Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Dear Parents,

Happy Thanksgiving!  At this time of year it is wonderful to have the reminder to be thankful for all that is good in our lives and for the opportunities we have to be part of the AISC Community.  I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who make this community so special - parents, teachers and students. Your addition of daily smiles and gratitude makes it a pleasure for all of us to be here every day, and we thank each and every one of you.  

As Ralph Marston said “What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.”

Grade 3 - 5 Art Exhibition

Students and teachers from Grades 3-5 as well as Mr Ken and Ms Priya cordially invite you to view and enjoy a sampling of artworks created from the first half of the school year. These works will be on display in the lobby of the FAC (the Middle and High School Fine Arts Center) from Monday, December 5th through to Friday, December 9th.  

Christmas Tree Lighting

A reminder that our Elementary Choir will be performing at the Hyatt Regency at 6pm on Monday 5 December, as part of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  The hotel is generously providing food and soft drinks, and we look forward to welcoming our families there.  Children who are performing in the choir will travel together by bus to the Hyatt Regency, and families will take children home directly after the ceremony.

Hour of Code

Hour of code will be celebrated December 5-9. According to code.org, "There are over 8,079 events around the world in over 180 countries. To date, over 100 million students have participated, and girls in particular are being given a greater opportunity to learn programming than ever before." Last year, students in grades 1-4 participated in Hour of Code. We are hoping to get even more participation this year. During hour of code, students will participate at their pace in online tutorials learning the basics of computer programming. Learning to program requires students to use thinking skills, pay attention to details, patience, the ability to predict an outcome and much more. Bill Gates states, "Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.”

ES Parent Coffee
On Tuesday 13 December we will have our next Elementary Parent Coffee where we will have time to discuss ideas, projects and initiatives the Elementary School has been working on this year, and invite parents to offer feedback.  We look forward to welcoming you in the BBT at 8.45am - 9.45am.

Student Council Toy Drive

The holiday season is upon us once again! The ES Student Council has started the fifth annual Holiday Toy Drive. The Toy Drive began on Monday, Nov. 14 and goes through Friday, Dec. 2.  

We are collecting clean and gently used unwanted games, toys, or books for children in local orphanages that need holiday cheer. Students are asked to place the donated items into the box in their homeroom.   

Thank you in advance for your support. Please do not hesitate to contact our student council advisors, Ms Pam, Ms Deanna and Ms Nicole  if you have any questions or concerns.

Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar

Thur 24 - Fri 25 November        Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday 5 December Christmas Tree Lighting at the Hyatt Regency 6:00p.m

Mon 5 - Fri 9 December             Grades 3-5 Art Exhibition (FAC Atrium)

Wednesday 7 December           Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Tuesday 13 December ES Parent Coffee (BBT 8.45 - 9.45am)

Wednesday 14 December         Grades PreK - 2 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 15 December              Grades 3 - 5 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Friday 16 December            Last day of School before the Winter Break (regular school hours)

Happy Holidays everyone!  Enjoy this time together and remember to be thankful!

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling

Friday, November 18, 2016

Dear Parents,

What is a pirate’s favourite letter?  “Rrrrr”
What a treat our KG - Grade 5 students just had as an audience, watching ‘Blackbeard the Pirate’.  A huge congratulations to all the cast who performed with such confidence and skill, and also our four assistant directors, Gordon, Doyeon, Ellie and Junwon.  Missoula Children’s Theatre has become such a wonderful event for all our students.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Our Elementary Choir will be performing at the Hyatt Regency at 6pm on Monday 5 December, as part of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  The hotel is generously providing food refreshments and soft drinks, and we look forward to welcoming our families there.

Grade 5 Virtual Nesa Parent Meeting

On Monday, November 28th, from 3:45- 4:30PM in the C.I.C. Meeting Area, Ms. Kelly and Ms.Salome will present a brief overview of NVSF5, its purpose and guidelines for participation to Grade 5 parents.
Topics covered/ addressed in this meeting:

• Information on dates/times for student work
• Time commitment required
• Student group configuration
• Selection of science fair topic guidelines
• Judges’ grading rubric
• Samples of previous AISC science fair presentations
• NVSF5 digital science fair presentations
• What happens when a team wins?

Please contact Kelly Rusch (rkelly@aischennai.org) if you have further questions.

2017-18 School Calendar

The 2017-18 School Calendar will be sent home with your child on Monday, with your youngest if you have more than one child at school.

December Lunch Menu & Order Links  
If you wish to order a school lunch for your child, you can access the elementary lunch menu here.   You may use either the Payonline or the Lunch Pre-order system to order lunch for your child(ren).

Cafeteria News

This fall, ES student council members gave input for ongoing improvements to food service at AISC. As per their requests, we are going to pilot having the 5th graders eat lunch in the FAC cafeteria to offer more space and seating. This will begin next Monday and run until winter break, at which time it will be evaluated. On Monday, we will meet with the fifth graders to go over routines such as storing home lunches in refrigerators, how to use the microwaves in the FAC cafeteria, and clean up routines. Regular lunch options will remain the same. Students who have pre-ordered lunch will be offered the same menu in the FAC cafeteria, and students can continue to purchase the daily meal or snacks/sandwiches/salads using their ID card. Third and fourth graders will continue to eat in the ES cafeteria, as usual. Thanks to all our student council members for their input!

Blog Next Wednesday
Due to our Thanksgiving break, my Principal’s notes will come out next Wednesday 23 November.

Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar
Saturday 19 November Design Saturday #2 (9-12pm)

Wednesday 23 November        Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Thur 24 - Fri 25 November       Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday 5 December Christmas Tree Lighting at the Hyatt Regency 6:00p.m

Mon 5 - Fri 9 December            Grades 3-5 Art Exhibition (FAC Atrium)

Wednesday 7 December           Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Tuesday 13 December ES Parent Coffee (8.45 - 9.45am)

Wednesday 14 December        Grades PreK - 2 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 15 December             Grades 3 - 5 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Friday 16 December            Last day of School before the Winter Break begins (regular school hours)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling

Friday, 11th November, 2016

Dear Parents,

Between Digital Storytelling with BernaJean Porter, Silambam performers at this morning’s assembly and numerous field trips, it was another dynamic week in the Elementary School.

Abhiram in 3D Reflects on his Digital Storytelling Experience.

“This week we have been learning how to do digital stories. The process was hard and exciting. First thing in the process is that you have to get an idea of your story arch.  This was hard because we had to include a problem in the beginning of the story. Then we had to draw and colour our characters like puppets, practice our voice with emotions and choose a background so Ms. Hillary can save it and she can set it up for us. My favorite part in the process which we have done so far is brainstorming the ideas because I was excited and it turned out ok . The hardest  was the  speaking with emotion. .We had our story  and puppets ready.I felt excited because I was starting to record so I was also a little bit nervous. Next time I will consider to practice my voice because my voice was not so clear and I wasn’t very proud how I spoke because it was to soft so next time I will try to practice my voice.  

Next week we continue to offer amazing opportunities to our students in the form of Missoula Children’s Theatre.  See below for more information.

Missoula Children’s Theatre

On Monday we welcome back Missoula Children’s Theatre production team, Alex and Dylan.  Alex and Dylan will be with us all week working with children who signed up for this exciting opportunity.  Auditions will take place on Monday morning, and the selected cast will continue rehearsals throughout the week.  

The performance will take place for all parents and families at 4pm on Friday the 18th in the FAC Theatre.  Please be seated and ready to watch no later than 3.55pm.  

We have over 130 children signed up to audition, and unfortunately only 60 children will be selected for the cast.  If your child has signed up, please talk to them before Monday’s auditions to help them manage their disappointment if they are not selected.  This article may help.

Design Saturday Number #2 - Saturday November 19, 9:00 -12:00  in the ES Discovery Studio
We will have 2 different activities for you to choose from. Please choose one activity from the choices to challenge yourself and your child on Saturday. The time is designed that one activity will take up most of the entire three hours. If you have children doing different activities, ou must have one parent at each activity.

Challenge 1: create a Paddle Boat.  Participants will have to make a boat that will be propelled using a rubber band powered paddle wheel.  We will have a chance to go to the pool to test your designs and see which boat can travel the farthest. Participants should be prepared to get wet. The kiddy pool will be used for this activity.

Challenge 2: build a bottle rocket out of recycled materials and use household chemicals to launch it.  You can test how high the rocket goes and how long it stays in the air.  Given the nature of this challenge, safety protocols must be followed for the duration of this design challenge. This will include wearing of safety glasses throughout the day.  

Each activity will be limited to 10 student participants. Parents must accompany their child to Design Saturday and stay with them the entire time of the activity. Students must be in Grades 2 or above to participate.  Children in Grade 1 or younger may not attend due to safety reasons, even as an observer. Thank you for your understanding.

Registration details:

Cost of the activity is 1000 INR per student

Payment & Registration can be done through our school Payonline portal (https://payonline.aisch.org/) which will be open from November 5-13.  After you log in, click "Book ASA Paid" to select and pay for the Design Saturday.

If you miss paying online, cash payment can be made at the ASA office (MC-1B) on November 14 & 15 from 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Hyatt Regency 6 p.m.

As in previous years, an Elementary Choir will be singing at the Hyatt Regency on Monday December 5th as part of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.   

Over 30 Grade 3 - 5 aged children will be singing in this choir, and if your child is part of this, they will travel together to the Hyatt Regency by school bus and can be taken home directly from the hotel after the performance. This will be a fun and festive community event and we look forward to welcoming families there.

Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar
Mon 14 - Fri 18 November Missoula Children’s Theatre audition and practices

Friday 18 November Missoula’s production ‘Blackbeard the Pirate’ 4 p.m. FAC Theater

Saturday 19 November Design Saturday #2 (9-12pm)

Wednesday 23 November        Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Thur 24 - Fri 25 November       Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday 5 December Christmas Tree Lighting at the Hyatt Regency 6:00p.m

Wednesday 7 December           Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Tuesday 13 December ES Parent Coffee (8.45 - 9.45am)

Wednesday 14 December         Grades PreK - 2 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 15 December             Grades 3 - 5 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Friday 16 December            Last day of School before the Winter Break begins

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling

Friday, 04 November, 2016

Dear Parents,  

Our final assemblies these last two days have been a spectacular end to our India Month festivities and celebrations.  Our music teachers, Indian Studies teachers and teacher assistants have dedicated hours into preparing the dances and musical performances we all enjoyed as an audience. The confidence, poise and enthusiasm of our students was impressive! We look forward to seeing so many of you tomorrow evening at the Diwali Mela also.

Scholastic Book Fair

Get lots of great new books! AISC is holding its next Scholastic Book Fair on November 7-9 in the FAC Atrium (8:00-4:30 on Monday and Tuesday, 8:00-3:30 on Wednesday). Please stop by and check out some of the wonderful books on sale! You will find books available for students in elementary and middle school. There are nonfiction and fiction books with many different genres, series, and fun topics you will enjoy!   

Please contact Mr. Jet at wjeremy@aischennai.org if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the book fair!

Parent Cafe - next Tuesday 8 November - 8.45am BBT
On Tuesday, November 8 Bernajean Porter, world-renowned digital storytelling expert, will be sharing her work and vision with parents at the ES Parent Coffee. Bernajean will be visiting AISC that week as an Artist in Residence. She will be spending time with several grade levels working with students in the classrooms to inspire them to share their stories with the world. Bernajean’s core question for schools is “What is the Return-on-Learning [ROL] for technology’s role in curriculum?” How might technology accelerate learners sharing what they know and understand? A powerful way to do this is to give learners more opportunities to tell stories about what they are learning. Storytelling takes vision, planning, practice and execution and is a powerful life skill.  

Vision and Hearing Screening (November 9th - 11th, 2016)

Each year, we conduct vision and hearing screening tests for all Elementary students. The screenings will will be done at school by Doctors from the Apollo Shine Foundation. Teachers will communicate the testing date for their class. The Health Office will notify you if a doctor recommends further assessments for your child.  

Report Cards

Today marks the end of the first trimester. The first trimester report card will be ready for viewing on Skyward this evening. To view the report card, login to Skyward and select the "Report Cards" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. You will be directed to a new screen where you will see the link "Standards Based Report Card 2016-17 T1."  Please click this link. If you have forgotten your password, or have not created a password, please click on the “forgot password” link on the login page of Skyward and you will receive an email from Skyward with a login ID. The screenshots below should help you. If you have any difficulty accessing the report card, please email itsupport@aischennai.org  

Academic marks show what a student knows and is able to demonstrate based on academic content standards. A trimester mark reflects student progress in meeting end-of-year standards. There is one exception to this reporting practice, and that is the standard listed under reading foundations. The mark that your student receives is measured against trimester benchmarks.

Please click on this link, for further information about standards-based grading and reporting.

Design Saturday Number #2 - Saturday November 19, 9-12 in the ES Discovery Studio
We will have 2 different activities for you to choose from. Please choose one activity from the choices to challenge yourself and your child on Saturday. The time is designed that one activity will take up most of the entire three hours. If you have children doing different activities, you must have one parent at each activity.  

Challenge 1: create a Paddle Boat.  Participants will have to make a boat that will be propelled using a rubber band powered paddle wheel.  We will have a chance to go to the pool to test your designs and see which boat can travel the farthest. Participants should be prepared to get wet. The kiddy pool will be used for this activity.

Challenge 2: build a bottle rocket out of recycled materials and use household chemicals to launch it.  You can test how high the rocket goes and how long it stays in the air.  Given the nature of this challenge, safety protocols must be followed for the duration of this design challenge. This will include wearing of safety glasses throughout the day.  

Each activity will be limited to 10 student participants. Parents must accompany their child to Design Saturday and stay with them the entire time of the activity. Students must be in Grades 2 or above to participate.  Children in Grade 1 or younger may not attend due to safety reasons, even as an observer. Thank you for your understanding.

Registration details:

Cost of the activity is 1000 INR per student

Payment & Registration can be done through our school Payonline portal (https://payonline.aisch.org/) which will be open from November 5-13.  After you log in, click "Book ASA Paid" to select and pay for the Design Saturday.

If you miss paying online, cash payment can be made at the ASA office (MC-1B) on November 14 & 15 from 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.  

Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar
Friday 4 November   Report cards for Trimester One uploaded on Skyward
Monday 7 November   Scholastic Book Fair begins

Monday 7 November   Vision and Hearing Screening week

Tuesday 8 November   ES Parent Coffee with Bernajean Porter(8.45 - 9.45am)

Mon 14 - Fri 18 November Missoula Children’s Theatre audition and practices

Friday 18 November              Missoula’s production ‘Blackbeard the Pirate’ 4 p.m. FAC Theater

Saturday 19 November Design Saturday #2 (9-12pm)

Wednesday 23 November    Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Thur 24 - Fri 25 November    Thanksgiving Holiday

Wednesday 7 December        Early Release Wednesday (2.00pm dismissal)

Tuesday 13 December    ES Parent Coffee (8.45 - 9.45am)

Wednesday 14 December      Grades PreK - 2 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 15 December           Grades 3 - 5 Winter Concert 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling