Dear
Parents,
Greetings from Muscat, Oman, where I am attending the SAISA
Track and Field Meet at The American International School Muscat.
First, on behalf of the elementary school faculty and
staff, thank you to the PCA Executive and the parents, for hosting yet another
fabulous appreciation lunch. Everything was wonderful, and very much
appreciated. I would also like to thank the PCA Executive for a fantastic PCA
ball last Saturday night!
Now back to track and field! To say it is hot in Oman is an
understatement; the temperature was over 100 F yesterday and again today.
Events take place between 7:30 am and noon, and then again from 4:00 to 7:00
pm. Students are taking advantage of the "chill out" rooms to say the
least!
Thirty athletes are representing AISC, five of whom are
fifth grade. Here’s a group shot of our athletes, followed by a list of the
events in which they are participating: (from left to right) Astrid, Alycia,
Paula, Oz and Masataka.
Astrid:
1500m, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus, 4 x 100 relay and the 4 x 400
relay
Alycia:
200m, 400m, shot put, discus, 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400 relay
Paula:
1500m, 3000m long jump, high jump and the 4 x 400 relay
Oz: 100m,
200m, long jump, high jump, discus, and the 4 x 100 relay
Masataka:
800m, 1500m, 3000m, 4 x 100 relay and the 4 x 400 relay
Grade
4 EAL Parents
The grade four EAL teachers, Ms. Andrea, Ms. Deanna, and
Ms. Lauren are excited to host an EAL Parent Meeting next Wednesday, April
29th. It will be in the Collaboration Room (3607) on the third floor from
2:15-3 pm.
The purpose of this meeting is to give you an opportunity
to talk with us (the EAL teachers), learn about the support your child receives
during writing workshop, and answer any questions you may have. It is also a
great way to meet other parents from the EAL community!
Student-Led
Conferences
Our
second and final round of student-led conferences will be held on Wednesday,
April 29th from 3:45 to 6:30 and all day on Thursday, April 30th. Your
attendance is required on either one of these dates.
You can
now sign up for a conference. To do so, please visit this website:
Parents
have until 12 pm Tuesday, April 28th to sign-up for conferences.
We have
created a video that will guide you through the sign-up procedures. You can
access that here:
Conference
Format: What can you expect?
Preschool
- Grade 2
• The
child will co-lead the spring conference with the teacher (depending on comfort
level). The focus will be on both the student’s strengths and their growth
throughout year. Your child has planned specific areas to share, and has
rehearsed the conference in a specific order. You can expect your child to
share strengths, successes, best work and areas for improvement.
• The
student will share their portfolio
highlighting growth and depth of knowledge.
• It will
be an opportunity to establish and plan for that final push on a goal, or to
set mini-goals for the remainder of the year if original goals have been met.
•
Students will have hands-on activities to demonstrate their
learning.
• The
teacher is present but is not necessarily sitting with the student and parents
all of the time. The teacher acts as the facilitator and prompts when
necessary. Parents may also request an appointment with teachers at any time.
Grades
3-5
• The
student will lead the spring conference. The focus will be on both the
student’s strengths and growth throughout year. Your child has planned
specific areas to share, and has rehearsed the conference in a specific order.
You can expect your child to share strengths, successes, best work and areas
for improvement.
• The
student will share their portfolio
highlighting the growth and depth of their knowledge.
• It will
be an opportunity to establish and plan for that final push on a goal, or to
set mini- goals for the remainder of the year if original goals have been met.
•
Students may have hands-on activities to demonstrate their
learning, or they will rely on an in-depth portfolio sharing that will
demonstrate learning.
• The
teacher is present but is not necessarily sitting with the student and parents
all of the time. The teacher acts as the facilitator and prompts when
necessary. Parents may also request an appointment with teachers at any time.
1. We will provide child-care for brothers and/or sisters who are waiting while their parents are conferencing with another child. This is short-term child-care only. Please drop your child off immediately prior to the sibling's conference, and pick them up immediately after.
2. Childcare will take place in the following rooms: 2132, 3616 and 3607. You may take your child to anyone of these rooms. If a room is full, we will guide you to an alternate room.
3. All students must be signed in and out, and please provide a mobile number where we can reach you if needed.
4. Childcare is for enrolled students only (no babies, toddlers, or non-enrolled siblings).
5. Students must follow the instructions of the supervising adults and remain in the same room at all times until signed out.
Please
note that the playgrounds will be closed on Friday. As per our safety and supervision guidelines,
elementary children must be supervised directly by an adult at all times while
on campus.
Lunch
Menu and Order Link for the period May 4-Jun 4, 2015
Here is
the lunch menu for
May and June
You may
order and pay online by accessing this website.
You may
also order by completing this googleform and
making a cash payment at the counter before May 8th.
Used
Construction Sets
Sadly, many of our families are working with shipping
companies in preparation for their upcoming departure from Chennai. Are you
taking old toys, in particular, construction sets, with you? If not, and you
are looking to give them away, then look no further! We are looking to add the
following to our much-awaited science and innovation studios:
Lego
Mega Mayz
Magformers
K-nex
Meccano
Meccanix
Marble Run
Marbleworks
HABA and
HAPE Marble Runs
All types and kits of any of these building toys would be
very much appreciated. You may drop them off in the Elementary School
Principal’s Office. On behalf of our students, I thank you!
WIDA
Model Testing for English Language Learners (ELLs)
Students in grade K-5 who speak a language other than
English at home and are not yet proficient in academic English will take the
annual Measure of Developing English Language (MODEL) test May 4-15. The
results of the test will be posted to Skyward in early June.
Students who have scored 5.5-6.0 and who have been
academically successful this year will not take the MODEL again this year.
Instead they will be monitored for the next two school years. At the end of
that time, if they continue to be academically successful, they will be
considered proficient non-native English speakers.
The best preparation for success on the MODEL test is
plenty of rest and good nutrition.
Preschool
parent presentation – Friday, May 8th, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in
the Preschool 3 A Classroom (Room 1615)
Have a
wonderful weekend,
Kevin Hall
Elementary
School Principal