In an email to parents and friends of Academy back on Thursday, May 17, President Arthur Raimo outlined three areas of improvement for this year that included playground renovations, new food service and kitchen renovations, and integration of new iPads in lower, middle and upper school curricula. Less than three months later, Mr. Raimo, supported by administrators and staff, has put into place all three improvements in time for the beginning of school on Monday, August 20.

In an interview with Achona staff last May , Mr. Raimo said, “”One of the nice things about the three initiatives is that they will impact everyone from Pre-K all the way up to 12th grade.”

1) The kitchen renovation began as soon as school ended.  Academy’s new food service provider, Sage Dining Services, will be ready for service at the opening of the school year. Complete information regarding the new food service has been mailed to all families.

2) Artificial playground turf has been installed over the summer to make playground areas safer, cleaner, more attractive recreational spaces for elementary and middle school students. Mr. Raimo explained, “One thing that has been of concern to me throughout the year is the condition of our three playground areas. Keeping grass growing in these spaces has been impossible, and during the entire second semester they became dust bowls that are not ideal places for our children to play.”

3)  iPad student-centered curriculum is ready to go.  Teachers and staff have been working over the summer, attending training sessions at Academy and preparing new lessons plans for students who are using online textbooks. The IT Department has completed the installation of a new infrastructure to accomodate wireless networking in each classroom.  Distribution of student iPads for the high school begins the week of  August 13.  Parents and students have received the schedule , along with other important information.