Dear AISK Parents and Students,
After six years at AISK, Dr. Indi Couch, has moved on to consulting. All of the AISK family wishes her well in her new position. She was certainly someone who stepped up time and again to ensure the growth of the school, contributing to its development as a global center of excellence.
The end of Quarter One has arrived and report cards will soon be in your hands. The Principals will be sending out the date for distribution. Please remember that parents may schedule times to meet with teachers by calling the office. We do encourage the interaction and communication. Jamaica Day was a success, thanks to our amazing students and teachers. To see the community gathered on the campus serves as a reminder for us to continue to showcase our students' talents often and celebrate their accomplishments. Having the distinguished guests and ribbon cutting ceremony added to festivities and the prestige of AISK. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing is set to begin on Monday and will run for two weeks for students in Grades 3 - 9. It is important that students are here every day and on time to be certain that the online exam is accomplished within the set time. The results of MAP will be shared with parents and is used by teachers to strengthen teaching, based on the overall scores and individual ability. Parents, in the month of November, please watch for an email inviting you to meet with me by grade levels. This is a time for parents to share their thoughts, concerns and for us to share our vision for AISK. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Shirley Davis
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Thank you to everyone who made Jamaica Day wonderful. In particular, the Art, Drama & Music teachers and their students - Mrs. Robinson (Art), Mr. Abrikian (Drama), Mr. Wilson (Dance) and Mrs. Picazo (Music). For the display in the Media Center, special thanks to the Grade 6 Social Studies students and Mrs. Mair-Boxill; the Grade 8 Math students and Mrs. Ransom; the Grade 10 Science students and Mrs. Ransom and Mrs. Omawale and her Spanish students.
In Ms. Omawale's Spanish class, the students were given the task of using the Spanish language to represent the culture, history and beauty of the island, completing a variety of projects for Jamaica Day. These included poems, posters, maps, short biographies on the heroes, historical accounts and foods of the island. The students also chose to highlight the Spanish connections still visible in modern day Jamaica through explanations of names of rivers and towns derived from language. The students had lots of fun as they applied their language and presentation skills to represent this beautiful country of Jamaica. We have attached a couple of pictures for you to enjoy.
Friday, October 25 was the end of the 1st Quarter, which means that students and parents will be receiving a Quarterly Report from the teachers. Teachers will be grading assignments and preparing reports to go home on Friday, November 8. These grades, although being part of our standard reporting system for AISK, are an indication of how students are performing mid-way through semester one. Please note that these grades will not appear on the final transcript, as it is the grades for the full semester that are placed on the transcript.
Please also stay tuned for our Honor Roll Assembly, which will take place after reports have been completed and sent home.
Please note that the Grade 9 Social Studies classes are now preparing for their Renaissance Fair. This will be held on Friday, November 8 from 8:00 - 9:20 am. Parents are welcome to come and view the work of our Grade 9 students and celebrate their learning.
Sincerely,
Susan Canobie
MS/HS Principal
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Dear Families of Elementary School,
English as an Additional Language - EAL
Our group of students accessing EAL services from the Student Support Center has increased significantly. As a result, we have had to hire an EAL teacher who will solely support the elementary students. This said, we would like to welcome Ms. Lisa Vickers to our staff in students' support. EAL parents can look out for communication from her.
Reminder - Early Dismissal for PreSchool - Kindergarten - Friday, November 8, 2013
Our Early Childhood Department (PreSchl - Kindegarten) will be released at 12:45 p.m. on the above-mentioned day. Teacher's will be in a mandated Food Handlers training session, conducted by the Ministry of Health, for the afternoon.
Report Cards
Quarter 1 Report cards will be sent home on Friday, November 8.
Under 13 Soccer
AISK is entering our U13 soccer team in the Jamaica Independent Schools Association Soccer Tournament for the fourth year. Please see message from Athletics Director re: schedule of the first few matches. By entering, this competition our players gain valuable exposure and experience in playing competitively. However, being a small school with a relatively high rate of student turn-over, we have never really been able to challenge for trophy, but it is always a great experience for our students and coaches.
Halloween
The Halloween Fair is on Friday, November 1, 2013, 3:15pm - 5:30pm. Sincere apologies for any confusion caused with other dates communicated.
Activities and events will include - face painting, cookie decorating, costume contests, dance contests, bounce house and slide, and of-course trick or treating and the haunted house. Posters will be displayed early next week. General entrance will be $500.00 and will be inclusive of a snack and a few activities. Additional attractions will be offered at an additional cost.
Elementary students will not wear costumes to school on this day. Parents, please come in after school to help children change into costumes and enjoy the fair.
Sincerely
Anna Thwaites-Wallace
Elementary Principal
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Dear Parents, Students & Staff,
FAB FEB FEVA!
I am extremely pleased to announce the SportFeva committee managed to secure sponsorship to run our annual event. This means we can run SportsFeva at a later date in this academic year.
The main event weekend will be:
Friday, 21st and
Saturday, 22nd of February 2014
February 2014 will mark a new era and blueprint for SportsFeva, with every subsequent SportsFeva to be held at this time of year. I will be working hard to ensure the model for this years SportsFeva is financially viable and sustainable for future generations at AISK. I spoke to many parents and students who expressed a desire to help in any way they can to ensure SportFeva could go ahead. I would love to harness that energy and welcome anyone who could offer assistance in any way at all, be it through volunteering, business links or sponsorship. In particular we need help housing international students and coaches. If you are in a position to do this, fantastic! We have secured:
1 team from Aruba,
2 teams from Bahamas,
4 teams from Cayman and
interest just yesterday from Curacao.
I hope to have as many teams in February, so please keep in touch!
Lets get FAB FEB FEVA!
Upcoming Matches:
Saturday 3:30pm U13's AWAY in a JISA, Alberga Cup Match vs Emmanuel Christian Academy
Monday 3:30pm U13's HOME in a JISA, Alberga Cup Match vs Glenmuir
Tuesday 3:30pm MS/HS Girls HOME in a friendly match vs Ardenne High
Wednesday 3:00pm U13's AWAY in a JISA, Alberga Cup Match vs Hopefield Prep at Buttercup field, Mona
Friday 3:00pm U13's HOME in a JISSA, Alberga Cup Match vs Hydel
Brad Ransom
Athletic Director
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Dear Parents,
Halloween Costume Party for MS/HS Students
Belvedere House is excited to host our very first Halloween Costume Party for MS/HS students on Friday, November 1 from 6:00pm-8:30pm - immediately after the Halloween Fair, being held on campus. This is an opportunity for MS/HS students to get together and have some fun celebrating the scariest time of the year.
There will be food, games, music, and lots of spook-tacular fun! There will be shuttle buses leaving from school to take students to Belvedere House beginning at 5:45pm. The shuttle buses will also return students to campus beginning at 8:00pm. If you would like to drop or pick up your child directly from Belvedere House, please contact Joe Russell for directions at
Please remember that all MS/HS students are allowed to come to school on Friday, November 1 in Halloween Costumes!
Warm regards,
Joe Russell
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
MAP TESTING LETTER and SCHEDULE
October 25, 2013
Dear Parents of students in Grades 3-9,
The 1st round of Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing will begin on Monday, October 28th and continue through Friday, November 8th. During this period, students in grades 3 through 9 will take a series of three tests. The tests will focus on their reading, language, and mathematical skills. It is essential that students are well rested and have eaten a healthy breakfast on their test days.
MAP is a unique standardized test, as students take these tests twice during the school year and results are received in a very timely manner. Parents will receive an Individualized Score Report outlining their child's results/progress after each testing session. Please note that the results are distributed as soon as they are available. For further information on MAP testing, please see www.nwea.org .
The current testing schedule is available below. In the interim, please feel free to contact Susan Canobie, MS/HS Principal or myself, Tricia Rudd, Personal Assistant, if you have further questions regarding any aspect of MAP Testing.
SCHOLASTIC INTERNATIONAL BOOK CLUB
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Scholastic International Book Club's catalogs will be distributed to each class this week. You will have an opportunity to choose the right book(s) for your child from a wide variety of books, and assist us in gaining free books to add to our library.
All orders should be placed online using the website
http://world.clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/american-intl-schl-kingston .
There is no cost for shipping and handling but each order will require a charge for customs fees, which is 7% of the total cost. Please note that AISK will receive a percentage of each dollar spent as bonus points/$ for orders placed online. These bonus points/$ will assist us in getting free books for our school.
All orders should be done in US dollars and the books will be shipped to the school. The final date for orders to be placed is Friday, November 22, 2013.
Please follow the steps below when placing your orders:
1. Go to the website http://world.clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/american-intl-schl-kingston
2. Enter the title of the book you've selected in the "Shop Search" bar and select search
3. The book you select, along with its information, will appear to the right of the screen. Change the quantity if necessary and select "Add to Basket". Please note that the price of the book is quoted in British pounds which you will have an opportunity to change prior to completing the order.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for additional books
5. After adding all the selected books to the basket select "Checkout" which is highlighted in green at the top right hand corner of the screen.
6. Review your order to ensure you've selected the correct books. Immediately above your order list you will see the words "choose your currency". The pound sterling symbol £ will be highlighted. Select $ to change the currency to US dollars. Select "Go to checkout" to proceed.
7. If there are any changes to be made, select "Edit Order". If not, complete the information required on the right side of the screen and proceed to the next screen.
8. Select next to confirm that your order will be sent to the school, review your order summary, and select "Dispatch Order to School".
9. Fill in your child's name and complete the payment details, then confirm your order.
10. Your order is complete and will be delivered in a few weeks.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Marrian McKay
Elementary I.T. and Media Center Teacher
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CAFETERIA MENU FOR THE WEEK
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