AND JUST LIKE THAT...I Dream PCS closes its doors on June 18, 2025. Permanently. We are not closing for mishandling finances - I Dream PCS has had a clean audit every year since opening at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeps far more than the required 45 days of cash on hand in the bank. We are not closing for compliance violations - there are none. The DC charter school authorizer imposed conditions for charter renewal that are impossible to meet in the 3 months given to meet them. If we didn't meet the conditions by June 30, 2025, the school would lose its charter at some point during next school year. It didn't make sense to subject our learners, families and staff to a year of high anxiety wondering if we would meet the conditions or be forced to shut down next year. Who would send their child to our school? Who would teach here next year? Who could learn in such an environment? The I Dream PCS Board of Directors and I made the difficult decision to close this year to give families and staff time to find school homes in which to thrive and continue to dream. The Dream Team and I created a remarkable place of teaching and learning. It was an incredibly tough journey. Starting in a global pandemic. Figuring out what I Dream PCS is and should be for children. This year has been our strongest year yet, with learners growing academically and socially at rapid rates. The Dream Team of staff was coming together. I was excited for next year, as I was moving to an advisor role and hiring and new Executive Director for the next five years and beyond. Every entrepreneur has to pivot. This is my time. My ancestors gave me this vision of a place where children have the right and the space to dream big dreams. The second iteration of this vision is on the horizon. I'm staying open to the lighted path that will unfold. For now, I will rest with pride in what we achieved our mission to co-design purposeful, self-directed learning with children and families, so they have the voice and choice to discover and pursue their dreams. Thank you for supporting and creating this dream with me. Some of you came to my home for multiple visioning meetings, creating the blueprint that would become I Dream Public Charter School. Some of you cheered us on, donated money, came to visit, and shared this website and social media posts with others. You are all part of the I Dream community, honorary dragonflies. Thank you for attending the farewell party on June 7th. The room was filled with so much joy and love for this school we built together. May you keep that memory in your hearts forever. This Pueblo prayer is on my mind. I read it in challenging times like this: Hold on to what is good, even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it's a long way from home. With hugs and gratitude. Janine Gomez Executive Director/Co-Founder |
