Friday January 31

Dear Parents,

Our second semester is in full swing. This week concludes our formal programming for Freedom from Chemical Dependency. Seventh and eighth graders participated in sessions with our visiting consultant to learn more about how to make healthy choices for themselves. FCD helps us to embed a culture of that supports wellbeing around choices. Across all of our grade levels, students are digging deeper into their STEAM projects! Our themes for STEAM this year revolve around resource management, water conservation & management, and livable & sustainable cities. All students are gearing up for our next SEVAI day on February 12 through preparation for their service with our community partners. STEAM and SEVAI are two important platforms through which we promote inquiry based learning, design thinking and the development of the Vision for a Learner in our program. 

First Semester Reports

First semester report cards are available on PowerSchool if you would like to access an electronic copy of your child’s report. This brief two minute video explains how you can access the report in PowerSchool. 

 

From EAL Department

Each year, AISC assesses student's English language proficiency with the online WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) test. This year, testing will take place from 6-12 February. The EAL Department works tirelessly with all faculty and staff to minimize disruption during instructional time, (the complete test takes roughly 2.5 hours). If you have any questions regarding WIDA, please reach out to Sarah Sahr, ssarah@aischennai.org

Challenge Success Survey

Last week at our parent coffee, we announced that we will be administering the Challenge success survey to MS students on Friday, February 14. From the Challenge Success website: “The Challenge Success Student Survey¹ is a 30-40 minute online survey for middle and high school students that measures perceptions of their academic engagement, connection to the school community, physical health and well-being, technology use, family norms, and how they use their time outside of school.” You can learn more about the survey here.

Here is a sampling of questions from the survey: 

·       How often does the amount of schoolwork you have keep you from getting enough sleep?

·       During a typical week, from Monday through Friday, how many hours do you spend participating in extracurricular activities?

·       Where do you typically keep your phone when you go to sleep at night?

·       How often do you find your schoolwork valuable?

·       How many of your teachers value and listen to students’ ideas?

·       I feel like I belong at this school.

·       How important is it to your parents/guardians that your schoolwork challenges you to think?

Students will receive information in the daily bulletin in the week leading up to the survey administration. You can expect to receive a passive consent form will be coming to you via email February 7. Passive consent means that you give permission for your child to take the survey if you do not return the form. If you return the form, we will ensure your child does not participate in the survey. Participation is voluntary for all students. Please contact Ms. Gold (gjennifer@aischennai.org) or Ms. Pechhold (pjessica@aischennai.org) if you have questions.

AISC Libraries Book Swap

The AISC Libraries want to celebrate Earth Week with the community by organizing a way to reuse your previously loved books! If you have any gently used books at home (in any language and/or genre) that you'd like to donate, please bring them to the ES/MS or HS Library. We will accept books for babies, toddlers, children, teens, or adults, as long as they are in good condition. For every two books that are donated, you will receive a ticket for one free book at the Book Swap! Please contact Barbara Bowman at bbarbara@aischennai.org if you have any questions.

Have a great weekend,

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal

Friday. January 24

Dear Parents,

This week, you should have received your child’s first semester report card and Learning Habits reflection. If you have questions about grades or teacher comments on the report card, please check contact your child’s teacher directly. Learning Habits reflections are students’ own reflections on their learning related to preparation, engagement and initiative, and collaboration. We hope that the student reflections and follow up conversations you have with your child provide you with an understanding of how they view themselves as a learner. 

Second Semester Calendar Changes

Please note the following changes to our community calendar for the second semester.

·       February 14: school day. A4

·       March 23: school day. B6

·       May 4: school day. B7

·       June 4: school day

MS Parent Coffee 

Thank you to all parents who attended our coffee this past Wednesday. Ms. Jen Gold, MS Counselor and Mr. Nigel Holdsworth shared data from our Wellbeing Profiler Survey. If you were not able to attend, you can view the resources here. They also provided an explanation of our Wellbeing Framework and provided examples of how students have been engaged in developing self-awareness through activities in positive emotions. 

IB/AP Course Information

Earlier this month, the high school hosted a parent coffee that overviewed IB and AP programs in the high school. The information from the session is now available for your reference: IB/AP Information Session Slides

JanJamboree

Jan Jamboree is a fundraiser event led by the High School student council to raise money for service clubs. Jan Jamboree is on January 25 from 12:00-3:00 pm. High school students will set up numerous booths and activities targeted toward elementary school students. Activities range from Bouncy Castle to a Slip N' Slide. Lunch is included with the tickets. Come to support High School clubs and have fun!

FCD Prevention Specialist on Campus, January 27th-31st

As part of our health education program and ongoing commitment to prevention and wellbeing, each year we invite a trained prevention specialist from FCD Prevention Works to join our community. FCD Prevention Works is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools. Their mission is to:

· Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years

· Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices regarding alcohol and other drug use

· Teach students and adults how to recognize the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately

· Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs

The prevention specialist will be meeting with middle and high school students during the week of January 27th - 31st. Their aim is to provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol and other drug use. 

This year, our specialist is John Tummon. A dynamic public speaker and exceptional communicator, John Tummon joined FCD as a Prevention Specialist in 2011, and was later named FCD’s Regional Officer for Europe in 2014.  John has spent the past 20 years sharing his own life experiences with students and adults alike. Originally from Ireland, John currently owns and operates his own construction firm.  He is an avid athlete, and was a regular announcer for a local high school boys and girls soccer teams, before joining FCD. John holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University.

Our FCD prevention specialist will also present a parent workshop on Monday, January 27th at 2:30 pm in the Hall of Light. Please note that this is a change from what is currently on our school calendar (it will no longer be on Jan 28th). Some of the topics the facilitator will discuss with parents include:

· Effective ways to communicate with your child about alcohol/drug use

· Up-to-date facts about current alcohol/drug use and trends

· What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation

· How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond

· The importance of communication among community members

This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parent involvement is crucial to efforts to reduce the risks that teenagers face and in the commitment to keeping children safe. We hope to see you on January 27th. Elementary School parents are also welcome to attend, if interested. If you would like further information, go to www.fcd.org. 

Student Leadership Opportunity: Compassion Summit, March 5 - 7, 2020, 

Riffa Views International School, Bahrain

The purpose of this Summit is to bring like-minded schools together, to create, enhance, and promote greater levels of compassion within our school communities... and it starts with the students.  Involvement in such an endeavor will be an awesome focus for a student government group, club, or service organization to promote compassionate action.

At AISC, Environmental Responsibility is an area of significant focus, and we are drawing many of our resources and strategies to bear on it. We need student leaders to develop and drive these efforts, and the Compassion Summit aims to help provide students the tools to lead with empathy. All of the salient details can be found in this useful handout, and can be reviewed on the website. If you are interested in attending, and Leading with compassion, send an email to msherriden@aischennai.org by Friday 31st at 10am.

From EAL Department

Each year, AISC assesses student's English language proficiency with the online WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) test. This year, testing will take place from 6-12 February. The EAL Department works tirelessly with all faculty and staff to minimize disruption during instructional time, (the complete test takes roughly 2.5 hours). If you have any questions regarding WIDA, please reach out to Sarah Sahr, ssarah@aischennai.org

 Parenting Book Group starting in February

from Nigel Holdsworth, School Psychologist, and Jen Gold, MS Counselor

Join us in discussing The Strength Switch: How The New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish by Lea Waters. The ideas in this book apply to parenting children of all ages, Elementary, Middle and High School, so this is open to all parents. 

Here is a brief description from Dr Waters' website: This game-changing book shows us the extraordinary results of focusing on our children’s strengths rather than always trying to correct their weaknesses. By showing us how to flick the “strengths switch,” Lea Waters demonstrates how we can not only help our children build resilience, optimism, and achievement but we can also help inoculate them against today’s pandemic of depression and anxiety.

Dr Waters' book is available in English on amazon.in and has been translated into 8 additional languages (Korean, Japanese, French, and others)! Check here to purchase a book in your home language over the winter break. All English language levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you on Mondays on the following dates and times:

· February 10th at 2:00 (Chapters 1 and 2) in the BBT

· February 17th at 2:00 (Chapters 3 and 4) in the BBT

· February 24th at 2:00 (Chapters, 5, 6,7) in the BBT

· March 2nd at 1:00 (Chapters 8, 9, 10) in the Hall of Light (will end in time to attend the PCA meeting)

We have a limited number of spaces open for this book club as we want to ensure that we are able to make it a truly useful learning experience. Please sign up on this website if you are interested in attending.

AISC Libraries Book Swap

The AISC Libraries want to celebrate Earth Week with the community by organizing a way to reuse your previously loved books! If you have any gently used books at home (in any language and/or genre) that you'd like to donate, please bring them to the ES/MS or HS Library. We will accept books for babies, toddlers, children, teens, or adults, as long as they are in good condition. For every two books that are donated, you will receive a ticket for one free book at the Book Swap! Please contact Barbara Bowman at bbarbara@aischennai.org if you have any questions. 

Early Release

This coming Wednesday we will have an Early Release Wednesday. Students are expected to depart campus in a timely and organized fashion upon dismissal at 2:00 pm. We appreciate your patience with traffic on these days as all three sections are picking up students at the same time. In preparation, please plan on allowing longer time for entry and exit to the school at release time. For our Middle and High School students, hot lunch will be served. Please note that the iHub will be open to provide an air conditioned waiting space until 2:40 pm in case drivers are delayed. Food services in the iHub will close at 1:50 pm.

Coming Soon...

This year, we are proud to host our regional MathCounts competition and the Middle School ISTA Theatre Festival! Please join us on campus to support these two events in February! 

Have a great weekend,

Jessica Pechhold

Middle School Principal

Friday January 17

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! As we start the new year and new semester, we have a number opportunities for you to engage around themes of wellbeing for your children. You will see that the items listed below about the upcoming parent coffee, Freedom from Chemical Dependency session and book study all take into consideration a variety of factors that support wellbeing. We hope to see you on campus for many of these events! 

January 21 Parent Coffee                                                                                        Our January parent coffee will take place from 8:45-9:45am in the Hall of Light. The focus will be on student wellbeing. We will examine data from last’ years wellbeing profiler, a school-wide survey that collected data on student wellbeing. We will develop ideas for supporting wellbeing at home. We will also take time to preview the Challenge Success Survey that will be administered to middle school students in February. 

Semester Reports                                                                                                  Report cards for the first semester will be distributed on January 23, 2020. Your child will bring home a copy of the his/her report card and a copy of his/her Learning Habits reflection from the first semester. 

Yearbook Photos

Students who were not photographed during the first semester or who have enrolled since yearbook photos were taken in August 2019 will have the opportunity to have their photo taken the week of January 27. The middle school office will contact individual students who have not had their photo taken. 

FCD Prevention Specialist on Campus, January 27th-31st

As part of our health education program and ongoing commitment to prevention and wellbeing, each year we invite a trained prevention specialist from FCD Prevention Works to join our community. FCD Prevention Works is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools. Their mission is to:

· Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years

· Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices regarding alcohol and other drug use

· Teach students and adults how to recognize the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately

· Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs

The prevention specialist will be meeting with middle and high school students during the week of January 27th - 31st. Their aim is to provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol and other drug use. The FCD prevention specialist will also present a parent workshop on Monday, January 27th at 2:30 pm in the Hall of Light. Please note that this is a change from what is currently on our school calendar (it will no longer be on Jan 28th). Some of the topics the facilitator will discuss with parents include:

· Effective ways to communicate with your child about alcohol/drug use

· Up-to-date facts about current alcohol/drug use and trends

· What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation

· How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond

· The importance of communication among community members

This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parent involvement is crucial to efforts to reduce the risks that teenagers face and in the commitment to keeping children safe. We hope to see you on January 27th. Elementary School parents are also welcome to attend, if interested. If you would like further information, go to www.fcd.org. 

Parenting Book Group starting in February

from Nigel Holdsworth, School Psychologist, and Jen Gold, MS Counselor

Join us in discussing The Strength Switch: How The New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish by Lea Waters. The ideas in this book apply to parenting children of all ages, Elementary, Middle and High School, so this is open to all parents. 

Here is a brief description from Dr Waters' website: This game-changing book shows us the extraordinary results of focusing on our children’s strengths rather than always trying to correct their weaknesses. By showing us how to flick the “strengths switch,” Lea Waters demonstrates how we can not only help our children build resilience, optimism, and achievement but we can also help inoculate them against today’s pandemic of depression and anxiety.

Dr Waters' book is available in English on amazon.in and has been translated into 8 additional languages (Korean, Japanese, French, and others)! Check here to purchase a book in your home language over the winter break. All English language levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you on Mondays on the following dates and times:

· February 10th at 2:00 (Chapters 1 and 2) in the BBT

· February 17th at 2:00 (Chapters 3 and 4) in the BBT

· February 24th at 2:00 (Chapters, 5, 6,7) in the BBT

· March 2nd at 1:00 (Chapters 8, 9, 10) in the Hall of Light (will end in time to attend the PCA meeting)

We have a limited number of spaces open for this book club as we want to ensure that we are able to make it a truly useful learning experience. Please sign up on this website if you are interested in attending.

Season 3 ASAs

Jessica Pechhold             Andrew Ranson

Middle School Principal  Middle School Associate Principal