February 1, 2013

Dear Parents,

February is here and what an exciting month it is going to be! Next week, we welcome Diane Stanley, internationally acclaimed author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children. I would like to thank Mr. Jet, the author visit team and the library staff for all the pre-arrival planning and preparation that you have undertaken. Also, I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to Kindergarten TA Monica Blessy and the Facilities Team for helping us welcome Diane Stanley with such an amazing banner.  You cannot see it from the photo, but we even designed a stand for the back of it which we can use for future author visits.

There will be opportunities for parents to interact with Diane. Below is a reminder of events you may not want to miss:

Monday, February 4: 2:30-3:15

Diane Stanley Welcome Assembly

Location: Performing Arts Center

All elementary parents are welcome

Tuesday, February 5: 3:45-4:15

Diane Stanley Read-Aloud (KG and 1^st Grade)

Location: Elementary Library

KG and 1^st Grade students are welcome when accompanied by a parent

Wednesday, February 6: 8:45-9:45

Diane Stanley Parent Coffee and Discussion

Location: Elementary Cafeteria

All elementary, middle and high parents are welcome

As soon as we say, “so-long” to Diane Stanley, we say, “hello” to India Week! Our Indian Studies teachers, Ms. Anu and Ms. Bindu, and of course, our students, have been preparing for this spectacular week for several weeks now. There is an opening assembly for the elementary students on Monday, February 11^th, from 8:45 to 9:15 in the auditorium. There will also be two assemblies during the week, Wednesday and Friday. You are invited to attend the student performances. Students are encouraged to wear an Indian outfit on the day they are performing, and they are welcome to wear Indian clothes on all other days. Both the assemblies will be held in the auditorium. The details are as follows:

Grades	Date	Time
Preschool – Grade 2	Wednesday February 13	8.45 – 9.30am
Grades 3 – 5	Friday February 15	2.30 – 3.15pm

All students will be served an Indian lunch on Friday, February 15th. It will catered by the Taj Madras Flight Kitchen (TMFK). The menu is as follows: pooris, vegetable korma without coconut, vegetable pulao, vegetable cutlets, malai chicken tikka, vadams (rice flour crispies) and laddu (Indian sweet). Parents who do not want their children to have this meal are requested to send a packed lunch. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation in making this week a success.

This is a reminder to all parents whose children stay after-school to play that the playground is not supervised by elementary school staff from 3:45 onwards. This means that children who remain after this time must be supervised by their mom or dad. 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. Sitting in the cafeteria while your child is on the playground is not proper supervision. Also, the children must follow the playground rules they adhere to during the school day. This includes wearing shoes at all times, remaining on the ES side of the school and being in the corridors only to go to the bathroom (walking only!). Should a passing staff member reinforce any rule with your child after 3:45, I ask that you support the teacher, who is acting in the interest of your child’s safety. Additionally, some students have brought wooden cricket bats to school this week. Please leave the wooden bats at home. Children may play cricket with a plastic bat.

I would like to thank the many parents who have provided us with feedback about the services provided by TMFK. We have shared your feedback with TMFK and in their ongoing effort to enhance their services, they will be installing heated serving tables in the ES Cafeteria, just like those in the main cafeteria. Further enhancements include: bite-size portions of meat in the non-veg lunches, more child-friendly food options and more healthy after-school snack options. Thank you for your feedback!

I am going to be away for the next two weeks. I will be traveling to recruitment fairs in the USA to recruit teachers for the elementary school. It is a great honor to represent AISC at recruitment fairs and to talk to passionate educators from all over the world. In my absence, Ms. Anne Sweet, will be acting principal.

I look forward to hearing reports and seeing pictures from Diane Stanley’s visit and India Week.

Have a great weekend,

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal