Week of 26 May

Good Evening,

It is official, we are now into the last month of the school year. That thought causes me incredible stress...I really do not want it to be over...but I do not think I will be able to convince anyone to stay longer. So, I will do my best to be as inclusive as possible with what is going on in this last month so we can all attempt to get through this last month feeling like we are "on top of things."

Thank You:

• to the time and energy of the Gr 8 teachers while on the Adventure Jordan trip with the Gr 8 students. I huge commitment and responsibility but the experiences of the students are well worth it...life time memories, indeed.
• to a group of Gr 7 students who enthusiastically demonstrated a wonderful act of kindness today by placing post-it notes expressing words of kindness on every locker in the middle school. Gave us all a nice feel of positive energy as we walked down the hall today. 

Updates:
Gr 6 parents---ask your son/daughter about today's toothpaste activity during advisory
Gr 7 parents---ask your son/daughter about tomorrow's toothpaste activity that will take place during advisory

We are continuously working with the students to understand the importance of respecting peers AND nationalities of their peers when interacting with each other. We have seen an increase in negative comments amongst students relating to nationalities. This is not a part of our student profile and not what ACS is about.

Any support you can provide at home in reminding students what a fortunate opportunity it is to  interact with a diverse group of peers each and every day would be appreciated. Our students are our future leaders who will unite us all in the coming years......they need our guidance, you as parents-us a educators, right now to be mindful of this purpose. This is something too valuable to let it slip away.

MUN students will sponsor a bake sale in support of raising awareness towards child soldiers. Just wanted to let you know in case you hear that dreaded phrase at 10:00 pm the night before..."mom, can you bake cupcakes for the bake sale tomorrow!"

GBD Movie Night
Dear Parent,

Maddy, Mikayla and Farzona of 8th grade would like to host a movie night after school on Wednesday this week (the 29th) for their GBD Project where they need to make a difference towards depression. 

The movie is Cyberbully about a girl who becomes depressed after being cyberbullied. It is rated as PG-13 due to some language use. 

It is in Mr. Spensley's room on the fourth floor and starts from 3:10 and will end at 5:10. Parents will need to pick their children up or organize a ride home for them with another student. 

To watch the movie, the students will need to give one JD to either their advisor or to Maddy, Mikayla or Farzona and it will cover the pizza and drinks that will be provided and handmade bracelets that will show their support towards depression. They should give us the JD by Wednesday morning if they would like to watch the movie.

This movie night is to spread awareness among our teenage peers. 

Thank you,

Mikayla, Maddy and Farzona  

A note from the HS Principal regarding Gr 8 Fly Up Day:

Dear Parents of 8th Grade Students, 

We have come to the time of year when we need to begin to discuss the transition your son or daughter will soon make from middle school to high school. ACS is a small school with caring teachers who have brought your child to a level of preparation – academically, emotionally, and socially – that will serve them well in high school. The ACS High School teachers will continue with this tradition of facilitating academic and personal growth as they spend the next four years with your child. 

On May 30, we will have a series of meetings with the 8th grade students that include a Student Panel, Teacher Panel, Naviance training, and other information sessions that will better prepare them for the leap to high school. Eighth graders will also join us for HS lunch that day to meet some of their future school mates. 

I would like to invite you to attend a very important information session on Thursday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m. in the MPR. We will discuss the differences between middle school and high school, give you information that will help you and your son/daughter navigate the transition, and arm you with some strategies to successfully parent a high school student. 

8th Grade High School Orientation – Part 1 

WHO? 8th Grade Parents 

WHEN? Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 2:00 to 3:00 

WHERE? Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) 

WHY? 

•To learn about High School at ACS 

•To ask some questions 

•To get lots of answers! 

If you have any questions, please email me. I am happy to help. 

I hope to see you all there! 

Sincerely, 

Steve Mancuso, Ed.D. 

High School Principal 

smancuso@acsamman.edu.jo 

Week of 19 May

Good Evening,

Two big thank yous to start tonight's post.....

Thank you to the MS StuCo students for organizing the 8 Ball Dance. They did an outstanding job and were quite self directed in their organization. What a group of organized collaborators they have become...my hat is off to them.

Thank you to you as parents for your responsiveness during the chaos of the evening. I am sure many of you know we lost power half way through the dance which was incredibly unfortunate. After a half hour the power company communicated with us that it would be a minimum of another hour before power would be restored. At that point, based on the information we had, we determined it would be best for the students to go ahead and take their departure rather than sitting in the dark for another hour.

The students were cooperative and attentive as they received information...very mature on their part and we were happy to have had the time we did to see them all dressed up and enjoying themselves.

Updates:
Gr 8 Adventure Jordan departs tomorrow. Please do not forget your water, sunscreen, sack lunch for the first day, and mosquito repellant. We have a couple added surprises for the trip we think the students will enjoy so I am anxious to hear all about it when they get back.

Any necessary placement test in Math and World Languages for next year will begin in early June.  These are not tests that can be "studied" for and are only one part of the placement process. Teacher recommendations and past academic performance are also part of the process. Communication will be forthcoming regarding date and results of the placement process.

Reminder:
Students were reminded today of the importance of coming to school with their laptops charged up and ready to go. We have designated "charging times" for them throughout the day so they do not need to charge up their laptops during class time. We are encouraging students to communicate with you if the battery in their laptop is not functioning at optimal level.

Have a good evening,
Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 12 May

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms in our community

There are lots of important messages from others in the community this week so I will keep my comments brief.

GRADE 8 ADVENTURE JORDAN UPDATE:
Please check the above link for trip itinerary updates. Medical release forms are due tomorrow. Make note of items of special note for packing: WATER BOTTLES, SACK LUNCH FOR MONDAY, HAND SANITIZER, FLASHLIGHT

PTG MESSAGE:
Thursday May 16 is Staff Appreciation Day.  To help say "Thank You" to the staff, the PTG has purchased three new, large coffee makers for the school.  These will replace the small coffee makers, which were previously in the staff lounge.  We hope you'll join us in saying "Thank You" to the staff of ACS by remembering on May 16 to thank them with a kind word, note, or a small token of your appreciation.  ACS PTG

SCHOOL PHOTOS MESSAGE FROM YEARBOOK STAFF:
Dear Parents,
Please disregard the due date on the order forms passed out by the yearbook staff.  The due date will be May 20th to have photo orders handed in.  We expect to have a turn around time of one week.
If you would like to contact Nabeel Studio directly you may call them at 0777110830.
Thank you.
Andrew Berg
Yearbook Advisor

MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDANT FOR PARENTS OF:

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN MSA (Arabic for Native Speakers)

Dear Parents of MSA (Arabic for Native Speakers) Arabic Students,

RE:  Meeting on Monday, May 20, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 pm in the MPR

We at ACS value the importance of Arabic and are committed to having a high quality program that serves a wide range of needs.    We want to continue to develop and enhance the program and we would like your feedback. Over the last five years the Arabic program at ACS has grown, developed, and improved.  Below is a summary of the investment and development of the program over the last 16 years. 

The goal for our native speaking Arabic students (MSA) is that, if they come through our program from KG to grade 12, they will be prepared to successfully pass the Tawjihi equivalency or A Level Arabic examination.  ACS has also been taking the lead in working with the College Board (the company that does the Advanced Placement and SAT testing) to develop an AP Arabic course and/or an SAT Arabic, thus giving students the opportunity to earn college credit.

Even with all of the enhancements listed below we believe there is room for improvement.

1997-2001	·       ES Arabic was taught as an after school activity to any interested participants
1999	·       MS/HS Arabic was taught in combined classes of native/new learners
Up to 2001	·       Separated into native and non native speakers
2001-2008	·       Arabic was taught twice per week in the ES.  Classes were combined in ES
Feb, 2005	·       NESA (a regional education organization) organized an Arabic symposium to discuss development of Arabic programs in the region
January, 2008	·       ACS hired an Arabic consultant to assess and review the Arabic program
August, 2008	·       Arabic was divided into MSA1, MSA2, and MSA3 levels.  AFL1, AFL2, AFL3 for non-native speakers.  Groups were determined by pre assessments of language levels ·       Arabic classes introduced into 1st grade three times per week
Spring, 2008-2009	·       MSA Reading, Writing and Speaking continuum developed for ES students
August, 2010	·       Arabic was introduced to KG students twice per week ·       ES Arabic after school activity launched (parent organized and supported)
September, 2011	·       MSA Level 4 added at high school level ·       Arabian Nights organized to promote Arabic culture ·       All MSA and AFL curriculum unit documents completed ·       AFL-Introduced reading and writing skills to grade 4 and 5
Spring, 2012	·       A curriculum review was completed and all AFL and MSA curriculum documents were completed
September, 2012	·       Assistant hired to support ES Arabic program ·       Increased Arabic KG classes from two to three times a week ·       Assigned books to grade 4 and 5 as an additional resource ·       Middle school Arabic part time teacher hired to support full time teacher an MSA and AFL class ·       MSA B and MSA C separated into two distinct classes (they were combined in the past)
May, 2012	·       HS Arabic students take the A-Level Arabic at the British Council (all pass with good results)
February, 2013	·       AFL simple reading skills introduced to build skills in G3
June, 2013	·       HS Arabic students will take A-Level exam (A2 Arabic)
August, 2013	·       A third ES Arabic teacher was hired to bridge the gap between MSA and AFL
The Future	·       Developing a participatory event with other schools in reading, writing and speaking skills ·       Developing a comprehensive “Arabic for Fun” after school program and/or on Saturdays ·       Continue to work with the College Board to develop an AP and/or SAT Arabic for Native speakers program ·       Continue to support the review and acquisitions of resources that will make the study of Arabic interesting, relevant, and meaningful ·       Continue to explore an Arabic language summer camp

In November a survey was sent out to all parents who have children in Arabic.  Of the 400+ parents who have children in the Arabic program we only received 14 responses.  So we are going to solicit feedback in a different way.

On Monday, May 20 at 5:00 pm in the MPR, ACS will host an Arabic Development Symposium. The goal of this 2-hour working meeting will be to:

1.     identify components of the Arabic program that are strong

2.     identify your personal concerns about the Arabic program

3.     share what you would like to see in the program in the future

4.     identify quality resources the school might consider to use in the program

Come ready to work!!

I look forward to seeing you on Monday, May 20 at 5:00 pm in the MPR as we work in partnership to provide a program of study that is research based, relevant, and further enhance the Arabic program. 

Kind Regards,

Larry McIlvain

Enjoy your evening, 

Rhonda Isley

risley@acsamman.edu.jo