Friday, March 26, 2021

Dear Parents,

We have Growth Conferences this upcoming week. If you have not yet scheduled a meeting time with your child’s teacher, please make sure to do that before next week. There will be no school (no live sessions and no independent work) for Elementary students on April 1st due to the growth conferences. 

Important Dates

 

Date	Time	Event	Details
April 1		No school for students - Growth Conferences
April 2		No School - Good Friday
April 6		No school - Polling Day

 

Polling Day - Tuesday, April 6th – No School

Tuesday, April 6th has been declared a Polling Day for elections in Tamil Nadu. AISC will be closed virtually and on-campus for all classes, activities and meetings.

 

Live Specialist Classes - Change to Schedule

Starting Monday, March 29th, specialists will be offering an additional live class at 11:00 a.m. There are now three specialist class options for your child to attend - 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. All of the classes will be the same content. We are hoping this will help balance out the number of students attending each session. 

Growth Conferences

Reminder: If you would like to meet with a specialist teacher, please contact the specialist teacher directly via email before Tuesday, March 30th to schedule a time to meet.

 

Priya Kathare	Art	kpriya@aischennai.org
Jennifer Cypra	Design	cjennifer@aischennai.org
Clinton Franswah	Art/Design	fclinton@aischennai.org
Bindu Krishnamurthy	Indian Studies Grades 1 & 2	kbindu@aischennai.org
Finny Albert	Music KG-2	dfinny@aischennai.org
Josh Williams	Music Grades 3-5	wjoshua@aischennai.org
Jane Fijman	Dance	fjane@aischennai.org
Sobha Daniel	PE Grades KG 3	dsobha@aischennai.org
Jack Bissonnette	PE Grades 4-5	bjack@aischennai.org
Mary Kelly Bello	Spanish Grades 4 & 5	bmarykelly@aischennai.org
Keeley Tagtmeyer	French Grade 5	tkeeley@aischennai.org

 

Campus Tours

Campus tours are still being offered. Here is the form to sign up. 

 

Reminder: Family Use of the AISC Libraries 

AISC families are able to request books every week from our libraries using this Google form. Books can be ordered through the form from Friday until Monday at 10:00am and can be picked up curbside at the ES entrance on Wednesdays between 8:30am - 3:30pm. Bags with the child's name clearly marked on the front will be located inside the white cubbies. Patrons are invited to take the bag that belongs to them without touching any other materials. 

 

In addition, a book drop is positioned curbside at the ES entrance, as well as the main entrance, for returned books. We encourage families to return the books after two weeks, although if a specific title is needed for a longer period, please contact Babs to implement an extension. 

 

 

Library staff will practice all health and safety protocols while gathering your books. Upon return, books and the canvas bags that are distributed will be sanitized. 

 

We encourage families to check the library catalog before requesting specific titles to ensure that they are available. Please let Babs know on bbarbara@aischennai.org know if you have any questions.

 

From the Counselors

“Life can be good... and hard.” Teach your child to hold onto Bravery, Gratitude, and Hope during difficult times. Together you can make a secret signal holding 3 fingers to your chest to remind each other to put Bravery, Gratitude, and Hope in your heart when you need it. Here is a printable of “Life’s Protective 3”.

 

Regards,

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

Friday, March 12, 2021

Dear Parents, 

As stated in the Head’s Notes, our focus is on getting more grade-levels returning to campus. With Spring Break upon us, please be advised that if we get a notification during the week off that we are permitted to bring Elementary School back to campus, we will be communicating plans by direct email before Monday, March 22. 

 

Remember, at the present time, we have no indication when our ES students will be permitted to return to campus. But, we want to be ready when we are given permission.

 

Here is what you can expect when we know more about our return to campus:

 

• We will hold parent coffees to present the Elementary School hybrid plan in more detail and to answer any questions.

• We will provide a video showing the procedure for how students should enter school.

• We will have a short new student orientation before the first day back on campus.

• The first four days of school for EY, KG, and grade 1 and the first two days of school for grades 2-5, will be half days with dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

• Students will be cohorted by homeroom and will be on campus on either Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday.

• Students in grades EY, KG, and grade 1 should plan to be on campus four (4) days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday).

• Wednesdays will remain virtual for all ES students.

 

Important Dates

 

Date	Time	Event	Details
March 15-19		Spring Break	No school for students
April 1		No School for students - Growth Conferences
April 2		No School - Good Friday
April 6		No school - Polling Day

 

Polling Day -- Tuesday, April 6th – No School

Tuesday, April 6th has been declared a Polling Day for elections in Tamil Nadu. AISC will be closed virtually and on-campus for all classes, activities and meetings.

 

Vision Day Highlights

Our second Vision Day for grades 3-5 was a success! I want to thank all of the teachers who planned and facilitated the projects. I also want to thank Mary Kelly Bello, Jack Bissonnette, and Jen Cypra for coordinating the day’s events. We have heard nothing but positive feedback from teachers and students. Please check out the Highlights from Vision Day to see the amazing work the students completed on Wednesday. 

 

Growth Conferences

Reminder: Growth conferences will be held the week of March 29th. If you would like to meet with a specialist teacher, please contact the teacher directly via email.

 

Priya Kathare	Art	kpriya@aischennai.org
Jennifer Cypra	Design	cjennifer@aischennai.org
Clinton Franswah	Art/Design	fclinton@aischennai.org
Bindu Krishnamurthy	Indian Studies Grades 1 & 2	kbindu@aischennai.org
Finny Albert	Music KG-2	dfinny@aischennai.org
Josh Williams	Music Grades 3-5	wjoshua@aischennai.org
Jane Fijman	Dance	fjane@aischennai.org
Sobha Daniel	PE Grades KG 3	dsobha@aischennai.org
Jack Bissonnette	PE Grades 4-5	bjack@aischennai.org
Mary Kelly Bello	Spanish Grades 4 & 5	bmarykelly@aischennai.org
Keeley Tagtmeyer	French Grade 5	tkeeley@aischennai.org

 

ASA Season 3 Showcase

Check out all of the fabulous work students created while participating in Season 3 ASA’s on the Season 3 Showcase Document!  (Click on the raptors to see the links for each activity.)

 

ASA Season 4

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 4, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and complete the Registration Form.  ASA Season 4 will begin Monday, March 22nd and will run through May 29th. 

 

Spring Break Camp

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Spring Camp, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and fill out the Registration Form.  Spring Break Camp will begin Monday, March 15th and run through Friday, March 19th. Registration will close on Sunday, March 14th at 12:00 pm.

 

From the Counselors

Happy Spring Break to parents and students! Enjoy a little bit less time on devices and a little more time outside! 

 

Have a relaxing and enjoyable spring break!

 

Regards,

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

Friday, March 05, 2021

Dear Parents,

Spring growth conferences are just around the corner. The spring conference is a time for students to reflect on their growth as a learner during the year. It is also a time for parents to recognize their child’s growth and celebrate successes and it is a time for teachers and parents to discuss student progress and next steps. You will have time to celebrate the progress your child has made across all subject areas the week of March 29th. Your child’s teacher will reach out to you to schedule a time to meet and provide details about what to expect before and during the conference. 

On Thursday, April 1st, there will be no school for Elementary School students as most conferences will happen on this day. However, teachers cannot schedule all conferences on April 1st so we are using the week of March 29th for teachers to meet with parents. 

 

Important Dates

 

Date	Time	Event	Details
March 9	3:30-4:15 p.m.	EY Parent Coffee	Zoom link Meeting ID: 895 0465 6113 Passcode: EYCoffee
March 10	All Day	Vision Day (grades 3-5)	An email went out to parents in grades 3-5
March 15-19		Spring Break	No school for students
April 1		No School for students - Growth Conferences
April 2		No School - Good Friday

 

Early Years Parent Coffee - March 09th

Please join us for an Early Years Parent Coffee on Tuesday, March 9th at 3:30 p.m. We will be talking about ways to increase your child’s participation in the virtual learning activities and live sessions. We will also take a look at the Early Years Parent Resource Room. 

 

Growth Conferences

Please look for an email from your child’s teacher about how to sign up for a conference. 

 

Schedule a Growth Conference with Specialists

If you would like to talk with a specialist teacher to discuss your child’s growth, please email the individual specialist teacher to set up a time to meet. 

Priya Kathare	Art	kpriya@aischennai.org
Jennifer Cypra	Design	cjennifer@aischennai.org
Clinton Franswah	Art/Design	fclinton@aischennai.org
Bindu Krishnamurthy	Indian Studies Grades 1 & 2	kbindu@aischennai.org
Finny Albert	Music KG-2	dfinny@aischennai.org
Josh Williams	Music Grades 3-5	wjoshua@aischennai.org
Jane Fijman	Dance	fjane@aischennai.org
Sobha Daniel	PE Grades KG 3	dsobha@aischennai.org
Jack Bissonnette	PE Grades 4-5	bjack@aischennai.org
Mary Kelly Bello	Spanish Grades 4 & 5	bmarykelly@aischennai.org
Keeley Tagtmeyer	French Grade 5	tkeeley@aischennai.org

 

Withdrawing from AISC

If you are relocating and your child is leaving AISC at the end of this school year in June or earlier, please complete this Withdrawal Form and email it back to esoffice@aischennai.org.

 

ASA Season 4

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 4, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and complete the Registration Form.  ASA Season 4 will begin Monday, March 22nd and will run through May 29th. 

 

Spring Break Camp

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Spring Camp, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and fill out the Registration Form.  Spring Break Camp will begin Monday, March 15th and run through Friday, March 19th. 

 

Wellbeing Resources

 

Made with Visme

From the Counselors

Tips for parents to encourage your child’s effort:

• Praise children’s efforts and the process, not their achievement or ability. 

• Instead of saying “What a smart child!”, say “I can see that you are working really hard on ______.”

• Praise what is happening now not what could be. 

• Instead of saying, “I am sure you will want to do better next time”, say “You have worked really hard on this every day and look how you have created______.”

• Avoid comparison praise.

• Instead of saying, “You are so good, just like your sister,” say “You are skilled at playing this game.”         

                                                                                                                                 

 Encouraging words for children

• Congratulations! You worked really hard for this.

• Be proud of yourself.

• Your effort makes a difference.

• That is a very creative answer.

• You have come up with a lovely solution.

• You were so careful when you stacked the blocks and see how tall it is.

• You had amazing focus when you were working on this project.

• That is very thoughtful of you.

• Thank you for thinking of your sister/brother/mom/dad.

 

Family Use of the AISC Libraries - Note the new pick up times

AISC families are able to request books every week from our libraries using this Google form. Books can be ordered through the form from Friday until Monday at 10:00am and can be picked up curbside at the Elementary School entrance on Wednesdays between 8:30am - 3:30pm. Bags with the child's name clearly marked on the front will be located inside the white cubbies. Patrons are invited to take the bag that belongs to them without touching any other materials. 

 

In addition, a book drop is positioned curbside at the Elementary School entrance, as well as the main entrance, for returned books. We encourage families to return the books after two weeks, although if a specific title is needed for a longer period, please contact Babs to implement an extension. 

 

 

Library staff will practice all health and safety protocols while gathering your books. Upon return, books and the canvas bags that are distributed will be sanitized. 

 

We encourage families to check the library catalog before requesting specific titles to ensure that they are available. Please let Babs know on bbarbara@aischennai.org know if you have any questions.

  

Regards,

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