Week of 25 November Week # 12

Good Evening,

After a wonderful, holiday-feeling long weekend, we are moving into the last few weeks before the Winter Holiday. These last few weeks, as with all weeks,  are important learning weeks for students so please help us encourage students to stay focused and persevere all the way through to the last day before the holiday.

We encourage everyone to attend the Wellness Fair on Wednesday this week. There will be many representatives to share their expertise about healthy eating habits and the importance of maintaining balance in life.

I would also like to encourage you to attend our Family Connection Chat this Thursday. We will be discussing report cards and the changes you may have noticed last week on your child's report card.

StuCo is working hard to organize the first dance for this year. Students are requested to dress smart casual within the requirements of the school dress code. The dance ends at 9:00 and all chaperons would greatly appreciate a timely pick up of your son/daughter.

This week also brings our first "Secret Scorpion" activity organized by Mr. Hathaway's Gr 8 advisory. As role models of our MS, each gr 8 advisory group is taking a turn throughout the year to organize an activity that will encourage a fun, positive, inclusive environment amongst our MS students. Thanks to the Gr 8 students for meeting the challenge of this leadership responsibility.

Enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you either at the Wellness Fair or at the Family Connection Chat this week.

Have a good week,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 18 November, Week # 11

Good Morning,

Glad I am finally able to get this post to go through!

I  hope everyone had a nice long weekend as we are getting ready to have another one this weekend! Wednesday is a Professional Development Day for all teachers and staff so there is No School for students. And, Thursday is Thanksgiving Day--I do hope everyone has the opportunity to spend time with family and offer thanks.

Highlights for this short week include:

• Report cards will be sent home this afternoon. PowerSchool will also be open at 3:00 today.
• After School Activities Session #2 begins today. Encourage your child to come talk to me if he/she forgot to sign up to see if we can make arrangements for participation.
• ACS Wellness Fair is coming up on November 28. It is a great time to be reminded of the importance of maintaining balance in life and healthy habits.

Enjoy your week.

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo

Week of 11 November Week #10

Good Evening,

I hope everyone is staying warm and dry tonight.

This week is a short week with Islamic New Year on Thursday, however, still a busy week.

• After School Activity sign ups will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Students will receive an email through their Moodle account giving them directions of how to sign up. Activities will then begin Sunday, 18 November.
• Quarter 1 ended last Thursday so Power School is now closed while teachers complete their reports. Report cards will be sent home on 19 November. 
• Kudos go to our Gr 8 students...they collected 250 balls for children in the refugee camps. We are incredibly proud of our Gr 8 students who persevered through the organization process of making this happen....what a great contribution to our host country community. Thank you to all of the Gr 8 students...job well done!
• This week is Arabic Heritage Week. Thanks ahead of time to all those students and teachers who are planning and organizing programs for us so we can all share in the unique culture of the region. We look forward to seeing everyone for the program on Tuesday at 6:00. Tickets can be purchased all this week, no tickets will be sold at the door.

Have a nice evening,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.vn

Week of 4 November (week 9)

Welcome Back....

I hope everyone had a restful, enjoyable holiday. It is nice to have everyone back and ready to return to the task of learning.

Thanks to everyone who came to the Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences prior to the holiday. It is a great opportunity to communicate and collaborate with each other as we all work towards helping our students experience success.

Teachers will be working with Erma Anderson, a math/science consultant, throughout this week to assist us in reflecting on quality assessment practices to use with students. Ms. Anderson has a good understanding of our ACS students as she has visited ACS previously.

This is the last week for the ball collection campaign our Gr 8 students have been spearheading. Please, please, please support this project by donating one, or more, soccer balls as they attempt to provide recreational equipment for the approximately 7,000 children in refugee camps here in Jordan. 

The last week of the first quarter is this week. On Thursday, Nov 8, Power School will close so teachers can complete comments for the student report cards. Power School will re-open on 19 Nov, the same day report cards will be sent home.

Students will receive Session 2 After School Activity information on 6 Nov. Students will have an opportunity to share the information with parents before the sign up process begins next week.

In Advisory, on Thursday,  students will learn how to read and understand their MAP tests results in order to establish learning goals for the rest of the school year. MAP scores are one of many measurements of progress teachers and students utilize in the learning process.

Lastly, please make note that Thursday, 15 Nov and Thursday, 22 Nov will both be school holidays for students.

Enjoy your evening,

Rhonda Isley
MS Principal
risley@acsamman.edu.jo