Dear Parents,
We
are coming into the home stretch of the year, a time when we bring the academic
program to a close, assess our students for the learning that they have done
throughout the year and celebrate their accomplishments.
At
an Awards Assembly on Friday, May 24
at 10:00 a.m. we will celebrate the accomplishments of our students. We will
induct new members of the National Honor Society, recognize our outstanding
athletes and announce the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian of this year’s
graduating class.
We
will also present the President’s Awards for Educational Excellence and
Educational Achievement. The High School Faculty devoted time this year to
revising the criteria for these awards to bring them into alignment with the
criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. The Presidential
Award for Academic Excellence will be presented to students who earned a grade
point average of 3.50 or better and scored at the 85th percentile or
better on two or more subtests of the PSAT.
The Presidential
Award for Educational Achievement for high school students will be given in
three categories corresponding to the three Learning Objectives identified in
the new AISC Strategic Plan. These Learning Objectives are as follows:
By 2018,
all students will:
- Explore new interests with curiosity and be resilient in pursuing their passions.
- Evaluate real world situations, identify problems and design innovative solutions.
- Choose to actively serve their local and global communities.
An award
for the student who best demonstrates each of these objectives will be
presented to one student from each grade level. The criteria were linked to the
IB Learner Profile. High school faculty members were asked to nominate students
for these awards based on the criteria. The faculty then selected the awardees
in each category by consensus.
The
High School Prom will take place
next Saturday, May 25, at the Park Hyatt Hotel from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. This is
an opportunity for the underclassmen to recognize the Seniors for their many
contributions to the life of the school and to wish them well in the years to
come. It is always great to see the students dressed formally, and the Student
Council has worked hard to make it a memorable event for all of the students.
A note on After-Prom
parties – It is
not uncommon for students to organize events at which they can continue to
celebrate the end of the school after the Prom is over. Parents should note
that these parties are not sanctioned by
the school nor does the school provide any supervision. While these parties
can be wholesome opportunities for the students socialize, it is also possible
that alcohol and other drugs are present and/or there is no adult supervision. If
your child is planning on attending one of these parties, it is a good idea to
take the time to find out where he or she will be, whether responsible adults
will be present and whether alcohol will be available.
A Note from the Nurse - Each year, returning students are
required to present evidence of a physical examination in the previous calendar
year as well as evidence that they are up to date with their immunizations. The
following information is required:
- contact information,
- evidence of a physical examination by a doctor
- authorization for medication
- permission to seek treatment in the event of an emergency
- immunization record
- evidence of TB screening
Two
forms are used for this purpose: the Students Annual Health Form and the
Physical Examination Form. These forms will be distributed to students on Friday,
May 24.
These
forms must be presented to the school nurse along with immunization records and
evidence of TB screening at the beginning of the new school year in August.
Please do not return these forms prior to that time.
BYOT Configuration Workshop - To assist families in configuring student IT devices
ahead of the new school year we are offering a device configuration workshop on May 30-31.
If your child will have a device before this date, please sign up for one
of the available times using the form in the Head of School's
notes or
on the Moodle All School Page (guest
password is raptors12).
IB
and AP News – The IB and AP exams are in full
swing. Be sure to keep up with updates from the IB Coordinator and the AP Coordinator regarding the exams. This week’s IB
Coordinator’s Notes have news about the ascent of an IB Diploma graduate to the
throne of the Netherlands.
Yearbook
orders– Orders for the 2013 AISC Yearbook can be placed starting on
Monday, April 15. The cost is US $50. This year we will be using an online
ordering system that will allow you to choose additional options for such as "Hear the Year", a news
summary of the year in photos, a plastic cover or photo pockets. Just click on the link below or
go to the AISC webpage under “Quick Links.” Payments can be made using a credit
card. (Note: There may be
transaction fees assessed by your bank if it is not a dollar account.)
Semester
Exams – The end of the school year is drawing near, which
means that the semester exams will take place soon. These are summative
assessments that help teachers determine the extent to which each student has
met the learning outcomes for the course. Seniors in non-IB or AP classes in
English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, Science and Math classes will take
their exams on May 23 and 24. All other students will take their exams starting
on June 1 and ending on June 6. To ensure the integrity of the assessments,
final exams will not be given prior to the exam dates. A final schedule will be
posted in the Daily Bulletin and on the bulletin boards around the high school.
Have a relaxing weekend and wonderful
week ahead.
John McCandless
High School Principal
