Círculo de la Hispanidad's 39th Anniversary Spring Gala Journal

respects and values the dignity of all and prepares children for success in school and life. The Evergreen Middle School began operating for the FIRST TIME during the 2017-2018 school year. This is our second year of operating our middle school. Just last month, April, 2019, we were approved by the New York State Board of Regents to expand our school to serve five classes per grade level commencing with the kindergarten this fall 2019. Our school will eventually grow to serve 1125 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. We are grateful to all that supported this effort. Sadly, we have had a waiting list for many years at Evergreen. Several years ago it was 200 students, then 300, then 400. For the 2019-2020 school year, on Thursday, April 4th, we held our lottery once again for over 600 applicants. While we are sad that we have a waiting list of over 500 students, this year we are happy to report that the Board of Regents recent approval to expand our school will enable us to serve many more applicants. We recognize that parents want a future for their children, like any parent, like us; they want an alternative to the education they are receiving in Hempstead where the current graduation rate is about 44%. In other words, 56% of their children won’t graduate. This has been the history of this district for many, many years. We at Evergreen do as much as we can. Yes, there is a need to have another elementary school to meet all the applicants we have. As of now this is impossible. Our priority for next year is building a Middle School that will meet all the new demands for the current grades, and we hope it will be “GREEN” as the one we have now. In the meantime, we are renting a former Catholic School next to Our Lady of Loretto, in Hempstead. We also looking for space to expand our primary grades. Additionally we are planning for a High School ; our parents and students have requested to expand Evergreen to upper grades so students can complete their entire secondary education at Evergreen. Finally, we keep working to increase the quality of education for our students who have performed very well on the State Test this year and past years. To all who are part of Evergreen’s family, ¡GRACIAS!

Evergreen Charter School

History of the School

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E vergreen Charter School received its charter on January 13, 2009. It was first granted a five year charter by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents to operate an elementary school in Hempstead, Long Island. The school opened with a kindergarten and first grade class of 100 students in the fall of 2009. Since then, it has grown and now serves 525 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The concept for Evergreen Charter School was developed by Mr. Gil Bernardino, Founder and Executive Director of Círculo de la Hispanidad and Dr. Sarah Brewster, Chief Director of Services and Operations of Círculo de la Hispanidad. With support from Círculo’s employees, Board of Trustees and friends, Evergreen took form. The Planning Board for Evergreen Charter School included: David Boone, Maritza Meyers, Luis Ras, Eliezer Reyes, Gladys Rodríguez, Rebecca Sanin, and Gerry Vázquez. Círculo also consulted with Sy Fliegel, Harvey Newman, Frank San Felice, and Linda Vergara. Círculo is thankful for those who contributed to helping the dream for Evergreen become a reality. The vision of Evergreen emerged in response to the systematic failure of the local Hempstead School District to serve the educational needs of these students. In the past, less than 50% of students graduated from high school. Sadly, this continues today. Mr. Bernardino, Founder and Executive Director of Círculo de la Hispanidad, a community based nonprofit organization serving Nassau County residents and their families since 1980, wanted to create an educational institution that would meet the needs of these students and their families. Dr. Sarah Brewster with her background in education and social work and her love and respect for the environment joined with Mr. Gil Bernardino to develop the vision of the charter school. What developed was a concept for a strong academic program coupled with a curriculum that emphasized the environment, the arts and knowledge of a second language (Spanish). The philosophy behind Evergreen Charter School is to prepare children to live in a global community, one that

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