Dear Students and Parents,
Back to School Night thanks and slides
Thanks to all who attended our virtual Back to School Night yesterday, Thursday, August 26. Please see my introductory remarks slides, if you were unable to attend. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher, please email the teacher with a request for an appointment. Look ahead: Student Parent Teacher conferences are on Monday, October 18, 2021.
Progress Update Friday, September 3rd
The first progress update of the semester is Friday September 3. By that date, teachers will have updated all formative and any summative assessments in the Schoology gradebook. Note that in many classes, the first summative will be in the next few weeks. Summatives will be graded and shared within one week of completion, with longer time for extended projects and research papers.
Reminder about absences and pre-arranged absences
If your child is absent from a class, we ask that you call the HS office or email ahead of time. For example, if your child is unexpectedly unwell, please call the HS office to report that they will not be attending a class or classes that day. Please do this whether we are in virtual, hybrid or fully in-person. If your child is not present in a class without you having notified us of their absence, we begin a safety process to ascertain your child’s wellbeing and whereabouts.
If you know in advance that your child will miss a class or a day or more of school, your child is required to complete a Pre-Arranged Absence form (aka Blue Form). This process allows your child and their teachers to plan ahead for the absence, and identify what should be completed before, during and after the pre-planned absence. This completed form is signed by a parent and the principal. This document functions as a contract, clearly laying out the path to support your child’s learning.
Return to Campus Requirements
Mr. Ryan McFarland, our Director of Student Lif, has prepared information for HS students to return to campus. This information is especially important to read and take steps to complete, and is fully laid out here.
Forms to complete as soon as possible (linked in the document above)
Health/Medical form for all HS students
HS Student Handbook signature page for all HS students and parents
Return to Campus Permission form for all HS students intending to attend school in- person
Uploaded recent Covide negative test result. Panbio Rapid Antigen test instructions and upload process described in the document linked above.
Due dates for completion of all forms:
11th graders - August 30
10th graders - August 31
9th and 12th graders - Sept 1
These dates are there so that we can be prepared for your Raptor Safe Orientation, have lunches ordered and the individual materials you need for the day prepared.
Updated HS Return to Campus Information
Raptor Safe Orientation
Grade level groups of students will begin their Raptor Safe orientation to campus on
11th graders on campus all day Wednesday, September 1
10th graders on campus all day Thursday September 2
9th and 12th graders on campus all day Friday, September 3
Full details on each Orientation Day here.
Hybrid Schedule for the first three weeks of Hybrid
Please note that in full 5-day weeks, there is a virtual day (all students virtual from home).
Staggered Arrival and Departure Times for HS Students in Hybrid
In order to safely and efficiently manage student drop-off/arrival and pick-up/departure, we are continuing our staggered arrival and departure process.
Please make sure to arrive at the school during your 10-minute arrival time and approach the school gates for pickup at the scheduled staggered departure time for your student’s grade level.
If you have more than one student attending school, please use the older student’s grade level arrival and departure times.
Stay tuned: We are prepared to respond to any changes to our context as we receive additional SOPs and to continue to prepare for students to return to campus and begin hybrid learning in September.
UN International Day of Peace
SAVE THE DATE: UN International Day of Peace Virtual Assembly and Parade of Nations (Friday, September 17)
This year’s theme for the UN International Day of Peace is "Recovering Better for a Sustainable and Equitable World." With student speakers and participants from Elementary to High School, we are excited to continue bringing annual traditions to you virtually. Stay tuned for more details on how you can join us on Friday, September 17, 2:45 p.m.
PCA International Community Celebrations: September 17 Onwards
One of the highlights of the AISC annual calendar is the PCA International Day Picnic. In partnership with the PCA and the many Country Coordinators that represent our diverse community, International Day is a true celebration of AISC’s cultural identity.
This year, as we continue to bring you shared virtual experiences, the PCA and Advancement will be launching an International Community Celebration webpage, complete with country-specific activities and pre-recorded content for you to celebrate our internationalism. More details to come!
Repeat Announcement: New Families - Save the Date - First Parent Coffee - SBAR
Our first high school virtual parent coffee will take place on Tuesday, August 31st, from 8:45 - 9:45 am. This coffee is aimed to get parents new to high school up to speed on our Standards-Based Assessment and Reporting (SBAR) system. While returning parents in grades 10 - 12 are welcome to attend, please note that no new information will be shared.
Repeat Announcement: Submitting Student Yearbook Portraits
IMPORTANT: Last day to submit: September 3, 2021
The Yearbook Team will be collecting student portraits virtually. You can read the instructions and upload the photo by visiting this website.
At-A-Glance Details
Please read the instructions carefully.
You can use the back camera of a mobile phone to take your child’s photo. Make sure you use a plain background with no pictures or decor.
You can also consider taking your photo professionally at a studio if you have access to one in your area; make sure to request for a grey background.
IMPORTANT! Please rename your child’s photo accordingly. We will not be able to accept submissions if you do not rename the photo.
Grade_First Name_Last Name
e.g. 11_Harry_PotterNOTE FOR SENIORS: Please wear black and white formal clothes.
Last Day to Submit: Friday, September 3, 11:59 p.m. IST
Thank you for your support! Please write to media@aischennai.org if you have any questions.
Repeat Announcement: School Bus Transportation
As AISC is getting ready to welcome HS students on campus, we are also ready to roll out the Bus Program from Monday, September 6, for both pick-up and drop-off services.
AISC has protocols in place for school-operated buses in order to ensure the health and safety of students taking our buses.
If you are interested in this service for your child(ren), please send an email to our Transport Supervisor (transportsupervisor@aischennai.org), to learn about the cost, routes, timing and the health-safety protocols.
Repeat Announcement: Family Use of the AISC Libraries
AISC families are now able to request books every week from our libraries using this Google form. Books can be ordered through the form from Friday until Monday at 3:30pm and can be picked up curbside at the ES entrance on Wednesdays between 8:30am - 4:00pm. Bags with the child's name clearly marked on the front will be located inside the white cubbies. Patrons are invited to take the bag that belongs to them without touching any other materials.
In addition, a book drop is positioned curbside at the ES entrance, as well as the main entrance, for returned books. We encourage families to return the books after two weeks, although if a specific title is needed for a longer period, please contact Babs to implement an extension.
Library staff will practice all health and safety protocols while gathering your books. Upon return, books and the canvas bags that are distributed will be sanitized.
We encourage families to check the ES library catalog or the HS library catalog before requesting specific titles to ensure that they are available. Please let Babs know on bbarbara@aischennai.org know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Malone
High School Principal
