The Spirit of Giving on N. 29th Street

We are always grateful for the many gifts we receive from supporters of the school, especially during this time of year. We are able to operate in our current capacity because of donations of money, time, resources, and energy from all around the community. And some of the most touching and impressive acts of generosity come from our students. 

Here on our block of N. 29th Street, our 112 4th-8th graders are showing us the right way to live in community with one another. They give of themselves each day in order to take care of their classrooms, their peers, and even their teachers. Each student has a weekly assignment that involves cleaning or prepping a small part of the building. The office and hallways are always buzzing with students running errands for Ms. Katye, delivering sweet notes to staff members’ mailboxes, or even making coffee for a teacher who could use a little boost (thanks, barista Vejon!). And It’s not uncommon to see an older student step up and guide a younger student through a difficult situation (or math problem).

These amazing young people inspire the adults in the building to stress a little less and love a little more. Because of them, the spirit of giving is alive and well here at AJC. Please stop by and feel it for yourself!

AJC Parents’ Association Update

The first formal AJC Parents’ Association launched back in August and it quickly gained momentum. The group began the year by hosting dinner meetings for families new to the school. Since then, the Association board has planned and executed a handful of fun community events including:

• The Annual Fish Fry gathering
• October’s Harvest Fest and trick-or-treating for local elementary students
• A family Game Night with pizza, board games, and Bingo
• Thanksgiving Turkey Box Distribution (Thank you, St. Stephen's, for providing the boxes!)

In addition to hosting events, the Parent’s Association board helps to keep lines of communication open between all families and the school. Each grade level has two parents who serve as classroom liaisons. They make regular phone calls to other parents in their child’s grade and pass on important announcements from the office. They have become a valuable addition to the structure of the school.

We had a chance to chat recently with a couple 8th grade parents and ask the question: “How has the Parents’ Association changed the culture of the AJC community so far?”   

Dyanne Broidy, Parents’ Association Chair, mentioned that parents are connecting over the small things even more, like sharing photos from basketball games and offering rides to events. Michelle Green, office volunteer, appreciates the feeling of having a more complete view on what’s going on within the walls of the school. She also sees parents and families approaching each other more at planned events. 

If you would like to support the great work of our Parents’ Association, please email Mary Cay Kollmansperger, Family Support Coordinator, to discuss ideas.

Fall Highlights

Fish Fry: Students, staff, families, and volunteers gathered together on a Friday night back in September to enjoy a fish dinner together. This annual tradition gets bigger and better every year!

Career Day: During the morning of October 30th, guest speakers from all different types of professions came to school and spoke with our students about career options and aspirations. Later that afternoon, all grades participated in both career research and community service projects together.

Game Club Goes Vertical: One gorgeous Saturday in November, Mr. and Mrs. Weber took the AJC Game Club out to Humpback Rock for some hiking and exploring. They hope to do it again in the spring. 

Tea at the Jefferson: For the past three years, members of the Junior League and the Kids In The Kitchen program have taken our 7th grade girls to the Jefferson Hotel for a “high tea” experience. The most favored dessert this year was definitely the macarons!

8th Graders Prepare for High School

Our 8th grade class is hard at work preparing for the next chapter at a new school. They have submitted most of their applications at this point and are looking forward to “shadow days” after the holidays. Students will have the chance to experience what campus life is like through site visits at most of their potential high school options in the coming months.

A big shout out goes to the upperclassmen at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for supporting our 8th graders so much this year. Each week, the senior class visits to teach Spanish. Another group comes by once a month to offer tutoring sessions for the SSAT high school entrance exam. Many AJC volunteers have stepped up as well and supported through extra tutoring and practice admissions interviews. 

Hopefully each 8th grade student will know their high school placement by late spring. But wherever they end up, they will always have a home and a supportive family to visit at AJC.