Friday, May 30th

Dear Parents,

Time just goes by so quickly. Another school year is now over. Thank you for the support and kindness you have extended year-long. I wish everyone a happy and safe summer holiday. For those of you who are not returning, take care and so long.

Over the past few weeks, I have attended a number of good-bye get-togethers. It is inevitable to leave each occasion with mixed emotions. We live in a very special community and I think that this short poem, written by a young girl from Los Angeles, is so very true.

The Last Day of School by Amanda Awan

The last day of school is here,
and yet, it doesn't feel real.
It felt like just yesterday,
when we met ways.
When we became friends till forever end,
when we started our own new trend.
Since then so many days have passed,
the days spent will never last.
But if there is something that will,
they are the memories we spent together here.

Report Cards

Returning students received their report cards yesterday. Besides the report card, parents should have also received the following documents: a report card grading document, Specials Supplement and an English as an Additional Language (EAL)/Learning Resource Center (LRC) supplement (if applicable). Parents who have children in grades 2 to 5 should have received a Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Student Progress Report and accompanying letter.

For families who are leaving, we ask that parents go to the Admissions Office today to collect the report card and other school leaving documents. School ID cards (issued to parents, drivers and house-help) and car decals must be returned to the Admissions Office at this time. Spring Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results will be inside the report card envelope (grades 2-5 students only).

NESA Virtual Science Fair (Grade 5)

Congratulations to Team 2 (Aditya Thota, Prannoy Thakore and Varun Krishna) whose science fair project on water pollution came in 4th place finish in the grade 5 NESA Virtual Science Fair. This is impressive as these young scientists were competing against grade 5 students from all over the NESA region. Well done, boys! We are proud of you.

From the EAL Coordinator

If you are curious about your child's Spring 2014 WIDA MODEL test scores, they are available in Skyward.

1. Log into your Skyward family access account. If you don't know your log-in, contact the IT department at itsupport@aisch.org.
2. From the left menu, click on Test Scores under general information.
3. Click on Show Scores.
4. Scroll over to the far right to see your child's Overall Proficiency Level. The WIDA has 6 levels, with the last one, Level 6, being "reaching comparability to that of English proficient peers."
5. You will also be able to see both the scaled scores and proficiency levels for specific skill areas such as speaking, listening, combined oral skills, writing, reading, and literacy.
We are planning parent meetings for early in the school year to more fully explain this relatively new test of academic English and how the scores help us teach so that they develop both their language and academics.

After-School Activities News

ASA Drama culminated last Tuesday with the presentation of "My Big Fat Indian Wedding" to an excited audience of parents and students from upper elementary. The students wrote their own scripts with the assistance of Ms. Andrea Jacob, the director of the show. Well done boys and girls!

Finally, to all the students, parents, faculty and staff who are leaving, (too many to list), I say, "so-long," not "good-bye." Best wishes. You will be missed.

Have a wonderful summer and I will see you on August 5th.

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 23

Dear Parents,

Summer reading is an important part of our teacher toolkit. This is backed up by research by Harvard professor Jimmy Kim. In his research that shows “promising yet preliminary findings,” Kim states: “I found that the volume of summer book reading was positively related to fall reading achievement independent of prior reading and writing skills and student background characteristics…. In particular, reading four to five books had significantly larger effects than reading three or fewer books.” (2004)

Interestingly, other research shows that if English is not your first language, reading in your first language will have tremendous positive benefits for reading in English. Beyond fostering a simple love of books, reading skills such as understanding the plot, making predictions, or empathizing with the characters transfer across the task of reading. So no matter what the language, reading this summer, and reading a lot, will put our students in a great place for the start of the school year! 

Parents may also wish to take advantage of our subscription to TumbleBooks. TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they will love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing picture books, adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. All you need is the Flash plug-in which is preloaded on most computers and reading tablets. Happy summer reading!

AISC carries thousands of electronic books (e-Books).  In fact, we have over 4,000!  There are three different platforms we use for our e-Books. Click here to learn more about these platforms and to obtain the username and password for each. If you need any help logging in or want more assistance in using the e-Books, please stop into the CIC  before Friday and ask our staff.

End of School Year Notice

As we are approaching the end of the school year, there are a few things parents need to keep in mind. Students will need to return all textbooks, library books, musical instruments and any other items issued by the school. All payables, such as lunch fees, must be cleared before we can release report cards. Report cards will be handed out on 29th May in the classrooms for returning students. Spring Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results will be inside the report card envelope. If you are leaving early for your summer vacation, you can collect your child’s report from the Elementary Principal’s office when you return in August.

For students who are leaving AISC, report cards and school leaving documents will be given to parents on May 30th. Parents are asked to collect these documents at the Admissions Office. School ID cards (issued to parents, drivers and house-help) and car decals must be returned to the Admissions Office at this time. 

Elementary School Yearbook

Today each student received the 2013-14 elementary school yearbook. Unlike previous years, this is a yearbook that is truly dedicated to the elementary school! I hope you enjoy the 100 colorful pages that capture this school year.

A Message from Elementary Roots and Shoots

School is almost over!  And for many of us we go home over the summer and buy all new school supplies for next year.  Most of us get new backpacks.  But what do we do with our old ones?  

On the last day of school, the Elementary School Roots and Shoots club will be putting large collection boxes near the entrances.  If you are not going to be using your backpack next year, we ask you to kindly donate it to the children of our support staff (the people who take care of our school).  Just take out your folders and papers and put the empty backpack in the box.  

Thank you for being compassionate and thinking of others.  “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” - Maya Angelou

Finally, this is just a reminder that students are dismissed next Friday at 12:00 and there is no lunch service.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 16

Dear Parents,

As we are approaching the end of the school year, there are a few things parents need to keep in mind. Students will need to return all textbooks, library books, and any other items issued by the school. All payables, such as lunch fees, must be cleared before we can release report cards. On May 29th, homeroom teachers will give returning students their report card. The process is different for non-returning students. On May 30th, we ask that parents of non-returning students go to the Admissions Office to collect the report card and other school leaving documents. School ID cards (issued to parents, drivers and house-help) and car decals must be returned to the Admissions Office at this time. Spring Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results will be inside the report card envelope. If you are leaving early for your summer vacation, you can collect your child’s report from the Elementary Principal’s office when you return in August.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks will be distributed to students in the classrooms on Friday, May 23rd. All Elementary students will receive a yearbook. There is no charge for the yearbook.

Read Aloud for PK-Grade 2 Korean Students

The The ES/MS CIC Library will host a special after school read aloud for Korean students on Tuesday, May 27 from 3:45-4:30.  This will be a fun event for children to hear stories in Korean language.  This is an optional activity.  

Please note that if a child comes, it is also necessary for the parent to come for supervision.  If you have any questions, please contact the The ES/MS CIC library staff. Thank you!

Preschool~ Grade 2’까지의 자녀를 둔 학부모님, 안녕하세요!

도서관에서는 한국학생들을 위한 특별한 방과후수업(ASA)으로 “Read aloud (낭독, 소리내어 책 읽기)”를 5/27(화) 오후 3:45-4:30에 가질 것입니다.  이번 수업은 우리 아이들에게 이야기를 한국어로 들려주는 재미있는 행사가 될 것이며, 선택적 활동입니다.
만약 아이들이 참가할 경우, 부모님께서도 아이들의 감독 및 보호를 위하여 함께 오셔야만 합니다.  질문이 있으신 분은 저희 도서관 직원에게 연락해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
관심에 감사 드립니다.

Coffee with the ES Administration

Thank you to that parents who were able to come to our morning coffee on Tuesday. It is a buys time of year, so we had a smaller turnout than we normally do. Nonetheless, parents appreciated this informative session led by Margaret Rajan, Nancy Price, Kaye Bach and me.

As AISC continues to explore Service-Learning, we are hearing from parents and students.  Please click on the following links and read about the thoughts of parent Margaret Rajan, and student Anouska Raval . Please contact either author, or Jason Hicks, with your thoughts.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

May 9, 2014

Dear Parents,

We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Mr. Ramesh Sundaram, father of Yuvan Boaz Ramesh from our KG C class, who passed away on Tuesday, May 6th 2014. The entire AISC community extends its heartfelt sympathy to Yuvan and his family.

Students in Ms. Kristina's class have been informed about Yuvan's loss, and our school counselors have been available to consult with the class.

We are aware that information of this nature can sometimes be unsettling for students and their families, particularly if this highlights events in their own lives. Please do not hesitate to contact your grade level counselor for any assistance that could be helpful to you and your family at this time.

Ms. Geetha G (ES Counselor Grades PK – 2): egcounselor@aisch.org
Mr. George Bach (ES Counselor Grades 3– 5): bgeorge@aisch.org

Parent Coffee with the ES Administration

Our final parent coffee of the school year will be held on Tuesday, May 13th. During this session, members from the Service Learning Task Force will present an overview of their work to date, and our plans for the future. In our 2013-2018 Strategic Plan, there are three “Final End Results” devoted to service learning. As a reminder, these end results are:

(1) AISC has identified a philosophy and designed a service learning structure that empowers students to serve their local and global communities.

(2) AISC has a strong service learning structure where students are engaged and immersed in service opportunities building authentic local connections and greater global understanding.

(3) AISC has established a culture of service where students are intrinsically motivated to transfer academic knowledge allowing them to create experiences that improve the lives of others. To achieve these end results, we require our students to engage in community service learning.

World Language Choices and Selection Process

Last week in my blog, I shared with you the World Language selection process. Earlier this afternoon, my office informed parents (by email) who have children in grades 2, 3, and 4, that the selection process has started. If you did not receive this email, please contact Ms. Cheryl or Ms. Hazel.

End of School Year Notice

As we are approaching the end of the school year, there are a few things parents need to keep in mind. Students will need to return all textbooks, library books, and any other items issued by the school. All payables, such as lunch fees, must be cleared before we can release report cards. Report cards will be handed out on 29th May in the classrooms for returning students. Spring Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results will be inside the report card envelope.

For students who are leaving AISC, report cards and school leaving documents will be given to parents on May 30th at the Admissions Office. School ID cards (issued to parents/students/driver/house-helpers), and car decals must be returned to Admissions Office when collecting the reports. 

Annual Grade 7 Yard Sale

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 2, 2014

Dear Community Members,

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 for preschool to Grade 2 placements and Mr. George 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 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 enrol 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.

World Language Choices and Selection Process

World Languages in the elementary school begins in Grade 3. Students have a choice between Spanish or French, the exception being if one of these languages is a student’s mother tongue. If this is the case, the student must opt for the other language.

Grade 3 students meet twice a week while students in grades 4 and 5 meet 3 times a week for 45 minutes. The curriculum is based on the AERO (American Education Reaches Out) World Language Standards. By the end of Grade 5, students are not expected to be proficient in the target language. However, if they have been in our program since grade 3, they will have acquired a strong foundation to continue developing their language skills in middle and high school.

Soon, we will begin to assign students to a World Language class. Below is an overview of the World Language class selection process. Please note that all communication from the school will be sent afternoon of May 9th.  Parents have until 2 pm on May 16 to make their choice(s).

Grade 2

1. In the spring, we will begin World Language selection for grade 2 students who will be entering grade 3 the following year. Parents will receive an email from the ES Administration regarding the process, which follows.

2. Native Spanish and French speakers will be automatically assigned to the opposite language because we do not offer a native speaker’s option.  Elementary section secretaries will consult enrolment information or solicit this information via target email to grade 2 parents.

3. Other students’ parents will be sent a Google Form on a predetermined date and time that allows them to select the language of their choice.  They will be given one week’s notice that the form will be distributed and that the process of assigning languages will be on a first come, first served basis.  The Google Form will contain a time and date stamp for verification.  

4. When a language fills to capacity, students will automatically be assigned to the open language, even if it was not their first choice.  Students will be allowed to change languages only at the start of the following school year.

Grade 3

1. Grade 3 students who are enrolled to enter grade 4 will continue with the language they started in grade 3. However, in the spring of the grade 3 year, a targeted email will be sent to families allowing the students to change languages if there are open spaces in the requested language.  Native Spanish and French speakers will be automatically assigned to the opposite language because we do not offer a native speaker’s option.  

2. The process for selecting a new language will be as follows: Parents will be sent a Google Form on a predetermined date and time that allows them to select the language of their choice.  They will be given one week’s notice that the form will be distributed and that the process of assigning languages will be on a first come, first served basis.  The Google Form will contain a time and date stamp for verification.  

3. When a language fills to capacity, students will automatically be assigned to the open language, even if it was not their first choice.  Students will be allowed to change languages only at the start of the following school year.

Grade 4

1. Grade 4 students who are enrolled to enter grade 5 will continue with the language they started in grade 4. The World Language teachers will begin to track students depending on grades and language acquisition at this time.

2. The process for selecting a new language will be as follows: Parents will be sent a Google form on a predetermined date and time that allows them to select the language of their choice.  They will be given one week’s notice that the form will be distributed and that the process of assigning languages will be on a first come, first served basis.  The Google Form will contain a time and date stamp for verification.  Students who begin a new language in grade 5 will enter as beginners, and will be tracked moving forward as such.  Native Spanish and French speakers will be automatically assigned to the opposite language because we do not offer a native speaker’s option.  

3. When a language fills to capacity, students will automatically be assigned to the open language, even if it was not their first choice.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about the process. 

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

Another Book Week has come and gone, but what a great week it was! This year, we called Book Week: “Mission imPossible! Celebrating AISC’s Readers, Writers, & Mission.”  Each day, we focused on a different “C” from our school mission statement (courage, confidence, creativity and compassion) and suggested books and activities that aligned to each.

During the week, students heard tales of courage from a popular local storyteller, built self-confidence at a literary expo, and had the opportunity to demonstrate compassion through a book drive for local children.

To recap, below are the special events and online read alouds for each day.

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

Online read alouds:

Younger students - The Little Engine that Could
Older students: The Empty Pot

Tuesday - CREATIVITY - Children and their parents were invited to a special after school session on the ground floor of the ES/MS CIC Library to meet Ms. Anitha Bennett, author of over 60 titles, including many creativity books!

Online read alouds:

Not a Box
Where the Wild Things Are  (Read by Maurice Sendak)

Wednesday - COMPASSION - We invited families to donate quality books to local children.  Children and parents brought in books for home or purchased books  at the Scholastic Book Fair.

Online read alouds:

Younger students - A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Older students - The Three Questions 

Friday - CONFIDENCE - Today we celebrated our student readers and writers at an EXPO for them to share their reading and work from the year with other classes.  We encourage you to talk with your child about what he/she shared.

Online read alouds:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Chrysanthemum

Summer Camp 2014 – Funshine Camp: Registration Date Extended to May 9, 2014

Our annual “Funshine” Summer Camp for elementary school students will run from June 2 – 13, 2014 on the school campus. 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 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)

Finally, our website has a new look. Please visit: http://www.aisch.org/

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal