ISANA symbolizes a new day and new hope for students and families served.

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/13/2018 -- Celerity Educational Group, a nonprofit network of public charter schools in Los Angeles, announced today the launch of a new brand identity. The organization will now be known as ISANA, which means "sun" in Eastern Uganda. Among other changes will include a new logo, social media presence, and a new website domain name (www.isanaacademies.org).

"Our rebranding efforts reflect positive changes highlighting the best of the organization's culture and an unwavering dedication to providing a superior, tuition-free public education experience to our students," said Nadia Shaiq, Chief Executive Officer. "With this powerful name in hand, we wanted to personalize with an acronym representing what we stand for – Innovative, Socially Aware Network of Achievers."

Because the organization values inclusiveness and transparency, it was important to include all stakeholders in the rebranding process. In June 2018, school leaders reached out to all students, families, and staff for input. One theme that kept emerging revolved around the concept of a sun – symbolizing a new day and new hope for each one of the students and families served. The ISANA crest logo sits two children who are studying under the sun of ISANA. Under them, are symbols that reflect key aspects of the organization.

Throughout 13 years of operating public charter schools, the organization has consistently stood out among all public education options available – outscoring schools in individual communities, throughout the school district and across the state. Internal branding research and stakeholder focus groups determined that evolving its original brand was the optimal decision. As a result, the Board requested a rebrand to renew and rejuvenate the organization's overall perception with the public – providing schools where students from underserved areas thrive in an atmosphere of high expectations and engaging curriculum with challenging learning activities.

"Making the decision to rebrand our organization was no easy task," said Curt Hessler, Board Chair. "It was more than a name change and new logo. It was about re-examining ourselves and identifying what sets us apart, to reflect our strengths, values, and mission as a place of high aspirations for learning. The Board is extremely proud of our school leadership and professional teaching staff for taking on this important milestone."

Each of the 6 individual public charter schools will be renamed "Academy" but still maintain their original names to ensure identities remain consistent with current families: ISANA Nascent Academy (Jefferson Park), ISANA Octavia Academy (Glassell Park), ISANA Palmati Academy (North Hollywood), ISANA Cardinal Academy (Sun Valley), ISANA Achernar Academy (Compton), and ISANA Himalia Academy (Central/Vernon).

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Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/16/2018 -- The Celerity Educational Group (CEG) announced that Nadia Shaiq was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of CEG by the organization's Board of Directors on April 3, 2018.

"Nadia Shaiq's distinguished career of transformational leadership at CEG made her the universal choice for CEO at the Board and, I am confident, throughout the entire CEG organization," said Curt Hessler, CEG's Board chair.

Mrs. Shaiq has served as CEG's Interim CEO for the past six months during which she successfully led a major restructuring of CEG's management and operational processes. Additionally, her leadership of the CEG team facilitated the unanimous approvals of material revisions for the charters held by CEG's seven Los Angeles area schools (Celerity's Nascent, Cardinal, Octavia, and Palmati Charter Schools authorized by LAUSD, Celerity Achernar Charter School authorized by the Compton Unified School District, and Celerity Himalia and Rolas Charter Schools authorized by the State Board of Education).

"I am honored by the Board's confidence and trust in my leadership," said Mrs. Shaiq. "Together, we will further Celerity's record of academic excellence and student success. I am humbled and inspired each day by our dedicated professional staff and our amazing families."

Mrs. Shaiq is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego, with a Summa Cum Laude Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Cognitive Science and a Master's Degree in Education.

She began her Celerity career in 2006 teaching 1st grade at Celerity Nascent Charter School. She then taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, and kindergarten at Celerity Dyad Charter School, where she was later named the school's Curriculum Specialist across all grade levels. In 2010 she was appointed Principal of the newly opened Celerity Octavia Charter School, and in July 2013 became CEG's overall Director of School Services. In 2017, she was named CEG's Chief Academic Officer.

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Part of Year-Long Culturally Relevant Conversations & Lessons

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/06/2018 -- February is Black History Month for hundreds of Southern California schools. However, here at Celerity Educational Group, we celebrate cultural diversity and relevancy every month throughout the academic year in each of our seven public charter school campuses. Our educators engage all our students in real-life topical conversations and integrated-curriculum activities based upon a core tenet of Celerity's unique educational model - Culturally Relevant and Responsive Education.

Black History Month provides a special educational opportunity at Celerity. There are times when teachers, parents and community leaders must explain situations which are painful and unfair. In today's society, students of all ages are faced with social and cultural issues at every turn. Rather than shying away, Celerity's goal is to provide each student with a creative learning outlet to express themselves.

Celerity is excited to announce events and activities throughout the month of February:

Performing Arts Showcase - Hitsville, USA: A Motown Story

This year, students at all Celerity schools - Himalia, Octavia, Nascent, Rolas, Achernar, Palmati, Cardinal - will put on a performance of Hitsville, USA: A Motown Story. Motown started as a record label, but it became so much more. A place, a style of music. A cultural celebration of social and racial equality, a family comprised primarily of black artists, but into which all were welcome.

Celerity students will experience the story of Motown through the eyes of Bernadette, an aspiring young black reporter, as she struggles to find her journalistic voice while maintaining her integrity. Each school will host individual shows for families and community members featuring outstanding talented performances by all Celerity students. Performances will begin February 20th and continue through March 8th.

1st Annual Celerity Black History Poetry & Art Competition

Students are encouraged to write a poem or create artwork demonstrating their connection to the events, people, movements, music or dance during the Motown period (1960-70s) and the relevancy happening today. Winning students will have their poem or artwork featured in the program for the performance of Hitsville, USA: A Motown Story. To guide students through this process, teachers during the school day and in our after-school program are engaging students in lessons and discussions revolving around these connections and how to express them on paper.

Forgotten Images Traveling Museum - Civil Rights Exhibit

Coming to Celerity schools for Black History Month, the award-winning Forgotten Images Traveling Museum provides an authentic and informative journey through the African American experience in America from slavery to the present day. Students receive guided tours of the acclaimed Civil Rights exhibit which includes segregation signs, lunch counters, water fountains, and March on Washington relics. Docents will guide students through these exhibits and students will participate in youth discussion panels to discuss social and cultural issues. The Traveling Museum will be visiting several Celerity campuses from February 9th to February 16th.

For more information, visit http://forgotten-images.com/.

"Here at Celerity, we view education about race, culture and social justice just as important as education about math, reading, and writing. Our unique educational model is not relegated to certain months, but rather occurs throughout the academic year, both through planned lessons and teachable moments," said Nadia Shaiq, Interim CEO and Chief Academic Officer. "When our students are taught Black History, they develop an understanding of themselves and others. In many cases, they will see similarities between African Americans and other groups undergoing similar struggles. Making these connections help form our students into global thinking citizens who will make our world a better place. Black History Month activities provide perfect opportunities to get students talking in a positive way and find creative outlets to express themselves."

To learn more about Celerity Educational Group and our California charter schools, visit https://celeritycalifornia.org/.

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Newest Performance Showcase to Celebrate Black History Month

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/26/2018 -- "Everyone needs a creative outlet to express themselves, and the Arts in school provides that," says performing artist Amber Riley. "And that's the spirit of Celerity Educational Group's Performing Arts Department. It wraps the academic experience of each student into the Arts—dance, acting, and vocal performance."

Celerity Educational Group's Performing Arts Program opens entire new worlds for students from underserved backgrounds. What started twelve years ago at Celerity as dance classes and students introducing each act of a show, has blossomed into a robust Performing Arts Program, culminating in three yearly full-scale scripted shows involving students dancing, acting, and singing, accompanied by live percussion from students. Additionally, integrated academic instruction leading up to each performance allows students to explore histories and cultures around the world and through time.

To celebrate Black History Month, all Celerity public charter schools – Himalia, Octavia, Nascent, Rolas, Achernar, Palmati, Cardinal – will participate in Hitsville, USA: A Motown Story.

Motown started as a record label, but it became so much more. A place, a style of music. A cultural celebration of social and racial equality, a family comprised primarily of black artists, but into which all were welcome. Celerity students will experience the story of Motown through the eyes of Bernadette, an aspiring young black reporter, as she struggles to find her journalistic voice while maintain her integrity.

Each school will host individual shows for families and community members featuring outstanding talented performances by all Celerity students. Performances will begin February 20 and continue through March 8.

The Performing Arts Program has had a profound impact on students. According to April Thomas, one of the two Performing Arts Coordinators for Celerity, it "has helped students build self-confidence, develop fine motor skills and coordination, strengthen memory and social awareness, and most of all, discover their voice – to know that they can and should be seen and heard." Matthew Bamberg-Johnson, another Performing Arts Coordinator, agrees. "Here at Celerity, all students are included. We emphasize inclusion, and have seen students shine who may be challenged in other areas with physical disabilities, speech impediments, challenging home environments, or learning English. Each student has a role crucial to the performance."

Best of all, high-skilled professionals from respective disciplines teach students who learn first-hand the rigors and joys of practice leading to a recital before an audience. With academics woven into the fabric of show preparation, Celerity teachers encourage the students to explore not only the performance aspect of the production, but also how the themes within the storyline have shaped society.

Thirty (30) dedicated professionals contribute to the Performing Arts Department. But parents and other family members volunteer to help decorate the stage, support the production backstage, and publicize the production. Indeed, the department itself is a large "family" of students, parents, teachers, and those who enjoy the performance in the audience.

"Teamwork builds social cohesion as the students, who come from diverse backgrounds, learn to work together on a great project," explains Nadia Shaiq, Interim CEO and Chief Academic Officer. "Individual talent also comes to the forefront, as students discover their abilities to act, sing, dance, and tell a story. Combined with the contributions from our parents and communities, these amazing talents meld into an incredible whole—a stunning performance."

For Celerity, Performing Arts has led to greater student engagement, improving attendance and attentiveness in the rest of their academic classes. The Performing Arts Department works directly with the academic team to collaborate on instruction of general academics and the State's Visual and Performing Arts Standards. As a team, they use participation in the Performing Arts to reinforce the student's academic and social education.

The Performance Arts Showcase is the perfect way for students to be introduced to a lifetime of joyful memories and a richness that pervades their academic success and future goals for college and career.

To learn more about Celerity Educational Group's Performance Arts Showcase, please visit: https://celeritycalifornia.org.

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Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/22/2017 -- 'Tis the season to share the holiday spirit. And what better way than for students to create holiday cards and bring cheer to senior citizens residing in assisted living facilities. That's just what Celerity Educational Group students are doing this year as one of their weekly Character Development activities.

The great idea is to warm the hearts of the seniors, many of whom otherwise would be spending the holidays alone at the assisted living facilities. Instead, the seniors themselves are brought into the season's spirit of charity and rejoicing.

Celerity's seven schools are public charter schools using innovative teaching methods to encourage students to be scholars and model citizens. Their mission is "to provide schools where at risk students will thrive in an atmosphere of high expectations and engaging curriculum with challenging learning activities."

The joyful activity is part of Celerity's Expanded Learning Program, which has been recognized in Los Angeles County and the rest of California as an exemplary program fostering academic and social development. It's part of the 50-state Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project, whose website explains, "High quality afterschool and summer learning programs powered by school-community partnerships offer young people a variety of hands-on, engaging learning activities that build upon the school day.

"The Celerity card-giving also was inspired by the program called 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents, which was developed by the Search Institute," explains Autrilla Gillis, Director of Celerity's Expanded Learning Program. "The assets are building blocks for healthy development of our students emphasizing empathy, caring and civic involvement."

Under each heading, the 40 Developmental Assets' website lists specific actions the student can take. For example, under "caring" is encouragement to take actions such as the holiday cards program: "Investigate volunteer opportunities in your community that you and your teen can do together. Affirm your teenager when he or she acts in ways that are caring or responsible."

The actual lesson plan for "Making Cards for Seniors" is a model of encouraging civic involvement. The objective: "To brighten the day of someone who might be living alone or might be without company during the day. You will show someone who might be lonely that someone is thinking about them!"

Students at Himalia Charter School learned from one resident they were the first people to visit her in a year and it was the only present she received during the holidays. And at Rolas Charter School, there wasn't a dry eye in the room after students sang to the seniors during one assisted facility visit.

The materials are simplicity itself: card stock or construction paper; markers, crayons or colored pencils; and envelopes. Students are encouraged to let their creative energies flow into the cards. Teachers proof-read each card before it is delivered to the senior citizen. And students sign the cards only with their first names.

"Through experiences such as these, our students gain just as much as they give - they learn from the wisdom and experience of the seniors, and gain an awareness of the needs of those around them," explains Nadia Shaiq, Interim CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Celerity Educational Group. Part of our mission at Celerity is to foster leaders who always keep their community in mind, and this is one of the ways we do that."

"Making Cards for Seniors" is the perfect way for students to show someone who might be lonely that someone is thinking about them. It's a great way to learn – and do something good at the same time.

To learn more about Celerity's Expanded Learning Program, please visit: https://celeritycalifornia.org/.

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10-week curriculum provides access and enrichment for after-school students

Los Angeles, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/07/2017 -- Imagine a buzzing, exuberant classroom in which students are grouped together, discussing and focused on dancing raisins, greasy potato chips or a sandwich bag explosion. At Celerity, it exemplifies what the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) component of our Expanded Learning Program is about.

Celerity's Expanded Learning Program offers free after-school academic and social enrichment to our families. Each trimester involves a "Fun Friday" curriculum focused on a theme – we have taught Reader's Theater, Robotics, Coding, Tribal Drumming, Public Speaking, Junior Banking, College and Career Planning, and Chess. This trimester, Celerity's project-based, dynamic approach to STEM allows students to work collaboratively in a hands-on way to solve real-world problems. The Expanded Learning Program also helps reduce stress on many of our working parents to know that their students are safe and supervised daily until 6:00 pm.

The Fun Friday Science Club, a 10-week curriculum of STEM experiments, provides access and enrichment for our after-school TK-8 students. Each activity is designed to develop the necessary skills that so many careers need, and so many students are not effectively taught – proficiencies such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and data analysis. In November, our excited students are showcasing their discoveries to parents and the school community.

During the first week of the STEM curriculum, students master the scientific method and create science journals to record their findings. Each week, program leaders facilitate science labs that offer students hands-on opportunities to test their hypothesis and record data. At the end of the semester, students form groups to analyze their data, discuss the implications of their results, and prepare experiment presentations.

"We need more scientists, engineers and innovators and a Celerity STEM education provides the key for our students," said Nadia Shaiq, Interim CEO and Chief Academic Officer at Celerity Educational Group. "Building rockets, robots, and other contraptions helps our kids become creative thinkers and problem solvers, and motivates them to discover future careers. We aim to develop the whole child, and this combined with our other curriculums has allowed our students to develop as performers, as speakers, as communicators, as artists. Join us to witness the budding brilliance of Celerity's aspiring learners."

For more information about Celerity Educational Group's charter schools in the Los Angeles area, please visit www.celeritycalifornia.org.

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