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This Week at Amana / September 19, 2011 |
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Dear Amana Family Members,
As I reflect on the past two weeks, I am filled with a sense of pride about the role that our school serves in the community and the good work our teachers and parents do every day. Here are a few of my reflections.
Last Sunday, I had the honor of attending the Cities of Alpharetta and Milton 9/11 Memorial Service where the focus was on America's resiliency and our shared appreciation for the service of First Responders and other public safety personnel (some of whom are Amana parents). As public officials spoke, I could not help but feel proud of our elementary students who decorated over 400 mugs with hot chocolate and tea as handmade gifts for the local First Responders as part of a Hands On Atlanta partnership - see article below with pictures.
Closer to home, our Faculty completed 3 fact-filled curriculum nights that provided parents with insight into your child's learning. As I moved from one presentation to another, I heard a lot on the themes of differentiated instruction, compelling learning expeditions, and a focus on literacy and STEM products (Science/Technology/Engineering/ Mathematics). What also came through in the presentations was the talent and experience of our teachers - bravo (mumtaz in Arabic)!
Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to three ladies who joined me at a 1-hour interview this Tuesday with the Coca-Cola Foundation's Georgia Charter School of the Year evaluation committee. They were: parent and Board Member Andrea Cooper Gatewood, parent and volunteer Amana CFO Pam Holloway, and founder and Director of Curriculum & Instruction Jelena Naim. These ladies have dedicated years of service to Amana, and they represented us so well in front of the 5-member committee, which included a representative from the Coca-Cola Foundation, a charter school leader, representatives from the business community, and Governor Nathan Deal's Office of Student Achievement. We were honored to be among the three finalists competing for this award, and we look forward to hearing the outcome on October 7th at the Georgia Charter Schools Conference - wish us luck!
Sincerely,
Ehab Jaleel
Executive Director |
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Key Dates | |
9/21 - Hopewell Soccer
9/23 - Grandparents Day
9/24 - PIE Sponsored Apple Picking Family Event
9/28 - Ridgeview Soccer
9/30 - FSA Soccer Game
10/22 - International Festival
Detailed Calendar |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS / REMINDERS |
 Amana is First Charter School to be Recommended for a State Dissemination Grant Award
The Georgia Department of Education informed us on Thursday, September 15th, that Amana Academy is being recommended for approval of a one year dissemination grant focused on our integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math curriculum) and Expeditionary Learning. Dissemination grants such as this one support the enhancement, expansion, documentation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative, cohesive models that demonstrate effectiveness.
This prestigious grant of $143,500, once approved by the state Board of Education on October 12, will enable Amana to share best practices related to our unique STEM/Expeditionary Learning curriculum integration with other schools. It will also enhance Amana's STEM program through targeted professional development, acquisition of new STEM-aligned engineering and science resources, additional technology resources that can be used during workshops with other schools.
Congratulations to Amana's grant writing crew, administration and faculty for being the first charter school in the state of Georgia to receive this distinguished recommendation! |
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 Alumni Winners Honored at The Carter Center
The Carter Center recently honored Amana Academy alumnae Sarah Ghalayini, Ayesha Iqbal and Tanya Panwala (pictured center and at right), along with other Georgia students who advanced to this summer's 2011 National History Day Tournament (NHD) in Washington, DC. Honorees attended a private lecture and discussion with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. They received signed copies of Albright's memoir Read My Pins and toured the Read My Pins exhibit. Ms. Albright had some words of advice for young men and women wishing to achieve greatness. "You must learn how to interrupt," she said. Amana Academy is proud to see its alumnae "interrupting" the status quo and celebrates with the honorees and their families. Click here to read Sarah Ghalayini's letter to Amana on her reflections from the event and being a part of NHD. |
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Amana Students Honor Local First Responders With "Cocoa for Heroes"
With the support our PIE volunteers, Amana Academy elementary students participated in the Hands On Atlanta 9/11 Days of Service Project called Cocoa for Heroes by making and delivering over 400 hand-painted mugs for local first responders. The mugs were filled with with hot chocolate and tea as handmade gifts and were created to honor the men and women who so faithfully serve our community every day. Click here to view more pictures of our students making these gifts and delivering them.
 
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How to Volunteer at Amana
If you have a desire to make a difference, we need you!
Volunteer Orientation/Certification is a mandatory process at Amana. We require this process for two reasons. First, we want to ensure the highest standards of safety and security for all children. Second, we want our volunteers to understand our unique Expeditionary Learning instructional format so they are equipped to effectively assist both students and teachers.
Time commitment: The time commitment for the online orientation (see below) is less than 30 minutes, plus the time it takes you to complete the forms and return them to the front desk. Usually, the entire certification process takes less than a week. However, we advise you allow at least two weeks before you wish to volunteer, just in case there's a slight delay.
Certification Validity: Volunteer certification is valid for two years. Volunteers who successfully completed a background check and certification for the 2010-2011 school year do not need to go through the process again this year.
Steps in the Volunteer Orientation/Certification Process:
- First, please stop by the front desk and pick up a copy of the latest Background Screening form. This form is only available at the front desk and must be completed and submitted with a copy of your legal photo ID. Background screening forms are processed on the 1st and 15th of every month.
- Then, from the comfort of your own home, click here to visit the Parent Volunteer Orientation page on Amana's website. The website will guide you through the rest of the process, including the online training.
- When you have finished the online training, please print and complete the Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement and Volunteer Orientation Quiz. Turn these forms in to the front desk along with the Background Screening Form.
- The Volunteer Certification only allows you to volunteer on campus. If you would like to become certified to chaperone Field Studies and overnight adventures, please click here for more information.
Contact Information: Contact Lubna Merchant or Akela Smalls for more information on volunteering at Amana. There is also a "volunteer questionnaire" being sent home, so please be on the look out for this form in the coming days. Thank you for interest in serving as a volunteer at Amana Academy.
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Meet Our New Faculty Members
Amana is fortunate to have one of the most talented faculty in Georgia. Over 70% of our teachers possess advanced degrees. Here are a few new faces you should meet...
 Maria Annunziata graduated last fall from Georgia State University in Early Childhood Education and also received her ESL certification. She comes to Amana with a very diverse background and a great deal of musical experience. Thanks to her Georgia State internships she had a wonderful experience in an Expeditionary Learning School incorporating her music and art abilities into the Expeditions. Ms. Annunziata is extremely excited to be continuing that work with her Amana Kindergarten Crew!
 Elizabeth Korthof has a degree in Arts Education from the University of WI-Milwaukee. After college, she joined the national teaching program, Teach for America, where she received further training to specialize in Math and Science. She has taught for five years, and this is her first year with Amana. She is looking forward to an excellent year!
 Jamie Lyne Thorpe is a native of Dayton, Ohio. As a child she thoroughly enjoyed school. As an individual of excellence she immediately enrolled in a Masters of Education program which she finished with honors in 2005. She brings 11 years of teaching experience in the elementary setting, having worked in diverse educational environments with students of extreme varying abilities in independent and public schools. Her educational philosophy is ... The two most remarkable characteristics found in an extraordinary teacher are a love of children and a personal enthusiasm for learning.
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 Grandparents and Grandfriends Day on September 23rd
Our PIE-sponsored Grandparents and Grandfriends Day will be held this Friday, September 23, 2011 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
This heartwarming, annual event celebrates the contributions that our older generation and supportive extended family members bring to our lives, so we want to keep the focus of our guests to this particular group. If you as a parent would like to be present during this event, we would love for you to do so in a volunteer capacity. We need help greeting our guests, serving refreshments and taking pictures. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at ffecoordinator@gmail.com and we will send more information your way. Thank you in advance for your part in making this day a special memory for all.
So we can have an estimated number of how many special guests we will be welcoming to Amana, please fill out the RSVP (sent home last week) and return it to your child's teacher no later than Wednesday, September 21, 2011.
If you have any questions, please email our event chair, Carrie Doulfikhar. |
 Clubs and Competitions Expanded
At Amana, we believe in the importance of student involvement in extracurricular activities which help them develop leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. This year we are proud to offer nearly thirty high-quality, mission-aligned programs.
Click here for an overview of Amana's exciting extracurricular programs. Also, some clubs and activities do not run all year, so be sure to check back on a regular basis to see what's been added.
For more information, or to register your child for any one of these programs, please contact our school Administrative Assistant, Ruxsana Shibley, at rshibley@amanaacademy.org.
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 We're Going Apple Picking!
Join us all for bushels of family fun at our first PIE Family Fun event of the school year! We are inviting all Amana families to spend the day with us this Saturday, September 24th, from 11:00-3:00PM at Reese Orchard . The orchard is located just one hour north of Alpharetta in beautiful Ellijay, Georgia.
If you missed the information sheet that was sent home last week, click here to download it. Forms must be sent back to school by Thursday, September 22 in order to receive the special discounted rate, so hurry and save your spot TODAY!
We look forward to an afternoon of picnicking and apple picking this Saturday with all of our Amana family and friends. If you have any questions, please email our event chair, Carrie Doulfikhar, at adoulfikhar@gmail.com
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Pure Genius STEM Expo Girl Scouts Event
 The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will be hosting the Pure Genius! STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Expo for area Girl Scouts on October 29, 2011, at the World Congress Center.
The goal is to spark awareness and interest in pursuing careers in scientific and technical programs. Girls will explore the solar system, make dazzling DNA jewelry, program a robot, invent a new Coca-Cola flavor, "game" your i-touch and much, much more!
October 29th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration Ends:10/28/2011
Location: Georgia World Congress Center
Contact Libby Spencer at lspencer@gsgatl.org or 770-702-9148.
Girl Fee:$10 ; Adult Fee:$10 |
 Celebrate Our School's International Heritage
As many of you know, Amana provides parents with the opportunity to purchase 3' x 5' flags that are displayed in our school's cafeteria to showcase the cultural diversity at Amana. We have already displayed a great variety of countries, but if you would like to sponsor the purchase of one of the flags we not yet displayed, please speak with Ruxsana Shibly in our front office or contact Leanne Phillips at ga.peachphillips@gmail.com.
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 Order Your 2011-2012 Yearbook Today
Save money by ordering your 2011-2012 Amana yearbooks today! Click here for the online order form. You may pay online with Visa or Mastercard, or you may print the order form and send it to school along with a check made payable to "Amana Academy Yearbook." Prices go up after December 28. If you have any questions about the 2011-2012 yearbook or to volunteer to be a part of the production crew, please contact Tracie Burr at AmanaYearbook@gmail.com.
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 Welcome From Amana's EEOB Department
Our Environmental Education Outward Bound (EEOB) Department has gotten off to a great start this semester! The passion to " love our Earth" can be seen across campus. Last week all of our KG-3rd graders learned even more about waste reduction and recycling and the purpose behind the process, especially the WFL (waste free lunch) program. Please ask your child what you can do to reduce waste across our school and check out the EEOB page on our website for more details and pictures. This upcoming week, your child's EEOB class will be needing parent volunteers in both 1st and 2nd grade as we are preparing an Eco-Hero Scarecrow and a Recycling-Crow for the annual City of Alpharetta Fall Scarecrow Festival. We need recyclable items from home: cans, bottles, newspaper, cereal boxes, capri-sun pouches/juice boxes, etc. Also be sure to check out the "Clean-House" table that will be on display on Fridays where we are selling our 2011 Earth Day T-Shirts and Amana water bottles. All proceeds will go towards the EEOB library.
Thank you again for all of your support,
Miss Brooke Heimerl, "Miss H"
EEOB Teacher
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 Mission: Possible!
Sixth graders are learning all about earth's composition and how earth's surface changes over time using The Jason Project's "Operation: Tectonic Fury"online science exploration site. Students have completed a number of engaging digital labs to find minerals and test their properties, as well as hands-on labs to analyze soil and crystal formation. Next week our sixth graders will go on a hunt for signs of weathering and erosion around campus and will build a three-dimensional structure to see how it will withstand the elements. These are exciting times indeed in our sixth grade science class! |
 Teaching According to Individual Learning Styles Last week, Ms. Passoff's third graders used our new technology lab to complete a Learning Style Inventory test to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. The results were very interesting and sparked conversation among the children about the things they like to do versus what they are proficient at doing. These learning profiles, along with the data from their recent MAP tests, will be used to help students set goals for themselves. The inventory test is a great tool for adults, too! Click here to try it; you may discover things about yourself that you never knew. Ms. Passoff's class assignment is just one example of how Amana teachers use learning style assessments. Teachers at Amana routinely assess individual learning styles to both help them teach more effectively and also to help students discover for themselves how they learn best. Amana teachers use their knowledge of their students' learning styles to design interactive lesson plans that create the motivating and engaging learning environments which improve student learning and performance. Understanding which learning styles work best for each student also allows our teachers to implement effective classroom management skills and open a meaningful dialogue with parents. Best practices such as these help provide students with a supportive learning environment which allows them to develop self-respect while gaining a better understanding of others. For more information on the important role learning styles plays in your child's education, please visit the Expeditionary Learning Schools website. |
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Fourth Graders become Native American artisans
On Wednesday, September 14, Amana's fourth grade explorers became Native American artisans for the morning. Amana Academy hosted Out of the Box Pottery Company, a group whose task for the day was to immerse students in the art of Native American pottery.
Company speakers shared stories and pictures with the students and demonstrated how Native Americans used natural red clay to craft pottery such as bowls and cups. After learning about the traditional crafting process, students put their newfound knowledge to work by creating their own bowls and cups. The students' reactions were overwhelmingly positive. "This has been the best day of my life!" the teachers overheard one student exclaim. The students' artwork will be fired in a kiln and displayed in their living history museum during the fourth grade Showcase in December.
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Thank You!
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher  directly, or any one of our Administrative team members. If your question was not addressed, then feel free to contact our Governing Board. Amana's main number is (678) 624-0989 and you may also find email contact information for all of our staff by visiting the Amana Staff Directory. On behalf of the Governing Board, the Amana faculty and staff, and the school Administration, thank you for entrusting your child's education to us. With your continued support, we will continue to mold the very best and brightest global leaders within our community! |
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