
APRIL NEWSLETTER
Friends of Albert Einstein Academies
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Upcoming Events
(Please scroll below or visit FOAEA Website for additional info)
- March 24-April 4 - No School, Spring Break
- April 15 - Board of Trustees Meeting
- April 17 - Parent University: Screenagers Movie Screening
Parent University: Screenager Documentary
FoAEA has provided the financial support needed to host a free screening of the Screenager documentary for our AEA community, followed by a guided discussion. This free event is open to all AEA families TK-8. Childcare and a light dinner will be provided.
This film explores the impact of screen time on children and offers solutions on how we can help children find balance. In addition, Screenagers discusses how families can minimize harmful effects of screen time. There will be panelists for a guided discussion following the screening. This documentary is only available via special screenings, so this is a great opportunity.
When: Thursday, April 17 at 5:30PM
Location: Albert Einstein Academy Elementary Campus
In-Person RSVP: Click Here
See the trailer here: Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition Trailer
Sunday Funday Spring Picnic
Join us for the FoAEA Sunday Funday Spring Picnic to help raise funds for our amazing school and share good times. This event will replace our annual fundraising gala. Your support and attendance are encouraged and all AEA families are welcome.
When: Sunday, May 18th from 3-6pm
Where: Sculpture Court at Panama 66 in Balboa Park
The San Diego Museum of Art will offer arts and crafts for the kids and Museum tours free of charge. Food will be available for purchase. Raffles, games, and prizes will be available to those in attendance. This is a casual family-friendly event, so come as you are.
This is a free event.
Sponsored by the San Diego Museum of Art in partnership with San Diego Connections.
Silent Auction and Amazing Deals
Our annual ONLINE auction will take place May 9th through May 17th at 3:00pm PT.
The silent auction is an important fundraiser for our community each year. Funds raised will support all AEA students, teacher grants, book fair books, and numerous activities and events sponsored by FoAEA.
No need to be present to win. More details and a chance to preview the items coming soon!
Rock n' Runathon Results
Thank you to everyone that helped support the Rock n' Runathon fundraiser. We blew our goal out of the water and raised more than $60,000!
2025/2026 Is Your Turn - Looking for Parents that are Excited to Get Involved!
We are actively recruiting for ALL roles within FoAEA for the next school year!
Will you be able to help pitch in to make sure we can support the students and teachers? Every little bit helps keep the FoAEA programs and events alive!
President - Lead and oversee PTO activities
Vice President - Coordinate teacher grants
Secretary - Organize FoAEA meetings
Treasurer - Manage budget and track expenses
Events - Plan/execute events and bring fun to AEA
Cultural Lead - Organize cultural events that celebrate diversity
Communications - Manage FoAEA newsletter and emails
Fundraising - Plan fundraisers like runathon and silent auction
Room Parent Coordinator - Coordinate staff and teacher appreciation
To learn more about the various FoAEA positions, please reach out to president@foaea.org.
5th Grade Promotion
We hope to see the 5th graders and their families at these fun events as we mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new adventure in their educational journey.
Beach Meetup at La Jolla Shores
All 5th Graders and their families are invited to attend this optional and parent-organized event. Bring your picnic and beach gear for a fun afternoon. We will bring a fire pit for a bonfire.
- When: Saturday, April 26 from 2-6pm
- Where: La Jolla Shores Beach, near tower 33
- This event is free
Pool Meetup at Town and Country Resort
All 5th Graders and their families are invited to San Diego's iconic hotel for a fun afternoon splashing and swimming in the resort's sprawling pool complex, featuring 3 pools, a hot tub and the new 4-story waterslide, "Twister".
- When: Wednesday, May 28 from 1-5pm
- Where: Town and Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
- To get your resort pass, book it HERE.
Final Free Market Friday
The last Free Market Friday of the school year is hosted and executed by the parents and the kids get to spend their Einstein bucks and have fun!
- When: Friday, June 6 from 9-12pm
- Where: 28th Street park, 1612 28th St, San Diego, CA 92102
- If you will be able to participate and host a booth or activity, please RSVP HERE so everyone can see what will be offered for the students.
Upcoming Events
May 1- Pretzel Sale to celebrate Maifest
- May 5-9 - Staff Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 18 - Sunday Funday Picnic
- May 20 - FoAEA Board Elections
Elementary After School Enrichment Programs
A variety of off-campus after school enrichment programs are available and currently enrolling students. Please contact these instructors directly to learn more about the classes and costs. These are all located walking distance from the elementary school and parents will not need to take their students to the classes.
- Coach Craig - Soccer and Mixed Sports for grades TK-5
- Fernweh Collective - Around the World After School (trilingual class including stories, Yoga, German, and Spanish) for grades TK-3
- Kinderwerkstatt - Self-Empowerment and Learning Skills (class for advanced German speakers) for grades 1-6
- Kodely - Design elaborate chain reaction machines using everyday materials for grades K-5
- Yoga Rascals - Kids yoga for grades 1-5
Monthly AEA Board of Trustees Meetings
The AEA Board of Trustees meets generally once a month, on the second Tuesday. The open (public) session takes place at 458 26th St. San Diego, CA 92104.
If you would like to participate in the “PUBLIC COMMENT” section of the board meeting, please submit a Public Comment Request Form.
You will have the option to speak live when it is your turn to speak or you may enter your comments in the request form and it will be read to the board members. Speakers are requested to:
- limit their remarks to not more than 3 minutes;
- appoint a spokesperson if the concern is a group concern;
- supplement verbal presentation with written reports, if necessary or desired;
- focus their comments on issues and not individuals.
The next upcoming Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at the Middle School and starts at 4:30 pm in person or via ZOOM.
Food Shopping and Raising Money for Our Students
We all have to shop for food! And if you shop at Ralphs, Food4Less or Kroger, please sign up for the community contributions and help raise money for our students! It's super easy and every little bit will help make a difference!
Here's the process:
1. Log in to your Ralphs/Food4Less/Kroger account
2. Click on "My Account"
3. Click on "Community Contributions"
4. Search for "Friends of Albert Einstein Academies"
5. Click the blue button to enroll.
Shop & help your parent teacher organization! Please share this with grandparents or other family members that shop at these stores. They don't have to live in San Diego.
*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.
Grade Level Parents
This year, we are switching from Room Parents to Grade Level parents at the elementary school. This will allow for coordination and community throughout the entire grade level that can continue as kids get new class assignments each year.
We currently have 2-3 parents per grade to lead with the following responsibilities:
- Teacher appreciation (learn about teacher preferences, encourage parents to bring gifts for teacher birthdays, holidays and end of the school year - there will be no class funds or collective giving this year)
- STAW: Each grade will help host a day during staff and teacher appreciation week in early May.
- Grade community building (host small grade level events, e.g. in the park next to school for kids & parents to get to know each other).
Please look for communication from your grade level parents! If you haven't received an email yet, please reach out to our Room Parent Coordinator at esroomparent@foaea.org. There's a good chance that the email might be in your junk mail!
Annual Report 2023-2024 School Year
We want to thank our fellow families, teachers, staff, administrators, and other members of our community for making this past 2023-2024 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.
2023-2024 Annual Report in English
AEA Needs German Intern Host Families for 2025
We are so lucky to have German interns in the classrooms with our students every year. These young educators come from German and work in your students' classrooms, supporting AEA's teachers, exposing the kids to a different culture, and adding so much more to our community. Without hosts (planned in advance!), AEA can not bring these valuable, wonderful people into your students' classrooms.
How does it work? Host families provide the following:
- A private room
- Three meals per day
- Transportation to and from the host school, occasional rides
- Integration into the family and community
Time-frame: 1st semester and/or 2nd semester 2025-2026 school year
If you would like to host a German intern in 2025, please reach out to Frau Goldman at kgoldman@aeacs.org. It's a wonderful opportunity for your family to have the German language and culture in your home and helps support our students and their learning.
Got Questions? Need Help?
The start of the school year can bring lots of questions for parents. This file gives many resources that will hopefully help you find what you are looking for.
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 communications@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
They meet to discuss, evaluate, and advocate for improved learning opportunities and increased academic success for these students.
- October 1, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- December 3, 2024
- February 4, 2025
- March 4, 2025
- May 13, 2025
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!
2024-2025 FoAEA Board of Directors
President – Vanessa Cirannek president@foaea.org
Treasurer – Rosalie Henke treasurer@foaea.org
Communications – Christine Roche communications@foaea.org
Events Coordinator – Amanda Rowe events@foaea.org
Elementary Room Parent Coordinator - Randall Ulyate esroomparent@foaea.org
Vice President - OPEN
Secretary – OPEN
Fundraising - OPEN
Cultural Lead – OPEN
Supporting Members
Volunteer Coordinator - Lorine Wilcox volunteer_coordinator@foaea.org
Webmaster - Steffi Wolf webmaster@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!
FoAEA
Instagram: @friends_of_aea
Email: communications@foaea.org
Website: www.foaea.org
Location: 3035 Ash Street, San Diego, CA, USA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/foaea