Category Archives: From the Library …
Grade 5 Exhibition
Visible ThinkingTraining for Staff
Some of our Elementary Staff spent the weekend being trained on various processes to encourage critical thinking and how to create a positive culture of thinking in their classrooms. Lisa VerKerk from the International School of Amsterdam was brought in for the weekend course which stems from Project Zero at Harvard.
- Large Group Discussion
Lisa, our workshop leader from the International School of Amsterdam.
2013-14 Elementary Calendar
iPad Meeting and New Phone Number
Dear Parents,
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We apologize for the mix-up with the date for the scheduled IT Initiative meeting next week. The meeting will be held in the library at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2nd. We look forward to seeing you then.
Also, please update your contact information for the school. The old number (2225-5155) is no longer valid. All calls to the school should now be made to 1-843-247. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. |
Sincerely, Russ McLean, Superintendent
1:1 Technology Initiative Parent Night Invitation
Dear Parents:
We have been operating in a wireless environment on campus this year and students and teachers are gradually adapting to the use of new tools as they access knowledge directly from the internet. When we met concerning the IT initiative in November, I undertook to meet again to update you on implementation and to solicit your feedback.
Please join us on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. There will be a short presentation updating our progress toward the strategic goal set in 2008-09: By 2014 AIS will be a wireless campus where 1 to 1 e-learning is the norm.”
We will then solicit feedback and direction from parents about e-learning. We need your feedback on what has happened and your input on future directions.
We look forward to seeing you!
Russ McLean
Superintendent
Homework
We have completed a lengthy look at homework in the school. The discussion began with parents, went to the elementary school leadership, through the Parent Advisory group and concluded with teachers. In the end we found that Mr. Robert and his previous efforts with staff are still where we stand. This makes a great deal of sense since the position is based on good practice and research with a strong respect for the families we serve at AIS. You will find your teacher following the guidelines carefully.
Please take a moment and read the Homework Policy posted by Mr. Robert along the right side of this screen. We will be making every effort to adhere to our policy. Some important points are:
- homework will be purposeful and relevant to the current learning in the classroom
- homework will not be sent home on weekends and holidays (homework may carry over a weekend with a long term project or studying)
- homework will not be sent home simply to occupy students or to fulfill tutoring obligations
- parents provide critical learning connections at home
- reading is a healthy part of a students daily life and should be greatly encouraged
We look forward to continuing to work with you on this issue. Our primary concern is always your child and how we can serve their learning needs best.
Parent Advisory Meeting Notes
January 21 – Parent Advisory Meeting, 7:00-8:15 pm
Agenda:
1 Canteen – We discussed the food choices and organization of canteen services.
We had a good discussion about our canteen services. Our parents were informed that the services come from an approved list through the Ministry of Education. We must choose from this list and then work with the provider to keep prices at an acceptable level for the students. A goal of the school is that students can always eat for less than a KD.
Parents expressed a desire for more healthy choices. While salads and other healthy options are available, students still eat hamburgers and other choices that may not be so beneficial. There has been progress in this area in recent years but more progress is needed. Educating students about healthy choices is a part of our program and will continue to be in the future.
We focused on the small canteen on the Grade 1/2 playground. Currently the offering is very limited and primarily offers pizza and popcorn. We discussed a couple of options including :
- closing the canteen on this playground.
- adjusting the current menu for more healthy options
- replacing the service with prepared meal packages (ie., a juice, fruit, sandwich)
We will report on this progress for next meeting.
2 Homework Policy – Staff is reviewing homework practice in this weeks staff meeting. I wanted to hear parent feedback of current experiences.
Parents were informed of current practice and philosophy regarding homework at the various grades. Questions were posed about the validity of some of the exercises and the amount of involvement requested of parents. Opinions were expressed both towards having more and having less homework. The lack of feedback given in some situations was a concern.
These opinions will be expressed to staff at our meeting this week and we will work to build a more consistent model with purpose. Thank-you for your opinions!
3 Entry and Exit Practice – POSTPONED TO NEXT MEETING
4 ISA Testing February 12-13 for Grades 3 and 5. A brief update was given about the purpose of such testing. We will use the results to guide future goals and PD with the staff. It informs us as to how we compare with like schools in the world and were we need to grow. Individual results will be given to the students but we focus more on group performance and trends.
Thank-you to the larger than expected group that attended. The conversation was very valuable and I enjoyed listening to you. I will try to change the meeting time and location next month.
January 21 – School is not cancelled.
School will be conducted as usual today. Please be careful and take the time needed to travel safely. Take all measures that you see as appropriate to arrive safely.
Parent Advisory Meeting – Monday, January 21
January 21 – Parent Advisory Meeting, 7:00-8:15 pm
Agenda:
1 Canteen – We will discuss the food choices and organization of canteen services.
2 Homework Policy – Staff will be reviewing homework practice in two weeks. I would like to hear parent feedback of current experiences.
3 Entry and Exit Practice – A discussion of morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up at the school. What is working and what we could be doing differently.
4 ISA Testing February 12-13 for Grades 3 and 5.
