DREAM

This week at DREAM East Harlem Elementary School, father figures joined students in the classroom for a special day of reading together. 📚 Father Figures Do Read brought fathers and other male role models into our classrooms to share stories and spend time with students during the school day. Thank you to DREAM EHES educator Kale Blackshear for spearheading the initiative, and to all the father figures who joined us! And a special shoutout to another EHES educator, Dionna Rogers, M.Ed Rogers for taking these amazing photos!

A throwback to 2001 when we celebrated our 10-year anniversary as Harlem RBI! It’s always so much fun to look back at our history, and we continue to stay grateful for every student, family, and community member who helped make Harlem RBI a place where joy could be shared, and a place through which DREAM could emerge. Your stories and memories are part of the foundation DREAM continues to build on today. 🧡 #ThrowbackThursday

What happens when AI gets the answer wrong? At DREAM, students are learning to question what AI tells them and check its claims against historical sources, often with a pencil and paper in hand. That work is part of an AI literacy unit developed by Marie Connor and our social sciences team in partnership with aiEDU. It gives students space to think critically about the information AI produces and explore how bias can show up in technology. Our Deputy Chief of Learning Adam Feiler-Ware joined Alex Kotran on aiEDU Studios to share more about DREAM’s approach and how we’re thinking about AI’s role in supporting educators and students. Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/eWgknST2

More room to dream. More ways to create. 💭 From a pilot with one teacher to a partnership reaching six schools, DREAM Charter Schools are expanding their commitment to computer science and AI learning for students in second through seventh grade. Early exposure to computer science helps students develop powerful problem-solving and programming skills, think creatively, and gain confidence in their abilities. What starts as “This isn’t for me” can become “I created this. I’m good at this. I belong here.” At a recent professional development session, DREAM educators explored programming and computational thinking to prepare for another year of learning and discovery. A special thank you to Sadé Johnson, Denise Barilar, and the DREAM educators for supporting students in seeing themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. #WeAreDREAM #HelloWorld #ComputerScienceEducation #CSforAll

Flags held high, jerseys representing home, and the rhythms of Latin American drums filled our campuses as DREAM celebrated Latinx Heritage Month. ❤️ Our students showed pride in their cultures by wearing traditional attire and sharing meals inspired by Latin America. Many listened to Latinx artists and learned the foundations of Latin American drumming, using music and conversation to explore their own identities and learn about one another’s cultures. Across DREAM, these celebrations gave students space to see themselves reflected at school and share the traditions that are part of who they are. We loved seeing our community come together to celebrate the cultures that make DREAM what it is. 🧡

CBS News visited DREAM East Harlem Middle School to see how our educators are using AI to support student learning. In the segment, Meg Oliver takes a look inside an English classroom where teachers like Ashlee Robateau and students are using tools like Coursemojo. At DREAM, we believe AI works best when educators are at the center of how and when it’s used. We’re continuing to explore how these tools can support teachers in their work and help students learn, while giving young people the critical thinking skills to use the technology thoughtfully and carefully. Thank you to partners, including Emily Freitag, and Meg Oliver and the CBS News team for spending time with our community! Watch the segment: https://lnkd.in/gMHKe6jM

Our Legends took the stage, and our community showed up for their futures. At the 5th annual DREAM UP, we celebrated our alumni’s journeys as they experienced college and careers after graduating high school. We also honored Ken Rosh and Fried Frank for 25 years of partnership, and raised more than ever before to support what comes next for our Legends. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible. Your support helps DREAM stand alongside our alumni for six years after graduation as they pursue their ambitions and begin opening doors for those following them. #DREAMUP #AlumniImpact

We interrupted our principals’ weekly meetings to give them their flowers. Literally. 💐 For Principals Month, DREAM students from all our campuses surprised their principals with bouquets and shared — in their own words — why they love and respect each of their principals so much. What started as a regular meeting quickly became a moment to hear just how much they mean to the students they show up for every day. The smiles said it all. 💙🧡 To our principals: we hope you felt every word. Thank you for giving our students so many reasons to celebrate you. Happy Principal Appreciation Month—though at DREAM, every month is an opportunity to appreciate our principals!