Hello Families of AIMS High School!
I’m excited to serve our community this year as the interim Head of School. I’ve been a part of AIMS since 2020, and I taught English and History to many of our current Seniors when they were in 6th grade!
I’ve been working in education since I was 18 years old. I began as an Instructional Assistant at the high school I once attended. I then got my BA and teaching credential and worked as a middle school teacher. Later on I went back to school to get my MA, and conducted research with children and families that was published in a scientific journal. I have spent the last five years leading the English Language Development department for the AIMS district.
My philosophy is “work hard, play hard.” I hold myself to a very high standard to put in the effort and focus needed to do this work well, and I also want to bring joy to the work. I want the same for our students: they MUST work hard at school, but they also deserve to celebrate their accomplishments. This year I want to see improved academic achievement, AND more activities, more incentives, more community-building and more fun.
When I first began working at AIMS in 2020, the thing that impacted me the most was the students. We have a truly special group of young people here. Their intelligence, their strength, their maturity, their energy…I loved these students when I got to know my very first class, and I love the students of AIMS just as much now.
I’m going to be honest: even though AIMS has been doing many things well, I don’t think our high school has been providing everything our students need and deserve. It has not been living up to its potential in all the ways it should. I intend to begin changing that. But I know it won’t happen instantly. There are many things contributing to how we are right now, and many things will need to be improved to take us to a higher level. As we begin a new school year together, I ask for your support, your feedback, and your involvement as we move our school and all of our students closer to their potential. I see greatness in our future!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR: 8/10 - 8/14
Monday: Orientation and uniform pick up
- The school will be open from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm; you may stop by any time during those hours
- There will not be parking available in the lot; please park across the street under the freeway
- You will be able to get new uniform items, a copy of the bell schedule and other information, and provide some input on school year plans
- If you can't make it on Monday, your child(ren) can bring home new uniform items and informational papers on the first day of school instead
Tuesday: First day of school
- The normal school day schedule will be in effect; students arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 am, and will be dismissed at 3:30 pm
- Students should wear their uniform clothes from last year if possible. If they are new to AIMS or have outgrown their older uniform, they should still wear khaki, black or navy blue pants/shorts/skirts, and a solid color (plain) white, black or navy blue collared shirt. No sweatpants should be worn.
- Students may bring a cell phone to school, but it must be in the phone holder at the door during class time so they can focus on learning
In community,
Adria Banihashemi