Dear Students and Parents,
Please note that due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday the next parent newsletter will be published on Friday, December 5th.
This week AISC was infected with xCode fever! About one hundred students learned how to make a calculator game! About 16 enthusiastic programmers stayed everyday until 5:45 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to develop an IOS Twitter-like application under the leadership of energetic xCode Guru, Mr. Zach Whelchel. Result? Formation of our very own xCode Club consisting of 10 members who will collaborate with Zach online to develop more iOS apps.
As a follow up to last week’s mention of CHEMUN we thought we would share a poetic representation of the event sent along by Manasvi Dwaraknath… CHEMUN VII in numbers.
It is difficult to explain in words exactly how extensive and valuable the experience of CHEMUN has been so I want to use something that everyone may not like, but can appreciate - math!
400 delegates
230 days of planning
50 advisors
46 Resolutions
35 Note passers
27 schools
15 student officers
12 assiduous journalists
10 security guards
9 broken placards
8 missing flags
7 hardworking committees
6 creative photographers
4 CHEMUN Chatters
3 glorious days
2 much fun
1 amazing conference
Please join me in congratulating everyone involved in the CHEMUN conference which includes but is not limited to almost half of our student body as well as Ms. Kapadia, Ms. Alevy and Ms. Rema. We look forward to CHEMUN IX already!
Finally, it is my pleasure to share with you a message from Interact Club President Sanjana Kolisetty regarding their recent inauguration:
Finally, it is my pleasure to share with you a message from Interact Club President Sanjana Kolisetty regarding their recent inauguration:
On Tuesday, November 18th, the Interact Club at AISC was chartered by the Rotary Club of Madras, signifying that the club will now receive official projects and funding from their organization. Interact is a service learning club that strives to reach out to the Chennai community, taking up initiatives like teaching at local schools and volunteering for school events, in order to “interact” with the society around it.
At the inaugural ceremony, the President, Secretary and Youth Services Director of the Rotary Club of Madras were present, along with some of their representatives. We also had the President and Vice President of another Interact Club (of Sri Sankara Vidyashram School) in Chennai in attendance. The Rotarians’ inspirational stories and dedication to service stimulated our passion and commitment to make a difference in our society. All the leadership team members were given badges, and the school received a plaque recognizing our club as a part of their club. It was a proud and honorable moment for all of us, and we hope to channel our enthusiasm and persistence into serving others.
November Parent Coffee - Follow Up
Many thanks to all who attended this month’s parent coffee! It gave parents an excellent opportunity to share their ideas about communicating with teens about social media use, the Chennai social scene, drug/alcohol use and teen sexuality.
In this link you can find a handout prepared by our counselors with pointers as to how to talk to teens.
Further, Ms. Larsen sent home via email the following earlier this week:
As a follow up to the Parent Coffee today, here is the information about how students can put limits on internet usage and block certain websites from themselves to help limit distractions while they are trying to get work done. Some of the apps we have introduced to students are Stay Focused and Focus 45 (google them - they are both available through the chrome app store). Here is an article also that lists other apps you can look into to see which one might fit best with your device/student needs:
Attention Parents Interested in Korean Universities
Ms. McGlamery will debrief her October Korean University Tour for interested parents in the Hall of Light on November 25th at 8:30 am.
Yearbook Photo Orders
In case you missed the first order deadline of November 14th, orders can still be placed until December 12th. Prints will be ready for pick up after Winter break. Students photos have been uploaded on the All School Moodle page. You may download the order form HERE. Payments may be made to the cashier and the form submitted at the HS office.
Annual Raptorthon
Ms. Donna Fava invites you to participate in the upcoming AISC Second Annual Raptorthon (150 m swim, 1600 m run, 150 m swim). The event will take place on December 14th. This is great fun for the whole family and you can participate as a team or individual. The event will be followed by a potluck breakfast and awarding of certificates. Contact Ms. Fava at fdonna@aisch.org with questions.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - You are Invited!
Semester Exams - Schedule for December - Repeat Announcement
Students and parents can access the exam schedule from this link. Please note that AISC HS does not give examinations early. If a student opts to leave for vacation before completing his/her exams an alternative assessment will be given immediately when school convenes in January. Students will be unable to attend classes in January until all final assessments have been completed.
Students will have a final summative assessment in every class. This assessment will count for either 10% or 20% of the overall semester average. Students will take one of three different types of final assessments. In some courses teachers have opted for a written examination as a final assessment. Those assessments have been scheduled into one of the “exam” blocks on the schedule. In some courses teachers have opted for a practical assessment that is better done in smaller groups. Those assessments have been scheduled into the “period” blocks on the schedule. Finally, in some courses teachers have opted for an alternative assessment like a final project, essay or presentation. These assessments have been scheduled in class in the week prior to exams and due dates are not flexible. Students must submit these alternative assessments before exam week begins. A list of courses opting a “period” or alternative assessment can be found on the second page of the exam schedule.
As in years’ past, students are required to be on campus only during the times they have exams and, so, may arrive late or depart earlier than usual. However, students may not leave campus and, then, return, on the same day. No special documentation is required to avail of this option.
By November 25th all teachers will post on Moodle the following final assessment information:
- Overall weight of exam (10% or 20%)
- Type of assessment (alternative, practical, exam)
- Supplies required for assessment (eg: calculator, ruler, pencil)
- Format of exam if applicable (eg: includes multiple choice, short answer and essay questions)
By December 5th all teachers will post on Moodle a study guide for assessments scheduled during exam week. The content of this study guide will vary depending upon the type of assessment.
December 9th - 12th will be used for in class review. No new material will be delivered and no tests, quizzes and the like will be schedule during this time. This will allow students to concentrate on revising for their exams as well as completing any alternative final assessments due that week.
Extracurricular activities in the High School will end for the semester on Friday, December 12th to allow students to revise for and concentrate on their exams for the remainder of the term.
Specific information about exam expectations and behaviors will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
Sincerely,
Joelle Basnight
High School Principal
Jason Hicks
Secondary Associate Principal