Week of January 12

Dear Middle School Parents,

Please come and join us for the Celebration of Student Learning on Wednesday, February 11th at 10:15 in the building B Theater. We will recognize all of the efforts made by students and invite you to join us for this public recognition of student achievement and excellence. Students will share reflections about their learning experiences from this school year.

Purpose: 

• To celebrate the academic excellence of all students 
• To recognize and celebrate the growth and achievements of all students 
• To provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their learning and take greater ownership of the learning process 

Schedule: 

• Opening address at 10:15 in the theater 
• Parents join their child in a classroom to hear key learning experiences 
• Celebratory toast and closing remarks from our school Director in the MS lobby 

Highlights: 

• Hear about obstacles or barriers students have overcome in their pursuit of learning 
• Witness the knowledge and confidence students have learned about their character and what it takes to be successful 
• Hear student reflections, a key ingredient to lifelong learning and academic excellence 
• Witness student self-discovery and understanding of how to be academically successful 

Please come and join us in this celebration. We ask that students come “Dressed in their Best” for the day. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Middle School and see on February 11th at 10:15 in the theater.

Kind regards,

Paul Ducharme
Middle School Principal
AISB

End of Quarter 2:

The end of the second quarter is on January 22. Students will have end of semester assessments, including tests and project-based assignments. If you have any questions about end-of semester work, please contact the classroom teacher directly.

Report Card Quarter 2

The report card will be visible to parents and students online in VeraCross by the end of January. We will send a notice when they are available. Please note: you will not be getting a hard copy of the report card.

For the first time, we will give students feedback on the Habits of Learning in all classes. This new information will shine more light on the learning process and the strengths and areas for growth.

Report Card Comments

For Quarter 2, students will receive comments only from their advisor. The advisor is the academic, emotional and social mentor for each student. You also may see some comments from other teachers on the Report Card but not necessarily. If you have questions or concerns at any point, contact your child’s advisor and or the individual teacher of that subject.

PSA Meeting: January 15 @ 9:00-11:00 

More information will be forthcoming, but the agenda will include topics such as Homework Battles and Brain Research, Tech Talk with Bill Farren, Reading in OverDrive with Sarah Ducharme, and Q/A with the principal.

Hope to see everyone there; bring a friend and come on in!

Book Club: Why not join?

Greetings Parents!

The book club will meet to discuss our two remaining books:

How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough

Discussion Dates: February 12, 19th & March 5 & 12th

Raising Global Nomads: Parenting Abroad in an On-Demand World by Robin Pascoe

Discussion Dates: April 16, 23, 20th & May 7

Meetings will happen at 2:15-3:15 in the MS Counselor's Office. We hope you will join us for lively and enlightening discussion in a positive and supportive community atmosphere. Bring a friend; all AISB parents are welcome.

Visiting Math Specialist Presentation for Parents (from the ES Principal)

Are you still trying to figure out what the Common Core State Standards are and how they support your child’s learning and understanding in math?  Do you have trouble supporting your child with math because “It just isn’t the way we used to do it”?

  

Then please join us at this special parent workshop scheduled January 21st from 8:45-10:15.   The presentation will focus on the Math Common Core State Standards, how math instruction has changed and how it prepares students for the DP program and beyond.  This workshop is appropriate for parents from Multiage through grade 12.

Erma Anderson is a former high school physics and mathematics teacher of 30 years. Currently she is a science and mathematics consultant with the Office of Overseas Schools AERO (American Education Reaches Out) Project and the US High School Redesign Project. Ms. Anderson has considerable experience developing and facilitating workshops with formal and informal mathematics and science education entities at both the National and International level. Internationally, Ms. Anderson works with schools in Asia, South America and Europe. Ms. Anderson’s visit is being co-sponsored by AISB and the American Embassy (via our Regional Education Officer- Mr. Tom Shearer).

We encourage all parents MA through grade 12 to attend this  parent presentation on January 21st, so they can become more informed about how we teach math and about the Common Core State Standards. Those interested should RSVP to Erika Nemes (enemes@aisb.hu) no later than Friday January 16th, so we can secure a room appropriate for numbers.