Dear Parents,
I would like to thank those parents who completed the short Back to School Night (BTSN) survey that I sent last week. Close to 50 parents responded to the following statements and questions:
1. The school was clean and well-maintained: 100% strongly agreed/agreed
2. The timeframe of BTSN was convenient for my family: 98% strongly agreed/agreed
3. The climate of the classroom I visited was inviting: 98%
I also asked three open-response questions:
1. What aspects of BTSN were most helpful and informative?
2. Was there anything missing for you?
3. Do you have any ideas to share so that we can improve BTSN?
We had a turn-out rate of 87% on Back to School Night. Thank you coming, and thank you for leaving such positive feedback and constructive suggestions.
Nanny/Driver Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedures Effective September 2
Every Friday since August 1st, the head of school and I have communicated in our weekly newsletters that effective Tuesday, September 2nd, drivers and nannies will no longer have access to the campus through the turnstiles. They will, however, be allowed in registered vehicles inside the school gates.
We recognize that for the 150+ families who engage nannie/driver access, this flexibility may have become an important part of your family’s routine. We also recognize that for some of you who have your patterns with your drivers and nannies, this may seem like a weighty shift, but given recent child safety issues locally and in international schools globally, this is a necessary move. This change is in the interests of student safety and school security generally.
With this change, we must implement new after-school pick-up procedures, which follow.
Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1
At 3:30, parents will come to the classroom to pick up their child and assume responsibility for the supervision of their child. Kindergarten and Grade 1 students who have an After-School Activity (ASA) will be escorted to the ASA meeting point, which is the elementary school cafeteria. Students who are picked up by a nanny and driver will be escorted through the turnstiles at the Elementary Reception. We will have a designated pick-up spot for each grade level. Drivers and nannies will have to come to this spot to collect the child. Please note that students will assemble with their grade-level peers, not with their siblings unless of course, they have a twin. Please inform your driver and nanny that they should be ready to pick-up children at 3:30, although it will be a few minutes after 3:30 before students are brought to the areas. Students who have an older sibling participating in an after-school activity in the elementary, middle and/or high schools can remain on campus only when under the direct supervision of the parent.
Grades 2 to 5
At 3:30, teachers will bring classes downstairs to the same spot where they pick up children in the morning. For grades 2, 4 and 5, pick-up point is the covered play area. For grade 3, it is the hallway between the grade 1 and pre-school classrooms. Parents whose child is not participating in an ASA must report to this pick-up point to collect their child. At this point, parents are also responsible for the supervision of their child. Students who are participating in an ASA will assemble in the elementary school cafeteria. The remaining students will be escorted through the turnstiles at the Elementary Reception. We will have a designated pick-up spot for each grade level. Drivers and nannies will have to come to this spot to collect the child. Please note that students will assemble with their grade-level peers, not with their siblings unless of course, they have a twin. Please inform your driver and nanny that they should be ready to pick-up children at 3:30, although it will be a few minutes after 3:30 before students are brought to the pick-up area. If a driver and nanny fail to show up within a few minutes, school personnel will contact the student’s mom or dad to find out when the driver and nanny will arrive. Students remain supervised, but the expectation is that the driver and nanny will be ready to pick-up the child just after 3:30. Students who have an older sibling participating in an after-school activity in the elementary, middle and/or high schools can remain on campus only when under the direct supervision of the parent.
Morning Drop-Off
School personnel will be stationed at the Elementary Reception every morning. If a pre-school child comes to school with a nanny and driver, s/he will be escorted to the classroom. If a kindergarten child arrives with a nanny and driver, the child will be escorted to the kindergarten play area. All other children will pass through the turnstiles and will be supervised on the playground by staff.
The school will produce new ID badges for each member of your household staff. On the badge will be a picture of your staff member and a picture of your child(ren). If you require a badge, please stop by the security desk at the Elementary Reception and collect the necessary paperwork. If you are unable to come into the school, please email Ms. Cheryl. She will scan a copy of the paperwork and email it to you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.
Scholastic Book Fair
There will be a Scholastic Book Fair in the Black Box Theater (BBT) from 8:00-4:30 on September 8, 9, and 10. Please stop by and check out some of the great books on sale! There are nonfiction and fiction books, with many wonderful genres included. You will find books available for students in preschool through grade 5 as well as for students in older grades. Hope to see you there!
Great News from the ES and MS Collaboration and Inquiry Center (CIC)
It gives us great pleasure to announce that we will now be opening the ES and MS Collaboration and Inquiry Center (CIC) on Saturdays for our school community! Because of our commitment to literacy and learning, we think this will be a fantastic way for students, parents, and staff to utilize our print and digital resources even more. This will be a great opportunity to come in and exchange books, read, study, use the Internet, and work on collaborative projects. This is a space on Saturdays open to all students in grades preschool to twelve, so come on in and enjoy the CIC!
Here is some further information about our new Saturday hours:
Hours and Dates:
Hours: 8:30-12:30
Start Date: Saturday, September 6
End Date: Saturday, May 30
Saturday Closures: Please note that we will be closed on student 3-day weekends (January 24, February 22, and May 1) as well as Saturdays taking place during school vacations.
CIC Saturday Policies:
1) Please sign-in on clipboards when coming to the CIC on Saturdays. This will help us with supervision as well as collecting data on Saturday usage.
2) Please enjoy food and drink outside the CIC.
3) Elementary school-aged children must be accompanied by a parent.
4) MS and HS students should only be on campus during non-school hours when they are part of a school-organized activity or sport. Saturdays in the CIC counts as a school-organized activity. If students leave the CIC, but are not taking part in another school activity or sport, they should leave the AISC campus.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturdays! If you have any questions, please email Jeremy Willette.
Measures of Academic Progress® Tests
Beginning September 17th, most children will take tests called Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®). We give students in grades 2-5 MAP tests to determine each child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of math, reading, language usage and science (grades 3 to 5). When administered at regular intervals over time, it is possible to find out whether an individual, or an entire grade level, is making satisfactory progress in these basic skill areas. Your child will take the tests on a computer. Beginner EAL students who been enrolled less than one month will not write these tests.
MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. The tests are not time-based but take on average 45 minutes to complete.
New parents often ask how their children can study for these tests. Really, the best ways to prepare for these tests are to make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before a test and has breakfast the morning of the test. These are healthy practices in general. Students cannot study for a MAP test.
MAP test scores are not reported on the elementary school report card. You will receive a MAP Student Progress Report prior to the Fall Break.
For more information on resources for parents, download the Parent Toolkit at www.nwea.org >> Partner Support.
Lunch Menu and Order Links for September 2014
Please order online before September 1st and pay at the cash counter on or before September 5th.
Lunch order
Payonline Update
On Monday, we released our Payonline system. The Payonline system was developed in collaboration with a third-party software company using HDFC's Payment Gateway to offer you the ability to maintain your child's smart card and lunch accounts anytime and anywhere.
On Monday, you should have received an email from AISC with your login and temporary password. We encourage you to use the system to do any of the following things:
To learn more about the system, please read through the frequently asked questions here.
Payonline Update
On Monday, we released our Payonline system. The Payonline system was developed in collaboration with a third-party software company using HDFC's Payment Gateway to offer you the ability to maintain your child's smart card and lunch accounts anytime and anywhere.
On Monday, you should have received an email from AISC with your login and temporary password. We encourage you to use the system to do any of the following things:
- View your child's smart card balance;
- Re-charge your child's smart card;
- Purchase your child a lunch (ES only)
- Review past orders
To learn more about the system, please read through the frequently asked questions here.
Parent Coffee with the ES Administration
Throughout the year, I will host a morning coffee hour, generally the first Tuesday of the month. Our gatherings are designed to allow discussion of the social, emotional and academic needs of students as well as the curriculum offered at AISC. The informal meetings provide parents with an opportunity to learn more about the developmental needs of their elementary-aged children and to ask questions about classes, the school and the program.
Our first Parent Coffee with the ES Administration will be held on Tuesday, September 9th from 8:45 to 9:45 in the elementary school cafeteria. Our topic is called, “Transitioning into a New Country and School.” The counselors, Mr. George and Ms. Geetha and I, will lead a presentation and discussion around how to best support your child and your family as they settle into a new school environment. We know that the transition is an exciting, but at times, daunting adventure. Experience tells us that shared knowledge helps us all. We will share practical suggestions on how to best support your kids during this transitional period. While our target audience is primarily new parents, we encourage returning families to join us as well. This will be a great opportunity to meet our new families and for you to perhaps share your transition stories.
Forms to Return
If you have not returned the Handbook Signature page, please do so at your earliest convenience. Also, please return the "AISC Community Guidelines for Using Athletic Facilities Membership Application Package" forms.
Finally, a reminder that there is no school for children on Monday as all faculty and teaching assistants will engage is a series of professional learning activities. Please note that the playground, plaza and soccer field are not available for student use.
Throughout the year, I will host a morning coffee hour, generally the first Tuesday of the month. Our gatherings are designed to allow discussion of the social, emotional and academic needs of students as well as the curriculum offered at AISC. The informal meetings provide parents with an opportunity to learn more about the developmental needs of their elementary-aged children and to ask questions about classes, the school and the program.
Our first Parent Coffee with the ES Administration will be held on Tuesday, September 9th from 8:45 to 9:45 in the elementary school cafeteria. Our topic is called, “Transitioning into a New Country and School.” The counselors, Mr. George and Ms. Geetha and I, will lead a presentation and discussion around how to best support your child and your family as they settle into a new school environment. We know that the transition is an exciting, but at times, daunting adventure. Experience tells us that shared knowledge helps us all. We will share practical suggestions on how to best support your kids during this transitional period. While our target audience is primarily new parents, we encourage returning families to join us as well. This will be a great opportunity to meet our new families and for you to perhaps share your transition stories.
Forms to Return
If you have not returned the Handbook Signature page, please do so at your earliest convenience. Also, please return the "AISC Community Guidelines for Using Athletic Facilities Membership Application Package" forms.
Finally, a reminder that there is no school for children on Monday as all faculty and teaching assistants will engage is a series of professional learning activities. Please note that the playground, plaza and soccer field are not available for student use.
Have a great weekend,
Kevin Hall
Elementary School Principal