Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome back and we hope you had a restful long weekend! We now head into the home stretch of the semester with exam reviews beginning next week and exams starting the following. Best of luck to all students as they revise for their exams.
National Honor Society Food Drive
Charles Dickens once said, “No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of others.” In the nature of the giving season, the National Honor Society is hoping that we can embody Dickens’ words by hosting our second annual Food Drive. The donations will go to a local non-profit organization called Little Sisters of the Poor. As an organization, the Little Sisters receives elderly people of all, aged 65 and above, regardless of religious or caste background. Those who live with the Sisters usually have been abandoned or have families that can no longer care for them. Therefore the organization relies on donations to feed and keep its inhabitants healthy and happy.
You may show your support by sending in food donations (rice, flour, curry powder, dhal, oil) and sanitary items (ex. soap, shampoo) from December 8th - 12th. There will be collection tables next to the Main Office on the first floor after the security gate and at the security gate of the Elementary School where NHS members will be at tables collecting donations from 8:00 - 8:20 am every morning that week.
Through this Food Drive, we hope to “lighten the burden” of the elderly living with the Sisters and ensure that they have the essential to care for those in need. We also hope to involve as many members of the community as possible to make a greater impact and support for the Little Sisters of the Poor.
For any further questions, please contact Chaitra Subramaniam (schaitra@aisch.org) or Sofia Nicholas (nsofia@aisch.org).
What is the National Honor Society?
The National Honor Society, or NHS, is a US organization that recognizes outstanding students who have excelled in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Twice per year AISC invites students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to apply for membership. Such students document their contributions in the four areas listed above and these applications are reviewed by an appointed faculty council. Selected members are recognized at an inductions ceremony during a school assembly and, then, join the existing NHS members to pursue various service projects and leadership initiatives throughout the year.
Announcing the Raptor Reader!
We are proud to announce AISC's first school-wide online literary journal, The Raptor Reader. The Raptor Reader is a public platform for students to showcase creativity through original writing, photography, and book reviews. Please check out the first edition, with submissions from all three sections, at http://raptorreader.com.
Students may submit work by emailing it or sharing it with raptorreader@aisch.org. The next publication deadline is Friday, February 13th. Happy reading!
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 particpate 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 - Additional Information
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.
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.
All study guides have been posted on Moodle so that students can begin their revision. As a reminder, December 9th - 12th will be used for in class review and extracurricular activities will end on December 12th.
Students and parents should be aware of the following exam expectations (please note these expectations are modeled on those of the IB and AP organizations):
- Students may take only what is needed into the exam location. This may include pens, pencils, rulers and calculators. Students have been informed by their teachers what supplies are necessary.
- All electronic devices and bags must remain at the rear of the exam location. Students will be reminded of this at the start of every exam. Students may not have phones, bags or snacks with them at their desks. Water bottles are acceptable.
- Once entering the exam location students are expected to remain silent, take their seats and wait patiently for the start of the examination. Students should not open their exam papers until instructed.
- Students will be instructed to avail of five minutes of “reading time” before the exam time officially begins. This is a time for students to look through the exam, strategize in what order they will answer questions and to read all necessary passages and support materials. Students may not write, take notes or use a calculator during this time as it is for reading only.
- All exams are two hours long but students are able to submit their exam and depart the exam location after 90 minutes. However, they may not depart within the last ten minutes of the exam. This is to minimize disruption of other students wishing to work until time is called. Students are strongly encouraged to use all the time they are given in order to double check and re-read their answers.
- Once time is called exam papers will be collected. Students should remain silent until dismissed from the exam hall.
Sincerely,
Joelle Basnight
High School Principal
Jason Hicks
Secondary Associate Principal