Winter 2021 News

Student Reflections

   The most common question we hear from friends of AJC is “How are your students handling these difficult times?” There is no denying that this has been an unprecedented school year for our students. They have shown incredible flexibility and patience throughout all the changes prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We recently asked them to reflect on both the challenges and highlights of the year so far. Here are some of their responses:

Challenges

• “Not being able to play sports”
• “Switching from normal & virtual school each week”
• “Time management”
• “Preparing for high school mentally & physically”
• “Getting good sleep”
• “Having to wear masks all day”
• “Staying positive and focusing on my grades”

Highlights

• “Now I know how to read and do math”
• “Making good grades on my report card”
• “West Campus” (more on this later!)
• “Getting better at History”
• “Seeing all my friends again and knowing they are safe”
• “Almost ready to graduate!”
• “Being a better version of myself”

   Our students are grappling with so many stressors related to COVID and staying safe. But they remain hopeful and dedicated to their education. Their energy keeps the rest of us going!

Integrating Art Everywhere

   The students at AJC have been quite creative in their classrooms lately. They have been engaged in a few different inter-disciplinary projects over the past few weeks.

   Mr. Crane’s life science classes are studying cells, with a current focus on DNA. This week, the girls built their own versions of a double helix.

   Mrs. Shadowen’s 7th grade english students each read a classic novel of their choosing. After finishing their books, they designed “cereal-inspired” versions of their book’s cover. We agree with Matthias: Moby S’mores sounds way more interesting!

   Our friends at Art for the Journey recently introduced all our students to using clay as an art medium. They worked on sculpting faces, paying close attention to structural details. These particular virtual classes were a huge hit, as our students were incredibly focused all throughout the building.

7th graders showing off their strands of DNA

8th grader making a clay face during Art class

Volunteer Spotlight

   AJC lunch volunteers play an integral role in how our school functions during COVID times. In order to stay in their assigned pods and lower the risk of COVID transmission, our students eat their meals in the classroom sitting six feet apart from one another. So 5-6 volunteers arrive each day at noon to transport lunches from the cafeteria to the classrooms. This allows students to stay at their desks. Many of the volunteers will stay after lunch and assist the administrators with supervising the study hall period. That gives our classroom teachers a much-deserved planning period each day.

   Many thanks to all of you who have served as lunch volunteers this school year. The school day would not run so smoothly without your help. If you have not served as a lunch volunteer before but are interested this spring, please email Katye at snipesk@ajces.org so she can add your name to our volunteer sub list.

Building Hope Campaign Updates

   We’re closing in on the completion of the first phase of our campus expansion. The gymnasium is still set to be finished by the end of March. We are excited about using that space this spring. The second phase, the classroom portion of the building, has begun! The construction crew is currently using a crane to build the steel frame. Our students and staff love being able to watch the process unfold.

  We are approaching the $15 million mark of gifts pledged/received, which means we have just over $1 million left to raise to reach our goal of $16 million!  If you have donated or pledged your support for the Building Hope Campaign, THANK YOU!  If you are interested in learning more about the campaign or making a pledge/donation, click the box below.  We appreciate your support!

AJC's West Campus

   Have you heard? AJC has a satellite location! After returning from our winter break, we opened up our “West Campus” site exclusively for our 8th grade students. We are using the space on Fairmount Avenue formerly occupied by our friends at Richmond Cycling Corps.

   Our 8th graders are now receiving in-person instruction every week to help prepare them for high school. (A significant majority will head to independent high schools in the fall.) While the boys are here at the Main Campus, the girls meet up at the West Campus for additional instruction in math, reading, and History. They switch locations the following week. Cheryl Redmond, former AJC volunteer, has come on board as the full time staff member for West Campus. Various other staff members float in and out throughout the week for specific classes. Our friends at UpRVA help with transportation to and from the site.

   Many of the 8th grade students expressed that the West Campus has been the highlight of the school year for them. And we love it, too!

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