Dear Community Members,
Author John Coy spent five excellent days on campus this week teaching kids about the writing process and spreading a love of reading across school. John Coy (johncoy.com) writes a variety of genres, from sports fiction and picture books to biographies and immigration, and shared many of his books with us. In fact, AISC students are the first students in the world ever to see his latest book, "Gap Life." His wonderful book, "Their Great Gift," also just came out this month. AISC students have been really enjoying this wonderful book hot off the press!
This is John's second visit to AISC. Each year AISC brings an author to share his or her passion with students. John Coy was our author in 2013-2014 and was so well received that we decided to have him back this year as well. We would like to thank the PCA for their generous support of our visiting authors via the visiting artists and authors program.
In working closely with John this week, students learned that the potential to be an author lies inside each and every one of us. John sees all of us as writers with stories to tell - we just need to develop our craft in telling those stories. One of the ways he taught kids to look at their craft this week was through the importance of revision and adding details. He also talked about resilience and working towards your dreams. Starting with the story of his very first book "Night Driving," John shared his journey with students about being repeatedly rejected and not giving up. That resilience paid off. Today he is the author of fifteen books, many of which are highly acclaimed.
In addition to the eighteen grade level workshops he led, he also held three afternoon sessions for teachers. These topics included modern nonfiction, reaching reluctant readers, and teachers seeing themselves as writers. He also did a parent coffee where he shared his story of becoming an author and shared ways to encourage a love of reading at home and school. This year we added a component to John's schedule where teachers could also sign up for John to come into their classroom and work with students. John led five of these sessions and did various things such as read-alouds with the students, listening to kids share their work, and helping them with the writing process.
Thank you, John, for another wonderful visit at AISC! Thanks to you and the other authors who have visited our school, we may have many future AISC alumni who become authors themselves one day.
This is John's second visit to AISC. Each year AISC brings an author to share his or her passion with students. John Coy was our author in 2013-2014 and was so well received that we decided to have him back this year as well. We would like to thank the PCA for their generous support of our visiting authors via the visiting artists and authors program.
In working closely with John this week, students learned that the potential to be an author lies inside each and every one of us. John sees all of us as writers with stories to tell - we just need to develop our craft in telling those stories. One of the ways he taught kids to look at their craft this week was through the importance of revision and adding details. He also talked about resilience and working towards your dreams. Starting with the story of his very first book "Night Driving," John shared his journey with students about being repeatedly rejected and not giving up. That resilience paid off. Today he is the author of fifteen books, many of which are highly acclaimed.
In addition to the eighteen grade level workshops he led, he also held three afternoon sessions for teachers. These topics included modern nonfiction, reaching reluctant readers, and teachers seeing themselves as writers. He also did a parent coffee where he shared his story of becoming an author and shared ways to encourage a love of reading at home and school. This year we added a component to John's schedule where teachers could also sign up for John to come into their classroom and work with students. John led five of these sessions and did various things such as read-alouds with the students, listening to kids share their work, and helping them with the writing process.
Thank you, John, for another wonderful visit at AISC! Thanks to you and the other authors who have visited our school, we may have many future AISC alumni who become authors themselves one day.
Yearbook Photo Orders
Your child's individual and class yearbook pictures from the August 2015 & January 2016 photo sessions may be purchased using this form.
Instructions are on the order form. From the Yearbook Photo folder in the Moodle All School page (guest password: raptors16), select the photo you wish to order and insert the image number on the order form. If your child joined school after September 4th, the photo can be found in the folder labeled " SESSION 2 YEARBOOK PHOTOS".
Please complete the form, make payment at the cash counter and submit the form at the respective section office.
Last day for orders is 30th March. Prints will be ready for pick up after 15 April.
If you have any questions about the ordering process, please contact the Elementary office.
Update from Ms. Meg (Lower Elementary School Counselor)
Have you ever wondered what to say when your child is showing signs of anxiety? Visit Ms. Meg’s blog where she lists 49 things to say to an anxious child.
NESA Virtual Science Fair
Launched in 2005, the NESA Virtual Science Fair (NVSF) allows students to shift from the traditional science fair, which is totally physical in nature, to a hybrid science fair which allows for virtual modes. Via the Moodle platform, used in many NESA schools, virtual communities of schools and virtual regions are created to allow students to use the power of e-learning. Students can enhance their science skills beyond the lab; discuss their ideas and experiences with students in other schools; and work with experts in science, academia, and professional life e-mentors. Source: http://www.nesacenter.org/page.cfm?p=38
This year, 34 scientists from 5th grade have been creating graphs, describing results, and formulating conclusions. Our NESA scientists need to prepare their boards and be ready to face the judges to answer questions. Their notebooks and research reports will be displayed for you to read. The final presentation for the judges is in the BBT from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Tuesday, March 15. Parents, teachers and students are welcome to come on Monday, March 14, and see all the research and hard work that these enthusiastic scientists of 5th grade have put in!
Middle School STEM Festival
Our Middle School STEM festival will take place on March 17! All are welcome to attend to come and see our creative design solutions. Our focus this year is on creating solutions to solve problems using "green" technology and resources. Students chose between a variety of problems to solve, each one having some connection to environmental awareness or the impacts of climate change. We also have a particular focus this year on finding solutions to problems related to the recent flooding in Chennai. Most of our designs are made of recycled materials that were donated by the school community.
Attendees can come to observe the events, watch presentations, and ask questions to learn more about the projects of our Middle School Engineers.
Date: March 17
Time: 1:00- 3:30
Locations: Main courtyard, soccer field, covered gym, FAC Atrium
Guests will be provided with a map, a list of participants, a schedule of events, and a set of possible interview questions when they arrive.
SAISA Track and Field
In just 6 weeks from now, we will be hosting the 2016 SAISA Track & Field Meet. We need your help in finding homes for our visiting athletes from ASB, AISD, LS, TAISM and OSC. We have 75 boys and 75 girls to house from Wednesday, April 20 through Sunday, April 24.
Please email our housing director Ms. Sally Victor if you can help us out. Full details are available from Ms. Sally in the Activities & Athletics office.
Thanks in advance for your hospitality.
Grades 3-5 Parents: Come to the Swim Gala on Thursday, March 31
The Upper ES Swim Gala, sponsored by the Elementary PE and Aquatics Departments, will be held at the AISC Pool on Thursday, March 31st from 8:45am - 10:45 am. *Please see the schedule below to see what time your child will be in the pool.
The Swim Gala is an opportunity for parents to join us on deck and witness their child(ren) demonstrating their newly acquired and advancing swimming skills. Students in grades 3-5 will come to the pool for 40 minutes as an entire grade level. The children will be grouped into their swim levels and will demonstrate key skills within that level.
We ask that parents enter the pool at the gate on the field side of the pool to avoid congestion at the normal entrance to the pool. We will have bleachers and shade for your convenience. We ask that you please stay on that side of the pool on the bleachers. Thank you.
When should you be on deck at the pool?
*Schedule
8:45-9:25 - Parents of Grade 3 students
9:25-10:05 – Parents of Grade 4 students
10:05-10:45 - Parents of Grade 5 students
*We request that parents are on deck only when they have a child in the pool. Grandparents, visitors and other family members are welcome! See you there!!!
Have a great weekend,
Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal