Dear Parents,
We have had a very full and rich week of professional
development. Our math teachers worked with Erma Anderson to align our learning
outcomes in math from middle school through high school to there is a steady progression
of skill development leading to the IB and AP courses. Our science teachers
also worked with Mrs. Anderson to learn ways to deepen their students’
understanding of science and to explore the next generation of U.S. skills-based
science standards. Ms. Tami Canale observed world language classes and met with
our world language teachers in an audit of our program. We will be eagerly
awaiting her recommendations on ways we can improve the quality of our world
languages instruction.
And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Tim Walters challenged
students and teachers with questions about the nature of knowledge and shared
information about the IB Theory of Knowledge course. This morning’s four-hour workshop
with teachers was especially engaging as we discussed the nature of inquiry
learning and its importance to IB philosophy learning and explored ways to
bring the questions of knowledge (how do we know?) to each of the subject
areas. These are endlessly arguable questions that touch at the epistemological
heart of the subjects we teach. We had a great time discussing strategies for
introducing these questions in our classes. For a sample, have a look at the section
on “TOK Questions” in the IB Theory of Knowledge Guide.
SAISA Choir Festival
update – The SAISA Choir Festival is taking place this weekend in Muscat,
Oman. The AISC HS choir will be performing in the concert live streaming from
Muscat tonight starting at 8:30 pm Chennai time. You can watch at the link
below. http://new.livestream.com/TAISMOman/2013FestivalofChoirs
Congratulations! Senior
Samvitha Ram has been selected as one of the recipients of a Margaret Sanders
Foundation International Schools Scholarship. Margaret Sanders, who passed
away in June 2009, was a longtime friend of American/international education
through her association with Walsworth Publishing Company. She established
a scholarship fund, the Margaret Sanders Foundation, to help graduates of our
schools attend college. Several scholarships are awarded each spring to
graduating seniors at international schools who demonstrate persistence,
motivation, resourcefulness, and acceptance of other cultures and points of
view. Factors considered in the selection process include academic achievement,
financial needs, and higher education and vocational aspirations. Manifestation
of desire to contribute to, or directly address, community and societal needs
and problems are considered in the selection process. Each regional
international schools association (i.e. NESA, AISA, EARCOS, ECIS, etc) chooses
one candidate for consideration by the Margaret Sanders Foundation, and
Samvitha was the nominee from NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Schools).
We are very proud of Samvitha and the work she has done in the local community
to help children learn to read. Her award is well deserved.
Lost items – We are
fortunate to have an atmosphere of security and trust at AISC and we are
fortunate not to have many incidents of theft. However, from time to time
things go missing. Sometimes they are simply mislaid but occasionally things
are taken without the owner’s permission. When we learn about a missing item,
we make every effort to recover it. In the event that something is stolen it is not always
possible to recover it, but if we are informed we can begin to look for
patterns that might lead to the discovery of the thief.
Whenever something goes missing, please report it as soon as
possible to the secretaries at the section (high school, middle school or
elementary school) that your child attends. You will be asked to complete a
form that will be given to the Principal, who will then follow up as
appropriate with the campus security personnel. Found items will be taken to
the main reception desk and then placed in the bins near the main gate.
Course registration
for 2013-2014 – It is an important time for students, parents and
teachers to be discussing the student’s next steps in their academic careers. Mrs.
Callaway has also posted valuable information on her website, (aischguidance.blogspot.in/). From now through March 15 Mrs. Callaway will be meeting
individually with students and their parents to plan their courses for next
year and beyond. The course selection forms will be due in the office by March
15. For more information, see the Guidance Counseling website link in the
sidebar.
High School Parent
Coffee – We will continue our series of informational meetings and
discussions on Wednesday, February 27. On that day we will continue our
discussion of blended IB and AP courses and I will share with parents some
recent discussions with students and faculty about awards in the high school. I
hope you will join us for this meeting.
Student-Parent-Teacher
Conferences – Conferences are a good opportunity for parents and students
to meet with teachers to discuss the student’s progress in his or her courses.
This is the time to hear from you child how he or she is performing and find ways
to work together to increase his or her success. Conferences are
scheduled for Thursday, February 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday, March
1 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Information on the online process for scheduling
conference appointments will be sent home via email this week.
Have a safe and relaxing weekend.
John McCandless
High School Principal
