Leland, NC – Charter Day School hosted a modified graduation ceremony for kindergarten and eighth grade students. Kindergarten students drove by in cars decorated with signs and balloons as their teachers cheered them on. Eighth grade students walked through the open-air campus in their caps and gowns as their teachers shouted words of encouragement. All students were also given graduation lawn signs to proudly display at their homes. The graduations capped a year of resilient success for Charter Day School and its students and families.
“I liked the gift the teachers gave me! I liked how they were all giving us a cheer!” cheered kindergarten student Sarah Challeen.
Christine Challeen, a kindergarten parent, commented, “The kindergarten teachers did a wonderful job of quickly ramping up to the on-line learning and did a great job conducting classes and supplemental work!” She continued, “Sarah really enjoyed putting the school-provided graduation sign in our front yard and dressing up in her cap and gown while participating in the drive-through graduation. She loved seeing all the teachers and enjoyed getting her end of year gift. She also got a kick out of seeing all the other kids’ car decorations!”
“It was a joy to see Dale celebrated at the eighth grade socially distant graduation and walk through.” exclaimed eighth grade parent Jamie Dyer. She added, “What a blessing to see him cheered on by teachers and staff. It felt so personal! The big smile on his face was amazing. My favorite part of graduation was when Dale spoke with each teacher as they poured even more encouragement and love into him one last time!”
Charter Day School began live on-line learning following a daily instructional schedule for all grades K-8 on Monday, April 20, 2020. Instructional staff members conducted on-line, professional development on learning platforms, such as Zoom and Google Classroom, and student engagement expectations. These actions successfully translated Charter Day School’s results proven Direct Instruction educational model, which is dependent upon face-to-face, real-time interaction between teachers and students, to a live on-line learning environment.
Charter Day School is one of four charter schools managed by The Roger Bacon Academy, Inc. founded in 1999 by education pioneer Baker Mitchell. The other schools include Douglass Academy in Wilmington, Columbus Charter School in Whiteville, and South Brunswick Charter School in Southport with a combined enrollment of over 2,100 students in K-8. All four are tuition-free, charter schools that welcome all students, regardless of income, ability, or address. To learn more or enroll online, please visit EnrollRBA.com
