Dear Parents,
We want to extend our gratitude to Ms. Bindu Krishnamurthy, our Indian Studies teacher, and Liza Mathews, our Indian Studies Teaching Assistant, for planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing all of the events related to India Week. We had guest speakers and story tellers in Indian Studies, special guests in morning meetings to engage students in cultural activities, India Week videos for teachers to use in class, and guest readers throughout the week. What a wonderful celebration of our host country. Thank you to all of the teachers who volunteered their time during the week and an extra thank you to Ms. Bindu and Ms. Liza!
We are ready and excited to welcome students in grades 1-5 back to campus on Monday. Please see the return to campus information below.
Important Events:
Contacting Parents During Arrival
Please make sure that you have your phones close to you during arrival - our office may need to contact you if there is any issue with your child’s Parent Locker submission etc.
Reporting Absences
AISC continues to monitor the health of our student body and we need to know when a student is not well enough to participate in a day’s learning activities.
Elementary parents are expected to email the section office with the reason for absences when a student cannot attend to/participate in the day’s learning activities. (esoffice@asichennai.org).
In a typical year, we track illnesses, fevers, and flu symptoms. Now, more than ever, it is so important that we know if a student or household member has flu symptoms and/or has tested positive for COVID-19.
Return to Campus Information
Elementary School will be in person 5 days a week
Please commit to one modality of learning, either on-campus or virtual.
Reach out to the Elementary School Principal as soon as possible if you decide to change modalities. We will work with you on the transition day for your child.
Parent coffee recordings (both recordings are the same presentation)
Other helpful videos/information
What do I need to do to get ready for November 1st?
Complete all return to campus documents
Pick up student IDs and COVID test kit on campus
Download and set up ParentLocker app
Administer COVID test to your child October 29th, upload test results here, keep individual test strip in baggie and bring to school every Monday
Complete ParentLocker app questions before school Monday, November 1st
What should my child bring to school?
Two or three extra masks
Water bottle
Snack and lunch (lunch refrigeration is available, no microwaves). Lunch order form here due by noon October 31st.
Device for grades 3, 4, and 5 (Gr. 1, and Gr 2 will get an iPad to use at school)
Headphones if you have them
Negative COVID test on Mondays
School supplies will be given to all students at school
Drop off and pick up times
Staggered drop off times (see below)
Oldest in family enters at the same time as youngest in family
Students will hand sanitize, have temperature check, scan ID, and enter
No parents allowed on campus at this time
Pick up
Staggered dismissal time
Oldest student will dismiss with youngest family
Cars pull up to ES gate and look for the grade level sign
Staggered drop off and pick up schedule - Note the pick up time as there is a change from last week
School Bus Transportation
As AISC is getting ready to welcome Elementary and Middle School students on campus, we are also ready to roll out the Bus Program from Monday, November 1, for both pick-up and drop-off services.
AISC has protocols in place for school-operated buses in order to ensure the health and safety of students taking our buses.
If you are interested in this service for your child(ren), please send an email to our Transport Supervisor (transportsupervisor@aischennai.org), to learn about the cost, routes, timing and the health-safety protocols.
Curbside Pickup of Library Books
Now that students will be on campus, we are excited to have everyone back in the library! We will be discontinuing our curbside pickup service, except for those families who are remaining in virtual learning. For those families, please continue to use the book request form between Friday and Monday of each week to choose library books for your children. If you have any questions, please let Ms. Babs know. Thank you and happy reading!
SAVE THE DATE: PCA Diwali Virtual Mela
Diwali and all its promised festivities are upon us! And the PCA, in partnership with the Advancement Office is excited to bring you a virtual Diwali experience! This web-based community festival includes pre-recorded community performances, cooking tutorials, and an activity book. Head to the PCA Blog for more details!
When: Thursday, November 11, 3:00 p.m. IST onwards
Where: Bookmark this page!
From the Counselors
Parents:
We are grateful to you, for reassuring your children that it will be ok next week.
We are grateful to you for getting your child ready for their new routines next week.
We are grateful to you for helping your child get organised for Halloween and for India Week!
We are grateful to you for watching the Raptor Safe Videos, learning to complete home COVID tests, and completing all the paperwork that we have asked for your students to return to campus.
We are grateful for you, for trusting us with your most precious cargo! We have worked to ensure that our campus is the safest place in Chennai!
We are grateful to you for teaching and supporting your children from home for the past 20 months!
If you need to reach us about your student, or any questions or help with this transition, please reach out to Ms Linda at glinda@aischennai.org or Ms Michele nmichele@aischennai.org .
Have a wonderful weekend.
Lynn Schneider and Dave Allen
Elementary School Leadership Team