North East Business Association Online  
Kansas City, Kansas 66101

Help Save Our School!


The Maurice R. Holman Academy of Excellence is the first and only charter school in Kansas City, Kansas. The elementary school was founded by community members to provide an alternative for kids who have difficulty achieving academic excellence in the traditional classroom and provide opportunities for urban core kids who are at risk of not graduating high school. Holman Academy can help kids learn personal finances, foreign languages, how to run a business from the top down, how the government works, the importance of voting and, most of all, how to succeed in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

The school is only in its second year and the school board is in the process of revoking the school because the community has not raised $250,000 to pay for the unique programs designed for the school. On March 23, 2010, the board of education will decide the fate of the school at a public hearing.

Q & A
How can my $5 help save the school? If the community charter board can raise the money to keep the school open for one more year, we will also have time to change the law that would make it easier for this charter school and others in Kansas to be successful schools.

How will the money be used? The money will pay for the extended day program, special curriculum for the school that is different from what is used in the district now, and development of the character building program.

What is the fundraising goal? We hope to raise at least $150,000 to show the school board and district that the school is important enough to save.

If you do not raise enough money, what will be done with the donations? If the school board votes to continue with the revocation after the funds have been raised, we will use the funds to seek legal counsel in keeping the school open.

How can I get my money back if you do not reach your goal? If the board votes to revoke in spite of raising the funds and you want your funds back, just provide a mailing address and your money will be returned.

Can I get a tax deduction for my contribution? Yes. If you send an amount over the $5 request and would like to have a receipt, please make checks payable to NEBA/Holman Academy and include your address. NEBA is the founding agency for the school and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Send checks to NEBA, P.O. Box 171193, Kansas City, Kansas 66117-0193.

How You Can Help!
If everyone on Facebook sends $5 to help save the school, the school board will not be able to revoke the charter. Everyone who sends $20 or more will receive a T-shirt that says, “I Helped Save Holman Charter School.” Shirts are all size Large unless you specify a different size..

Maurice R. Holman Academy of Excellence Public Elementary Charter School
· Approved by local district and state board in 2006 with an opening date of August 2008

Ranked highest in scoring by KSDE statewide

Curriculum intended for school (based on proven success in other similar schools)

Core Knowledge Curriculum
o Saxon Math
o Shurley Grammar

Curriculum in school first year
o Saxon Math (second semester)

Curriculum in school second year
o Core Knowledge Curriculum (2 components)

Unique features of school designated in charter
+ Extended day (never happened)
+ Saturday school (never happened)
+ Foreign languages (Spanish – yes) (Chinese – never happened) (Latin – never happened)
+ Parent access to student assignments via Internet – never happened even though system is in place in the district
+ Business attire dress code – District has rejected all efforts at policy for dress code
+ In-school bank run by 5th Graders – started in second year (program supported by US Bank, FDIC, Mazuma Credit Union)
+ In-school store run by 5th Graders – started in second year
+ Themes – Entrepreneurship and Government – To help kids learn about business from the top down rather than from the bottom up; to help kids learn about governing locally, statewide, nationally, and the importance of voting
+ Communication with school in country where foreign language taught in school is native (never happened)
+ Individualize Learning plan for all students (EDUSS system - never happened)
Received from Principal Lela Taylor, January 14, 2010

71% of our first grade students met or exceeded the end of the first nine weeks district standard for reading, which means they entered first grade ready to learn

71% of our fifth grade students are reading at or above grade level, as evidenced by their second quarter IRI score

Click Here to View USD 500 Response to Charter School

 

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P.O. Box 171193                Kansas City, Kansas 66117-0193

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