Week of 28 April

Good Evening,

Congratulations to Lisa Martin---through her persistent dedication, ACS Middle School is now officially recognized and part of THIMUN/jrO-MUN. We are now sanctioned to conduct our own conferences and to expand our program. This could not have been accomplished without Lisa's efforts and we thank her tremendously....our students will greatly benefit from this recognition.

Thank yous:

Thank you for your support of our Student Led Conferences. Approximately 75% of families from gr 7 attended and approximately 63% of our gr 6 and gr 8 families attended. This was a wonderful, authentic presentation opportunity for our students. And, who doesn't want to talk about themselves to point out all the good things they have accomplished!

Below is a link requesting feedback on the Student Led Conferences. It would be greatly appreciated if you could take 2 mins. to provide us with your valued feedback. The survey will remain open until Thursday. Thank you in advance.

Student Led Conference Survey

Reminders:

• No School for student on Wednesday of this week. In addition, Thursday-Monday are holidays. 
• Gr 8 Adventure Jordan itinerary has been posted above--see Gr 8 Adventure Jordan link.

A parent information session will be held on Tuesday, 7 May @ 8:00. This will be streamed for those who cannot attend---we will do a better job of not mentioning dates and specific locations for security purposes.

Enjoy your upcoming long weekend,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 21 April

Good Evening,

I must say, I am a bit surprised that this is really the weather for late April in Jordan! I am looking forward to warmth and sunshine at this point!

Thank yous:

• to the teachers for their extra time while accompanying students on the trips last week. The trips would not be able to take place without the volunteer efforts of the teachers. 
• to you, the parents, for such programs within our school. Trips such as these create the moments students will remember for many years to come. 

Reminders:

• Student Led Conferences are this week. All students were asked to send an email of invitation to you today during Advisory class. All conferences will take place on the 4th floor in the following rooms:

Grade 6 - Rooms 401 and 402

Grade 7 - Rooms 407 and 408

Grade 8 - 404 and 405

Student Led Conferences are set aside for your son/daughter to practice their communication and presentation skills. These conferences are student oriented with the students taking the lead on sharing their portfolios in order for you to have an opportunity to see and hear from you son/daughter their thoughts about themselves as a learner. 

Upon arrival, you and your son/daughter may choose an area in the classroom for them to present their portfolios to you. There will be a teacher in the room to assist students if needed but it is your child who will direct the conference. 

Many of our teachers will be meeting with our visiting Math Consultant and/or scoring and analyzing our Internal Writing Assessments during this time. After the student led conference has taken place, if you want to have a meeting with a specific teacher please contact that teacher directly and arrange to attend one of our team meetings during the following week. We encourage you to provide feedback to your son/daughter about their portfolio and the progress they have made this year. 

• Please make note of the PD day and holiday at the end of next week. 

Updates:

• Gr 8 Adventure Jordan itinerary and details will be sent to students and parents after Student Led Conferences have been completed. 
• Gr 6 and 7 Adventure Jordan trip feedback surveys will also come out next week.
• As a conversation starter, ask your son/daughter about the writing assessment topics they have completed last week and this week...some interesting thoughts were expressed!

We look forward to seeing you at the conferences this week. 

Enjoy your evening, 

Rhonda Isley

risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 14 April

Good Evening,

Welcome back. I trust everyone had an enjoyable, restful week last week while enjoying some extra family time--extra time with our kids--a small thing we can all feel incredibly fortunate to have.

We missed your kids and glad they are back. Here we go into the final push of the school year....

Thank Yous:

• Mr. Blixt for a great concert right before the break. It was quite interactive and a positive time for students to showcase their musical progress.
• Mr. Person for a great science fair. I must say..I saw more inquisitive, persistent students work on this project than I have ever seen. This is a huge undertaking on the part of Mr. Person--we appreciate his efforts.
• MS StuCo for organizing the entire MS study body to "sneak away" for ice cream while the teachers wondered where they were......a fun April Fools day for all!

Reminders:

• Grade 8 has their High Ropes Trip this week--Monday and Tuesday. Thank you for your support...I do believe your son/daughter will have an opportunity to learn about themselves when faced with a challenge and develop their sense of self. Please share whatever feedback you get with us...I would certainly be interested in knowing. (see above Gr 8 Ropes Course link for group assignments)
• Grade 7 departs for Adventure Jordan on Tuesday. Please remind students to bring extra water, a snack/lunch for on the bus, to dress conservatively, and an open, positive attitude. (see above Gr 7 Adventure Jordan link for packing list, etc.)
• Grade 6 departs for Adventure Jordan on Wednesday. Also, please remind students to bring extra water, a snack/lunch for on the bus, to dress conservatively, and an open, positive attitude. (see above Gr 6 Adventure Jordan link for packing list, etc.)

These trips are about learning from an academic point of view, but, more importantly, they are about our, your, children learning about themselves. We want our children, your children, to be able to have enough experiences to leave us one day armed with what they need to write their own chapters in their lives. Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of nurturing this part of your child's development.....I mean that sincerely..there is no greater honor.

Updates:

• Student Led Conferences are next week. This is a "stop the world" time so we can all focus on what your son/daughter has to say about themselves as a learner and their learning accomplishments.
• After School Activity sign ups will be sent tomorrow. We have a couple more details to finalize before sending out the information. Session 4 will begin next week.

I know I keep saying it, but thank you again for all of your support. I have really never been in a more supportive, friendly school community. Thanks for all of your positive, constructive communications.

Have a great week,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo