Dear
AISC Middle School Families,
The
start of the 2014-2015 school year is fast approaching with the first
day of school on Tuesday, 5 August. We have been busy preparing
the school and the classrooms, and we are looking forward to the start of the
new school year.
Student
Schedules: All middle school students will
start their first day with an Advisory period. All students will receive their
schedule on the first day of school in their Advisory class.
Bring-Your-Own-Technology (BYOT) Program
All Middle School students are required to bring in a computing
device that meets a minimum set of specifications to support student learning.
Students may choose between a laptop with either the Mac or Windows operating
system, or an iPad with a keyboard. Please see the following link for
more detailed information about the program: bit.ly/aiscbyot.
In order to configure all the devices, we ask that students bring
their own device in on Wednesday, August
6. Please do not bring the devices in earlier. This applies to all Grade 6
students, new students to AISC and any returning students who have bought a new
device over the summer. Please remember to set your operating system language
to English in order for our IT department to configure devices.
Items
supplied by the School: All textbooks, a PE uniform, and a musical instrument
(if enrolled in the band course), are supplied by the school.
Students
need to bring to school: A binder for
their core blocks of humanities and math/science, and a set of dividers,
a USB memory stick, assorted pens, pencils, eraser, highlighter pens,
whiteout, scissor, water bottle, book bag/backpack, appropriate running shoes
with non-marking soles, a towel and soap for showering, and a bathing suit
during their swimming unit. It is highly recommended that students have
sun-cream, a ball cap or sun hat, and swimming goggles. Students should have a
separate bag for their PE kit.
To have
at home: Ruler, 2-hole paper
puncher, paper clips, rubber bands, pencil sharpener, glue stick, scotch
tape, color markers, color pencils crayons, dictionary appropriate for
middle school students, and access to the internet and a printer.
All
students that are participating in music class (either
band or choir) will need a ‘concert outfit’ which includes a pair of long black
dress pants and black enclosed dress shoes (no sandals). Students will need to
purchase a black music T-shirt from the school prior to the first performance
to finish off their concert outfit.
Students
planning on joining a sports team will be representing the
school while traveling and participating in tournaments; hence, there is a
dress requirement. Students must have a khaki-colored skirt or trouser and
enclosed dress shoes, and a ‘Raptor’ collared polo-shirt purchased through the
athletics office.
Lunch
program: Lunch takes place from 12:15
– 12:55 every day. The cafeteria will be open the first day of school. Students
who choose to purchase food at school will have two options: the cafeteria and iHub.
The cafeteria will provide hot lunches from several cuisines and a la
carte items. The iHub will have snack foods, drinks, and some pre-made
items from the cafeteria.
Students
also have the option of bringing a lunch to school as the cafeteria has several
refrigerators which may be used by students to keep their lunches cool.
It also has some microwave ovens for use in warming food. Students may also
purchase food before school, during the morning break and after school.
New
Student ID Badges, 2014-2015
All students will
be given new color coded section and grade-wise ID badges at the start of the
school year in August. Students will be able to transfer any balance
remaining on their current card to the new card at the cashier's office. New
students will be issued their ID badge at the New Student Orientation on 4
August.
Our ID
badges are not only used to open the turnstiles at the security gates, but they
also function as Smart Cards for the
Library/Collaboration Inquiry Center (CIC) to check out books and to pay for
food and drinks at the cafeteria and iHub.
Students
and parents can load credit on their ID badge/Smart Card at the Cashier’s
office near the main reception. Cash will
continue to be accepted for purchases through August 22. From 22, only Smart Cards will be accepted in all the outlets. We are exploring the option of being
able to load credit on the Smart Card through on-line payment. If a student or
parent loses their ID card/Smart card, it should be reported to the Cashier’s
office as soon as possible. The Cashier will immediately put a block on the use
of the card to prevent misuse.
Our
school hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.
In the
morning, students are to wait on the ground floor until the first bell
rings at 8:15 am. After this time, students are allowed to proceed to the
upper floors. After 3:45 p.m., students not involved in a
sanctioned after-school activity, are required to wait in the drop off/pick-up
area at the front of the school. Students are to be picked up
by 3:45 pm unless enrolled in an adult-supervised after school
activity. Please be prompt in delivering and picking up your children.
Email
Addresses: Much of our communication between the
school and parents will take place electronically. It is vital that we have
your current email address. If your email address changes or you suspect that
you are not receiving communications from the school, please contact the Middle
School Administrative Assistant, Ms. Aziz at sazizunnisa@aisch.org or call the school at 2254-9000.
Thank
you for reviewing this information and we look forward to the start of the new
school year.
Sincerely,
Alan Phan
Middle School Principal