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