Message from our Board Chair “Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way!”
When I selected that as our Board theme last summer, I could
not have imagined the events that would transpire this Spring.
Yet when I look back on these past few months, I can identify many blessings that we have received. First, the faculty and staff went into high gear as they immediately reached out to students and families. In addition to holding virtual classes, teachers called each student weekly just to check in. A group of faculty and staff delivered books, announcements, and groceries to each household on Mondays. Virtual Chapel services brought the whole community together on Wednesday afternoons. It was definitely a highlight for students and faculty as affirmation and humor shined brightly.
The outpouring of new books, money, gift cards, food, chromebooks, and ongoing prayers came from all sides. Our volunteers and friends of the School have seen our needs and moved to fill them. We are so very grateful for all of these gifts.
Finally, We are excited about our future. We are breaking ground for our new gym later this month. The hard work of many has made this a reality. I also like that it focuses us on the future in a very visible way. We will watch it take shape over the next few months and imagine the ways it will enhance our life at AJC. And we will continue to give thanks for our blessings yet to come.
--Jill Hunter, Chair of AJC's Board of Directors |
| Jill Hunter, AJC's Board Chair |
4th Grade teacher, Mrs. Gore, delivering assignments and supplies to a student one Monday this past Spring |
|
|
Summer Session: We're Back!
Monday was truly a joyous day on our block of North 29th Street, as we opened for the first day of our four-week summer session. We FINALLY have students back for in-person instruction for the first time since we closed the building in March. Each day, students will receive instruction in Math and English. They will also spend time reading and practicing keyboarding skills. We are following safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health in order to keep the AJC community healthy and safe.
|
|
|
Here are just some of the changes we’ve made for summer instruction:
- Weeks 1 & 3 are for BOYS ONLY; Weeks 2 & 4 are for GIRLS ONLY
- Students have work to complete during the weeks they are at home
-
Every person is required to complete a health check-in and have their temperature taken before entering
- Students stay in designated groups of no more than ten (including adults)
- Student groups remain in their own classrooms and DO NOT mix throughout the day
-
Breakfast/lunch/snacks are distributed in the classrooms to avoid gathering in the cafeteria
- Student desks/work areas are spaced apart by at least six feet
- Every person wears a face mask or face shield and practices proper social distancing measures
-
Classrooms/restrooms/surfaces are cleaned multiple times throughout the day
This set-up certainly requires a lot of patience and cooperation from everyone, but we are happy to make the necessary adjustments in order to have our students back with us. We will continue to monitor the circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic and will make changes as needed. We will make decisions for the fall semester later in the summer. For now, we will simply enjoy hearing the laughter and feeling the love in our building once again as a family.
|
Meet George Kasper, one of AJC’s most dedicated front office volunteers. He shows up weekly throughout the school year to assist in getting the school day started. His volunteer tasks include answering the school phone, helping Ms. Katye with attendance, greeting visitors at the door, and--his favorite--chatting with students. We got in touch with George recently and asked him about his experience as an AJC volunteer:
How did you first get connected with AJC?
I was originally drawn to AJC because I knew Mike Maruca and I heard he was running a school for students, most of whom were in public housing. I had visited AJC before it moved into its current facility and I knew then that when I retired from VCU, I wanted to get involved with what the school was doing.
What is one of your favorite things about your volunteer experience? Being with and talking to the students, for sure. It’s all about the students.
Is there anything you wish more people knew about AJC?
I would like more people to know how successful AJC is in preparing students to succeed at many of the Richmond area's best high schools and beyond. And also that AJC is truly a student-centered school, where progress is measured one student at a time. Are you interested in joining AJC’s dedicated volunteer team this coming school year? Contact Katye Snipes at snipesk@ajces.org for more information. We will have a good sense of what our volunteer needs will be later in the summer. |
|
|
AJC Graduates Update College Graduations
The following members of AJC's first graduating Class of 2012 completed their undergraduate degree programs this Spring: -
Victoria B. - Virginia State University; Biology Major (plans to return to VSU to obtain her Masters in Biology)
- Kyla C. - University of Richmond; Communications Major, Journalism Minor
-
Lorin J. - Randolph-Macon College; Sociology, Communications Studies, and Women's Studies Major, Black Studies and Classics Minor
- Iyanna W. - North Carolina Wesleyan College; Criminal Justice Major
- Charlotte W. - Randolph-Macon College; Psychology and Spanish Major
|
|
|
Summer Employment Program
Sixteen of our high schoolers began their summer internships this week. AJC's summer employment program places graduates at various job sites around the city for four-six weeks. The intent is to provide them with a meaningful job training experience that helps to develop both work and social skills. We have students placed at FeedMore, The Market @25th, Real Life, Greater Richmond SCAN, the Henrico County Courthouse, and the Downtown YMCA. We also have six high schoolers who are interning here at AJC during the summer session. They are playing an integral part in making sure our program is safe and successful.
|
| |
|
Lorin Johnson Graduate Support Coordinator
Lorin Johnson may look familiar to some of you. She was a member of the first class to graduate from AJC back in 2012. She then went on to complete her high school years at Trinity Episcopal School. Lorin graduated from Randolph-Macon College this past May (see above for her impressive list of academic focus areas). Through her role here, Lorin will be working alongside Mary Desch and supporting AJC graduates who are now in high school. Rumor has it that one of Lorin's favorite pastimes is annoying Toby Desch, Executive Director of UpRVA. Lucky for her, they share office space in our building. We are excited to have our first AJC graduate as a full-time staff member!
|
| Shola Walker Coordinator of Food Services
Shola Walker, a native of Richmond, started her college education at the University of Hartford as a music theatre student but later transferred to VCU to pursue an English degree. Performing arts was her first career but her heart was always in the kitchen. Having been born into a large family and cooking for cast mates during her professional career, Shola decided to try her hand at cooking professionally in 2010. She worked in bakeries and restaurants around Richmond (WPA Bakery, Julep's New Southern Cuisine, and Nota Bene) and even her own bakery Mahogany Sweets before settling in with AJC in the spring of 2020. Shola is also an adjunct staff member of Shalom Farms where she teaches cooking classes. Her work in food is primarily focused on bringing culturally relevant dishes and health together.
|
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
