Friday, May 27, 2016

Week 34 in the Middle . . .

Peace One Day:
It is said that in order to create peace in the world, one must first create peace within himself or herself. As all good humanitarians and visionaries of peace can attest, a lot of soul-searching is needed before societal criticism can be started. 


Yesterday, the 8th grade students began their journeys toward seeing the outside world through inner reflections on peace.  

With 27 delegates and experts in the field, each student was able to outline his or her vision for peace related to some conflict issue in the world.  The culminating event of their 8th-grade year was a capstone experience that merged the writing and analysis investigation in language arts class with the year-long global issues investigation in world geography class. 

At the end of the day, the 8th grade students heard a presentation from BG (MD) Dr. Stefan Kowitz--member of the German Medical Service and Director of the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine--in which the students' theoretical speeches were realized across the years of Dr. Kowitz' hands-on service to create peace around the world.

Mr. Doug Rudnicki
Grade 8 Language Arts

Student Life Update:

This week has surely been one of the busiest weeks of the year! Congratulations go out to our Blazer Voices for putting together a very successful lock-in last Friday. Seventy-six students spent the night at school, and were greeted with a wonderful breakfast on Saturday morning courtesy of the PSA . They had a ton of fun hanging out, watching movies and playing "Retro" video games.

On Tuesday, Dr.Jane Goodall visited our school and gave a wonderful speech on the importance of taking risks and being difference makers. Furthermore, seventh grade students are to be congratulated for the wonderful and amazing projects they set-up for this event. Our sixth grade students and two other local international schools were able to visit many of the projects and were impressed by the work our seventh grade students put into them.

Thursday, was also a huge day for Middle School as two culminating projects took place. Sixth grade participated in the 13th annual Special Olympics and spent the day with members of the SOFI School and the Hungarian National Junior Special Olympics Team. We were blessed with great weather and the 6th grade students were wonderful 
competitors, fans and officials. 

Eight Grade hosted their Peace One Day Event, and were visited by 28 dignitaries from all walks of life, who came to listen to the students share their research and thoughts on a whole assortment of contemporary global issues. Needless to say, the whole day was a huge success and the students were relieved, happy and proud when it ended. 

On Friday, Many Middle School students and faculty will be participating in the first AISB Whole School Color Run! This event is put together by two enterprising high school student who have organized what is most likely going to be a new tradition at AISB!

It is hard to believe that we are three weeks away from the end of the school year! On the Horizon, we have the following Special/Student Life  events:

1- Wednesday, June 1: Spring Co--Curricular Celebration (4:00 to 5:20)
2- Saturday, June 4: PSA Yard Sale
3- Wednesday, June 8: (Last regular assembly)
4- Friday, June 10: M.S Sport Day
5- Monday, June 13: Bike to School Day
5- Tuesday, June 14: All Middle School Field Trip to Aqua-Park.

May the Blazer Force be with you!

Marc Lavoie
MS Student Life Coordinator / MS French

Grade 7 Service Learning:

This year is the first year of the new Grade 7 Service Learning Project in coordination with the Jane Goodall Institute, Hungary.  Throughout the year, students have been investigating today's environmental problems on 6 continents, relating to the diminishing area of the world's natural forests.  

As a stroke of luck, we learned that Jane Goodall was visiting Hungary again this year, and desired to come to AISB to promote youth environmentalism.  For the sake of initiating or enhancing environmental programs in area schools, AISB played the role of host as we had students from the British International School, Britannica, and Vass Lajos School (Hungarian) attend as invited guests.

Grade 7 students, in tandem with Dr. Goodall's visit, prepared exhibitions highlighting environmental topics relating to economic growth, loss of medicinal resources, and human / animal rights, to name a few.  The students presented to a diverse audience, which included high school students, parents, teachers, and in many cases, Dr. Goodall herself!

It was a day that proved to be inspiring, educational, and full of hope for the future; not just because of Jane Goodall's message, but also because of the charisma and dedication of the students of Grade 7.

Mr. John Matlock
Grade 7 Math

Ecuador Fund Raising:
Well done AISB! Our fundraising efforts in support of Ecuador throughout the Elementary, Middle and High School divisions​ last week raised over a total of HUF ​850,000. These funds will be donated to a ​campaign being run by ​teachers and ​students at the Academia Cotopaxi American International School​ in the capital of Quito. They are purchasing emergency supplies for a local NGO working with the United Nations, as well as tents, generators and shelters for the government of Ecuador and for the town of Canoa, which was at the epicenter of the April 16 ​earthquake. Fantastic work everyone, and special thanks to our Spanish students and teachers for their leadership in these efforts!​



All School Band Concert:


The All School Band Concert took place this past Wednesday evening. All students, approximately 125, currently enrolled in Band participated in this fabulous music making event. We were able to hear a varied repertoire, from Bach to jazz to film music performed by students in small ensembles, large ensembles and very large ensembles showcasing Grade 5 beginners to very advanced High School students.

Sincere thanks to all parents for supporting the AISB Music program!

Lynn Davidoff and Kevin Weingarten 
ES/MS/HS Band and Music

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, May 31st:   5th Grade parent orientation 8:45 - 9:30

Wednesday, June 1: Gr.5 students visit Gr.6 (transition visit) 11:15 - 11:55

MS Assembly/Advisory 11:15 - 12:05
Spring Co-Curricular Celebrations 16:00 - 17:15
Saturday, June 4: Yard Sale 9:00 - 13:00

Warm regards,

Andrew Ball
Middle School Principal

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