December Weekly Update

Can you believe that in a few days, we will all be wishing each other a Happy New Year? Wow!

As we approach the close of the calendar year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. December is always a meaningful time in our schools, filled with learning, celebration, reflection, and anticipation for the new year ahead!

Over the past few months, our students and staff have worked hard to build a strong academic foundation, and I am tremendously proud of their progress. I also want to express my appreciation to our families for the encouragement you provide to your children at home, which plays such an important role in your child’s success.

To our staff, thank you for all you do on a daily basis. I see the work you put in, and I can't be prouder of your efforts. A HUGE Thank you to you!

As daylight hours shorten and the weather becomes more unpredictable, please remind your child to dress appropriately for the colder temperatures. We do not want our children to come to school sick, so let's try our best to prevent it.

Finally, I want to wish all our families a peaceful holiday season. Whether you are celebrating traditions or simply enjoying time together, I hope this break brings rest, joy, and new found energy.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our schools. I look forward to all that we will achieve together in the new year. Enjoy and most of all, be safe.

Mr. Cunningham,

Superintendent

Candy Canes originated in Germany as a way to keep children quiet during long church services.

To apply on line, please use the link below to enter parent and student information for the following school year’s lottery. Thank you for choosing the Icahn Charter Schools.

As we enter 2026, it is more important than ever for families to have a strong voice in decisions that shape the future of our schools. Charter schools are public schools, and families deserve the right to choose the school that best meets the needs of their children.

Together, we want to demonstrate the strength of Icahn Charter Schools, a network that continues to outperform schools across the Bronx and is recognized as one of the top charter networks in New York City. Your presence ensures our success and impact are seen and heard.

Travel to New York’s Capitol with fellow charter school families and staff to call for equal funding for all charter school students. Families can register by scanning the QR code or by calling the school.

Please RSVP by Friday, January 9.

Plan for the Day:

• Buses depart near your child’s school at 5:30 AM and return by 5:30 PM
• Program from the stage with speakers and elected officials
• Small group meetings with elected officials
• Lunch provided

Join us in Albany and show the power of our community in advocating for students and schools that succeed.

Lian States, our Wit & Wisdom Consultant facilitated a second session within our PD series, focusing on Module 2 and Productive Struggle. Teachers grounded their work in End-of-Module data and identified trends, challenges and misconceptions students might have in Module 2. As part of their work, they looked across the Module Map to identify opportunities to respond to data and where to build in or pull back scaffolds.

Icahn 2 teachers met to review and discuss student data. Grade-band teams analyzed results from recent IA's and other data sources to identify key trends.

Teachers identified priority standards in both ELA and Math that require focused instruction.

Based on these findings, the teams established next steps for specific instructional practices to support student learning.

The K–2 professional development session focused on strengthening foundational literacy instruction through a cohesive understanding of Heggerty, Fundations, & Geodes. Teachers deepened their knowledge of phonological and phonemic awareness, explicit phonics instruction, and structured literacy routines grounded in the Science of Reading. The session emphasized how these programs work together to move students from sounds to words to connected text, and how Geodes texts can be leveraged effectively during small-group instruction. Teachers engaged in lesson modeling, hands-on planning, and live demonstrations to design aligned small-group lessons that support decoding, fluency, and early comprehension skills.

The Grades 3–8 professional development session centered on using assessment data to drive targeted instructional planning in both ELA and Math. Teachers analyzed student performance data to identify priority standards, skill gaps, and trends across student groups, then determined appropriate instructional responses including whole-group reteach, small-group instruction, and individualized coaching. The session supported teachers in developing a data-driven January instructional plan, with a strong emphasis on building student independence, improving question interpretation, and planning effective small-group instruction aligned to upcoming units. Teachers also prepared ready-to-use materials to support reteaching, spiral review, and progress monitoring.

• Thursday, January 1, 2026 | HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
• Monday, January 5, 2026 | Students and Staff Return to Buildings
• Monday, January 19, 2026 | Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Schools Closed)
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 12:00PM Dismissal for Students
• Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | Charter Advocacy Day in Albany
  
• Friday, January 30, 2026 | Marking Period 2 Ends