21 December

Dear Middle School Parents,

For those who have been here more than a couple of years, we can all agree that we have been really happy to have a quiet and calm December.

MS Parent Coffee

With the request from many parents regarding more information about the programs and pathways in high school, Mr. Phan will provide a basic overall what is offered in the high school. Please join us on Tuesday, 23 January at 8:45 in the Hall of Light. This information session is good for parents who do not have children in high school and would like more information about what our high school has to offer.

The high school counselors and administration will hold a more in-depth presentation to Grade 8 parents in the spring for the course registration process.

For those who are leaving, please remember to visit our Photo Gallery at http://photos.aischennai.org/2017-2018. You may want to download and keep some photos of your child’s time here at AISC. Password: raptors17. It has been a pleasure having your children and you be part of the AISC Community, please keep in touch and follow us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanInternationalSchoolChennai/?fref=ts

Please encourage your children to read for pleasure. If you go by a bookstore, stop by and let them pick up a book, graphic novel or magazine. Allow them to read what they want, creating good reading habits is more important than what they are reading. Research says that it takes about 21 days (three weeks) to do something for it to become a habit, this winter break is the perfect time to form new habits. If you need book ideas, please remember to refer to our previous summer reading lists:

·       Reading List Summer 2017

·       Summer Reading List 2016

·       Summer Reading List 2015

·       Levelled Book List

Wherever you are heading to for this winter break, have a safe and restful holiday with you friends and family. See you back in Chennai in 2018.

Happy Holidays!!

Sincerely,

Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson

Middle School Administration

15 December

Dear Middle School Parents,

As our children are becoming teenagers in the Middle School, you start wondering, “Why Your Grumpy Teenager Doesn’t Want to Talk to You?” Well, here’s an article that might shed some light into their teenage brain and some advice on how to navigate these waters.

Supply Request for Art Department

The Middle School Art Department is collecting supplies for upcoming projects and general art room use. We are making an effort to use more recycled materials. If you would like to donate any of these items, please bring them to one of the MS Art rooms:

· cardboard

· plastic bottles and containers

· old newspapers

· fabric scraps

· old towels

Lost and Found

Lost and Found items will be put out at the main entrance next week from 19-21 December. Please come by and claim your children’s items. All unclaimed items will be donated during the winter break.

Winter Party Pics

http://photos.aischennai.org/2017-2018/Middle-School/MS-Winter-Party/. Password: raptors17

Trimester 2 After School Activity Information

· All MS activities are in session till Thursday, December 21, 2017.

· Trimester 2 will continue after we come from the winter break until March 2nd, 2018.

Repeated Information

Parent Book Group Information from the MS Counselor

Based on the parent survey, our Parent Book Group book for this school year will be Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel Siegel. It is available to purchase on amazon.in or on kindle if you have an amazon.com account.

Our chosen meeting format, also based on the parent survey, will be to meet for four sessions. All English language levels are welcome! The book is divided into four parts so we will read one part for each week. I look forward to seeing many of you there! Happy Reading!

• Wednesday Jan 31st at 8:45 (Part I)
• Wednesday, Feb 7th at 8:45 (Part II)
• Wednesday, Feb 14th at 8:45 (Part III)
• Wednesday, Feb 21st at 8:45 (Part IV)

ASIAC Season 3 Sports and Activities Informational Sessions

Activity	Sign up and information	Practices
Theatre	Informational meeting in January in Mr. Gareth’s room.  All MS students may participate, capped at 30.	No rehearsals or auditions.
Girls Volleyball	Informational meeting December 19th during MS lunch in the Breezeway Conference Room.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 15th.
Boys Volleyball	Sign up sheet sent out on December 18th.  Information about the season will be given at the first practice in the gym January 17.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 17th.
Tennis	Informational meeting December 19th on the rooftop tennis courts. Sign up at the meeting.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 22nd.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson

Middle School Administration

8 December

Dear Middle School Parents,

In an NPR interview, Laurence Steinberg, author of Age of Opportunity: Lessons From the New Science of Adolescence, notes that ages 12 to 25 are a period of extraordinary neuroplasticity. “Science suggests that it’s important for kids to be challenged and exposed to novelty in order to facilitate healthy development of brain systems that are important for things like self-regulation.” Read the full article here, which includes many other links to other brain research in teenagers. There are strategies that teachers use and parents can reinforce them at home.

ASIAC Badminton and Table Tennis Tournament

The tournament has begun on Friday, 8 December. There will be many more matches on Saturday. Please come and support our athletes. Here is the link to the ASIAC Badminton and Table Tennis schedule of matches.

Photo Albums

Please remember to visit: http://photos.aischennai.org/2017-2018/Middle-School. Password: raptors17

We have pictures from the Choir and Strings Concert, Band Concert and Badminton and Table Tennis tournament.

Early Release Day

Just a reminder that next Wednesday, 13 December will be another early release day. These are all marked in the community calendar. Please take advantage of these days for doctor check-ups, dental visits or plan an activity with your children. Students are expected to depart campus in a timely and organized fashion. We appreciate your patience with traffic on these days. In preparation, please plan on allowing longer time for entry and exit to the school at release time.

Maker Week @ AISC 11-15 December

Maker week will be an opportunity for MS and ES students to take design challenges head-on, and make solutions using a wide range of digital and non-digital materials. It is a small group project challenge, involving as many groups as can attend, every day at lunch between 11-15 December.

Please encourage your kids to find out more from Ms. Priya, Ms. Geetha, the Tech office or their Art and Design teachers. We look forward to seeing their creations, and the learning behind them.

HEADS UP - ASIAC Season 3 Sports and Activities Informational Sessions

Activity	Sign up and information	Practices
Theatre	Informational meeting in January in Mr. Gareth’s room.  All MS students may participate, capped at 30.	No rehearsals or auditions.
Girls Volleyball	Informational meeting December 19th during MS lunch in the Breezeway Conference Room.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 15th.
Boys Volleyball	Sign up sheet sent out on December 18th.  Information about the season will be given at the first practice in the gym January 17.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 17th.
Tennis	Informational meeting December 19th on the rooftop tennis courts. Sign up at the meeting.	M, W, F at 6:30 AM starting on January 22nd.

Departing Families

Please remember to submit withdrawal forms and request copies of report cards and letters of recommendations with at least a week’s notice. Students will need to return all textbooks, library books, sports uniform and any other items issued by the school. Everything needs to be settled before we can release the documents.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson

Middle School Administration