Safety on Campus

Q: What is the security going to be like on AIMS Elementary and Middle School campuses?

A: Safety is one of our top priorities in alignment with our AIMS mission and values. Each campus will have a Campus Supervisor on site before, during, and after school. The Campus Supervisor will be present and visible during school transitions. The Dean of Students, the Head of Academics, Teacher’s Assistants, Instructional Aides, and other AIMS staff will be present and supporting school safety around the campus as well.

Q: Are the Elementary and Middle School students separated for instruction and activities?

A: Yes, Elementary and Middle School students will have separate entrances, separate floors, separate lunch areas, and separate instruction. Elementary School students will be on the first floor and left wing of the second floor. 8th grade Middle School students will be on the right wing of the second floor and 6th and 7th grade students will be on separate sides of the third floor.

Arrival and Dismissals

Q: Who will monitor the arrival and dismissal of the students?

A: Staff members will be present at each of the entrances and exits to support arrival and dismissal times. AIMS District welcomes parents to volunteer to supervise arrival and dismissal as well. Please fill out the AIMS Parent Volunteer form or view our Community Liaison Page for further information.

Q: Can we get 12th and Madison streets named as Safety Zones by the City of Oakland?

A: AIMS K12 District has been working with the City of Oakland to get 12th and Madison Streets named as Safety Zones for drop off and pick up. We have been unable to get a positive response thus far. Please, use your parent voice to contact the city and advocate for our Safety Zones. Writing Oakland City Council (District 2) a letter requesting Safety Zones for AIMS District encourages them to work with AIMS. We thank you for advocating for a safer drop-off and pick-up area. In the meantime, AIMS District will have extra support staff available to supervise arrival and dismissal times.

Submit an OAK311 See-Click-Fix report!

Sample wordings:

Hello City of Oakland,

My student goes to AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District and I am requesting that the city make a designated school zone with signage for the Elementary and Middle School campus (171 12th Street Oakland, CA.) In addition, I am requesting a crossing guard be provided by the city at the Madison and 12th Street corner. This building serves Kindergarten - 8th grade students who are city of Oakland residents. I am requesting that you meet these requests on behalf of the city of Oakland residents. Thank you so much for the work that you do on behalf of our city and your consideration in this matter.

Respectfully,

(Name of person submitting document)

Concerned Oakland parent

Resources:
School Traffic Safety in Oakland

OakDOT Crossing Guard Program

Be a Crossing Guard and get paid!

School Hours

Elementary School

Kindergarten- Second Grade

Breakfast: 7:30 AM

Class Begins: 8:30 AM

Dismissal (Monday-Thursday): 2:30 PM

Dismissal (Friday): 12:30 PM

Third- Fifth Grades

Breakfast: 7:30 AM

Class Begins: 8:45 AM

Dismissal (Monday-Thursday): 2:45 PM

Dismissal (Friday): 12:45 PM

Middle School

Sixth- Eighth Grades

Breakfast: 7:30 AM

Class Begins: 8:00 AM

Dismissal (Monday-Thursday): 3:10 PM

Dismissal (Friday) 1:30 PM

Uniforms

Q: What are the rules for uniforms?

A: Students can wear navy blue or white polos and navy blue or khaki bottoms. Sweaters can be white or navy blue. Please remember that all shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least knee length. Polos must have the official AIMS patch on them. Please contact your school if you need more polos and patches. No hoods may be worn. Shoes must be athletically appropriate. Necklaces must be worn inside shirts. Jeggings, leggings, sweatpants, and jeans are not part of the AIMS uniform except the PE uniform. Acrylic/gel nails are not allowed on campus. The official AIMS jacket and sweater colors are navy blue and white. You can find more information on uniforms in the Student and Family Handbook.

Q: How much does the uniform cost?

A: Free. Uniforms are provided at no cost. AIMS will hand out two polos as well as PE uniforms for the school year. Parents provide bottoms on their own.

Support Services and Resources

Q: What programs are available to support students with learning disabilities?

A: The SPED (Special Education Department) will perform an assessment to determine the needs of each individual student with the consent of their parent or guardian. The IEP team will work with the student to develop an individualized learning plan.

Please visit the SPED website for more information. You can also reach out to the AIMS Special Education Department, by submitting a contact form on the website for more assistance.

Q: How does my student sign up for ELD services?

A: AIMS K-12 has a robust ELD (English Language Development) program for students learning English as a second, third, or fourth language. These programs help to support students working to pass the ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment California.)

Please visit the ELD website for more information. You can also reach out to the AIMS ELD Department by submitting a contact form on the website for more assistance.

Q: What if my student will need wheelchair access or assistance or has an accommodation request?

A: There is a wheelchair ramp into the building and the elevator and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Students with injuries or disabilities will receive a pass to use the elevator.

If you have a new accommodation request, please contact the Head of Academics for your student’s school.
Contact Elementary School
Contact Middle School

Q: What if my student needs additional support and resources for a challenging class?

A: Reach out to the student’s teacher as well as the Head of Academics for their school site to get additional services for your student. Elementary School students will contact the Head of Academics, Ms. Axia Vang. Middle School students will contact the Head of Academics, Ms. Zubida Bakheit.

AIMS District has many resources available for students who are struggling with a class. We can provide tutoring services as well as academic intervention classes on Saturdays.

Breakfast and Lunch Program

Q: Are breakfast and lunch free at AIMS?

A: Yes, AIMS meal programs (breakfast, lunch, and snacks) are provided for free. All families must complete and return the income verification form so AIMS can secure the funding to continue offering these services.

To view the meal menu: https://aimsk12.org/news/tag/Lunch+Menu

Physical Education

Q: When will students go outside?

A: Students will go outside during their scheduled Physical Education class.

Q: Which parks will Elementary or Middle School students be going to off campus?

A: Elementary School students will only go to Lincoln Park. Middle School students will go to additional parks around the school, including Madison Park.

Sports

Q: What sports will be available this year?

A: Parents and Guardians will be receiving a ParentSquare from Middle School Athletic Director, Mr. Hampton, shortly after the school year begins. He will detail the available sports programs and further instructions for applications and physicals for the Sports season. Go Eagles!

Student Awards

Q: Are there student awards at AIMS District?

A: Yes, there are. We use the AIMSTRONG model to select the student of the month and honor them for their achievements. AIMS staff members can also award PBIS (positive behavior intervention strategies) points. The students can use the PBIS points at the PBIS store to get small prizes that celebrate the students and their positive behaviors.

Student Absences

Q: What do I do when my student is sick or will be absent?

A: Elementary: Call 510-893-8701 or email elementaryschool@aimsk12.org. Please also notify your student’s teacher via email or parentsquare.

Middle School: Call 510-924-0407‬ or email middleschool@aimsk12.org. Please also notify your student’s teacher via email or parentsquare.

Cell Phone Policy

Q: What is AIMS cell phone policy?

A: Teachers collect phones from students at the beginning of class. Students must turn their phones off and turn their phones into the teacher. Teachers return the phone to your child at the end of the day. If students do not turn the phone in, AIMS administrators will collect the phone and the parent will need to pick it up.

Mask Policy

Q: Will masks be required at AIMS this year?

A: AIMS will be mask preferred this year, you are not required to wear them. However, AIMS will still follow some safety procedures in regards to the pandemic.

Teachers

Q: Will returning students have the same homeroom teacher?

A: For Middle School, returning students will have the same homeroom teacher as they move to the next grade. The only exception is when a teacher has specifically asked for an accommodation for a different role. For Elementary School, students will move to the next grade with the same class cohorts.

Q: When will students find out who their teachers are?

A: Communications will be sent out through ParentSquare to let students know who their teachers will be. Information will also be provided during uniform pickups.

Volunteer Opportunities

Q: How do parents sign up to volunteer at AIMS K12?

A: We encourage our AIMS families to participate in AIMS activities and assist with supervision before, during, and after school to create a better learning environment for our students. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the AIMS Parent Volunteer form or view our Community Liaison Page for further information.

ParentSquare

Q: How do I get Communications from my student’s school site?

A: AIMS K12 Charter District uses ParentSquare to contact and communicate with parents and guardians throughout the school year. Please login or sign up through the ParentSquare website to keep updated on news, information, events, and activities.