought his days on the court were over.  So, when he received a call from Glen Sylvester, assistant coach of the SEED DC boys basketball team, asking if he was interested in filling the role of head coach for the SEED DC’s Lady Falcons basketball team, Harris was surprised. (1)

“The grind of coaching isn’t for everyone — it’s best suited for the young and single, and I am neither, so I had to get away,” Harris said. “As you get older, the combination of the late nights away from your family and constantly going from gym to gym scouting, practicing and playing games just wears you down.” (Washington Post, February 3, 2020)

Harris hadn’t coached a team in six years and he had never coached a girls team. His initial response was “no,” but with the support and encouragement of his family, Harris took the job. He had one stipulation – his wife and son would have to join his coaching staff! (1)

Together, the Harris family settled in with the girls team. And Coach Harris soon realized that coaching girls isn’t much different from coaching boys. His players just lacked experience. Two weeks before the season began, Harris held three-hour practices where he taught the basics such as dribbling, setting screens, and shooting free throws. (1)

“They sparked something in me that I didn’t know still existed,” Harris said. “They gave me new life.” (Washington Post, February 3, 2020)

Although our athletics are currently canceled, we are delighted to share the amazing success of The Lady Falcons this season! They finished with a 22-4 record and finished in 1st place in the Public Charter School Athletic Association (PCSAA) Class A standings. We would like to extend a special congratulations to Coach Sam Harris for leading the girls’ team and sharing his passion for the basketball with us. Congratulations also to Kaniya Chambers (SEED DC ‘22) for earning first-team, All-State honors this season and being selected as the PCSAA player of the year!

To add on to the wonderful accolades achieved by our Falcon basketball athletes, our boys varsity team also had a very successful season with senior Anthony Simmons winning player of the year honors for the PCSAA and earning second-team, All-State honors.  Go Falcons!

(1) Washington Post Staff, “A Coaching Family Has Quickly Turned SEED Girls Into Playoff Contenders” High School Sports Update, February 3, 2020

“Rutinas y Horarios”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to adjust our daily habits and routines to remain safe.  Spanish teacher and track coach, Rosalyn D. Lake-Montero uses social media to help add fun to her virtual Spanish classes. Using Instagram, Google Classroom, Duolingo, and FaceTime for tutoring sessions, Ms. Lake has helped scholars utilize digital platforms to create their own video clips.

Ms. Lake believes that promoting health and mindfulness is vital when educating her students. Like our new NXTLevel Acceleration Academy, a virtual program held during Spring Break where our scholars attend sessions focused on wellness, self-care, and creating healthy habits, Ms. Lake is finding innovative ways to weave social and emotional programming into her virtual lesson plans. Ms. Lake challenges our scholars to utilize their Spanish vocabulary to document their routines at home and incorporate healthy habits while social distancing

Still coaching SEED DC’s cross-country team from afar, Ms. Lake encourages her scholars to stay fit for the benefit of their bodies and their minds. As a first-generation college graduate, she knows the importance of daily habits in sustaining success in college and beyond.  Overall, Ms. Lake is a SEED DC superstar who goes above and beyond to serve our scholars.

Check out SEED DC’s Facebook page to see more about how we are serving our community!

SEED DC Stays Social with the NXTLevel Acceleration Academy

Pictured above, Mr. Bellido, student life dean at SEED DC, showed our scholars how to make penne pasta with turkey sausage meatballs on Facebook live.

The sudden shift to full-time online learning has presented challenges to classrooms across the country. Many teachers—understandably so—are attempting to focus on instruction and how to minimize learning loss. At SEED, we know that the relationships, social interactions, and support networks our scholars build outside of the classroom are also key to their development.

To keep our scholars engaged during Spring Break, the staff at The SEED School of Washington, D.C. (SEED DC), launched a new program called NXTLevel Acceleration Academy. Through the NXTLevel Acceleration Academy, students attend sessions focused on wellness and self-care. The goal is to ensure our students leave with a clear understanding of how to incorporate healthy habits into their daily schedules.

“The NXTLevel Acceleration Academy, developed by Mr. Daniel Bellido, student life dean at SEED DC, was formed to offer our students social and emotional learning opportunities during distance learning programming,” said Ms. Randee Grant, student life morning manager at SEED DC.

“Mindfulness for a Sound Mind” was one of the classes offered. This class, which was led by Ms. Grant, taught students new breathing techniques and mindfulness strategies to remain calm and focused while learning from home. SEED DC Eats was another session where Mr. Bellido taught a healthy cooking class on Zoom and Facebook live. Scholars learned how to make penne pasta with turkey meatballs, turkey burgers, and more! Four additional staff members joined in on the fun and also shared their dinner recipes. Check it out!

At SEED DC, we have always put nurturing, caring, and outstanding educators at the center of our work. The NXTLevel Acceleration Academy was such a success that we are expanding the program to be offered for the remainder of the year.  The Academy is just one way we continue to foster a love for learning through enrichment programs, social and emotional supports, and authentic experiences.

Visit SEED DC’s Facebook page to see more creative and engaging courses being offered.

Together we Ensure our Scholars' Success: SEED DC's COVID-19 Update

Dear friend of SEED DC,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and coping with the unprecedented circumstances of this pandemic. COVID-19 has changed our lives significantly and as we look for ways to stay connected please know that we are thinking of you and your loved ones.

At SEED DC, we are focused on the health and safety of our community and supporting our scholars, graduates, and families. With this in mind, we have decided to extend our virtual learning program to the end of the school year while our campus remains closed. We are excited to provide a meaningful experience to our scholars and families, albeit remotely.    

We are continuing the work of our 24-hour program with a heroic effort from our academic, student life and student support services staff. SEED DC is providing our scholars with many of the same supports they received while living on campus during the week. Our unique student life program has them engaged in social-emotional exercises that reinforce wellness as well as teaching organizational and study skills in a virtual environment while they remain at home.

Many of you have reached out to us to express concern and care for our seniors.  I share your same sentiments.  I’ve seen these incredible young women and men grow through our program since they started at SEED DC in middle school.  I am excited to announce that a Class of 2020 task force meets weekly to decide how we will honor our Class of 2020. We have generated a lot of creative ideas and are looking to hear what the preferences of our seniors and their families are.  Please know that we will be celebrating them and that they are still receiving the same intensive support from our college counselor so that they stay on track to enroll in college. 

Together, we are ensuring that the coronavirus does not derail our scholars' progress toward fulfilling our mission to prepare them academically and socially to successfully access and complete college. Thank you for supporting this mission in whatever way you can.  Every gesture matters during these uncharted waters!

SEED DC is honored to have you as a partner as we adjust to this new educational environment. If you have any questions or would like to know how you can help, please reach out to my colleague Nat Wyeth, Director of Development, at nwyeth@seedschooldc.org.

With gratitude,

Mecha Inman

Head of School

We’re Thankful for You

Happy Thanksgiving!  It is with great pride I announce that The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. (SEED DC) has earned a Tier 1 status for the 2018-2019 school year!

This is the third consecutive year SEED DC has earned this prestigious ranking as the only Tier 1 public charter high school in Ward 7, confirming that we are a school that provides a high-quality instructional program for our scholars.

Gratitude is one of the SEED DC’s core values and particularly apt this week as we share time with family and friends to take stock of what we are thankful for.  To that end, it is only fitting that I take this moment to thank you. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your support of our school and believing in our community. The impact of your giving is realized throughout our 24-hour program and has enabled us to achieve our Tier 1 status again.

At SEED DC, we are committed to empowering our scholars to find their voice as leaders in every step of their journey with us.  In this edition of Inspire: SEED DC you will see an article about our annual Pinning Ceremony during which our scholars are commissioned and celebrated for their participation in student government, peer mentorship, advanced placement courses and Dual-Enrollment programs. It is programs like these that, with your support, allow us to provide educational opportunities that our scholars would otherwise not have.

Lastly, I want to invite you to join us on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 6 p.m. for a reception as we celebrate over 20 years of excellence in education and the arts.  In addition to attending the reception, you will receive complimentary tickets to enjoy a school performance of Little Shop of Horrors immediately following the reception.  The details of this evening at THEARC are enclosed. You don’t want to miss this special opportunity to gather as a community and enjoy a performance from our Falcon Theatre scholar-artists.

Wishing you a happy thanksgiving,

Mecha Inman

Head of School

Congratulations to Our Leading Scholars!

Last month, The SEED School of Washington, D.C., gathered as a community to honor the scholars participating in Student Government (SGA), Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) and Peer Group Connection (PGC). This annual event is an official welcome and charge to the students who have chosen highly rigorous pathways of scholarship and leadership at SEED DC. The ceremony is developed and planned by student leaders each year with guidance from school principal, Dr. Quinhon N. Scott.

This year featured a choreographed procession from the SGA leaders who were led by senior class president Dakota Blakney. Dakota is a member of all four groups that were honored, representing a remarkable culmination of her many talents and commitment to leadership. As scholar leaders came forward to be pinned and receive their official SGA, Dual Enrollment, AP or PGC apparel, they were enthusiastically cheered on by their peers, families, and faculty in attendance. These SEED Falcons set the standard of scholar empowerment and showed their peers what is possible when you believe in yourself and are willing to embrace academic challenge.

Scholar voice and empowerment are hallmark values at SEED DC. Our unique boarding program gives our scholars opportunities to develop their voice as leaders and mentors to their peers throughout the day and evening. There is no more authentic or powerful voice for aspiring scholars to hear from than their own peers. As the Pinning Ceremony demonstrated, when scholars take ownership of the environment they want for their school, academic achievement follows.

SEED Scholars are Going Global

“Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.” – Matthew Karsten

According to Rustic Pathways, international travel is a major catalyst in encouraging students to think critically, identify their interests and passions, gain a global perspective, and practice cultural sensitivity.

Gaining exposure to the world at a young age can help to inspire a college major and create a life-long passion. A study by The National Association for Education found that 81 percent of students who traveled abroad in middle or high school went on to pursue a college degree.

At SEED, experiential learning is a core component of our college-prep programming. We offer our students more than 100 experiential learning opportunities each year. In fact, this summer, over 50 SEED scholars traveled to countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica, and Japan to embark on life-changing experiences.

While abroad, our students learn foreign languages, participate in mission-based projects to aid residents, take on new challenges, and build their international networks. These experiences have equipped our scholars with the tools they need to succeed in today’s global economy.

Here’s what some of our scholars had to say about their trips this summer:

Going to Brazil was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were accepted with open arms like we were home; it was amazing!

-          Vincent Jordan (SEED DC ‘20) - Onda Solidária/SEED Exchange Brazil

“The highlight of my time in Japan was the homestay. I had a very good family. I met lots of people that are now my good friends. This experience has encouraged me to meet new people from different backgrounds. I’m so thankful to SEED for giving me this opportunity.”

-          ChrisJonaye Woodland (SEED DC ‘21) - The Experiment in International Living (EIL) Japan

“Brazil is an amazing place to travel...the beaches, mountains, museums, and the opportunity to learn Portuguese! Anyone would love it here!”

-          Keyondre Joyner (SEED DC ‘21) - Onda Solidária/SEED Exchange Brazil

 “My experience was phenomenal! I tried new things and learned so much about Brazilian culture. I also met a lot of cool people who have encouraged me to do different things and get out of my comfort zone.”

-          Antoine Washington (SEED DC ‘22) Onda Solidária/SEED Exchange Brazil

Learn more about SEED’s Experiential Learning and External Opportunities program.  

Welcome Back SEED DC Scholars!

The new school year is officially upon us! The SEED School of Washington, D.C. has moved into the 2019-2020 instructional year with ONE mission, ONE goal, and ONE voice – to prepare our scholars for success in college and beyond. 

One of SEED’s great traditions is the first Sunday move-in day for the school year. Greeting our scholars and their families as they move into the residence halls sets the tone for the academic year. Our entire staff was present this year as we welcomed our returning and new ninth grade scholars. While our students diligently pack school supplies and day-to-day necessities, there is always more that we can do as a community to support them and our boarding program. I hope you will consider participating in SEED’s #BacktoBoarding campaign to help our scholars thrive.

In this newsletter you will also learn more about our scholars’ international travels this summer and discover insight about SEED’s annual College Prep Bootcamp for seniors.  Friends like you make these opportunities possible.

You will be hearing from me throughout the year as we highlight the many facets of our 24-hour educational program that are unique to SEED, including our award-winning arts program. I’m very excited to lift up all of the work we do to close the achievement gap. Stay tuned!

Here at SEED DC, we are centered around seven core values – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Compassion, Perseverance, Growth, and Gratitude. That last value – gratitude - is one that I hold especially dear because it recognizes that our work would not be possible without our donor community. Thank you and I look forward to staying in touch.

With sincerity,

Mecha Inman

Head of School

College Bootcamp was a Success!

For SEED seniors, the school year began with a bang. On September 4-5, we convened at George Mason University for our annual College Prep Bootcamp.

The goal of our annual College Prep Bootcamp is to provide all SEED seniors with the information they need to apply to, enroll, and persist in college. Key workshops included writing a college essay; choosing a “right-fit” college; applying for financial aid and scholarships; navigating race, equity, and identity on college campuses; and more. The event also provides seniors with time to reconnect with old friends and make new friends to support each other during the school year. 

In addition to learning the ropes of the college application process, College Prep Bootcamp attendees were exposed to experiential learning opportunities. For example, last year they participated in a real ropes course during a trip to Terrapin Adventures in Maryland!

“Through the College Prep Bootcamp for seniors, we provide our scholars with a two-day intensive workshop experience where we dive deeply into key concepts of the college application and submission process,” said Ms. Baker Jones, director of college transition & success. “We set a high bar for our students and give them the direction they need so that someday they can achieve their college dreams.”

Since 2016, over 100 SEED seniors have participated in College Prep Bootcamp. To learn more about how you can help SEED scholars start school year 2020 right, check out our #BacktoBoarding campaign!

Meet Our Students: Monae Scott (SEED DC ’19) Receives Posse Scholarship

Tenacious, driven, and gifted are just a few words that capture the spirit of Monae Scott (SEED DC ’19). Monae began her journey with SEED as a sixth-grade student who was committed to making her dream of becoming a college graduate a reality. As a SEED scholar, she took advantage of every opportunity to gain a global perspective, such as traveling to Greece and Tanzania. While abroad, Monae was immersed in cultures much different than her own. This gave her a special outlook on class differences and their impacts on underserved populations in countries across the world.

On campus, Monae is a leader among her peers. She serves as a peer group counselor whose duties include mentoring younger students. She is also an active member of The SEED Falcon Theatre, an award-winning performing arts program designed to promote and develop scholars who have a passion for the creative and performing arts. As an advocate for her community, Monae participated in Project Soapbox last fall, a program that asks students to create a two-minute call-to-action speech. She focused on the food deserts of Wards 7 and 8 compared to the rest of her native DC.

These accomplishments have garnered Monae not one, but two academic scholarships toward her college education! She is the proud recipient of the Horatio Alger Association State Scholarship and was also chosen as a Posse Scholar. Posse Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships to attend one of The Posse Foundation’s partner colleges or universities.

In the fall of 2019, Monae will begin her college journey at Sewanee: The University of the South. We wish her much success!

Our Impact: SEED DC Scholars Serve the Community and Learn Real-World Skills as Tax Prep Ambassadors

For many of us, filing our taxes is as simple as creating an online account with a tax services provider, submitting the necessary documents, and pressing Send. Unfortunately, for many residents in Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC, the story is quite different.

Peter Nouhan, a graduate student at Georgetown University, saw a need for professional tax services for the underserved population of elderly and low-wage workers who don’t have access to technology in these communities. He decided to start the first high-school-led, free tax prep initiative in Washington, DC, offering a unique opportunity for local college-bound students to serve their community.

After receiving the 2018 Baker Innovation Grant, a $20,000 grant to fund social and political programs, Mr. Nouhan partnered with Community Tax Aid (CTA), a free, local tax assistance organization, and Hoya Taxa, a Georgetown University undergraduate student organization, to pilot the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors.

“We approached over 30 schools in the DC area, and Lesli Thompson, director of Experiential Learning & External Opportunities at SEED DC, was the only person who took the leap. She believed in our initiative. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without her,” Mr. Nouhan said.

Every Monday evening, beginning on February 4, the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors went to St. Luke Catholic Church to learn how to properly prepare tax documents, which included collecting the client’s tax documents, photo ID, and Social Security card and uploading them to a secure Google Drive account. With the help of Ron Hayes, tax program manager at CTA, and Hoya Taxa members Daphne Chiang (Georgetown University ’19) and Mark McNiskin (Georgetown University ’20), the SEED scholars worked closely with their clients to schedule appointments, provide consultations, and input tax information. A certified public accountant then prepared the taxes remotely, and the clients returned a week later to go over their return and submit it.

“Because of this program, I learned what it means to be an effective multitasker and successfully handle multiple clients at one time,” said Kendriss Johnson (SEED DC ’19).

In addition to providing our scholars with tax preparation skills, Mr. Nouhan plans to incorporate the drop-off model devised by CTA, which will enable clients to leave their tax documents after a 20-minute consultation with a student volunteer. This process is more efficient and will allow for more community members to be served.

Congratulations to the following SEED DC scholars—Zachary Clark (SEED DC ’19), London Hart (SEED DC ’19), Kendriss Johnson (SEED DC ’19), Jeffrey Moore IV (SEED DC ’19), Imani Nixon (SEED DC ’19), and Jaymar Richards (SEED DC ’19)—for making history by being a part of such an amazing initiative and serving their community!

Our Boarding Program: Ms. Sonia White Builds Irreplaceable Bonds

Ms. Sonia White sits third from left, with members of the SEED DC step team.

At The SEED School of Washington, D.C., we need more than just great teachers. Our 24-hour learning environment also requires committed counselors, advisors, and residential staff to work alongside our academic team. Together, our faculty pushes our students to own their educational journeys.

Ms. Sonia White serves as a leader of our residential team. For Ms. White, SEED is home. Thirteen years ago, she was hired as a resident advisor. She remembers the day like it was yesterday.  “I remember exactly what I was doing when Ms. Lesli Thompson [director of experiential learning and external opportunities] called to offer me the job. I couldn’t contain my excitement.”  

Today, Ms. White serves as the student life cohort lead and has built irreplaceable bonds with countless students.

“Ms. White has instilled wisdom in me and helped me work through difficult times. Whether its help with college applications or if I need to hear a joke, she is always there,” shared Dakota Blakney (SEED DC ‘21).

The walls in her office are decorated with smiling photos of former SEED students she is still in contact with. “These photos remind me of the impact I can have on a young person’s life.”

In addition to serving as a leader in the girl’s dorm, Ms. White is the head coach for SEED DC’s step team. She feels this program helps young ladies develop confidence and discipline.  

Because of our community’s belief in our work, we can hire nurturing and exceptional leaders like Ms. White. Thank you for your support.