measure our success by the numbers of our students who learn how to live re-sponsibly, peacefully, and purposefully. We thank you for believing in our vision of an education designed to transform ourselves, our families, our communities and our world.

Family, we did it! On Friday, April 27, 2012, Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School received the 5 year renewal of its charter. We could not have done it with-out the hard work of staff and the hundreds of letters from students, teachers, and parents. We owe a special debt to Mama Emma Knox (mother of Khadijah, Subour and Emma) and Mama Katherine Chappelle (mother of Ian) for wait-ing for hours to testify before the School Reform Committee.

We also want to thank our elected political officials who always advo-cate for us, Councilmama Maria Quinones Sanchez and State Rep. Bro. Tony Payton. Because, our entire village pulled together, we now have five more years to serve our children and our community.

In the next five years, we are hoping to provide an even safer more caring environment for our children. We look forward to

assisting our children in improv-ing their performance on stan-dardized test measures. How-ever, it is important that you know that while the state and School District measure our success by PSSA scores, we have other ways of measuring our success. We will measure our success by the increase in the books read by our students. We want to see our children become lovers of books and stories. We will measure our success by how children learn to treat one another, respect their elders, and want to care for their communities.

We will measure our suc-cess by the improved quality of our children’s writing and ora-tory. We will measure our success by whether our chil-dren deepen their respect for the earth, their acceptance for difference and their devotion for justice and equality. We will

Peace and Blessings from Dr. Mama::

We Did It—Renewed for 5 More Years!!

At 3 am on Saturday, April 27, the families of 13 of our stu-dents and 4 chaperones gath-ered in a final unity circle for our delegation to the Domini-can Republic. Jeremiah Rodri-guez, Emma Blackson, Erina White, Najjiyya Nuble, Alisha Torian-Ford, Shavoy Murray, James Jefferson, Mohammadu Sillah, Jaleel Williams, Sade Duke, Cristian Garay, and Robert McKenzie will represent our school in a service project organized by Community Ser-vice Alliance, a Non Govern-ment Organization which spon-

sors service opportunities in the Dominican Republic. As I write this article our ser-vant leaders are in the mountains building latrines for a rural com-munity in the DR as well as meet-ing young people who they will train in Harambee and mentoring techniques so they can work with children in the rural area as well as in a Haitian community. The chaperones for this project are Bro. Dane, Bro. Isa, Dr. Kelli, and Mama Holiday. Please send our delegation light, love, and best wishes for a successful project and safe return home,

April/May, 2012 Volume 3/ Issue 6

The Sankofa Bird Newsletter of

Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School 4256 Paul Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19124

Telephone #-215–288-2001

Sankofa Freedom

Academy Charter School Leadership Team

Dr. Mama Ayesha Imani, CEO Bro. Isa Clark, Director of

Operations Mama Geraldine Newton,

Business Manager Bro. Elisha Tigah, Technology

Coordinator Sis. Nieka Brown, Lower

School Lead Teacher Mama Pat Morales, Lead

Teacher k-1 Baba Norman Bayard, Dean of

Students—Upper School Bro. Maurice Patterson, Stu-

dent Support Specialist, Lower School

Sis. Dr. Kelli Mickens, Transition & Servant Leader-

ship Coordinator

Transformation

Newsletter Contributors:

Sis. Nakia Brown Sis. Dr. Kelli Mickens Sis. Crystal Jones Mama Patricia Morales Sis. Kenyatta Norris Sis. Paulinda Nicholson Bro. Zakkiriya Toomer Sis. Emani Thonas Bro. Isaiah Thomas Sis. Emma Blackson Sis. Tiana Johnson Sis. Siani Rojas Sis. Nyeerah Long Bro. Jacquan Gillis

Photo: Mama Emma Knox and Dr. Mama wait-ing to testify before the SRC

Sankofa Ambassadors on their way to the Dominican Republic

The Ambassadors Have Landed—SFA in the Dominican Republic

Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School Congratulations to the Students of the Month for March

Lower and Middle Scholars

Kush Miya Felder Ijnanya Briggs

Songhai Quazhae Payne Zyair Taylor

Zulu David Lavine Kumasi Young

Dogon Imani Everett-Bey Devon Timms Rajaa Bint-Idris Alicia Purdy Quintin Ross

Bambara Ruqiyyah Bint-Idris Nyam Long Jeffrey Pressley Sherman Jones

“We will learn so that we can teach and we will teach so that we can change the world” -SFA pledge

Scholars and Servant Leaders: Keep Developing Good Habits of the Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Early Years Scholars

Yoruba (Kindergarten) Vaughn Fleming Hezekiah Gary

Kongo

Jamil Desouza-Kenan Subour Nuruddin

(Pictured left to right: Jamil, Subour, Hezekiah, and Vaughn)

‘

NE

The following poems were inspired by various poems by the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes. Hughes was born in 1902 and became an ancestor in 1967. He was a gradu-ate of Lincoln University in PA, and Colombia University in New York City. His poetry was inspired by his travels abroad, and the beauty, depth, and complexity of African American peo-ple. Please enjoy these interpretations of Langston Hughes original poems “I, Too”, “Dreams”, and “Harlem” written by Servant Leaders in Kemet (10th grade).

Continuing the Tradition: Sankofa Freedom Poetry Corner–

Untitled

Submitted by Tiana Johnson

When I walk through these streets All I see is darkness

The darkness of my people’s faces The darkness of the shame we bring to our names

The darkness in the way we turn on each other

So who are we to blame? When we’re the ones who bring the shame?

When I walk through these streets All I see is pain

Pain in mothers’ faces Who have been left to care for a child alone

Whose son has seen what his father has done Then becomes something life is father’s clone What I walk through these streets

I see my people in pain Not knowing who to blame

Page 3 Volume 3/ Issue 6

I, too

By Siani Rojas

I, too sing America They send me to clean, Doesn’t matter if I’m

Hurt or bleeding. They Walk away & laugh

In my face.

But I smile And clean well And gain all the

Strength and knowledge That I can gain.

Tomorrow, I’ll be Laughing, having A ball, Nobody’ll

“GO CLEAN,” then Besides, they’ll see how Intelligent & powerful

I am And be afraid

And surprised of How much power

I have.

Hope Submitted by Nyeerah Long

Hold fast to hope

For it will never die. Hope is like the heart beat

Of the coming life. Hold fast to hope

For it will empower You strengthen you

Hold fast, hold Tight; don’t let go of hope and Fight for your Right to dream

To live, To dream o

Sankofa Freedom Academy Freedom Fighters Stand Up for Trayvon Martin

The Trayvon Martin Rally Submitted by

Paulinda Nicholson On March 30 the students of the Lower School participated in a Rally for Justice for Trayvon Martin ,which was organized by the members of Student Council. The Trayvon Martin rally was fun because all of Sankofa lower school marched to the park with signs and Freedom Songs. Sankofa’s lower school wore hoodies to represent. Everyone paid a dollar to donate to Trayvon’s parent’s for legal fees and to show that they care about him as well. There were even parents who paid and marched to show their support. A lot of people in the community were watching the rally and some even joined in the rally. It felt like we were really making a state-ment to stand up for freedom. I think we should continue to do things to make a change in our community and the world.

Page 4 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter

In the Spirit of Ella Baker, both scholars in the Lower School and Servant leaders in the Upper School took to the streets to demand justice in the Trayvon Mar-tin case. These demonstrations came after a week of discussions in community meetings, in classes and in Harambee. In the Spirit of Harambee, parents, com-munity members, facilitators, and scholars paid $1.00 to dress up in hoodies and blend their voices with others throughout the nation who were calling for a more thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin, an un-armed teenager who was slain in Florida. Featured in this edition of the Sankofa Bird are pictures from the demonstration as well as an article by Paulinda Nicholson, a 5th grade honors student from the na-tion of Dogon. (Pictured on the right is a photo from the high school demonstration at the Sankofa Annex)

PROCEEDS FROM THE MARCH WERE SENT TO THE FAMILY OF TRAYVON MARTIN

Congratulations Aaliyah Seriki Submitted by Sis. Kenyatta Norris

Each scholar in Yoruba Gardens is as-signed days to read to the class. Each time they read, they are given a sticker to place on the reading chart. Whoever has the most stickers at the end of the month wins. Aaliyah Seriki was our win-ner for the Month of March. Aaliyah has been consistent in bringing in a book every week that she has first practiced at home with her family. Great job Aaliyah Seriki!

Scholars Showcase: Reading and Writing Is What We DO!!!

Page 5 Volume 3/ Issue 6

“The Dogon Nation “Show Me How Day” By Zakariyya Toomer

I recently attended a really cool event called “Show Me How Day”. The event took place on March 30, 2012 and was held in my literacy class where Sis. Brown is the teacher. The students taught the class recipes and crafts. We, the students, also had to write a how to es-say to go along with their project. There were many great things to learn like how to make brownies, origami, Mac- and Cheese , cake, pizza and much more. My top picks for each category were the potato salad and the spinner. The potato salad was the most popular recipe with the students. It was the most popular recipe because it had simple ingredients, it was easy to make and it tasted good. The most popular craft was the spinner. Everyone liked the spinner because it was made with a limited amount of supplies, you simply needed paper. In addition, it can be used for rainy days while inside. Show me how day was so much fun, I can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Kongo Poets Celebrate Spring By Mama Pat Morales

My Spring Poem by Jaequan Gillis

It’s hot

Kids play outside The flowers bloom

The sun shines in the air More animals come out

The world looks so big and beautiful I want to visit every country, but I have a lot of friends at home

So I will stay Hooray!

My Spring Poem by Jazzmine Heck

Roses are red Violets are blue

Everything I see is new I smell flowers for me and you I see a rainbow and so do you

Show Me Day Expository Writing in Action

Students of Dogon Breaking Down the Preamble

Submitted by Bro. James Malamut

"We the people of the United States, in order to form perfect Umoja, estab-lish justice, promise home peace, pro-vide for the common defense, hype-up the general well-being, and keep the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our legacy, do start and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

“We Who Believe In Freedom Shall Not Rest”

“Books Over Bars”

The essential question of freedom for the nation of Kemet challenges young people to promote peace and health within the community. The brothers and sisters of Kemet understand that our health is tied to the well being of our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated. Thus, the 10th grade ser-vant leaders have been volunteering with an or-ganization called “Books Over Bars”. This organi-zation is committed to providing books to our brothers and sisters who are in prison. May we never forget them!

Page 6 The Sankofa Bird Newsletter

Nubia visits the Dr. Martin Luther

King Memorial on Their HBCU Col-lege Tour over Spring Break!

Brother Isa put the Sankofa van on the road for a college tour. He was accompanied by David Jones, Malika Tender, Kashaun Johnson , Quadirah Milburn, Shavoy Murray, Mohammadu Sillah, and Shyheim Ladson. Besides visiting the King Memorial, the Nubians visited Morgan, Coppin, Howard, Hampton, and Norfolk State Universities. They also visited the Baltimore Harbor and the Smithsonian Institute. The King Memorial, however, was the highlight of the trip. Our servant leaders understand that they stand on the mighty shoulders of great ances-tors like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congratulations to all of the parents who came out to our Parent meeting sponsored by State Representative Tony Payton’s Office and Comcast. We gathered on Tuesday, April 10th in Harambee Hall and explored how to use technol-ogy to support literacy and mathematics at Sankofa. Par-ents were also provided with a demonstration of Study Island, AR book find, and the Sankofa website.

Ms. Sharon Lee Powell from Comcast Essential Program set

up a phone bank with direct connections to Comcast cus-tomer service representatives. She set up Title One eligible parents to receive reduced internet service for $9.99 a month and a voucher to pur-chase a computer for $150. Approximately 20 parents signed up for internet service. One highlight of the evening was a drawing for 5 free com-puter netbooks. Five of our families who signed up that evening actually went home with internet service and a computer.

Another high point for par-ents this month was the ban-quet given by the Dominican Republic(DR) parents led by Mama Emma Knox.. Our parents took total responsibil-ity for planning, food, and the program. There was plenty of food, fun, and information about the DR. Especially im-pressive were the tee shirts presented to each member of the delegation by Mama Emma. We are really so very proud of our parents. They are taking out partnership to the next level.

!

Sankofa Parent Power Computer Give-Away and Dominican Banquet

Spring Sports at SFACS Submitted by Isaiah Thomas, Athletic Director

Spring Sports is underway here at Sankofa and our teams are representing us well. This year we have Varsity Track and Field, Junior Varsity Softball and Junior Varsity Base-ball. All three teams have improved dramatically from last year. Our track team has athletes participating in over 60 percent of the events and our team has finished as high as third place in competitions this year. Our Softball team is 4-1 and improving every game. Our baseball team is working hard to get better as our student athletes prac-tice relentlessly to improve as individuals as well as a unit. Overall we are very proud of our student athletes and we anticipate them finishing the season very strong. (Pictured to the left: Boys baseball team. Girls and Boys track pictured below.)

Page 7

Servant Leadership

“It’s the Sankofa Way”

DR Coat of Arms

Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School

4256 Paul Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19124

Phone: 215-288-2001 Fax: 215-288-2099

Email: :ii.lark@sfacs.us

Upcoming Events: Calendar

May 5—Nubia SATs at George School

May 9— Early Dismissal /Report Cards(1:30-4:30)

May 10- Report Cards 4:30—7:00

May 15—Mandatory Parent Meeting (Wazuri)

May 17—Oratorical Finals

May 21- Board of Trustees Meeting

May 23—Early Dismissal

May 24– Media Literacy Symposium

May 28—School Closed

June 8— Health Fair

MICROSOFT

We’re on the web: Www.sfacs.us

“We who believe in freedom shall not rest until it comes!” ….Ella Baker

If We Must Die"

If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry

dogs, Making their mock at our accursed lot.

If we must die, O let us nobly die So that our precious blood may not be shed

In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! O kinsmen! We must meet the common foe!

Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death

blow! What though before us lies the open grave?

Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,

Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

Ashe’ - Spotlight On: Claude McKay ,

Jamaican Poet (1890—1948)

Follow our Ambassadors in the Dominican Republic on our website at www.sfacs.us—International Service Program. (Above Sis. Sade, Bro. Rob, Bro. Jeremiah, and Bro. Moham-madu building their first latrine)

Emani Thomas continues in the tradition of Claude McKay with this poem written upon the arrest of George Zimmerman in the murder of Trayvon Martin

Victory and Dreams By Emani Thomas

For Trayvon the dark gray sky lifts some spirits.

If you have a smile on your face, You will have a dream that one day you, you,

and you will make it so this does not happen again.

Today, you need to share a dream with someone else.

Today, we want to speak for someone else... Like the witness that heard Trayvon Martin

scream for help. George Zimmerman is finally in jail.

Is victory coming soon? We must keep dreaming

Sharing our dreams Speaking our dreams.

For Trayvon, for someone else, for us.