Charleston Promise Neighborhood

Dear Colleagues –

It was almost exactly a year ago today that I was asked by the newly formed Charleston Promise Neighborhood Board of Directors to take the helm as CEO and help launch this important initiative within the community. Continue reading →

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant…can’t
Move a rubber tree plant
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high, apple pie, in the sky, hope
So anytime you’re feelin’ low
Instead of lettin’ go
Just remember that ant
Ooops there goes another rubber tree
Ooops there goes another rubber tree
Ooops there goes another rubber tree plant.

–Sammy Cahn, 1959

Although I’m excited about all of our school-based plans for the school year, I’m really jazzed by the creativity of pulling together resources and activities designed to infuse a college-bound culture within the students, families, faculty and leadership at our four partner elementary schools.  I mean, who wouldn’t be excited about creating a climate where every child believes that they can go to college, and is inspired to work harder because of those high hopes? Continue reading →

South Carolina Superintendent of Schools, Mick Zais announced last week that South Carolina would not be among those states competing for the third round of federal Race to the Top grants, despite being a second round finalist. South Carolina would have been able to compete for anywhere from $10-$50 million of a $200 million pool of grant funding. Under former State Superintendent Jim Rex and former governor Mark Sanford, South Carolina had competed in the previous two rounds of competition for the grant and was among nine states eligible for the current round of funding. Zais’ stated reason for declining to participate in this round of funding was that the dollars came with too many strings attached from the federal government. Continue reading →