AAS Moscow Newsletter

Director News

Director News

We hope your families enjoyed the long weekend. If you were on campus this morning, you would have noted the implementation of temperature checks for every individual who enters the AAS campus. This was communicated in our last two communications and reflects the recommendations and/or requirements from local, regional, and international authorized sources. We anticipate that these circumstances will continue to evolve, and we are committed to collaborating and communicating timely, including in support of potentially launching distance learning.

Our staff were on campus Tuesday with all educators engaged in professional growth opportunities, including ongoing preparations for possible distance learning experiences for our students. AAS teams have been creating and refining learning plans for how to support students through 100% distance learning if required due to campus closure because of the coronavirus. Each division will share information with students and parents through a scheduled rollout with more details to come as we ensure our plans are ready for possible closure. In the meantime, absences and related missed schoolwork for students, when the AAS campus remains open, will be coordinated by their respective teachers in the same way that absences are normally managed. The distance learning plan applies only if the school campus is no longer open.

AAS Moscow has a strong and supportive community of individuals and teams that contribute to the high-quality learning experiences at the Anglo-American School (AAS) of Moscow. One such significant group of contributors is the AAS Board of Directors, who are the volunteer governing team at AAS. One of the primary responsibilities of the Board is the approval of the annual school budget. The Board has met to review and approve the 2020/2021 Budget. Please see the AAS Board Chair’s letter in regards to this approval.

The Anglo-American School of Moscow (AAS) Board is anticipating two vacancies for Community Member positions on the Board starting in the 2020/2021 school year. Learn more about the AAS Board. The Board welcomes your Expression of Interest for Board Membership for one of these positions. The Board will review the expressions of interest in light of the upcoming Board needs as well as the anticipated composition of the Board in terms of balances expertise of members with appointments later in spring to provide observation and transition before the end of this school year.

I recognize that these uncertain times can be emotionally challenging. The coronavirus situation is being added to challenges that we have been managing for multiple years as a community. It feels that our new normal, at least for now, is uncertainty. Our community has shown persistence and resilience in the past, and I am confident that we will continue to embrace what needs to be done as a part of our journey at each point in time. I am grateful to be a part of a community that is courageous, supportive, and thoughtful as we continue to move forward and stay grounded in our commitments as a school during the most demanding of times.

Warm regards,

Rhonda

ES Express

ES Principal Jeff.Hinton@aas.ru

ES Associate Principal J ulie.Villers@aas.ru

ES Associate Principal E ric.Burnett@aas.ru

We hope that you had a great long weekend that celebrated Women’s Day.

Student-Led Conferences

On Friday, March 27, students in the elementary school will be leading conferences for their parents. This is an important process for students to develop self-confidence, reflect on their practices, and to gain a better understanding of their learning growth this year.

What is a Student-Led Conference?

The student is in charge of the conference and shares work selected from his/her learning journey. Evidence of student work has been compiled to demonstrate each student’s growth. The students will share the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the year. Conferences will last for up to one hour.

Why Student-Led Conferences?

Students are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their work, goals, and their success throughout the year through their portfolio of learning evidence, which they share at the conference.
Students take ownership of the conference; this active involvement promotes student responsibility and accountability.
Students can reflect upon their learning when leading conferences.
Conferences provide an opportunity for the students to share their learning with their parents.
Conferences allow students to showcase their knowledge, skills, and understanding through actively participating in learning engagements.
Parents gain a better understanding of the classroom experience of their child.
Parents can celebrate learning growth with their children.

The student’s role

To collect, select, organize, and reflect on the items for their portfolio and to share learning experiences.

The teacher’s role

To ensure students are prepared for the conference.
Teachers will be circulating and participating in conferences as appropriate. You can always schedule an additional conference with teachers to discuss your child’s progress at a different time.

The parent’s role

To attend the conference with your child. It is important that you are there for them.
To ask supportive and inquiring questions. Examples of questions will be provided during the conferences if you would like to use them.

Conference Sign-Ups

An email will be sent to parents on Friday, March 13.

Distance Learning

In-line with the work in other divisions, as well as other like international schools, we are responding to issues surrounding COVID-19. Currently, our educational team is working hard to ensure distance learning plans are prepared in the event that a campus closure is needed. We will begin familiarizing our students with the necessary learning platforms so that if needed, they will be prepared to engage in distance education. Students may be bringing home an “at home” learning package that contains resources that would only be used if distance education was required. Detailed instructions of the distance learning plan, along with expectations for community members, will be communicated if distance learning is implemented. Teachers, counselors, and leadership are working together, supporting students, by regularly addressing concerns they might be experiencing, and students are continuing to be encouraged to take measures to reduce the spread of germs by:

Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth
Covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or coughing and sneezing into a sleeve or elbow (not your hands)

Stay healthy and enjoy the rest of your week.

Julie, Jeff, and Eric

ES Counselors

Sharon Ronan for PK-2 | sharon.ronan@aas.ru | Room 2131
Donna Hinton for 3-5 | donna.hinton@aas.ru | Room 2130

As you are having conversations at home about preventative health measures currently being taken, such as checking temperatures and the possible need for distance learning, please let your child’s counselor know if your child is expressing any worries or concerns. We are here to help.
Some ideas you might find useful:
- 1) stay positive and keep calm;
- 2) stick to the facts, but consider your child’s developmental stage when discussing them;
- 3) question the source of your child’s information, and fact-check when appropriate;
- 4) eliminate stigma and avoid blame; and
- 5) in case of anxiety, boost your family’s positive coping strategies.
As always, if you feel you need additional help with an anxious child, contact the school counselor.
- The video and link below may provide helpful support for your family.
  - Managing Feelings and Fears Associated with the Coronavirus
  - Brain Pop Video On Coronavirus
SURVEY FOR CLASSROOM PLACEMENT to let us know about factors unique to your child’s needs. Although we make every effort to place each student with a friend we cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
- The survey is only available for parents whose children are currently in grades PK - grade 4.
- The survey will be available until Monday, April 13 at 4:00 pm when the survey will close.