December 18, 2009 – Visit from the 2010 Olympic bound US Luge Team!!

USA Luge Team members (L to R): Chris Mazdzer, Julia Clukey, Bengt Walden, & Tony Benshoof

Aaron Academy was honored today to host a visit from the USA Luge Team that will representing the US at the upcoming Vancouver Olympic Games 2010. 
Erin Hamlin (current World Champion!)
Megan Sweeney
Dan Joye
Christian Niccum
Brian Martin
Mark Grimmette (multiple world Cup Gold Medal winner!)
Bengt Walden
Chris Mazdzer
Julia Clukey
Tony Benshoof

Students were able to ask many questions of the athletes and coaches.  They learned not only about the sport of luge, but what it takes to reach a level of such excellence in any pursuit: dedication, hard work, perseverance, and a true love of the sport. 
Students and staff were amazed to learn that “lugers” slide down the track at rates up to 98 miles per hour, and that G-forces pin them to the walls of steep turns, sometimes nearly upside down!
The athletes were so generous with their time and signed autographs for all of the students and staff, speaking with us personally about what they looked forward to in Vancouver and their personal experiences with training at such an intense level.
We are so thankful to USA Luge for taking the time to visit and inspire us (between their appearances on The Today Show and official announcement of the Olympic Team). 
This visit was a perfect illustration of our strengths based methodology and we hope that it encouraged many of our students to work toward their goals.
Thank you to Jesse Lichtenberg at Shade Global and Tracy Haber for arranging this special visit for our school.

USA Luge Team members answer student questions

Aaron Academy and the USA Luge Team

Tailor, Victoria, Erin Hamlin, Meghan, Megan Sweeney, and Alexis

Megan Sweeney signs autographs for the students.

Sarah and Julia Clukey

Jack & Julia Clukey

Victoria, World Champion Erin Hamlin, Tailor, Megan Sweeney, Meghan, & Ms. McKeon

Myles, Zachery, and Ms. Fay collect autograph cards

Steven and Luge World Champion Erin Hamlin

December 18, 2009 – Guest Instructor, David Wolfson
Aaron Academy Year 1 had a special guest instructor this morning – David Wolfson, father of Adam Wolfson from Year 2.
Mr. Wolfson shared his expertise using the musical software Garage Band with the Year 1 class.  Students learned how to combine samples of computer synthesized music to create original sound tracks.

Thank you Mr. Wolfson for the engaging lesson - we look forward to having you return!

December 14, 2009 – Students of the Week
Congratulations to John from Middle School, Year 1 and Adam from Middle School, Year 2, our Students of the Week.  These students have worked diligently toward their personal goals, consistently give their best effort and strive to make Aaron Academy a great school.  We are very proud of Adam and John!

John

Adam

December 7, 2009 – Physical Arts, Swimming with Year 1
Students enjoy engaging in swim instruction at the Vanderbilt Y on Mondays with Physical Arts teacher, John Bracchi.  Instruction includes stroke technique and endurance.

December 7, 2009 – Students of the Week
Congratulations to Kasriel from Middle School, Year 1 and Ethan from Middle School, Year 2, our Students of the Week.  These students have worked diligently toward their personal goals, consistently give their best effort and strive to make Aaron Academy a great school.  We are very proud of Kasriel and Ethan!
Kasriel
Ethan

December 2, 2009 – Barbounia Restaurant
With the generous support of Aaron Academy parent Andrew Silverman, the students were able to take part in a unique activity today at Barbounia Restaurant on Park Avenue South.  Mr. Silverman invited the students to visit the restaurant to cook alongside the restaurant chefs, and to learn about the restaurant industry from the management staff.  Students received a tour of the kitchen facilities, and cooked and ate a delicious lunch.  Year 1 students noted the direct correlation to their Ancient Civilizations curriculum while making and sampling the ancient Mediterranean foods: olives, hummus, flatbread, and falafel.

Year 1 students make flatbread

Swai enjoys the results of his work.

Year 2 students work in the restaurant kitchen

Year 1 friends: Murel, Zachery, & John

December 1, 2009 – Preparation for field experience at Barbounia Restaurant
Students decorated the chef hats they will wear at Barbounia Restaurant tomorrow.  Excitement is high for this event!  Thanks to parent Andrew Silverman for inviting the students to tour the kitchen and cook with his chefs!

December 1, 2009 – Twister (learning to be adaptive and flexible!)

The theme of the first unit in Year 2 focused on change and flexibility. This activity was designed to put the students in situations in which flexibility and change were necessary and to maintain an expected reaction. It also reinforced cooperation with others to work through challenging situations.