Dear
Parents,
Spring Break has arrived and students
and teachers alike are looking forward to some time to relax and unwind before
the last push to the end of the school year. We have had a very busy couple of months,
filled with exciting events that have highlighted the talents and skills of our
students. Now it’s time to pause and enjoy some unstructured moments. It’s a
perfect opportunity for all of us to unplug the electronic device and grab a
good book for, as much research has shown, reading for pleasure is not only a
great way to relax but it is one of the best ways to learn the nuances of
language, explore the world and develop our understanding for others.
High School Play – “Into the Woods”
It
was my great fortune to be invited to join the cast (surely an act of
desperation on someone’s part!) of “Into the Woods”, the high school play performed last weekend. It was the first time I had ever had the chance to be behind the scenes of a theater production, and I could not have been more impressed by the many ways in which our students not only gave their very best effort to put on a remarkable performance but also how they worked together as a team. Backstage they were completely focused on ensuring that the performance was a success, with everyone helping with the props and ensuring the actors were onstage at the appropriate times. I could not have been more proud of them. Kudos to the cast, the crew, the technicians, the ushers, the parents who helped with makeup and sponsored the cast party and to the directors – Shawn O’Docharty, Deborah Lee and Megan McCrindle. Well done!
Students
and faculty alike need a chance to recharge our batteries. Teachers have been
instructed not to give homework over the Spring Break. Students should not have
any assignments due or tests or quizzes on the first two days back, April 7
& 8. Teachers will not be holding IB or AP prep/review sessions during the
Spring Break.
FRIDAYS@5 Presents “BLOOD BROTHER”
On Friday, April 11th, AISC’s Fridays@5 series will present a screening of the documentary, Blood Brother. Winner of two Sundance Film Festival awards, this documentary was filmed on location just outside of Chennai in an orphanage for children living with HIV and AIDS.
On Friday, April 11th, AISC’s Fridays@5 series will present a screening of the documentary, Blood Brother. Winner of two Sundance Film Festival awards, this documentary was filmed on location just outside of Chennai in an orphanage for children living with HIV and AIDS.
Blood Brother tells the story of Rocky
Bratt, a young man traveling in India who comes to volunteer at the orphanage.
What happens next is a chronicle of the pain and the struggle of the
children to survive both the stigma of HIV/AIDS and the disease itself, how
strangers can become family, and how dedication to service comes to transform
both Rocky and the children’s lives.
This documentary deals with
mature subject matter, and while each family must decide what is suitable for
their children, we feel this film is appropriate for students in grades 8-12.
Middle school students will not be admitted alone without express consent of
parents given to MS Principal, Alan Phan.
We would like to invite parents and students to see this film
together as a family. While the issues the film raises of disease, loss,
and grief are hard hitting, the film itself is an incredibly well made story
about lives being lived just next to ours. It is a testament to the power of
love, perseverance and hope, and it adds to our conversation on the
significance of service learning and the meaningful relationships we are
creating beyond our school.
We will be joined by the Rocky on the 11th of April for the
documentary screening. Afterward he will engage our community in a dialogue
about film, the children, and his life with them.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Service Learning at AISC
Creating a culture of
service learning at the American International School-Chennai is a community
effort! Voices of students, parents and faculty are key as we strive to
envision service learning at our school. Bring your creativity and confidence to
a World Cafe and join a conversation that will help shape the future of
learning at AISC. Together we will explore the possibilities of
creating collaborative relationships with NGO's and corporations. We will
also begin thinking about service learning opportunities within our own
community. Please join
us, on April 16th, or April
29th from 3:45-4:45 in the cafeteria, in this exciting
work. We value our community's ideas about making service learning a
meaningful part of our lives and look forward to seeing you there.
High School Parent Coffee
On Tuesday, April 29 we
will hold our next High School Parent Coffee from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. in the
cafeteria. Mr. Kevin Crouch will share news about the directions of the Bring
Your Own Technology for next year. More news will be forthcoming after the
Break.
Students leaving AISC
Each year some of our
students leave the school. Records from AISC are usually required by the next
school. However, it takes us some time to prepare these records. If you will be
leaving the school, please contact us at least as soon as possible so we can
prepare the necessary documents to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Final report cards and transcripts will be made available for 12th Grade
students by the end of the school day on Friday, May 30. Final report cards
will be available for 9th, 10th and 11th grade
students by Friday, June 6.
Other
news
Be sure to check the sidebar for
news from our counselors, our IB and AP Coordinator and our Athletics Director
for important updates.
Have a
restful, enjoyable weekend.
John
McCandless
High
School Principal
