Volume 42 | March 2026

EEG News & Updates

Mission

The mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders that empowers success in our global society.
Vision

The vision of the Educational Empowerment Group is to elevate the experience for students and stakeholders by positively changing the landscape of charter school education.

A Message from the CEO


As we welcome the arrival of spring, we also enter our annual assessment season. While high-stakes testing can naturally bring a sense of pressure, our goal this year is to shift the narrative from anxiety to opportunity.


I am calling on our principals to lead this charge, ensuring clear communication and cultivating a school environment where students feel driven and confident rather than overwhelmed. For our teachers, this is the moment where your tireless dedication throughout the year truly shines.


Our focus remains on precise, standards-aligned instruction and remediation to ensure every student is prepared. By providing parents with the tools to support their children at home and keeping our educators motivated, we can make this season a true celebration of growth. Together, we are not just preparing our students for a test. We are equipping them with the resilience and knowledge to conquer any challenge that lies ahead.



Wendy Rydarowicz

                EEG Founder 

        

Flag Ceremony at MSA and SCCA

Something incredible is happening in our Myrtle Beach, SC community, and the energy is absolutely contagious! Morning Star Academy and South Carolina Construction Academy are no longer just visions. These schools are shaping into powerhouses of opportunity for our students.


A Community United

In a display of solidarity, the Myrtle Beach Fire Department, Police Department and American Legion Post 44 recently joined us for a powerful flag-raising ceremony. Standing side-by-side with these local heroes, we sent a clear message: We are united in our mission to bring positive, lasting change to our neighborhoods by providing an excellent educational experience for our students.


Our Bold Promise

At the heart of this movement is EEG’s unwavering commitment. We are not just opening schools; we are building a legacy. Therefore, our pledge remains the same:



  • Elevate the standard of charter/community schools.
  • Empower every student to take charge of their future.
  • Emulate the absolute best research-based educational practices.
  • Engage with the stakeholders who make our communities thrive.


See the Momentum in Action

The word is out, and the interest is growing. Check out the footage from our recent event.


https://www.wmbfnews.com/2026/02/20/two-new-myrtle-beach-charter-schools-hold-flag-raising-ceremony/



The High School Hub

It’s been an incredible month of growth across our high schools. As we continue our journey to provide the life-changing support our students deserve, we are proud to share the milestones that define our progress. Dive into these recent highlights:


Real Talk, Real Impact

Liberty Preparatory School – The stage at Liberty Prep recently became a platform for powerful conversation and connection. For the second year in a row, the Cincinnati-based American Legacy Theatre traveled across the state to deliver a performance that was as moving as it was vital.


This year’s production tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing our youth today: cyberbullying and suicide prevention. Far from just a show, the performance served as a bridge to life-saving resources, specifically highlighting Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS). The engagement from both students and staff was palpable.


What makes the American Legacy Theatre truly exceptional is their commitment to student safety and accessibility:



  • Expert Support on Hand – In partnership with local counseling services, a professional counselor remained on-site throughout the event to provide immediate mental health support for any student in need.


  • Zero Cost to Liberty Prep – Thanks to the theatre’s dedication to securing grants, this high-caliber, transformative experience was provided to our school completely free of charge.


Though based in Cincinnati, this dedicated troupe does not allow distance stand in the way of their mission. To reach our Smithville campus, the team traveled over three hours and stayed overnight just to ensure our students had this opportunity before heading off to their next performance in Cleveland. The topics evolve every year, but the mission remains the same, which is to empower our students through the arts.


What makes this program invaluable is how it uses art to start a conversation. By bringing social and emotional struggles to life on stage, they make it easier for students to understand their own mental health and, more importantly, show them exactly where to go for help. This community partnership is a win for our students.



Motivational Monday

Capital High SchoolCapital kicks off the week with an extra dose of inspiration every Monday. Recently, the school was honored to host Robert Sessley Jr. (CEO) and Brad Bloomberg (President) of Sessley Building Services for a powerful “Motivational Monday” session with our students.


Robert delivered a moving message centered on the importance of honoring family legacy while forging a unique path. He shared his journey of building a premier general contracting firm that does not just build structures, but equity. His firm stands as a shining example of minority inclusion within the commercial construction industry, proving that leadership and diversity go hand-in-hand.


The impact of their visit went beyond professional advice. Their leadership and genuine commitment to the future of our youth left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. We are incredibly grateful to Robert and Brad for demonstrating what is possible when you combine:



  • Vision to see a better future
  • Hard work to make it a reality
  • Purpose to lift others as you climb


A huge thank you to Principal Shawn Connors for his leadership in cultivating this incredible partnership with Sessley Building Services. By bringing industry leaders directly to our halls, he is ensuring our students have the foundation they need to build a limitless future.



A Growing Partnership

Stark High SchoolStark highlights a burgeoning partnership with the Stark Community Support Network (SCSN). What started as a simple connection has quickly blossomed into a multifaceted support system for our entire school family. Throughout this school year, SCSN has been a pillar of support, providing weekly mentoring for our students and vital resources for our student parents. We are excited to announce two new developments in this partnership:


  • SCSN recently secured a new resource for snacks, and they have graciously invited Stark High School students to participate.


  • While SCSN operates an on-site food pantry, transportation can be a hurdle. The school is currently collaborating to bring food boxes directly to Stark’s campus, saving families a trip to the pantry.


Food security is a top priority for many in our community, and we are grateful for this opportunity to help alleviate that burden. This partnership is a testament to what we can achieve when we listen to our community and work together to provide a solid foundation for every student.



The K-8 Chronicles

Our K-8 learners are demonstrating exactly what happens when determination meets opportunity. From the classroom to the community, these students are defining their own versions of success and leading the way for their peers. Here are the standout moments from this month:


Grooving with History

Miami Valley Academies – The halls were alive with rhythm recently, as MVA hosted an incredible visit from Muse Machine. This renowned Dayton arts education organization is famous for bringing world-class professional performances and hands-on workshops to schools throughout Southwestern Ohio, and their stop at MVA was nothing short of electric.


The students took a deep dive into Funk Lab, an immersive experience where they explored the vibrant roots of Dayton’s rich funk music history. This was a history lesson and a front-row seat to a musical legacy that started right in the students’ own backyard.


This visit provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to:

  • Connect with local Dayton culture in a meaningful way.
  • Experience a world-renowned musical tradition firsthand.
  • Explore their own creativity through the power of sound and rhythm.


A huge thank you to Principal Heather Pergram and MVA for fostering this meaningful partnership.



First Grade Lavender Lab

Bridge Gate Elementary SchoolFor the past 10 weeks, our first-grade class has been busy growing lavender and sharpening their observation skills. Through weekly journaling and sentence dictation, students documented every stage of their plants’ lives.

The highlight of the study came after the break, when the class harvested their lavender to make custom soap. By measuring ingredients and making scientific predictions about the mixing process, our young learners turned a simple plant study into a multi-sensory lesson in math, science and language arts. Take a look!


https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C7WLoCUoM/?mibextid=wwXIfr




Small Steps, Big Trends and Healthy Habits

Welcome to the March issue of “Live Well, Work Well.” This month, we explore how small, intentional shifts lead to lasting lifestyle improvements. Here is a sneak peek at what’s inside:


  • Master Your Routine with Wellness Stacking – Discover how to build sustainable habits by attaching simple actions, like stretching while your coffee brews or practicing gratitude before bed, to your existing daily schedule.
  • 2026 Health Trends to Watch – Stay ahead of the curve with insights from U.S. News & World Report on the rise of AI-integrated wearables, expanded GLP-1 medications, and the food as medicine movement.
  • National Kidney Month –  Learn how to protect your long-term health and lower your risk of kidney disease through hydration and proactive care.




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