August 7
Dear Parents and Students,
We have had a successful first two days connecting students with their advisory and grade level classmates and practicing using the platforms students will encounter in our online program. Learning how to access course materials and use technology does not end after today. During the first two weeks of classes, teachers will be guiding students through the daily schedule and our learning modules. Our focus will be learning how to learn in each class. This includes more practice with PowerSchool and other technology platforms. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s advisor, who is the first point of contact for parents and students for general questions.
There is a lot of new information for parents and students as we start the year virtually. For a review of our online program, you can always access our Middle School Primer introductory video posted on our AISC website. Our upcoming parent coffees will provide explanation about our online program as well.
Classes Begin Monday
On Monday at 9:00am students will begin their classes. Monday will be an A1 day. Students will have their four A-day classes plus advisory. We will be following our Online Student Daily Schedule for the live connection times.
On Monday and Tuesday, students will receive invitations to the connection times with their teachers. These invitations will be sent to their AISC email accounts. Students should accept the invitation and follow the zoom link to join in the connection time. After Monday and Tuesday, students will use the zoom links posted on their teachers’ PowerSchool class pages to access connection times. General questions about the daily schedule should be directed to your child’s advisor.
A/B Day Rotation
Students can view the A/B day rotation in their AISC Google calendar. If a student cannot view the daily class rotation in his/her calendar, please contact your advisor and they will give you directions to view the A/B day rotation.
Modules
On Monday, students will receive the learning module for each of their classes. Note: students only need to access A day modules on Monday, but may look or work ahead in their B day classes if they wish. Students will be accessing the module for the learning activities in each class. During Blocks 2 & 4 when Independent Learning Time comes before the class Connection Time, students should access the module, view the material the teacher has posted, and follow the directions in the module before their connection time. Teachers will guiding students through the modules as well. Questions about the module should be directed to the class teacher.
Student Online Planner
Students have access to an online planner to help them organize their day. Connection Times and Independent Learning times for each block on A/B days are mapped out on the planner. Advisors will be guiding student through using the planner.
Daily Runway
From 8:30-9:00am (or before starting the school day in your timezone ), students have time to prepare for the day. During this time we encourage students to:
1.Check email
2. Respond to the Daily Attendance Check in Form (in your email).
3.Read the student daily bulletin (also in email).
4.Review your daily schedule: Identify connection times and independent work times for each class throughout the day.
5. Logging into PowerSchool Dashboard
6. Attending Office Hours or 1:1 Planning & Support Sessions: These are posted on the Online Student Daily Schedule and accessible through the teachers’ zoom links posted on PowerSchool.
The Daily Runway is time to surface questions for the day. If students are unsure where or how to start their day, please contact your advisor during this time so they can help you!
Handbook Links & Digital Signature
Each year it is a requirement that all students and parents read and sign the Middle School Student Handbook.
- Please review this year’s handbook here. It is linked the MS page of the AISC website.
- After reviewing the handbook, parents and students will need to sign the signature page of the handbook together. Follow this link to the signature page of the handbook: https://signnow.com/s/lsn4kvwO to sign.
Review and sign the signature page by Friday, August 14. The Middle School Office will be in contact with families who have not submitted signatures by Friday, August 14.
Daily Attendance
We will take student attendance daily through a check-in form sent to students from the Middle School office. Students are expected to respond to the form daily to register their attendance for the day. Students are expected to complete the attendance form even if they are not engaged for the day (absent). The MS office will follow up with students and parents if students do not complete the form within a 24 hour period.
Parent Coffees
Our first Parent Coffee of the year will take place on Friday, August 14 at 8:45am. This coffee is for sixth grade parents and will provide an overview of our middle school program and online program. The coffee will be followed by the MS Parent PowerSchool Coffee at 10:00am, which is open to all parents. On Tuesday, August 18 at 8:45 am there will be a coffee for seventh and eighth grade parents.
Here are the details for the Sixth Grade MS Parent Coffee, Friday August 14 at 8:45am:
Meeting ID: 861 6732 3384
Passcode: Msm7mA
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an educational simulation and/or academic activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. You learn about current events, collaborate with other students, and debate.
When will MUN start?
- Monday Aug. 17th for Beginning MUN
- Tuesday Aug. 18th for Advanced MUN
Students can find more details in the MS Student Daily Bulletin.
After School Activities
Please see the link before for written and video descriptions of after school activities available for students:ASA Fair Link.
MS Office & IT
Please contact Ms. Aziz (msoffice@aischennai.org)
with matters related to attendance, daily procedures and general information (resources,
absences, family travel).
Ms. Pechhold (jpechhold@aischennai.org) will respond to questions/concerns about our online program.
Ms. Galaty (ggretchen@aischennai.org) is available for appointments and to address scheduling issues and social-emotional concerns that may arise.
IT support for students and parents can be reached at: itsupport@aischennai.org.
Have a great weekend,
Jessica Pechhold
Middle School Principal
