Friday, May 29, 2015

Dear Parents,

At the beginning of every year we ask you to update your child’s health information that we have on record. The summer break may be an ideal time for families to see their family doctor, update medications, review immunizations and complete TB screening. We will need the following details:

• Health details
• Contact information
• Immunization record
• Evidence of TB screening
• Authorization for medication
• Grant emergency permission
• Physical examination form

Link: Health Form

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5yFRhU1WhzYMXBzaVZiaHJPb0U&authuser=0

Link: Physical Exam Form

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5yFRhU1WhzYYlY1am9pVnJCMzA&authuser=0

We manage the health of your child based on the information given. Therefore, it is important that the forms be filled out completely and handed in on the first day of school together with any medications required.  For significant conditions such as severe asthma, allergy, diabetes, or seizures, you should inform the nurse immediately upon the first day of school and supply the health office with any recommended Action Plans and the emergency medicine indicated.

The information sheet “Immunizations and TB Screening” is provided to assist you in fulfilling immunization and screening requirements and recommendations.  Please check with your physician regarding the immunization schedule recommended for your child.  If you are not sure what is recorded on your child’s records, please call in and we can go through the requirements with you.

Please note that an annual sports physical examination is required and is attached.  This will provide baseline information regarding a student’s fitness for sports.

Remember to take the Health Form, your child’s immunization records and the Physical Examination Form with you when you visit the doctor.

The Health Office has a list of doctors in Chennai. Please call the School Nurse’s office, should you require any further information or help.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found items are stored near the MC rooms. Sonia David in the main reception holds the valuable items. Kindly visit these areas if your child has lost something.

The items that have been found will be displayed on tables in the main entrance from Wednesday, June 3rd through Friday, June 5th. Please stop by to see if any of these belong to your family. Those items not claimed by Friday, June 5th will be donated to local orphanages.

Math Summer Fun

Below are links to "summer fun" calendars with activities for all levels of kids to review what they learned this past year.

Grade 1  |  Grade 2  |  Grade 3  |  Grade 4  |  Grade 5

Summer Reading

The summer is a wonderful time to explore the world, enjoy time with family, and relax.  It is also a wonderful time for students to read and write!  Did you know that if students do not engage in reading on a regular basis, they can regress 2-3 reading levels over the summer vacation?  This is called the "summer slide."  

The CIC would like to thank all of the students, parents, and staff for a great school year! To those of you who will be leaving us, it was great having you here at AISC and we hope you will come back and visit! To those of you who will be returning, we look forward to seeing you in 2015-2016! Whatever your plans are for next fall, we hope that you will keep on reading! We also hope that you will continue reading and learning during the summer holiday and would love to remind everyone about our fantastic collection of eBooks here at AISC! We have thousands of them...over 10,000 in fact!

There are several different platforms we use for our eBooks. Please find all the information you need below.  If you need any help logging in or want more assistance in using the eBooks, please stop into the CIC and ask us. 

FollettShelf

Website: wbb10056.follettshelf.com
Free App: Brytewave
Username: Your school email address without the @aisch.org part (example: sjohn)
Password: chennai
Other information:
1) These can be downloaded and read offline if you use the app.
2) There are many different genres available, fiction and nonfiction.

TumbleBooks

Website: tumblebooks.com
Username: aisc
Password: chennai
Other information:
1) You will need an Internet connection to read these (cannot be read offline).
2) Many French and Spanish books are available on this site.
3) Many popular titles are found here, including some classics.
4) Many books will also read out loud to you.
5) This site also has games and educational videos.

InfoBase Learning

Website: ebooks.infobaselearning.com
Username: aisc
Password: chennai
Other information:
1) You will need an Internet connection to read these (cannot be read offline).
2) There are also many books on here for older students.

Grade 5 Students Visit a Grade 8 Science Class

Mr. Ben’s Grade 5 students visited Mr. Thomson’s Grade 8 science class this week where they learned about the different experiments the middle school students did. Below are some pictures:

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 22, 2015

Dear Parents,

The first grade is working on a service learning project to help protect the Olive Ridley turtles found in Chennai. Next week, the students will have handmade items for sale to raise funds for the TREE Foundation. From 12:20 - 12:45, the students will have a table at the FAC. From 8:00 - 8:30 and 3:30 - 4:00, they will have their tables in the grade 1 hallway. This will be a donation-only sale, and all proceeds will go to the TREE Foundation.

Students are also collecting old towels and bed sheets. These are used by the TREE Foundation to transport and clean the rehabilitating turtles. You can drop off these items in the boxes located at both the ES and Main reception areas.

Pictured below are three 1st grade students who spoke to 65 elementary school teachers about their service learning project. That took courage, and they spoke with confidence!

bottom picture, left to right: Louis, Arthur and Hannah

Third Culture Kids and the Leaving Transition Process

Over the last 3 weeks, elementary school counselors Ms. Geetha and Mr. George have met with grade 1 through 5 students who are leaving our school and Chennai in the next few weeks. These groups honor the significant transition our Third Culture Kids (TCKs) have started as they move back home or to their new destination. Students have shared the excitement of the new place and also shared their concerns of leaving friends behind. All discussions give students clarity that TCK's learn to honor friendships by staying in touch, and that they transfer their skills to make new friends in the new place. Group and individual sessions have taken place. Notice the quotation painted on the wall. It is hard to read, but it says: 

A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his/her developmental years outside the parent’s culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCKs life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to the others of similar background.  David Pollack

Edmodo Sign-Up Letter

On Monday, you will receive one email for each of your children in grades PK3+ to Grade 4. This letter will have instructions on how to create an Edmodo parent account and add your children to that account.  If you have any difficulties completing the steps in the instructions, you may come to one of the Edmodo parent sign-up help sessions on Thursday May 28th and 29th from 8:45 - 9:45 in the MS CIC Meeting Area next to the IT Office.

Grades 3 & 4 Optional BYOT

Bring-Your-Own-Technology is optional for students in grades 3 and 4.  As with this year, we strongly encourage students to bring a personal technology device with them to promote a connection to learning with technology both inside and outside the classroom. AISC provides technology support and digital citizenship learning support for your child on his or her device. Another benefit is that students can complete projects and access apps at home that they are working on in class.

Though AISC provides some technology in the classroom, this shared technology will remain in the class.  Our experience has shown that personalized technology promotes greater ownership, creativity, and overall productivity.

To learn more about this program, please plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 26th from 9:45 - 10:45 in the MS CIC (Library) Meeting Area next to the IT office. This meeting is for current and returning grade 2 and 3 parents.  If you cannot attend this session, we will repeat this meeting on Wednesday, May 27th from 3:45 - 4:45 in the MS CIC (Library) Meeting Area.


Lost and Found

Lost and Found items are stored near the MC rooms. Sonia David in the main reception holds the valuable items. Kindly visit these areas if your child has lost something.

These items that have been found will be displayed on tables in the main entrance from Wednesday, June 3rd through Friday, June 5th. Please stop by to see if any of these belong to your family. Those items not claimed by Friday, June 5th will be donated to local orphanages.

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 available in Skyward on June 5th.

For students who are leaving AISC, report cards and school leaving documents will be given to parents on June 5th at the Admissions Office. Please inform the elementary office if your child is not returning for the next school year.

ASA - FUNSHINE CAMP 2015

Summer camp registrations are in full swing. Those who are yet to register, kindly do so at the earliest.

Please see details of the Camp below:

• Grade level: Pre-K - 5
• Camp Dates: June 8 - 19 (Monday – Friday)
• Camp Timing: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm                                                              
• Activities designed for the Camp: Theatre / Dance / Swimming pool games / Origami / Painting / Cooking / Story-telling / Art & Craft / Reading / Indoor & Outdoor Sports
• Fees: Rs. 18000

You may register at the ASA office (MC-1B) any time from 8.30 am - 3.00 pm. We are extending registrations up to May 20, 2015.
*Limited seats only.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 15, 2015

Dear Parents,

This trimester, grade one teachers are prototyping a service-learning project while integrating academic standards from two content areas, science and literacy. First grade decided to support the Tree Foundation, and in particular, their work in conserving and protecting the highly endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

This week Nithya Raja, (grade 11) visited first grade to share her knowledge of the four species of sea turtles that are found in India. As a fifth grader at AISC, Nithya visited the TREE Foundation and learned about their efforts to rehabilitate and protect turtles in Chennai. She continues to volunteer and spread the word about these animals. The first graders loved seeing a model of how large the leatherback turtle can be, and learned more about what they can do to help turtles. Thank you, Nithya!

Helping Nepal

Our generous and caring school community came together with a final donation of Rs. 31, 300 that will be given to the Lincoln School Fund supporting Nepal.  Total tickets for the Quilt raffle sold across the week were 313.  This is a wonderful add on to last week's bake sale led by Betsy Elad. Ora Levy Ben Cheton ended up having the winning ticket.

Thank you so much to Margaret Rajan who made the quilt and organized this event. I also wish to recognize Gina, JoAnn, and Shanti for selling tickets everyday!  Parents Sara, Gina, and Lucy also donated second draw prizes to award, which was very kind!

We hope this small amount stretches far and wide to begin to rebuild a normal life for the people in Nepal.

Grades 3 & 4 Optional BYOT

Bring-Your-Own-Technology is optional for students in grades 3 and 4.  As with this year, we strongly encourage students to bring a personal technology device with them to promote a connection to learning with technology both inside and outside the classroom. AISC provides technology support and digital citizenship learning support for your child on his or her device. Another benefit is that students can complete projects and access apps at home that they are working on in class.  

Though AISC provides some technology in the classroom, this shared technology will remain in the class.  Our experience has shown that personalized technology promotes greater ownership, creativity, and overall productivity.  

To learn more about this program, please plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 26th from 9:45 - 10:45 in the MS CIC (Library) Meeting Area next to the IT office. This meeting is for current and returning grade 2 and 3 parents.  If you cannot attend this session, we will repeat this meeting on Wednesday, May 27th from 3:45 - 4:45 in the MS CIC (Library) Meeting Area.

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 available in Skyward on June 5th. 

For students who are leaving AISC, report cards and school leaving documents will be given to parents on June 5th at the Admissions Office. Please inform the elementary office if your child is not returning for the next school year.

ASA - FUNSHINE CAMP 2015

Summer camp registrations are in full swing. Those who are yet to register, kindly do so at the earliest.

Please see details of the Camp below:

• Grade level: Pre-K - 5
• Camp Dates: June 8 - 19 (Monday – Friday)  
• Camp Timing: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm                                                                
• Activities designed for the Camp: Theatre / Dance / Swimming pool games / Origami / Painting / Cooking / Story-telling / Art & Craft / Reading / Indoor & Outdoor Sports
• Fees: Rs. 18000

You may register at the ASA office (MC-1B) any time from 8.30 am - 3.00 pm. We are extending registrations up to May 20, 2015.
*Limited seats only.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal

Friday, May 8, 2015

Dear Parents,

Please join us for our final parent coffee of the year on Monday, May 11 (please note that this session is not printed in the Community Calendar). Mr. Kevin Crouch, Director of Information and Communication Technology, will share parent survey results from our March Virtual Learning Day and he will also talk about Edmodo. This part of the presentation will be specific to parents of students in grades PK to 4.  We will soon be connecting all students and parents to virtual classrooms in Edmodo, which is a tool we are adopting to continue to improve school-home communication by making it more consistent, accessible, streamlined, and child-friendly. Edmodo is easy to use and can also help us build important digital citizenship and communication skills for our young learners.  

This will be an informative question and answer session about Edmodo, including how you sign up and what to expect from your teacher. We will meet in the Elementary School Cafeteria from 8:45 to 9:45.

Grades 2-5 Swimming Gala

The ES PE team and the Aquatics Department held their Swim Gala this week. The Swim Gala was a short event where students demonstrated what they have learned during their swim classes in PE. Thank you to the parents who came to watch!

Lower Elementary School Swim Classes

We are very excited to finish the year with Lower Elementary in the pool. The Lower Elementary swim unit will last from May 11th, to May 29th. The week of June 1st to June 5th is reserved for pool parties. Please remember to bring your goggles, swimming caps, suits, towels and sunscreen!

Community Service Project

The Elementary School Student Council has planned a community service project that will happen over the next three weeks. We are collecting clean newspapers to donate to The Cheshire Home India-Madras, Creating Opportunities for People With Disabilities.  We are planning to collect newspaper up to May 22. 

Collection boxes will be located in the following areas:

ES/Main Reception

ES/HS Library

ES/MS/HS Cafeteria

When you are finished reading your newspaper, drop it off in one of the collection boxes so it can be turned into something useful!

Muffins, Math and Literacy

This is Hyejin reporting from 4B, Ms. T’s class. Earlier this week, we baked muffins using our skills for reading comprehension and fractions and measuring. I think it was really fun to bake using fractions. Everyone was finding a right sized cups or spoons. For example, ¼ teaspoon for salt. When we were stuck, teachers and moms helped us. We weren’t fighting, instead we were collaborating. The muffins were healthy because even though we could have used chocolates, we used raisins, mashed banana, and carrots! Reading fractions wasn’t hard either. I think everyone were happy and having fun and it was the first time to make muffins for some people. 

When the muffins arrived, everyone was excited. We spread some butter on our muffins and ate them together to celebrate. “This is so good!!!!” everyone was shouting and it was good! 

We want to thank Ms. Janet, Ms. Aurore, Ms. Marie-Pierre, Mr. Mukesh, Ms. Sarah, and Ms. Aiko for helping us this in the class, and the Taj Kitchen for baking our muffins.

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 available in Skyward on June 5th. 

For students who are leaving AISC, report cards and school leaving documents will be given to parents on June 5th at the Admissions Office. Please inform the elementary office if your child is not returning for the next school year.

ASA - FUNSHINE CAMP 2015

Summer camp registrations are in full swing. Those who are yet to register, kindly do so at the earliest.

Please see details of the Camp below:

• Grade level: Pre-K - 5   

• Camp Dates: June 8 - 19 (Monday – Friday)     

• Camp Timing: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm                                                                  

• Activities designed for the Camp: Theatre / Dance / Swimming pool games / Origami / Painting / Cooking / Story-telling / Art & Craft / Reading / Indoor & Outdoor Sports

• Fees: Rs. 18000

You may register at the ASA office (MC-1B) any time from 8.30 am - 3.00 pm. We are extending registrations up to May 20, 2015. 

*Limited seats only.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal