March 4th

Dear Parents and students,

We had a wonderful Lit Week that culminated in a MS Assembly today with author Eric Rohman. His message that students need to practice patience and perseverance to excel at drawing was one that resonated with our students. He also shared the thought that reading more makes us better writers and illustrators and that was supported by our teachers and librarians.

We are very much looking forward to our upcoming STEAM week. We kick off the week with presentations from several youth change makers that will inspire our students to connect with projects in the areas of:

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering 

• Art

• Mathematics 

As has been previously mentioned to students, they will be working on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) that will provide a framework for their inquiry. Stay tuned for the STEAM website at the end of next week.

As Mr. Hoover mentioned in his previous notes, there are important changes to our virtual learning policy as you can see below. Virtual learning will only be available to families who have previously committed for the year by the February 25th deadline.

Virtual Learning & Student Absences:

Nearly all AISC students -- 98% -- are now attending our On-Campus Program. 

For students attending our On-Campus Program, please note our attendance procedure:

a.     If a student is sick or needs to stay at home for personal reasons, they will not attend class virtually. Please complete the ParentLocker survey and notify the section office.

b.     If a student is in quarantine/isolation by COVID-19 Protocol, complete the ParentLocker survey and notify the section office to access virtual classes.

Here is the calendar of upcoming events:

Date	Event		Details
March 4 and 5	HS Spring Play: Persephone Underground		Virtual performance link here available
Monday 6	Order the complimentary MS school lunch
March 7	*Send the used Panbio Test Strip with your child (to be checked and disposed at school) *Complete Parent Locker every morning
March 7-11	STEAM Week
March 7-11	ASA Showcase Week
March 7	Board of Directors Town Hall Meeting @ 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.		Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 924 3090 3692 Passcode: AISC
March 7	PCA Monthly Meeting @ 1:30 p.m.		Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID:945 2831 2597 Passcode:619915
March 9	Early Release 2:30 p.m. Faculty Meetings  3:00-5:00 p.m.
March 9	Board of Directors Meeting @ 5:00 p.m.		Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 949 5523 7549 Passcode: AISC
March 10	Head of School Coffee @ 8:45 a.m.  Repeat at 5:00 p.m.		Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 916 2219 6363 Passcode: AISC
March 11	ASA S3 Ends ASA S4 Registration Begins
March 14-18	Spring Camp		Registration Link
March 21	Staff Professional Day - No School for Students
March 22	MS Progress  Reports
March 25 & 26	Cognitive Coaching ( Days 5 & 6 ) at Park Plaza Hotel on OMR
March 31 and April 1	MS Conferences

HS Course Registration for Grade 8 Students:

This week the High School Counselors, Karen Kilmer and Sandi Engler, met with parents and students of grade 8.  Over the next two weeks the students will be having conversations with their parents, teachers and counselor about course selection.  The forms are due March 24, 2022. Please reference the high school curriculum guide for any clarifications or wondering you may have about the high school program.  Any further questions please email the MIddle School Counselor, Gretchen Galaty at ggretchen@aischennai.org

 

If you were unable to attend the presentation, but would like to have the information, here is the HS Course Registration Slides.

 

Arts, Sports & Activities (ASA) - Spring Camp '22:

If you are interested in having your child(ren) engage in activities for Spring Camp, please fill out the Registration Form before Friday, March 11. Spring Camp will be a 5-day program that begins on Monday, March 14, and will run through Friday, March 18, 2022. Please note that the camp will be in person. The fee for each activity will be INR 2,000 in total for 5 days.  For more information, please email Monicka (dmonicka@aischennai.org). 

 

Back to campus (repeat information):

• SNACKS - remind your children that snacks are available for purchase in the cafeteria in case

• HOT LUNCHES - will continue to be served in the cafeteria and students are sitting at tables in the cafeteria

• We will maintain our exit timings:

• 6th grade: 3:30/2:30 (Wed)

• 7th grade: 3:35/2:35(Wed)

• 8th grade: 3:40/2:40(Wed)

• PANBIO TESTS - 

• Remember: COVID-19 test strips at the entry on only Mondays

• GYMS - students will be divided by grade levels, however the fields are open for grade level mixing.

 

Repeat information: Library Use 

The library is once again available to MS students before school, during breaks, and during lunch. Students must sign in when entering in order to assist in contact tracing if need be.

HW club Session 2  will be virtual on Mondays and Fridays from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm. Students can enroll in the HW club using the sign-up form.  HS tutors volunteer to support our MS students. So, we highly recommend both new and returning students use this opportunity and get guidance from our HS tutors. We appreciate students who have already signed up for the HW club.

Repeat information: Mark your calendars: Portal Project - Parent Sessions

We are excited to introduce a speaker series for parents starting in November called Parenting Beyond the Pandemic. These virtual sessions will bring experts and practitioners directly to our parent community to address a variety of relevant topics. The full list of sessions can be found here and the titles below. Registration for the sessions will take place through Eventbrite. 

Have a great weekend and connect with your children about Lit Week and STEAM if possible!

Take care,

 

Jennifer Bertram

Middle School Principal