Dear Middle School Parents,
As you have noticed, I like to share articles about children and education. Here is one, How Do We Increase Empathy, that was shared with me by Mr. Martin where it says that we can teach empathy. Nicolas Kristof says, “I’ve come to believe that service trips do open eyes and remind students of their good fortune. In short, they build empathy.” While we are building our Service Learning (SEVAI) Program, we have done a small bit of this via the Week Without Walls program for many years, by exposing our students to the local community and working with local schools. We hope that as we continue to expose them to the local community and work with local schools, it will remind them of their good fortune and build empathy.
AMIS Honor Band Gala Concert
We have some beautiful pictures uploaded. Please see them here:
Science Technology Engineering Math - STEM Fest
Thank you to all the parents who came to see our very first Middle School STEM Fest. The students and teachers have put a lot of time and effort in learning how to build something from scratch. You might have notice that not everything worked, but the end product was not our goal, rather it was the process of learning how to problem solve as they face difficulties in their construction. The trial and error process is an important method of learning. Here is a short video that talks about success through failures.
Health and Wellness Curriculum
As part of the health and wellness curriculum for MS students, the subject of body image and perceptions will be discussed in their PE classes next week. Topic areas will include what role does media play in shaping our perceptions, looking at ways to promote healthy self-esteem and how can we make a difference in helping ourselves and others with developing a healthy personal image?
Ms. Trish and Ms. Dhanya will be addressing these topics with the MS girls and Mr. Tommy and Mr. Cristian will be discussing the topics with the MS boys.
Next week, we have two great events coming to you. Please join us at the four different sessions for parents to learn what it means to parent this generation of young people.
Then join us on Friday afternoon, 27 February at 4:00pm to watch some Balinese dancers, which will include some of our students and be inspired by Anita Ratnam, who is a dancer, author and media personality and our very own teacher, Jeff Moore, an inspirational speaker.
Yearbook Photos 2014-2015
We are pleased to announce the sale of photos from the January photo shoot for those students who did not get their photos taken in August. On the All School Moodle page, you will find a folder- Yearbook photos 2014-15. Parents who missed ordering photos last semester may also place the orders now.
Order Forms may be downloaded from Moodle or picked up at the Cash counter. Instructions are on the order form. Please complete the form, make payment and submit the form at the respective section office.
Please submit all requests for photos not later than March 6. Prints will be ready for pick up after April 12.
If you have any questions about the ordering process, please contact the Administrative Assistant of your child's school section.
Virtual Learning Drill - March 25th
Distance learning for continuity of instruction is a complex process requiring considerable training, alignment, and communication. To be ready in the event of a forced school closure, AISC must help all stakeholders build capacity to support distance learning.
On March 25th, AISC will host a comprehensive virtual learning drill in which all students PK-12 will stay at home and complete one full day of learning consistent with AISC’s Continuity of Instruction Plan. Teachers will be on campus during this exercise. All athletics and after-school activities will be cancelled on this day.
To learn more please read more about the event in our full brochure HERE, or read the frequently-asked-questions in a text-only format HERE.
To help parents with their Internet access at home, AISC will host an Internet provider business fair on March 5th and 6th in the Main Entry.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Alan Phan
Middle School Principal