Friday, March 27, 2015

Dear Parents,

A number of elementary school students were home this week with flu symptoms and three students were diagnosed with H1N1 (swine flu). All are recovering well.

We keep a careful eye on health related symptoms of all students. We track the number of students who come down with a fever on a daily basis and the number of multi-day absences due to fever. We had an attendance rate of 88% today. We do not, at this point, see indicators of a public health concern at AISC.

This flu type has been percolating in Chennai (and throughout India) since the 2009-10 flu season.  It has also been a component of the standard flu shot since the 2010-11 flu season. This flu type is not so unique today and we should assume a healthy skepticism to the media attention.

As a reminder, we hope that all families observe healthy protocols in order to protect ourselves, our families, friends, and co-workers from catching and perhaps spreading the flu: flu vaccine, practice good hand hygiene, and if you have upper respiratory symptoms minimize contact with others.

Healthy people are very low risk for serious illness from this infection, but should be practicing healthy protocols. Influenza can be very serious for those with illnesses like chronic lung disease or weak immune systems.

Swimming in Physical Education Class

Upon return from the Spring Break, students in grades 3-5 will begin their swim unit. Please note that swimming constitutes 20% of the Physical Education curriculum. Female students are required to wear a one-piece swimsuit. Male students need a swimsuit that can be tightened at the waist. Students with long hair are required to wear swim caps. Sun shirts are optional. Students will also need to bring properly fitting goggles and a towel. Kids should not wear their swimsuit to school, but should carry it separately in a waterproof bag (plastic).

Learning to swim is an important lifelong skill and provides health and safety benefits.  At AISC, we follow the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program, which differentiates student instruction with a levels system based on students' skills and allows them to progress through levels at their own pace.  Missing lessons during PE class hinders their ability to develop confidence and move on to the next level. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s PE teacher or the Aquatics Director, Ms. Donna.

Grade 5 NESA Virtual Science Fair

Congratulations to our three top teams who will advance to the second round of the NESA Virtual Science Fair. Our students will be competing against top teams from other schools in the NESA region.

Team 3: Seongsik, Hyunjin and Shota
Topic: Does Adyar Water Affect Algae?

Team 6: Arian, Oz and Sohum
Topic: Bacteria Fighters

Team 8: Ji Hyeon, Tae Hee and Jun Hyuk
Topic: Hydro Energy

Raptor Reader Literary Journal

Ms. Megan, Mr. Jet and middle school humanities teacher Mr. Martin, are proud to share the latest installment of the Raptor Reader Literary Journal. Click here to read stories, articles and poems written by students.

Kathryn Claire Returns to AISC

AISC welcomes singer-songwriter, Kathryn Claire as our Spring 2015 Artist in Residence! After a successful residency last year, Kathryn will return for two weeks of teaching and performance.  Part of a new generation of traditionally-inspired musicians, Kathryn’s guitar and fiddle-playing exhibit a technical grace which is matched only by her truly captivating voice and her rare ability to move seamlessly across genres. She will be working in elementary, middle, and high school music classes and will conduct afterschool song writing workshops with MS/HS students.

Beginning April 13th, Kathryn’s residency will culminate in a Friday@5 concert in association with R.I.S.E. on the 24th of April. Her charismatic presence and infectious smile have made her a favorite at venues and festivals around the world- and we are thrilled to welcome her back to our campus.

News from the Elementary Student Council

The Elementary Student Council would like to announce that Spirit Week for the Elementary School will be held during the week of April 13 - 17. This is the week we return from Spring Break. We will ease into our first week back by wearing pajamas on the Monday we return.

The order of activities for all elementary students who choose to participates is:

Monday - Pajama Day

Tuesday - Mismatch Day

Wednesday  - Career Day

Thursday - Twins OR Multiples Day

Friday - 80’s Day

So, roll out of bed and come ready to have a fun week of school spirit!

Lunch Menu and Order Link for April 2015

This is the Lunch menu for April. 

You may order and pay online by accessing this website. 

You may also order using this google form and make a cash payment at the counter before April 17th.

In closing, our first virtual learning drill was a success! Thank you, parents, for your support at home on Wednesday. A few parents sent us pictures of their children working at home! Thank you for sharing these with us!

Have a restful break! See you on April 13th.

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal

Friday, March 20, 2015

Dear Parents,

This Wednesday is our Virtual Learning Drill day. On this date, all students will remain home from school for a full schedule of learning using both digital and traditional materials.  This is what you should expect in the days leading up to this drill and on the day of the drill.

1. You will receive an emergency SMS message from AISC on Tuesday, March 24th notifying the community of our plans to close school the following day.

2. You will receive an email shortly after the sms from the Head of School explaining the situation. These communications are part of the drill and are not meant to cause concern.

3. You and your child will then receive an email from me further explaining what teaching and learning will look like the following day for your children.

4. On the morning of March 25th at 8:30 am you will receive an email indicating that school has begun for that day. 

5. Your child, possibly with your help depending the age and independence of your children, will log into Moodle to find instructions for learning.  You can login as a guest by following these instructions.

6. Elementary School students and/or parents will access the homeroom teacher's Moodle page where they will find further instructions and links for the subjects the child would normally have on that day. Specialist teachers will link to their lessons through the homeroom teachers' page.  

7. Students will have opportunities to interact with teachers via both chat or video conference to have their questions answered. 

8. In the event of technical issues, please call our direct tech support line at (44) 2254-9029 or (44) 3357-9029.

News from the Elementary Student Council

The Elementary Student Council would like to announce that Spirit Week for the Elementary School will be held during the week of April 13 - 17. This is the week we return from Spring Break. We will ease into our first week back by wearing pajamas on the Monday we return.

The order of activities for all elementary students who choose to participates is:

Monday - Pajama Day
Tuesday - Mismatch Day
Wednesday  - Career Day
Thursday - Twins OR Multiples Day
Friday - 80’s Day

So…...roll out of bed and come ready to have a fun week of school spirit!

Kathryn Claire Returns to AISC

AISC welcomes singer-songwriter, Kathryn Claire as our Spring 2015 Artist in Residence! After a successful residency last year, Kathryn will return for two weeks of teaching and performance.  Part of a new generation of traditionally-inspired musicians, Kathryn’s guitar and fiddle-playing exhibit a technical grace which is matched only by her truly captivating voice and her rare ability to move seamlessly across genres. She will be working in elementary, middle, and high school music classes and will conduct afterschool song writing workshops with MS/HS students.

Beginning April 13th, Kathryn’s residency will culminate in a Friday@5 concert in association with R.I.S.E. on the 24th of April. Her charismatic presence and infectious smile have made her a favorite at venues and festivals around the world- and we are thrilled to welcome her back to our campus.

Lunch Menu and Order Link for April 2015

This is the Lunch menu for April.

You may order and pay online by accessing this website.

You may also order using this googleform  and make a cash payment at the counter before April 17th.


Parents of 5th Grade Students

It is that time of year again when we look ahead to next year and ready ourselves for the transition. The 5th grade students will begin this process by having to choose their elective courses for 6th grade, such as band, strings, choir, theatre, and art. To help the students and parents in this course selection,  the middle school will be holding a meeting for students and parents where they will receive information from the specialist teachers.

Please note the timings for these meetings:

• 5th grade Student Meeting: Monday, March 23rd 10:00-10:30 in the FAC cafeteria

• 5th grade Parent Meeting: Tuesday, March 24th 8:45-9:15 in the BBT

A course selection form will then go home to be signed by the parents. This form needs to be back to the students 5th grade teacher by March 27th.

We look forward to meeting with you.

International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) Art Exhibition

AISC high school art teacher, Mr. Ed Doherty, is extending an invitation to community members to visit the IB and AP Art Exhibition. There is an opening reception on Monday at 5:00 pm in the FAC Foyer. You can view the students work up to April 17th, also in the FAC foyer.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, March 13, 2015

Dear Parents,

March is Nutrition Month and activities continue in both cafeterias as another round of teachers have donned chef coats to pass out nutritious servings of vegetables alongside the message of healthy eating.

Thanks to everyone who entered the recipe contest! We are pleased to announce the following winners:

Pasta: Ms. Nanda's Chicken and Vegetable Pasta

Asian Non-Veg: Shiki and Uta's Chicken with Beans

Vegetable side dish: Rhea's Cucumber Dill Salad

Quiche/Frittata: Japanese PTA's Omlette (available next Monday before school) and Makot and Matsumi's Muffin Size Quiche (available in the snack counters at the iHub and ES cafeteria sometime in April)

The winning muffin, "No Way Muffins" will be given to MS and HS students in the iHub on Monday, March 16th as part of "Muffin Monday". The No Way Muffins will also be served to ES students on "Fresh Snack Friday" on March 20th.

Thanks for sending in your favorite recipes; watch for the winners on the April menu.

Also, in order to provide dairy options to our students, especially in the elementary school, the ES cafeteria, the main cafeteria and the iHub will be selling milk and yoghurt @ Rs.25 each starting Monday, 16 March.

Virtual Learning Drill Update

Please plan ahead for our Virtual Learning Drill scheduled for March 25th.  On this date, all students will remain home from school for a full schedule of learning using both digital and traditional materials.  This is what you should expect in the days leading up to this drill and on the day of the drill.

1. You will receive an emergency SMS message from AISC on Tuesday March 24th notifying the community of our plans to close school the following day.

2. You will receive an email shortly after the sms from the Head of School explaining the situation. These communications are part of the drill and are not meant to cause concern.

3. You and your child will then receive an email from each of your section Principals further explaining what teaching and learning will look like the following day for your children.

4. On the morning of March 25th at 8:30 am you will receive an email indicating that school has begun for that day.  

5. Your child, possibly with your help depending the age and independence of your children, will log into Moodle to find instructions for learning.  

6. Elementary School students and/or parents will access the homeroom teacher's Moodle page where they will find further instructions and links for the subjects the child would normally have on that day. Specialist teachers will link to their lessons through the homeroom teachers' page.  

7. Students will have opportunities to interact with teachers via both chat or video conference to have their questions answered. 

8. In the event of technical issues,  please call our direct tech support line at (44) 2254-9029 or (44) 3357-9029.

The 1001 Arabian Nights: A High School Production

If you missed the show today, there is another showing tomorrow at  6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Reception for Rs.200. 

Please note: there are some mature themes - most age appropriate for students ages 9+. 

Click here for a preview!

Overview: After finding his queen unfaithful, king Shahrayar goes mad. He marries a different woman each night, doing away with her before dawn- so he'll never be betrayed again. Finally he marries Scheherazade, the brave girl who vows to save the women of her kingdom.  

Every evening she tells stories to beguile the cruel king till dawn arrives, stopping in the middle so he'll want to hear the rest the following night.  

Q. Where is the seat of reason?  

Q. What is the origin of creation?

Q. What thing lives in prison and dies when it breaths free air?

Q. Will Scheherazade's stories save her life?  

All these questions— and more— will be answered.

Using Mary Zimmerman's text as a starting point - AISC's students have freely adapted and re-written the play using music, song, and dance to explore the theme of how the magic of storytelling has the power to change our lives.

Cabaret 2015

The biggest show of the year is here! Cabaret 2015 will be as big as ever, with dozens of students performing in more genres than ever before. This year's exciting theme is "Spin Cycle". With vocalists, dancers and rock bands covering dozens of countries and styles, a good time is guaranteed for everybody!

Due to the enormous popularity of Cabaret, the continued growth of our school community and the limited number of seats available in the auditorium, students, parents and other audience members are kindly requested to reserve their seats in advance for Rs.50, available for pickup starting Monday, March 16 at main reception and elementary reception. All students in grades 6-12 are warmly invited to reserve tickets, as are all parents of elementary, middle and high school students. While we love audience members of all ages, this show is appropriate for patrons eight years and older with direct parental supervision.

Cabaret 2015: Spin Cycle is Saturday, March 21 at 7:00pm in the AISC Auditorium. See you there!

Grade 5 EAL Parent Meeting: 20th March 2015

The Grade 5 team invites all EAL parents for the next EAL parent meeting on 20th March 2015. In this meeting, the following topics will be discussed:

• WIDA MODEL test for language learners

• Role of technology in language learning

• Upcoming units of study

• How to support your child at home

Date: Friday, 20th March, 2015

Time: 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm

Place: Black Box Theatre (BBT)

NESA Virtual Science Fair (Grade 5)

Our 10 groups of scientists are creating graphs, interpreting results, and formulating conclusions. Our NESA scientists need to prepare their boards and be ready to face the judges next week to answer their questions. Their notebooks and research reports will be on display for you to read. The final presentation for the judges is in the Black Box from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Tuesday, Mar 17 2015. Parents, teachers and students are welcome to come on Monday, March 16, to see first-hand all the research and hard work of our young scientists.

Parent Coffee Feedback

Thank you to the 25 parents who came to our parent coffee this week. Our topic was, “Transitions: Managing the Move.” Click on this link to view the presentation. There is very little content on these slides as this presentation was, for the most part, a discussion.

We asked for parent feedback at the end of the presentation. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Below is the (unedited) feedback we received.

• Focus on things I will appreciate (miss) when I’m gone.

How great this school is!  Can’t imagine a more engaged principal & counselor team at home! (Thank you for these meetings)

• This session just reaffirmed my ideas about this school- it is concerned about the students & their families.

• I am not alone. Need to stay calm and involve the entire family make a plan. I have great tools/help to get ready.

• I learned that If I need help here there's somebody who can give me suggestions. Thanks.

• Be calm & work through it. Undertake exercise with the kids.

• I became aware that this experience and the next will change us adults together with our kids: going back home one day the kids and me will maybe be scared about how “old” friends will accept these changes. 

• If I gonna get some positive expectation and exciting things about new country, I can enjoy now and future. And I can talk with my Kids.

• I knew that only friends matter for my kids but I will speak more about this topic with them. 

• The broad anxiety that I had became clear →  put in words while talking to my friends today. Knowing that I am not alone in the situation, Helps a lot!

• Prepare with children to keep Contacts Think Positive about the good things you know you’re going back to --- to feel less anxious

• I have to stay cool even If I don’t know anything yet about my next move! I am not the only one…

• Some people are happy to go back to their “old own life” I Find it very surprising. It is the opposite for me. New move → New Project.

• Transitions: Moving is not easy 

Moving is not easy - for the kids & parents.

Have to have checklists on what to do/prepare.

Have to be strong emotionally & physically.

• It’s okay to tap the school for transition resources - especially for emotional processing.

• Focus on enjoying the expat experience more while we are living it! Not hardships.

The counselors and I want to thank all the parents who came and participated in our Compass Points visible thinking routine.

Have a great week,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, March 6, 2015

Dear Parents,

Please join the counselors and me on March 10th at 8:45 in the ES cafeteria for our next parent coffee. This month, our topic is, “Transitions: Managing the Move.” This session will be most applicable to parents who are moving at the end of the school year. Everyone is welcome to attend, however. We expect participants to come away with new ideas and strategies that will assist you as you prepare to leave Chennai.

During this session, we are going to use a visible thinking routine called, “compass points.” This will be a fun way of sharing the similar excitement and concerns we have about moves.

Virtual Learning Drill Update

Please plan ahead for our Virtual Learning Drill scheduled for March 25th.  On this date,  all students will remain home from school for a full schedule of learning using both digital and traditional materials.  This is what you should expect in the days leading up to this drill and on the day of the drill.

1. You will receive an emergency sms message from AISC on Tuesday March 24th notifying the community of our plans to close school the following day.
2. You will receive an email shortly after the sms from the Head of School explaining the situation. These communications are part of the drill and are not meant to cause concern.
3. You and your child will then receive an email from each of your section Principals further explaining what teaching and learning will look like the following day for your children.
4. On the morning of March 25th at 8:30 am you will receive an email indicating that school has begun for that day.  
5. Your child, possibly with your help depending the age and independence of your children, will log into Moodle to find instructions for learning.  
6. Middle and High School students will log into their normally scheduled classes (it is a B day) and, ideally, complete those during the normally scheduled times.  It is best to follow the schedule as closely as possible so as not to miss the teacher's office hours, which will be open during that class.   
7. Elementary School students and/or parents will access the homeroom teacher's Moodle page where they will find further instructions and links for the subjects the child would normally have on that day. Specialist teachers will link to their lessons through the homeroom teachers' page.  
8. Students will have opportunities to interact with teachers via both chat or video conference to have their questions answered. 
9. In the event of technical issues,  please call our direct tech support line at (44) 2254-9029 or (44) 3357-9029.

Nutrition Month Comes to AISC

AISC celebrates the month of March as Nutrition Month.  The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits in our students.

Below is a quick list of some activities that are planned:

Guest Chefs: Teachers will have the chance to don a chef coat and join the Taj Madras Flight Kitchen staff in serving meals to students. They will encourage students to make good nutritional choices as they serve up healthy servings of fruits and veggies. Here are pictures of some of our guest chefs this week. Can you tell who they are? Click on the picture to enlarge.


             

Recipe Contest: Students, parents and staff will have a chance to submit a healthy recipe for the following categories: muffin, pasta, pizza, asian non-veg, vegetable side dish and quiche/frittata. The Nutrition Committee will be using a rubric to judge the entries in the following categories: nutritional content, creativity, flavor, availability of ingredients and ease of preparation.

Parents and students may drop their recipe in the boxes found in both Main Reception and Elementary School Reception. Please note that the contest will close on March 9th; we will announce the winners of this contest on March 13th.  Kindly include the students’ name and grade level on the recipe. The winning dishes will be named after the person or family that submitted the recipe; the Taj Madras Flight Kitchen will be preparing the winning dishes in April in the secondary and ES cafeterias.

Fresh Snack Friday: All elementary students will be provided a nutritious snack, courtesy of AISC, on each Friday in March. March 6th and 13th will feature both fruit and vegetable sticks with dip. Here are some pictures taken this morning.




Mini-Muffin Monday Morning: The winning muffin recipe will be prepared and served free of charge by the Taj Madras Flight Kitchen.  These will be served on Monday, March 16th to all visitors in the iHub on this day.

Look for posters, banners, videos and surprise performances in the cafeterias. Please join us in celebrating good nutrition during March at AISC!

If you are interested in having your child learn more about nutrition, check out the following websites:

Choose from a variety of games that help you learn about food groups and exercise.
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids.php

Choose from a variety of games including items for teens and videos
http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Kids/Kids-Games-Activities.aspx

A variety of games, quizzes and even nutrition Sudoku
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/kids/Games.html

Build a Meal, Pyramid and Arcade Games
http://www.nourishinteractive.com/kids


Family Portraits

Art Sustains has sponsored a team of professional sign-board painters to create commissioned family and individual hand painted portraits.

Sign board painting is an art that is on the verge of extinction in India due to the availability of low cost, digital printing. As a result, Chennai and other cities throughout India are losing their character and cultural identity.

We can all help sustain this art form and work towards preserving incredible India by participating in this very personalized opportunity!

We are all unique; let us create your family’s Bollywood sign board!

                         


How and When?

Students will be available to take your orders and answer any questions after school in the elementary covered area on Tuesdays and outside the iHUB on Wednesdays.
(order form)

In June, before school closes for the summer, we will be celebrating with an art exhibition on campus, showcasing our community portraits done in this very special vintage style.

Information about the loss of the sign board painter:

Hand painted vintage Bollywood film posters now extinct

The Walls That Talk

Art Sustains is a student driven service organization that works towards sustaining Tamil Nadu's cultural and natural assets with an emphasis on the arts.

Our primary goal is to support the sustainability of the arts in Tamil Nadu, through educational programs, promoting international awareness, and by providing financial assistance for artists and art communities in the area. 

Beyond supporting the arts, Art Sustains believes in the importance of preserving and celebrating all cultural and natural assets of Tamil Nadu. 

Aims:

• support local artists and art communities

• educate artists about health and safety

• provide educational outreach, including art instruction at local government schools/ orphanages and mural painting 

• work towards preserving the cultural character of Chennai (i.e. signboard preservation and community art installations)

• work towards environmental preservation

1001 Arabian Nights: High School Production

“In our heads, my lord, we do contain all the images of the universe.”

In Baghdad, a young woman responds to war through the power of storytelling.

For three years, King Sharayar has tormented the women of his city, marrying a new bride every night and doing away with her in the morning.

Scheherezade is determined to stop with the only weapons she has – her wit and imagination. Night after night, the King’s newest bride weaves tales of silliness and suspense. How long can her stories save her?

A modern reimagining of ancient tales, this workshop production, adapted and rewritten to investigate the inherit violence of the story, begins in current day Baghdad.

Some mature themes -- most age appropriate for students ages 9+.

March 13th at 5pm

March 14th at 6pm

FAC Theater

Tickets cost Rs. 200 and are available at reception.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal