Dear Middle School Parents,
We had our first Blue Cross Service trip last weekend, with four chaperones and 30 students. They gave supplements, bathed, dried, powdered and played with lots of puppies and kittens. Blue Cross was very happy with the support from AISC and our students. If students are interested in joining in with this service project, the next trip is scheduled for 16 September.
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing: 4-5 September
MAP testing continues on Monday morning. Please remind your children to charge the laptops each night, especially during testing week. There is no preparation required for MAP testing. We do, however, recommend that students get adequate sleep and a good breakfast before they come to school for the MAP test.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computerized adaptive test. Students will take tests in Reading, Math, Language and Science. MAP tests students with engaging and age-appropriate content. As a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty. Our team uses the data to inform instructional decision-making for increased student growth and achievement.
Early Release Days
Just a reminder that next Wednesday, 6 September will be another early release day. These are all marked in the community calendar. Please take advantage of these days for doctor checkups, dental visits or plan an activity with your children.
Middle School Pool Party
The pool party has been rescheduled to Friday, 8 September from 4:00-5:30. Students who had purchased a ticket previously can use their ticket for this party. Please mark this date on your calendar.
Mathcounts - Beginners Classes
Coaching sessions will be available to interested 6th graders on Thursdays after school in room 3309 in the high school from 3:35 - 4:45 pm every week starting Thursday, September 14th. These classes will run from September till Spring break.
Student Protection Update - Blue Whale - From the AISC Psychologist Office
News of an increasingly popular suicide game that encourages children and teenagers to self-injure and take their own lives has been circulating in the media and local police have issued an advisory. The “Blue Whale” challenge, as it is referred to, is an online game in which participants follow a social media account that instructs them to complete 50 dangerous tasks, the last of which is suicide. Because of the notoriety of the game we want to make parents aware as it is being reported on in the local news and social media.
Social media challenges are not new and can range from the silly like the “mannequin challenge” to the incredibly dangerous like the “Blue Whale” challenge. Unfortunately, adolescents are prone to get swept up in these phenomena due to peer pressure and the fear of missing out.
Phenomenons like these highlight the importance of having conversations with your adolescents about what they are coming across online and on social media. By staying involved in what adolescents are doing online, which includes opening conversations about online activity as well as sharing favourite websites and apps with each other, parents can inject their own values to counteract negatives and reinforce positives. For more tips on how to stay involved in what your adolescent may be engaging with online I encourage you to check out the Common Sense Media website.
Parents concerned that their adolescent is experiencing emotional distress are encouraged to refer to the AISC Student Protection Manual for possible indicators of self-injury or suicidal behaviour. The section counsellor (gjennifer@aischennai.org) and school psychologist (hnigel@aischennai.org) are also an available resource for guidance and support.
Week Without Walls Parent Meetings Reminders
The middle school teachers would like to invite you parents to the Week Without Walls Parent Information Meeting. We will provide you with all the necessary information for our upcoming trips and we will be happy to answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Grade 6
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Thursday, September 7 from 2:45 - 3.30 pm in the Hall of Lights (HOL).
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Grade 7
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Monday, September 4 from 2:45 - 3:30 pm Madras Hall (near Parent Cafe)
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Grade 8
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Tuesday, September 12th from 2:45 - 3:30 in the Hall of Lights (HOL).
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College Fairs Reminder
The High School Counseling Department is pleased to host two college fairs in the upcoming weeks. Middle School & High School students and parents are encouraged to attend both events to learn more about the attending colleges/universities.
The Council of International Schools Fair will be held on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th from 11:30-12:30 in the FAC Atrium. 30 schools from the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe will be in attendance.
Please see attached flyers for specific details about universities who will be joining us. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to gather information and learn more about the college admissions process.
National Vex Robotics Workshop & Competition @ AISC
The American International School Chennai (AISC) is happy to invite our students (Grade 6 to 12) and students from local schools to participate in the National Vex Robotics Competition.
Organizers: AISC’s REKT Club with Mr. Roger Bodary and Ms. Geetha Venugopal
Venue: Madras Hall
Schedule
Friday, September 15, 2017
Time: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
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Assembly and learning the basics of the kit.
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Saturday, September 16, 2017
Time: 8: 30 am to 12:00 Noon
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Competition: Winners and Runners Up will get a prize.
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Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson
Middle School Administration