Dear
Parents,
There continues to be lots of activity in the high school, even though our sports seasons are winding down. We have one more tournament, badminton, in a couple of weeks. In the meantime our students are collecting food for a shelter for the elderly (see NHS Visits Little Sisters of the Poor) and working with our IT department and students from other international schools to configure and then donate laptop computers to a local school, getting ready for the International Schools Theater Association Festival next weekend and running for election for Student Council for next year. And on top of all of this, the juniors and seniors are finding time to prepare for the IB and AP exams that will begin in May. There is never a dull moment around here.
Lost and found
There continues to be lots of activity in the high school, even though our sports seasons are winding down. We have one more tournament, badminton, in a couple of weeks. In the meantime our students are collecting food for a shelter for the elderly (see NHS Visits Little Sisters of the Poor) and working with our IT department and students from other international schools to configure and then donate laptop computers to a local school, getting ready for the International Schools Theater Association Festival next weekend and running for election for Student Council for next year. And on top of all of this, the juniors and seniors are finding time to prepare for the IB and AP exams that will begin in May. There is never a dull moment around here.
Academic Honors
Students who attain high levels of academic achievement are recognized each quarter by being included on the Honor Roll. A weighted grade point average is used to measure this achievement. A weighted scale adds 0.33 grade point for each IB or AP course. Student who earn a weighted grade point average between 3.00 and 3.66 earn a place on the Honor Roll. Students who earn a weighted GPA of 3.67 or better are accorded High Honors. The Honor Roll can be viewed by clicking on the link in the sidebar. Congratulations to our many outstanding students!
High School Prom
The High School Prom will take place
tomorrow night at the Westin Hotel in Velachery from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on
Thursday, April 18. At this annual event the underclassmen recognize the
Seniors for their many contributions to the life of the school and to wish them
well in the years to come. I am looking forward to seeing the students dressed to the nines for a night at "The Oscars."
Some Prom reminders that have been shared with the students:
- Tickets will not be sold at the door.
- Students who leave the Prom may not return.
- AISC students may bring guests from outside the school. Guests must be of high school age and are expected to adhere to all AISC policies. The name of the guest must be recorded when the ticket is purchased along with the AISC student who invited her/him.
- If the AISC student who invited a guest leaves the Prom, the guest must also leave.
A note on After-Prom Parties
It is not uncommon for students to
organize events at which they continue to celebrate 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 they 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.
AISC's first international theater festival
Most of us take for granted the security and ease with which we navigate school, career and indeed life. There is, however, a significant number of people in the world today who do not enjoy that freedom or comfort: women. A great number of societies, including developed and developing nations, are still lagging in terms of gender equality in the workplace, in politics and in school.
From the 24th to the 27th of April, AISC and the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) will welcome six schools from across the world and one from here in Chennai to explore the theme of gender equality through the language of theater. Students will partner with The Banyan (http://www.thebanyan.org/) and will learn more about the work they do to help homeless women who are struggling with mental illness. Over the following days students will train in classical and contemporary European and Indian styles of performance and will create plays based on those experiences.
This festival will allow students the opportunity to look around, and address the issue from an inside vantage - discovering both the histories and heroism of ordinary and yet extraordinary people in their efforts to diminish oppression.
Mark your calendar! On Sunday, April 27 at 5:00 p.m. the Chennai ISTA Festival will invite community members and guests to come and see the work which has been generated. More than a "show", this will be a presentation of work in progress, and of the process students have gone through in their learning and self expression on the theme.
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, our IT Director, will share news about the direction of the Bring Your Own Technology for next year. In addition, I will discuss the progress the high school faculty has made this year in our review of our grading and assessment practices.
Requests for letters of recommendation
Summer is approaching, which means that many students are in need of letters of recommendation for summer programs and new schools. As this is a busy time of year for the faculty, please be mindful that any requests for letters and/or recommendation forms should be presented at least one week in advance of the deadline. Writing a recommendation takes thought and time. Students should communicate directly with the teacher from whom they are requesting the recommendation so that, together, they can determine that teacher is the most appropriate person to write the letter.
Lost and found
From time
to time valuable items are found around campus and given to receptionists in
the main reception office, including mobile phones, watches, USB drives, ipods,
etc. Students and/or parents who have lost things should check with Ms. Sonia
to see if their lost items have been turned in.
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
