Friday, April 25

Dear Community Members,

I would like to begin my message this week by extending a heart-felt thank you to the PTA for the delicious lunch that was served on Wednesday. Your kindness and generosity meant so much to the elementary school staff. Again, thank you!

April and May Parent Coffee Sessions

The topic of our April coffee on Monday is standards-based grading and reporting. As many of you know, the elementary school will launch a new report card next fall. In this session, we will talk about the philosophy behind standards-based grading and reporting and why standards-based grading/reporting is best practice for student learning.

Our final parent coffee of the school year will be held on Tuesday, May 13th. This is a recently added parent coffee; it is not printed in the community calendar. During this session, members from the Service Learning Task Force will present an overview of their work to date, and our plans for Service Learning.

Book Week, April 28- May 2, 2014: Mission imPossible!Celebrating AISC’s Readers, Writers, & Mission

We have a great Book Week lined up for students this year!  This year’s Book Week is called “Mission imPossible! Celebrating AISC’s Readers, Writers, & Mission.”  Each day focuses on a different C of our school mission statement and has suggested books and activities to go along with it.  

Students will hear tales of courage from a popular local storyteller, build self-confidence at a literary expo, and have the chance to demonstrate compassion through a book drive for local children.

Here are the special events and online read alouds for each day:

Monday - COURAGE - Our favorite story teller, Auntie Jeeva, will be delighting students with tales of courage throughout the day.

Online read alouds:

Younger students - The Little Engine that Could (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKdG4Z7KvI)
Older students - The Empty Pot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRbPr6MqjI)

Tuesday - CREATIVITY - Children are invited with their parents for a special after school session on the ground floor of the ES/MS CIC Library on Tuesday, April 29 from 3:45-4:30 to meet Ms. Anitha Bennett, author of over 60 titles, including many creativity books!  Please join us, with your child, as we learn from this creative author.

Online read alouds:

Not a Box  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nif94VQ4Xsc)
Where the Wild Things Are - Read by Maurice Sendak  - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh1x9HhqJsM

Wednesday - COMPASSION - We invite families to donate quality books to local children.  Books may be purchased from Scholastic Book Fair or brought from home.  Our goal is to fill up a special shelf in the library.

Online read alouds:

Younger students - A Sick Day for Amos McGee (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIU0ZFbHBKo)
Older students - The Three Questions  - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pOIYGjjvRc)

Friday - CONFIDENCE - We will celebrate our student readers and writers at an EXPO for them to share their reading and work from the year with other classes.  Due to space constraints, this event is only for students.  However, we encourage you to talk with your child about what he/she shared.

Online read alouds:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_2muj6fxpc)
Chrysanthemum  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMlxbgYvLI&list=PLEC3BFC96ED798F2F)


School Leaving Notification

The end-of-the school year is soon approaching. Sadly, it is the time of the year when some of our families leave. Earlier this year, many parents responded to the re-enrolment survey that our Admissions Director sent by email on January 27. If your plans have changed since completing the survey, or if you were unsure of your status but now know that you are leaving, I ask that you please complete this Withdrawal Notification Form and return it to the Elementary Principal's Office or Elementary Reception in order for us to start processing documents you will need. You can also scan and email the completed form to Ms. Hazel (bhazel@aisch.org) or Ms. Cheryl (fcheryl@aisch.org).

Children and Adults who are Moving on and how the Elementary School will Assist

As I mentioned above, we are closing in on the end of the school year. Without a doubt, this is a bitter-sweet time for many children and adults. Soon, everyone will have to say, “good-bye” to someone whom we have become close to over the years. This can be very difficult experience, not only those children and adults who are leaving, but for those who are staying, too. This is what researchers Ruth Van Reken and David Pollock call, “the leaving stage of the transition” experience in their book, Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds. Characteristics of this stage may become more evident when we turn the calendar page from April to May, the final month of school. So what might we expect to observe in people during this stage?

It is not uncommon for both children and adults to pull-back from relationships. This can be a confusing for friends, teachers and the person who is leaving, and will likely lead to anger and frustration in relationships that have been close. It is important to understand that to detach is an unconscious way to try to make leaving as painless as possible. The individual is in denial of feelings of sadness or grief. It is not uncommon for the person who is leaving to say, “I will be glad when I am out of here,” and to focus on all of the positives about living in the next location. There is nothing wrong with being positive about an upcoming move, so long as one acknowledges the losses in leaving.  The layers of loss run deep: friends, community, pets, toys, and home and school- all sources of comfort and stability. Transition always involves loss, no matter how good the next place will be.  I should add that it is not uncommon for an individual who is not moving on to pull-back from friends who are. 

How can you help? Comfort is simply acknowledging the loss, validating its reality, and giving the person space to grieve properly before pushing him or her to move on or past it. 

We also have to be mindful that people who are leaving often feel rejection as friends and colleagues begin to make plans for future events, often excluding their friend who leaving. On one hand, these individuals know that the plans do not affect them, so they wonder why get involved. Yet on the other hand, they can still feel resentment and rejection when not included. It is very easy for the individual and those around him/her to dismiss these feelings as immature. However, if we deny these feelings, and push them aside as immature, then the underlying sense of rejection and resentment can easily lead to anger and conflicts. Include everyone until the very end.

How will AISC help children during this stage? Our counselors, Ms. Geetha and Mr. George, will be working with students, and even adults, the weeks ahead. They will be meeting twice with each child who is leaving to help them understand and normalize the transition they will have to their new destination or their home country. Further, Mr. George and Ms. Geetha will be visiting all Grade 2-5 classrooms to facilitate a discussion about honoring friends who leave and talking about ways to stay connected. While there are no specific lessons for PK-Grade 1 students, all teachers are aware of the need for children to finish the year well and to give them confidence to begin their next grade well wherever they might be.

Do not hesitate to speak with a counselor if you have reason to believe your child is struggling with an upcoming move, or is struggling because a friend is moving on.

May Lunch Menu & Order Links

Lunch menu link - May 2014
Lunch Order link - May 2014

Please order online by 30th April, and payments must be made on or before 8th May for the entire month. Online order link will not be available after 15th May, in order for Finance to tally the accounts before the school closure.

Celebrating Earth Day at AISC

In honor of Earth Day (April 22), AISC's Roots and Shoots chapter invites you to check out our exhibit in the CIC space.  You will see posters and articles we have written on saving the earth as well as "trash to treasure" recycled products made by our students.  Hopefully, you will also be able to see digital presentations on Earth Day and how you can help the planet, as well.

There are also books to check out on recycling and going green and a large recycled tree - we ask you to fill out a leaf with a pledge as to how you can go green.  Let's fill our tree with words of commitment to our planet!

We also invite you to comment on our blog, sharing how you can help save the planet.  You can get some good ideas for how to make your life greener by reading others’ comments, too.

Here are some ideas we suggest:

* Turn off the AC and lights when leaving a room

* Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and don’t take long showers

* Recycle whatever you can

* Bring cloth bags with you to the grocery store so you don’t use plastic

* Send “Smart Snacks” to school - snacks that do not create any waste... like apples and bananas or other snacks in reusable plastic boxes - not individually wrapped items that create plastic waste.  Send water/juice in reusable bottles/canteens.  Remember: plastic and tin foil do not decompose!

We only have one Earth - let’s save our home for generations to come.

Lost and Found

From time to time valuable items are found around campus and given to receptionists in the main reception office, including mobile phones, watches, USB drives, iPods, etc. Students and/or parents who have lost items should check with Ms. Sonia in the Main Reception to see if their lost items have been turned in.

Class Placement for the 2014-15 School Year

We will soon begin the process of creating class placements for the upcoming school year. Our aim is always to create the optimal learning community for each student. In doing so, we consider the following factors in creating balanced groups: gender, nationality, English language proficiency, academic achievement, social skills, special needs, and a blend of returning and new students.

If you have specific information regarding your child’s placement that needs to be considered as part of the process, I invite you to email Ms. Geetha (egcounselor@aisch.org) for preschool to Grade 2 placements and Mr. George (bgeorge@aisch.org) for grades 3 to 5 placements. Please send this information by May 9th. To help us help you, in your email please:

1. List any insights you may have about your child’s learning ability or style.
2. Describe the type of learning environment in which your child may experience the most success.
3. Describe any thoughts you have about your child’s school experience.
4. Add any other important information that you wish to share.

Examples of comments that everyone agrees upon are: “We want a warm, nurturing, caring classroom environment for our child,” or “We want our child to be challenged.” We take these comments as a given; our teachers provide a nurturing, challenging and safe environment for every student. Sorry, but given the complexities of placing students, we cannot take requests for friends to be placed together.

Since we will continue to enroll children up to the first day of school, class lists will only be ready for distribution on Friday, August 1st. Your child’s placement will be sent to you by email.

Have a great weekend. This is just a reminder that there is no school on Thursday, May 1st as this is Labor Day.

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

Dear Parents,

Coffee with the ES Administration

The April parent coffee will take place on Monday, April 28. We will meet in the FAC Cafeteria from 8:45 to 9:45. The topic of our April coffee is standards-based grading and reporting. As many of you know, the elementary school will launch a new report card next fall. In this session, we will talk about the philosophy behind standards-based grading and reporting and why standards-based grading/reporting is best practice for student learning.

Hot Temperature Policy

The mercury is rising each day and we are monitoring the daytime temperature on a daily basis. We have implemented the Hot Temperature Policy starting this week during lunch recess. Children will be allowed on open play spaces (field and un-shaded areas) for 15 minutes only.  Supervisors will blow a whistle to signal a return to the covered play areas (covered play area and awning-covered areas) for the remainder of the recess period. Children will remain in air conditioned classrooms/cafeteria if the temperature meets or exceeds 104 F/40 C. Even if the temperature is below 40C but it is excessively humid, kids will stay in. 

May Lunch Menu & Order Links

Lunch menu link - May 2014

Lunch Order link - May 2014

Please order online by 30^th April, and payments must be made on or before 8^th May for the entire month. Online order link will not be available after 15^th May, in order for Finance to tally the accounts before the school closure.

School leaving notification

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 this Withdrawal Notification Form and return it to the Elementary Principal's Office / Elementary reception in order for us to start processing the documents. You can also scan and email the completed form to bhazel@aisch.org or fcheryl@aisch.org.

Spring WIDA MODEL Testing Begins

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department will be beginning their annual assessment for English language learners (ELLs) next week. EAL teachers will administer the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Measure of Developing English Language (MODEL) test to all ELLs in grades K-5. 

For grades 1-5, the dates are April 22 - May 2, and for Kindergarten, May 5-9.

The test measures academic English language proficiency in four domains: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The entire test is administered individually in grades K-2 and the speaking/listening section is also done individually in grades 3-5. For the upper elementary students, the reading and writing sections are administered in small groups of 3 to 5 students. 

These scores will help next year's teachers target their instruction to help ELLs access grade-level content work as they develop their English language proficiency.

The best preparation is a good night's sleep, a good breakfast, and staying hydrated in this hot season!

Book Week, April 28- May 2, 2014: Mission imPossible!

Celebrating AISC’s Readers, Writers, & Mission

We have a great Book Week lined up for students this year!  This year’s Book Week is called “Mission imPossible! Celebrating AISC’s Readers, Writers, & Mission.”  Each day focuses on a different C of our school mission statement and has suggested books and activities to go along with it.

Students will hear tales of courage from a popular local storyteller, build self-confidence at a literary expo, and have the chance to demonstrate compassion through a book drive for local children.

Children are also invited with their parents for a special after school session on the ground floor of the ES/MS CIC Library on Tuesday, April 29 from 3:45-4:30 to meet Ms. Anitha Bennett, author of over 60 titles, including many creativity books!

Summer “Funshine” Camp

Our annual “Funshine” Summer Camp for elementary school students will run from June 2 – 13, 2014 on the school campus. Registration forms will be sent via Friday Folders on April 7, 2014.  There will be a range of fun activities on offer including, Western Dance and Zumba, Chocolate Making & Baking, Swimming Pool Games, a Personality Development Workshop, Creative Crafts and Outdoor & Indoor Games.

Registration Details:

• Grade Levels: K-5 (includes current year Pre-K 3+, 4+ and Grade 5 students)     

• Registration dates: April 8 – 30, 2014

• Registration Venue: ASA office (MC-1B)

• Fees: Rs.15000 (Only cash payment and there will be no refunds)

• Further inquiries: please reach us in

MC 1 B or call +91 22549000 (EXTN-1)

The Fifth Grade Poetry Exhibition
With the culmination of the Poetry Unit, the fifth grade held an exhibition to display their work. Each fifth grade class organized their own kick-off to the exhibition, with a short poetry-based performance.



Parents and students then went around on a gallery walk inside and outside the library, where students' poems were displayed. Students also worked with their parents on short mini projects during this time, sharing what they had learnt and co-creating poems with their parents.

 

It was an afternoon of celebration and sharing, in which parents and students together experienced the beauty of Poetry. Many of the poems are still in the library for the rest of the school to enjoy. 

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal

Friday, April 11th, 2014

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Spring Break. It is hard to believe that we have only 33 days left of school. This can be an emotional time of year as we all have friends who leaving Chennai.  As we approach the end of the school year, our counselors will be talking to all children about transitions because leaving is an important stage to navigate well.

Coffee with the ES Administration

The April parent coffee has been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday, April 28. We will meet in the FAC Cafeteria from 8:45 to 9:45. The topic of our April coffee is standards-based grading and reporting. As many of you know, the elementary school will launch a new report card next fall. In this session, we will talk about the philosophy behind standards-based grading and reporting and why standards-based grading/reporting is best practice for student learning.

Summer Funshine Camp

Our annual “Funshine” Summer Camp for elementary school students will run from June 2 – 13, 2014 on the school campus. Registration forms will be sent via Friday folder on April 7, 2014.  There will be a range of fun activities on offer including, Western dance and Zumba, Chocolate making & Baking, Swimming Pool Games, a Personality Development Workshop, Creative Crafts and Outdoor/Indoor Games.

Registration Details:

• Grade Levels: K-5 (Includes current year Pre-K 3+, 4+ and Gr.5 students)      

• Registration dates: April 8 – 30, 2014

• Registration Venue: ASA office (MC-1B)

• Fees: Rs.15000 (Only cash payment and there will be no refunds).

• Further inquiries: please reach us in MC 1 B or call +91 22549000 (EXTN-1)

Service Learning World Café

Creating a culture of service learning at the American International School-Chennai is a community effort! Voices of students, parents and faculty are key as we strive to envision service learning at our school. Bring your creativity and confidence to our World Cafe session and join a conversation that will help shape the future of learning at AISC.  Together we will explore the possibilities of creating collaborative relationships with NGO's and corporations. We will also begin thinking about service learning opportunities within our own community.  Please join us, on April 16th or April 29th from 3:45-4:45 in the FAC cafeteria for this exciting work. We value our community's ideas about making service learning a meaningful part of our lives and look forward to seeing you there.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal