New Year, New Goals

     One of our favorite things about the beginning of the school year is the feeling of starting fresh with a full tank of energy. We asked some students and members of the staff the question “What are you looking forward to this year at AJC?”

Here are a few of the responses:

• “Learning how to play chess and getting really good at it.” --Shealeah, 4th Grade
• “Getting all As!”  --Jeremiah, 5th Grade
• “More positive friendships and being more positive myself.”  --Nu’Kiyah, 6th Grade
• “Playing a sport each season.”  --Jamal, 7th Grade
• “Getting ready for high school.”  ---Kyia, 8th Grade
• “Watching the 8th graders become even more mature and take charge of where they’re going next.”  --Mrs. Weber, English Teacher
• “Seeing how our seniors in college finish out their college years and how our new group of high school freshmen do, especially the large group at Cristo Rey.”  --Mr. Maruca, Head of School

     We are excited to see what goals each student (and graduate!) forms in the coming weeks. Thank you to all of you who support us in achieving our goals day in and day out. We’re committed to making Year 11 the best one yet.

AJC Graduates Update

     As our graduates prepare for another school year, we reflect on the hard work they put in this summer through their various jobs and internships. Lorin (AJC Class of 2012) interned with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. She is also continuing her work at St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Ashland while beginning her senior year at Randolph Macon College. Ja’Mean (AJC Class of 2014) has been interning with Capital One for a while and he is now also a driver for our partner nonprofit, UpRVA. We make an effort to stay connected with all of our graduates, so give us a shout if you would like an update on a former mentee.

SUCCESS: Jessica Beath Foundation Challenge Grant

4th graders Teon and Jahiya trying out Mrs. Gore's new wobbly stools 

     The Jessica Beath Foundation, in conjunction with Anne & Jim Farnum, Brock Klich, and Vicki & Peter Wilson, issued a matching challenge grant to help fund furniture upgrades for some of our classrooms. The sponsors pledged to match any donations made for the furniture upgrades, dollar for dollar, until we hit our goal of $20,000. We are happy to announce that we met the challenge and even exceeded our fundraising goal! Our teachers and students are enjoying new and improved learning environments, all thanks to your generosity and the generosity of the grant sponsors. We invite you to stop by any school day for a tour and to see the impact of your donations.

Volunteering at AJC

Are you interested in volunteering at AJC this school year? Below is a list of our current volunteer needs with days and times during the week: 

• Lunch Buddy: Tuesday or Thursday from 12:15-12:40 sit with your 6th-8th grade buddy
• Study Hall Tutor/Reading Partner: Tuesday or Thursday from 12:40-1:30
• 4th Grade Math Tutor: M, T, W, Th, F from 9:30-10:30
• 5th Grade Math Tutor: M, T, W, Th, F from 12:20-12:55
• Classroom Assistance with 5th grade (supervisor for student jobs, inputting grades, copies): days and times flexible
• Office Help (reception and attendance calls): M, T, W, Th, F from 8:10-10:30
• School Beautification/Groundskeeping: days and times vary

In addition to the needs listed above, we are often able to design volunteer roles around the volunteer’s specific skills and interests. Please call Katye at 804-822-6610, or send her an email. Volunteers will be required to complete a background check as well as meet with Katye for a brief orientation. 

Are you already a volunteer or mentor at AJC? We look forward to seeing you back in the building the week of September 9th.

Volunteers from Shrine Mont Camps helping students with Math work

Meet the New Staff

     AJC welcomes three new staff members to the team this year. They each bring a lot to the table through their areas of expertise and their passion for our students. Be sure to find them and say hello the next time you are in the building!

Susan Barstow - Curriculum & Instruction Director

Susan has a BA from Amherst College and a PhD in English from the University of Virginia. She has worked at several schools in the Richmond area, most recently as Head of the Lower School at Sabot at Stony Point.  She especially enjoys supporting teachers so that they can do their best work with students. Susan has three boys, a husband who teaches at VCU, and a boisterous dog who adores children. She is grateful to have been welcomed into the AJC family.

R.D. Montgomery - Graduate Support Assistant

R.D. graduated from Wake Forest University in 2004 with a degree in history. He also played varsity football and basketball while in college. Prior to joining the staff at AJC, R.D. was a  financial representative with Northwestern Mutual and spent 8 years at Bucknell University coaching football. In his free time R.D. likes to read history books, cook, and go on hikes with his wife, Jamie.

Ian Weber - Administrative Coordinator

Ian grew up among the farms of North West Ohio. He graduated in 2012 from Montana State University with a degree in Film & Theater. He moved to Richmond in 2018 where upon arriving he started a weekly Board Game Club and Chess team at AJCES. In 2019 he joined the AJCES family full time.