Dear Middle School Parents,
We have a special recognition this week. We would like to congratulate Seo Young Park (Grade 7), Winner of the Haas Hansen Award. This award recognizes middle school students (grades 6-8) at NESA member schools who model the character traits we value most in our students: consistency, persistence, a willingness to take risks, acceptance of other cultures/points of view and a genuine interest in and commitment to the welfare of others. The award is not meant to recognize academic, athletic or artistic talent or achievement. She was recognized at the Middle School Assembly today.
AMIS (Association for Music in International Schools)
AMIS runs music festivals at international schools around the world. The participants are selected through a rigorous audition process. This year we have two students have received the honor to participate in this festival: Yoon Jung Kim for Oboe and Suzu Toyonaga for French Horn. Congratulations to these two young musicians.
On February 11-14, we will be hosting 87 participants from 16 of the best international schools from around Asia, along with their band directors and a panel of AMIS officials. The festival will run from February 11-15, 2015 and will involve many hours of focused rehearsals, leading up to a gala concert on Saturday, February 14 at 6.00 p.m. in the AISC auditorium. There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than listening to the beautiful music of these young Mozarts, Bachs, Louis Armstrongs, and A.R. Rahmans. Please join us for some fun music on February 14!
Ticket booths will be set up before and after school on the Thursday and Friday (February 12-13) before the concert, one by ES entrance and one by the main entrance. We will have tickets available free of charge for the general AISC community at that time. They are just admittance passes to keep our numbers straight so the rule is every seat taken requires a ticket. If anyone needs to get one before those days, please contact Ms. Deborah Lee at ldeborah@aisch.org.
Housing for AMIS Band Festival
One of the highlights of the AMIS experience for students is the home stay with the hosting school family. This gives the visiting students a warm home and a surrogate family while they are participating in the event. When our students travel to other schools they are looked after in the same way.
AISC has a history of being excellent hosts and we’d like to enhance our reputation by hosting these students to the best of our ability. You do not have to have children in the High School or Middle School to host a student. Often the younger children love having a big sister/brother visit them. If you can help us with hosting, please complete this Housing Form and send it to Ms. Sally Victor in the Activities/Athletics Office.
We need families to host 2 or more students in their home. Visiting students need a bed to sleep in as well as the following:
- Pick them up from school each day and drop them off each morning.
- Feed them breakfast each morning. Items such as cereal, toast, fruit, eggs, etc.
- Pack a snack for them to eat later in the day. Some fruit, granola, etc.
- Feed them dinner on February 11, 12, 13. They will be served lunch every day and Dinner on Saturday Feb. 14th.
- Offer them an evening snack when they come back each day.
- Offer to wash their clothes each night if necessary.
- Let your guests call home to speak with their parents. Most of the musicians will have cell phones; however, it is polite to offer this option.
Friendship Party
On Friday, 13 February, MS will be hosting a Friendship Party from 4:30 to 6:00pm in the Cafeteria. Please note that the time is slightly changed and the party will end at 6:00pm (not 6:30pm).
STEM Fest Information
The School has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) this year. Within the entire standard, there is a subset of engineering standards which is what we will be using to guide the STEM Project that students will be working on for the next couple of months. This is to keep you informed of what your children will be working on.
Food Service Update
Prior to winter break, we had a small group of parents tasting our food in the elementary cafeteria. A short survey done showed that most people were happy with the food quality and the variety served by TMFK. This is very encouraging and the feedback received from the survey has been shared with TMFK, who will strive to do better in the forthcoming months.
The highlights of the food service for this semester are:
- Live snacks counter is being introduced in the MC cafe on all days from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. starting Monday, February 2.
- Live dosa counter in the FAC cafeteria on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for lunch.
- Live wrap counter in the FAC cafeteria on Tuesdays and Thursdays for lunch.
- The sandwich bars in the I-Hub and ES cafeteria offer chicken, tuna and vegetable options on different days of the week. You can order a soup and a sandwich combo in the I-Hub from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- We continue to offer beef and chicken options each day in our lunch menu. Fish is offered once in two weeks.
- We have several fresh juice and smoothies options in the I-Hub from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Should you have any questions regarding food service, please email Josephine Ronald, directorpersonnel@aisch.org.
Heads Up…
On Friday, February 13, our Girl Scout Troop will be sponsoring our second annual Valentine's Charity Bake Sale. This year's proceeds will go to provide needed supplies to the Satkaarya Orphanage for Girls. The Scouts will be purchasing, packing and delivering these goods as part of their Community Service Activities.
The sale will take place near the HS Library during the MS and HS lunch hour (11:45-1 PM) and in the Elementary play area 3:30 - 4:30. All items will be sold at 50 or 100Rs CASH. Come prepared to treat yourself or your "sweetie" to some delicious Valentine goods (cookies, cupcakes, brownies). A big thank you to several Chennai hotels and restaurants for their generous donations which make the sale possible. Last year's sale was a huge success. We look forward to another this year. The Scouts and Satkaarya appreciate your contributions!
Have a great weekend.
Alan Phan
Middle School Principal
