Friday, September 7, 2018

Dear Parents,

Another great week complete in the Elementary school, with a lot of weekend activities happening at AISC too.  Thank you to all of you who joined us this afternoon for the Futures Planning Summit. It was a great experience re-imagining the future of school together.

5th Grade Robotics Competition

Today and yesterday our 5th graders competed in a Robotics Competition hosted in our Design Lab. Students assembled and then raced robots in a fun setting whilst learning within the field of robotics educations including engineering and coding.

   

Sharing Compliments or Resolving Problems & Concerns
As stated in our handbook, sharing compliments, resolving problems or concerns at school is always most effectively done when they are brought to the immediate attention of the appropriate faculty member or administrator.

At AISC, we ask students and parents to use the following procedure to resolve difficulties or concerns.

• Discuss the matter first with the classroom teacher if it relates to grades, curriculum, homework, class behavior, etc.
• If the matter cannot be resolved with the teacher, then discuss it with the Counselor
• If you still require follow up, please then discuss this with the Associate Principal or Principal, as appropriate.

If the matter cannot be resolved with the Principal or Counselor, then discuss it with the Head of School.

Spirit Week next week! Please help your children to dress to enhance school spirit!

·  Monday  10 - Pajama Day

·  Tuesday 11 - Crazy Day

·  Wednesday 12 - Multiples Day

·  Thursday 13 - Book Character Day

·  Friday   14 - UN Day

 

 

Elementary Classroom Without Walls Program

As part of our Elementary School curriculum, we believe it is important for students to be given the opportunity to experience learning in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. Therefore, our students have multiple opportunities to study in a classroom without walls; on field trips around Chennai, in Service Learning, a school sleepover for students in Grade 4, and a three night overnight stay for 5th Graders in Pondicherry.

5th Grade Classroom Without Walls provides students with a unique cultural, personal, interpersonal and environmental experience that they would not normally experience within the regular classroom walls. Students learn, reflect, and grow as individuals. The aim of CWW is to:

• Develop greater self-management, independence, social skills and classroom/grade level relationships
• Enhance cultural sensitivity and provide authentic, direct exposure to India in order to  nurture a better understanding and appreciation of Indian culture.
• Foster a greater sense of both community and service by developing new connections as well as strengthen existing ones.
• Increase respect for the environment, other individuals and different cultures.
• To challenge students physically and mentally.
• To prepare students for week long Week Without Walls programs in Middle School.
• Take learning out of the school and into the real world.

It is an expectation that all 5th Grade students participate in this program. The school covers the cost of the overnight Classroom Without Walls trips.

2018 - 19 Dates

• Dates for the 4th Grade School Sleepover - Friday, 8 February 2019 (FYI)
• Dates for the 5th Grade Pondicherry trip

·         2 classes Tuesday 18 - Friday 21 September, 2018

·         2 classes Tuesday 25 - Friday 28  September, 2018

Visitor Attendance at Assemblies
Parents are welcome to attend any assembly or learning celebration marked on the Community Calendar. We encourage parents to attend assemblies to provide the children with an audience, and to allow them to see some of the special projects in which the children have been engaged. In order to ensure a pleasurable experience, please note:

•Parents and family members should sit in the area(s) designated for them. Please do not sit with the students, as space limitations will not allow for this arrangement.

• It is very important during the performance that all students and parents have a clear view of the stage. Please be mindful of other members of the audience and remain seated so you do not block their view when taking pictures.

• The elementary students are learning about performing in front of an audience. With this in mind, please remember to turn off your mobile phones and to remain quiet during the performances.

• Babies and toddlers need to stay with their parents at all times. If they need a break, please take them out of the room that is being used for the performance.

 * Strollers or prams are not allowed in the FAC theatre and need to be left outside.

We look forward to performing for you during the school year and hope to see you all there!

MAP Testing (Repeat Announcement)

During the week of September 17th, Grades 2, 3, and 4 will take the take the MAP test. Students will be assessed in Reading, Math, Language and Science. This is a computerized adaptive test. As a student answers questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty. There is no preparation required for MAP testing. Results from the MAP tests are used by teachers make instructional decisions for increased student growth and achievement. Please remind your child to charge their laptop or tablet each night. We recommend that students have adequate sleep and a good breakfast before they come to school for the MAP test. Make up tests are available for students who miss tests due to absence.

Have a great weekend!

Warmly,
Keryn Dowling, Dave Allen, and Calley Connelly