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JULY NEWSLETTER
Friends of Albert Einstein Academies Charter Schools
Upcoming Events -
August 8 - Back to School Potluck & Uniform Swap
August 12 - First Day of School
Results from the FoAEA 2023/24 Community Survey -
Thank you to all that shared their feedback! We will utilize the feedback for our 2024/25 planning.
Our Teachers & Staff Seek to Unionize
May 12, 2024
To: Our Colleagues, Board of Trustees, Administration and the Greater AEA Community,
Albert Einstein Academies (AEA) was founded by a small group of German parents who wanted a school that would teach German to their children, where they would embrace the German language, culture, and traditions within a small school setting. The original founders wanted the benefits of a small class size to ensure a teacher to student ratio that was inline with fostering biliteracy and biculturalism. Our love of German culture and international mindedness brought us to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and subsequently our authorization as an IB school. The IB curriculum took root in our culture through core beliefs such as critical thinking, challenging assumptions, taking action in big and small ways and working as part of a community of learners. This is the foundation that we strive to maintain today.
Since our humble beginnings in the basement of a church with only the church parking lot for a playground, AEA has expanded! We have grown to encompass two campuses and over 1400 students, with a high school planned in the near future. All growth and change can be challenging and ours has had its triumphs and pitfalls. One major success is making our program available to a larger community of learners. Another achievement is creating the opportunity for our students to continue their education at AEA through high school.
However, an area where we struggle is uniting these two, soon to be three campuses into one cohesive program and community. We also have had major changes to our working conditions, compensation, and benefits with little to no consultation. Members of our community have spoken out over the years to request a way to systematically become part of the process, with no change. Others have been apprehensive about speaking out with no safeguards in place to protect them.
As educators at AEA we love the passion that our co-workers bring everyday. As a community of educators we truly embody what it means to be IB learners who aim to improve our craft through reflection and learning. We teach our students to use their voices to be heard and make change, but often we ourselves do not feel heard or part of the change that we see happening around us. The committee members of the Einstein Educators Collective are seeking a seat at the table. We endeavor to unite educators and support staff across our campuses, along with our administrators, our board of trustees, and AEA students and their families. Our aim in unionizing is not to divide our community, but to bring different sects of our community closer together. We value flexibility in teaching and an open dialogue between all AEA community members. We aspire to have a voice in the decisions that affect our working conditions and lives away from work, via salaries and benefits. Our hope is that all AEA community members see this as an opportunity to change in a way that is ultimately beneficial to all of us.
It is in this spirit that we would like to announce that over 70% of our colleagues have already signed our union support petition. We look forward to filing for union recognition with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), and we will begin the process of getting input from our colleagues about their priorities before the end of the school year. We hope you support us in our mission for change. Please direct questions and other inquiries to our email address, Committee@EinsteinEducatorsCollective.org.
Sincerely, The Einstein Educators Collective Organizing Committee
Johanna Blackman, 5th Grade Teacher, AEAES Tom Blank, 6th Grade Teacher, AEAMS Sabine Bohl, German Teacher, AEAMS Lara Brown, Kindergarten Teacher, AEAES Diane Calhoun, 1st Grade Teacher, AEAES Brie Corona, 3rd Grade Teacher, AEAES Rebecca Gullans, Teacher Librarian, AEAES Juan Abel Hernandez, 4th Grade Teacher, AEAES Karen Milian, Spanish Teacher, AEAMS Radha Reinhofer, 6th Grade Teacher, AEAMS Sandra Schmengler-Saba, 2nd Grade Teacher, AEAES
Wellness Wednesdays - Middle School Teachers & Staff
To help them recharge and rejuvenate as they approach the final stretch, we're excited to announce some special events focused on their health and wellness. These events are voluntary and designed to provide opportunities for relaxation, rejuvenation, and fun.
MARCH - HEALTHY SNACKS: Fresh fruit, nuts and cheese will be in the lounge for an afternoon boost.
APRIL - ACUPUNCTURE FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Treat yourself to a session of acupuncture aimed at calming the nervous system. Let go of the stress and tension accumulated throughout the year as you embark on this journey of relaxation and rejuvenation.
MAY - RELAXING YOGA SESSION: Join us for a soothing yoga session designed to help you unwind and find inner peace. Stretch, breathe, and release the tension from both body and mind as you immerse yourself in the calming practice of yoga.
JUNE - GUAC OFF CONTEST: Get ready to show off your culinary skills in our Guac Off Contest. Whip up your signature guacamole recipe and compete for the title of Guac Master. The winner will receive a gift card to a local restaurant, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal, our treat.
These opportunities have been funded by FoAEA to prioritize their well-being and indulge in some much-needed self-care. They deserve to feel supported and appreciated for all that they do.
What Has Friendsgiving Funded?
So far this school year, FoAEA has funded many requests by our teachers to enrich the classroom experience for our students!
* Cubbies for Frau Brown * Extra writing supplies for Kinder * Shake Table for MS Science * Etiquette lesson supplies for MS * One free book for every student at the Book Fair * Solar Eclipse glasses for 1st graders * Floor chairs and nap mats for TK * Lap desks for two 3rd grade classes * Beads for 6th grade math * Tiptoi pens for the Library * Spanish and German bilingual books for the Library * Wristlets, hooks and tags for Running Club * Supplemental Funds toward Teacher Appreciation Fund * Worms, ant farms and other supplies for 1st grade Sharing the Planet Lessons * New rug for 4th grade morning meetings & groups * Zen Zone for 5th grade * Science kits for all grades' science stations * Sustainable Gardening Project for 6th grade * ongoing classroom supplies for multiple grades * upcoming catered lunches & treats for Staff & Teacher Appreciation Week
All of this is possible by generous and involved families like you! Thank you for your continued support!
Seeking German Intern Host Families
All Of Our Students Benefit!
When hosting a German intern you will create great opportunities not only in our classrooms, in your home as well!
What you provide:
• A private room
• 3 meals per day
• Transportation to and from the host school, occasional rides
• Integration into the family and community
* host families are not financially compensated for hosting an intern. Interns will pay for all of their own personal expenses. As an thank you, FoAEA will gift you $1000 per semester.
"Hosting an intern was such a great experience for my entire family. In addition to getting to learn about a culture and food that we weren't super familiar with, we also got to know about a person. During her time here, she became part of our family. It is amazing how quickly you can go from strangers to family. We still regularly check in and talk with her. Also, we have no German speakers in our family, so it was also nice having someone who could help reinforce the German lessons our kids were receiving at AEA. We look forward to hosting again in the near future." -Sarah W., AEA Parent
If you would like more information, please email bschafer@aeacs.org.
Sync My Google or ICal -- add FoAEA Dates to my digital calendar
Sync Calendars
DESKTOP: Click on the link, and the calendar will automatically be added and integrated to your calendar. You can easily add/remove this calendar by checking/unchecking the box under "Other Calendars" section.
PHONE: Click on the link. You may need to go to settings in your calendar app, and check the box labeled "FoAEA Calendar" and then select "Sync". From there you can check/uncheck the FoAEA Calendar Box to choose your view settings.
Looking for a specific type of business service?
FoAEA has curated a Business Directory so that we can support our community!
If you would like your business added to our directory, please contact foaea@foaea.org
Family Engagement Corner
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE!
School Site Council
What is the School Site Council (SSC)?
• Stakeholder group of parents, teachers, other staff, and administration from both AEA schools
• Established by California Education Code for all schools that utilize Title I funding
• Charged with improving academic achievement through the compliant and efficient use of selected funds, which are intended to help ensure all students meet state academic standards
Who Should Attend AEA SSC meetings and Why?
Monthly SSC meetings are open to everyone. We value input from parents, families, students, teachers, staff, and community members. We know it takes a village and your ideas, questions, and input can make a big difference for our students!
Click here for more information & to RSVP to the next Meeting
District English Learner Advisory Committee | (D)ELAC
- The committee’s role is to advise the district on programs and services for English Learners, otherwise known as “multilingual” students.
- DELAC provides a meeting place where information is shared regarding programs, new initiatives and other current issues of importance to the education of multilingual students.
- We provide guidance and input to the Board of Trustees, SSC, and staff on the needs of Multilingual Learners who are learning English.
Meetings
We meet 4 times per year to discuss, evaluate, and advocate for improved learning opportunities and increased academic success for these students.
- January 23, 2024 Elementary School Site
- February 20, 2024 Elementary Site
- March 19, 2024 Middle School Site
- April 23, 2024 Elementary Site
FoAEA -- WHO WE ARE
Friends of Albert Einstein Academies (FoAEA) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization committed to cultivating a positive community for the enrichment of all students who attend our AEA Charter Schools. We are parents and legal guardians of current students, along with teachers and staff, who work together to promote student enrichment, support teachers and staff, and strengthen our larger AEA community.
To learn more, visit us at www.foaea.org!
STAY IN TOUCH AND GET INVOLVED
The FoAEA newsletter and website are updated regularly. You can save this link to your browser favorites as the newsletter is an easy way to stay informed. Please check back frequently.
Looking to join other volunteers within our awesome school community? We appreciate every bit of help and participation! Reach out to our volunteer coordinator at volunteer_coordinator@foaea.org.
Want to assist in art, science, running club or other classroom opportunities? On campus volunteers must complete the AEA Volunteer Packet and connect with your teachers. To check on the status of your Volunteer Packet (your approval), contact support@aeacs.org.
Please share the newsletter with your school friends and we will see you all at the next event!
We want to thank our fellow families, teachers, staff, administrators, and other members of our community for making this past 2022-2023 school year a huge success. We are pleased to provide you with our annual report on last year’s progress towards our organizational goals. In the report you can learn about how we raised our funds and how we supported our students, teachers, staff and community.
Please click here to view our Annual Report - English
FoAEA
Email: communications@foaea.org
Website: www.foaea.org
Location: 3035 Ash Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Facebook: facebook.com/foaea