Friday, January 29, 2021

Friday, January 29, 2021

Dear Parents,

It was wonderful to see so many of our new families last Monday afternoon at the new parent coffee. This semester we welcomed 50 new or returning students to the Elementary School. 

 

Please note: We have a slightly different schedule for students this coming week as teachers are using one day to work on campus preparing their classroom. Please see the details below. 

 

Important Dates

 

Date

Time

Event

Details

February 3


Asynchronous homeroom day EY-Grade 2


Specialists will hold live classes

No morning meeting, small groups, or 1:1s

February 5


Asynchronous homeroom day Grades 3-5


Specialists will hold live classes

No morning meeting, small groups, or 1:1s

 

Asynchronous Student Days - Classroom Preparation Days for Teachers

Teachers will be working on campus on February 3rd and 5th to organize their classroom and pack up student work from last year. 

 

Teachers in EY-Grade 2 will be on campus on Wednesday, February 3rd and teachers in Grades 3-5 will be on campus on Friday, February 5th. When the grade level teachers are on campus, those grade level students will have asynchronous homeroom work only (meaning only independent work from their homeroom teacher). There will be no morning meeting, small groups, or 1:1s (1:1s will be rescheduled). 

 

Specialist teachers WILL hold live classes on these two days. Your child(ren) can join their specialist teacher on as usual.

 

Jan Jamboree

Jan Jamboree is happening tomorrow January 31st from 1pm - 3:30 p.m.! Thank you to everyone who signed up - kindly check your emails for your activity list. Here is the schedule with all the Zoom links required.

 

Please contact ceshane21@aischennai.org if you have any questions.

 

See you there! :D

~ HS Student Council

 

Student Survey Reminder

Last Wednesday, we emailed all students in grades 3-5 a survey. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback to help your child’s homeroom teacher become more effective in the classroom. Your child will reflect on their current homeroom class. Honest, thoughtful, and careful feedback on all questions is important to us. If your child has not completed the survey, he/she can complete it by Monday, February 1st. 

 

From the Counselors

Looking for some fun screen free activities for your children? Here are some ideas. Download the posters, print them out, and tape them to a bedroom door. Whenever your child says they are bored, send them off to tear off an activity. No printer - no problem. Look through the posters yourself for some ideas to give to your child.

 

Regards,

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


Friday, January 22, 2021

Friday, Jan 22, 2021

Dear Parents,

Please Note:

Thursday, January 28 has been declared a state-wide public holiday for the Thaipoosam Festival by the honourable Chief Minister. AISC’s Virtual Learning program and all campus activities are cancelled for that day. 

 

Important Dates

Date

Time

Event

Details

January 24 (deadline extended)


Yearbook Photo Submission Deadline

See information below

January 26

No School - Indian Republic Day

January 28

No School - Thaipoosam holiday

 

Student Survey starting January 27th

On Wednesday, we will email all students in grades 3-5 a survey to complete by Friday, January 29th. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback to help your child’s homeroom teacher become more effective in the classroom. Your child will reflect on their current homeroom class. Honest, thoughtful, and careful feedback on all questions is important to us. 

 

Specialist Live Classes - 1:00 p.m. Session Option

We have noticed that some of the morning specialist classes are quite full. This is a reminder that for grades 1-5, specials are offered in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m. each day. Feel free to have your child attend the afternoon session to balance out the number of students in each session. 

 

From Greg Clinton, Director of Technology

We are ready and eager to launch our hybrid program in the high school. If you would like more detail on the purpose and setup of the hybrid systems, here is the video of a recent parent coffee on the subject:

 

Parent Coffee, Jan. 21, 2021, Hybrid Learning at AISC

 

We discussed what hybrid classrooms look like, how they function, and what students can do to be ready for hybrid classroom learning. Questions? Feel free to email me: cgreg@aischennai.org

 

Math Resources

Great news! Are you looking for additional math practice that aligns to what your child is learning in class? Bridges has released a practice book as an addition to the helpful resources shared earlier in the year on the Math at Home webpage. On this page, you will find activities and games to use to support learning at each grade level for each unit. When you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find more resources including the “Practice Book” that provides extra activities to grow and extend learning. 

This link will take you to the Math at Home site where you can pick the grade level and start to explore! 

 

From the Counselors

We know that children aged 6-17 should get 60 minutes of exercise each day, according to CDC recommendations. How can we encourage our children to move their bodies and get some healthy movement, inside or outside the house? And what is good for kids is good for adults too!


Here are a few ideas to try, depending on where you live. If you are in a warm climate such as Chennai, you might try some of these outside, perhaps in the morning before the day heats up too much. If you are in a cold climate, bundle up your kids and head outside!


-Start a small running club with friends near your home. Have children stay a safe distance apart, and run a minimal distance together. You can bring music to run to! They will have fun running together and having the company of others. It will get you out as well! If running seems too much, start a walking club with nearby families. Bring the dogs and get out into your neighborhood!


-Start a small yoga club with kids! This is easy to set up outside in your courtyard or rooftop! You can find great children’s yoga videos. Space mats out 6 feet apart, and stream a fun yoga video. Find friends that want to join you once a week. This will also give your child time with other children outside their household.


-A jump rope is inexpensive and can be used indoors or outdoors on a rooftop or patio or yard! Find some fun jump rope challenges to do with your kids! It is good for adults too.  


-Go for a bike ride in your community! Biking is a great way for kids to see their neighborhood in a slow, leisurely way. Bundle up if you are in Europe or East Asia and find a bike path! In Chennai, head to Elliot’s Beach or another promenade, or just explore your neighborhood. 


-Play badminton! You can buy free standing badminton nets that can be used on a rooftop or courtyard area. You don’t need much space. Take a break with your child and head outside for 20 minutes of playing together. You’ll be surprised at how much fun it is!


- Have you ever wanted to try a new sport? Tennis is a great outdoor pursuit with good physical distancing. Find an outdoor court where you can take lessons along with your child. If you live in Chennai, surfing is another great activity. 


Have fun, get creative and get your bodies moving along with your children!

 

Elementary School Photos for the Yearbook

The Yearbook Team will be collecting student headshots virtually using Google Forms. You can read the instructions and see the forms by clicking here.

 

For Elementary School families who do not have a Google account, please email the photo according to the instructions to media@aischennai.org with the subject "Yearbook Submission ES."

 

At-A-Glance Details

  • Please read the instructions carefully.

  • You can use the back camera of a mobile phone to take your child’s photo. The Google Form has detailed info on taking a good photo.

  • Make sure you use a plain background with no pictures or decor.

[IMPORTANT]: Rename your child’s photo accordingly. We will not be able to accept submissions if you do not rename the photo.

  • Grade_First Name_Last Name_ID No. (e.g. 10_Hermione_Granger_AISC618_)

  • Last Day to Submit: Extended till January 24, 2021

 

Jan Jamboree

Are you looking to have some fun on a Saturday? Well, we have just the thing for you! On January 30th, AISC will be hosting our annual Jan Jamboree. From arts & crafts to trivia, we have prepared a ton of fun activities for you to play with your friends! Sign up HERE today to make sure you get a spot! The form will close this Friday (January 22) at 6pm.

 

Come join us!

From: The High School Student Council

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Regards,

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

Friday, January 15, 2021

Friday, January 15, 2021

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! It has been so great to see the students reconnecting with their teachers and peers this week. 

At Wednesday’s Town Hall meeting, I shared a brief overview of the Elementary School hybrid plan. In case you missed it, here is what I shared:



When we are permitted to come back to school, students who choose to return to campus in the Elementary School will be cohorted by HR. This is different from how Middle School and High School students are cohorted alphabetically. We feel it is important for students in the Elementary School to remain together with their homeroom class and their assigned teacher. Some homerooms will be assigned to come to campus on mango days and some will come to campus on blue days. The reason we need to assign HRs to either a blue or mango day is because each homeroom needs to be split into two physical spaces to ensure social distancing. We will utilize technology to connect those at home with those at school at certain times of the day. Our goal is to structure the experience so students at home or at school are both engaged in learning and remain as connected as possible. If you are an Elementary School parent, you will get more details about our return to campus as we learn more about that possibility. 

 

Important Dates

Date

Time

Event

Details

January 19

3:30

EY Parent Coffee

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 886 6179 3410

Passcode: EYCoffee

January 22


Yearbook Photo Submission Deadline

See information below

 

Early Years Parent Coffee - January 19th

Please join us for an Early Years Parent Coffee on Tuesday, January 19th at 3:30 p.m. We will be talking about family routines as well as allow time for Q&A.

 

Elementary School Photos for the Yearbook

The Yearbook Team will be collecting student headshots virtually using Google Forms. You can read the instructions and see the forms by clicking here.

 

For ES families who do not have a Google account, please email the photo according to the instructions to media@aischennai.org with the subject "Yearbook Submission ES."

 

At-A-Glance Details

  • Please read the instructions carefully.

  • You can use the back camera of a mobile phone to take your child’s photo. The Google Form has detailed info on taking a good photo.

  • Make sure you use a plain background with no pictures or decor.

[IMPORTANT]: Rename your child’s photo accordingly. We will not be able to accept submissions if you do not rename the photo.

  • Grade_First Name_Last Name_ID No. (e.g. 10_Hermione_Granger_AISC618_)

  • Last Day to Submit: January 22, 2021

 

From the Counselors

All of us - teachers, assistants, specialists, admin, coaches, and counselors - are all so happy to be with your children again after the break. Their smiles bring so much joy. 

 

As we begin school after the break here are a few reminders to help you support your child:

  • Get back into a routine and schedule

  • Get outside when possible

  • Help your children connect with peers according to your comfort level

  • Forgive yourself if you forget a time or miss a communication

  • Do the best you can for your children with the time and resources you have and that will be enough.

  • Reach out to your child’s counselor when you have any concerns

    • EY- grade 3 - Linda glinda@aischennai.org

    • Grades 4 and 5 - Michele Nmichele@aischennai.org

 

Jan Jamboree

Are you looking to have some fun on a Saturday? Well, we have just the thing for you! On January 30th, AISC will be hosting our annual Jan Jamboree. From arts & crafts to trivia, we have prepared a ton of fun activities for you to play with your friends! Sign-ups will open next Monday, January 17th.

 

Come join us!

From: The High School Student Council

 

​

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Regards,

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