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![Making Education Special - Head of School Chris Herman Featured in Future Ready Schools Blog]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1567095012/manayunk/wkpfklkh1yennkamwobt/ScreenShot2019-08-29at120621PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1567095012/manayunk/wkpfklkh1yennkamwobt/ScreenShot2019-08-29at120621PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1567095012/manayunk/wkpfklkh1yennkamwobt/ScreenShot2019-08-29at120621PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1567095012/manayunk/wkpfklkh1yennkamwobt/ScreenShot2019-08-29at120621PM.png","width":1019}])
Head of School Chris Herman's blog "Making Education Special" was featured on Future Ready Schools on August 28. Read more about how AIM unlike prototypical special education doesn't "start with what a child cannot do. We start with what a child loves to do. We know that we will fill their day with interventions and they will have to learn to read, write, and do math. We know that as a result of their learning difference, they will have to work twice as hard as their age-related peer. But, we don’t make them give up what they love to make room for what they need. In fact, we see doing what they love as an integral piece of how they acquire they need. And we have the results to show that doubling down on a passion will equal double the success for our students."
![Isabelle Jolinger TD Bank Young Hero Recipient]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1564666238/manayunk/cbolrp6p9lbe5kf40f4o/izzyservice.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1564666238/manayunk/cbolrp6p9lbe5kf40f4o/izzyservice.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1564666238/manayunk/cbolrp6p9lbe5kf40f4o/izzyservice.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1564666238/manayunk/cbolrp6p9lbe5kf40f4o/izzyservice.jpg","width":970}])
Recent AIM graduate Isabelle Jolinger was recently named a National Liberty Museum Young Hero for 2019. Jolinger, who will attend Syracuse University this fall, is among 13 young people recognized by the organization with the TD Bank Young Heroes Awards given to young people who have taken action to make positive social change in their schools and communities.
![Photo of students at ISTE 2019]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1563373088/manayunk/b8gzjepmiego5vimx2pt/ISTE2019.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1563373088/manayunk/b8gzjepmiego5vimx2pt/ISTE2019.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1563373088/manayunk/b8gzjepmiego5vimx2pt/ISTE2019.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1563373088/manayunk/b8gzjepmiego5vimx2pt/ISTE2019.jpg","width":960}])
AIM's robotics and engineering program was highlighted in EdTech Digest's recap of the ISTE conference held in Philadelphia in June. Author Mike Gura writes: "AIM Academy aimpa.org – so great to see a school this is “All In” with robotics. I chatted with Doug Markgraf, a full time robotics teacher there and with Robert Ervin, Director of Robotics and Engineering for the school. I had to be mindful of the very powerful, full-size robot prowling the floor, built by the school’s FIRST team and got a close look at their android phone powered robot built by their FIRST Tech Challenge team."
![IGNITE Center Summer Institute Panel]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1562867773/manayunk/fgo24s0uzrglxpjwolyt/igntiepanel.heic","width":2200}])
The latest blog post, Does Your Hiring Strategy Include People with Learning Differences?, by SEI's Al Chiaradonna shares his experience at our AIM IGNITE Center Summer Institute in June.
![PBIDA AIM Pathways Article PDF]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1560456202/manayunk/ezlfdrc033tg3anxtflt/pbidaaimpathwaysarticle.pdf","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1560456202/manayunk/ezlfdrc033tg3anxtflt/pbidaaimpathwaysarticle.pdf","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1560456202/manayunk/ezlfdrc033tg3anxtflt/pbidaaimpathwaysarticle.pdf","width":612}])
The AIM Institute for Learning & Research's new digital teacher-training platform AIM Pathways was featured in the Spring 2019 issue of the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association's (PBIDA) Focus magazine.
Congratulations to AIM Academy's first cohort of Global Scholars. Our five scholars are: Roxy B. '19, Isabelle J. '19, Kiley M. '20, Shayna P. '20, Brandon S. '20. Students in this program will earn Global Scholar distinction on their diploma after completing a series of global program expectations.
AIM Academy 5th grade students traveled to Ziegler Elementary School in northeast Philadelphia on January 12th to read books to students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade and deliver "at home book packages" featuring favorite titles donated by AIM's 1st – 5th grade Lower School students. The book delivery and school visit were the culmination of the students' service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
AIM Middle and Upper Schoolers experienced first-hand how they can be involved in a grass roots movement and bring light to the world today while building solar-powered lanterns with Liter of Light founder Illac Diaz. AIM is the only Philadelphia area stop on the non-profit's Journey of Light road trip across the United States seeking to show youth how they can contribute to sustainable enterprises and to promote UNESCO's upcoming International Day of Light on May 16, 2018.
On Friday, December 1, AIM Academy Upper School students will learn about sustainable development and the simple ways they can provide marginalized communities worldwide with a brighter future as they build solar lights with the founder of the international non-profit organization Liter of Light. The visit to AIM is the only Philadelphia-area stop for Liter of Light members who are on a month-long road trip across the United States.
Congratulations to our FTC Middle School Robotics team on their 4th place overall finish in the Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifying Event at Wissahickon Middle School on Saturday, November 18.
Visitors to Chestnut Hill's popular Harry Potter Festival on October 21st enjoyed a day of all things wizardry and magic including a magnificent performance by AIM 8th grade magician, The Amazing Jackson.
AIM's Mountain Bike Team has started its inaugural season off with a packed schedule of practices and meets as part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic High School League bike racing season. At the season opener in Elkton, Maryland on September 10th, 10 of the nearly 400 student-athlete riders lining up at the start were Upper Schoolers.
Two AIM alumni have already inspired AIM 4th graders to make their learning difference a competitive advantage. When the 4th graders watched short TEDx talks featuring students of different ages whose ideas had made the world, or their community a better place. they were amazed to see AIM classrooms in the final video. The TEDx Solebury School video, Difficulty to Success, features Sophia Gross '16 and Andrew Rosenstein '17 sharing the story of their business Opportunity Rise which raises money and awareness for children with learning differences and their experience in Start-Up Corps, AIM's entrepreneurship class.
This week, in preparation for the first novel study of the school year, AIM seventh graders developed background knowledge related to Fever 1793 by Lisa Halse Anderson. Students worked together to construct mosquito traps that they placed on window sills and near plants outside on the AIM patio. In the days leading up to the "reveal", students have made predictions about the contents of their traps and plausibility of methods such as these for preventing exposure to yellow fever (the epidemic featured in this book based in Philadelphia in 1793). The traps project is one of the many alternative questioning method Language Arts teachers are using to guide students toward answering questions related to the novel such as: "Was the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 avoidable?" and "What methods of prevention were available to the citizens of 1793 Philadelphia?"
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our beloved board member, Brian Zwaan, passed away suddenly on July 31. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loving family. Brian loved his family deeply including his wife, Diane, his children and his many siblings. Family was everything to Brian and we know that they will seek comfort from each other during this very difficult time.