First Family Meet & Greet a Success!

There was a sense of excitement and wonder at the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s headquarters building on Saturday, April 16.  More than 80 newly-enrolled families joined the inaugural staff of Amana Academy West Atlanta for a meet and greet on the deck overlooking a portion of the Girl Scouts Camp Timber Ridge. Students received swag bags containing a founding student t-shirt, an Amana face mask and a car magnet to show their burgeoning school spirit.  Ms. Helene Brown, the school’s founding Principal was there to welcome families, along with members of the organiztion’s Central Office staff.

Ms. Brown welcomes two new students to Amana West.

Families had a chance to get to know Ms. Rebecca Shaw, a founding Kindergarten Teacher who’s been at the organization’s flagship campus for seven years, and who exudes joy when she interacts with students. Ms. Shaw delighted in sharing her excitement around the natural environment that Camp Timber Ridge provides, and she had students and parents gathered around as she regaled them with stories of students’ remarkable accomplishments in her classroom.

Ms. Shaw interacts with a current Amana North Fulton student.

Ms. DeBay speaks with an incoming third grader and his family.

Also in attendance was Ms. Susan DeBay, a founding 3rd grade teacher who has also been at the North Fulton Campus for seven years.  Ms. Debay brings a wealth of experience with her to this new setting, and spoke excitedly with families about the joy and pride she has in being a part of the founding Crew.

Coach Goff speaks with a new student and his family.

Mr. Nick Goff joined the event as the new PE Teacher for Amana West, and Ms. Amani Ali as a new Kindergartent Assistant Teacher.  Both were excited to meet new families and be a part of the founding Amana West Crew. 

In addition to meeting staff and teachers, families took the opportunity to get to know each other.  They mixed and mingled, and students started making new friends right away. It was wonderful to see students making connections and getting excited about the possibilities of their new school.

Over and over, families were saying things like, “I’m just so glad Amana is coming to this area – we really need something like this,” and, “This is going to be so different – we’re so excited to be a part of it.”

Parents also had a chance to sign up to get involved with the school’s PTO with PTO President Marquilla Allen and to order their own founding parent T-shirt.  

The school’s next meet and greet will be at a Family Fun Night at Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes on May 11 from 3-6PM.