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The Path January 2023

An Albuquerque Academy Community Newsletter

Contents

More Than a Dozen New Courses Offered for 2023-24 | Stephanie Lipkowitz Honored by Klingenstein Center | Scholastic Art Awards | Levanta Spring Music Classes Begin February | Re-Enrollment Contracts Coming Soon | Get Ready for GrandDays March 30 & 31 | Senior Earns Spot at DECA Nationals | Holiday Alumni Events | It’s Time to Think Summer | Campus Spotlight: Facilities | Allies, Friends & Parents of LGBTQIA+ Library Display | Photo Gallery

More Than a Dozen New Courses Offered for 2023-24

Take a look through the 2023-24 Curriculum Guide to read about new course offerings, including Data Science, Creative Writing II, a Bike Park Class, Economics and Public Policy in America, Multi-Disciplinary Musical Theatre, Introduction to Medical Science, and Graphic Design II. Beginning next year, Advanced English III for juniors will be modeled after English IV, offering thematic options designed to inspire young readers and writers. And changes to history and physical education department requirements give students even more flexibility to create schedules that best fit their interests and build transcripts that will help them meet their college goals.

Stephanie Lipkowitz Honored for Longtime Service with Klingenstein Center

Associate Head of School Stephanie Lipkowitz was recognized by the Klingenstein Center for her three decades of tremendous contributions to the organization.

The Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College is the premier professional learning program for independent and international school educator-leaders. In their 2021-22 annual report, they said: “We recognize and thank Stephanie Lipkowitz for her remarkable contributions to the Center over the span of nearly 30 years of its 45-year history…. She first came to the Center as an early-career English teacher participating in the KSI ’89 cohort. She then served as a Summer Institute lead teacher (1992-2003), Advisory Board member (2006-2022), and a Klingbrief editor (2009-2022). Through this work, Stephanie gave of her time and wisdom to help the Center develop remarkable programs that have served generations of independent school educators…. As a careful listener, thoughtful colleague, gifted writer, and insightful editor and curator, Stephanie’s wisdom has helped to shape the Klingenstein Center for the last three decades through the design and delivery of programs, strategic visioning and planning, and shaping the voice of the Center through Klingbrief."

“The center has made it possible, I believe, for educators to envision an authentic and meaningful career path,” Ms. Lipkowitz says, “which I think is not easy for teachers given the lack of respect and remuneration for educators more generally.”

The center’s professional development is particularly outstanding, Ms. Lipkowitz adds, in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion and in cognitive science. “It also takes the best of educational research and looks for ways to apply the findings in the classroom or in the larger school community.”

Read the full news story.

Academy Students Receive Numerous Scholastic Art Awards

The New Mexico Art Education Association (NMAEA), in conjunction with the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, recognized several Academy students as Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention winners in a number of categories – digital art, drawing and illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, art portfolio, ceramics and glass, and mixed media. The New Mexico Scholastic program is an art competition for middle school and high school art students. See the full list of Academy winners here.

All winning work will be shown at the State Awards Exhibition starting on February 3 followed by the Awards Recognition Ceremony on February 25 at the Orpheum Community Hub.

Award-winning pieces can also be viewed on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards online gallery.

Kendra Delgado '23
Ainara Vecchia '24
Santiago Webb '24
Katie Patton '23
Michaela Romero '23

Levanta Spring Music Classes Begin February 7

Register now for the Levanta Institute Spring music classes beginning the first week of February.

There is something for everyone – a Latin music appreciation class for adults, instructional classes for beginners and experienced musicians in grades 4-6, and beginning instructional courses for adults. Each course is 10 sessions.

In addition to Levanta Institute’s class offerings, don’t miss our free one-day workshops for grades 9-12:

  • Four for Memory: How to Memorize Your Music – techniques for successful music memorization (February 11)
  • Joyous Performances: Performance Anxiety Issues – learn how to go from the "practice room" to the "stage" (March 11)

Campus Spotlight: Levanta

Re-Enrollment Contracts Coming Soon!

At the end of January, we will launch the annual re-enrollment process for students who will be returning to the Academy community in the fall. They are due back on February 15.

To remind you of the deadline and thank you for re-enrolling, faculty and staff will greet families in the drop-off lanes with a special treat on Valentine’s Day morning.

Get Ready for GrandDays March 30 & 31

The grandest days on campus each year are the ones we spend with grandparents and grandfriends. We are overjoyed to welcome them back to campus to experience a school day with their Charger. It will be a special day filled with activities, food, and making memories with their loved one, both inside and outside the classroom.

Grandparents: Watch for a postcard with more details and a link to register for the event, coming soon.

In the meantime, if you have questions or special needs, please contact Kayci Trevino at (505) 828-3329 or advancement@aa.edu.

Senior Earns Spot at DECA Nationals and Team Advances to State

Landen Martinez ’23 has already earned a spot in the Stock Market Game at DECA nationals in April. Landen began with a $100,000 portfolio and over three months bought and sold stocks and bonds, ending with a final account worth $170,826.

There were 2,200 teams in this category, says Coach Shawn Ricketts. 

Mia Noyes ’24 was the top scorer, with a 97%, on the second-year curriculum exam at DECA districts, held January 10 at the University of New Mexico. She, along with 41 other Academy students, advance to state in February.

Alumni Come Together at the Holidays

It was heart-warming to see so many Academy alumni over several events that took place during the Academy’s winter break.

The alumni office hosted events in Simms Library, bringing together alumni, faculty, and staff, both current and former, so they could reconnect and reminisce about their time at the Academy. Former faculty member Mike Nadler said it was invigorating to see so many Charger alumni at the Alumni Holiday Reception. “Reconnecting with former students and players from my career brought much holiday joy. I always look forward to Academy events, especially alumni reunions, as I enjoy the opportunity to engage with our alumni and learn about their splendid family and professional experiences.”

Alumni Holiday Reception

The classes of 2012 and 2017 held their reunions during the holidays when many young alumni were in town to visit family. And the Young Alumni Gathering brought together Chargers who graduated in the last ten years.

President-elect of the Alumni Council, Christina Bachicha '91, said these events "are great opportunities for all alums to stay connected to the school, faculty, and one another... every grad I talk to is always happy they went and grateful for the opportunity to catch up on life with old friends."

Class of 2012 and Class of 2017 Reunions

Alumni took advantage of our amazing campus facilities by joining the cross-country and swim coaches for morning workouts and camaraderie over a meal. Coach Kedge said the Alumni Cross-Country Run was “the best-attended cross-country run event ever" on a beautiful morning. He counted 28 alumni, including grads from the classes of 1998-2022, six current Chargers, and four coaches.

Annual Academy Alumni Cross-Country and Swim Events

Class members play a key role in ensuring a strong turnout at any alumni gathering. If you are interested in serving as a class representative for your class, team, or club reunions, please contact alumni@aa.edu.

It’s Time to Think Summer

June 5 - July 14, 2023

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer plans. Think Summer registration begins in February!

The Think Summer team has been busy brainstorming, developing, and implementing changes for the 2023 Think Summer session that can better accommodate the busy schedules of our families and faculty, while building new programs to enhance your child's experience.

There are many additional scheduling options this year, including three two-week block camps, an Encore session that consists of sports camps and half-day camps, and lots of new classes, including a greater selection of afternoon courses to keep the fun going all day long!

Six-week session will run from June 5 - July 14. The new, one-week Encore Camps will run from July 17 – July 21.

More Information Coming Soon: Be sure to check the Think Summer webpage in February for the 2023 Think Summer catalog and registration dates. If you’re on the mailing list, we’ll send important information and updates straight to your inbox.

We’re looking forward to you joining us for an innovative, fun summer! If you have any questions, contact the Think Summer team at summer_mail@aa.edu or (505) 858-8811.

Think Summer Employment Opens Soon

Join our Think Summer team! It's a great summer job with fixed work times, steady income, and more!

Online applications are open February 2-16, 2023. The link to apply will be posted February 2.

Students must be 15 years of age, have completed 9th grade, and be available all six weeks in order to qualify for employment.

Campus Spotlight: Facilities

Library Display by Allies, Friends & Parents of LGBTQIA+

Reading about LGBTQIA+ people helps prepare us all for living in a diverse world.

The authors and books featured in the January library display include Caldecott winners that most of us grew up reading, like Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad are Friends and Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. It highlights literary giants to emerging authors, including Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, Jacqueline Woodson, Melinda Lo, and Tommy Pico. These authors and their works offer lessons about LGBTQIA+ history, the shared experience of being otherized, and how to address the challenges of today.

February 25 Topgolf Event Canceled

Thank you for your interest in the Charger Challenge Topgolf Tournament that was scheduled for the end of February! While we are excited about bringing Chargers together in celebration and philanthropy, it is necessary for us to cancel this event. Participants who had already reserved bays and made payment will be contacted directly and promptly refunded.

Please be on the lookout for exciting opportunities to come together as a community in the future, beginning with GrandDays on March 30 and 31.

Questions? Contact Kayci Trevino at trevino@aa.edu.

Photo Gallery

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