A2D Academy

On this , we’re feeling extra grateful for the incredible community and values at A2D Academy! Here’s what makes us so thankful:

🔹 Play & Learn: We cherish the joy and curiosity that active play brings to our students.

🔹 Mixed-Age Magic: We’re thankful for the collaboration and friendships that blossom across age groups.

🔹 Child-Centered: We celebrate the unique strengths of each child every day.

🔹 Community Focused: We’re grateful to be part of such a supportive and nurturing community.

Thank you for being part of our A2D family! 💙

🍿 Join us for an Open House: Popcorn + Popsicles! 🍿

🎉 Poppin’ by with a sweet treat for all our future Explorers Club students! Join us for some pop-tastic fun at our Explorers Club Open House Event on August 20 and 24. It's going to be cooler than a popsicle! 😎

Come hang out, snack on popcorn, enjoy some popsicles, tour the space, meet your teachers, and learn all about the adventures we have planned for this school year!

⏰ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
🗓️ August 20 + 24

Don’t miss the chance to meet fellow families and get the scoop on what’s coming up this fall. See you there! 🚀

🌟 : Back-to-school edition! 🌟

As summer wraps up and back-to-school season kicks in, here is a tip to help parents navigate this season with ease:

Organize School Supplies Early!

Beat the rush and get school supplies organized now. Involve your kids in labeling their items and packing their backpacks.

This way, you’ll avoid last-minute stress, and they’ll feel ready to go!

Enjoy the rest of summer and get ready for an awesome school year! 🌞🎒

🏅 : How Many Sports are in the Olympics? 🏅

Did you know that the Summer Olympics feature a whopping 33 sports with over 50 different events? Here are a few unique and exciting ones:

🏄‍♂️ Surfing: Catch some waves! Surfing made its debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has quickly become a fan favorite.

🏹 Archery: Aiming for gold! Archery has been part of the modern Olympics since 1900, showcasing incredible precision and focus.

🏋️‍♂️ Weightlifting: Lift to win! Weightlifting tests pure strength and has been a part of the Olympics since the first modern Games in 1896.

🧗‍♂️ Sport Climbing: Reach new heights! Sport climbing was introduced in Tokyo 2020 and features speed, bouldering, and lead climbing events.

The Olympics are an incredible showcase of athletic talent and diverse sports from around the world. Which Olympic sport do you find the most fascinating? Let us know in the comments! 🥇

🌟 to Alex's Lemonade Stand! 🌟

We're reminiscing about the amazing time our students had running Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise money for childhood cancer. 🍋💛

Through this experience, our students learned invaluable skills such as:

💛 Entrepreneurship: Setting up and managing their own business.
💛 Teamwork: Working together to achieve a common goal.
💛 Communication: Engaging with customers and spreading awareness.
💛 Empathy: Understanding the importance of giving back and helping others.

We're so proud of their dedication and hard work! 👏

💥🪄We can hardly believe it. Next week is our final week of summer camp! Even though next week's camps are full, we still want to share the themes! 💥🪄

💥 AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Explosive Science: 3...2...1...Boom! In this camp we will launch rockets, make elephant toothpaste, and learn all about how simple ingredients come together to make exciting explosions.

🪄 PM: 1:00-4:00 pm - World of Wizardry: Grab your cauldrons, magic wands, and animal familiars for this world of wizardry camp! Young witches and wizards will enjoy a fun week of science experiments, storytelling, and art making that will bring out the magic inside all of us.

Check back for some pictures of out students and their experiments!

Now Hiring: Assistant Teachers at A2D Academy! ✏️

Are you looking for a flexible and rewarding part-time job? A2D Academy is seeking 5 enthusiastic assistant teachers to join our team! This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience in education while making a positive impact on young learners. Please share this post with anyone who may be interested!

Job Duties:
🍎 Support lead teachers in classroom activities
🍎 Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the classroom
🍎 Assist with student management and supervision
🍎 Prepare and distribute snacks
🍎 Help with curriculum preparation and lesson planning

Hours:
⏰ Monday: 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
⏰ Tuesday: 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
⏰ Wednesday: 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
⏰ Thursday: 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
⏰ Friday: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

We have 5 positions available. This role is perfect for those with a passion for working with children and a desire to contribute to a dynamic and supportive learning environment.

Please share this post with anyone who might be interested. All applicants will be reviewed carefully, and we are also working with the local high school on tentative work release options.

For more information or to apply, please email Allison ([email protected]) or Justin ([email protected]).

Learn more about A2D Academy: https://a2dacademy.com/

That feeling when the science experiment works flawlessly!!

🏅 Fun Fact Friday: Did you know? 🏅

The youngest person ever to compete in the Olympics was Dimitrios Loundras from Greece, who participated in the 1896 Athens Games at just 10 years old! He competed in gymnastics and even won a bronze medal with his team. Talk about an amazing achievement at such a young age!

Stay inspired and dream big! 🌟

For , we are sharing the values the A2D Team created when they dreamed up all A2D Academy could become. 💭 🌟 These 4 values are the pillars of everything we do and why we exist.

1️⃣ Group Activities and Play
We believe play is an essential part of growing and expanding young learners’ lives. Play teaches cooperation, independence, problem solving, expands imagination, creativity and promotes learning in a non threatening way.

2️⃣ Mixed-Age Classrooms
Our multi-aged classes provide an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and built in role models with plenty of experience to draw from. Through peer mentorship students learn from one another, whether this be from peers in their own age group or in younger or older age groups.

3️⃣ Empowered by Choice and Child Centered
Each learner is a unique individual. Creating a learning model that best supports each child is key to success. Students have the freedom to move and choose activities that are interesting to them. This fosters independence, self-confidence and self-awareness.

4️⃣ Whole Child Education:
We care about the whole child because of this we believe that a strong relationship between student and teacher and between students is important.

Just Released: Our 2024 Kids Night Out dates! 🎉

Hey Kids! Tired of just watching your parents on Saturday nights? Come join us at A2D Academy for a night of fun and adventure with your friends at our monthly Kids Night Out (KNO)! 🍕

Dinner Time: Did someone say pizza? Enjoy a delicious meal of pizza and fruit with your buddies.
Playtime: Burn off all that energy at Edinborough Park!
Let’s Get Creative: Dive into awesome themed experiments and art projects you can take home.

Best of all, your parents get some kid-free time while you have a blast! Join us once a month for our exciting KNO (Kids Night Out) Saturday nights. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Mark your calendars for:
- September 14
- October 12
- November 9
- December 14

(And parents... enjoy that monthly date night 😉)

🌟 Happy International Friendship Day! 🌟

At A2D, we’re so thankful for the wonderful friendships that blossom every day. Watching our students form bonds, support each other, and grow together is truly heartwarming. Today, let’s celebrate the joy and strength that comes from these special connections.

Here’s to many more adventures, laughter, and fun with our amazing friends at A2D! 🥳💖

Under the Sea 🦀, Kinder Camp ✏️, and Fractured Fairytales 🧙! We've got a great lineup of camps for next week. It's the perfect way to get your kids back into a routine before the school year!

Note: We ask that you register no later than Friday, August for next week's camps. Our final week of summer camp is August 12-15. Don't wait to sign up!

🦀 AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Under The Sea: Dive into the great blue sea! Come build a glow in the dark jellyfish, create your own deep sea creature and don’t forget about making a whole ocean out of jello! Each day students will create a snack, complete a science experiment, read books, play large group games and do an art project all about the deep blue sea.

✏️ AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Kinder Camp: Calling all incoming Kindergarteners! Get your nerves out before the actual start of Kindergarten in the fall with our Kindergarten preparedness camp. Experience what Kindergarten will be like in a small group setting but with all the perks of what kindergarten is.

🧙 PM: 1:00-4:00 pm - Fractured Fairytales: What if Goldilocks walked in on three Dinosaurs instead? Or if Jack climbed the beanstalk and found a world of talking cats, instead of giants? This camp will take classic fairytales and mix them up with the magic of acting and artworks!

💲 AM: $225, PM: $189
📄 Sign up by Friday to join in on next week's fun! https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login...

✨ ✨

Hey families! 🌟 Today, we're celebrating all the things that make us grateful. 🙏 What are you and your kids thankful for this week? Is it a fun family activity, a kind friend, or maybe a new summer hobby? Share your blessings with us in the comments below! 👇

Let's spread some positivity and inspire each other! 💛✨

Hey Parents! The end of summer is approaching, but there's still plenty of time to create lasting memories with your kids. Here are 4 tips to help you make the most of these final sunny days on :

Plan a Family Adventure 🚲
Take a day trip to a nearby park, beach, or hiking trail. Exploring new places together can be a great way to bond and enjoy nature.

Have a Back-to-School Countdown 📅
Create a fun and colorful countdown calendar. Include small activities or treats each day to get kids excited and ready for the new school year.

Capture the Moments 📸
Take lots of photos and make a summer scrapbook. Let your kids help with decorating and adding their favorite memories.

Host a Summer Finale Party 🎉
Invite friends and family over for a BBQ or picnic. Set up outdoor games, have a water balloon fight, or enjoy a stargazing night to celebrate the end of summer.

Have we mentioned before how much we love summer?! Especially all of the fun learning that takes place at our themed STEAM Summer Camps! There's still time to sign up for next week's camps. Check out the details below!

Note: We ask that you register no later than Friday, July 26th for next week's camps!

⛺ AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Camp Big Foot: Travel to the great Pacific Northwest, the Lochs of Scotland, and the Ice Caves of the Arctic, as campers search for some of the greatest mythical creatures on earth. Students will use art, theater, and storytelling to explore and craft these mythical, magical tales.

🧑‍🚀 PM: 1:00-4:00 pm - Space Explorers: Put on your space suit and get in your rocket ship and travel to Mars! All week campers will explore outer-space and wonder "What if?" through hands on activities.

💲 AM: $225, PM: $189

📄 Sign up by Friday to join in on next week's fun! https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgID=548411

🌟 🌟

Did you know that honey never spoils? 🍯

Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly good to eat! So, the honey in your pantry could last forever! 🐝💛

How sweet is that?

We aren't your average academic program. What makes us unique? Or mission and our why. 💙

Our mission is to:
A2D Academy works to inspire lifelong learning, creative thinking and the love for learning through active play, hands-on learning and creation of the arts through accessible programming for all.

We live out mission by providing many different types of programming to inspire lifelong learning.
- After School Program - Explorer's Club
- KNO: Kids Night Out
- Summer Camps
- Tutoring
- Artist Workshops
- Kindergarden Readiness Camps
- Non-School Day Maker Space Days

We love learning, STEAM, and play. 💙

🌟 Has your child joined our Our Explorer's Club?! 🌟

It's , and today we are sharing all about it!

🌟 Currently, we have 15 spots left for incoming 2-5th graders to join is for the 24-25 school year!

Explorer's Club meets Monday-Friday during the school year from 2:30-4:30.

It is a STEAM Based program for students to learn, relax, and explore after school!

There is bussing available from Edina Public Schools!

Each day of the week has a different focus:
Monday– Science Focus
Tuesday– Technology Focus
Wednesday– Engineering Focus
Thursday– Art Focus
Friday- Maker Space

We love seeing our students every day during Explorer's Club. We can't wait for thee fall! 🌟

🍎 We know most lunches in the summer need to be quick, easy, and on-the-go... Here are 5 Healthy & Creative On-the-Go Lunches for Kids! 🍎

Pro Tip: Have your kids help make their lunches with you! These are all simple and easy for kids to join in on the preparation.

Rainbow Veggie Wraps: Fill whole wheat tortillas with hummus, colorful bell peppers, cucumbers, and spinach. Let the kids pick and roll their favorite veggies! 🌯🌈

Mini Fruit Kabobs: Skewer a mix of grapes, strawberries, melon, and cheese cubes. Fun to make and easy to eat! 🍓🍇🧀

DIY Snack Boxes: Use bento boxes to pack a variety of nuts, dried fruits, cheese slices, and whole grain crackers. Kids can mix and match their own combos! 🍱🥜

Yogurt Parfait Jars: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries in a mason jar. Kids can help with layering and shaking it up! 🫙🍓

Pita Pocket Pizzas: Stuff whole wheat pita pockets with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and favorite toppings like olives, turkey slices, and bell peppers. A fun twist on pizza! 🍕🫓

Happy Lunching! 🥪🥗

July is the perfect time for your kids to enjoy summer with friends at our Summer Camps! All of our camps are STEAM based. And there's still time to sign up for our camps next week!

Note: We ask that you register no later than Friday, July 19th for next week's camps!

🎢 AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Amusement Parks: Don't just go to an amusement park this summer, build your own! Campers will craft their own ferris wheels and roller coasters through creativity, engineering, and teamwork.

🌎 PM: 1:00-4:00 pm - Ancient Tech: Ancient scientist were really ahead of their time! Through experimentation and exploration, campers will turn back the clock and dive into the inventions and contraptions that humans still use to this day!

💲 AM: $225, PM: $189
📄 Sign up by Friday to join in on next week's fun! https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgID=548411

to when we went fishing at Centennial Lakes! 🎣

The kids had a blast. We used bacon fat to lure the fish. Most everyone caught a fish or two. Some student took their fish off with their bare hands (MUCH more brave than Ms. Allison). We lost a few hooks. Broke a few rods. But we had SO much fun!

Spies + Knights = Fun. Have you signed up for next week's themed summer camps?! Kids LOVE all of the hands on activities we have planned!

Note: We ask that you register no later than Friday, July 12th for next week's camps!

🕵️ AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Spy Camp: Ever wonder what kind of gadgets and technologies the world's greatest spies use? Look no further than spy camp, where we will train our brains to solve the most puzzling of challenges in order to save the world!

✏️ AM: 8:30-1:00 pm - Kinder Camp: Calling all incoming Kindergarteners! Get your nerves out before the actual start of Kindergarten in the fall with our Kindergarten preparedness camp. Experience what Kindergarten will be like in a small group setting but with all the perks of what kindergarten is.

⚔️ PM: 1:00-4:00 pm - An Enchanted Excursion with a Feast. Queens! Horses! Knights! See the Magic of living in the Medieval times up close!

💲 AM: $225, PM: $189
📄 Sign up by Friday to join in on next week's fun! https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgID=548411

📚 It's ! This week we are sharing 3 tips to encourage your child to read this summer! 📚

Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Set up a special spot with comfy cushions, good lighting, and a variety of books. A cozy space can make reading feel like a fun escape! ✨🏡

Incorporate Reading into Daily Routine: Make reading a part of your child’s daily schedule. Whether it's a bedtime story or a quiet afternoon read, consistency is key! 📅📖

Join a Summer Reading Program: Check out your local library for summer reading programs. They often have fun activities, reading challenges, and rewards to keep kids motivated! 🏆📚

Happy Reading! 🌞📘

It's a VERY special day today... 🍫🎉 Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫🎉

Celebrate World Chocolate Day with your kids through these EASY, fun and delicious activities!

Chocolate Treasure Hunt: Hide small chocolate treats around the house or yard and let your kids embark on a sweet adventure to find them! 🕵️‍♂️🍫

DIY Chocolate Creations: Get creative in the kitchen! Make chocolate-covered fruits, homemade chocolate bars, or even chocolate fondue together. It's a fun way to bond and enjoy some tasty treats. 👩‍🍳🍓🍫

Chocolate Story Time: Share a cozy moment reading books about chocolate. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is a classic choice. Pair it with a cup of hot cocoa for an extra special treat! 📚☕🍫

Have a choc-tastic day with your fam! 🍫❤️

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate Independence Day, we want to wish you all a fun and safe holiday. Enjoy the fireworks, barbecues, and quality time with loved ones as we celebrate the freedoms we have in the USA.

Make this 4th of July a memorable one. 🎉

Stay safe and have a blast!