Dear Students and Parents,
On behalf of the High School Faculty, I would like to welcome you to the 2016-2017 school year. I hope you have had a restful, enjoyable summer and are looking forward to the coming school year!
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the new members to the high school faculty:
Amy Burchett - EAL
Greg Israel - Social Studies
Kate Wentworth - Art
Shira Daryn - Chemistry
Other internal shifts include:
Mike Malone - Associate Principal, Online Learning Coordinator & AP/IB Coordinator
Angelia Crouch - Extended Essay/CAS Coordinator, Personalize Learning Coordinator
We also would like to welcome our student teacher for this semester, Peter Schultz. Peter will work with Rob Gold for the first six week of school and, then, shift to partner with Walter Basnight until he departs in late November.
I hope you will join me in welcoming them into the AISC community!
New Student Orientation
To help welcome high school students and their parents who are new to the AISC community, we will hold an orientation session on Wednesday, August 3, from 11:30 to 2:00 beginning in the High School Library. After an initial introduction, the students will meet with the counselors to learn more about the school and what to expect on the first day of classes. After students depart parents will have the opportunity to ask additional questions and/or go on a tour. Student orientation will continue until 2:00 pm and lunch will be served during the session.
First Day of School
Thursday, August 4th, is the first day of school for all students. The day will begin with an assembly, after which students will attend their Day 1 classes (blocks A, B, C and D) during shortened periods. Friday, August 5th, will be a Day 2 (blocks E, F, G and H) with the regular schedule of classes
Students should plan on arriving a few minutes early on August 4th. We will distribute student schedules in the Foyer of the Fine Arts Center from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.
Save the Date: High School Back to School Night
Please mark your calendars for the High School Back to School Night on Thursday, August 25th, and come and experienced an abridged version of a “day in the life” of your student(s). Teachers will share an overview of their course and will answer general questions you may have. You can pick up your student’s schedule between 5:00 pm and 5:15 pm which will be followed by a brief welcome in the Black Box Theater. Classes will start promptly at 5:30 pm and end at 7:25 pm. Please join us!
Skyward Reporting Dates
Families will receive regular updates about academic progress throughout the year. Progress reports with grades and comments are sent home and posted online in the middle of each semester. Report cards are sent home at the end of each semester. Approximately once per month in between these official reports teachers will update their marks in our student information system Skyward for your review. We call this a “Skyward Update.”
For your information the reporting periods this academic year will be as follows:
September 2 – Skyward update
September 30 – Progress report with comments
November 11 – Skyward update
December 9 – Skyward update
January 13 - Report card with comments
February 10 – Skyward update
March 3 – Progress report with comments
April 13 – Skyward update
May 12 – Skyward update
June 9 – Final report card
Student Schedule Changes
Please note that the drop/add period for schedule changes is limited to the first six days of school. This deadline is in place to help students settle into their classes as soon as possible. Schedule changes made during this time do not require parents signatures. This means that it is very important for families to discuss potential schedule changes before the student seeks out his or her counselor. If a family feels strongly that no schedule changes should take place without written parent permission they are encouraged to contact the appropriate counselor.
Please note that it is our expectation as a school that students would have made wise choices regarding their schedules last spring during the registration process. As such, we expect students to pursue schedule changes only when truly necessary. We will not entertain changes motivated by a desire to be in class with particular friends or to seek out a particular teacher. Our counseling staff works very hard to balance our schedule such that no class is overloaded or too small. This is to everyone’s advantage in terms of student learning.
Communication is Key
Each week I will update my Principal’s Notes, an online newsletter that shares that shares important information with students and parents in the high school. The Head of School, Andrew Hoover, also publishes notes weekly. Please do your best to read these notes weekly so that you are as informed as possible.
There will also be opportunities throughout to meet in person. Most months I will host a Parent Coffee that will help you to gain greater access to what goes on in our classrooms. Student/Parent/Teacher conferences take place twice yearly (October and March). Please do refer to the community calendar so that you do not miss these important opportunities!
Welcome to another great year at AISC! I am looking forward to working with you in the coming year as we continue to build a learning community that helps our students develop into knowledgeable, caring and responsible citizens of the world.
Save the Date - Parent Coffee
Our first high school coffee of the year will take place on Tuesday, August 30th, at 8:45 am in the Hall of Light (3rd floor). Mike Malone and I will share the research and philosophy that guided the high school to write and implement the updated Assessment Philosophy and Guidelines (p. 50 of the student handbook). We will leave plenty of time for parents to ask questions in order to deepen understanding.
The links to the Health Form and Physical Exam Form are as provided for your convenience. We appreciate your cooperation with this matter.
Cashier & Food Sales – Hours of Operation
Main Courtyard Cashier: 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
ES Cafeteria: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Main Cafeteria: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
I-Hub: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Parent MC Café: 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Food Services
The Taj Madras Flight Kitchen (TMFK), our school-wide food vendor, will be selling meals and a-la-carte items at both cafeterias (ES & FAC) and the I-Hub beginning on the first day of school, August 4th. Note: The I-Hub will be stocked with items and open on Wednesday, August 3rd for new students and their families. Information regarding food and menu options will continue to be communicated as needed through the principals. Cakes for special occasions can be pre-ordered in both the cafeterias.
AISC Access Cards (photo IDs) will also serve as smart cards (prepaid debit cards) for all purchases on campus. Cards can be charged on campus at the I-Hub, both cafeterias, the cashier’s window located off the main courtyard and recharged online using credit/debit cards.Cash will continue to be accepted for purchases through Wednesday, August 31. From September 1, only smart cards will be accepted in all food outlets.
In the spirit of continual improvement, AISC food services will focus on new menu choices while keeping nutrition standards for students.
A Note from the Athletic Director - Student Health Forms
Welcome to the 2016/2017 school year. I hope all of you had a fantastic summer break and are ready for the new school year. As a quick reminder, all AISC returning students are required to complete the "Student Health Form" and "Physical Exam Form" by the beginning of this school year. This form was sent to each of you in the final version of Principal's Notes last June.
Any student wishing to participate in ASIAC Table Tennis or Badminton and SAISA Swimming must have this form returned to the school by no later than Tuesday, August 16, 2016. Students that have not returned these forms by this deadline, will not be permitted to practice or participate.
The links to the Health Form and Physical Exam Form are as provided for your convenience. We appreciate your cooperation with this matter.
Sincerely,
Joelle Basnight
High School Principal