Friday, October 30, 2020

Dear Parents,

This semester, almost 50 High School students have chosen "Service for Small Frys" as their Wellbeing choice during our bi-monthly sessions. They have done different types of service for the Elementary School teachers and students: creating Design activity models or non-English videos for Jen Cypra; creating video lessons of Wellbeing concepts for Mr. Jack; leading 4th and 2nd graders in games. These photos show us this week with 2nd graders scavenger hunting and at the end of our 4th grade Kahoot session. 

 

  

Classes had a great time celebrating Halloween. Students had on creative costumes and enjoyed listening to read alouds, playing games, having a dance party, and doing Halloween related activities. Some photos are at the end of the blog

 

Important Dates

Date	Time	Event	Details
November 2-6		India Week	See details below Lower Elementary Information Upper Elementary Information
November  3	9:30 a.m.	Literacy Morning Grades KG-2 Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach	Zoom link Meeting ID: 886 8797 3445
November 5	9:30 a.m.	Literacy Morning Grades 3-5 Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach	Zoom link Meeting ID: 870 8118 4717
November 10	3:30 p.m.	EY Parent Coffee	Zoom link Meeting ID: 820 1071 6164 Passcode: EYCoffee
November 18	All day	Vision Day Projects Grades 3-5	Email was sent to students and parents in grades 3-5

 

India Week - November 2nd-6th

Next week the Elementary School celebrates India Week! There are lots of exciting events and activities planned for each day. Please use the Lower ES and Upper ES links to get more information including the Zoom links and times for various for events throughout the week.

 

 

 

India Week Book Fair

In celebration of India Week, from November 2nd-8th, our local partners at Tara Books and Tulika Publishers are offering the AISC community a 20% discount on any purchase! If you are looking for handmade books, unique gifts, local artwork, or beautiful stationery, please take a look at the links below.

 

Please use coupon code AISC20 at checkout at the below link:

Tara Books

 

Tulika Publishers

Literacy Coffee Mornings

Please join Alex Ray, our ES Literacy Coach, to learn how to support your child’s literacy development during virtual learning.

 

Early Years Parent Coffee - November 10th

Please join us for an Early Years Parent Coffee on Tuesday, November 10th at 3:30 p.m. We will be talking about creating independence in play and learning in the Early Years.

 

From the Counselors

Many of you may be wondering, “when can my child safely play with other children again?” 

This is a frequent question from families who recognize the developmental importance of friendships for their children and how to promote safe  opportunities for socialization. 

Depending on where you live, and the level of COVID in your community, you CAN arrange safe playdates for your children. There are several factors to consider, such as your own comfort level with interacting with other families in your community and the level of risk that is present in your community. Here are a few ideas for ways to facilitate meet-ups with other friends. And remember, when we all wear masks, it reduces the chances of transmitting viruses even when we are outside together. 

Please email Ms. Linda (glinda@aischennai.org)  or Ms. Michele (nmichele@aischennai.org)  if you need other ideas for safe get togethers for your children. 

#1. Meet somewhere outside! If you live in Chennai, arrange for a beach meet-up! Bring a picnic blanket, set up 6 feet apart and let kids dig in the sand, play cricket, throw a frisbee around, play soccer. This is a great way for your child to socialize and get exercise at the same time.

#2. Plan a bike ride on a bike path or promenade with another child. Biking on quiet side streets or promenades is a fun way for kids to be together and exercise!

#3. Meet up for kids to skateboard or scooter together. 

#4. If you have a pool, outdoor spaces are great for fun and friends to meet up. 

#5. Meet up at a tennis court or badminton court or set up a badminton net in your yard for some fun!

#6. Kids could meet up to do service together, like a beach clean up, or neighborhood trash pick-up. Kids could bring water to street dogs with adult supervision. Get creative! 

#7. Host an outdoor arts and crafts get together. Set up spaced apart tables outside for kids and they can work individually on craft or art projects together while enjoying each other’s company. 

#8. Meet up to walk dogs together if there is another family with pets. 

#9. If parks are open in your community, these can be great places to meet and allow kids free and unstructured play, which is so essential for development. 

If you are doing something innovative to socialize with other families, please share your ideas with us! 

Happy Halloween!

 

  

 

Have a spooktacular weekend. 

 

Regards,

Lynn Schneider, Dave Allen, and Elliot Fijman
Elementary School Leadership Team

Friday, October 23, 2020

Dear Parents,

We are coming to the end of October already - growth conferences are done, Halloween is approaching, India Week is around the corner and Vision Day is on the horizon! Elementary students are going to be busy in the next few weeks.  

I would like to thank our PCA board, Karine, Hanne, Sachiko, and Anitta, for spending weeks trying to find classroom coordinators. Unfortunately, it proved harder this year than in past years to fill those volunteer positions. Not all of our classrooms currently have coordinators. If you are interested in being a classroom coordinator for an unrepresented class, please contact Karine. Thank you to the parents who have taken on the role this year. 

 

Important Dates

Date	Time	Event	Details
October 30		Halloween Celebrations	Students Only Details will come from classroom teachers
November 2-6		India Week	See details below
November  3	9:30 a.m.	Literacy Morning Grades KG-2 Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach	Zoom link to come
November 5	9:30 a.m.	Literacy Morning Grades 3-5 Hosted by Alex Ray, our Literacy Coach	Zoom link to come
November 18	All day	Vision Day Projects Grades 3-5	Email was sent to students and parents in grades 3-5

 

Dance Co-Teacher

Ms. Kavya Giridharan (Ms. Kavya) will be co-teaching dance with Jane Fijman through the end of semester one. Ms. Kavya will teach the live sessions and Ms.Jane will continue to plan the asynchronous lessons for students. Kavya currently teaches the dance ASA and is familiar with AISC. Welcome Kavya! We are lucky to have two expert dance teachers working with our students. If you have any questions please email Lynn Schneider, the Elementary School Principal. 

 

India Week

We have many exciting opportunities for students to participate in India Week activities the week of November 2nd. Teachers will be giving students more details about India Week next week. We will also include Zoom links and more details in next week’s blog. 

 

 

From the Counselors

Parenting in COVID-19 Times

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Your School Counselors recognize the challenges that you may be facing in your homes as you work to support your children in virtual school and manage the stressors of daily life. Ms. Linda and Ms. Michele talk to many families who have shared their struggles in COVID-19 times.

These challenges and worries include: 

• Developing and managing healthy daily routines for children

• Managing healthy technology habits for self and your children

• Managing sleep routines, bedtimes and wake up times

• Encouraging children to get enough exercise

• Work completion on Seesaw and engagement with virtual learning

• Missing friends and social connections with same age peers

• Feeling responsible for ensuring your students work is done well on Seesaw

• Mood changes in yourself as well as your children

• Being separated from family members who may be across the world

• Single parenting or single parenting while the other parent is in a different location 

• Trying to manage working at home and supporting your child at school. 

• Worry about contracting COVID-19 and not wanting to leave the house or see other people. 

It is so very important to know that you are NOT ALONE in these struggles, and many other parents at AISC are having similar experiences. We are here for you. Please email Ms. Linda (glinda@aischennai.org) if you are an EY-Grade 3 parent or Ms. Michele (nmichele@aischennai.org) if you are a Grade 4 or Grade 5 parent, if you would like to schedule an appointment to talk with us. We are here to listen! We might have some ideas or strategies to make your day a little bit easier.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Regards,

Lynn Schneider, Dave Allen, and Elliot Fijman
Elementary School Leadership Team

Friday, October 16, 2020

Dear Parents,

I hope those of you who have attended conferences this week have enjoyed hearing about the progress your child has made and their areas for growth. I know the teachers are getting valuable information from you as well. If you have not yet scheduled a conference, please contact your child’s teacher. 

Important Dates

Date	Time	Event	Details
October 19 - 23		Student Growth Conferences
October 19		Season 2 ASAs begin

 

Arts, Sports & Activities

See what students think about Virtual ASA's

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 2, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and the Registration Form. ASA Season 2 will begin Monday, October 19th.  

 

India Week

 

 

From the Counselors

Your school counselors would like to remind you that it is important to “put on your own oxygen mask first” before you can help students or your children. Take some time this week to check in on your own well-being. Gauge your own level of wellness around your stress level, healthy habits, sleep and outlook on life. See if you can challenge yourself to try some strategies to improve your functioning in each of those domains. As always, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Linda glinda@aischennai.org or Ms. Michele nmichele@aischennai.org if you need support in finding some techniques that might work for you. We are here to help!

Adult Address Your Stress Checklist

 

Regards,

Lynn Schneider, Dave Allen, and Elliot Fijman
Elementary School Leadership Team

Friday, October 09, 2020

Dear Parents,

I hope your child(ren) had a restful break last week. It’s hard to believe we are now moving into the second half of the first semester. 

 

Conferences will be held over the next two weeks. By this time, we hope you have a scheduled conference time, but if you have not scheduled a conference time yet, please contact your child’s teacher. During the conference, you will learn about the progress your child has made and areas for growth. Teachers are also looking to you for some information about your child’s social and emotional well being during virtual learning. 

 

Important Dates

Date	Time	Event	Details
October 12 - 23		Student Growth Conferences
October 19		Season 2 ASAs begin

 

India Week

India week will be celebrated in the Elementary School the week of November 2nd. Bindu Krishnamurthy, our Indian Studies teacher, is planning engaging and interesting activities for the students. More details about India Week will come as we get closer to the week of November 2nd. 

 

Attendance During Virtual Learning

If your child can’t participate in virtual learning for any reason, please inform your child’s teacher. 

 

Design Cardboard Challenge

Check out the AISC Cardboard Challenge this weekend! Build an arcade game, a phone holder, or whatever you can imagine!  Also, check out some of the awesome projects on Padlet done by some students in design classes this week.

 

Arts, Sports & Activities

See what students think about Virtual ASA's

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 2, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and the Registration Form.  ASA Season 2 will begin Monday, October 19th.  

 

Scholastic Book Fair Final Sale

Please click the link below to visit the Scholastic Virtual Book Fair and enjoy a 20% discount on every book until October 15th! Register with your personal email address. 

http://schools.scholastic.co.in/american-international

 

 

From the Counselors

Tips for keeping children on schedule for meetings during the day:

Keeping your child on time for Zoom meetings can be a challenge. Children can process time but the development of their ability to judge time in different situations varies greatly. How long is 10 minutes, for example, may be understood differently depending on what they are doing and their level of focus.  Because of this, it can be difficult for children to keep track of when they need to be on Zoom. Here are some tips for keeping children on schedule: 

• Help children get organized at the beginning of each day by going over the schedule and which links to use.

• Consider making a visual checklist of meetings and tasks - have a symbol for individual and small group meetings and class meetings. This also helps them check off things as completed. Include times such as waking up, eating breakfast, lunch times, play time, etc.  Including these events helps children gain a sense of time and know when things happen.

• Consider getting a digital clock for their work and play spaces so that they can see the time easily.

• Set alarms for yourself to remind them about meetings. 

• Contact the counselors - we can help too!  Linda (glinda@aischennai.org EY-grade 3) and Michele (nmichele@aischennai.org Grades 4 and 5).

 

Regards,

Lynn Schneider, Dave Allen, and Elliot Fijman
Elementary School Leadership Team