First Enrollment Period Closed Jan. 31

The first AEACMS enrollment period closed at the end of business today, January 31, 2008. The second enrollment period begins February 1 and runs through March 15.

If you submitted an application during the first enrollment period, please note that our public lottery will be held on February 20 at the school. See our official school calendar for time and room. You need not be present for your student's application to be part of the lottery. As per our charter, the lottery will be presided over by an outside agency (California Charter Schools Association).

We have had a lot of interest in the middle school! Please remind anyone who is interested in the middle school that they should submit an application as soon as possible. Please note that we still have a few openings for the current school year in grades 6 and 8.

Successful 5th grade shadowing days

As we enter the second semester, AEA fifth grade families are finalizing their decisions about where to send their students for middle school. In an effort to highlight our middle school program, last week and the first part of this week were dedicated to allowing AEA fifth graders to experience the middle school through our annual MIDDLE SCHOOL SHADOWING DAY. The AEACMS 6th grade teachers and students welcomed excited groups of fifth graders into their classrooms for advisory period and block one. Fifth graders were each paired with a sixth grade guide, who made them feel welcome and made sure they arrived at their next class on time!

Thanks to everyone who was instrumental in making this interaction work so smoothly: the AEA 5th grade teaching team for allowing us to 'borrow' your students during valuable teaching time; and AEACMS 6th grade teachers for your graciousness in welcoming visitors into your busy classrooms.

The shadowing days were followed by a parent information evening on Tuesday, January 29 that was tailored specifically for AEA parents of fifth graders. I presented an overview of the middle school program, and answered a list of FAQs that I have compiled over the past year or so. Social Studies teacher Mr. Evans also provided a valuable teacher perspective. If you were unable to attend this meeting, please see the AEA Official Calendar (go to www.aeacs.org and click the calendar link in the left margin).

New 8th Grade Math Teacher!

After a careful recruitment and interview process that involved the AEACMS Human Resources committee (comprised of teachers, staff, and parents), I am pleased to announce the hiring of DANIEL KRUPITSKI for the 8th grade math teacher position.

Mr. Krupitski has considerable teaching experience in both charter and non-charter public schools, and has taught at both middle and high school levels.

Mr. Krupitski will teach in room B39.

As soon as he has had an opportunity to get his classroom set up and familiarize himself with his new students, Mr. Krupitski will create his teacher webpage and establish a presence on mygradebook.com.

Thanks to everyone for your patience and support during the process of finding a replacement for this position.

Mr. Krupitski can be reached at dkrupitski@aeacs.org.

APPLY BEFORE JANUARY 31!

If you are not an AEACMS student and are interested in our school, be sure to submit an application BEFORE January 31, 2008. Applications are available in the front office as well as on our website www.aeacs.org.

AEACMS families--if you have friends who you think would be interested in attending our school, please pass this information on to them.

Please call 619-795-1190 with any questions on application, enrollment, and to schedule a school tour.

Glimpse our new traverse wall...

Here are is a sneak peek at the installation of the new traverse wall at AEA! Dedicated staff and volunteers have worked hard to install this exciting addition to the physical education program. Stay tuned for information on the upcoming ribbon-cutting!

African Art

Here are some more wonderful examples of student art that is being created under the expert guidance of Artist-in-Residence Mary Shannon Heinzelmann. These African masks are linked to the middle school social studies curriculum. For more examples of student artwork, please visit the art room (room 2).

Flag Football Tournament

The Einstein Fusion flag football squad played in a district-wide tournament during the first week of winter break. The Fusion displayed exemplary sportsmanship at all times, both in victory as well as in defeat. During the course of ten mini-games, all members of the team had an opportunity to compete and have fun. Coaches Nassif and Bockenhauer worked hard to maintain team morale while promoting the life lessons that are inherent in team sports. Thanks to all the parents and teachers who took time from their schedules to attend and cheer on the Fusion!

Student Art and Social Studies

In keeping with the interdisciplinary focus of the AEACMS academic program, the artist-in-residence program has focused on social studies content for grades 6-8. These photos show Egyptian motifs that are connected to social studies content. Room 2 has been transformed by student artwork into a colorful and exciting world; visitors to the campus please stop by and visit this classroom, where both elementary and middle school students are engaged in deep learning through art.

IBMYP Kick-Off Event

The November 2007 IBMYP kick-off event was a great success. We began the day with a k-8 assembly that included a celebration of the AEA elementary school's authorization as an IB World School. This significant achievement is the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration by teachers and staff in the elementary school.

After the school-wide assembly, which included a number of exciting cultural and student presentations, the middle school students were given the challenge of designing, building, and marketing a chair for Principal Sciarretta. The one caveat--the chair must be built solely from newspaper and masking tape. After several hours, the nine advisory teams presented their creations. Chairs were judged based on functionality and creativity of design and marketing. Chair names ranged from the "Paper Sciarretta" to the "Decaffeinator" and designs featured cupholders, footrests, cushions. Some groups created dozens of cylindrical bricks, while others built solid cubes and others triangular trusses. While only one team eventually took the top honors, all students benefited by collaborating in the creative process. This approach to learning exemplifies the risk-taking and exploration that AEACMS teachers promote in their classrooms.

Thanks to all the AEACMS teachers and students for your enthusiastic participation in this activity. Finally, a heartfelt congratulation to the AEA elementary school for their IB World School status--the middle school looks to you for inspiration as we proceed down the road toward eventual IBMYP authorization.