Director's Message
Rhonda Norris | rhonda.norris@aas.ru
Dear AAS Community,
In this newsletter, you will find:
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Health awareness initiatives at AAS
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Community connection opportunities
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Covid-19 notification process
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AAS learning pathways and winter break plans (video below)
Health and Wellness - Pinktober and Movember
Each Fall, AAS engages during the months of October and November in health awareness for women and men. This past month, students and staff participated in Pinktober, the long-standing awareness campaign first started in 1985 by the American Cancer Society. Pinktober for some means strength and survival and for others it is about advocacy and a focused effort to educate about the realities, prevention, or detection of breast cancer. Those who wore pink, wore wrist bands, and displayed pink ribbons helped prompt the conversations about women’s health and wellness.
AAS has now entered the time of Movember, which began in Australia in 2003 to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancers. During Movember, many men in our own communities and around the world grow mustaches, changing their appearance to create awareness and foster conversations about men’s health. We encourage students and staff to wear blue during the month of November on Thursdays and Fridays. In addition, the PTO and HS Inter-Club Council are collaborating on the sale of blue masks with a moustache. As of today, you can email pto.shop@aas.ru to pre-order your mask. The masks are 500 rubles and 10% of the proceeds go to charity.
Thank you to the PTO for their ongoing partnership to support women’s and men’s health.
Community Connection Opportunities Coming Soon
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NEW!November 10, at 17:00: ES Parent Coffee - Supporting Your Child In Learning Pathways via Webex.
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November 17 at 10:00: PTO Virtual Community Coffee with a special guest, dietitian and wellness trainer from Oriflame.
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NEW!November 19, 9:00am-9:45am: School accreditation team’s preliminary virtual visit and conversation with stakeholders. Please sign up via our focus group form.
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NEW! November 19, 18:30: Director’s Virtual Community Connection. Please submit your questions in advance of this meeting. (new)
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NEW!November 24, 10:00am: ES Parent Coffee: The role of ES Coaches via Webex
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November 26 - 27 (all day): Parent-Student-Teacher Virtual Conferences
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December 15, at 10:00: PTO Virtual Community Coffee.
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NEW!December 15 (after the PTO Community Coffee): Parent Virtual Workshop with educational consultants “Wellbeing Tools for Parents with Cathryn Berger Kaye and Christopher Dadefumi”
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December 17: Last day before the Winter Break
Covid-19 Notification Process
AAS will continue to provide communication when a positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for a student or staff member who has been on our campus. We appreciate those who shared feedback in relation to our close contact identification protocols. We have reflected and refined our protocols to ensure better alignment with the evolving science behind determining close contacts. We will continue to communicate via direct emails with all identified close contacts at the time of each individual case for the students and staff. The wider AAS community will receive a weekly update via the newsletter.
As of today, AAS has confirmed 22 positive cases related to individuals who have been on our campus science August. All close contacts have been notified from previous cases and the new cases this week will be notified shortly. The AAS Health Office will continue to be the primary point of contact for close contact follow-up at health.office@aas.ru.
Please open this video link to hear more about the AAS Learning model plans for after the Winter Break.
Thank you for your continuing collaboration in learning.
Rhonda Norris
Director
Anglo-American School of Moscow
ES Express
ES Principal Jeff.Hinton@aas.ru
ES Associate Principal Julie.Villers@aas.ru
ES Associate Principal Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
Dear ES Families,
We trust that you are enjoying the cooler weather and staying healthy.
UNHCR
Yesterday, the Grade 4 students were introduced to the work of the Russian branch of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees). Ms. Dina Musina joined our classes virtually to present the work she does in Moscow to protect and help refugees. This presentation was in correlation to the unit of Inquiry “Where We Are In Place And Time” where students will inquire about how “Human migration impacts People, Place and Time”.

Ms. Dina talked about reasons refugees migrate out of their country, how they arrive in Russia and what happens when they get here. She explained the work that her organization does in relation to the education of children, the procedure to get legal papers, the provision of supplies and shelter. Students listened then had a chance to ask questions.
Halloween
The last of the ES Halloween parties took place yesterday. The children seemed to really enjoy themselves, especially being dressed up in costume. Thank you again to the PTO/Ines/Room Parents for supporting this annual event. More Halloween photos.
ES Parent Coffees
We are planning two upcoming ES Parent Coffees.
- The first is on November 10: Supporting Your Child In Learning Pathways ( Webex 5:00 - 6:00 PM). During this session we will open up an opportunity for families to share both the challenges and great ideas/learning that have worked well for their children during both the Hybrid and Distance Learning pathways.
- On November 24; ES Coaches ( Webex 10:00 - 11:00 AM). During this session, our ES Curriculum Leader and Literacy, Math and Technology Coaches will speak about their role in supporting student learning through the support of teachers.
Movember
For the month of November, to bring awareness to men’s health, students may wear alternate dress (the color blue) on Thursday and Friday instead of their regular uniforms.
Enjoy the rest of your week and take care,
The ES Leadership Team
ES Counselors
What's Up in MS
MS Principal, Christopher Schuster chris.schuster@aas.ru
MS Senior Associate Principal, Karisti Cormier karisti.cormier@aas.ru
MS Associate Principal, Alex Lopez alexander.lopez-barton@aas.ru
Click here to like AAS MS on Facebook!
Back to Campus - On Monday, 9 November, MS Huddle A students will be able to join us back on campus as we restart our Hybrid Learning Pathway. Monday will be a Day 1 in the schedule.
Lockers - As cold weather has arrived, we realize the need for students to have a place to store their coats and boots. On Monday, Huddle A students will receive a locker assignment where they will be able to store their outdoor wear during the school day. We have been able to space out the lockers to provide some distance between each student. However, students will still be expected to carry their book bags with them to class and not keep other things in their locker.
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences - We will be holding our fall Parent/Student/Teacher conferences virtually this year on Thursday and Friday - November 26 and 27. Conferences will be 10 minutes each with another 5 minutes built in for transition. Next week we will send out an email with sign-up information for the conferences.
MS Counselor
James Villers | james.villers@aas.ru | Room 2075
November is typically the month when people in our community begin to feel the seasonal impacts of colder weather and decreased sunlight. For those new to this part of the northern hemisphere, these impacts can include feeling more run down, or even less enthusiastic than what is typical for us.
Fortunately, there are things we can do to combat the effects of the “winter blues.” Getting sufficient light (20-30 minutes per day) is beneficial, whether that light comes from the sun or from a specially-designed light source or lamp. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and regular sleep patterns can strengthen both our mental and physical states. And many medical and science professionals believe that sticking to daily routines helps us maintain our internal 24-hour clock, or circadian rhythm.
In these emotionally and mentally demanding times, building these healthy patterns into our routines has taken on crucial importance. You can read more about these ideas and strategies in this recent New York Times article. And because it’s also recent, and has a fresh take on some of the more typical suggestions for self-care, I will also share this article.
If you have additional resources related to any of the above, or if you feel your child needs support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
HS Flash
HS Principal, Christopher Schuster chris.schuster@aas.ru
HS Senior Associate Principal, Matthew Groves matthew.groves@aas.ru
HS Senior Associate Principal, Matthew Groves matthew.groves@aas.ru
HS Associate Principal, Andrew Wiese andrew.wiese@aas.ru
Progress Reports
Our first progress-to-date report of the year will be released to families on November 6. This progress report will include feedback specific to our Approaches to Learning, the habits and dispositions essential to building towards academic success.
Please use this important first check-in as a starting place for conversations with your child about their learning and progress thus far this academic year. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding a class you can always schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher to go over those in more depth.
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
We will also be hosting virtual Parent-Teacher-Student conferences November 26 and 27. A link will be shared in next week’s newsletter in order to sign-up for appointments with specific teachers. Please use these days as an opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and participate in a three-way conference on their learning.
Back to Campus - On Monday, 9 November, HS Huddle A students will be able to join us back on campus as we restart our Hybrid Learning Pathway. Monday will be a Day 1 in the schedule.
Lockers - As cold weather has arrived, we realize the need for students to have a place to store their coats and boots. This Friday, all HS students will receive a locker assignment where they will be able to store their outdoor wear during the school day. We have been able to space out the lockers to provide some distance between each student. However, students will still be expected to carry their book bags with them to class and not keep other things in their locker.
IB Office
Sean Sonderman sean.sonderman@aas.ru
Grade 12
Individual Planning Meetings
Mr. Sonderman is meeting with all Grade 12 students individually for the next couple of months to discuss Year 2 in the IB, progress on major works such as IAs and the Extended Essay, university plans, and Predicted Grades. The meetings are meant to provide context for the year and to identify weak points that need to be addressed. They are also intended to give each student a range of expectations for the Predicted Grades that are sent to universities. Many meetings will take place via Webex this year. Please discuss the results of your child’s meeting with Mr. Sonderman.
Extended Essays are due this week!
This Friday, November 6, seniors will upload the final Extended Essay. This will conclude a year’s worth of research and writing for our grade 12 students. Mr. Sonderman held an assembly on Monday concerning the final steps in preparing the EE. The seniors are almost there, just a few hours of work and this major component of the IB will be completed. Please note that there will be no extensions. Mr. Sonderman has drafts from all students. If a student fails to submit the final on Nov. 6, he will use the first draft. The seniors will need to concentrate on other important aspects of the IB Program and university applications, so it is critical that this piece come off of their plates.
HS Counselors
Bryn Will bryn.will@aas.ru supports students with last names beginning with L-Z
Lauren Zimmerman lauren.zimmerman@aas.ru supports students with last names beginning with A-K
Lauren Zimmerman lauren.zimmerman@aas.ru supports students with last names beginning with A-K
The HS Counselors held a Counselor Coffee last week on the topic of Maia Learning and how we use this online platform to take students on a path of self-discovery and awareness, and ultimately university research and applications. If you missed the presentation, here are the slides we went through and here is the recording of our session. Maia Learning has a parent access feature, so you should also have an email from Maia Learning today inviting you to join. Please follow the steps to create your account so you can be a part of your child’s journey!
Do you have other topics you would like to discuss or learn more about from your HS Counselors? We want the counselor coffees to be timely, pertinent and meaningful for you so your thoughts and ideas matter. Please share your ideas by responding to this short survey.
University visits for this week – Highpoint (US) and Ryerson (Canada) – visits take place on webex and are available to all HS students. More information about each university and upcoming events are located in Maia Learning.
Here is a link to an engaging webinar given by Tulane Admissions recently for parents. It is a good chance to learn more about US admissions overall as well as Tulane.
For those of you who are interested in the university application process in the United States, you can sign up for a Webinar offered by the United States Department of Overseas Schools that will take place on November 12 at 8am Eastern Time (16:00 Moscow time). You can sign up at this link.
Please know that we are here to support your child and you and that we are happy to hear from you.
Library News
Librarians: kelsey.hedrick@aas.ru & kris.feller@aas.ru
What does “curbside library” mean?
Parents and High School Students can request books for pick up from the AAS library.
These curbside days will replace our upcoming Saturday open days.
The next curbside date is scheduled for Saturday, November 7.
We will not accept any requests later than Friday morning.
How does it work?
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Request some books that you would like on our handy form.
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Wait for the “You’ve Got Books” email.
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Come to school on the days we have indicated in the emails.
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Drive to school (or walk, or taxi, or bus) with your badge to come to the Main Gate.
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Give your name to the librarians and pick up what you’ve requested.
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Return any books that you’ve finished.
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Enjoy your books at home!
Please visit Kris and K’s “digital libraries." Click around and enjoy!
We are bringing lots of links and fun stuff for our people.
Health Office
Email: health.office@aas.ru
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Flu Vaccine
- We are giving flu shots to students and staff and starting to schedule in parents for next week.
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We are using Vaxigrip Tetra, made in France (not Russia) and it contains all the components recommended by WHO for this year’s flu vaccine.
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Protecting Your Health and the Health of the AAS Community
- Considering the current COVID situation in Moscow, we are strongly advising to avoid crowded public places. Do take walks outside, but, please remember to take care of yourselves and your families by maintaining the recommended distancing precautions, wearing your masks, and thorough handwashing!
Penguin Life
Email: plife@aas.ru
PL Winter Season registration opens TODAY!
We will have limits for Activities and Sports, so kindly register early.
The first day of the season will be November 16 for both MS & HS
- HS link for registering: https://www.aas.ru/student-life/penguin-life/hs
- MS link for registering: https://www.aas.ru/student-life/penguin-life/ms
Season continue for: HS Robotics, HS Speech and Debate, HS MUN
MS Robotics, MS Speech and Debate, MS Strings
There are no new sign-ups for the Activities started in Fall season.
AAS Penguin Pumpkin Run
On October 31 Penguin Athletics hosted the season ending Pumpkin Run in the gorgeous fresh air of the south field. In support of our Cross Country teams, all of the Fall sports were invited to run. Jog, walk and dress up in “pumpkin attire” for the special day. Teams enjoyed the hot chocolate, halloween cookies and walk away with a great #bib and penguin pumpkin run t-shirt.
Our Penguin Pumpkin Run is also a Virtual International Cross Country event with 19 international schools from Columbia and Johannesburg to Beirut and Shanghai. We will post the international results in next weeks newsletter.
Thank you to all the parents that support the event and the thankful comments.
Student Project - Virtual Language Practice
Opportunity for MS students!
ATTENTION ALL MS PARENTS AND STUDENTS!
- Thanks to a HS CAS project, MS students now have the opportunity to practice their French, Russian, and Spanish language skills!
- As of this Friday, two HS students will begin offering virtual language practice.
- Hurry! Limited space available in individual and group practice sessions!
- Sign your MS student up at http://bit.ly/ms-language-practice
AAS Eco Green Facebook Yard Sale!
Daily deals for as low as 100 rubles!
- Be sure to check out and follow the AAS Eco Green Committee Facebook Page!
- You will find daily deals on items that we planned to sell during last year's Eco Green Yard Sale.
- See something you like? Post a comment and arrange to pick it up in Pokrovsky Hills or elsewhere.
- Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to ensure safety for yourself and others!
- All profits from the Facebook Yard Sale go towards funding AAS Eco Green initiatives!
- Huge thank you to Masha for all her work leading the Eco Green Committee and supporting green initiatives at AAS Moscow!
AAS Parent-Teacher Organization
email us at: pto@aas.ru
MESSAGE FROM THE PTO VP EXTERNAL
ELENA TRETIAKOVA | pto.external@aas.ru
Dear AAS Community!
Despite this extraordinary year, PTO tries to maintain the traditions of AAS. Last week, the ES had in-class Halloween parties, and a costume contest was organized for middle and high school students. Parents had the opportunity to take part in the PTO Connect event. We are glad to see that many of you appreciate participating in such events.
We hope that soon we will be able to return to our usual rhythm and be able to organize our AAS winter events as we used before.
All recent events were held thanks to the support of our sponsors. Specifically, we would like to thank Pepsico, Coca Cola, Mars, Ferrero and Oriflame cosmetics which have already sponsored us with their products this year. We are also looking forward to new sponsors to support our upcoming events. For suggestions and questions, please contact us.
Yours,
Elena Tretiakova
ES UPDATE!
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Thank you to everyone involved for making the Halloween parties a great success across all ES classes! It was amazing to see students smiling and being excited, dressing up is so much fun!
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Your ES child should have brought home a PTO letter regarding donations toward teacher, IA and single subject teacher gifts. Please consider making a voluntary contribution to recognise our teachers, IA and single subject teacher for their dedication to educating our children.
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For questions, comments or ideas, please contact Ines Cremers at pto.es@aas.ru
MS UPDATE!
To any MS parents who would like be added to our Parent WhatsApp groups, please email your contact information to the appropriate grade representatives:
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Grade 6: Antonella Oldani; antoldan@yahoo.it
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Grade 7: Ines Cremers; inescremers@me.com
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Grade 8: Myrte Dijksman-Schouten; myrtedijksmanschouten@gmail.com
PTO SHOP UPDATE
MOVEMBER AT AAS!
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The PTO is excited to team up with HS again to support a good cause!
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November is Men's Health Awareness month and we jointly come up with a "Movember" mask.
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If you are interested in buying some masks please email the PTO Shop at pto.shop@aas.ru.
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The price is 500RUB per mask, and 10% will be donated to a HS Club selected Charity.
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Together let's get informed about Men's Health, show our AAS School Spirit and support for this worthy cause.
email us at: pto@aas.ru
OCTOBER PTO CONNECT
28th & 29th of October, 2.00 - 3.30 PM
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Thank you for visiting us in our Halloween PTO tent last week
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It was spooktacular!
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It was so nice to hear your laughter, to see you smiling and to spend an hour or so just catching up and enjoying each others company
HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST
Voting ends November 8th at midnight
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Thank you all for sending in your photos! Thank you for participating in this contest!
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Now it's time to cast your vote!
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Choose the spookiest, the scariest, the creepiest Halloween costume!
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There are over 30 contestants, but only one will be lucky to receive over 3 kilos of candy!
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Prizes
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3rd place - 1kg of sweets
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2nd place - 2kg of sweets
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1st place - 3kg of sweets
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PTO EXCHANGE UPDATE
DROP OFF WEEK - November 9th - 13th - NEW
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We are excited to announce an Exchange Drop Off Service for next week.
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We will be collecting your no-longer-needed uniforms. You can donate your items, or get Swap Tickets in return, for future purchases at the PTO Exchange.
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When: Next week, 09-13 November, at the time of morning drop off.
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How:
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Pack your gently used uniforms, clean and ironed if possible, with no holes or stains, in a taped bag
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Marked the bag with student name and class/grade
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Write on the bag whether or not you would like Swap Tickets in return
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Give your bag to our volunteer while dropping off your students at the school entrance. We'll be present at the drop off, and will approach the cars to get your bags.
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All the uniforms will be quarantined at school, and sorted afterwards by our volunteers. Swap tickets will be available for you at the PTO Exchange once it starts to operate.
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Before packing your bags, we kindly ask you to review AAS uniform guide and the Exchange Swap rules. All items that will be found not swap-ticket-worthy, will be returned along with the Swap tickets.
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AAS uniform guide: https://www.aas.ru/student-life/uniforms
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What NOT to send: https://www.aas.ru/about-us/pto/shop-and-exchange (scroll to the bottom of the page)
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For more information, please contact Irina at pto.exchange@aas.ru.
PTO COORDINATORS NEEDED!
- Virtual New Book Fair Coordinator
- Winter Bazaar Coordinator - NEW
- Raise your hand and help us do even more great things for our school and students
- Contact us at pto@aas.ru to find out more