26 September

Dear Middle School Parents,

If you did not get a chance to see the UN International Peace celebration, please visit our website: http://www.aisch.org/ and take a look at the great video of the celebration of our community. There were some beautiful and creative costumes of all the countries represented in our school.

Mid-Semester

Next week, we are approaching the first mid-semester for the year. Students have been working on their ePortfolios and reflecting on their learning and growth. Please ask your child to share the blog with you.

The ePortfolio (Blog) will give you a lot of information of their learning from the projects and assignments  for each subject area. In the next Middle School Coffee on Tuesday, 29 October, we will help parents navigate through the ePortfolios and what to look for in each of the student blogs and how to look at Moodle pages as well.

From Parent to Parent

Last week, as I was reading one of the blog posts by Liz Evans, a mother and a former teacher who starting writing blogs because of her children. She suggested to ask your children specific questions to get more than just fine or good when asked about their day at school. Below are a list of 20 questions that will generate some conversations:

1. Where in the school do you hang out the most? (Like a particular hall, classroom, field, etc.) Where in the school do you never hang out?
2. What would your school be better with? What would your school be better without?
3. If you were a teacher, what class would you teach?
4. What was the coolest (or funniest) thing that you saw today?
5. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
6. If your day at school today was a movie, what movie would it be?
7. Besides walking to their next classes, what else do people do in between classes?
8. Which is your easiest class? Which is your hardest class?
9. If they played music in the halls at school, what would everyone want them to play over the loudspeaker?
10. Which class has your favorite group of students in it?
11. What do you think you should do more of at school?
12. What do you think the most important part of school is?
13. Tell me one question that you had today, even if it wasn't answered... actually, especially if it wasn't answered...
14. Who did you help today? Who helped you today?
15. If you could be invisible for the day at school, what would you do?
16. What part of the day do you look forward to?
17. What would you change about school lunch?
18. If you had to go to only one class every day, which class would it be?
19. Tell me one thing you read at school today.
20. If your day at school was an emoticon, which one would it be?

The Collaboration and Inquiry Center (CIC) Opens on Saturdays for Community Access to Resources 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! 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 Policy Reminders 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. Please enjoy food and drink outside the CIC. ES students must be accompanied by a parent on campus during non-school hours (ES school policy).  ES students should come to the CIC on Saturdays with a parent. 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 at wjeremy@aisch.org.

Have a fun and relaxing weekend.

Alan Phan

Middle School Principal

19 September

Dear Middle School Parents,

We have had a busy week this week with Dot Day, Candlelight Vigil and UN International Peace Day celebration. Thank you for your support and participation in celebrating the diversity of  our community. It was great to see everyone in white on Thursday and all the national clothing from each country on Friday. The students also really appreciated visiting all the country pavilions after the flag parade. A sincere thank you goes to all the parents who has helped to make this happen.

Additionally, we have had guest speakers from Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD). Prior to their visit the PE teachers began teaching the students regarding substance abuse and will continue to do so for the rest of the unit. Mr. Glenn spent a bit of time with Grade 6 and a lot of time with the Grade 7 and Grade 8 students. We also appreciate you joining us for the parent session with him. It is important that we are educating students at an early age and your support is of the utmost importance.

If you would like more information regarding their organization and their work, please visit their website: http://www.fcd.org/index.html and look under the section, “what we do” for more details.

R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Innovation, Service, and Entertainment Forum)

FAC Auditorium, Friday, 19 September @5:00 p.m.

AISC will host its first R.I.S.E event which will bring inspirational speakers, thought leaders, and entertainers to AISC to infuse new vision and dialogue relative to our mission, core values and student learning objectives. One of these speakers is Chintan Modi, who has offered his time to work with classrooms around the theme of peace through the power of friendship.  Chintan is the founder of Friendships Across Borders: Aao Dosti Karein, a social media initiative that builds on the power of personal friendships to transform the long-standing hostility between India and Pakistan. You can read more about the program here. We are also joined by Dr. V.R. Devika, the Founder and Managing Trustee of The Aseema Trust. Dr. V.R. Devika is known for her passion for traditional performing arts and education. She conducts regular workshops on peace education and communication skills for students and teachers.

A Message from our Aquatics Director, Donna Fava

On the afternoon of Friday, 3 October (from 4pm-6pm) and all day Saturday, 4 October (from 8am-6pm) we will be sponsoring the Big Bad Blue Swim Meet, here, at the AISC Swimming Pool.  BIG BAD BLUE is an annual invitational swim meet that allows our SAISA Swim Team one big competition against local swim clubs and schools before heading off to Bombay for the SAISA swim meet on 30 October - 1 November.  It is also an opportunity to mingle with local folks from Chennai!!!

One of the things that I LOVE about working in international schools is the fact that they are not only schools, but also communities. It is my hope that the community will work together to support our SAISA swimmers in many ways…To watch, to cheer, to support and to VOLUNTEER to help at the meet.  We cannot run this meet without community support.  There are many ways that you can help and two days to choose from.

Friday Evening: We are running only four events for AISC Swimmers, ONLY. It gives our swimmers a bit of practice before they swim against students who have more opportunity for competition.

Saturday: 4-6 local teams and their families will join us on campus to cheer on all every swimmer as they push themselves to attain personal bests in each event.

• If you can push a button when a swimmer touches the wall, you can be a TIMER!
• If you can read a results chart and put stickers on a ribbon, you can work to ORGANIZE AWARDS AND RIBBONS!
• If you have a great voice, you can be an ANNOUNCER!
• If you like to cook or bake, you can provide some goodies for the HOSPITALITY ROOM!
• If you are friendly and organized, you could work at the REGISTRATION TABLE!

Would you please consider giving 3 hours of your time on either Friday evening (4-6PM) or Saturday (8-5PM)?  It would mean so much to our swimmers and it’s a great way to get involved with our community! We will find some way to involve you!!!

Please email me at fdonna@aisch.org. I’d love to have you on the team!

Cafeteria Services Update

AISC is excited to announce their new Food Services Manager, Mr.  Prakash Shanmugam. Prakash has a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Madras. He has eight years of working experience with the Taj Fisherman’s Cove, starting off as a Food & Beverages Associate and then as Restaurant Manager since November 2012.

Prakash’s love of food and vast experience in the hotel industry has already made a huge difference in the variety and quality of the food served at AISC.

• Our FAC Cafeteria now has a Dosa on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Wrap counter on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also have a sandwich bar in the I-Hub and FAC and ES cafeterias everyday.
• TMFK has added beef to our menu options. In addition to chicken and fish, we now serve beef on all days except Friday.
• TMFK has also introduced Korean on Mondays and Thursdays and Thai cuisine on Wednesdays.
• The Parent MC Café which was not operational since 8 August is open once again from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Should you have any questions with regard to food service, please email Josephine Ronald – directorpersonnel@aisch.org.

Have a restful weekend.

Alan Phan

Middle School Principal

12 September

Dear Middle School Parents,

As I was reading this weekend, I came across a great article, written by a middle school teacher, that sums up middle school very well, with a little advice to parents from a teacher’s perspective: What Your Middle School Teacher Wants You to Know. I hope this will shed some light into the mind of teachers.

Pool Party Pictures

Throughout the year, when we have events, we will post pictures in Moodle in the Middle School Section, under Middle School Photos. Please visit it after every event and the pictures will be posted on there. Here is the link: MS Pool Party.

We have several important events this week so we are repeating it to emphasize the importance. We hope you will attend these important events.

Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD)

On Monday, 15 September, as part of our health education program, we have invited Prevention Specialists from Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) Educational Services to visit our school. FCD is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools.

FCD Prevention Specialists are highly trained professionals who have achieved long-term recovery from alcohol or other drug addictions. This unique perspective enhances the credibility of their message and provides students with role models for happy, healthy, drug-free living.  The FCD Prevention Specialist will present a parent workshop on Tuesday, 16 September at 9:30 and again on Thursday, 18 September at 10:15  in the BBT  to offer support and guidance in helping your children enjoy a drug-free adolescence. Some of the topics to be addressed include:

• Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use
• Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends
• What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation
• How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond.

This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parental involvement is crucial to our efforts to reduce the risks teenagers face. We want our students to hear from both school and home that we are concerned about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by adolescents, and that we are committed to keeping our children safe.

International Dot Day and the UN International Day of Peace

We would like to invite all of you to join us for some of the celebrations during the week of September 15th.

• Wear White For Peace - Thursday, September 18th - please make sure your child(ren) wear a white shirt on this day.  We would love to  have 100% participation.
• Candlelight Vigil - Thursday, September 18th from 3:45 - 4:15 in the FAC Foyer: We invite teachers, students, and families to take part in a candlelight vigil focused on peace and justice.  This will be a time to reflect on what peace and justice means to us.  We ask all participants to wear white to show their support of peace. Important Note: ES students must be accompanied by parents.

• R.I.S.E.   FAC Auditorium, Friday, September 19th beginning at 5:00 p.m.

AISC will host its first R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Innovation, Service, Entertainment) event which will bring inspirational speakers, thought leaders, and entertainers to AISC to infuse new vision and dialogue relative to our mission, core values and student learning objectives.

Lastly, below is another Middle School activity in which students can get involved:

Have a good weekend.

Alan Phan

Middle School Principal

5 September

Dear Middle School Parents,

The Middle School welcomes students to the first social event, the Pool Party, today from 4:30 to 6:00pm. If they have not bought their tickets yet, they can get one at the door. Encourage them to come and enjoy some fun in the pool with their friends on this Friday afternoon. For parents, please remember to pick up your children promptly at 6:00pm.

Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD)

On Monday, 15 September, as part of our health education program, we have invited Prevention Specialists from Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) Educational Services to visit our school. FCD is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools.

FCD Prevention Specialists are highly trained professionals who have achieved long-term recovery from alcohol or other drug addictions. This unique perspective enhances the credibility of their message and provides students with role models for happy, healthy, drug-free living.  The FCD Prevention Specialist will present a parent workshop on Tuesday, 16 September at 9:30 and again on Thursday, 18 September at 10:15  in the BBT to offer support and guidance in helping your children enjoy a drug-free adolescence. Some of the topics to be addressed include:

• Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use
• Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends
• What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation
• How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond.

This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parental involvement is crucial to our efforts to reduce the risks teenagers face. We want our students to hear from both school and home that we are concerned about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by adolescents, and that we are committed to keeping our children safe.

Communication

If and when issues or concerns arise about school, it 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:

1. Discuss the matter first with the classroom teacher if it relates to grades, curriculum, homework, class behavior, etc.
2. If the matter cannot be resolved with the teacher, then discuss it with the Counselor, Associate Principal or Principal, as appropriate.
3. If the matter cannot be resolved with the Counselor, Associate Principal or Principal, then discuss it with Head of School.

Absence Procedures

Parents are required to call MS Office before 8:30 am to inform about any absences for the day. Teachers report attendance to the office each day using the school’s electronic database and attendance is taken first thing in the morning. Should your child arrive late to school, please remind your child to report to the Middle School Office and get a late pass from Ms. Aziz.

Update from the Office of Teaching and Learning

The spirit of international-mindedness at AISC is something that our students live each and every day, all year long.   This year, we have decided to "connect the dots" between International Dot Day and the UN International Day of Peace to create a week long celebration of our commitment to being internationally-minded.  We will be focusing on three themes this year:

• identity
• international-mindedness
• the rights of peoples to peace

We would like to invite all of you to join us for some of the celebrations during the week of September 15th.  A few of those events are:

• Wear White For Peace - Thursday, September 18th - please make sure your child(ren) wear a white shirt on this day.  We would love to  have 100% participation.
• Candlelight Vigil - Thursday, September 18th from 3:45 - 4:15 in the FAC Foyer:

We invite teachers, students, and families to take part in a candlelight vigil focused on peace and justice.  This will be a time to reflect on what peace and justice means to us.  We ask all participants to wear white to show their support of peace.

Important Note: ES students must be accompanied by parents.

• R.I.S.E.   FAC Auditorium, Friday, September 19th beginning at 5:00 p.m.

AISC will host its first R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Innovation, Service, Entertainment) event which will bring inspirational speakers, thought leaders, and entertainers to AISC to infuse new vision and dialogue relative to our mission, core values and student learning objectives.

Interact Club 2014 – 2015

Here is a message that has been sent to the student daily bulletin. We want to keep you informed to encourage your children to get involved:

Come and join the almost 40 high school students who signed up at last week's Club Mela. We will be having our first meeting for the Inteact Club next week on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, from 3:45 to 4:30 pm in the HALL OF LIGHT after school. For those of you want to know more about the club, please send an email to Ms. Geetha Venugopal (vgeetha@aisch.org), Mr. Robert Martin (mrobert@aisch.org), or Sanjana Kolisetty (ksanjana@aisch.org), or come to our first meeting to sign up on the spot. You can also visit our blog (www.aiscinteract.org) for further information. We hope to see you at the first meeting!

Thank you,

Sanjana Kolisetty

Interact Club President

Have a good weekend.

Alan Phan

Middle School Principal