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

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

Week of 31 March

Good Evening,

Welcome to the end of March...already! It does not seem possible that there is only 1 quarter left in the school year. I mean it when I say, "let's slow this year down, I am not ready for it to end so quickly!"

"Thank Yous" go to:
*Ms. Crockett's Advisory class. They sparked our MS with a bit of excitement last Thursday by organizing our first flash mob during lunch recess. We discovered we need to work on our flash mob skills but also discovered we loved having the music on such a beautiful day...we may have to make that a regular habit!

*the HS StuCo....a great Talent Show event during the weekend. It was great to see all the bravery and talent up on the stage by so many students.

Updates:
* Preliminary course selections for the 2013-2014 school year were completed last week by our current gr 6 and gr 7 students. Finalized course placements will take place at the end of May. Parents will receive a print out of final course schedules for next school year in early June.
 
Reminders:
*Medical release forms for all Adventure Jordan trips and High Ropes course are due on or BEFORE 14 April. It really helps with our planning to receive the information as soon as possible. Students received a hard copy of the medical release form for all trips during last week's assembly.

*Last week brought an end to after school activity session #3. Sign ups for session # 4 will take place after we return from Spring Break.

*Please be sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming Student Led Conferences. Students have been working hard to put their portfolios together in order to present the self selected examples of work that represents themselves as a learner. This is an important day for students to demonstrate the ownership they have in their learning.

Please take time to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather we are having and to be mindful of how fortunate we all are. And, I want to say it again, thank you for all of your support and kind words throughout this school year.

Enjoy your evening,

Rhonda Isley
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 24 March

Good Evening,

I hope you had a good weekend. As usual, things are going to be busy as we go into the last 2 weeks before Spring Break. Updates and reminders are as follows:

Reminders:

• Adventure Jordan Information Session tomorrow (Monday) in the MPR. Gr 7 information presented at 10:00, Gr 6 information presented at 10:40. Sessions will be live streamed. If you would like to send a question to be answered live....please send to the no-reply account.....it will be monitored until 11:20.  All handouts and discussion points are posted here under "Gr 6 Adventure Jordan" or "Gr 7 Adventure Jordan"
• Power School will remain open until Wednesday afternoon. The third quarter ends on Thursday. Report cards will be sent home electronically on 3 April. 
• Electronic course sign ups will take place this week: Gr 6 on the 26th, Gr 7 on the 27th. Please remind your son/daughter to return their course selection form with parent signature. The Program of Studies for 2013-2014 is posted under "MS Program of Studies" All course descriptions can be found in the Program of Studies.
• Talent Show tickets and raffle tickets are on Sale. Raffle winners do not have to be present to win.

Updates:

• The Accreditation Visit last week was quite successful. ACS was granted the highest level of accreditation with no stipulations--you could say, "we got an A+!" Now the real work will begin....putting the action plans into action! 

Rhonda Isley
risley@acsamman.edu.jo