Principal’s Notes
26 October
Dear Parents,
This week’s post contains important information about Week Without
Walls. All details for trips have been finalized and our students are excited
for the week ahead! Thank you for dropping off passports ahead of time. Our new
process has already brought a greater level of organization to the departure
process. Please give careful attention to the departure information included
below so that Monday morning runs smoothly for you and your child.
Coffee Morning Slides
Thank you for your attendance at the coffee morning on Tuesday. I hope
that you found the information about our new reports, MAP scores and learning
habits helpful. Responses to your questions will be posted next week. Here are
the slides from the coffee morning. The next coffee morning is November
13.
Director of Teaching and Learning Coffee Morning
This month's Director of Teaching & Learning Tea/Coffee will focus
on the AISC English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program. Dr. Sarah Sahr,
EAL Program Director, will offer opportunities to dialogue about current
EAL research and the instructional practices AISC teachers use to reach our
incredibly diverse EAL population. Please bring your questions and comments to
the Madras Hall, Thursday, 1 November, 8:45-9:45am.
Second Semester Re-enrollment Survey
As we begin preparing for January 2019, we would
like to seek your input in regards to your plans for the second semester of
the current school year.Whether your family is planning on returning to
AISC, planning on withdrawing, or are unsure at this point, please indicate
your re-enrollment intention by clicking on the link below no later
than November 10th:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ndSemRe_enrollment_Survey_2018_2019
We appreciate you taking a moment to complete this brief survey even
if you have already communicated your re-enrollment intention to the
school. Thank you for your support and your continued partnership.
Passports for SAISA Swimmers
If your child is participating in SAISA swimming,
please remember to bring his or her passport on Monday
morning.
Communication during
WWoW
A week away from home is exciting and at times
anxiety producing for children and parents alike. We also realize that when
children are out of their comfort zone, minor concerns can seem like major
concerns at the time. We understand that communication between parents and
children is a way to lessen anxiety and provide comfort. Given the location and
schedule of the WWoW trips, communication with students or teachers on the trip
may not always be immediate. We ask that you please take into consideration the
following during the WWoW trip:
- Understand that cell phone service to the teams may not be reliable at all times because of the location of camps & activities.
- Please direct questions about the trip to the middle school office. We will be in contact with team leaders daily.
- If you must urgently contact your child during school hours, please the contact middle school office.
- If you must urgently contact your child after school hours, contact AISC security.
- Do not contact teachers directly. Teachers are working around the clock on the trip to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in their advisory group. Their role is to engage with students and the activities at all times. When it is time for lights out, teachers will be resting or meeting.
- Your child’s advisor is their first point of contact for students during the trip. Concerns or questions coming from children can be most easily addressed if they share their concern or question with their advisor immediately. Advisors will ensure students are comfortable and safe, emotionally and physically.
- The middle school office will send out daily updates from each grade level trip as we receive information from the teams. Thank you for your understanding. Please contact the middle school office if you have any questions or concerns regarding communication during the trip.
Grade 6 Departure Information
- Parents and students should enter the school at the elementary school gate. Students should wear their yellow advisory t-shirt.
- Parents and students should meet their advisory teachers in the covered gym area in the elementary school section at 5:00 a.m.
- Teachers will meet students at 5:00 a.m. to apply luggage tags and give important bus information.
- Parents should exit the covered area by 5:25 a.m. They may wait outside the elementary gate to wave goodbye to the buses!
- Students will board the buses and depart promptly at 5:30 a.m.
- The buses will not wait for late arrivals. Students must be on the bus at 5:30 a.m. to travel to the airport.
Grade 7 Departure Information
- 5:30 - 5:45 am Drop off at the BBT and goodbyes.
- 5:45 am Parents to move to the bus area to wave to their child on departure
- 5:45 - 6:15 am Advisory time: luggage tags, booklets, t-shirt distribution
- 6:15 am Depart to airport. The buses will not wait for late arrivals. Students must be on the bus at 6:15 a.m. to travel to the airport.
Grade 8 Departure Information
- Students are expected to be in school on October 29th, 5.15 am.
- Grade 8 will stage their departure in the outdoor covered gym, adjacent to the main gym.
- You may choose to accompany your child to the meeting point, however be aware that at 5.30 am you will be asked to say goodbye to your child and leave the staging area. This way we have the students’ undivided attention for last minute preparations and checks.
We look forward to seeing
you Monday morning at WWoW drop off!
Jessica
Pechhold Andrew Ranson Middle School
Principal Middle
School Associate Principal l