Happy Holidays from the MS!

Dear Parents,

It has been a great week in the Middle School leading up to the holiday break.  On behalf of the Middle School faculty and staff, I would like to extend best wishes to all families in our community.

I would also like to express sincere thanks to our parent community and PSA for your continued support of the Middle School program, our teaching staff and students.

Have a wonderful holiday and an amazing new year to one and all!

Andrew Ball
Middle School Principal

MS Spirit Club:

The middle school had a very festive holiday atmosphere in the week leading up to the Winter Break. Thank you to the MS Spirit club for planning several fun activities including dress-up days, Christmas music in the halls, free hot chocolate, and Santa hats for all MS students. The Spirit Club also sold and distributed Candy Grams raising 68,000 forints to donate to The Giving Tree to buy presents for children in need.

Teachers and students had a great time singing Christmas carols and playing music for students as they entered campus this past week - it created such a warm and welcoming atmosphere!!  Thank you Spirit Club!

Departing Students:

Five of our AISB Middle Schoolers are spending their final day here today.  We will say goodbye to them in our afternoon assembly and also give them a farewell gift.  This entire week their friends have been adding notes to the FAREWELL Bulletin Board in the MS Lobby.  We will miss them!

Grade 6:

William Kahrl.  Though William and his family have been with us only one semester, we will miss William's kindness and good humor.  William will be moving to Shanghai, China.

Grade 7:

Helmi Kuokkanen.  Helmi started at AISB in Grade 4.  Helmi is an excitable learner, frequently smiling and friendly.  She embodies a passion for fairness and is highly considerate of others.   She will be returning to Helsinki, Finland with her family.

Jeff Kwon.  Jeff came to AISB in the middle of Grade 3. HIs teachers describe him as an inquisitive learner, an active, knowledgable class participant and a helpful friend.  He is returning to Seoul, Korea with his family.

Grade 8:

Hattie Griffin.  Hattie started at AISB in the beginning of Grade 6.   Hattie is described as a strong student leader and an active robotics participant.  She is highly curious, balanced, enthusiastic and empathetic.  She is moving with her parents to Munich, Germany.

Jeremy Kwon.  Jeremy came to AISB in the middle of Grade 4. Jeremy is energetic with great curiosity for learning.  His magnetic and kind personality make him a great friend to others. He is returning to Seoul, Korea with his family.

Best wishes to all our departing students and their families!

Ms. Nancy Seibel

MS Counselor

Grade 8 Boat Races:

Our students experienced a truly unique learning experience in the AISB pool on Wednesday afternoon.  They came; they set sail; they conquered! This week the Grade 8s completed their joint Math and Science boat project by competing in races in the school swimming pool. The heats were fiercely contested affairs with some real success stories, as well as some swift, wet lessons learnt with each submerging vessel. In the heats, Team SS Water Bros, piloted by the tenacious Laura Seregi, covering the 25m distance with a winning time of 23 seconds. However, in the final, as the water soaked into the cardboard and the durability of their boat gave way, Team Hungarian Engineering, with Levente Hargitai at the helm, stole a march on their rivals coming home in a staggering 21 seconds, their boat still entirely intact. Congratulations to them on their magnificent victory and to all the students for their efforts and some truly innovative designs.

Mulan!

Congratulations to the cast, crew and staff for an incredible production of Mulan this past week!  The set and costuming was amazing and our students performed so well throughout the series of 3 performances for ES students, MS students and parents.  Special thanks to our PSA for supporting the production!

Sweet Treat Cafe!

Sincere thanks to our PSA for decorating the MS/HS staff lounge and for bringing in treats this week!  Our staff absolutely loved this!

Upcoming Events in the New Year:

Monday, Jan 4:    PD Day - No school for students

Tuesday, Jan 5:   Blazer voices 12:15 - 13:00

Girl Power 15:45 - 17:30

CEESA Band 15:40 - 17:30

Wednesday, Jan 6: MS Advisory 11:15 - 12:05

MS Boys & Girls Basketball Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

MS Swim Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

Minecraft 15:40 - 17:30

Dungeons & Dragons 15:40 - 17:30

Thursday, Jan 7: Blazer Barkers @ 12:20

CEESA Choir at lunch in ES music room

Digital Photography 15:45 - 17:30

Homework Club 15:30 - 16:30

Week 14 in the Middle!

It's been another busy week in the Middle School preparing for our final week of seasonal celebration and fun before the Christmas break. 

Progress Reporting:

Teachers are currently updating Habits of Learning and Standards Based grades on Veracross and the mid-quarter 2 progress report will be open to view on Monday, December 7th.  We will send out an email to all parents confirming when the report is live.  Please feel free to contact teachers directly should you have any questions about your child's performance at this point in the school year. 

AmCham:

The cast of of Mulan performed their favourite song, "Keep 'Em Guessin" at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, November 24th. Members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) thoroughly enjoyed themselves as the cast sang and danced around the tables. What a performance!

MS ISTA:

AISB attended the recent ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) festival in Istanbul. Our students explored traditional tales and legends from Turkey as inspiration for their final performance. Working with professional actors and dancers, our students explored ideas, collaborated to create and select the work which was presented in the final performance on Sunday. What a great way to develop Drama skills, meet new people, challenge themselves. In the words of one of our students it was, " The best festival ever!" 

Mulan:


The cast and crew of Mulan have been working extremely hard and are excited for the culminating performances next week.  
Elementary and Middle School students will be invited to performances during the day on Monday and Tuesday and parents are invited to the evening show on Tuesday, December 8th which begins at 6:00 p.m. in the AISB Theatre. 
We look forward to welcoming parents on campus! 
Have a great show cast and crew!!

Gr. 8 Science Boat Building:

In a joint Math/Science project, Grade 8 students have been designing and building boats. 

The goal: to carry one student across the length of the school swimming pool. 

The rules: using only their wits, Google Sketchup and some cardboard and duct tape, the students need to construct a vessel capable of completing the task in the fastest time possible. 

Taking into account mathematical concepts of volume and surface area along with science's Archimedes Principle, the students face a race against time in their quest to set sail and conquer! 

They will be presenting their finished designs from 1:20 - 2:00 in the Grade 8 corridor on Wednesday, Dec. 9th, with the racing commencing at 2:30 pm in the school swimming pool. All are welcome :)

Monday, Dec 7:    HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK: Wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Candy Grams on sale at lunch (proceeds to the Giving Tree)

Progress reports published in Veracross

MS Musical for ES at 14:00

MS Boys & Girls Basketball Teams practice 15:40 - 17:30

MS Tech Crew 12:30 in Curriculum room

Homework Club 15:30 - 16:30

CEESA MUN 15:40 - 17:30

Makers Club 15:40 - 17:30

MS Swim Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

Tuesday, Dec 8:   Candy Grams on sale at lunch  (proceeds to the Giving Tree

Dinner prior to MS Musical at 17:00 in the Cafeteria

MS Musical "Mulan" for MS at 14:00 and Evening show at 18:00

Blazer Voices 12:15 - 13:00

Drama Club- Mulan Jr 15:30 - 17:30

Set Design 15:40 - 17:20

Girl Power 15:45 - 17:30

CEESA Band 15:40 - 17:30

Wednesday, Dec 9: HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK: Holiday Cultural Dress Up

Candy Grams on sale at lunch (proceeds to the Giving Tree

Grade 8 Math and Science boat races

MS Boys & Girls Basketball Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

MS Swim Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

Minecraft 15:40 - 17:30

Dungeons & Dragons 15:40 - 17:30

Thursday, Dec 10: Grade 7 Religion field trip 9:00 - 15:15

Blazer Barkers @ 12:20

CEESA Choir at lunch in ES music room

Girl Power 15:45 - 17:30

Digital Photography 15:45 - 17:30

Homework Club 15:30 - 16:30

Friday, Dec 11: HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK: Wear Red & Green

MS Holiday Assembly from 2:20 - 3:30pm

MS Floorball 15:30 - 16:30

Have a great weekend MS community!

Warm regards,

Andrew Ball
Middle School Principal

Week 13 in the Middle!

Grade 7 Rome Unit:

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!" 

ROME DAY 2015! 

As an end to our Rome unit, seventh grade participated in the fifth annual "Rome Day" celebration. Patricians, plebeians, legionaries and slaves alike attended the Colosseum for theatre, the Circus Maximus for chariot racing, joined the Roman navy for ship building, and tested ancient math through the use of Roman numerals. The day ended with a feast of delicacies and the Thieves of Ostia movie. What great attire and enthusiasm from this group!

MS PSA News:

Tickets for Mulan Dinner
On sale on Monday November 30th and Thursday December 3rd.

Tickets are 1500 Huf. The dinner starts at 5 pm on Tuesday December 8 followed by the play at 6 pm.

PSA Meeting December 4 at 9 am
Ms. Piroska (AISB Hungarian teacher) will explain the Hungarian Holiday traditions and afterwards we can taste some Hungarian dishes. It’s also a good moment to say goodbye to our leaving families. They will be missed.

Sweet Treat Cafe for MS/HS teachers
During the week of December 7 - 11, the Middle School and High School PSA Reps are planning a Sweet Treat Cafe for our awesome faculty and staff. We plan to transform the Teacher's Lounge into a winter wonderland.

We would love your help in organizing this as a holiday surprise. If you would like to support our efforts, please sign up through the volunteer spot link below to decorate the Sweet Treat Cafe and/or provide a holiday treat for the faculty and staff to enjoy.

Thank you in advance for your help!

http://vols.pt/77gb9D

Middle School Assembly:

MS staff and students were treated to a series of musical performances today during our monthly assembly . . . including a performance featuring our very own Mr. Robinson on vocals!

The assembly also included a presentation by our MS Blazer Barkers . . . with guest appearances from puppies from Agh Telek Shelter. The goal for the year is to sponsor 100 dogs at the shelter for a year. Families may sponsor a dog for year for the sum of 500 HUF / month or 6000 HUF for a year. Please see Mr. Lavioe or one of our Blazer Barker student representatives for more info.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, Nov 30:    All School Holiday Charity Collection

Adopt a bark donation

MS Boys & Girls Basketball Teams begin practice in

designated A & B teams. 15:40 - 17:30

MS Tech Crew 12:30 in Curriculum room

Homework Club 15:30 - 16:30

CEESA MUN 15:40 - 17:30

Makers Club 15:40 - 17:30

MS Swim Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

Tuesday, Dec 1:   All School Holiday Charity Collection

Adopt a bark donation

MS Faculty mtg 15:40 - 17:00

Blazer voices 12:15 - 13:00

Drama Club- Mulan Jr 15:30 - 17:30

Set Design 15:40 - 17:20

Girl Power 15:45 - 17:30

CEESA Band 15:40 - 17:30

Wednesday, Dec 2: All School Holiday Charity Collection

Adopt a bark donation

MS Boys & Girls Basketball Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

MS Swim Team Practice 15:40 - 17:30

Minecraft 15:40 - 17:30

Dungeons & Dragons 15:40 - 17:30

Thursday, Dec 3: All School Holiday Charity Collection

Adopt a bark donation

Blazer Barkers @ 12:20

CEESA Choir at lunch in ES music room

Girl Power 15:45 - 17:30

Digital Photography 15:45 - 17:30

Homework Club 15:30 - 16:30

Friday, Dec 4: All School Holiday Charity Collection

Adopt a bark donation

MS Floorball 15:30 - 16:30

Have a great long weekend Middle School!

Warm regards,

Andrew Ball

Middle School Principal