B"H
August 25, 2023 / 8 Elul 5783
Parsha Ki Teitzei » 7:43 pm Candle Lighting
This Week @ AYA
Welcome back to school for what is sure to be a fantastic year at AYA! We are glad to have students back at the Schultz Rosenberg Campus this week, and their energy has us excited for the year ahead.
AYA Atid Launch

The administration team has been busy preparing for the launch of our transformative AYA Atid (Future) Plan. An important goal of the Atid Plan is to deliver a holistic educational experience that meets each student’s individual needs. Please read below for updates on the Atid learning experience this year, and be sure to join us at LS/MS Back to School Night (Tue, Aug 29) for optional Atid informational sessions. 

The Atid Experience

This summer, the leadership team focused on developing key Atid experiences across K-12 for the 2023-24 academic year. During back-to-school faculty professional development last week, all staff members had the chance to engage in Atid training and receive an update on the AYA Atid experience for both students and staff. 

Administration and staff will focus on strengthening the student experience and opportunities to develop future ready students through the Atid experience. This year, we will begin to implement strategies to personalize student learning as a way to ensure every student is receiving a one-size-fits-one experience. Personalized learning is defined as a one-size-fits-one approach to instruction that (1) taps into each student’s strengths, needs, and interests to customize learning and (2) supports student voice and choice in what, how, when, and where they learn to ensure that students achieve at their greatest potential. We will also focus on developing student agency so that students can begin to take a leading role in their education through self-regulation, goal setting, active learning, and ownership of authentic tasks.

Atid Hires and Professional Development 

When hiring new teachers, we sought individuals with experience in personalized learning. We are excited that our kindergarten, 4th, and 5th Grade classes, and 9th Grade English classes will play a leading role in developing the Atid learning experience.
We are also excited to welcome two new ECP-12th Grade staff members to help carry out our Atid vision: Director of Personalized Learning Kristen Watkins (left) and Director of Education Technology Angie Leal (right). Supported by this fantastic team, all AYA teachers and staff will have opportunities to grow this year through ongoing Atid learning. 

As the Director of Personalized Learning, Kristen coaches and supports teachers to bring the Atid experience in the classroom. In addition, she will work closely with administration to develop, maintain, and sustain systems that will ensure personalized learning takes root at AYA.

As the Director of Education Technology, Angie will work closely with ECP-12th Grade staff members to successfully integrate technology in the classroom. Through this support, Angie will ensure that technology and educational technology resources used in the classroom are purposeful and help develop future ready students. 

NWEA MAP Growth Assessment

In Kindergarten through 8th Gade classes, teachers will use NWEA’s Measures of Academic Performance (MAP) Growth Assessment to track student progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. The MAP assessment is nationally recognized and widely used by both independent and public schools and a great tool for teachers targeting instruction through personalized learning. Learn more about MAP by watching this short video.

Over the course of the year we’ll spotlight Atid experiences for K-12 students in the newsletter and feature opportunities on how to further get involved. If you’re interested in learning more about the Atid experience, make sure to attend one of the three informational sessions during Back-to-School night on Tuesday, August 29 in Pollman Hall. The first 20-minute session will begin at 6 pm, the second session will begin at 6:30 pm, and the third session will be at 7 pm.

B'hatzlacha and a successful year to all,

Jason Feld
Head of School
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
Third Graders Elisheva Luzon (right) and Hannah Hochschuler settle into their desks for class.
1st Day AYA!
Ian Fox Golden-Kemper (left) begins his AYA journey. Noah Shulkin was all smiles on his first day of Kindergarten.
"Will you take our picture?!" 6th Grader Asher Gorny asked while throwing his arm over 7th Grade buddy Josh Josset's shoulder.
Kindergarten (left) squeezed in outdoor recess before temps rose. Learner Support Specialist Ryan Ferrill assists with joyful carline reunions with families.
1st day of senior year! Abbie's mom is AYA Registrar Erica Morenoff and her sister Maggie is also an AYA sophomore.
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
3-4:30 pm THIS SUNDAY (Aug 27) — Pollman Hall

Join us for sweet treats and warm reunions as the AYA PTO welcomes our community back to school!

7 pm Mon, Aug 28: 5th-12th Athletics Meeting for Parents » Zoom Link

6 pm Tue, Aug 29: LS/MS Back to School Night

5:30 pm Wed, Aug 30: HS Meet the Teacher

Mon, Sept 4: No School — Labor Day

Fri, Sept 15: No School — Rosh Hashanah

2:45 pm Mon, Sept 18: Early Dismissal — Tzom Gedalia
7 pm Wed, Sept 20 — Middle School Beit Midrash

All AYA parents are invited to join our Judaic Studies educators for a discussion
of the Jewish month and upcoming holidays. Light refreshments will be served. » RSVP
OUR COMMUNITY
Challah may be ordered directly from Ron the Baker (email). Orders will be delivered to your child in their classroom on Friday morning to bring home.
Host our Bnot Sherut: Please welcome Tamar and Ayelet for Shabbat meals over the Chaggim and Shabbatot during the school year:
AkibaYavneh.org QuickLinks
Support Jewish Education at AYA