Previous updates

• October 12th, 2009
• October 5th, 2009
• September 28th, 2009
• September 21st, 2009
• September 14th, 2009
• September 7th, 2009
• August 31st, 2009
• August 24th, 2009
• August 17rd, 2009
• August 10rd, 2009
• August 3rd, 2009
• July 27th, 2009
• July 20th, 2009
• July 13th, 2009

October 12th, 2009

Dear Crew,

ED Updates occur every Monday. Please read each week for updated information and school happenings.

Please continue to volunteer (see Volunteerism, below) and to communicate - we are listening. This is your school!

I. The Eighth Grade Savannah Experience: Part Two, By Rochelle Wilson

At 6:00am on Monday, October 5, twenty-six eighth graders and their teachers and chaperones set off on an adventure. The destination was Savannah, Georgia, and the purpose was to learn history, art, and science standards in the hands-on way students learn best.

From the very beginning, students were immersed in history as they literally walked through it on their historical walking tour of Savannah. State standards were met as the guide answered questions and addressed important issues and ideas in Georgia Studies. Monday evening, students reflected on all they had learned during the day, then participated in a solo "night walk" on the beach. Later that evening, students answered reflection questions designed to help them better understand their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as decide what they'd like to get out of the trip.

Tuesday brought the combination of art, history, and writing. First, Mr. Lakeem led students in an artists' workshop centered on perspective.Then, the students saw Savannah's historic district from a new perspective as they studied architecture from different historical periods via an expertly-led architectural tour. Students made sure to take good notes so they could write their expository essays once they got back to school. Tuesday afternoon saw more writing as students found an "artifact" on River Street and wrote a short narrative about Savannah from the perspective of that artifact. After River Street, Mr. Lakeem led students in another artists' workshop-this time, students sketched three buildings from three different perspectives.

On Wednesday, the last day of the trip, students journeyed to Fort King George, Georgia's first fort, to see how science and history are related. A guide dressed in period costume educated students on the Fort's history before taking them on a tour of the grounds. On the grounds, students participated in a physics lesson designed around the Fort's artillery. Specifically, they learned how Newton's three laws are demonstrated by the artillery of the Fort.

The Savannah Experience was a great success and is an example of Expeditionary Learning at its best. Students will undoubtedly continue to reflect on this experience as they progress with their expedition, Change in Motion. Be sure to read "The Savannah Experience: Part Three" next week to hear the story of the trip from the students' perspectives.

II. Amana Middle School FREE Sports Program Begins!!

Coed Tennis training and competitive tennis began on Thursday October 1, 2009. Brooke Heimerl has VOLUNTEERED to coach. This season will be brief but exciting, culminating in a coed county competitive tournament. Our final team will be representing Amana Academy. This is open to all Fifth(5th) to Eighth(8th) grade students for the training portion. The County Sponsored Competition will be for Seventh(7th) and Eight(8th) grade students only. Tennis will be two times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00. ALL players MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late, the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers.

PLEASE NOTE, THAT FOR AMANA SPORTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL NEED PARENT chaperones FOR EACH SESSION (for student safety). No sports knowledge is necessary! This Tennis program will require One(1) chaperone.

NOTE: Future sports will be announced by Mr. Durkin to commence in November. We have contracted the Alpharetta Community Center gym two days a week for the remainder of the school year.

III. Amana FREE School Wide Clubs Programs Begin!!

Do to the demand for Art club, Mr. Winborne has volunteered to add a second Art Club day (Thursdays) for 20 students. All students on the wait list will be put back into this new lottery. The Thursday Art club list will go home on Wednesday and begin the following day, Thursday October 15th. All club-ees MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers. ONLY Twenty(20) students may participate in each club. If more than Twenty(20) students bring back their forms completed properly, all applicants will be put into a lottery. Thank you ALL TEACHERS! Note: any student currently in the "after school fee based program" who participates in these clubs WILL BE EXCUSED for the fee for the day/s they participate in clubs.

Note: Registration for Q2 clubs 11/16-12/18 will happen in early November. As it stands today, 11 clubs will be offered.

IV. National Jr. Honor Society opens school store this Friday, October 16th during lunch. Every Tuesday and Friday during lunch members will be selling school merchandise as an ongoing fundraiser.

V. Study and You Could Win! Sign-Up for Amana's 2014 Vision Jeopardy Game at the Oct 17th Board Town Hall

Last week, we introduced you to Amana's Vision 2014 road-map one-page document, which lays out our school's strategic plans for the next 5 years. At the October 17th Governing Board Town Hall meeting you will have a chance to test your knowledge of the road-map in a fun and interactive way participating in the 2014 Vision Jeopardy Game - just like the TV show! All participants will receive prizes; and special prizes will be awarded to the winners. More details to come in next week's ED Update. In the meantime, please download the document and start studying it. 2014 Vision Jeopardy is open to parents/teachers/students excluding Amana's Board members and Leadership Team. To participate, please send an email to ejaleel@amanaacademy.org with the subject "I want to play Jeopardy!"

That is the question Amana's Governing Board and Administration tried to answer during the past two months as they refreshed the school’s strategic plan to produce what we are calling “Vision 2014: a Roadmap to Success”.   It is five years in the future. The world is different. The local educational landscape is different. Our school is different, too.  “How?” you ask.  Well, you will receive more information on Vision 2014 via this update in the coming weeks leading up to the Amana Board Town Hall Meeting on October 17th where the Board will host an interactive presentation and answer your questions.  But before we peer into the future, let’s explain what we mean by strategic planning…

Great organizations have great plans:  in simplest terms, an organization undertakes strategic planning to reaffirm or modify its mission, and to agree on what it wants to be and do in the coming years. The purpose is not to decide what should be done in the future but to decide what should be done now to make desired things happen in the future.  It is a powerful and effective way to define priorities for the Governing Board and the Administrative team who are charged with the implementation of the plan. 

Charter school governing boards [like ours] need to think and plan strategically because they are leading in one of the most innovative efforts in American education today.

Our roadmap is summarized on one-page, so please take the time to open the file and familiarize yourself with the elements of the plan and the bold goals that Amana will seek to accomplish during the next five years.  We look forward to sharing more details about Vision 2014 in the coming weeks and how it influences this academic year and it benefits student learning.

• One page Amana Academy Roadmap

VI. We are Honored by the Georgia Partnership for Education

Amana Academy was selected as one of a handful of 2009-10 schools across the state of Georgia to participate the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Tour. This focus of the annual bus tour is to exhibit schools in Georgia that exemplify best practices in public education. The tour consists of two charter buses full of dignitaries from not only Georgia, but around the country and will include governors, senators, legislators, state superintendents, and other educators and law makers. Only six public schools in the entire state are chosen every year and the events will be filmed and broadcast on PBS in the fall. Congratulations to Amana Academy's Governing Board, administration, staff, students, and parents for all your hard work in helping Amana Academy achieve recognition as one of the State's top public schools.

If you are interested in serving on this committee please email me.

VII. Annual Fund Drive is Here!

We need you to serve on this committee. Please email me.

VIII. Grant announcement - Picturing America

Amana Academy was one of over 29,000 schools and public libraries that was awarded Picturing America in January 2009, as the result of a second application period ending November 14. Materials were released in May, but we announced this educationally exciting American Art resource to faculty in last Fridays staff meeting. To learn more about Picturing America, see this fact sheet. Thank you to Lakeem Winborne and Melissa Singh.

IX. PTA Elections

Thank you to all that came forth as candidates for PTA President to support the PTA, the Amana community and its children. The Amana PTA President for 2009-10 school year is Letitia (Tish) Davis. She is the mother of 3 girls and has a daughter in the 3rd grade. They have been at Amana for 4 years. Tish comes to us with a wealth of leadership and volunteer experience. She has been the Yearbook Chair, Hospitality Chair at 3 schools, coordinated elementary school dances and Fall festivals. She has been a room parent to at least one child over the last 12 years and is now in her 12th year as a Girl Scout leader. Currently, she is the Reflections Chair and heading up the staff lunches. See the list of people elected to serve in our PTA.

Reflections 2009-2010 Theme: Beauty Is

Just a reminder that the PTA Reflections deadline is fast approaching! All entries must be submitted to Mr. Lakeem by Monday, October 12. Reflections is a national program sponsored the National PTA. Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. For nearly 40 years, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. The Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson. The categories are Visual Art, Photography and Literature. If you have any questions please contact Tish Davis at letitia.k.davis@gmail.com

Staff Appreciation Lunches

This year our Staff Appreciation Lunches are working a little differently. Instead of sending in food donations, we are asking each child to bring in $10.00 so that we may order food for the teachers and staff. Each month will be a different theme and the Crew Parents will be asked to help with the collection of money, the set up and the cleanup of the event. We are also attempting to stock the cabinets with reusable dishes, flatware and glasses so that the teachers do not have to provide their own. If would like to donate money so that we can purchase these items, you may earn volunteer hours!

The September Staff Appreciation was a great success thanks to the help of our awesome Volunteer Coordinator! The October Staff Appreciation Lunch will be sponsored by the 6^th grade. Each student is asked to contribute $10.00 which is equal to one volunteer hour! Parents are needed to help with the set up and clean up of the event. Please make checks payable to Amana Academy and leave them in the Volunteer box in the lobby. The deadline is October 16.

Luncheon Schedule

Calling all Bus Riders

October 19 is Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Bus riders all over the state will be honoring those who transport them safely to and from school. Please take the time to make your bus driver a card or simply say "Thank you". Last year the PTA gave our fabulous bus driver a breakfast basket to show our appreciation. If you would like to help with planning something special for this year, please let me know!

October Dates to Remember

October 19-24 National Red Ribbon Week

October 19-24 National School Bus Safety Week

X. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.
• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.
• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

XI. Volunteer, there are many opportunities:

Now, NEW opportunities to VOLUNTEER include: sports and club chaperones, helping out in the front lobby/office answering phones, delivering messages, taking daily attendance, etc. As we continue to address our budget for this 2009-10 and 2010-11 year, we recognize your stepped up volunteer efforts will be even more important than usual!  Any method of volunteerism is critical. See the Volunteerism in General BELOW!! ALL VOLUNTEERS NEED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE NEXT ITEM BELOW.

XII. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!  If you want to volunteer, see this page to get a form to fill out and bring to school along with a photocopy of your driver's license.  And if you are already a volunteer, please register in our volunteer database.

XIII. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

XIV. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

XV. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

XVI. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges arrived. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the only way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

XVII. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melissa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

XVIII. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XIX. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XX. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XXI. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XXII. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XXIII. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XXIV. Flu Update

For continually updated information, please see the CDC web site flu.gov.

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

October 5th, 2009

Dear Crew,

ED Updates occur every Monday. Please read each week for updated information and school happenings.

Please continue to volunteer (see Volunteerism, below) and to communicate - we are listening. This is your school!

The Eighth Grade Savannah Experience: Part One, By Rochelle Wilson

This year, Amana is providing eighth grade students with "The Eighth Grade Savannah Experience." We left this morning at 6:00 a.m. This three-day journey will enhance student learning by bringing content life, connecting subject areas, and offering opportunities for reflection and self-discovery.

While in Savannah, students will have opportunities to interact with Georgia Performance Standards in a real- life, hands-on way. By going on an expertly-guided walking tour of historic Savannah, students will see the actual locations where history took place. They will experience what it would have been like for James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, to walk the cobblestone streets of Savannah. They'll walk through marketplaces where slave auctions once took place; they'll visit the places where the men and women of Georgia history once lived.

The Savannah Experience also brings content areas together in a fresh, exciting way. The art and writing connection are a major focus of the experience. Students will experience an architecture walking tour, where they'll learn about the major styles of architecture in Savannah and the historical influences surrounding them. Then, they'll participate in an art workshop focusing on perspective and will use the information they've gathered to write an expository essay. Additionally, the science and history connection is not to be overlooked. Students will visit Fort King George, the oldest fort in Georgia. While there, they'll apply their physical science skills through a study of the Fort's weaponry.

Although they'll be working hard at mastering the content covered by this experience, students will have ample time for solitude and reflection. Specifically designed questions guide them in discovering deeper meanings behind what they're studying and aid them in making personal connections. A solitary night walk on the beach helps them overcome their fears. Time away from home encourages independence.

The Savannah Experience is an integral part of the eighth grade expedition, Change in Motion. We are excited to see the many changes that are sure to take place in students after an overnight field experience like this one, and are looking forward to the ways in which these newly-changed students will impact Amana.

II. Student-Led Conferences

Please read Jelena Naim's letter about the student-led conferences, which are coming up this Friday, October 5th.

III. Updated Field Studies Schedule

Please see this updated schedule of Fall 2009 Field Studies.

IV. Grant announcement - Picturing America

Amana Academy was one of over 29,000 schools and public libraries that was awarded Picturing America in January 2009, as the result of a second application period ending November 14. Materials were released in May, but we announced this educationally exciting American Art resource to faculty in last Fridays staff meeting. To learn more about Picturing America, see this fact sheet. Thank you to Lakeem Winborne and Melissa Singh.

V. Amana Middle School FREE Sports Program Begins!!

Coed Tennis training and competitive tennis began on Thursday October 1, 2009. Brooke Heimerl has VOLUNTEERED to coach. This season will be brief but exciting, culminating in a coed county competitive tournament. Our final team will be representing Amana Academy. This is open to all Fifth(5th) to Eighth(8th) grade students for the training portion. The County Sponsored Competition will be for Seventh(7th) and Eight(8th) grade students only. Tennis will be two times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00. ALL players MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late, the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers.

PLEASE NOTE, THAT FOR AMANA SPORTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL NEED PARENT chaperones FOR EACH SESSION (for student safety). No sports knowledge is necessary! This Tennis program will require One(1) chaperone. Mr. Durkin and Mr. Weiner have volunteered to be temporary chaperones.

Future sports will be announced by Mr. Durkin.

VI. Amana FREE School Wide Clubs Programs Begin!!

Many club forms were returned today! We are compiling the club requests, and will send home tomorrow your child's club rosters. For these clubs to be successful, we will need one parent chaperone for each club (for student safety). No club knowledge is necessary. Clubs are coordinated into four Six(6) week periods, one day a week from 3:30 to 5:00. See our clubs page for the application/permission slip form and the list of clubs.. Some clubs run one, two, three, or four sessions (ie Running Club). All club-ees MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers. ONLY Twenty(20) students may participate in each club. If more than Twenty(20) students bring back their forms completed properly, all applicants will be put into a lottery. Thank you ALL TEACHERS! Note: any student currently in the "after school fee based program" who participates in these clubs WILL BE EXCUSED for the fee for the day/s they participate in clubs.

VII. Study and You Could Win! Sign-Up for Amana's 2014 Vision Jeopardy Game at the Oct 17th Board Town Hall

Last week, we introduced you to Amana's Vision 2014 road-map one-page document, which lays out our school's strategic plans for the next 5 years. At the October 17th Governing Board Town Hall meeting you will have a chance to test your knowledge of the road-map in a fun and interactive way participating in the 2014 Vision Jeopardy Game - just like the TV show! All participants will receive prizes; and special prizes will be awarded to the winners. More details to come in next week's ED Update. In the meantime, please download the document and start studying it. 2014 Vision Jeopardy is open to parents/teachers/students excluding Amana's Board members and Leadership Team. To participate, please send an email to ejaleel@amanaacademy.org with the subject "I want to play Jeopardy!"

That is the question Amana's Governing Board and Administration tried to answer during the past two months as they refreshed the school’s strategic plan to produce what we are calling “Vision 2014: a Roadmap to Success”.   It is five years in the future. The world is different. The local educational landscape is different. Our school is different, too.  “How?” you ask.  Well, you will receive more information on Vision 2014 via this update in the coming weeks leading up to the Amana Board Town Hall Meeting on October 17th where the Board will host an interactive presentation and answer your questions.  But before we peer into the future, let’s explain what we mean by strategic planning…

Great organizations have great plans:  in simplest terms, an organization undertakes strategic planning to reaffirm or modify its mission, and to agree on what it wants to be and do in the coming years. The purpose is not to decide what should be done in the future but to decide what should be done now to make desired things happen in the future.  It is a powerful and effective way to define priorities for the Governing Board and the Administrative team who are charged with the implementation of the plan. 

Charter school governing boards [like ours] need to think and plan strategically because they are leading in one of the most innovative efforts in American education today.

Our roadmap is summarized on one-page, so please take the time to open the file and familiarize yourself with the elements of the plan and the bold goals that Amana will seek to accomplish during the next five years.  We look forward to sharing more details about Vision 2014 in the coming weeks and how it influences this academic year and it benefits student learning.

• One page Amana Academy Roadmap

VIII. We are Honored by the Georgia Partnership for Education

Amana Academy was selected as one of a handful of 2009-10 schools across the state of Georgia to participate the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Tour. This focus of the annual bus tour is to exhibit schools in Georgia that exemplify best practices in public education. The tour consists of two charter buses full of dignitaries from not only Georgia, but around the country and will include governors, senators, legislators, state superintendents, and other educators and law makers. Only six public schools in the entire state are chosen every year and the events will be filmed and broadcast on PBS in the fall. Congratulations to Amana Academy's Governing Board, administration, staff, students, and parents for all your hard work in helping Amana Academy achieve recognition as one of the State's top public schools.

We need YOU at our next planning session on Thursday, October 8th  at 10:00am in my office, or email me.

IX. Annual Fund Drive is Here!

We need you to be at our next planning committee planning committee for our Annual Fund Drive 11:00am to noon on Thursday, October 8th in my office, or email me.

X. PTA Elections

Thank you to all that came forth as candidates for PTA President to support the PTA, the Amana community and its children. The Amana PTA President for 2009-10 school year is Letitia (Tish) Davis. She is the mother of 3 girls and has a daughter in the 3rd grade. They have been at Amana for 4 years. Tish comes to us with a wealth of leadership and volunteer experience. She has been the Yearbook Chair, Hospitality Chair at 3 schools, coordinated elementary school dances and Fall festivals. She has been a room parent to at least one child over the last 12 years and is now in her 12th year as a Girl Scout leader. Currently, she is the Reflections Chair and heading up the staff lunches. See the list of people elected to serve in our PTA.

Reflections 2009-2010 Theme: Beauty Is

Just a reminder that the PTA Reflections deadline is fast approaching! All entries must be submitted to Mr. Lakeem by Monday, October 12. Reflections is a national program sponsored the National PTA. Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts. For nearly 40 years, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. The Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson. The categories are Visual Art, Photography and Literature. If you have any questions please contact Tish Davis at letitia.k.davis@gmail.com

Staff Appreciation Lunches

This year our Staff Appreciation Lunches are working a little differently. Instead of sending in food donations, we are asking each child to bring in $10.00 so that we may order food for the teachers and staff. Each month will be a different theme and the Crew Parents will be asked to help with the collection of money, the set up and the cleanup of the event. We are also attempting to stock the cabinets with reusable dishes, flatware and glasses so that the teachers do not have to provide their own. If would like to donate money so that we can purchase these items, you may earn volunteer hours!

The September Staff Appreciation was a great success thanks to the help of our awesome Volunteer Coordinator! The October Staff Appreciation Lunch will be sponsored by the 6^th grade. Each student is asked to contribute $10.00 which is equal to one volunteer hour! Parents are needed to help with the set up and clean up of the event. Please make checks payable to Amana Academy and leave them in the Volunteer box in the lobby. The deadline is October 16.

Luncheon Schedule

Calling all Bus Riders

October 19 is Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Bus riders all over the state will be honoring those who transport them safely to and from school. Please take the time to make your bus driver a card or simply say "Thank you". Last year the PTA gave our fabulous bus driver a breakfast basket to show our appreciation. If you would like to help with planning something special for this year, please let me know!

October Dates to Remember

October 19-24 National Red Ribbon Week

October 19-24 National School Bus Safety Week

XI. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.
• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.
• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

XII. Volunteer, there are many opportunities:

Now, NEW opportunities to VOLUNTEER include: sports and club chaperones, helping out in the front lobby/office answering phones, delivering messages, taking daily attendance, etc. As we continue to address our budget for this 2009-10 and 2010-11 year, we recognize your stepped up volunteer efforts will be even more important than usual!  Any method of volunteerism is critical. See the Volunteerism in General BELOW!! ALL VOLUNTEERS NEED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE NEXT ITEM BELOW.

XIII. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!  If you want to volunteer, see this page to get a form to fill out and bring to school along with a photocopy of your driver's license.  And if you are already a volunteer, please register in our volunteer database.

XIV. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

XV. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

XVI. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

XVII. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges arrived. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the only way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

XVIII. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melissa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

XIX. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XX. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XXI. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XXII. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XXIII. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XXIV. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XXV. Flu Update

For continually updated information, please see the CDC web site flu.gov.

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

September 28th, 2009

September 28th, 2009 (Previous updates)

Dear Crew,

This may be a long update but worth staying along!! Ask your friends to read this weekly report too; it's a good way to keep everyone up to date. Thank you.
If you have any questions about your children's progress, please schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher/s. They are here for you and your child. They are truly going the EXTRA MILE! Read I. and II. below!

That said, if you read today's AJC Cover story, "Cuts hit Fayette Teachers Hardest," you realize why we need EVERY CREW MEMBER TO PULL TOGETHER FOR OUR KIDS! Our board has done an outstanding job for teachers financial stability. We have no cuts.

Congratulations to all!

Please continue to communicate - we are listening. This is your school!

I. Amana Middle School FREE Sports Program Begins!!

Coed Tennis training and competitive tennis begins on Tuesday October 6, 2009. Brooke Heimerl has VOLUNTEERED to coach. This season will be brief but exciting, culminating in a coed county competitive tournament. Our final team will be representing Amana Academy. This is open to all Fifth(5th) to Eighth(8th) grade students for the training portion. The County Sponsored Competition will be for Seventh(7th) and Eight(8th) grade students only. Tennis will be two times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00. ALL players MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late, the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers. ONLY Twenty(20) students may participate. If more than Twenty(20) students bring back their forms completed properly, ALL applicants will be put into a lottery.
PLEASE NOTE, THAT FOR AMANA SPORTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL NEED PARENT chaperones FOR EACH SESSION (for student safety). No sports knowledge is necessary! This Tennis program will require One(1) chaperon. Mr. Durkin and Mr. Weiner have volunteered to be temporary chaperones.   Further Detailed information and permission form will be going home on Wednesday. Everything MUST be returned by Friday. Lottery will be on Friday. Thank you Coach Brooke!

Note: any student currently in the "after school fee based program" who participates in these sports programs, WILL BE EXCUSED for the fee for the day/s they participate in the free sports programs. 

II. Amana FREE School Wide Clubs Programs Begin!! 

Teachers have VOLUNTEERED to provide a variety of options for all our student's interests, for all grade levels. These begin next week on various days. A Grade Level assembly will happen to showcase each club to ALL students, for example, the running club sponsor will be in jogging suit... "My Club Is Running,(as she/he runs) - To Stay Fit and Healthy", or, the Reading Club Sponsor, may quiet the Audience by dimming the lights, turning on some soft music, and whispering "MY club is reading, I LOVE to READ." You get the idea... Again, for these clubs to be successful, we will need one parent chaperon for each club (for student safety). No club knowledge is necessary. Clubs are coordinated into four Six(6) week periods, one day a week from 3:30 to 5:00. Some clubs run one, two, three, or four sessions (ie Running Club). All club-ees MUST be picked up on time in the school lobby by 5:15pm. If any student is picked up late the parent will be advised their child may not be able to continue to participate. Our teachers are doing this as volunteers. ONLY Twenty(20) students may participate in each club. If more than Twenty(20) students bring back their forms completed properly, all applicants will be put into a lottery. Further detailed information and permission form will be going home on Wednesday. Everything MUST be returned by Friday. Assemblies and lotteries will be on Friday. Thank you ALL TEACHERS!  Note: any student currently in the "after school fee based program" who participates in these clubs WILL BE EXCUSED for the fee for the day/s they participate in clubs.

III. Volunteer, there are many opportunities:

Now, NEW opportunities to VOLUNTEER include: sports and club chaperones, helping out in the front lobby/office answering phones, delivering messages, taking daily attendance, etc. As we continue to address our budget for this 2009-10 and 2010-11 year, we recognize your stepped up volunteer efforts will be even more important than usual!  Any method of volunteerism is critical. See the Volunteerism in General BELOW!! ALL VOLUNTEERS NEED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE NEXT ITEM BELOW.

IV. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!  If you want to volunteer, see this page to get a form to fill out and bring to school along with a photocopy of your driver's license.  And if you are already a volunteer, please register in our volunteer database.

V. Fast forward five years to 2014!  What will Amana be like? 

That is the question Amana's Governing Board and Administration tried to answer during the past two months as they refreshed the school’s strategic plan to produce what we are calling “Vision 2014: a Roadmap to Success”.   It is five years in the future. The world is different. The local educational landscape is different. Our school is different, too.  “How?” you ask.  Well, you will receive more information on Vision 2014 via this update in the coming weeks leading up to the Amana Board Town Hall Meeting on October 17th where the Board will host an interactive presentation and answer your questions.  But before we peer into the future, let’s explain what we mean by strategic planning…
Great organizations have great plans:  in simplest terms, an organization undertakes strategic planning to reaffirm or modify its mission, and to agree on what it wants to be and do in the coming years. The purpose is not to decide what should be done in the future but to decide what should be done now to make desired things happen in the future.  It is a powerful and effective way to define priorities for the Governing Board and the Administrative team who are charged with the implementation of the plan. 
Charter school governing boards [like ours] need to think and plan strategically because they are leading in one of the most innovative efforts in American education today.
Our roadmap is summarized on one-page, so please take the time to open the file and familiarize yourself with the elements of the plan and the bold goals that Amana will seek to accomplish during the next five years.  We look forward to sharing more details about Vision 2014 in the coming weeks and how it influences this academic year and it benefits student learning.

• One page Amana Academy Roadmap

VI. We are Honored by the Georgia Partnership for Education

Amana Academy was selected as one of a handful of 2009-10 schools across the state of Georgia to participate the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Tour. This focus of the annual bus tour is to exhibit schools in Georgia that exemplify best practices in public education. The tour consists of two charter buses full of dignitaries from not only Georgia, but around the country and will include governors, senators, legislators, state superintendents, and other educators and law makers. Only six public schools in the entire state are chosen every year and the events will be filmed and broadcast on PBS in the fall. Congratulations to Amana Academy's Governing Board, administration, staff, students, and parents for all your hard work in helping Amana Academy achieve recognition as one of the State's top public schools.

We need YOU at our first planning session on Thursday, October 1st  at 10:00am in my office, or email me.

VII. Annual Fund Drive is Here!

We need you to serve on a planning committee for our Annual Fund Drive to meet 11:00am to noon on Thursday, October 1st in my office, or email me.

VIII. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.
• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.
• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

IX. Flu Is Here

We remain diligent.

X. 2009-10 Budget Update

The business/finance Crew continues to meet with the Leadership Team to finalize our 2009-10 school year budget. We are actively negotiating with the district to realize our legal share of funding.

XI. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

XII. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

XIII. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

XIV. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges arrived. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the only way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

XV. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melissa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

XVI. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XVII. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XIII. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XIX. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XX. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XXI. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XXII. PTA Announcement

The role of PTA President is currently vacant and the Amana PTA requests all interested PTA members to submit their names as candidate for PTA President. All eligible, willing candidates should submit their names and a brief bio including a statement of why they'd like to be PTA President to pta@amanaacademy.org. Nominations are being accepted. If you are interested in becoming a PTA member, please complete the attached form and submit it along with your $5 membership fee in an envelope labeled PTA to your child's teacher or in the box in the Amana lobby. Thanks for your support!

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

September 21st, 2009

Dear Crew,

What a day of rain; this one will go down in history. Those who made it in, thank you. We teach rain or shine! 

If you have any questions, please schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher/s. They are here for you and your child.

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. Volunteer, there are many opportunities:

II. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!  If you want to volunteer, see this page to get a form to fill out and bring to school along with a photocopy of your driver's license.  And if you are already a volunteer, please register in our volunteer database.

III. PTA Announcement

The role of PTA President is currently vacant and the Amana PTA requests all interested PTA members to submit their names as candidate for PTA President. All eligible, willing candidates should submit their names and a brief bio including a statement of why they'd like to be PTA President to pta@amanaacademy.org. Nominations will be accepted through 9/21. A PTA meeting will be held 9/22, 6:00 P.M. (Library) where nominees can introduce themselves to the PTA and members can cast their votes. If you are interested in becoming a PTA member, please complete the attached form and submit it along with your $5 membership fee in an envelope labeled PTA to your child's teacher or in the box in the Amana lobby. Thanks for your support!

IV. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.
• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.
• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

V. Flu Is Here

We remain above the 10% threshold for reporting illness to the district as do several other North Fulton County Schools. Today's absence rate was an anomaly based on weather and excused absence requests. I will continue to keep you in the loop. In the interim please see the weekly Executive Director update from September 7, 2009, view this informative video from Fulton County School District regarding flu information, and continue to visit flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis. We are not immune to this flu. If any sibling has been diagnosed, we ask for your child to stay home for 24 hours even if your child not been diagnosed. If any Amana Academy student is officially diagnosed, please call us to report this so we can track accordingly, and follow your doctor's instructions! Each DAY we continue to disinfect our school with a company that specializes in medical disinfection services. 

VI. 2009-10 Budget Update

The business/finance Crew continues to meet with the Leadership Team to finalize our 2009-10 school year budget. We are actively negotiating with the district to realize our legal share of funding. The board will discuss and vote on a final budget at our September 26, 2009 board meeting and we hope ALL CREW will attend!

VII. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

VIII. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

IX. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

X. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges arrived. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the only way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

XI. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melissa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

XII. Initiative Updates

Next week we will introduce Amana Academy's First Quarter Free After School Clubs, which will start October 1st.

This year's Free Enrichment Clubs include: Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club, and the list keeps growing! Thank you teachers for this extra time!!!

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

Check the Initiatives Progress Report Card for status on our 09-10 initiatives.

XIII. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XIV. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XV. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XVI. Annual Fund

This year's Annual Fund drive will take place from October to December. More details to follow in the coming weeks! If you are interested in serving on the Annual Fund Crew, please email me at annualfund@amanaacademy.org.

XVII. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XVIII. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XIX. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service. See next week's ED Update for the list.

XX. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XXI. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

September 14th, 2009

Dear Crew,

I am sorry for the delay for my Monday Update!

First quarter progress reports will be out soon. If you have any questions, please schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher/s. They are here for you and your child.

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.

• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.

• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

II. Flu Is Here

We have experienced an uptick in student and staff absences this week. Please see the weekly Executive Director update from September 7, 2009.

Please view this informative video from Fulton County School District regarding flu information.

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis. We are not immune to this flu. If their sibling has been diagnosed, we ask for your child to stay home for 24 hours even if they have not been diagnosed. If any Amana Academy student is officially diagnosed, please call us to report this so we can track accordingly, and follow your doctor's instructions! Each weekend we continue to disinfect our school with a company that specializes in medical disinfection services. We have reached the 10% student absentee threshold, which has been reported to the county health department.

III. 2009-10 Budget Update

The business/finance Crew met last Friday with the Leadership Team to begin the process to finalize our 2009-10 school year budget. We are actively negotiating with the district to realize our legal share of funding. The board will discuss and vote on a final budget at our September 26, 2009 board meeting and we hope ALL CREW will attend!

IV. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

V. PTA Announcement

The role of PTA President is currently vacant and the Amana PTA requests all interested PTA members to submit their names as candidate for PTA President. All eligible, willing candidates should submit their names and a brief bio including a statement of why they'd like to be PTA President to pta@amanaacademy.org. Nominations will be accepted through 9/21. A PTA meeting will be held 9/22 where nominees can introduce themselves to the PTA and members can cast their votes. If you are interested in becoming a PTA member, please complete the attached form and submit it along with your $5 membership fee in an envelope labeled PTA to your child's teacher or in the box in the Amana lobby. Thanks for your support!

VI. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

VII. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

VIII. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges are to arrive any day now. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

IX. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melissa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

X. Initiative Updates

Next week we will introduce Amana Academy's First Quarter Free After School Clubs, which will start October 1st.

This year's Free Enrichment Clubs include: Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club, and the list keeps growing! Thank you teachers for this extra time!!!

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

Check the Initiatives Progress Report Card for status on our 09-10 initiatives.

XI. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XII. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XIII. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!

XIV. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XV. Annual Fund

This year's Annual Fund drive will take place from October to December. More details to follow in the coming weeks! If you are interested in serving on the Annual Fund Crew, please email me at annualfund@amanaacademy.org.

XVI. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XVII. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XVIII. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service. See next week's ED Update for the list.

XIX. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XX. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

September 14th, 2009

Dear Crew,

I am sorry for the delay for my Monday Update!

First quarter progress reports will be out soon. If you have any questions, please schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher/s. They are here for you and your child.

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly!

Congratulations to all our students, faculty, administration and parents for achieving significant gains in all subjects and all grade levels on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were taken in April of this year. You will be pleased to learn that an average of 91%-100% of Amana students either met or exceeded the state standards on their CRCT exams in all subjects and all grade levels!

Amana Academy has demonstrated the value of its Expeditionary Learning model in the results of test scores in Spring 2009.

• CRCT: Over 90% of ALL Amana students met or exceeded state standards in the CRCT. This is consistent not just school-wide, but at every grade level.
• CRCT: In 5 grade levels (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th), over half of the students exceeded state standards in one or more of the subject tests.
• MAP assessments are nationally normed. In 30 out of 31 skill tests (Reading, ELA, and Math) from K-8th grade, Amana students exceeded the National norm.
• GA Grade 8 Writing Assessment: 90% of students met state standards
• GA Grade 5 Writing Assessment: 96% of students met or exceeded state standards

II. Flu Is Here

We have experienced an uptick in student and staff absences this week. Please see the weekly Executive Director update from September 7, 2009.

Please view this informative video from Fulton County School District regarding flu information.

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis. We are not immune to this flu. If their sibling has been diagnosed, we ask for your child to stay home for 24 hours even if they have not been diagnosed. If any Amana Academy student is officially diagnosed, please call us to report this so we can track accordingly, and follow your doctor's instructions! Each weekend we continue to disinfect our school with a company that specializes in medical disinfection services. We have reached the 10% student absentee threshold, which has been reported to the county health department.

III. 2009-10 Budget Update

The business/finance Crew met last Friday with the Leadership Team to begin the process to finalize our 2009-10 school year budget. We are actively negotiating with the district to realize our legal share of funding. The board will discuss and vote on a final budget at our September 26, 2009 board meeting and we hope ALL CREW will attend!

IV. Parent Visitation to Class Rooms

We encourage parent visitations and observations of our class rooms. However, please arrange your visit with the teacher 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

V. PTA Announcement

The role of PTA President is currently vacant and the Amana PTA requests all interested PTA members to submit their names as candidate for PTA President. All eligible, willing candidates should submit their names and a brief bio including a statement of why they'd like to be PTA President to pta@amanaacademy.org. Nominations will be accepted through 9/21. A PTA meeting will be held 9/22 where nominees can introduce themselves to the PTA and members can cast their votes. If you are interested in becoming a PTA member, please complete the attached form and submit it along with your $5 membership fee in an envelope labeled PTA to your child's teacher or in the box in the Amana lobby. Thanks for your support!

VI. Teacher Messages

Please feel free to email your teacher with any concerns, comments, suggestions and requests to meet. They will respond typically within the next day. Phone messages more often than not are not are the best method for contacting teachers.

VII. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

VIII. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Student 5th grade safety patrol vests and badges are to arrive any day now. Look for these young leaders to be opening your car doors, and patrolling the inside of the school during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up. All 5th graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. I have to admit I have had some difficulty coordinating this with our Alpharetta police department. This community service is eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

IX. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melessa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

X. Initiative Updates

Next week we will introduce Amana Academy's First Quarter Free After School Clubs, which will start October 1st.

This year's Free Enrichment Clubs include: Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club, and the list keeps growing! Thank you teachers for this extra time!!!

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

Check the Initiatives Progress Report Card for status on our 09-10 initiatives.

XI. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. By now you should have received information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

XII. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

XIII. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!

XIV. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XV. Annual Fund

This year's Annual Fund drive will take place from October to December. More details to follow in the coming weeks! If you are interested in serving on the Annual Fund Crew, please email me at annualfund@amanaacademy.org.

XVI. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XVII. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XVIII. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service. See next week's ED Update for the list.

XIX. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XX. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

September 7th, 2009

Dear Crew,

We are off to a great start. Please thank your child's teachers when you get the chance.

They are the backbone of our school. We are here to serve your child!

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. CRCT Scores ARE IN and Amana Academy Performed Outstandingly! We Scored Tops in Several Grades/Subject Areas in Both the Elementary and Middle School Sections. A Detailed Breakdown will be provided in Next Weeks ED Update! CONGRATULATIONS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS!!

III. Safety, Safety, Safety...

PLEASE continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

Thank you so much for your help to date. So far two emergencies have been averted because we had up to date info!!

IV. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Safety vests have arrived. We are waiting on stop signs, crossing markers, and the "Fifth Grade Safety Patrol" to commence on September 14th (new date). All fifth graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. They will be assisting in morning and afternoon pick up and delivery. (This community service will be eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.)

B. During afternoon pick-up, please observe the crosswalk as the way to leave. Also, the bus has priority; it is a lot bigger than me! If the bus is there, please do not walk or drive near the bus. Please wait until the bus leaves promptly at 3:15. No child will be allowed out the school doors without a parent or guardian in hand. Little ones are too easy not to spot from the bus driver's position.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

V. Flu Season

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. An Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis. We have no official reported cases to date. However, we do have several siblings of our students at other schools diagnosed with the flu. We have had several teachers and students with flu-like symptoms have been sent home or have stayed home. We are not immune to this flu. We ask for your child to stay home for 24 hours even if they have not been diagnosed if his or her sibling has been officially diagnosed. If any Amana Academy student is officially diagnosed, please call us to report this so we can track accordingly, and follow your doctor's instructions. Each weekend we continue to disinfect our school with a company that specializes in medical disinfection services.

VI. New School and Home Initiative Is Online!

Book Adventure has started. Your Teacher has sent or will be sending this week the How-To for getting started at home! Thank you to the volunteers who help Melessa launch this exciting interactive school wide initiative!

VII. Initiative Updates

Next week we will introduce Amana Academy's First Quarter Free After School Clubs, which will start October 1st.

This year's Free Enrichment Clubs include: Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club, and the list keeps growing! Thank you teachers for this extra time!!!

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

Check the Initiatives Progress Report Card for status on our 09-10 initiatives.

VIII. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. Next week you'll receive information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

IX. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

X. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!

XI. Carpooling

See requests and carpool if you can! Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Each week we will share with the Amana community including a map within a one mile radius of each request.

XII. Annual Fund

This year's Annual Fund drive will take place from October to December. More details to follow in the coming weeks! If you are interested in serving on the Annual Fund Crew, please email me at annualfund@amanaacademy.org.

XIII. Dress Code

We are enforcing the dress code. IRON-ON PATCHES ARE NOW AVAILABLE from FrenchToast and Uniform Depot. (Where to get uniforms).

XIV. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XV. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service. See next week's ED Update for the list.

XVI. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

XVII. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

Weekly Update - August 31st

Dear Crew,

We strive to answer your concerns and recommendations each week by Monday evening. If something comes up during the week, my door is always open!

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. Safety, Safety, Safety...

Continue to update your children's student folders, including health information. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records.

II. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. Safety vests have arrived. We are waiting on stop signs, crossing markers, and the "Fifth Grade Safety Patrol" to commence on September 7th. All fifth graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. They will be assisting in morning and afternoon pick up and delivery. (This community service will be eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.)

B. During afternoon pick-up, please leave by both lobby exits. No child will be allowed out the door without a parent or guardian in hand.

C. ALL drivers of all cars: please drive at 2 miles per hour while leaving the parking area. In addition to our Alpharetta Police department's offer to train our 5th grade safety patrol, they will be making a presence in our lot particularly after school.

III. National Elementary Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

We are pleased to announce local chapters of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Elementary Honor Society at Amana Academy.

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in cooperation with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize elementary students in both public and non-public elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility, to provide meaningful service to the school and community, and to develop essential leadership skills in the students of elementary schools.

National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.5) and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly.

See eligibility details and information about how to join these groups.

IV. What are EL Field Studies? They are not traditional field trips!

A. See Jelena Naim's (Director of Curriculum) description of the role of fieldwork at Amana. Please see our first semester schedule for field studies trips.

B. Next week you'll receive information from our grade level administrative team leaders on orientation training for parent volunteers, discipline rules and regulations for each grade levels, and parent, teacher and student meetings before the trips.

C. If you have a financial need in order for your child to attend any field study, please speak confidentially to your child's teacher.

D. For more information on fields studies trips, see our field studies schedule.

V. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

August 22nd the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

VI. Flu Season

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. An Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis. WE have no reported cases to date. However, we do have several siblings of our students at other schools diagnosed with the flu. We ask for your child to stay home for 24 hours even if they have not been diagnosed if his or her sibling has been officially diagnosed. If any Amana Academy student is officially diagnosed, please call us to report this so we can track accordingly, and follow your doctor's instructions.

VII. New School and Home Initiative Ready to GO!

Book Adventure is starting...

VIII. Initiative Updates

We're excited to start "leaking-out" some information on a few of the Free Enrichment Clubs that teachers will be sponsoring through out the year: (Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club).

Enrichment clubs will begin September 30th.

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

IX. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service. See next week's ED Update for the list.

X. General Volunteerism and Crew Parents - (Class-room parents!)

Become a crew parent in your child's class, or just a volunteer for the school!

XI. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XII. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

XIII. Dress Code

The middle school had a dress code meeting last week and we are enforcing the dress code. There is a two day grace period. In the elementary grades, notes from teachers or admin team leaders will be sent home as needed. Amana logo iron-ons will be ready shortly. However, you still must be in proper uniform without logo until that time.

XIV. Carpooling

Requests are now being accepted. Email your request with address to carpool@amanaacademy.org. Next week we will share with the Amana community including map within a 2 mile radius of each request.

XV. Annual Fund

There will be an annual fund steering committee meeting in my office this Thursday at 10:00! If you can not attend but are interested in serving on the steering committee please email annualfund@amanaacademy.org.

XVI. SnapGrades (student progress weekly updates)

Knowing your child's weekly progress is most important to you and us, we apologize for this weeks updates coming in piecemeal. Truly, our provider of this service serverely dropped the ball to the extent we almost cancelled our contract. Their correction came late for all teachers to be on the same page. Expect this to be corrected. Please do not fault your teacher!

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

Weekly Update - August 24th

Dear Crew,

Allow me to address past, current, and new needs (in no particular order), brought to the Leadership Team's attention.

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school!

I. Safety, Safety, Safety...

THANK YOU for completing you child's student folders and health records, and in record time.

Now, keeping them updated as changes occur is critical for this to work. That responsibility lies in your hands. Please call (678-624-0989 x101) or email any change in your child's situation that would require updating any of your children's records. Just yesterday, my wife had to go to the hospital alone by ambulance, and her records were not updated. Luckily the ambulance tech called me in route. It was a reality check to just how important this is! (She is fine).

Please contact Sumairya Akbar with any student record changes via email or phone (678-624-0989 x101).

II. Parent Parking Lot Drop-Off and Pick-Up

A. An anonymous donor has ordered/donated much needed safety equipment that will be feathered in as it is delivered. Ultimately: stop signs, crossing markers, neon safety-vests, etc.

B. Fifth Grade Safety Patrol commences on September 7th. All fifth graders are eligible. All 5th graders will be trained by law enforcement on safety patrol beforehand. They will be assisting in morning and afternoon pick up and delivery. (This community service will be eligible for National Elementary Honor Society service commitment, another new initiative.)

C. During afternoon pick-up, please leave by both lobby exits. No child will be allowed out the door without a parent or guardian in hand.

III. Discipline

While we are off to a great year, you previously told us discipline needed to be addressed over the summer, and we have.

Last Saturday the board approved the Amana Academy Board Discipline Policy. In addition, the school leadership team presented the Social Curriculum (Discipline) administrative procedure to the Board.

IV. Beginning Tuesday, parents should refrain from delivering their children directly to their classroom door.

V. Flu Season

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information. An Amana Academy crew is addressing this serious matter on a daily basis.

I respectfully request that any doctors with experience in this area please contact me personally if you would be willing to serve on my flu committee. This small group would help guide Amana in this critical area.

VI. New School and Home Initiative Ready to GO!

Book Adventure is starting...

VII. Initiative Updates

We're excited to start "leaking-out" some information on a few of the Free Enrichment Clubs that teachers will be sponsoring through out the year: (Stained Glass club, FAA: Future Aviators of America club, Jr. Lego club, Art club, Photography club, Happiness club, Outdoor Adventure club, Reading club, Aquarium club, Japanese club, Yoga club, Running club, Chess club, Math club, Knitting club, Sewing club, Poetry/Middle School Girls' Empowerment club, Butterfly gardening club, Global Awareness club, Book club).

Enrichment clubs will begin September 30th.

Amana Sports teams will commence in October.

VIII. EL Field Studies Announced

Amana Academy 2009-10 EL FIELD STUDIES ANNOUNCED.

IX. Community Circle

Please see the Fall Community Circle calendar.

X. TAG Update

Our new TAG program is off to a wonderful start with an orientation by Amana's TAG staff consultants. Mary Jo Malowney has a Master's degree in Education, 25 years of experience, and was named 2008 Georgia Gifted Teacher of the Year. Karen Lowe has a Master's in Education, has 30 years of experience, was the Fulton County Assistant Gifted Coordinator and past president of many organizations for the Gifted.

XI. Science Lab, Annual Fund 08-09 drive results.

Our new science lab is almost here!

XII. Classroom Supply Needs

We are compiling a master list of classroom supplies that can be bulk purchased or piecemeal. Every $10 spent will be equated to one hour of community service.

XIII. Volunteerism! - PTA - Crew Parents - Class-room parents!

We have two opportunities for you to be more involved in your school:

• Join the PTA today!
• Become a crew parent in your child's class!

XIV. Updated School Calendar

Please see our updated school calendar.

XV. Student Agenda Books

Student Agenda Books (grades 3-8) are being distributed this week which we recommend for each student. Please send $ 5.00 should you want a daily agenda planner for your child.

XVI. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

XVII. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers. (See a chart of the communication chain.)

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy. (See the communication chain.)

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

Weekly Update - August 17th

Dear Crew,

Your help has been greatly appreciated! We are serious about education.

That said, Saturday August 22nd is our first 2009-10 Amana Academy board meeting, open to the public. We look forward to your attendance. See this page for more information about our Governing Board.

As always, your patience, comments, and recommendations are most welcomed.

Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school.

I. Volunteerism! - PTA - Crew Parents - Class-room parents!

We have two opportunities for you to be more involved in your school:

• Join the PTA today!
• Become a crew parent in your child's class!

II. Initiatives Progress Report Card (IPRC)

See the Initiatives Progress Report Card for our 09-10 initiatives.

Please make special note of these two initiatives starting soon:

• Book Adventure starting August 25th
• Field Study starting August 25th

III. Updated School Calendar

Please see our updated school calendar.

IV. Student Agenda Books

Student Agenda Books (grades 3-8) are being distributed this week which we recommend for each student. Please send $ 5.00 should you want a daily agenda planner for your child.

V. Homework Procedures

Director of Curriculum and Development Jelena Naim shares Amana's Homework Guidelines.

VI. After School Programs

There was some confusion as to whether we have a Fee-Based After School Program this year, in addition to our new School-Wide Teacher Sponsored Enrichment Activities, and Official Sports Program initiatives. (See all our 09-10 initiatives.) Yes, we will have all three. You may move from one program to another based on your child's interests and needs.

The Fee Based after school program began on August 12th. If you want your child to participate in any of these activities, please fill out and return the necessary documentation.

VII. Your child's safety is most important to us.

A. Only those students who have turned in their student folders (which include health forms and off-campus permissions slips) will be allowed outside. This includes the fee-based after school program, recess, and PE.

This week Thursday, students who have returned their folders will be permitted outside. Again, this is for everyone's safety.

Please make every effort to return the entire file in the next day or so. Updated phone numbers and email addresses are critical!

B. ALL Parents whose students (K-8) return home in a different manner then they arrive (this includes bus transportation one way) need to send a note that day to the teacher. Please, no last minute calls. If a last minute emergency arises, please FAX that note, and as early as possible for clarity. Again, please include your contact information. I sincerely hope you appreciate this emphasis on your child's safety, thank you.

C. Drop off and pick up procedures

Drop off: Parents who are dropping students off please follow the flow of traffic through Amana's parking lot and observe the directions of the staff.

Doors do not open before 7:30am; all children must be accompanied by an adult (not left alone) till then.

Middle school students are tardy at 7:45, Elementary school students are tardy at 8:00. If you are bringing your student in late they must go to the reception desk for a pass.

Pick up: Please have your car tag (green card) available for staff to check before entering the hall to pick up your students. Pick up time ends at 3:20 for ES, 3:30 for MS; please be on time.

Any change in transportation needs to be documented prior to the change to take place.

VIII: Transportation In General

See more information about bus transportation.

IX. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers.

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy.

X. Flu Season

Staying healthy is paramount.

Please see flu.gov, the government's frequently-updated one-stop access to flu information.

I respectfully request that any doctors with experience in this area please contact me personally if you would be willing to serve on my flu committee. This small group would help guide Amana in this critical area.

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

Weekly Update - August 10th

August 10th, 2009 (Previous updates)

Dear Crew,

Thank you for your efforts in assisting us to a great start!

Your patience, comments, and recommendations have been most helpful. Please continue to communicate - we are listening.

This is your school.

I. Initiatives Progress Report Card (IPRC)

Starting next week, the ED Report will have an Initiatives Progress Report Card (IPRC) section. (See our 09-10 initiatives.) This report will explain each initiative, expected roll-out date, and any update specific to each initiative. Please remember initiatives will be feathered in as the year progresses.

II. School Calendar

Please see our school working calendar. A final calendar will be presented in the next ED report.

III. Student Agenda Books

Student Agenda Books (grades 3-8) are being distributed this week which we recommend for each student. Please send $ 5.00 should you want a daily agenda planner for your child.

IV. Field Studies

Field Studies are being finalized (teacher alignment to the standards, lesson plans, and assessment) for the first quarter. Details (date, locations and fees) will be announced in the August 24th ED August Update.

V. After School Programs

There was some confusion as to whether we have a Fee-Based After School Program this year, in addition to our new School-Wide Teacher Sponsored Enrichment Activities, and Official Sports Program initiatives. (See all our 09-10 initiatives.) Yes, we will have all three. You may move from one program to another based on your child's interests and needs.

The Fee Based after school program will begin this Wednesday the 12th. If you want your child to participate in any of these activities, please fill out and return the necessary documentation.

VI. Your child's safety is most important to us.

A. Only those students who have turned in their student folders (which include health forms and off-campus permissions slips) will be allowed outside. This includes the fee-based after school program, recess, and PE. Once 50% of a class have turned in the folders, those 50% of the students will be allowed outside for activities. While this most certainly is not the most popular decision I have made to our students and teachers, it must be done to protect your child. One child, bitten by one bee, without acknowledgement that the child is allergic to bee stings, much less not having the allergy medicine is... you get the point.

Please make every effort to return the entire file in the next day or so. Updated phone numbers are critical!

Monday afternoon I had to hold several bus participants, as well as several student releases to other parents, because we could not verify these requests as we did not have updated contact information.

B. Parents whose students return home in a different manner then they arrive (this includes bus transportation one way) need to send a note that day to the teacher. Please, no last minute calls. If a last minute emergency arises, please FAX that note, and as early as possible for clarity. Again, please include your contact information. I sincerely hope you appreciate this emphasis on your child's safety, thank you.

VII: Transportation In General

See more information about bus transportation.

VIII. Parent Communication Design for the 1st Quarter.

Our new grade level administrative team's focus this first quarter is to support your children academically and socially. This first quarter the grade level admin team, Leslie Morrison, Jean-Jacques Credi, and Mary LoCurto will be concentrating their time in the classroom, as coaches for your child's teachers.

If you have any concerns, questions, or recommendations regarding your child please start by speaking with the teacher. Your teacher most likely will need to schedule a time devoted to your concern. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, please then see Jelena Naim (academic areas) or Kevin Durkin (Social Curriculum and scheduling areas). Ultimately, if you are not satisfied, please see me! If then you are not satisfied, please see a board member via our grievance policy.

IX. Flu Season

Between now and next Friday, we will hold 15 minute "staying healthy" school assemblies with each grade section (K-2, 3-5, 6-8). See our ED report next week for how you may help.

We appreciate you entrusting us with your greatest investment.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

August 3rd, 2009 Weekly Update

August 3rd, 2009 (Previous updates)

Dear Crew,

This may be a lengthy ED Update, since...

"All planes are landing."

I use that analogy (assuming most of us have flown into Atlanta Hartfield-Jackson) because we know there are only so many runways to land all our planes.

Schools are similar, especially at this time of year. Our child's health, safety, and welfare (educationally and socially) are most important to us!

At the end of the day, our children will get home safe, sound, secure, scholars as well as world citizen in the making, thanks to Amana Academy as an institution, you, and our teachers!

So, please check your seatbelts, and prepare for landing to our 2009-10 school year.

Welcome to Amana...

Thank you for entrusting us with your children.

This is your school!

I. Orientations and Curriculum Nights

• Orientation Schedule

This year we combined the traditional mid-September curriculum nights with each grade level orientation.

We decided you need to be involved with your child's curriculum now, before school, not after school starts.

Free child care (optional $2 donation to PTA) provided during Orientations from 5:30 to 8:20, for non-students under 5.

II: We Listened Intently to your Recommendations Regarding: Rigor, Discipline, School Sports Program, Attendance, Enrichment Clubs, Critical Learning, and Facility needs, to name a few.

We are proud to add to our original announcements of initiatives; school-wide FREE enrichment after-school clubs, and an inter-school county sports program.

All initiatives are sponsored by our teachers! Thank you again teachers!

Our 2009-10 initiatives:

• Clubs
• Sports
• New Portfolio of authentic assessments, in addition to CRCT
• New procedure to gather and analyze class-to-class room academic consistently.
• New Talented and Gifted program school wide.
• New times scheduled for our computer-based Measuring Academic Progress tests so we can differentiate instruction for students sooner in the year and proactively.
• New rigorous approach to middle school math to prepare for higher expectations and better problem-solving skills.
• New more challenging exposure to reading comprehension at all grade levels. 
• New quarterly "round table" sessions for all Amana parents, staff, board, and at-large community on topics in education that are both timely and illuminating.
• New Social Curriculum to guide the efforts of teachers and staff in creating a safe, orderly environment and to reinforce one of the primary missions of the school: rigorous academic learning.
• New school social worker proactively addressing middle school adolescent issues, and urgent counseling matters school-wide.

III: Final Class Rosters

If we have made any errors on these rosters, please email Jeff Weiner so we may make any corrections.

Final Class Rosters

Rosters removed 10/30/09

IV: 4th Grade Teacher Update

Please see our announcement of our new 4th grade teacher team, rationale, and logistics. Amana's best wishes to Ms. Dill.

V. Free Medical Screenings at Amana!

Dr. Hicham Churbaji, MD, an Amana parent, has volunteered to provide at no cost vision, hearing, and dentals screenings for all NEW crew students, on Wednesday Aug 5th from noon to 4pm. Thank you Dr. Churbaji.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

July 27th, 2009 Weekly Update

Dear Amana Crew,

Please see our important announcements for this week:

I. Free Medical Screenings at Amana!

Dr. Hicham Churbaji, MD, an Amana parent, has volunteered to provide at no cost vision, hearing, and dentals screenings for all NEW crew students, two times before Orientations: Tuesday July 28 from 10am to 2pm and Wednesday Aug 5th from noon to 4pm. Thank you Dr. Churbaji.

II: PTA announces Free Child Care during Orientations next week!

Children under 5 will have certified child care and activity services from 5:30 to 8:10, all nights. More to follow in next Monday's ED Report. A $2 contribution would be appreciated.

III: State budget cuts ...

Many Crew members have expressed concern, and rightfully so, as to what Governor Purdue's recent teacher furlough and additional last minute educational funding cuts mean, particularly to Amana Academy. (See this email to me about these cuts.)

Right or wrong, historically, charter schools in Fulton County receive 80-90% of the funding "traditional" public schools receive. The Governor's announcement last week does not help, but Amana isn't in the kind of dire straits that traditional Fulton County public schools face. We're used to working on a slim budget! I wish we were not, but it's the price we pay for school choice! (Help me change that. Sign up for my legislative committee to lobby our leaders).

We will not furlough any staff during our VERY MEANINGFUL TEACHER ORIENTATION SCHEDULES! Your children will benefit from this decision from day one.

However, this does not mean our Amana Crew is immune to the very real budget constraints going forward which effect all Fulton schools, whether private, free charter, or traditional public.

Therefore, we will collaborate with all crew members, and produce a very coherent budget for the 2009-10 school year in the very near future.

IV. Further Initiatives:

We continue to address last school year's crew surveys, public comments and board notes, particularly addressing rigor, discipline, communication, facilities, human resources, and funding.

Please see our new summer initiatives from the July 13th executive report. Further, there will be future initiatives forthcoming with your input! I welcome hearing from you.

The leadership team, Jelena Naim, Kevin Durkin and Jeff Weiner welcomes your continued support and any questions you may have.

Respectfully,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

July 20th, 2009 Weekly Update

Dear Crew,

I know many of you may be looking for the announced "Class Student Roster" link and may not read this entire message first; my family is no different.

However, please come back to read this very important E.D. weekly update!

I. Please allow Amana Academy to introduce our new Leadership Team, and Grade Level Administrators for the 2009-10 school year:

• Meet Jeff Weiner - Executive Director
• Meet Jelena Naim - Director of Curriculum and Development
• Meet Kevin Durkin - Director of Student Services
• Meet Leslie Morrison - K-2 Grade Level Administrator
• Meet Jean-Jacques Credi - 3-5 Grade Level Administrator
• Meet Mary LoCurto - 6-8 Grade Level Administrator
• Meet the backbone of our school - our teacher crew
• Meet our dedicated governing board
• Meet our PTA - website being developed.

II. Your child's safety and welfare is most important to us!

Hence, we are updating past and new student files. All Fulton County schools must keep complete student records and Amana Academy is no exception.

This means we need your help. We will be asking you to fill out new, as well as, amend old records for your child's safety.

We will make this as "student/client/customer" friendly as possible.

1. During Orientations, individualized student working files, requesting updated or new information will be hand delivered to you by your child's teacher.
2. If you could please complete by/on the first day of school these requests, we will be able to officially enroll your child to that class.
3. On that first day of school (or before), please personally return your child's working file to the front desk, or hand deliver to any of our teachers, leadership and grade level admin team, or myself, as we greet you and your child on the first day of school.
4. In order for you to get a jump start, please complete these requirements before orientation:
1. Notarized affidavit of residency for this 2009-10 year.
2. NEW STUDENT only - Certificate of Ear, Eye, and Dental Exam. (Signed by your family doctor/dentist)
3. Student Transportation Form.
4. Immunizations for all new students, Kindergartners, and all new and returning 6th graders.
5. Any custodial documentation.
6. Any medication authorizations.

III. Teacher and Student class Lists for the 2009-10 school year.

Below you'll find class assignments. Click on the grade level for your child to find out which teacher they are assigned to - or on the 'all classes' link if you have students in more than one class.

These are confirmed, but cannot be officially enrolled until all student files are complete. See above communication.

If you have concerns about your child's assignment, this letter about our student placement policy will tell you how to provide us with feedback about your concerns.

Rosters removed 10/30/09

Thank you in advance for making this year a safe, and academically and socially prosperous year for every "Crew" member, particularly, our kid crew!

Sincerely,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

July 13th, 2009: Greetings from our New Executive Director

I'm honored and delighted having been selected as your new executive director for the 2009-10 year. Thank you for your vote of confidence and active involvement in the interview process.

Your level of involvement was very impressive and a positive factor in my accepting the boards offers. After all, we know the biggest investment in your life is your children, and your input is paramount for our school's continued success towards that investment!

I look forward to getting to know each family this coming year, not just names, but listening to your concerns, recommendations, and dreams.

Like you, my wife (Aracely) and I made the biggest decision in our lives, where to enroll our children? Astrid will start first grade this year, and our son Sol, in two years.

Without reservation, we choose Amana Academy probably for many of the same reasons you have. But most important to us was the caring, safe, and nurturing environment that has an engaging philosophy both socially and educationally. As you know dedicated and exceptional teachers guide this environment.

Amana's foundational mission states:

Prepare students for high academic achievement by emphasizing individual learning styles and critical-thinking skills through in-depth, experience-based, thematic instruction and relevant co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

Inspire ethical character through a school culture of mutual social respect, positive discipline, collaborative learning and gender-separation in the higher grades - a culture where students can achieve results with personal integrity.

Our new Educational Leadership team, Jelana Naim-Director of Curriculum, Kevin Durkin-Director of Student Services, and I are pleased to announce several new initiatives this year that forward our mission to new levels for our children.

• New Portfolio of authentic assessments, in addition to CRCT
• New procedure to gather and analyze class-to-class room academic consistently.

This means that all grade-level teachers will provide a consistent framework for learning for our students and evaluating our students objectively, but at the same time, embracing our new authentic components of your child's academic and social growth portfolio which will be shared each quarter, or as requested! 

• New Talented and Gifted program school wide.
• New times scheduled for our computer-based Measuring Academic Progress tests so we can differentiate instruction for students sooner in the year and proactively.
• New rigorous approach to middle school math to prepare for higher expectations and better problem-solving skills.
• New more challenging exposure to reading comprehension at all grade levels. 

We are implementing an online (reading) program school-wide that begins in our library and reaches home. This will enable students to read considerably more books at increasingly challenging levels. Assessments are on line for free in every home and in our school, and documented electronically. 

• New quarterly "round table" sessions for all Amana parents, staff, board, and at-large community on topics in education that are both timely and illuminating.
• New Social Curriculum to guide the efforts of teachers and staff in creating a safe, orderly environment and to reinforce one of the primary missions of the school: rigorous academic learning.

The Social Curriculum, which states clearly all school-wide principles that govern student behavior will serve as a contract among parents, students, and staff. The Code identifies ten character virtues that will be at the center of the school's social curriculum and it will be cultivated with care and consistency at the school. In addition, it describes the ways in which appropriate choices will be encouraged as well as the roles and responsibilities of students, parents, faculty and staff.

Establishing a policy that promotes character education and self-control is an ongoing process. Alone, this Code will not ensure school discipline, nor will it develop an individual's character. As part of a comprehensive effort supported by all members of the school community, however, it will guide the process. Faculty and staff will work continuously to achieve as much consistency as possible with regard to behavior matters, and they will be prepared to revise and adapt the social curriculum's procedures as necessary.

• New school social worker proactively addressing middle school adolescent issues, and urgent counseling matters school-wide.

We expect our dedicated administrative team and teachers to continue to develop these and other new initiatives as the year progresses with your continued support, guidance and input.

Please see attached, as well as, on-line the schedule for orientation nights, classroom student supply lists, and our administrative policy on parent requests for specific teachers.

I look forward to meeting you and your children very soon. We are Crew!

Sincerely,

Jeff Weiner - Executive Director

2009-2010 Orientation schedule, school supply lists, and placement policy

Here are the attachments from Jeff Weiner's recent message to parents:

• Orientation Schedule
• K,1st,4th,5th Supply List
• 2nd,3rd Supply List
• Middle school Supply List
• Administrative Policy on Parent Request for Specific Teachers