SuperUser Account

Letter to Andrea Shuck

The Maryland Department of Human Resources (”DHR” or “Department”) has proposed certain amendments to regulations, 07.02.07, Child Protective Services - Investigation of Child Abuse and Neglect. Under the DHR's Proposed Action on Regulations (set forth in the January 23, 2015 Maryland Register), the DHR has proposed changes to regulations to implement alternative response, including “How to conduct and complete the alternative response” as well as “[g]uidelines . . . on the expungement of alternative response records,” changes to certain confidentiality provisions and “[g]uidelines regarding [DHR] releasing information on fatalities and near fatalities.” Maryland Register, Vol. 42, Issue 2, Jan 23, 2015 at p. 148.

By SuperUser Account|2015-04-29T14:51:32+00:00February 24th, 2015|News|Comments Off

Happy rainy Monday!

Our latest Academy meeting on College Application Tips was on held on Saturday, January 10th, at the CFSA building from 9:00-3:00. We started our day with fresh orange juice, bananas, and hot chocolate with marshmallows to warm up our cold bodies and wake up our sleepy brains in preparation of our very full day of learning.

To begin, students reviewed their ACT/SAT vocabulary words that were introduced in September, followed by a quiz on vocabulary words from the summer session.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:01+00:00January 13th, 2015|FSGWA|Comments Off

The Georgetown Chorale presented “A Mediterranean Christmas” on December 20th

The Georgetown Chorale presented “A Mediterranean Christmas” on December 20th from 3:00- 5:00 at the First Congressional United Church of Christ located at 945 G Street, NW Washington, DC. Five of our students were able to attend this beautiful event of seasonal music along with several First Star Board members and staff. The program featured seasonal music from Italy and Spain, and the second half after intermission presented Ottorino Respighi's Laud to the Nativity, which was simply stunning in its beauty. The range of music ran our emotions from quiet meditation to complete crescendo celebration of the mysteries of life and faith. Beautiful paintings from the Renaissance and beyond accompanied the amazing choir, lending a lovely visual treat in addition to the auditory feast of full choir, soprano solos, keyboard, English horn, flute, bassoon, and piano.

By SuperUser Account|2015-04-29T16:07:39+00:00December 29th, 2014|FSGWA|Comments Off

December 2014, Academy Students Stage Play at Arena Stage

Our December monthly meeting, set at Arena Stage was a huge success! First students learned basic theater terms and actions required for an original mini performance. One favorite activity leading up to the performance was where students anonymously wrote on “graffiti balls.” In this activity students wrote their thoughts on large poster board headlined with “I wonder...” and “I hope…”, and completed each sentence. This helped the students for their next step, which was writing and producing their own play. With the help of the great people at Arena Stage, our students produced and performed a short play.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:01+00:00December 28th, 2014|FSGWA|Comments Off

385 kids removed from Ariz. homes in ignored cases

January 15, 2014
PHOENIX (AP) — Nearly 400 children have been removed from Arizona homes identified through thousands of child abuse and neglect reports that were ignored in recent years, according to new figures released by a special team created by Gov. Jan Brewer after the reports came to light in November.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:07+00:00January 17th, 2014|News|Comments Off

60 Arizona kids taken from homes by new team

January 15, 2014
Sixty children have been removed from their homes under the direction of Gov. Jan Brewer's child-welfare team charged with examining thousands of uninvestigated reports of neglect and abuse. Yet the team's leader said he doesn't know the nature of the allegations that required the children to be separated from their parents.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:07+00:00January 17th, 2014|News|Comments Off

The Invisible Achievement Gap
Gallery
The Invisible Achievement Gap

News

The Invisible Achievement Gap

Education Outcomes of Students in Foster Care in California's Public Schools

This study was conducted under the auspices of the Center for the Future of Teaching

and Learning at WestEd, which is dedicated to improving teacher-development policy

and practice. For more than a decade, the Center has been steadfast in the pursuit of its

mission to ensure that every student in California's elementary and secondary schools has a

well?prepared, effective, and caring teacher. WestEd, a research, development, and service

agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity,

and improve learning for children, youth, and adults.

View PDF

By SuperUser Account|2019-11-07T22:10:37+00:00October 15th, 2013|News|Comments Off

Rhode Island foster children spending month at URI

Rhode Island foster children spending month at URI to see what life could be like with college in their future at First Star URI Academy

Media Contact: Ericka Tavares, 401-874-2935

KINGSTON, R.I., July 19, 2013 - For 27 Rhode Island foster children, a summer month spent at the University of Rhode Island could hold the key to a future where college is a reality. The high school students arrived on the Kingston campus July 7 and will spend four weeks in the First Star URI Academy, immersed in the college experience.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:11+00:00August 13th, 2013|Press|Comments Off

Schiff Hardin Supports First Star Greater Washington Academy’s Celebration of Learning

May 22, 2013 - Schiff Hardin will assist First Star Greater Washington Academy with its goal of steering more foster kids in the Washington, D.C., area toward a college education by supporting the Academy's Celebration of Learning event on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County, Virginia.

By SuperUser Account|2020-06-18T12:58:57+00:00July 31st, 2013|Press|Comments Off

Two Washington Organizations Offer a Life-changing Opportunity to Local Foster Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 17, 2013 - Only a fraction of foster children actually finish college, but the First Star Greater Washington Academy and the George Washington University (GW) are hoping to improve their odds by offering a new program, beginning next month.

For four weeks this summer, the First Star Academy presents students with a preview of college life through an academically rigorous residential immersion experience at GW. The First Star Greater Washington Academy is a year-round program for 30 foster youth entering 9^th and 10^th grade in Fairfax County, Va., and the District of Columbia. The academy provides students with academic support, enrichment and encouragement to help them become competitive applicants for subsequent admission to college.

By SuperUser Account|2016-10-25T17:47:12+00:00June 17th, 2013|Press|Comments Off