Friday, December 11, 2015

Dear Community Members,

The sun is shining today and Chennai is beginning to rebuild after the devastating rains of last week. All of us were affected, some folks far worse than others. Our hearts go out to those who are beginning to rebuild and bring normalcy to their lives. Look for information later in this blog on how you can help our fellow Chennaites rebuild.

Parent Coffee Session on December 15

This past Tuesday, we held our regularly scheduled parent coffee session. The counselors, Ms. Meg and Mr. Wilson, had planned to lead a discussion about how to talk to your child about leaving AISC, leaving friends and relocating, since this is a time of year that some families move on. Instead, their discussion focused on how to talk to children, and answer their questions, about the recent floods here in Chennai. 

Please note that the original discussion on transitions will take place on Tuesday, December 15th at 8:45 in the Elementary School Cafeteria. This presentation will be of interest to those parents who are moving from Chennai over the holidays, but anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.

January Parent Coffee

On Tuesday, January 12th, our counselors will host another meeting. The focus of this presentation will be on transitioning into a new country and school. Our target audience is new families (although everyone is welcome) and we will extend a personal invitation to all new families. We will meet in the ES Cafeteria beginning at 8:45.

Winter Concerts

Our annual winter concerts will be held next week. The PK-2 Winter Concert will be held on Wednesday and the 3-5 Winter Concert on Thursday. Both concerts will be held in the FAC Auditorium from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Parent seating areas will be clearly marked. You are welcome to take pictures from your seat during the concerts. There are no special clothing requirements, however the music teachers have suggested that children may like to wear clothing that has red, green, or white colors.

The Giving Tree- Update

We still have quite a few stars on our Giving Tree. If you have not done so, please consider taking a star from the tree to support a child in a local orphanage. 

The 2015 Monsoon Season

South India’s monsoon season has been particularly severe this year, with Tamil Nadu and Chennai seeing the worst of the flooding. It is estimated that during this monsoon season, almost 600 people have died and over 1.8 million people were displaced. The unofficial total damage and loss is expected to exceed $15 billion USD. The American International School Chennai appreciates your offer to help with the recovery and relief efforts from these recent devastating floods. We have three ways your school can contribute:

In-Kind Donations - Relief Efforts

Your in-kind donation of the following items will be distributed by our student organizations to the NGOs listed below.

• Blankets
• Tarps
• Women’s Sanitation Items
• Undergarments for women and children
• Disinfectants (DETTOL, Lysol, Bleach, etc)
• First Aid Supplies (hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antiseptic cream, etc)
• Diapers
• Bottled Water
• Mosquito Netting
• Mosquito Coils
• Mosquito Repellant
• Soap
• Candles
• Matches
• Flashlights and batteries
• Emergency Lamps
• Milk Powder (in small sachets)
• Rice
• Dal
• Rusks/ toasted bread

Monetary Contributions

We have established two accounts to accept monetary contributions.  These donations must be made in INR and can be given in cash, check or wire transfer.

AISC Chennai Flood Relief 2015 Fund

AISC has committed to providing support for several NGOs in the area.  Any cash donations to the AISC Chennai Flood Relief 2015 Fund will be given to one or more of those organizations. If you would like to make a donation (in INRs) directly to the school to support the NGOs, please make a donation at the Cashier’s Window.

You can also donate funds directly online to the NGOs providing relief support.

Bhoomika Trust 
AID INDIA
Bhumi
Chennai Microfund
Helping Hands

AISC Staff Relief Fund - Helping Those Who Help Us

To provide support for our AISC staff who have experienced significant loss or damage during the floods, we have established an AISC Staff Relief Fund. Contributions to this fund will go directly to supporting our staff members who have been most seriously affected by the floods. If you wish to donate to this fund, you may do so at the Cashier’s Window. Please be sure you state that the donation is for the AISC Staff Relief Fund.

Holiday Reading

With the holiday break right around the corner, many parents wonder how to support their young readers at home.  Here are some tips on promoting literacy at home through interactive read alouds:

1) Pick a book that interests your child

2) Stop every so often to share your thinking with your child

I think Piggie must be scared because her legs are shaking.

3) Take time to ask your child what he/she is thinking

Why do you think Gerald did that? Why do you think so?

4) When it’s over, ask questions:

      What was your favorite part? Why? 

      What did you think about the main character? Why?

      What would you change if you were the author?

5) Talking with the reader before reading, during reading and after reading

Here is a video of an interactive read aloud using the book, "Should I Share My Ice Cream?" by Mo Willems.

After School Activities 

The semester 2 dates are: January 25 - May 27, 2016. (16 week program).

How can you register for an ASA?

Pay Online: Online registration runs from the morning of January 14th to the afternoon of January 17th. Please go to (https://payonline.aisch.org/), login and register. We encourage parents to register through Pay online. Kindly note that payments made through credit card will carry service charges.  This charge is levied by the bank, not the School or ASA department.

In-Person Registrations: If you have missed registering online, you can register in person on January 18 & 19 at the Elementary Cafeteria from 8.00 am – 9.30 am. If you are unable to connect to the internet from your home, please know that you may use a computer in the Elementary CIC.

Please click here to access list of after school activities for Semester 2. Please note that:

• All activities are priced at Rs. 4000/- (for one day of activity).

• We encourage all parents to register online.

• Swim programs is listed below separately. Once again registration is on a first come first served basis for all swim programs.

ASA - Swim Programs (From the desk of the Aquatic Director - Ms. Donna Fava)

For Swimming Lesson Dates: click here.

All elementary parents need to check their child's swim level before signing up for Level 1, 2 or 3 for semester 2. You may get this information from the Aquatics Office (by the Pool side), either from Coach Donna or Mr. Velin Prabhu. You can also email Coach Donna.

Further Information:

• Please only sign up for one swim lesson per child per session so everyone has a chance to join in. If there are open spaces after sign-ups are finished, then you can add another lesson.

• Raptors Swim Club information: Try-outs: Jan. 13 & 14 (3:30 - 4:30 pm). There is a likelihood that there will be two sessions of this ASA program. Session 1 will be from 3:30-4:30 for beginner and intermediate Club members and Session 2 will be from 4:30-5:30, for more advanced swimmers. If numbers are high, group division will be determined after the first week.

• Signups for swim programs can be done online and is preferable. If for some reason, you are unable to sign up online, please note that spaces cannot be blocked at the ASA office through a phone call. You can register in-person on the specified dates. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Coach Donna or the ASA Office. 

Yearbook Photos- Delay in Delivery

Due to the floods, there has been a delay in the printing and delivery of the Yearbook photos which many of you have ordered. The photographer is trying his best to get these to us next week. If we cannot hand it over to you before we close on 18th, we will do so on your return in January. Those who have ordered and are not returning to AISC in January, please make sure that you leave your forwarding address with the Elementary Office.

Have a great week. Our option of virtual learning ends today. I look forward to welcoming parents and family members to our concerts next week.

Kevin Hall

Elementary School Principal