Friday, February 24, 2017

Dear Parents,

Elementary Students certainly got into the ‘Spirit’ of things this week!  Here are some pictures below of our students dressed in many creative ways.  It certainly was entertaining seeing so many children in their pyjamas today!

Report Cards

Today marks the end of the second trimester. The second 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 T2."  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. If you have any difficulty accessing the report card, please email itsupport@aischennai.org  

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

Need help with Edmodo?
We will be holding a special Edmodo tech support session next Monday February 27th from 2:30 - 4:30 in the CIC (Room 2129 next to the IT office). You may drop in anytime during this time to receive dedicated Edmodo support.

As you know, Edmodo is our communication platform in the Elementary School.  All teachers are making regular Edmodo posts sharing curricular information and celebrations from the classes. We want to make sure every parent is accessing this vital communication stream.  

Student Protection Curriculum - ES Coffee - Wednesday 8 March in the BBT
As you are aware, the importance of educating our children to keep safe in all domains is part of our curriculum. Our counselors, together with classroom teachers, have been focusing on developing lessons and acquiring resources to educate our children about circles of trust, understanding which secrets to keep and which to share, as well as safe touch, unsafe touch and the correct anatomical names of all our body parts.

Over the last trimester in school, explicit lessons will be taught in every 2-5 homeroom, as well as all children have access to books and anatomically correct dolls. If you would like to know more about this curricular focus, and experience some of the ideas covered within these lessons, we will hold a parent coffee about this on Wednesday 8 March, 8.45-9.45am in the BBT.

Yearbook Photo Orders

Your child's individual and class yearbook pictures from the August 2016 & January 2017 photo sessions may be purchased using this Form.

To order photos - On the All School Moodle page, (guest password: raptors17) you will find a folder- Yearbook photos 2016-17. If your child joined school after September 4th, or missed the first session, the photo can be found in the folder labelled "SESSION 2 ".

Please complete the form, pay at the cash counter and submit the form at the respective section office along with the receipt. Last day for orders is 7 March. Prints will be ready for pick up after 21 March.

Request from the Discovery Studios

The Discovery Studios are in need of your help; we are looking for junk donations. Specifically, we are looking for the following:

• yogurt containers any size
• soda/pop cans
• plastic bottle lids
• corks
• old unwanted small appliances
• scraps of fabric
• old unloved tools

If you have any of these and you want to donate them, please bring them to the ES Discovery Studios, Rm 2602/2603.

SUMMER CAMP 2017

AISC will have its annual SUMMER CAMP 2017 from June 5 - 16 (Monday – Friday)

Timing: 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. The Summer camp handbook and registration forms are sent to all the students today.  Registration opens: March 20 – April 30, 2017

Activities for the camp

Swimming Pool Games |Crossword | Word Puzzles | Creative Writing | Reading Aloud |Story-telling | Glass Painting | Fabric Painting | Art & Craft | Zentangle | Puppetry | Theatre | Cooking & Baking | Singing | Dancing | Indoor & Outdoor games

Fees: Rs.15000/-  

(Students need to carry their own lunch and snacks) - There will be no refunds.​

Have a great weekend!

Wamly,

Keryn Dowling

Friday, February 17, 2017

Dear parents,

What did you do today at school?

I have asked my two daughters this question for close to 10 years - and have found that the usual answer is ‘nothing’. You may have had the same experience.

In a recent Twitter feed I read that Matt Glover, a visiting speaker at many international schools, shared the following questions for parents to ask: ‘What was the best question you asked at school today?’ and ‘What was the hardest thing you did today?’ The first question particularly resonated with me as it puts the onus on the child and is a sign of engagement in the inquiry the child is involved in. Let us give it a go and see if the results are better. I am certain it will be more informative than my previous efforts!

Today was High School Discovery Day, where many classes had High School students lead activities, work with small groups and interact with our Elementary children.  You can see this in the images below.

Elementary Spirit Week
Student Council members have been busy preparing for the ES Spirit Week that starts next Monday 20th February. All elementary students are invited to participate in showing their spirit for AISC by dressing in different ways each day during that week.

See the schedule below as well as the fliers posted around the elementary school.

Elementary Spirit Week Days!

Monday 20 February	Mismatch Day!  Wear clothes that do not go together
Tuesday 21 February	Multiples day!  Find friends and dress alike.
Wednesday 22 February	Crazy hair day - style up your hair in fun and crazy ways!
Thursday 23 February	Costume Day - wear a costume of your choice
Friday 24 February	Pyjama Day - wear your favorite pyjamas to school

Need help with Edmodo?
We will be holding a special Edmodo tech support session on Monday February 27th from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. You may drop in anytime during this time to receive dedicated Edmodo support.

As you know, Edmodo is our communication platform in the Elementary School. All teachers are making regular Edmodo posts sharing curricular information and celebrations from the classes. We want to make sure every parent is accessing this vital communication stream.  

If you are experiencing problems accessing these valuable communication posts, please visit the IT office or email our IT Director, Kevin Crouch - ckevin@aischennai.org to help fix these issues.

Elementary Report Cards
Elementary Report Cards will be coming home next Friday 24th of February via Skyward.  Please login to see recent assessment information and comments on your child’s progress and development.  

Sign up for The Fourth Annual AISC RAPTORTHON - Sunday, February 26th from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Raptorthon is a FUN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EVENT that combines swimming and running. Participants will be required to swim 150m, run 1600m then jump back in the pool and swim another 150m.

Enter as an individual or as a team of two (one person swims and the other runs). The entry fee is 350 rupees per individual and 700 rupees per team. This is an AISC Community Event. Anyone grade 3 and older may participate!  You can register by filling in this Google Form. The money raised will be used to cover the cost of the event and any remaining money will benefit a yet undetermined local charity.  

After the event, there will be a potluck breakfast provided by the entrants. Every participant will bring a dish to share. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation with their official completion time at the breakfast. This year, there will also be special certificates for age group winners.

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Fava at: fdonna@aischennai.org.

Supervision At School - repeat reminder
We need your help in helping us keep your children safe before (and especially) after school.  We are still finding many children to be unsupervised after school.

Our elementary school does not provide supervision before 8:00 a.m. From 8:00 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. there is supervision provided by school on the play yard. Should students need to visit another area of the campus, they need to do so with their parents.

No supervision is provided after 3:30 p.m. except when children are enrolled in an official school activity. After school, parents must pick up their children from the designated location on the ground level and supervise their children should they wish to stay after school and are not enrolled in an after-school activity. Nannies, and drivers cannot perform this role. Parents are asked to be within close range of their child. What this means is that you must not only be able to see your child play, but to be able to hear your child as well.

Please note that this applies to all students in elementary school and to all areas of the campus, including: the library, play areas, cafeterias, sports facilities, and classrooms.  Any child on campus not being supervised by their parents will be taken to the ES Reception to await collection.

March 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).

Request from the Discovery Studios
The Discovery Studios are in need of your help; we are looking for junk donations. Specifically, we are looking for the following:

• yogurt containers any size
• soda/pop cans
• plastic bottle lids
• corks
• old unwanted small appliances
• scraps of fabric
• old unloved tools

If you have any of these and you want to donate them, please bring them to the ES Discovery Studios, Rm 2602/2603.

DESIGN SATURDAY - February 25, 2017
Timing: 9 am -12 noon in the ES Discovery Studios (Rooms 2602/2603)

Please choose one activity from the 3 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.

A.    PING PONG BALL ROLLER COASTER- Grade level: K-5
The first challenge will be to create a Ping Pong Ball Roller Coaster.  Participants will have to make roller coaster tracks for a ping pong ball using only straws. Be prepared to design tracks for different obstacles and challenges.

B.    BOTTLE ROCKET- Grade level: 2-5
For the second challenge, you will have to design and build a bottle rocket out of recycled materials and use baking soda and vinegar to launch it.  You can test how high the rocket goes and how long it stays in the air.  This activity is open for kids in 2nd grade and above.

C.    PAPER AIRPLANE - Grade level: K-5
Can you create a paper airplane that can hold the most cargo value and still fly at least ten feet?  Our third challenge is to design and make a paper airplane the will be able to carry the most amount of weight (cargo) for a distance of 10 feet.  

Registration Details

Cost of the activity is 1000 INR per student.

Registration dates: February 11 – February 22

Mode of payment:

• In-person registration by cash at the ASA office (MC-1B) from 9.00 am – 11.00 am
• Online registration – Pay online portal (https://payonline.aisch.org/)

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. Thank you for your understanding.

AISC Summer Camp 2017
AISC will offer a two-week Summer Camp for Elementary school students (Pre-K 3+ to Gr.5) from June 5 – 16, 2017.  Registration forms will be sent home on February 24th. Online registration starts on March 20th till April 30th, 2017.

Warmly,

Keryn Dowling

Friday, February 10, 2017

Dear Parents,

A wonderful calm week in the Elementary School was culminated today with our PreKindergarten to Grade 2 Celebration of Learning. The children are becoming so confident communicating to an audience and sharing their learning with their peers. It is wonderful to observe.

Kindergarten - Grade 2 Art Exhibition
Our K-2 students have put up some fabulous art works of their creation on display at the FAC Atrium.
Please do visit our K-2 art exhibition and encourage our students. This display will be up from Monday February 13 through until Friday February 24. We look forward to welcoming you there.

Parent Coffee - Tuesday 14 February - 8.45 am - 9.45 am
Our next parent coffee is rescheduled from January, and will be on “Understanding Elementary Education in the 21st Century”, with a particular focus on understanding the Inquiry pedagogy as well as the role of co-teaching and home learning. There will be time for questions at the end.  We look forward to welcoming you in the Elementary Cafeteria.  

Matt Holm - Visiting Author
Each year AISC brings an author to work with students and share his or her passion for reading and writing. This year, we have the honor of welcoming author and illustrator, Mr. Matthew Holm. Matthew Holm (http://www.matthewholm.net) will be visiting AISC from February 20-24. In addition to many other books, he is the co-author and illustrator of two popular series, Baby Mouse and Squish! During his stay he will be sharing some of his books with students and even do some special sessions for teachers. There will be an opportunity to meet Matthew Holm for parents on Tuesday, February 21 during the Parent Coffee from 8:45-9:45. Please email Mr. Jet in the ES/MS CIC if you have any questions (wjeremy@aischennai.org).   

DESIGN SATURDAY - February 25, 2017
Timing: 9 am -12 noon
Facility: ES Discovery Studios (Rooms 2602/2603)  

We will have 3 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.  

A. PING PONG BALL ROLLER COASTER
The first challenge will be to create a Ping Pong Ball Roller Coaster. Participants will have to make roller coaster tracks for a ping pong ball using only straws. Be prepared to design tracks for different obstacles and challenges.  

B. BOTTLE ROCKET
For the second challenge, you will have to design and build a bottle rocket out of recycled materials and use baking soda and vinegar to launch it.  You can test how high the rocket goes and how long it stays in the air. This activity is open for kids in 2nd grade and above.

C. PAPER AIRPLANE
Can you create a paper airplane that can hold the most cargo value and still fly at least ten feet? Our third challenge is to design and make a paper airplane the will be able to carry the most amount of weight (cargo) for a distance of 10 feet.   

REGISTRATION DETAILS
Cost of the activity is 1000 INR per student.
Registration dates: February 11 – February 22
Mode of payment:

• In-person registration by cash at the ASA office (MC-1B) from 9.00 am – 11.00 am
• Online registration – Pay online portal (https://payonline.aisch.org/)   

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. Thank you for your understanding.  

Greetings from Elementary Student Council!
Student Council members have been busy preparing for the ES Spirit Week. It will take place February 20th through February 24th. All elementary students Kindergarten - Grade 5 are invited to participate in showing their spirit for AISC by dressing in different ways each day during that week. This is not a requirement but simply for fun and community building.  

See the schedule below as well as the fliers posted around the elementary school.

Elementary Spirit Week Days!

Monday 20 February	Mismatch Day! Wear clothes that do not go together
Tuesday 21 February	Multiples day! Find friends and dress alike.
Wednesday 22 February	Crazy hair day - style up your hair in fun and crazy ways!
Thursday 23 February	Costume Day - wear a costume of your choice
Friday 24 February	Pyjama Day - wear your favorite pyjamas to school

AISC SUMMER CAMP 2017
AISC will offer a two-week Summer Camp for Elementary school students (Pre KG 3+ to Grade 5) from June 5 – 16, 2017. Stay tuned to the Principal’s blog for more details about activities offered and registration.

Have a nice weekend!  

Warmly,  

Keryn Dowling