Weekly Family Update 01.15.21

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We plan to launch In-Person Community Care on February 8, leading up to the launch of our
​In-Person Learning Model on April 12. As we welcome students and staff back into our school buildings, we will continue to offer a Remote-Only option for families who prefer to continue remote learning through the remainder of the school year. 

TIMELINE FOR REOPENING:

• February 8: In-Person Expanded Community Care launches– Community Care is supervised learning for students as they participate in their current online classes on campus. We will implement daily health screeners, the use of disinfecting cleaning equipment, new procedures for drop off and pick up, as well as breakfast and lunch, classroom transitions, bathroom breaks, safe spacing and social distancing, and the needs of our students, staff and leaders. (no community of care on campus for the weeks of 3/22/21 and 4/5/21  to prepare for in-person learning- students will have remote classes these weeks) 
• Week of March 29: Spring Break, no school as previously scheduled
• April 12: In-Person Learning launches– students who select in-person learning will return to buildings on April 12.  Our leaders are designing our in-person model based on capacity in buildings and family interest. Our current plan includes offering daily instruction in person.​

If you are interested in signing up for Community Care or In-Person Learning, please submit your interest by Thursday, January 21, 2021 using this form. 
(Note – you must sign up for Community Care by January 21; the form to select an in-person option for your student will be sent in February, to sign up for In-Person learning beginning April 12).

For questions about our return to campus with Community Care or In-Person Learning, we will host a family ‘office hours’ sessions on: 

• Wednesday January 20, 2021 at 4:00pm via this Zoom Link
• Friday January 22, 2021 at 11:00am via this Zoom Link​

Here is the full version of the family communications that was sent out on 1.14.21 to all families that included the above information

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• MLK Day: NO SCHOOL: Monday, January 19, 2021.
• Reopening Family Office Hours #1: ZOOM Meeting - Wednesday January 20 at 4:00pm
• Reopening Family Office Hours #2: ZOOM Meeting - Friday January 22 at 11:00am
• Last Day to Submit Work for Quarter 2: Friday January 22, 2021
• End of Quarter 2: Friday January 22, 2021
• Community of Care on Campus: Monday February 8, 2021
• Winter Family Conferences: February 10 & 11, 2021 
• 1:00pm Early Dismissals:  February 11 & 12, 2021

• Please complete this Returning to Campus Survey by January 21, 2021
• Technology exchanges are by appointment only on Mondays between the hours of 9am - 12pm
• If you have have technology issues please submit a tech ticket using this link
• Tech support is available via phone by calling 773-828-4221
• The main office number is 773-820-9426, and is answered between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. 
• When your artist is going to be absent please email aim@distinctiveschools.org. 

By the end of 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

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With Quarter 2 and Semester 1 ending on Friday, January 22nd, students should be attending classes, engaging and participating, and completing required work to end the quarter and semester with a passing grade in each class. Reach out to your child’s mentor, teachers, staff, and leadership with any questions or supports needed - staff emails can be found here.

All students are enrolled in the following courses:
Middle School (7th & 8th Grade): English, History, Math, Science, WIN, Arts
High School (9th Grade): English, History, Math, Science, Spanish, Arts

Friday, January 22nd is the last day for students to turn in work that will be graded and reflected on Quarter 2/Semester 1 Report Cards. Students who turn in work after the deadline can receive credit, but there is no guarantee that it will be included in Report Card grades. Quarter 3/Semester 2 begins on Monday, January 25th. We are looking forward to the second half of the school year and your continued partnership in your child’s education!

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All AIM students are enrolled in a Quarter 2 Arts class in which they are working through either a music and dance or visual and literary arts learning pathway. Daily instruction and assignments have been carried out during classes utilizing the AIM Arts Website. Please check in with your child and their arts teacher to ensure they are on track with Q2 assignments in order to pass the class by the end of the quarter next Friday, January 22nd.

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Restorative Conversations during Covid: Check out this tip sheet on ways to have meaningful communications during the challenges of Covid.

School Store: The AIM Corner Store’s Grand Opening is the end of this month.  Great prizes like: snack boxes, art supplies, AIM Gear, and gift certificates (gaming, music, etc.) are available.  Earn your points by completing projects, PFAs, and engaging in class activities.
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January Happiness Calendar: Daily activities to bring happiness and joy to your life and that of others.

Learn how to support your student  with our digital tools!
Summit: (English/Science/Math/History) and Synergy: (Spanish/Arts/Attendance) 
Contact Dean Acevedo (jacevedo@distinctiveschools.org) with any questions! 

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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 and to apply!