AISA Insider (Parents Newsletter): Vol. 1, Issue No. 1 (Q1 2010)

8/8/2019 AISA Insider (Parents Newsletter): Vol. 1, Issue No. 1 (Q1 2010)

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Yearbook Design

Underway

The school yearbook ―The Pride‖

is in the design phase. Send your

ideas to Bassem Kandil

([email protected]) or Stephen

Baron ([email protected]).

Sports News

ECC Championships Oct 29

U 14 Volleyball Teams Oct 30

JV ISAC in Cairo Nov. 3-7

Tryouts start in November

Calendar

Quarter 1 Ends — - Nov. 11

Eid Al-Adha Break — Nov. 14-18

Report Cards — -Nov. 25

National Day — Dec. 2-3

Islamic New Year — Dec. 7

Winter Break — Dec. 17-Jan. 1

Elementary Report Cards — Jan. 5

Secondary Exams-Jan. 30-Feb. 3

Quarter 2 Ends — Feb. 3

Every year, Beloit College in Wisconsin publishes facts about the freshman students entering

university. These facts help below remind us how old folks like me are different from the

young people who graduated from high school last June.

They have never found Korean-made cars unusual on the Interstate.

They have never written in cursive.

With cell phones to tell them the time, there is no need for a wrist watch.

John McEnroe has never played professional tennis.

Clint Eastwood is better known as a sensitive director than as Dirty Harry.

Fergie is a pop singer, not a princess.

Czechoslovakia has never existed.

Russia has never aimed nuclear weapons at the United States, and China has always posed

an economic threat.

Instant access to information with computerized technology will not help them distinguish

information from knowledge. Their professors will have to help them acquire the patience

of scholarship. Students will discover how to research information in books and journals

and not just online. (I hope they have learned this at AISA.)

Their professors are shocked that Kurt Cobain is now on the classic oldies station.

Source: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php

How Different Are You From Your Children?

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

For the International Baccalaureate (IB) Pro-gram, one of the three essential elements is

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). IB students

design, plan, and participate in CAS projects

over the 18 months in which they are enrolled

in the program. Creativity involves the arts,

Action involves physical exertion for a

healthy lifestyle and Service involves an un-

paid or voluntary service.

CAS enables students to enhance their person-

al and interpersonal development throughexperiential learning. AISA‘s IB students

are involved in school-wide, community-

wide, and international projects. Some ex-

amples of this year's CAS projects are the 30

-Hour Famine to support Pakistan, coaching

elementary school students in basketball,

Model United Nations and dance perfor-

mances. -Leanne Fleming

Volume 1, Issue 1

November 2010

A Sharp Reminder from Gareth Jones, AISA Director.

On Nov. 9, AISA will hold its Mix It Up Lunch, an event in which students will sit and eat

with different classmates – helping to alleviate tensions and to reduce prejudice. Students will

also participate in structured activities to help them get to know one other and interact with

others. The program is based on the successful Mix It Up Lunch held in the United States.

-Emma Mercado

Mix It Up Lunch

AISA Insider

The Quarterly Newsletter for Parents

"Ability is what you're capable of doing.

Motivation determines what you do.

Attitude determines how well you do it."

-Raymond Chandler

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php



Here at AISA we are proud of our ‗Global Mindedness‘ and the international experience that

the members of our community encounter every day. In fact, this year our students are of 77

different nationalities – the most we have ever had. There are few if any schools around the

world that can match that diversity!

As an American School with an international essence, we offer the best educational and culturalexperiences for students who are learning to be significant members of the shrinking, global

community of the future.

A growing trend in American public education for schools is to try to emulate the experiences

and skill sets that schools like ours develop in our students. Parents often say this is one of their

reasons for choosing AISA. While AISA is proud of its academic rigor and welcoming student

body, our international community makes the difference.

AISA Student Nationality Breakdown

Middle East/North Africa 48%

North America/Caribbean 20%

Europe 12%

Asia 10%Australasia 4%

Africa 3%

South America 2%

-Rob Godley,

Secondary School Principal

Our students are of

77 nationalities —

there are few if any

schools around the

world that can

match that

diversity!

Page 2 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

The international experi-

ence that the members of

our community encoun-

ter every day

D.E.A.R.

The aim of this program

is to improve reading

fluency and comprehen-sion. D.E.A.R. has also

been shown to improve

academic vocabulary

which translates to im-

proved academic perfor-

mance

AISA’s Record-Setting 77 Student Nationalities

Advisory places every high school student in an Advisory group and assigns him or her an

adult mentor. Groups meet daily for 20 minutes, with a broad and varied program. Key ele-

ments include DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), current events, assemblies or activities,

counseling and peer tutoring. Each week the advisor checks the students handbooks, ensuringthey are developing successful study skills.

Advisories have developed extraordinary projects: time capsules, mandalas, pen portraits, the

Code of Conduct, School Rules, IT and Academic Honesty contracts, a study skills survey and

a more effective DEAR program.

It has been a busy start, but it illustrates the broader education comprehended in the school‘s

Advisory program that complements individual subjects. School rules and policies, ethical use

of IT, academic honesty, literacy, a sense of belonging and attachment, of aspiration: each may,

or may not, be explicitly addressed in individual subjects, but each are foundations to effective

study and the academic growth and development of all students within all subjects.

Assemblies are student managed events, with Student Leaders taking charge. Assemblies have

focused on expectations of students and RESPECT as a key expectation of the student body in

their interactions with one another, adults, other cultures, information and property.

It was the first of five scheduled assemblies which will address the key elements of a studentnegotiated Code of Conduct. Additional elements will include on DIGNITY, INTEGRITY,

EMPATHY and JUSTICE. The RESPECT assembly was a breakthrough, with students talking

about the challenging topics of respect. Students listened respectfully, and it clearly resonated

with them.

There was also a special assembly on the devastation of Pakistan by the recent flooding. This

has been complemented by an awareness campaign in advisory groups where students complet-

ed posters depicting the devastation within Pakistan. There will be a major fundraising venture

conducted throughout the year.

The Advisory program has been hectic and productive. The dividend will be more focused,

engaged, involved and aware students and the benefits of that extend far beyond classrooms.

-Alan Morley, Secondary School Assistant Principal

High School Advisory Program



NOVEMBER 2010 Page 3

On November 10, teacher Darren Deschamps will lead a group of six students on a service

trip to Nepal. Participants will help a school for orphans and less fortunate children, by

working with the children and fundraising for the school with a film night at AISA. Partici-

pants will also hike through the countryside. -Darren Deschamps

As the temperature cools and school routines becomes established, new students shift their moods from excitement to to feelingsof frustration, disconnectedness and loneliness.This predictable shift we see every year is called culture shock. Though the strength and timing varies for each student, your chil-dren are bound to be affected at one point or another. By understanding the process of culture shock and implementing simplesupport mechanisms at home, you can help your children successfully transition to life here.Culture Shock begins with a fascination period, for example trying foreign foods or learning a few words of Arabic. Slowly, thisturns to frustration. When your children reach the second stage of culture shock, they miss friends from home, complain of not―fitting in‖ and may not want to go to school in the morning. Here are a few tips to help your children:Establish a routine. The quicker you are able to settle into a daily routine at home, the quicker the feeling of being foreign andliving in a strange and uncomfortable place will vanish.Get involved with the community. The more you and your family get involved with the AISA community and the larger AbuDhabi community, the more support your children will have in place.Model open-mindedness at home. Remaining positive and open-minded in front of your children is the key to helping them appreciate the differences Abu Dhabi has to offer.Talk about culture shock. The more you talk with your children about culture shock, the more they will understand their feelingsand realize the reaction they are experiencing is normal.Eventually, the frustration will pass and your children will reach a stage of acceptance. They will once again appreciate the expe-rience of living abroad and eagerly share exciting stories of their new life with friends and family members back home. Though itcan be tough to watch your children struggle to reach the stage of acceptance, remember they are leaning life‘s most importan tlessons in acceptance, open mindedness and self-confidence throughout this process.The AISA staff is always available to support you and your family in any way we can as your children make the transition to lifein Abu Dhabi. -Elizabeth Spegele, Secondary School Assistant Principal

World Challenge Trip to Nepal

Understanding Culture Shock for AISA’s New Families

The Romanian countryside, building homes, and Dracula‘s Castle are all part of the AISAGlobal Village trip from March 4-11! Students will participate in a unique adventure, re-ceive Community, Action, Service (CAS) credit, and contribute to a worthy cause.Global Village, an extension of Habitat for Humanity, builds homes with and for less fortu-nate people in 137 countries. Teachers Emily Townsend and Michael Marty will lead stu-dents on the project in Commonest, Romania. Participants will build houses, establish rela-tionships with village residents, attend cultural events and explore the area.

-Emily Townsend and Michael Marty

It will be the end of the

Romanian winter and there

is the possibility of a one

day ski trip. In addition, we

plan to visit Dracula‘s

Castle!

It is important to go

through the safety tips

for hiking.

Global Village Trip to Romania

The IB Diploma Programmer is a two-year, academically challenging, balanced program of

education for Grade 11 and 12 students, recognized by global universities.

Students study six courses at higher or standard levels, choosing among languages, social

studies, sciences, math and the arts. Three core requirements (Extended Essay, Theory of

Knowledge, and Creativity, Action, Service) broaden students' experience and apply their

knowledge.

IB 1s: Students and parents must keep track of deadlines and manage their time. There will

be a Time Management workshop on November 30.

IB 2s: Internal Assessment deadlines are fast approaching, and exam fees were due Oct. 21.

Carefully check the confirmation documents that Ms. Farrell gives you since changes may

be costly later. -Ryley Farrell

International Baccalaureate (IB) in a Nutshell



The Advisory Program is new to the Middle School this year. Daily from 9:55-10:15 am, students in Grades 6-8 meet with their Advisor to participate in in-formal activities and games. Weekly activities include silent reading, student-

led conference preparation, trivia and activities, current events and guidance.Advisory builds new friendships, explores leadership opportunities for older students and develops a Middle School identity.Linked to our Advisory program is our intramural program, with games taking place three days a week during lunch and the winners are awarded AdvisoryPoints. Boys are preparing for the second annual Intramural Football Champi-onship while the Girls are battling for kickball supremacy. Watch out for theFalcons, Scorpions, Hawksbills, Oryx, Leopards, Wolves and Sting Rays!After-school activities for the Middle School include Science to Excite (Mr.Murray), Middle School Choir (Ms. Van Rensburg), Middle School Drama(Ms. Townsend), Mosaic: Literature and Arts Magazine Club and MiddleSchool Model United Nations (Ms. Schuler).For students who want to learn about desert ecosystems, living sustainably, andwho want to try new activities – attend the Outdoor Academy! The programwill run for two nights: Boys on Dec. 12-14, Girls on Dec. 14-16. It will be afantastic opportunity to try new activities such as abseiling, orienteering,kayaking, canoeing, and ropes. Attend an informational session on November 3.

-Matthew McGrady

Middle School Advisory

WE’RE ON THE

WEB !

AISA is in its second year of the successful Student Ambassador Program. Stu-dent Ambassadors are a group of Grade 6-8 students, with three girls and three boys for each grade level, who give school tours to new students, help representthe school at various functions and serve as ―Student Buddies‖ to new studentsto help them transition. Ambassadors must have at least a ―C‖ average, are re-sponsible and not already in leadership roles, and have no disciplinary or at-tendance issues. -Emma Mercado

Primary Business Address

P.O.BOX 5992

Abu Dhabi

United Arab EmiratesPhone: 02-4444-333

Fax: 02-4444-005

E-mail: [email protected]

www.aisa.sch.ae

American International School of

Abu Dhabi

University Visits October 25: University of the Arts-London

October 25: Glion and Les Roches Collages-Switzerland

October 26: Global Vision Tour-UK Collage & Universities

Parents Welcome

October 27: Linden USA Universities Tour

October 31: Mount Holyoke-USA

October 31: University of Toronto & University of British Columbia

November 3: Linden Boarding School Tours-USA UK, & Canadian

Parents Welcome

November 3: St. Edwards University

November 7: Bucknell and Lafayette Universities

November 8: University of Kentucky-Roger Williams University

-Carsley Merrell

AISA Sports: Volleyball Championships

Important volleyball tournaments in the coming weeks! The Varsity Volleyball teams will be traveling to Doha, Qatar for theISAC Championships on Oct. 27-31.

The JV Volleyball teams will compete in our ECC Championships at AISA on Oct. 29, then travel to Cairo, Egypt for their

ISAC Championships. For the ECC Championships, the Boys (4-1) will be the second seed, while the Girls (4-2) will be the

third seed. Our Under-14 Volleyball teams will participate in the ECC Championships in Dubai on Oct. 30.

Basketball and Soccer teams tryouts start in November, and we are looking for strong teams in all divisions. Seasons last until

March, culminating with AISAFest and the ISAC Championships. We will be hosting the ISAC Soccer Championships on Jan-

uary 12-16, 2011. If you're not a student athlete, watch and cheer on your teams! Go Lions! -Tim Synoground

Middle School Student Ambassadors

The Secondary School Music Departmentis new this year, and we're already tuning

up! Our first field trip was to EmiratesPalace for the Young People's Concertwith the Concertgebouw Orchestra fromAmsterdam.The Performing Arts Night is Nov. 10that 7:00 pm, featuring one-act play ―TheHysterical History of the Trojan War,‖ andthe musical solos ―War and Pieces,‖ alsofeaturing the High School Choir. Rehears-als for Middle and High School Choir areMondays 3-4 pm. -Jana Van Rensburg

Middle and High School MusicDepartment Tuning Up

On October 20, the Girl Guides and GirlScouts celebrated our centennial, renewing promises to be responsible global citizens.In 1910, girls marched in front of a BoyScots rally in London, demanding an equalorganization. Now, we are one of the mostrespected in the world, teaching girls newskills, sending them on adventures and providing them with increased confidenceand friendship of Guides around theworld. If you want to join, e-mail AidaLoughran: [email protected].

Girl Scouts Turn 100

Documents

AISA Insider (Parents Newsletter): Vol. 1, Issue No. 1 (Q1 2010)