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Ms. Rivera's Weekly Communication
Dear AITE Community,
I am writing this week’s communication from Indianapolis, home to Project Lead the Way (PLTW) headquarters, where I’m attending the Designing Your District’s STEAM Future workshop with two PLTW teachers, district leaders, and educators from other committed districts. As I look ahead to the 25th anniversary of AITE next year, I have been reflecting on the incredible impact of STEAM education and the number of graduates who have gone into careers in this area. I am incredibly proud when I hear from students who are now in medical school or completing their engineering degrees. It is even more inspiring to hear stories from parents of graduates, like a graduate who was part of the Pfizer team that discovered Paxlovid or another who is contributing to groundbreaking work at SpaceX. These success stories are powerful reminders of why we remain so committed to STEAM education and its ability to shape the future. I am also incredibly proud of how our school has grown over the years and the recognition we have earned, especially in our PLTW Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science pathways. These achievements reflect our dedication to providing exceptional STEAM opportunities for our students and preparing them for future success.
This year, the district took an exciting step by introducing PLTW Launch and Gateway modules, for students in grades 4 through 8. The goal is to expand the program, which will serve to strengthen the STEAM foundation for our future high school students. As we plan for the expansion of our pathways, our focus remains on ensuring SPS stays ahead of the curve, by providing cutting-edge opportunities that prepare our students for success in an ever-evolving world.
Exciting things are ahead, and I am proud to be on this journey with you.
Best,
Ms. Rivera
Absence Documentation
Written documentation is required from a parent/guardian whenever a student is absent from school. It can be sent in one of two ways:
1. by email to AITEattendance@stamfordps.org from the parent or
2. a written note from the parent sent directly to the office
The documentation must contain the date(s) of and the reason for the student's absence from school. If this documentation is not received within 10 days of the absence, the absence will be considered unexcused. Parents should contact their child's school counselor regarding the collection of homework assignments if their child will be out for several days.
Please see Ms. Rivera's Weekly Communication email for the link to SPS’ BOE Attendance/High School Regulations 5113A.
Good News
Congratulations to Maggie Fleischer, Raniah Imran and Minh Ho, who represented AITE in the American Legion's Citywide Oratorical Contest. Maggie came in first place, and she and Raniah will be competing on Sunday at Fairfield Library for the right to represent Fairfield County in the statewide competition. We wish them the best of luck!
Important Resources for Families
If you need additional support for your child or family, or have questions about community resources, please reach out to our parent facilitator, Ena Morrobel, at (203) 977-0875 our school social worker, Mary Hidajat-Crichlow, at (203) 977-4355, or our Kids in Crisis Teen Talk counselor, Audrey Camino-Jara. Ms. Morrobel also speaks Spanish.
Upcoming Events
February 3-7 Spirit Week – See flyer for more information
February 6 Grades in PowerSchool for 2nd quarter are official
February 13 Winter Dance at AITE 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
February 14-17 School is closed. We will resume on Tuesday, 2/18
District News
2025-2026 Important Lottery Dates
Lottery application available - September 16, 2024
Lottery Application Due Date - January 15, 2025 - 4:00pm
Lottery Draw Date - February 18, 2025
Lottery Acceptances Due - March 11, 2025
Upcoming AITE Information Sessions
Saturday, November 9, 2024 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Thursday, December 5, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
AITE only accepts applications for incoming 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students.
AITE Lottery Application Instructions
Upcoming Events
AITE Pride Points
Outstanding Teacher of the Year
AITE science teacher, Danielle Weber, who in addition to receiving a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Outstanding Teacher of the Year award (only 79 teachers across the US were selected) was selected as PTLW’s National Teacher of the Year for the Biomedical Program. This is a very competitive and prestigious award and we are very proud of all that she has done to make AITE’s program exceptional.
AITE Alumnus Performs with Cirque du Soleil
TJ Salta, AITE alumnis and recent graduate of Quinnipiac University, is performing magic in a new Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas called the Mad Apple.
https://www.qu.edu/quinnipiac-today/quinnipiac-university-student-tj-salta-of-norwalk-connecticut-to-embark-on-magic-gig-with-cirque-du-soleil-in-las-vegas-2022-03-21/.
$50,000 Raised by Students this Past School Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
AITE students Ava Lesser and Nora Amsellem successfully raised over $50,000 this past school year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Their initial goal was to raise an ambitious $35,000; however, by the time their fundraising campaign concluded, they well surpassed their goal, raising a total of $53,274 from an estimated 750 different donors.
Because Ava and Nora surpassed the $50,000 mark, they have been rewarded with a research grant and were recognized as one of the top 8 teams in the Fairfield/Westchester area. They will have the opportunity to direct the funds they raised towards a specific research initiative within LLS and have been asked to share their materials with the National Team to be used in their nationwide efforts to raise money and awareness.
Commended by NEASC Decennial Accreditation
AITE is proud that the in the report by the visiting team for our recent NEASC Decennial Accreditation Visit the school was commended for “its safe, supportive, and inclusive culture and environment, the staff and administration’s awareness of students’ social and emotional needs, and the emphasis on building and maintaining strong relationships.”
AITE Student won 1st-place in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship World Series of Innovation, Saint-Gobain Sustainable Cities Challenge
AITE student, Arnav Gover, won first-place in the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) World Series of Innovation, Saint-Gobain Sustainable Cities Challenge. The World Series of Innovation is an annual innovation challenge series focused on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). His project, Cardbio, focuses on the creation of an environmentally friendly composite material for sustainability and commercial use. It has been awarded the top entry in the Saint-Gobain Sustainable Cities Challenge, which requested innovative ideas to achieve progress on one of the UN Global Goals #11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. Thousands of young entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world entered the competition in the fall, and the top ten entries in each challenge bracket moved on to the final round of judging earlier this month. The winners were announced on March 31. Arnav has won $1,500 and he will have the ability to work with St. Gobain engineers to turn his concept into a reality. Arnav and other students at AITE worked on submitting solutions to the challenges in Entrepreneurship class with teachers Mr. Schrag and Ms. Zanga.