Friday December 18

Dear Parents and Students,
 

Thank you for your support this semester. Our success online to an attribute to your support and partnership. Have a relaxing, safe and healthy winter break and a happy new year!

MS Winter Performance

Over 80 students, teachers, and parents joined our lunch concert on Wednesday!

Thank you to Mr. Jason Kennedy for organizing this special virtual event to celebrate the ASIAC music collaboration and individual music talent. Well done to all MS students who participated in the ASIAC performance! An additional round of applause to students shared their own Ode to Joy performances: Adiran and Maelin, Jimin, and our MS student band members: Keshav, Melchi, Isiah, and Tom. 

 

As the ASIAC schools were not able to meet in person to rehearse and perform together for the annual music festival, however, we were able to find ways to connect and to make music. Students from middle school and high school choir, strings, guitar, band, and percussion classes at the American School of Bombay, the American International School Chennai, and the American Embassy School in New Delhi found a unique way to collaborate and connect. Inspired by Panem Nostrum from “Concerto for You” by composer Reena Esmail, students explored, discussed and reflected on the meaning of connection.  They created visual artifacts and recorded their music making from the various locations around the world where they have been doing their learning.  Here is the recording of the collaboration.

Sixth Grade: This I Believe

Grade 6 Students invite you to visit Flipgrid and listen to their This I Believe Personal Narratives exploring the question: What does it mean to be human? We hope you notice how students have synthesized their learning in social studies and language arts this semester. 

 

Listen for how these young social scientists and writers grappled with big ideas about humanity and try narrative techniques such as simile, metaphor, dialogue, inner thinking, and hyperbole. Enjoy and feel free to leave comments. 

Athletics & Activities Department 
ASA Season 2: Showcase
Check out all of the learning and enjoyment students gained while participating in Season 2 ASA’s on the Season 2 Showcase Document!  (click on the raptors to see the links for each activity)

 

ASA Season 3: January 11 – March 6

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 3, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and complete the Registration Form.  ASA Season 3 will begin Monday, January 11th and run through March 6th. 

 

Winter Break Jump-Off Camp: January 4 – January 8

If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Winter Break Jump-Off Camp, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and fill out the Registration Form.  Winter Jump-Off Camp will begin Monday, January 4th and run through Friday, Jan. 8th. 

Service Opportunities

Service does not need to stop just because our formal SEVAI module is completed. Ms. Gemma and Mr. Balajee have compiled a list of service activities students can complete individually or with community partners over the break. Give it a try and get others involved! 

 
PCA Giving Tree

It's that time of the year again! Christmas is coming - the New Year will soon be upon us.

It is also a time to think of the less privileged members of our community and we give you the opportunity to give, in the spirit of the holiday. This year the PCA Giving Tree will be online. In collaboration with the organizations, we have created Amazon wish lists, which enable you to purchase books, craft materials, food, blankets, feeding bowls etc. and it will be delivered directly to the organization. Please see the PCA blog for more information. The organizations we are supporting are (alphabetic order):

• Annai Charitable Trust (Namma Beach / Namma Chennai) - need of blankets and food - Amazon wish list
• ARK INDIA Service Society (Orphanage for HIV+ girls) - need of food and educational materials - Amazon wish list
• Atmalayam Senior citizens Homes - need of food and tea - Amazon wish list
• Blue Cross of India (animal welfare) - need of pet food, collars, feeding/water bowls- Amazon wish list
• HOPE Foundation Matriculation High School (local school) - need of books and educational materials - Amazon wish list

IMPORTANT: Submitting Student Yearbook Headshots (January 18–22, 2021)

The Yearbook Team will be collecting student headshots for the Yearbook virtually using Google Forms. You can read the instructions and see the forms here:

· Middle and High School

 
At-A-Glance Information for Yearbook Headshots

• Please read the instructions carefully.
  
• You can use the back camera of a mobile phone to take your child’s photo. The instructions in the Google Forms have detailed info on taking a good photo.
  
• Make sure you use a plain background with no pictures or décor.
  
• [IMPORTANT]: Rename your child’s photo accordingly. We will not be able to accept submissions if you do not rename the photo. For MS/HS: Grade_First Name_Last Name_ID No.
• Make sure to log in to your child’s Google account to submit the photo using the Google Form.
  
• Last Day to Submit: January 22, 2021
• If you have any questions, please email media@aischennai.org.

STEAM Launch!

On January 11, our grade level teams will officially launch activities that will lead to student STEAM projects. Students will received calendar invites for activities during class connection times to explore the grade level themes and begin developing their own ideas on the theme and project.

 

STEAM is an important feature of our middle school program. It is a unique transdisciplinary project  that supports inquiry and innovation across subject areas. Units across subjects and individual student projects will culminate in STEAM fest in March.

 

ASIAC E-Sports

Congratulations to our first ever e-sports team on their participation in the ASIAC e-sports tournament! Great job to Keshav, E-Dern, Isaiah, Alex, and Jamil and coaches Mr. G and Mr. Fletcher. 

 
New Titles in Sora

Wondering what you can read over the break? Sora has the answer! We have recently purchased new titles for staff and families that will be perfect reads over the holidays. Check them all out in the "New Arrivals" collections!

PS and Semester Grades

Please note that details in the PS unified classroom dashboard will be disabled after December 18 as teachers begin to input comments and grades for students in preparation for semester reports. This view below will be disabled. After reports are published, all details will be accessible. 

End of Semester 1

The first semester ends on December 18. You can expect the first semester report card on January 21, 2021. Reports will be issued electronically. Students’ reflections on their Learning Habits will be issued along with report cards. 

Second Semester Withdrawals

If your child will not be continuing at AISC in the second semester, please complete the “Request to Issue Transfer Certificate/Past Records” form linked in the Quick Links section of the blog in the sidebar. Please complete this form and submit it to the MS office msoffice@aicschennai.org. 

 
Returning/Departing Chennai
If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 
 
Have a wonderful break!
 
Jessica Pechhold
Middle School Principal 

Friday December 11

Dear Parents and Students,

The end of the semester is a time to reflect, celebrate and look ahead. As you will see below, we are taking time to recharge and connect with two wellbeing days in the coming week. We also celebrate collective achievements from two of our ASIAC activities: Academic Games and Music. As look forward to our winter break, please consider donating to the PCA giving tree. Information is below.

End of Semester 1
The first semester ends on December 18. You can expect the first semester report card on January 21, 2021. Reports will be issued electronically. Students’ reflections on their Learning Habits will be issued along with report cards. 
Now is an ideal time to review your child’s progress before the end of the semester. You can access PowerSchool to see assignments and progress on standards. Support for PowerSchool and the log in link can be found on our Digital Skills Academy. We also suggest taking time to have your child guide you through each of their classes and progress using PowerSchool. If you have questions about an assignment, assessment or progress in a specific course, please contact the teacher directly.

 

Academic Games Quiz

This year, we formed an Academic Games team as part of our ASIAC virtual activities. ASIAC is the American Schools in India Activities Conference. It brings together students from Mumbai and Delhi to participate in co-curricular activities together. Congratulations to our new Academic Games Quiz team! They placed runner-up at the tournament on Saturday, December 5. Congratulations to Melchi, Chaitanya, Keshav, Yashvi, Mihika, and Yuina!

 

ASIAC Music Celebration

Join us Wednesday, December 16 at 12:15 for a lunch concert celebrating an ASIAC musical collaboration. The music departments from AISC, the American School Bombay and the American Embassy School Delhi have compiled our students' audio recordings and visual artifacts to release a song to our communities schools entitled "Panem Nostrum" (Daily Bread). This song will focus on community and what we are grateful for in these times. A zoom link will be shared with all students, parents and teachers on Wednesday.

 

MS Wellbeing Day

Thursday and Friday, December 17 & 18 respectively, will be wellbeing days. Students will log into connection times and participate in wellbeing activities. Students will complete their modules for the semester during the independent work times following the wellbeing activities. All wellbeing activities are aligned to our Wellbeing Framework. 

 

ASA Season 3 
If you are interested in having your child(ren) of all ages engage in FREE virtual activities for Season 3, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and complete the Registration Form.  ASA Season 3 will begin Monday, January 11th and run through March 6th. 
 

Winter Break Jump-Off Camp
If you are interested in having your ES & MS child(ren) in FREE virtual activities for Winter Break Jump-Off Camp, please check out the Athletics & Activities Blog for more information and fill out the Registration Form.  Winter Break Jump-Off Camp will begin Monday, January 4th and run through Friday, Jan. 8th. 

PCA Giving Tree
It's that time of the year again! Christmas is coming - the New Year will soon be upon us.
It is also a time to think of the less privileged members of our community and we give you the opportunity to give, in the spirit of the holiday. This year the PCA Giving Tree will be online. In collaboration with the organizations, we have created Amazon wish lists, which enable you to purchase books, craft materials, food, blankets, feeding bowls etc. and it will be delivered directly to the organization. Please see the PCA blog for more information. The organizations we are supporting are (alphabetic order):

• Annai Charitable Trust (Namma Beach / Namma Chennai) - need of blankets and food - Amazon wish list
• ARK INDIA Service Society (Orphanage for HIV+ girls) - need of food and educational materials - Amazon wish list. 
• Atmalayam Senior citizens Homes - need of food and tea - Amazon wish list.
• Blue Cross of India (animal welfare) - need of pet food, collars, feeding/water bowls- Amazon wish list
• HOPE Foundation Matriculation High School (local school) - need of books and educational materials - Amazon wish list

Second Semester Withdrawals
If you child will not be continuing at AISC in the second semester, please complete the “Request to Issue Transfer Certificate/Past Records” form linked in the Quick Links section of the blog in the sidebar. Please complete this form and submit it to the MS office msoffice@aicschennai.org.

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 

 

Made with Visme

Have a great weekend,

 

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal 

 

Friday December 4

 Dear Parents and Students,

 

It is hard to believe we are nearly at the end of our first semester of the 2020-21 school year! The first semester ends on December 18. This coming week, students will begin their final modules of the semester. You can expect the first semester report card on January 21, 2021. Reports will be issued electronically. 

 

Now is an ideal time to review your child’s progress before the end of the semester. You can access PowerSchool to see assignments and progress on standards. Support for PowerSchool and the log in link can be found on our Digital Skills Academy. We also suggest taking time to have your child guide you through each of their classes and progress using PowerSchool. If you have questions about an assignment, assessment or progress in a specific course, please contact the teacher directly. 

 

AISC Times

The November edition of the AISC Times is published! Read it here: The AISC Times November newspaper.Thank you to our dedicated newspaper staff: Sahana, Yashvi, Mihika, Ha Young, Chaitanya, Yuina, Siyeon, Chloe,  and our faculty advisor: Ms. O. 

Student Teacher Feedback Surveys

Starting next week, students will have the opportunity to provide teachers feedback for each course. Students will complete a feedback survey for their first period block December 7-16. At the conclusion of the survey window, all results will be shared with teachers. Teachers use the survey for reflective purposes and take the student feedback into consideration student feedback when making instructional decisions. 

 

Winter Break Jump Off Camp

The Athletics & Activities Department is inquiring into the interests for timings and activities for the Virtual Winter Break Jump-Off Camp (January 4- January 8).  Please fill out this form to help inform us how to structure a program that meets your family's interests:  Winter Break Jump-Off Camp

Continuing SEVAI

One of the queries we received from our SEVAI showcase asked how students could continue their service learning projects. We are exploring how we can provide more service opportunities to students outside of SEVAI in the second semester. In the meantime, for students interested in continuing their own service to the community or want to explore other service projects, you can visit our SEVAI Showcase website at any time to gather inspiration for continuing service! 

 

Second Semester Withdrawals

If you child will not be continuing at AISC in the second semester, please complete the “Request to Issue Transfer Certificate/Past Records” form linked in the Quick Links section of the blog in the sidebar. Please complete this form and submit it to the MS office msoffice@aicschennai.org. 

 

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 

 

Made with Visme

Have a great weekend,

 

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal

Thursday November 26

 Dear Students and Parents,

 

Today is American Thanksgiving, a day that inspires reflection and expressions of gratitude. I would like to thank our parents for your support of our students and our program; our students for your commitment and resilience during our time online; and our teachers for their dedication and care for our students’ academic growth and wellbeing. Our student-teacher-parent partnerships keep us connected and thriving as a community! I am grateful that throughout this school year, we have been able to connect, learn, and grow together in new and exciting ways, even as we are challenged by our circumstances. I wish you a safe, healthy, and relaxing weekend. 

 

 

 

Resuming Virtual Learning

As stated in the community message on Wednesday, November 25, we will resume online learning Monday, November 30, unless otherwise communicated. 

 

SEVAI Showcase

SEVAI Showcase, our first Celebration of Learning of the school year has launched! Learn more about this virtual event in this introductory video: 

Please take some time to browse the SEVAI Showcase site view all student projects, learn more about our community partners, and see a range of student products, presentations and testimonials to experience service learning in the middle school.

 

 

Second Semester Withdrawals

If you child will not be continuing at AISC in the second semester, please complete the “Request to Issue Transfer Certificate/Past Records” form linked in the Quick Links section of the blog in the sidebar. Please complete this form and submit it to the MS office msoffice@aicschennai.org. 

 

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 

 

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal 

 

Friday November 20

 Dear Parents and Students,

 

This week students have completed SEVAI projects, part of a two week module for students to participate in our service learning program. During the SEVAI module, students have worked in small groups with a community partner of their choice to develop self-awareness, create mutually respectful relationships, develop empathy and a growth mindset, and apply their own problem-solving skills to address a community need. More about SEVAI is coming this Wednesday when we release our SEVAI showcase! See more below. 

 

Parent Coffee Links

Thanks to everyone who joined me, Ms. Galaty, Dr. Clinton and Ms. Janani for our parent coffee about changes to our Standards Based Assessment and Reporting system that you will see on the semester report card. We also shared ways use PowerSchool as a tool to facilitate communication between you and your child about his/her progress in classes. If you could not make the coffee and would like to know more about these changes, you can access the recording of the coffee and the slides with all of the content. 

 

SEVAI Showcase

On Wednesday, November 25 we will release SEVAI Showcase, our Celebration of Learning focused on students sharing their service learning experience. Students will be sharing their projects in advisories, and you will be able to access the showcase space via a link sent to you via direct email. This year, our SEVAI showcase will take the form of a website, thanks to Ms. Gemma Adderley, our Experiential Learning Project Developer. On the site, you will be able to learn about SEVAI, watch student interviews and reflections related to their projects, and view all student projects. Here is what students are saying about their SEVAI experience:

 

Parents Logging into PS 

Today is the end of a learning module of the year for students. Each module is two weeks in length. The mid-point and end of the module are bench marks for students to complete assignments. If you have not logged into PowerSchool to check your child’s progress over the past weeks, ask your child to log in and show you their assignments and gradebook. You can log into PowerSchool here and visit our Parent and Student resources in the Digital Skills Academy for directions on how to access and navigate PS. 

 

When you log in with your child, he/she can also share with you the feedback received and content of the modules. 

 

Second Semester Withdrawals

If you child will not be continuing at AISC in the second semester, please complete the “Request to Issue Transfer Certificate/Past Records” form linked in the Quick Links section of the blog in the sidebar. Please complete this form and submit it to the MS office msoffice@aicschennai.org. 

 

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 

 

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal

Thursday November 12

 Dear Parents and Students,

 

Happy Diwali! I hope you find some time this weekend to take a break, enjoy the holiday and this beautiful monsoon season that is upon us! This weekend is an ideal time for students to take a break from their studies and screens. Students have been working intensely throughout the semester, and this break is well deserved! 

 

Parent Coffee

Our November parent coffee is Tuesday, November 17 from 8:45 to 9:45. The session will be recorded and uploaded to next week’s blog. The topics covered will be updates to our Standards Based Assessment and Reporting System and parent access to PowerSchool. We will be sharing what to expect on the semester report card as we continue to refine how we communicate about student learning. Dr. Greg Clinton, Technology Coordinator, will also be sharing how you can access PowerSchool to stay up to date on your child’s performance. Here is the zoom link for the meeting:

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7923550247?pwd=ZGZ2eUxld1F5OU5ucGZLRGVZRkZuZz09

 

Meeting ID: 792 355 0247

Passcode: K50Rpk

 

 

SEVAI 

This week students started a two week module for their SEVAI projects. Students are working on planning their projects during their World Language, Health/Physical Education, and electives courses. Students have selected projects from a menu and will be working in groups with teachers facilitators to develop and complete their projects. This year, we are excited to share that we will recognize student learning through SEVAI on our report card. Students will be assessed on their Learning Habits throughout the SEVAI module as well as the SEVAI learning targets. The SEVAI learning targets are shared below. Students will be sharing their learning during our SEVAI Showcase, our first learning celebration of the year taking place on Wednesday, November 25. More coming in next week’s blog about accessing the showcase! 

 

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org for changes in your time zone. 

 

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal 

 

Friday November 6

 Dear Parents and Students,

 

Next week all middle school students will be engaged in SEVAI projects. SEVAI is our service learning program in the middle school. SEVAI is has been built into to our modules, and all student will participate instead of participating in their electives, PE and World Languages courses. Students will be attending connection times during these blocks as usual. The content and activities will be related to SEVAI. Students have selected projects from a menu and will be working in groups with teachers facilitators to develop and complete their projects. Today at assembly we kicked off SEVAI by asking students to share what they are most excited about for SEVAI. See their photos throughout this week’s blog. For more about SEVAI and its learning targets, see October 23’s post. 

 

AISC Times

Our middle school newspaper, The AISC Times, October edition is published! Thank you to Ms. O and the newspaper staff for another outstanding edition. 

 

Returning/Departing Chennai

If your family is returning to Chennai or leaving Chennai for the holiday break, please contact the middle school office msoffice@aischennai.org.

 

Connection Time Change

Starting Monday, November 9, all Connection Times will be scheduled during the first 30 minutes of each class block. Students will be notified of this change in each class and through calendar appointments. Schedules and planners have been updated to reflect this change starting on November 9. Connection Times are as follows:

 

9:00-9:30am

10:20-10:50am (advisory)

11:00-11:30am

12:50-1:20pm

2:15-2:45pm

Updated Documents:

Student Daily Schedule

Student Daily Planner

 

Logging into PowerSchool

Today is the end of our sixth learning module of the year for students. Each module is two weeks in length. The mid-point and end of the module are bench marks for students to complete assignments. If you have not logged into PowerSchool to check your child’s progress over the past weeks, ask your child to log in and show you their assignments and gradebook. You can log into PowerSchool here and visit our Parent and Student resources in the Digital Skills Academy for directions on how to access and navigate PS. 

Library Logo Contest Winners

Thank you to the 116 elementary, middle, and high school students who created a design for the library logo contest. Our 15 judges (teachers, librarians, students, administrators, and parents) had a difficult time choosing between so many creative options, but in the end, the following logo was chosen as AISC's new library logo. Congratulations to fourth grader, Rizlene Velasco, for creating the winning design!

 

The other two finalists from middle and high school can be seen below. Congratulations to Jiyun Yang in grade seven and Hera Kwak in grade eleven!

            

 

Have a great weekend,

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal