Independence Charter School Annual Report

Independence Charter SchoolAnnual Report0123456789ABCDEFPublished September 2009Based on activities for the 2007-2008 fiscal year

Dear Friends,Less than a decade ago, Independence CharterSchool (Independence Charter) was merely an ideain the minds of a few forward-thinking Philadelphiaparents who wanted a quality educational experiencefor their children, one that prepared them to becitizens locally and globally. These foundersestablished Independence Charter, and set theschool on a path of consistent, demonstrated growthand success. To advance from a simple idea to oneof the most respected charter schools in the Cityof Philadelphia in only eight short years is certainlysomething to celebrate! And with no end in sightto our continuing, innovative evolution, we thinkthat the Independence Charter story is one worthdocumenting. I’m therefore pleased to introducethis, the School’s first Annual Report.Ronith Epelbón HochmanMusic TeacherLast year (Fiscal Year 2007-2008) and extending into thecurrent fiscal year, the school experienced an exceptionalgrowth spurt. Most notably:• We acquired, renovated and moved into ourbeautiful, permanent home at 16th and Lombard(formerly Durham Public School).• We saw commendable growth in the percentageof our students achieving proficient and advancedscores that matched and exceeded the Pennsylvaniastate standardized test score average in reading andmathematics, respectively.• Our eighth grade graduates were accepted intomany of the top public and private high schoolsin the Philadelphia region.• Our school continues to be desirable to Philadelphiafamilies as demonstrated by the 600 student waitinglist for this academic year.Our growth spurt also extended far beyond the School itself.In the past year, we’ve dramatically expanded our presence as“When I think about the meaning of being a Music Teacher at Independence Charter, I think about how lucky I am to be a part of anInstitution where the differences and the singularities of every individual are precious. By being immersed in an environment withplenty of cultural options and by respecting other people’s opinions and ideas, Independence Charter’s students learn the value ofbeing a citizen of the World. And we, the teachers, are encouraged and challenged to bring our best to every lesson to let it happen.”a leader for urban education reform within Philadelphiaand as a respected innovator nationally in the area of globalstudies. In 2007 we were recognized as a Charter Schoolof the Year by the Center for Education Reform. In 2008,Independence Charter was awarded the Goldman SachsFoundation Prize for Excellence in International Educationas an elementary school. It is notable that we are the firsturban public charter school nationally to have won thisprestigious prize.So where do we go from here? We have many excitingplans to enhance the Independence Charter educationalexperience for our students and to share our successfulmodel with others. Plans include expanding the numberof students who receive access to free after school tutoringand precollege track experiences, adding programs thatsupplement classroom instruction in science and engineering,and the expansion of a physical education program, to nameonly a few.With the economy in recession, it is unfortunate that wewill see cuts in public funding that negatively impact ourcity’s youth. Those organizations that will forge ahead, inspite of these setbacks, to improve educational outcomesfor Philadelphia students will need to be forward-thinking,creative, adaptable and experienced at doing more withless. Fortunately for us, these are precisely the attributesthat enabled Independence Charter to grow to our currentstate, and I am confident they will serve us well movingforward. Our goal is not to “weather the storm” of thiseconomic downturn, but to gather our strengths andcreative energies to sail our charted course of growthand success for years to come.Sincerely,Jurate KrokysCEOIndependence Charter SchoolBoard of TrusteesOfficersPresidentRona Buchalter, Ph.D, Fellowships Advisor,Drexel UniversityVice PresidentPamela M. Prell, Professional Development Manager,Need in DeedTreasurerRosina Miller, Ph.D, Executive Director,The Philadelphia CenterSecretaryKristin Nocco, Drug Information Consultant,Independent Drug Information ServiceRebecca Baehr, Esq., Career Planning Specialist,Rutgers University School of Law - CamdenJohn Eagen, Vice President,Alliance National Insurance Company.Eli Lesser, Director of Academic Summer Sessions,University of PennsylvaniaPedro Rodriguez, Interim Director of Open Borders ProjectElsie Stern, Ph.D, Assistant Professor,Reconstructionist Rabbinical CollegeTina KluetmeierParent of two students“After visiting schools and talking to parents and teachersthroughout the city, we chose Independence Charterbecause it offered so many things that the other schoolsdid not: an international education incorporating art,music and dance as well as reading, writing and arithmetic;diversity among students and staff; and languageinstruction infused throughout the curriculum with theexpectation that Independence Charter students willgraduate with high proficiency if not fluency in Spanish.”23

Maurice WhiteClass of 2009“Other schools (I am familiar with) didn’t care about my future. Teachers didn’t care if you fell into the trap of ghettoism. It is differenthere. Teachers want to help you. They want to make sure students learn. Everyone here is my brother and sister. Independence Charterencourages you to be a better person. I can’t wait to get back to school every week.”Independence Charter School: History and MissionBrittany PembletonClass of 2009“You can talk to the teachers. It feels like a home. It’s different from my friends’ schools. During my eight years here, I have had theopportunity to do a lot of different things. Independence Charter provides a gateway to where you want to go-the freedom to trynew things”.What makes Independence Charter Unique?Independence CharterSchool’s journey beganwith a group of visionaryparents, committedcommunity members anda dedicated Principal/CEOwho set out to establish adifferent kind of school,one that “opens worlds ofopportunity” for Philadelphiastudents. This monumentalundertaking came to fruitionwith Independence Charteropening in September 2001.Armed with research on the cognitive benefits of second language acquisition, and a strongsense that students can learn more about the world and languages starting in Kindergarten, theschool’s founders set up the framework for a school focused on preparing students to becomecitizens locally and globally. This framework included a serious commitment to the developmentof skills necessary for success in school and beyond but also underscored the importance of theinclusion of the arts, global studies and second language acquisition. The ultimate goal was todevelop a bilingual, interculturally-competent and high-performing student body.Independence Charter School has come a long way since its early days. The school openedin 2001 with an enrollment of 287 students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. IndependenceCharter currently enrolls 732 students in grades K-8 with a waiting list of 600. The school’sstudent body is drawn from 44 of the City’s 50 zip codes and reflects the diversity of Philadelphia;59% African-American, 14% Latino, 3% Asian, 3% mixed race and 21% Caucasian. In addition, 2%of the students are new immigrants and 53% are living at or below the poverty line.Independence Charter is led by a 9-person Board of Trustees, with most positions filled byparents, a CEO who has 30 years of educational experience in the United States and abroadand a Principal with 16 years of educational experience in New York City and Philadelphia PublicSchools. Students benefit from 46 full-time teachers, 27 teaching assistants and its activeParent-Teacher Association (PTA).Urban Education That WorksIndependence Charter is a leader among Philadelphia publicand private schools for its effective and innovative educationalprograms. Independence Charter stands out from the crowdfor the following reasons:1) Global Education Curriculum• A study of nations, cultural groups, histories and globalissues integrated into standards-based instruction acrossall subject areas.• The curricular experience of each student includesregular participation in the arts: dance/movement,music and the fine arts related to country andhistorical studies.2) Second Language Learning• Intensive Spanish instruction in all grade levels• Introduction to Japanese in grade 6 (2007-2009)and Swahili in 2009-2010• Introduction to Arabic in grade 7• Introduction to Chinese in grade 83) Learning Beyond the Classroom• A year-long National History Day Project with theNational Constitution Center• Marine life study at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor• An annual National Geographic Bee• An annual Scripps Spelling Bee• Offsite cultural experiences including plays, concertsand museum visits• An annual International Festival• After school clubs such as Italian language, Geography,Chess Club, Freedom Writers and Odyssey of the Mind4) Parent InvolvementThe school’s parent community plays a central role in thesuccess of the school, with more than 39% of parentscontributing to its daily operations by:• serving on the School’s Board• participating in the PTA• volunteering as classroom helpers• organizing special events such as the KABOOMplayground build4 5

Successes in 2007-2008independence Charter School Statement ofActivities for year ending June 30, 2008• Independence Charter Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores are on the rise– 11% increase in students proficient and advanced in reading– 15% increase in students proficient and advanced in math• Graduating classes have been accepted at top public and private schoolsin the Philadelphia region including:– Central High School – Masterman– Episcopal Academy – St. Joseph’s Preparatory– The Haverford School – The Science Leadership Academy– High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)Independence Charter received the following awards:• National History Day Prizes for student teams at the regional competition qualifying for state competitions• Student participants in Young Playwrights placed in the top three in the middle school category• Named Top Performing Charter School by The Center for Education ReformRevenueLocal School District Subsidy $5,999,244.63Other Local Public Revenue $146,022.00Commonwealth of PA $378,841.86Federal $456,660.00Grants and Other Fundraising $192,499.00*Wings After School Program Fees $196,410.45Interest Earned $94,642.75Other Revenue $33,014.31Total Revenue $7,499,335.00* This program was discontinued in 2008-2009.ExpensesSalaries/Benefits $4,630,469.75Facilities Rental/Maintenance $1,856,575.11Books, Software, Supplies, $274,101.50Technology, TravelContracted Services $487,534.42Debt Service $16,075.00Total Expenses $7,248,680.78• Winner of the Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Education in 2008 (2007 finalist)2007-2008 Fundraising Revenue Sources $192,499 TotalAquila WallerClass of 2007Individual 29%“The school provided me withlots of hands-on experiences. Ihad the opportunity to participatein outward bound programs andto attend the Junior StatesmanCorporate 9%Association program at StanfordUniversity. I would not have hadthese experiences withoutFoundation 62%Independence Charter. Theprincipal and teachers alwaysencouraged me. It is a familyenvironment. If you extend,they reach back.”6 7

2007 - 2008 Donor Honor RollMajor FundersBrook J. Lenfest FoundationProgram GrantsAmerica-Italy SocietyBest BuyHPComcast and theScience ChannelUnion Benevolent AssociationYouth Education for Tomorrow(YET)Event PresentingSponsorsCozen O’ConnorPNC BankEvent ProgramSponsorsAugust RestaurantBrawer & Hauptman,ArchitectsGrubb & EllisIndependence Charter SchoolPTAJulia Colton,Print and Web DesignMiles & GeneralisSantilli & Thomson, LLCSCHRADERGROUP Architecture,LLCThe Sullivan CompanyEvent SponsorsApplebee’sBarksdale PhotographyCafé OleCara O. Frank, Inc., R.Ac.,Dipl Ac & C.H.Corporate Realty Partners& Co., Inc.Daycare Cleaning Services, Inc.GHA TechnologiesThe Howley GroupPhilippe Jacquot,Donna Elena SaizReal Estate GroupJudy Tudy, ClowningAround with MagicThomas M. Kohler, D.D.S.,Periodontics & ImplantologyTodd Lentz,Delaware InvestmentsMark Rohrback,Mark’s Door ServiceMom’s Bake at Home PizzaNRI ReproMAXOvations Salon & SpaPediatric Therapeutic Services,Inc.PHOTOLoungeThe Reinvestment FundRoberts & deMarsche,Diplomates, American Boardof OrthodonticsKen Roscioli, Cover Architecture,LLCSociety Hill Pediatrics, P.C.Wydinya StudioGeneral SponsorsAntonio Atacan, DBABanes & Daughters Plumbing& Heating, LLCComprehensive Dental CareE.J. Raith Mechanical, Inc.George Hoez,Real Estate AppraiserNational Analysts WorldwideN.Y.P.D. PizzaON LINE CommunicationPatrick Foley, Pennoni AssociatesRich Roberts, Pennoni AssociatesPhiladelphia Java CompanyRivera Structural Design, LLCRoots Hair StudioSalem Industrial FinishesKatherine Kurtak,SCHRADERGROUP Architecture,LLCSpanish Language SchoolSuperior Auto CareSurgicenter of BaltimoreTamburri AssociatesDane Shiplee,Union County ConstructionIndividual DonorsIndependence CharterFamilies and EmployeesKhalid Adimi andMary FitzpatrickTarek Albasti and Carolyn BaughLuis Alvarez and Maria DeLeonAnthony and Joan AlviniRamzy and Alison AndrawosMichael Bach and Cara CarrocciaDavid Bailey andTina Staley-BaileyAnyabwile andStephanie Banko’leDavid Barcan and Maribel BeasSulayman and Tracy BarrowEdward and Kathy BiegalskiStephen Binasiewiczand Caryn HuntWilliam and Nancy BoydStephanie BungardJonathan and Susan BurrowsSylvester and Leslie BurtonJohn Byrne and Erika CarrilloJohn and Courtney ChobertSuzanne CilliDavid and Jennifer CleghornEarnest and Michelle CoatsSteve Cohen and Elsie SternKai ColeChristopher Cook andBarbara Ruth-CookShannon CostelloEric Cramer and Julia ColtonKenyatta Crumpton andDana DudleyRui DaSilva and Ann FarnsworthMichael and Bridget DavisBill Davis and Joana Davis-DiazDavid Deifer and Annette EarlingKristen DenahanPatrick Devine andCaren Seltzer-DevineDonna DeVoreRamon and Magna DiazBrian and Maureen DiStefanoRamy and Monica DjerassiScott and Sandra DonoverAlex Doty and Inga SchafrothAndrew Dunakin andPaca NarvaezJohn and Maureen EagenDavid and Francesca EngelEbru and Ercument ErkutFabio Fernandez andFrauke SchnellOdamis Fernandez-SheinbaumJeff and Jennifer FriedmanJulie FrielSam Garst and Robin KohlesJames Gilroy and Rosina MillerRoss Gombiner and Anita LeeAnnette Monnier,Annette Monnier Outreach Program Director The Clay Center“The Claymobile program visits every zip-code in Philadelphia and provides ceramic arts residencies for over 50 schools annually. Asthe program’s director I’ve been to a lot of schools; public, private and charter. Independence Charter School has always struck me asone of the best schools Philadelphia has to offer, the children who go there are able to reach their full potential in a wonderful learningenvironment, something that is more rare than it should be. Independence Charter is an inspiration.”Benjamin and Jody GraffGreg GregsonMaura HanlonEugene Haynes andLisa Nelson-HaynesMichelle HendersonSean Hennessy and Kristin NoccoTerry Henry and Stephanie KindtMark and Josephine HingNancy HionidesKevin HowleyLynn HuntJohn Iodice and Jeanne AdamsonRick and Laura JacksonSeth and Jessica JacquayJean Claude JacquotAntoinina JenkinsSteven Johns and Laura HuttonKitchener and Rosanna JonesBarbara KayAndrew and Pam KearneyKevin and Barbara KilmartinSean and Lynn KirbyJeff Knightly and Cindy CasselOmar and Debra KoitaRobert Kopf and Fran MelmedMarwan and Monika KreidieDiane LaMastra-BowersRobert and Celeste LambAmy LeighBrian Leighton andTina KluetmeierThomas Lennon andMaureen WellnerTodd Lentz andMarcie Lichtman-LentzKevin and D’andra LewisHerawati Liang and Fnu WidartoEmmet Linn and Dawn AngKristen LongDan and Maureen LongLeland Lott and Alison SpragueLance Lukasiak andMaren GaughanBrett Mandel andLaura WeinbaumJoseph Martin andNorma CorralesLinford Martin andMarcella ZimmermanTimothy and Caroline MastersAndrea Mazzucchi andValentina NardoMarti McCallNina McCallRobert and Conswelia McCourtJohn McDaniel andJudith Dumorney-McDanielGerry McDermott andSandra AidarMaria McLeodDean McNulty andKathleen HeroldFrankie and Adelaida MedlockDell Meriwether and Lynn GainesJaqual and Marisol MoralesDenis Murphy, Jr. andCameron VossVincent and Adriene MyersKarl and Sara OlsenTiffany PearsallDavid Peterson andMegan SteelmanGeorge Petropoulos andAnne ForesmanWilliam Pointer andAyana King-PointerNathaniel Popkin andRona BuchalterMichael and Pamela PrellJose Ramirez and Claudia LeeWilliam and Elizabeth ReedAndrea RingklibEdwin and Amy RiveraVincent Romano andMaria PalladinoRandall Romero andWendy ChavarriaKen Roscioli and Ellen PannellFred Rowland andMelanie OlshefskiHorace and Tara RyansGlenn and Jennifer SanchezRoger Schrading andRebecca BaehrDavid ScottJerome and Gloria ShabazzPurnomo Sidi andJessica FredericaFrank and Najai Stern8 9

Ray Stirbys and Jurate KrokysTony and Henny SugiantoLarry TaylorMike Torres and Dawn PakechAngela Yvette TylerEdmond and Cristina VeaMichael Vessels andRenee Johnson-VesselsScott and Kristin WalkerDavid Webber and Felicia SarnerDan and Amy WeidnerKenneth and Gabrielle WhiteEzra and Rebecca WiesnerBrenda WilkinsonCharles Wongso andSwandajani FnuBarbara ZiskJames Zwolak andGia GuadagninoFriendsJoel and Annie BaehrAaron BannettHerb BascomeGeorge and Carolyn BennettGeorge BrodieJoshua and Rhonda CohenPat and Vicky CorporaAlex CoxDonnie and Joanne DavidowElizabeth Dawson-FinkWarren and Nan DotyLinda EckerAvi EdenCharlie FloweDanute GecasSteven GendlerAlex GeneralisDavid and Rosemary GiffordJames P. GilroyPatricia GilroyRoseanne GilroyStuart and Angela GrodanzDonald and Barbara HavilandMichael and Catherine HennessyJoanne HenryMarc HuleyFrank and Ann IrzykDavid KindtGenevieve KrokysJudith LeighRichard LeightonJune LongBruce Mann andElizabeth WarrenJohn MarkingLouis MarkingRobert MarkingKatherine MaroldoRobert and Wanda McRaeSylvia MillroodGrant OinesKatherine PannellDavid and Ellen PerlmanJulie PreisWalter Roach, Jr.David L. SchraderPaul and Carolynn SchradingLinda Rubin SimonYvonne RuizSol and Ellen SafranMorri SafronJosh Sarner and Nancy PrattEric SchradingPaul SchradingFrances SchultzFrancis and Shirley SlateJane SullivanKathleen ThaneyKathleen TraviaMichael A. WallcavageGeorge and Carol WeinbaumMarcia WilkofDavid and Amy WilliamsJoseph J. WinchesterMykel WomackCarolyn WrightJames WrightIn-Kind Donors1812 ProductionsA-Team MoversThe Alphabet LadyAnastasio’s AntiquesAnthony’s CaféAveda SpaB&R Jewelry RepairBean CafeBeauty Products on 7thBenjamin Lovell ShoesBetty’s Tasty Buttons FudgeBirchtree CateringThe Bishop’s CollarCamden RiversharksCarnegie HallChick’s RestaurantClaudio’sCreperie Beau MondeCucina ForteEastern State PenitentiaryExpressive Hand StudioFairmount Art CenterGiovanni’s RoomJody GraffGround ZeroHappily Ever After toy storeHistoric Tours of OverbrookIron Hill Brewery & RestaurantJ. Karma BoutiqueJoan Alvini Jewelry DesignJohnny RocketsKids GymRob KopfLH CateringLa Locanda Del GhiottoneLa Fourno RestaurantLandmark TheatresLolli LolliLorenzoMarchi JewelryMaria Massaro JewelersArtist Jeff McMahonMoore Brothers WineryMr. Martino’s TrattoriaNorthern Liberties CampOptima GymPanamericanArtPhiladelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia OrchestraPhiladelphia SoulPhilly Kids GymPickle BagsShiatsu StudioStandard TapSteve’s SteaksSweat GymTopper’s SpaTransfinite GraphicsTuscany CaféUrsula’s About PhaseMake-Up StudioWhole Foods MarketsYoga ChildSelectedCommunity PartnersAmerican Council onImmersion EducationAmerican Councilon the Teachingof Foreign LanguageAsia Society Partnership forGlobal LearningCenter CityProprietor’s AssociationCenter City Residents AssociationThe Clay StudioFair Trade Pen Pal ProgramGreater Philadelphia Chamberof CommerceiEarnInternational Visitors CouncilThe Kimmel CenterNational Constitution CenterNational Network for EarlyLanguage LearnersPennsylvania Council onInternational EducationPennsylvania ModernLanguage AssociationThe Rock School of BalletSouth Street WestBusiness AssociationUniversity of Pennsylvania -National Resources Centers10Sandra AidarFormer parent“When we chose Independence Charter for our daughter we wereinterested mainly in the Spanish language program because I wasborn in Argentina. What we didn’t know at the time is that we wouldbe immersed in a passionate multicultural community rich in ideasand resources. The open classroom policy eased the transition fromNursery school to Kindergarten (more for us than for our daughter!),and all the extraordinary art, music and movement classes gave usthe feeling of private school in an urban setting. A very importantaspect of the Independence Charter community is how open it is toparental participation. In our five years at the school, we have grownin our learning of education and have helped the school viacommittee work and volunteer work at the classroom, PTA andboard level. For me in particular, Independence Charter embodiesthe best of the American sprit: ideas, community and a drive tosucceed and do good. Independence Charter School is a truetreasure for the city of Philadelphia.”Catherine Passante-Contaldi and Ed ContaldiParents of one current and one former student“Our oldest son (who has special needs) started at IndependenceCharter School (ICS) in 2003. From Day One, the school’s leadershipsent a message that it would be no problem to educate our son inthe general education setting, and that his individuality would becelebrated. Whenever a new challenge came up, the school’sattitude was, “No problem.” The entire Independence Charter staffcame to embrace our son as an unquestioned part of the schoolcommunity. This sense of belonging was a cornerstone for thewonderful social development that he accomplished.Independence Charter was full of kind and caring people who caredabout him and he felt that. This attitude carried through from thefront desk, to the workers in the cafeteria, the computer room – inreality, the whole school. Our son loved going to IndependenceCharter and we loved supporting him through the five fantastic yearsthat he spent at this cutting edge school. “11

Dr. Kathleen Hall,Associate Professor in the Graduate School ofEducation and, Director of the South Asia CenterandHaimanti Banerjee,Assistant Director and Outreach CoordinatorThe South Asia Center University of PennsylvaniaResource Centers“The South Asia Center has successfully partnered withIndependence Charter School in promoting its mission ofproviding South Asia related expertise to students at theK-8 level. In particular, the Independence Charter Schooladdresses Afghanistan and India in its curriculum for fifthand second graders and is to be applauded for being oneof the very few schools in the region who incorporate thestudy of these regions at such depth at the elementarygrade level.The quality of instruction offered to students atIndependence Charter is very impressive. The Unitscreated by the school’s teachers address the mostpertinent essential questions related to these worldregions. It is indeed encouraging to note the efforts ofthe school and its staff in internationalising the curriculumfor elementary grades.Ways of Giving toIndependence Charter SchoolIndependence Charter receives less funding per student thanother Philadelphia public schools. A gift to the School willsupport our ability to offer curriculum enrichment, after schooland summer school programs, increase available technology,ensure that our teachers are well-compensated and fundpriority enhancements for our new building.Individual GivingWays to make a personal giftCredit CardDonate quickly and securely by making an online contributionon the Independence Charter School page at JustGive.org.CheckSend a check, made payable to“Independence Charter School” to:Independence Charter School1600 Lombard StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19146Attention: Development OfficeMatching Gift ProgramsMany companies offer to match gifts given to nonprofitorganizations by their employees or spouses. Please checkwhether your company has a Matching Gift program. If they do,ask your employer for a matching gift form. Complete it andsend it to Independence Charter with your gift.Planned GiftsGifts that are part of an overall financial plan and benefit you aswell as Independence Charter are planned gifts. Since plannedgiving must be tailored to individual circumstances and goals,the Development Office is ready to work with you and youradvisors to develop a strategy that benefits you, your family andthe School. Please contact Leonora Cravotta in the DevelopmentOffice at 215-238-8000, ext. 2430 for more information.Corporate SupportEvent SponsorshipIndependence Charter offers several corporate sponsorshipopportunities including the Independence Charter 365 Eventand other initiatives which directly benefit our students andteachers.Independence Charter Anniversary EventIn 2010-2011 when our first graduates enter college,Independence Charter will be celebrating a doubleanniversaryEvent. In addition to celebrating the School’sten year anniversary, we will also be celebrating the 100 yearanniversary of our building, which was previously home to theDurham Elementary School. Many sponsorship opportunitieswill be available for this event.The Pennsylvania Educational ImprovementTax Credit Program (EITC)Corporations can also receive tax credit for their donationsto Independence Charter School through the PennsylvaniaEducational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC). Companieswhich are eligible to do business in Pennsylvania can receive taxcredit for 75% of the business’s contribution to IndependenceCharter School, up to a maximum of $300,000 annually.For more information about sponsorship, EITC, and othercorporate giving programs, please contact Leonora Cravottaat 215-238-8000, ext 2430The Annual Report covers the period of July 1, 2007, throughJune 30, 2008.These lists have been prepared with great care. Despite oursincere efforts to avoid inaccuracies, we know they can occur.If any are noted, please accept our apologies and advise us ofthe error.Development OfficeIndependence Charter School1600 Lombard StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19146Phone: 215-238-8000, ext. 2430Photography: Tom Lennon,Lennon Media Production and Post ProductionGraphic Design: Bill Rees, a+b StudiosMichael FarrellSpecial Education Teacher“I often remind myself of how fortunate I am, so earlyon in my career, to have found Independence Charter.Each day I find myself surrounded by ‘whole teachers’approaching the ‘whole child.’ Our inclusive andintegrated approach to teaching and learning bringsout the beauty in our children and showcases it to ourcommunity. We take our work seriously as we know weare preparing our students to be leaders in our local andglobal communities.”We look forward to continuing to work with Independence12Charter School in the future.”13

Yasmine MontgomeryClass of 2007“At Independence Charter, I could be myself. The teachers really cared about me. They always madesure that I stayed on track with homework and class participation. Whenever I visit IndependenceCharter, I feel the love I felt when I was a student here.”Independence Charter School1600 Lombard StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19146(215) 238-8000www.independencecharter.org