AIMSupt. Monthly
April 2021 | Issue 12
Greetings,
There is a lot to catch you up on since we last connected. As you might imagine, reopening after a year of remote learning took a tremendous team effort but, we could not be more excited to welcome back some of our students into their school home.
These times have challenged us deeply as a community, not only in navigating a global pandemic, but as we continue to grapple with racial injustice and violence against our AAPI and Black communities. As a Black mother to two Asian and Black children, it impacts me in a very personal way. You can read some of my personal reflections in an open letter to our AIMS family here.
Our AIMS family has stuck together through an incredibly trying year. I know that as a community we can continue to move forward together with compassion, empathy, and a commitment to uplifting one another.
AIMS Against Hate
The recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes really hit home for our AIMS High School community, where almost 50% of our students are of Asian descent. We knew that our students were in need of connection and healing especially after this past year. In addition to the mental health services we provide with the help of our wonderful social emotional counselor, Mr. Anthony Castellano, our incredible student leaders also led the way.
AIMS HS senior and Student Government Association President, Annie Chiu, created a forum for students to express themselves through the power of art. Annie said, “After a painfully long time without seeing my school friends and families, this paint night safely provided our AIMS HS community with a forum to express how we feel. If words can’t explain how we are doing during these times, what’s better than to express our feelings in creative ways such as art?”
We are so thankful to have a school community that shows up for each other. As difficult as these times have been, we know that we can’t remain silent. We must continue to have the conversations that challenge the systemic inequities that keep our communities from thriving. Be sure to read our press release about the event here, and event photos here.
AIMS is Back in Session - Hybrid Style
After a year of remote learning, I am beyond excited to see our students and teachers back in-person in our school home. It’s so rewarding to see students interacting with their friends and teachers after such a long time apart. Although the classroom style has changed, we’re taking our best practices from online learning and integrating them into a new hybrid model.
Prior to returning, all of our families filled out surveys to choose whether they’d like to return to in-person instruction or remain in online learning. We’re proud to continue offering the same high quality instruction for all of our families, no matter which option works best for them.
COVID-19 Safety Plan
To reopen safely, we’ve implemented a number of Covid-19 safety measures to ensure a healthy environment for our students, families, and staff. In adherence to state and county guidelines, we continue to socially distance, use masks, provide personal protective equipment for our students and staff, and have our shared spaces disinfected daily.
Additionally, all of our AIMS employees have access to receiving the Covid-19 vaccination. I am proud to have gotten my Covid-19 vaccination and encourage our communities to help protect one another. If you’d like more in-depth information about all of the safety measures we are taking, you can review our Covid-19 Safety Plan here.
Double Champs! Golden and Lady Eagles are 2021 Cross Country BACSAC Champions
We are proud to announce our 5th and 6th Championships in AIMS High School history - including our first-ever women’s championship for AIMS. Coach Jard Davis led our varsity Golden and Lady Eagles Cross Country teams to their championship victory. Senior Kyle Wu was named the BACSAC league MVP for placing first overall in the Boys Championship.
This marks the third consecutive championship for the Golden Eagles and a first for the Lady Eagles. You can view the final results here.
AIMS HS to Induct 5 Seniors In First Ever National Honor Society Ceremony
Please join us in congratulating our AIMS scholars as we honor a historic moment in AIMS High School history. 2021 marks the 100th Anniversary of the National Honor Society and the first ever inductees in AIMS High School’s 15-year history.
The ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 1st at 5 pm in AIMS High School, and can be watched live via YouTube. We will have special guest appearances and presentations from our AIMS HS Alumni, many of whom served as exemplary AIMS students. We hope you can join us in this historic celebration.
CCSA Member Council Representative
Lastly, I am proud to announce that I was voted to represent Alameda and San Francisco counties on the California Charter Schools Association’s Member Council. I look forward to bringing my passion and expertise in public education to this work. Thank you to the Member Council representatives for their trust in my leadership.
If you are a charter school in Alameda or San Francisco, I look forward to connecting with you very soon.
Thank you for continuing to be a part of our AIMS family. I cannot express enough of my gratitude for this community. We could not have gotten through this without the support of one another. It is my hope that we can continue to come together and build a brighter future for all of our students.
We are stronger together, and together we are AIMSTRONG!
Respectfully,
Maya Woods-Cadiz
Superintendent
AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District