AIM FAMILY UPDATES
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Summer Learning - June 21- July 1 & July 12- July 29 
   By June 1, 2021, all coursework for 8th graders must be completed to determine their graduation status. Students who do not meet requirements by June 1st will need to attend Summer Learning Academy and participate in a Summer Graduation Promotion Ceremony, which will be announced later. On Friday, June 4, parents will be notified via email if students are not eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled for June 9. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Veriner James at vjames@distinctiveschools.org Ms. Hudson will be sending families an update early this week with finalized plans for field day, the graduation ceremony and Grad bag pick up for week of June 3rd! 
 
Summer Learning - June 21- July 1 & July 12- July 29  Now that we have an update from CDC and CPS on COVID-19 guidelines on graduation, We are excited to share the final details!
8th Grade Families- Graduation Requirements: To maintain our ongoing commitment to equipping our students with the skills required to succeed in high school and beyond, Distinctive Schools uses a personalized learning model to maximize meaningful teaching and learning opportunities throughout the school year. To honor our commitment to our eighth-grade families, we must ensure that students are prepared for the learning that lies ahead in ninth grade. Therefore, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency and mastery by achieving at or above 70% in each Summit and Art course to meet 8th-grade graduation requirements. By June 1, 2021, all coursework for 8th graders must be completed to determine their graduation status. Students who do not meet requirements by June 1 will need to attend Summer Learning Academy and participate in a Summer Graduation Promotion Ceremony, which will be announced later. On Friday, June 4, parents will be notified if students are not eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled for June 9. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Veriner James at www.vjames@distinctiveschools.org.  Spring Testing - Wednesday, May 26, 8th-grade students only will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). For families who opted-in for in-person testing, students should report to AIM at 8:00 AM. 8th graders will follow our standard Wednesday schedule and will be dismissed at 1:00 PM. Students should report to school with their school-issued computer fully charged; to complete assessments. Please review the test schedule and reach out to Mrs. Veriner James with additional questions at VJames@distinctiveschools.org. In-Person Test Schedule for Middle School
All students are expected to work asynchronously between 8:00 AM-1:00 PM for families that opted out of testing. Due to the ISA, teachers will not be available to assist students.   The Wiz in Motion, AIM’s very first (but certainly not the last), Arts Festival. This is a virtual and in-person hybrid, celebratory showcase of our wonderful artist’s hard work. Through AIM’s four Core Art courses: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Literary Arts, students respond to Motown’s Production of The Wiz. The study of this timeless musical allowed for students to explore just how influential the arts have been and continues to be, to the Black Community. Our youth was encouraged to take a leap of faith, much like Dorothy Gale, and venture through their artistic process to discover a sense of self and culture. Student’s creations will respark our sense of community by providing a safe space for all, during one of the most difficult times in history. Come and join the magic! You don’t want to miss this, because there’s no place like AIM! 
Summer Learning - June 21- July 1 & July 12- July 29 
 Spring Testing Wednesday, May 19th, 7th, and 8th-grade students will continue their second round of IAR testing. For families who opted-in for in-person testing, students should report to AIM at 8:00 AM. Students will follow our standard Wednesday schedule and will be dismissed at 1:00 PM. Students should report to school with their school-issued computer fully charged; to complete assessments. Please review the test schedule and reach out to Mrs. Veriner James with additional questions at VJames@distinctiveschools.org. In-Person Test Schedule for Middle School
8th Grade Families- Graduation Requirements To maintain our ongoing commitment to equipping our students with the skills required to succeed in high school and beyond, Distinctive Schools uses a personalized learning model to maximize meaningful teaching and learning opportunities throughout the school year. To honor our commitment to our eighth-grade families, we must ensure that students are prepared for the learning that lies ahead in ninth grade. Therefore, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency and mastery by achieving at or above 70% in each Summit and Art course to meet 8th-grade graduation requirements. By June 1, 2021, all coursework for 8th graders must be completed to determine their graduation status. Students who do not meet requirements by June 1 will need to attend Summer Learning Academy and participate in a Summer Graduation Promotion Ceremony, which will be announced later. On Friday, June 4, parents will be notified if students are not eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled for June 9.   Greetings AIM FAMILIES!! In order to make this event truly collaborative we need support from families to donate special items for our Wiz In Motion Festival! We will assign middle and high school communities with specific tents so there will be an organized collection of materials before the event. It is not our intention for families to purchase these items (bless your heart if you choose to do so)! We truly want YOU to look at what is already around you, communicate to the Arts Department you have an item fitting our criteria, AND then arrange a time to drop off your item. This process is the stuff creativity is made of….let’s end our year with a celebration showcasing the creativity and love of Art In Motion! Look for the Wiz In Motion May Sneak Peak Campaign on Social Media! Follow our @artinmotionchi on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see sketches of what our festival looks like based on the collaboration of students and the Art Department. The drawings are the blueprint for our Donation List of items we are asking families to bring before set up. The tent design concepts are done by visual arts teacher, Mrs. Keys. Any student is eligible to submit artwork to promote our Wiz In Motion Festival on stickers, buttons, and posters. 
  Hi Families! Do you know a student who can be a wonderful addition to the AIM family? Please fill out this form to nominate a student who would excel at Art In Motion. Remember this form is to connect with potential new students, not current AIM students. For every student you nominate, your name will be entered in a raffle to win prizes:
Invite a prospective students and families to our VirtualOpen House on Thursday, June 3 @ 5:00pm. Check out the Zoom link on www.aimchicago.org.   
Summer Learning - June 21- July 1 & July 12- July 29 Spring Testing season has arrived for our 7th and 8th-grade students. For families who opted-in for in-person testing, we are scheduled to begin the Illinois Assessment Readiness test next Wednesday, May 12th. Students will follow our standard Wednesday schedule and will be dismissed at 1:00 PM. Students should report to school with their school-issued computer fully charged; to complete assessments. Please review the test schedule and reach out to Mrs. Veriner James with additional questions at VJames@distinctiveschools.org. In-Person Test Schedule for Middle School
Look for the Wiz In Motion May Sneak Peak Campaign on Social Media! Follow our @artinmotionchi on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see sketches of what our festival looks like based on the collaboration of students and the Art Department. The drawings are the blueprint for our Donation List of items we are asking families to bring before set up. The tent design concepts are done by visual arts teacher, Mrs. Keys.
  Hi Families! Do you know a student who can be a wonderful addition to the AIM family? Please fill out this form to nominate a student who would excel at Art In Motion. Remember this form is to connect with potential new students, not current AIM students. For every student you nominate, your name will be entered in a raffle to win prizes:
 
 Our 8th Grade Boot Camp begins Monday, May 3rd, for students off-track in three or more courses. As discussed in last week’s 8th Grade Parent Meeting, graduation is around the corner. All students who would like to participate in our June 9th Graduation Ceremony must complete all course work by 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 1st. By now, parents should have received a letter from their student’s Community Teacher inviting them to this extended learning opportunity. Please see the schedule below for Bootcamp:
  Hi Families! Do you know a student who can be a wonderful addition to the AIM family? Please fill out this form to nominate a student who would excel at Art In Motion. Remember this form is to connect with potential new students, not current AIM students. For every student you nominate, your name will be entered in a raffle to win prizes:
Invite a prospective students and families to our VirtualOpen House on Thursday, May 6 @ 5:00pm. Check out the Zoom link on www.aimchicago.org.  
We are breaking ground on our campus expansion project! You can see an early rendering of our future space in the video here– we are excited to see our campus grow and expand alongside the bright future of our AIM students! We cannot wait to make this space our own – to build, create, hope, dream, and love alongside each and every one of you.
8th Grade Boot Camp- Extended Learning Opportunity: The objective of the 8th Gradel Boot Camp is to help 8th graders meet the end of year learning requirements; while also ensuring their eligibility to participate in our upcoming June 9th Graduation Ceremony. Teachers are providing extended learning opportunities for students who are currently off track in 3 or more classes. We ask for your partnership and support in helping your student achieve goals and learning so that your student is prepared to move on to the next grade level. 8th grade teachers will be notifying parents of students who need to participate in this extended learning opportunity by Monday, April 26th. Middle School Boot Camp Details
  Attention ALL students! You are invited! GLOBAL STEAM Youth Business and Leadership Conference: Friday April 30, 2021 The Common Ground Foundation is hosting GLOBAL STEAM our Annual Youth Business & Leadership Conference again this year and we would like to invite your students & staff to register for the event.
 We are thrilled to formally share... We. Are. GROWING!We are breaking ground on our campus expansion project! You can see an early rendering of our future space in the video here– we are excited to see our campus grow and expand alongside the bright future of our AIM students! We cannot wait to make this space our own – to build, create, hope, dream, and love alongside each and every one of you.
Want to learn more about AIM? Join a Virtual Open House! April 22, 2021 @ 5:00pm ATTENDANCE REMINDER
Attendance calls are scheduled to all families each afternoon at 2:45pm noting which class periods that your student was not in attendance. If your student will be absent from classes, please email aim@distinctiveschools.org Student hours are 8:10AM-3:45PM daily Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays Students are expected to join classes with live instruction that take place throughout the day from 8:10AM-2:15PM. After live classes end at 2:15pm, students should be working asynchronously from 2:30-3:45pm. We understand that in-person learners will need time to get home. Wednesdays Students are expected to join classes with live instruction that take place throughout the day from 8:10AM-1:00PM. Live classes end at 1:00pm and students should be working asynchronously from 1:15-3:45pm. Students have ample time each day and week to receive direct support from teachers and staff during Class, Community, Self-Directed Learning, and Office Hours. Students and families should be in touch with teachers, staff, and mentors as needed in order to ensure students are passing their classes. Use the staff e-mails listed on our website, our school e-mail, or phone number (773) 820-9426. 
 Cap & Gown Pick Up: Cap and Gowns are in!!! Families are able to pickup Cap and Gowns anytime between 9:00AM-3:00PM in the main office. Families that did not pay fees, will not be able to pickup until at least half the payment is received. 8th Grade Virtual Family Town Hall: Please join us for a town hall meeting on Monday April 19 at 5:00PM. We will be going over details about Graduation and activities. USE THIS ZOOM LINK TO ACCESS THE MEETING. Graduation Fees: The Graduation fee is $110.00. All graduation activity costs will be covered in the Graduation fee. Caps and Gowns have been ordered for picture day! PAY GRAD FEES ONLINE NOW! Picture Day: Picture day is taking place the week of April 19th.
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 16. There are nine weeks left in the school year. Students and families should be in touch with teachers, staff, and mentors as needed in order to ensure students are passing their classes. Please do reach out if you need support understanding your child’s progress and how to best support them in finishing the year strong. Use the staff e-mails listed on our website, our school e-mail, or phone number (773) 820-9426. A Message About Office Hours... The purposes of office hours are intended to enhance skills and check for understanding of concepts learned during the live Zoom instructional meetings.
 DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ARTS FESTIVAL! We are asking AIM families to donate items to assist our students and teachers in reaching their creative visions for a successful end of year event.
 Key Dates
We are so excited to welcome your student back for in-person learning starting Monday! In terms of materials students should bring, please ensure they have a face covering or two and basic school supplies including their school Chromebook and charger, headphones, writing utensils, paper, folders, and notebooks. We will have a limited supply of face coverings and student supplies available as needed, but students should arrive prepared for school each day with a charged device. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day and students are welcome to bring their own food and water to consume at those designated times. Lockers will not be available to students at this time, so all materials will be kept and stored with students in their classroom. The AIM Arts Department will be releasing a monthly/ bi-weekly podcast to deepen student engagement outside the virtual classroom! Listen to personal stories about the roller coaster of being an artist, and special guest interviews from AIM students, staff, and administration. Over the next two weeks, Arts teachers will be teaching and practicing new norms and procedures for hybrid learning. We expect students to continue developing their assignments for Dance, Literary Art, Music, and Visual Art outside of live Zoom classes during this process. Office hours are appointment only and can be made using this Google form. DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ARTS FESTIVAL! We will be continuously asking AIM families to donate items to assist our students and teachers in reaching their creative visions for a successful end of year event. Please email aimarts@distinctiveschools.org with a picture of the item you wish to donate before drop off.
Quarter 3 Report Cards were e-mailed to families yesterday, Thursday, April 8, along with our Q3 Report Card Letter. Please read the letter in full and review your child’s current grades and comments. It is essential to partner with your child, their teachers, and mentor in order to ensure your student is on track in each class. Any student with below a 70% C- in any class at the end of the 4th quarter will be required to attend Summer Learning in order to complete coursework. All staff e-mails are available here on our website, the school office e-mail is aim@distinctiveschools.org, and the school phone number is (773) 820-9426 if you need to get in touch about your child’s current progress.   Accountability with Mrs. Lee - In order for our on-campus learning to be safe and engaging, accountability will be key.
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