May 31, 2013

Dear Parents,

This week we were so happy to learn that first place in the the NESA Virtual Science Fair (grade 5) was awarded to Team 1 from AISC! Congratulations, boys! We are very proud of you and you should be very proud of yourselves. Below is a picture of our first place team, and their proud mentor, Ms. Shobhana. 

From left to right: Vinay, Reuben, Domenic and Ms. Shobhana
Topic: Which Biodegradable Waste Generates the Most Bio-Gas?

What is truly amazing is that AISC did not receive one first place finish, but two! Team # 10 from the middle school captured first place in their division. Congratulations!

Many thanks to the PTA for hosting the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Monday. As always, the food was great! Wonderful job!

The 2012-13 school yearbooks will be available beginning Monday morning in the ES Reception. Please bring the receipt you were issued at the time of purchase.

Transitioning overseas isn’t always easy. USA Girl Scouts Overseas is American Girl Scouting available abroad to all girls enrolled in International or American schools (inclusive of all nationalities).  This academic year we launched the first Girl Scouts troop in Chennai with a Daisy group for girls aged 5 and 6. Next year we hope to continue offering a Daisy group and to add a Brownie group for girls ages 7-10.  If you would like your child to join either of these groups, or for information about how you can get involved as a volunteer, please email Flor Martin at mflor@aisch.org (Daisy group leader), or Jo Anne Restuccia (Brownie group leader) at j2restuccia@yahoo.com. 

Spanish teacher Ms. Hope Guajardo will be presenting a performance of dancing around the world on the 3^rd of June from 4-5 pm in the Auditorium. Dances from India, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the U.S.A. will be featured. This event is open to our AISC community. We ask that elementary school students are accompanied by a parent.

Be sure to click on the After-School Activities link. There are pictures and articles from recent ASA events.

This time of year is can be very emotional. While we look forward to summer vacation, the reality of the expatriate lifestyle is that many of us are starting to say, "good-bye" to dear and cherished friends. This past week, we have said good-bye to some families, and in the coming week, we will say good-bye to more. Whether you are returning home, or on to another international assignment, I wish you all the best, and hope that you are leaving with so many fond memories.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Quick Links:

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 HoS Newsletter  |  MS Principal's Notes  |  HS Principal's Notes 

May 24, 2013

Dear Parents,

As the iPad evolves and new apps are created, teachers are exploring the possibilities in which this new technology can transform the ways in which teachers teach and students learn.  In recent years, there has been a shift from traditional teacher-directed instruction to student-centered learning activities that promote interactive engagement and individual responsibility. 

This week, I learned about an iPad app called, Explain Everything.  This app has a whiteboard type screen that allows students to record audio, video, write, and move objects all while recording in real time. Explain Everything allows students to annotate any object on the iPad with the touch of a finger. It is easy for students to capture their screens and share it with virtually anyone. In this presentation, Jeong Min, Prannoy and Yuki from Mrs. Nanda's class, use Explain Everything to describe the water crisis in Delhi. 

This month, I have had the opportunity to visit rainforests in several of our grade 3 classrooms. The pictures below were taken on Wednesday afternoon. Students celebrated the culmination of the unit with their parents, and shared  their knowledge and skills about the rainforest both in their classroom display rainforest and on their iPads. 

The last Jogging Club session will be held on May 30^th at  8:00 am. After the usual run, we’ll recognize the most determined two upper and lower elementary runners (female and male). Parents are more than welcome to attend. Throughout the year we had 43 students who ran thousands of laps (3723)!!! We are looking forward to seeing you next Thursday!

From The Health Office: The forms mentioned below were delivered to students today: Returning Students Annual Health form, a physical examination form, immunization records and evidence of TB screening are required to be updated each year:

• health details
• contact information,
• immunization record
• evidence of TB screening
• authorization for medication
• grant emergency permission
• doctor’s physical examination form

Please do not send back the health forms until August, 2013. After the summer break, the fully completed annual health forms will need to be submitted to the Health Office.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Quick Links:

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 HoS Newsletter  |  MS Principal's Notes  |  HS Principal's Notes 

May 17, 2013

Dear Parents,

This spring, many of our Grade 5 students participated in the NESA Virtual Science Fair. We recently learned that Team 1 came fourth and is therefore moving forward in the science fair. Well done, Team 1! Congratulations to Teams 7 and 3, who placed 6^th and 8^th.  Hard work and dedication was the secret of each team's success. Congratulations to Domenic, Vinay, Reuben, Tarun Ramu Shahrukh, Advika, Karthik, Diya and Abhi.

.

Team	School	Place
Walworth Barbour AIS 04	WBAIS	1
WBAIS 01	WBAIS	2
AS Doha 10	AS Doha	2
AISC 01	AISC	4
WBAIS 02	WBAIS	5
AISC 07	AISC	6
ACS Amman 09	ACS Amman	7
AISC 03	AISC	8
IS Dakar 02	IS Dakar	9
ISOI 04	ISOI	10
ACS Amman 02	ACS Amman	11
IS Dakar 01	IS Dakar	12
ISOI 01	ISOI	13
AISJ 01	AISJ	14
AS Doha 05	AS Doha	15

This is a reminder to all parents whose children stay after-school to play that the playground that elementary school staff supervise the playground until 3:45. This means that children who remain after 3:45 must be supervised by their mom or dad. Parents are asked to be within close range of their child. What this means is that you must not only be able to see your child play, but to be able to hear your child as well. Sitting in the cafeteria while your child is on the playground is not proper supervision. Also, the children must follow the playground rules they adhere to during the school day. This includes wearing shoes at all times, remaining on the ES side of the school and being in the corridors only to go to the bathroom (walking only!). Should a passing staff member reinforce any rule with your child after 3:45, I ask that you support the teacher, who is acting in the interest of your child’s safety.

Integrated units of study reflect the real world, where children are naturally interacting across disciplines. One of the main reasons teachers use this approach is to help their students make connections across subject areas.  Throughout the elementary school, teachers integrate units. In KGD, for example, Mrs. Neuman recently combined Literacy (non-fiction writing and speaking) and Science (bugs). During this unit, students were divided into three groups. Each group had to research and write about a bug of their choosing, and to explain: (1) what the bug eats, (2) where the the lives and (3) the life cycle of the bug. After their research was done, each expert group  had to teach the two other groups what they learned. Here is a video of the group of students who studied ladybugs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCOaZmcElv0

Another Book Week has come to an end, but what a great week it was! Thank you, to the following teachers, who sat on the Book Week Committee and planned so many great activities for the children: Ms. Kristina, Ms. Jenna, Ms. Renata, Ms. Char, Mr. Sonnenberg, Mr. Jet and Ms. Megan. Below are some pictures that were taken during Book Week:

                                              

On Thursday, representatives from The International Justice Mission visited our school and met with all fourth graders.  The IJM works to free slaves in Tamil Nadu and other places around the world.  The group led a discussion on human rights, which tied in to the Fourth Grade Social Studies unit,  "Water as a Human Right."  The group also shared a story about the sad plight of a small family who were forced to work at a fish farm in order to pay off debt. When you hear a story such as this, it really does bring into perspective just how fortunate we are.

The HS Band and Choir present final concert of the year. Come enjoy a variety of high quality music from early baroque to modern day pop in the air conditioned comfort of the Fine Arts Center Theater.

Please click on the ASA link for information about an upcoming chess tournament.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Quick Links:

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 HoS Newsletter  |  MS Principal's Notes  |  HS Principal's Notes 

May 10, 2013

Dear Parents,

This week, four mothers from our Japanese community were guest teachers in Mr. Ken's grade 4 art classes. They taught each student how to write his or her name in Kanji and Hiragana, which are two of the three character sets in the Japanese writing system. Kanji, adopted from the Chinese, are pictograms, and each character has its own meaning and corresponds to a word. There are 2136 Kanji designated as "Kanji for everyday use" (www.japan-guide.com). Hiragana is used to write Japanese words  for  which there are no Kanji. 

The enthusiastic teachers first modeled the correct way to hold the paintbrush and how to complete each stroke of the brush. It did not take long for the students to master these techniques. Once they did, students were given a sheet of newspaper so that they could practice writing their names. Then came the moment each student was waiting for- a clean sheet of white paper! "Okay, I know how to do this!" exclaimed one student. The children really enjoyed this activity. Thank you very much to the parents who volunteered in the grade 4 art classes this week.

This week, several of our students visited a rainforest right here at AISC! As part of their unit on "Rainforests" students in 3B built a rainforest museum in the classroom. The docents (museum tour guides) provided students from visiting classrooms with detailed information about the different layers of the rainforest, as well as the types of flora and fauna which call the rainforest home. Congratulations, 3B! A special thank you to the parents of 3B for your help!

And the Winner is...

Book Week 2013

This year’s annual book week will be a celebration of all of the reading our students have done this year!  We will celebrate everything from our favorite genres (types of books) to our favorite book to listen to (read aloud).

Here is the itinerary for the week:

Monday: Favorite Author

Special Events: Kick-off Assembly (students only)

Scholastic Book Fair: Elementary Courtyard

Tuesday: Favorite Read Aloud

Special Event: Celebrity Guest Readers (students only)

Scholastic Book Fair: Elementary Courtyard

Dress: Pajamas

Wednesday: Favorite Genre

Special Event: Storyteller, Auntie Jeeva (students only)

Scholastic Book Fair: Elementary Courtyard

Thursday: Favorite Character

Dress: Students may dress up as their favorite book character

Friday: Favorite Book
Special Event: AISC Book Awards Show 2:30-3:00, PAC Auditorium. Dress: In true red-carpet style, we ask students to dress up for our awards show. Parents: We ask you to act as “paparazzi” outside the auditorium.  Please bring your camera and get ready to cheer on our stars as they walk the red carpet into the auditorium.

Ways Families Can Get Involved:

* Save time for a special read aloud every night

* Talk to your child about their favorite books, authors, etc., each day

* Plan dress up outfits for the theme days

* Act as photographers (paparazzi) before our awards show on Friday

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Quick Links:

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 HoS Newsletter  |  MS Principal's Notes  |  HS Principal's Notes 

May 3, 2012

Dear Parents,

This week, we implemented the "Hot Temperature Policy" which limits the amount of time children are exposed to direct sunlight during the lunch break, when the sun is directly overhead. From now to the end of the school year, children will be allowed to play on open (un-shaded) play spaces for a maximum of 15 minutes. Morning and afternoon recesses are not affected since children are only outside for 15 minutes. However, anytime the temperature reaches 104F/40C or higher, the children will stay inside. Following is the schedule for the K-2 and Grade 3 to 5 lunch and recess break:

Grades K-2: 12:00 to 12:15 lunch in the cafeteria (or as long as needed for children to finish lunch)

12:15 to 12:30: playground- all areas

12:30: duty teachers ring bells, children can play in shaded areas only: covered play area, Lucy, Ship, swings alongside field

12:45: return to class

Grades 3-5: 12:45 to 1:00 lunch in the cafeteria (or as long as needed for children to finish lunch)

1:00 to 1:15: playground- all areas

1:15: duty teachers ring bells, children can play in shaded areas only: covered play area, Lucy, Ship, swings alongside field

1:30: return to class

Lunch Order Form and Menu for the Final Month of School:

Lunch Menu 

Lunch Order Form

The end-of-the school year is soon approaching. Sadly, it is the time of the year when some of our families leave. If your child will not return to AISC next year, please complete the Withdrawal Notification Form and return it to the Elementary School Principal's Office.

This is just a reminder that elementary students may visit the Poolside Store when accompanied by a parent. It has come to my attention that some parents have been disrespectful towards store staff when they have enforced this rule. I understand that some people may not agree with the rule, but please do not direct your frustration out on store staff. The ES cafeteria has many food options available to children after school.

As you may recall, at this time last year, Dr. Virginia Rojas conducted an review of our English as an Additional Language Program. Dr. Rojas returned to AISC this week, and will be with us into next week. She will lead a parent presentation on Tuesday, May 7th from 10:00 am to 11:00 in the BBT.

Since her arrival on Tuesday, Dr. Rojas has worked with EAL and classroom teachers, modelling co-planning and co-taught lessons. This year, we implemented co-teaching in Grades 3 and 5. Next year, the co-teaching model will extend from Grades 1 through 5. In this model, the EAL and classroom teacher are both in the classroom teaching all students during the literacy block.

Different languages and cultures are outward signs of diversity but true human uniqueness lies within each individual. Every student is unique because every brain processes information differently. Although each person has the same set of systems, each one integrates these systems differently. This weekend, Dr. Rojas will  facilitate a two-day workshop to help teachers design learning experiences using "different products, processes, and student groupings," not as events, but as a way of classroom life.

In this workshop, Dr. Rojas and teachers will:

• unpack key principles for differentiated language acquisition, literacy instruction and assessment
• analyze and design classroom-based formative and summative assessment tasks with discipline-specific language competencies in mind
• adapt formative and summative assessment tasks linguistically so that learners show what they know and can do in fair and equitable ways
• examine specific instructional tools to determine what 'is made different' and how they can be used for 'different learners with different levels of knowledge, skills and language proficiencies
• use (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Can-Do Descriptors to design 'high-challenge, high-support' learning experiences for a range of student skill levels
• determine observable evidence of learning through the design of evidence-centered rubrics which provide feedback to students in ways that help them understand what they need to do to 'progress' to the next level of performance on oral and written assessment tasks

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal