Week of 24 February

Good Evening,

What a beautiful day it was today to get our week started off. Reminders and updates for this week are as follows:

Reminders:

• We have begun accepting applications for next year. If you have not secured your child's seat for next year, please do so as soon as possible. This is the time of year we determine the number of seats available as we accept new applicants. 
• For those families who will be leaving Jordan and ACS at the end of this year, please communicate with our MS Counselor, Ms. Ismail (mismail@acsamman.edu.jo) of your plans. This will allow us to support your child in their transition process and plan closure activities for your child.
• NJHS Lock-In---a message from NJHS is below:

The NJHS is once again hosting its Annual Middle School Lock-In, an exciting overnight event for all Middle Schoolers.  The Lock-In will begin on Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. and end on Friday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m.. Dinner and breakfast will be served, and there will be games, activities and a movie throughout the evening. The cost of this event is 8 JD per student, which will cover the cost of food and drinks and which will help raise money for charities which NJHS supports. 

•  School photos will be on Tuesday of this week

Updates:

• We have now confirmed the Adventure Jordan dates for each grade level:

Grade 6 -April 17-18 to Azraq
Grade 7 -April 16-18 to  Wadi Dana and Feynan
Grade 8 -May 20-23 to Wadi Rum, Petra, Aqaba

Our Adventure Jordan expands learning outside the school walls to take advantage of the wonderful educational opportunities Jordan has to offer. The goal is to make learning more relevant, authentic, hands-on, and, of course, fun! Each trip integrates reading, writing, and specific curricula areas of each grade level. 

Specific itineraries for each trip will be sent home at the end of the week along with a date and time of a parent information night for each trip.

• Our MUN students will be returning tomorrow night. A few quotes from the messages the teacher sponsors have been sending throughout the past few days probably sum up their time in Singapore the best.........

"...Be proud of them. They did GREAT!!!

Our students did a GREAT job today. Virtually all of them overcame a good case of nerves, and were asking questions and even taking the floor to speak on resolutions. Beth and I are very proud of them, and expect tomorrow to be even better.

Between the food courts, the swimming in the evening, the conference, some new friends etc, I think they are enjoying themselves thoroughly."

  Enjoy your evening,

Rhonda Isley
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 17 February

Good Evening,

I hope you have enjoyed the long weekend with your families...especially with it being such a beautiful weekend.

Thanks to the Student Council and their sponsorship of the Valentine's Dance. Lots of dancing and lots of smiles all around. And, thanks to you, parents, for supporting their efforts by dropping off and picking up you son/daughter in a timely manner.

Recently confirmed dates:

• School photos have now been confirmed for Monday, 25 February
• NJHS will sponsor a Lock-in on Thursday, 28 February. The students will send additional information as they finalize their plans. 

Reminder.....students do not have classes tomorrow. Teachers will be in meetings preparing for the upcoming accreditation visit.

The MSA Accreditation visit will take place during the week of 17 March. A team of educators will be sent to ACS to observe us "in action" and discuss our Schoolwide Action plans. The visiting team will be spending time talking with students, teachers, administrators, and parents in order to gain an understanding of our school programs and areas of growth.

Enjoy your evening...

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 10 February

Chuc Mung Nam Moi (Happy Chinese New Year)

Lots of thank yous to start off with today.....THANK YOU TO:

• PTG for donating books to our MS classroom libraries
• Students who shared their digital projects during our Digital Learning Day
• Ms. Khoury's Advisory group for planning, organizing, and distributing flowers to EVERY MS student last week. This was part of our "pay it forward" initiative this year to create a sharing, positive middle school environment for students and teachers. 
• Our Fine Arts department for sponsoring the Band-Choir Festival this past weekend--great afternoon of music was provided yesterday

If I may....a selfish moment on my part.....last Thursday, as I wandered around the hallways, I had the privilege of witnessing students learn about and understand:

• the Enlightenment
• Lowest Common Denominators
• Amoebas..and other such tiny creatures...
• Think their way through what 13 S on the AF might mean
• Analyze literary texts
• and......personally experience a student being a self-advocate for herself...

...it was a good day indeed!

Enjoy your evening,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 3 February

Good Evening,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.

A few upcoming highlights:

• Students have received information about Session #3 After School Activity Sign ups. Sign ups will be open thru the end of this week with activities beginning next week. 
• Next month will bring our MSA Accreditation Visit. This will involve educators from the US and other schools within our region visiting ACS to analyze our strengths and areas for continued development.
• ACS is fortunate to have many students who are willing to step outside themselves and give their time and attention to others within our host country community. Below is an example of such an effort for your information.

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Coats

for Kids

 

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There are hundreds of kids at the zaartari/syrian refugee camps with no protection from the cold and the rain.

Bring in a coat that has been outgrown or not used anymore and help the children get warm.

all sizes needed, from baby to adult.

Boxes distributed at the front desk, Mrs. Hire’s class and Near the elementary office!