Dear Middle School Parents,
There has been a buzz at school for the first two days of school. It has been great to see all the smiling faces of students as they see their old friends, meet new students and new teachers. The excitement and energy of Middle School students being back in school are palpable.
We have several changes for this school year and we want you to be aware of them.
- Starting on Monday, 14 August, the middle school will begin our No Tech Mondays during break and lunch to help students stay off their devices and connect with each other.
- Conferences and mid-trimester updates: In place of mid-trimester learning habits updates, we have put Student-Teacher-Parent Conferences mid-way through each trimester with the following dates:
- Trimester 1 Conferences: 28-29 September
- Trimester 2 Conferences: 31 January and 1 February
- Trimester 3 Conferences: 13 April (E-Portfolio and Conferences will happen on the same day)
New Student Information System: PowerSchool
Based on community feedback, and an extensive review process, we are now using an entirely new Student Information System (SIS) and Learning Management System (LMS), called PowerSchool. This system has replaced all of the functions of both Skyward and Moodle. We are currently among only a handful of innovative international schools using the advanced version of this system because we believe it will become a rich and powerful tool for our school community. Students have already received their log-ins via direct email and you also should have received an email with log-in instructions from our Director of Technologies and Innovation, Dr. Sherriden Masters. Here is the email link for your convenience. Please follow the instructions to log-in. If you are unable to do so, drop by the main entrance every weekday morning from 8:00 - 9:00, starting Monday, 14 August. We will also have an additional MS Parent Tech Coffee on Friday, August 18 from 10:00 - 11:00. You can also contact ITSupport@aischennai.org to make an appointment if you are able to make any of the times mentioned above.
Parent Coffees
The first coffees will following the same format as last year. We will hold one for Grade 6 parents and a combined Grade 7 and 8. Both MS Coffees will take place in the Hall of Light:
- Grade 6: Friday, August 18 8:45 - 9:45
- Grade 7 & 8: Monday, August 21 8:45 - 9:45
Back to School Night
Please save the date and join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, 24 August at 5:00 pm. The purpose of this night is for parents to meet the teachers and find out information about the course content, expectations of the teacher, and set the foundation for school to home communication and discussing ways that teachers and parents can work together to support learning. You will experience an abridged version of a “day in the life” of your student(s).
Student Voices Forum (SVF)
SVF is a group of student representatives that meet monthly with the Middle School Principal, Counselor, and teacher volunteers to discuss issues, policies, and procedures of the Middle School. SVF members are expected to:
- Attend all meetings (Mondays at lunch, food provided) unless absent from school. Two unexcused absences (missed meetings while at school) will result in being replaced on SVF.
- Share the information discussed at the meeting with his/her peers.
- Gather information and data from peers as needed to guide decision making.
- Give his/her honest and unbiased feedback as a representative of the student body.
If you are interested in being part of SVF, please complete this application via the link or in the MS Office.
Middle School Sports and Activities
We have many activities for students to participate in throughout the school year. Below are the ones starting in the next few weeks. If you have any questions about the activities, please email the sponsors or coaches directly. The sports and activities for October and November will be posted later on in the year.
Activity
|
Sponsors and Room
|
Meeting Day
|
AMIS Band
Play a concert in Hanoi with the best woodwind/brass players from all international schools in Asia!
|
Mr. Jason & Mr. Cary
Room 2705
|
Start Date: Monday, August 14
When: By appointment
Audition due: October 13
Trip: February 7-11 Hanoi, Vietnam
|
AMIS Choir
Sing a concert with the best vocalists from all international schools in Asia!
|
Ms. Lee & Mr. Atul
Room 2723
|
Start Date: Monday, August 14
When: By appointment
Audition due: October 13
Trip: January 31-February 4, Chennai
|
AMIS String Orchestra
Play a concert in Hong Kong with the best string players from all international schools in Asia!
|
Mr. Cary & Mr. Jason
Room 2702
|
Start Date: Monday, August 14
When: Monday & Friday 3:45-4:45
Audition due: October 13
Trip: January 24-28, Hong Kong
|
Art Club
Open art time to explore your art interests
|
Mr. Aneesh
Room 2717
|
Start Date: August 18th
When: Fridays
Time: 3:45-4:45
|
Assembly Crew
Planning and presenting MS monthly assemblies
|
Mr. Jason
Ms. Lisa
Room 2705
|
Start Date: August 22
When: Tuesdays and as needed
Time: Lunch time
|
Blue Cross Animal Shelter
|
Mr. Carlos and Ms. Jen
Meetings: Room 3131
|
Start Date: August 26th
When: Once a month (Saturday morning)
Time: 9:00-12:30
|
Family Board Game Night
|
Mr. Ryan Sager and Mr. Peter Jacobson
|
HS CIC (Preferred one Friday a month after practices @ 5:00 PM-8:00 PM). Starting Date: Sept. 8, 2017
|
Homework Club
Working on homework with support from teachers
|
Ms. Lucy, Ms. Kanthi, Ms. Kathryn, and Ms. Vini
Room 3116
|
Start Date: 21 August
Mon: Ms. Lucy and Ms. Vini
Tues: Ms. Kanthi and Ms. Kathryn Thurs: Ms. Lucy and Ms. Kanthi
Time: 3:30-4:30
|
MathCounts
Math competition
|
Ms. Kala
Room: 3309
Ryan- Chaperon
|
Start Date: September 1, 2017
When: Fridays
Grade 7/8: 3:45- 4:45pm
Start Date: TBD
When: TBD
Grade 5/6: TBD
|
Model United Nations (MUN)
Solving global issues as future world leaders
|
Ms. Mac, Mr. Carlos and Ms. Lucy
Beginners: Room 3131
Advanced: 2307
|
Start Date: 14 August
When: Mondays (Beginners)
When: Tuesdays (Advanced)
Time: 3:45-4:45
|
Reading for Fluency
|
Ms. Leena
Room 2124
|
Start Date: 22 August
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays
Time: 8:00 -8:30 am
3:30 -4:15 pm
|
Rock Band
|
Mr. Kennedy
Room 2705
|
Start Date: August 31st
When: Thursdays
Time: 3:45-4:45
|
Student Activities
Planning activities for the middle school
|
Ms. Lakshmi and Ms. Lucy
Room 3111
|
Start Date: Aug 17th
When: Thursdays
Time: 12:35-12:55
Where: Room 3111
|
Student Ambassador
Welcoming new students to AISC
|
Mr. Gregg, Ms. Rebekah, and Ms. Gold
|
As needed basis
Retreat: 8 September
|
Student Voices Forum
Students’ forum to give feedback regarding school issues.
Application is available via the link or in the MS Office.
|
Mr. Phan, Ms. Jen, Mr. Luca, Ms. Lakshmi and Mr. Carlos
Room 3111
|
Start Date: September
When: First Mondays of Month
Time: Lunch
|
ASIAC/SAISA Season 1
|
Coaches
|
Practice Days
|
SAISA Swimming
|
Coach Donna Fava
James Dowling
|
Start Date: August 14
When: M/W/Th/Fr - 6:15-8AM
Saturday: 11AM-1pm (might change)
|
ASIAC Boys Soccer
|
Mr. Bill and Mr. Gareth
|
Start Date: August 16
When: M/W/F
Time: 6:30 - 7:45 AM
|
ASIAC Girls Soccer
|
Mr. Suresh and Ms. Monicka
|
Start Date: August 16
When: M/W/F
Time: 6:30- 7:45 AM
|
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson
Middle School Administration