Dear Parents,
On behalf of the AISC Elementary School faculty and staff, it is truly my pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you as we begin the 2017-2018 school year. This is the time of year to reconnect with old friends and welcome new friends. To everyone new to AISC, we extend a very warm welcome. You have joined a very special family-like community.
This will be my second year at AISC as Elementary Principal and I am joined here by my husband, James, who teaches high school PE and our two daughters, Amelie (Grade 7) and Summer (Grade 4). Working with me in the Elementary Principal’s office is Ms Lori Newman, our Associate Principal, who is from Canada. She is joined by her husband, Carl Knudsen, who heads our Elementary Design Studio, and her two sons, Jakob (Grade 12) and Ben (Grade 11).
We are delighted to be here in India with you all, and really look forward to continuing to connect with as many families as possible as the year unfolds.
Please know that both Lori and I operate an ‘open door’ philosophy, and encourage you to drop by or schedule a time via the Elementary Assistants to talk with us.
We also welcome the following new faculty and staff members to the elementary school:
- Alex Ray - Literacy Coach/EAL
- Amanda Brandt - Learning Support
- Anita Gregor - Grade 4 EAL
- Cheyenne Frohlich - Grade 2 EAL
- Elliot Fijman - Grade 5 Homeroom
- Jane Fijman - PE
- Janna Hering - Grade 4 Homeroom
- Jenny Baker - EY5
- Jack Bissonnette - PE
- Julia Davis - Grade 5 Homeroom
- Keeley Tagtmeyer - French
- Linda Gerberich - Counselor
- Marcus Gostelow - Grade 4 Homeroom
- Melissa Hutchinson - Learning Support
- Sarah Hassler - Music
- Ula Konczeweska - Grade 2 Homeroom
- Vanessa Lopez - Grade 5 EAL
Following is some important information that I want to share with you prior to August 4th, the first day of school.
Principal's Notes
Every Friday, we will blog about the events taking place in the elementary school and share other important information with the elementary school community. An email reminder, with a link to my blog, will be sent to you each Friday afternoon. Please read these notes carefully to stay informed about what is going on in the elementary school.
Edmodo
Your child's grade level teachers will keep you updated on news from the classroom via Edmodo. This will include information about upcoming curricular units, photos from learning events within the class and other important information. Please ensure you are signed up for each of your children’s Edmodo class accounts.
Your child's grade level teachers will keep you updated on news from the classroom via Edmodo. This will include information about upcoming curricular units, photos from learning events within the class and other important information. Please ensure you are signed up for each of your children’s Edmodo class accounts.
Identification (ID) Badges
There are approximately 3,000 students, parents, faculty and staff in the AISC community. For safety and security reasons, we ask that the ID badges of all adults be visible at all times while on campus. We appreciate your understanding. Please note:
1. New families will receive ID badges on Orientation Day, August 9.
2. Returning ES parents will be able to collect their new ID badges from the Elementary School Gate. Students will receive their ID badges in their classrooms on their first day back. Please note that any funds that were on the old ID card have been transferred to the new card.
3. Community members arriving on campus without a badge must collect a temporary one.
4. AISC photo identity badges are not transferable. Lost or damaged ID badges should be reported to the security staff.
ID Badges for Drivers/Household Staff
If a driver or nanny has been authorized by a parent to drop off and pick up their child an ID badge will be issued. Please follow this process if authorization has been granted:
For new families, a household staff and driver ID badge application form will be issued at Security help desks in Main Reception and Elementary Reception area. A passport photo and a valid government issued ID of the household staff is required for processing the application. Drivers and household staff are not allowed to pick up students without direct confirmation from the parent until they are issued with an ID.
ID badge for nannies and drivers will be processed within 2-3 days after receiving the application form.
Class Lists for 2017-18
Class lists will be emailed to parents next Wednesday afternoon. If you have not received your child’s class placement by 4pm on Wednesday afternoon, please call the Elementary School Office (22549000 Extension 5) or email Ms. Cheryl (fcheryl@aischennai.org) or Ms. Hazel (bhazel@aischennai.org).
Teachers and Counselors spent a great deal of time creating the class lists, reflecting a balanced approach to friendship and cultural groups, language acquisition, gender and individual needs. We do not expect to make any changes. We ask that you encourage your child to make new friends in their new class on the first day of school.
We understand that for a few children, the challenge of a new class and making new friends is difficult. If you find this is the case, please check in with your child’s teacher or grade level counselor. Contact Ms Padmapriya (ppadma@aischennai.org) to make an appointment with one of the counselors.
Mr Ron will be working with students in EY4, EY5 and Grades 2 & 3 (wron@aischennai.org)
Ms Linda will be working with students in EY3 and Grades 1, 4 & 5 (glinda@aischennai.org)
Mr Ron will be working with students in EY4, EY5 and Grades 2 & 3 (wron@aischennai.org)
Ms Linda will be working with students in EY3 and Grades 1, 4 & 5 (glinda@aischennai.org)
Food Services
The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen (TMFK), our school-wide food vendor, will be selling meals and a-la-carte items at both cafeterias (ES & FAC) and the I-Hub beginning on the first day of school, August 4th. Note: The I-Hub will be stocked with items and open on Wednesday, August 3rd for new students and their families.
AISC Access Cards (photo IDs) will also serve as smart cards (prepaid debit cards) for all purchases on campus. Cards can be charged on campus at the I-Hub, both cafeterias, the cashier’s window located off the main courtyard and recharged online using credit/debit cards.
Cash will continue to be accepted for purchases through Wednesday, August 31. From September 1, only smart cards will be accepted in all food outlets.
Cashier & Food Sales – Hours of Operation
Main Courtyard Cashier: 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
ES Cafeteria: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Main Cafeteria: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
I-Hub: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Parent MC Café: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Important Changes to ES Food Service in 2017-18
Two elementary lunch menus will be published on a monthly basis and will be communicated to parents through this blog.
EY3 to Grade 3 Menu
- Our youngest students will continue to pre-order lunches through the Payonline link (see info below). This year’s menu options are being expanded and each day will include the following options: Veg meal, Asian non-veg meal, Continental non-veg meal, and Soup combo. You can access the EY3 to Grade 3 August Lunch Menu here.
Grade 4 and 5 Menu
- Our older students will now be eating in the FAC cafeteria. They will no longer pre-order their meals, and instead will have access to the full range of offerings that MS and HS students have. This includes the daily special (veg and nonveg), soup, salad bar, sandwiches and the daily Indian meal. Students will need to carry their charged ID cards on the days they wish to purchase lunch. You can access the Grade 4 & 5 Lunch Menu here.
The Payonline System
Payonline allows parents to charge their child’s smart cards online, order and pay for lunches, and register and pay for after school activities. Payment is completed online using a credit or debit card. You need a username and password to access this system. Please see the user guide here for help using the system. You can access the Payonline link here.
If you have any difficulties logging in or ordering, please notify itsupport@aischennai.org.
Health and Physical Examination Forms
Each year families will need to submit a Physical Examination form for each child enrolled at AISC. Please submit this form, when completed, to the Health Office.
In addition, new families also need to fill out a Health Form for each child. Returning families need to update the Health Form for each AISC student. If there are no changes to be made in the Health Form, please still fill in the Medication Permission page. Please submit all health forms to the Health Office by August 31.
Students that have not returned these forms by this deadline, will not be permitted to practice or participate in SAISA swim training or classroom field trips.
Elementary School Handbook
You will soon receive the Elementary School Handbook 2017-18. It is very important that your family takes the time to familiarize yourself with its contents.
I would like to draw your attention to page 53, the “Signature Page.” We require a parent signature, and ask that every student in grades 3, 4 and 5 sign the signature page. You may have more than child in the upper division (grades 3 to 5). If so, we ask that each child sign the page. Parents are asked to remove the perforated page from the handbook and take it to the Elementary Reception or Office. Alternatively, students can give the page to their homeroom teacher. The due date for returning this page is Thursday 18th August.
Elementary School Curriculum Guide
Our Curriculum Guide has been published and contains all the curriculum information you will need regarding your child’s education. Further to this, regular posts will be made in Edmodo regarding learning and events taking place in your child’s classroom.
For returning families, both of these items, along with AISC community calendar will be sent on the first Friday 11th August.
After School Activities
ASA Fair
Date: August 11, 2017
Time: 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm Venue: FAC Cafeteria
What is the ASA fair? It is an exhibition of all the activities offered for the year 2017-18. It will be held at the FAC cafeteria. Guest Instructors/AISC Teachers who will be leading ASA will be assigned tables with their activity placard to meet the parents and students. This gives parents and students a chance to better understand the ASA program in order to make the best choice.
Date: August 11, 2017
Time: 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm Venue: FAC Cafeteria
What is the ASA fair? It is an exhibition of all the activities offered for the year 2017-18. It will be held at the FAC cafeteria. Guest Instructors/AISC Teachers who will be leading ASA will be assigned tables with their activity placard to meet the parents and students. This gives parents and students a chance to better understand the ASA program in order to make the best choice.
For information about After School Activities - Trimester 1 (2017-18), please click here.
ASA - Swim Program - Registration
ASA - Swim Program - Registration
From the desk of the Aquatic Director - Ms. Donna Fava
- All elementary parents need to check your child's swim level before signing up for Level 1, 2 or 3. Returning families 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 at fdonna@aischennai.org
- New families who would like to enroll their ES students in Level 1, 2 or 3 Swim lessons during the first ASA session need to bring their children to the pool on August 10th, 11th, 14th and 15th from3:30-4:30pm.
- If you register your child for the wrong level, your registration will be invalidated, so please be sure to check.
- Please only sign up for one swim session per child per trimester so everyone can have an opportunity to benefit from extra lessons. If there are open spaces after sign-ups are finished, and you are on a waiting list, we will then contact you.
- 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 seat 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.
Questions, Comments or Concerns
Please remember that if you have a question or concern about any aspect of your child's educational experience, please contact the classroom teacher first. In most cases, your question or concern will be resolved after speaking with the teacher.
In the rare case that it is not, please make an appointment to see the associate principal, Ms. Lori Newman. If your question or concern remains unresolved at this level, please make an appointment to see me. Please contact Ms. Cheryl (fcheryl@aischennai.org) or Ms. Hazel (bhazel@aischennai.org) to schedule an appointment.
Looking forward to a fantastic year!
Keryn Dowling
Elementary School Principal
Elementary School Principal