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AIM Families, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you deeply for your tremendous support of and hard work with your AIM Student this Fall; they are some of my favorite people in the world! We know that these have been difficult times for many of us, but I still remain encouraged to hold on to my faith and hope in something bigger than what I can see. I remember a quote from renowned author and therapist, Iyanla Vanzant. She said, “No storm can last forever. It will never rain 365 days consecutively. Keep in mind that trouble comes to pass, not to stay. Don’t worry! No storm, not even the one in your life, can last forever.” May this season find you enjoying or anticipating the beauty and potential of your “next” as we walk into 2021 with grace, peace and love. Be well and Happy Holidays! Kara May 
Pause Before You Act by Angela Lee, School Social Worker When was the last time you gave yourself time to just be still? Give yourself a few moments of pause every day. Pause and notice how your body feels before you begin the work day, or take a moment to just sit without any outside distractions or sounds. These little moments of pause can do your mind some good in this fast-paced world. 
Beginning in January, we will start phone calls to parents and guardians each day with a summary of all periods that your student was marked with an unexcused absence. To report a student absence, please call the main office (773-820-9426) or aim@distinctiveschools.org. If you need support with motivating your student or help navigating their schedule, please reach out to Mr. Acevedo, our Student Support team leader, jacevedo@distinctiveschools.org   Wrapping Up Semester 1 By now, every family should have received a copy of their child’s Quarter Progress Report. Progress Reports serve as a snapshot of student academic development and highlight areas of strengths and growth. Please review your child’s report and identify the classes that your student may be off track. If your child is off track in any course, please use Winter Break as an opportunity to catch up. Friday, January 22, 2021, marks the end of semester one and the final day for students to submit coursework. Students are highly encouraged to work diligently to meet grade-level and year-end competency goals and stay on track to meet graduation and promotion requirements. High School Diagnostic Assessments Beginning the week of January 11th, our 9th graders will begin taking the i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment. i‑Ready is a comprehensive assessment and instructional program that empowers educators with the resources they need to help all students succeed. The Diagnostic assessment will not be graded but will be used as a resource to determine students' readiness for state learning standards. The student data will help guide teacher's instruction to personalize learning pathways for students. To prepare students for the assessment, encourage them to relax, take their time, and do the best they can. Please visit the link i-Ready.com/FamiliesAssessAtHome and watch the video to learn more about i-Ready and its excellent benefits to fostering positive learning experiences for students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Veriner James via email at Vjames@distinctiveschools.org.  On track students should be starting their second Study Path option assignments on the AIM Arts Website. All late assignments must be submitted BEFORE beginning their second student path choice. Students who did not chose a pathway were sent a letter last week to ensure a strong finish of Quarter 2.  
The Impact of Social and Emotional Learning
Watch this video to see why we focus on Social Emotional Learning with our students! 2nd Quarter Progress Reports Sent Home: Monday, December 14th, 2020. Virtual Open House for Perspective Families: Monday, December 14th, 2020 at 5pm. Early Release: Friday, December 18th, 2020. 1:00PM. Winter Break Starts: Monday, December 21, 2020. Winter Break Ends: Friday, January 1, 2021. Classes Resume from Winter Break: Monday, January 4. 2021. GO CPS Deadline EXTENDED: Friday, January 8, 2021. MLK Day: NO SCHOOL -Monday, January 19, 2021.
ATTENDANCE UPDATE!
2nd Quarter Progress Reports! Progress Reports will be sent via email by Monday, December 14, 2020. Mentors and Arts Teachers will be emailing progress reports to each family and student. All AIM students have a dedicated mentor throughout the year that meets with them at least once every two weeks to maintain a trusted relationship with a staff member, who serves as that student’s point person. If you do not know who your student's mentor is, please reach out to your student's community teacher. Need Support Helping Your Student Navigate Online Platforms?Watch this guided video to learn more about checking student progress
and key links to accessing your student's day! Progress Reports serve as a snapshot of student academic development and highlight areas of strengths and growth. Please review your child’s report and identify the classes that your student may be off track. If your child is off track in any course, please use next week and Winter Break as an opportunity to catch up. Friday, January 22, 2021 marks the end of semester one. Students are highly encouraged to work diligently to meet grade-level and year-end competency goals and stay on track to meet graduation and promotion requirements. As we approach Semester 2, we have shared information with families about promotion and graduation requirements as well as supports to ensure student success in this letter. We will be hosting a virtual family night in January (Date TBD) to discuss requirements and how to best support your student.
Name Your Emotions
At any time of day, pay attention to the emotions that come and go and give a name to what you are feeling. You don’t need to understand them completely, but just noticing them and giving them a name can help you accept them, process them, and let them go. - Mrs. Lee, Campus Social Worker  
If you know any students in grades 7, 8, 9 or 10 who would like to join the AIM Family, have them visit aimchicago.org for all information. Also, please invite them to our next virtual open house. Seats are limited and we are already developing a waitlist for next year! Return to School Tentative Timeline Our tentative timeline for returning to school based on public health guidelines is January 25, 2021, aligned with the start of Quarter 3, would be the first date we could possibly allow for Community Care, or potential in-person learning scenarios - Our ability to reopen Community Care will be dependent on programming for Q3. - We are also planning for potential alternative return to school options (other in-person learning scenarios). - In-person learning scenarios are dependent on the status of COVID-19, the guidance we receive from our partners, and the health data trends. - Our school teams are designing what in-person or alternative learning options may be possible for January and beyond. Based on those proposed ideas, we will send surveys in mid-December or early January to identify your preferences, interests, and feedback regarding Community Care or potential in person learning scenarios.We plan to reopen schools as soon as it is safe to do so. We are working in close collaboration with CPS to understand plans. We will share more updates during the week of January 11, 2021 to ensure families have enough time to plan. 2nd Quarter Progress Reports Sent Home: Monday, December 14th, 2020. Early Release: Friday, December 18th, 2020. 1:00PM. Winter Break Starts: Monday, December 21, 2020. Winter Break Ends: Friday, January 1, 2021. Classes Resume from Winter Break: Monday, January 4. 2021. GO CPS Deadline EXTENDED: Friday, January 8, 2021. MLK Day: NO SCHOOL -Monday, January 19, 2021.
2nd Quarter Progress Reports!Progress Reports will be sent via email by Monday, December 14, 2020. Student mentors will be emailing progress reports to each family and student. All AIM students have a dedicated mentor throughout the year that meets with them at least once every two weeks to maintain a trusted relationship with a staff member, who serves as that student’s point person. If you do not know who your student's mentor is, please reach out to your student's community teacher. Supporting Your Student's Learning in a Click! Please utilize our www.aimchicago.org website for resources like all Student Links (including weekly assignment bulletins, schedules, program websites, teacher e-mails), these Family Updates, and more. Also, follow AIM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news & celebration NEED HELP? OFFICE HOURS! On most days after 2:30pm, teachers will be hosting office hours as an additional time to connect with students and support them with their work. Teachers will be discussing office hours with their students this week. If you have any questions about office hours with your student, please email your student's teacher or reach out to them on Remind. 
 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 8th Grade Families!The GoCPS Deadline for high school applications has been extended until January 8, 2021.
NWEA: As we continue to navigate our response to COVID-19, our top priority is keeping our students and educators safe while we continue to support our students. As you know, the district made necessary changes to the 2021–22 high school admissions process to better meet our families’ needs during the current public health crisis, please see linked letter about upcoming winter NWEA MAP Growth test administration for GoCPS considerations. We will offer the winter NWEA MAP Growth test in person at our school during the week of January 11th for students in sixth, seventh, or eighth grades applying for academic centers or high school programs with academic criteria for the selection process. Examples of programs with academic criteria include selective enrollment programs as well as some IB programs, Career Technical Education programs, and military programs. For more information, please read this letter 2020.2021 Applications are NOW OPEN!If you know any students in grades 7, 8, 9 or 10 who would like to join the AIM Family, have them visit aimchicago.org for all information. Also, please invite them to our next virtual open house. Seats are limited and we are already developing a waitlist for next year!
Return to School Tentative TimelineOur tentative timeline for returning to school based on public health guidelines is January 25, 2021, aligned with the start of Quarter 3, would be the first date we could possibly allow for Community Care, or potential in-person learning scenarios - Our ability to reopen Community Care will be dependent on programming for Q3. - We are also planning for potential alternative return to school options (other in-person learning scenarios). - In-person learning scenarios are dependent on the status of COVID-19, the guidance we receive from our partners, and the health data trends. - Our school teams are designing what in-person or alternative learning options may be possible for January and beyond. Based on those proposed ideas, we will send surveys in mid-December or early January to identify your preferences, interests, and feedback regarding Community Care or potential in person learning scenarios.We plan to reopen schools as soon as it is safe to do so. We are working in close collaboration with CPS to understand plans. We will share more updates during the week of January 11, 2021 to ensure families have enough time to plan.  |
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