Director's Message
Rhonda Norris | rhonda.norris@aas.ru
Dear AAS Community,
Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you or the strength to face something that significantly challenges you. Courage can sometimes be viewed as an extraordinary and isolated act. I continue to witness each day displays of Courage@AAS from students going above and beyond their comfort zones, teachers taking risks on new approaches and ways to meet the situation, and parents being persistent in their engagement and support. I am amazed and impressed!
We are continuing to keep our community informed on Covid-19 related to AAS. Six new student or staff cases were reported since last Wednesday. The total number of reported cases this school year is now 33 for students and staff and 72 for parents who have reported their positive cases that are being monitored, particularly in relation to their children as close contacts. We will continue to update you weekly through the newsletter, in addition to posting On-campus Covid updates on our webpage. In addition, yesterday, Moscow extended the distance learning pathway for grades 6-11 students in public schools until December 6. We thank you for your continued support in taking all safety precautions to minimize your risk of infection.
We encourage you to participate in the virtual Director Community Connection that is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Thursday night, November 19, 2020. There will be an opportunity to ask questions through the chat during this event. You can also send your questions in advance.
Thank you to the PTO for another engaging and informative PTO Community Coffee, providing opportunities for us all to remain connected. If you were not able to attend, we have a video recording of the meeting and the wellness webinar that followed.
AAS continues to be proud of the learning experiences our students are engaged in daily. I would like to share the following learning celebrations and engagement opportunities:
Warmest regards,
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 hope you are well and have found a routine that works for your family as we continue on our Distance Learning pathway this week and next. Thank you for supporting your child so that they are ready and well prepared to engage in the learning opportunities being provided for them.
ES Virtual Parent Coffee
On November 24 (Webex 10:00 - 11:00 AM) we will have an ES Virtual Parent Coffee where our ES Coaches will be presenting. During this session, our ES Curriculum Leader and Literacy, Math and Technology Coaches will speak about their role in supporting student learning through their coaching of educators.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Thank you to the panel of students from Grades One to Five who met with our preparatory accreditation virtual visitors from NEASC. Their participation is of value to us as we believe in student voice and agency. These students did a great job of answering questions and sharing their perspectives. They demonstrated that in spite of the incredibly difficult circumstances the pandemic has presented, they are resilient, adaptable and flexible. The students exhibited a growth mindset, understanding and a positive attitude as we adhere to health and safety guidelines and transition through different pathways of learning this year.
Three-Way Conference
Conferences will be taking place on Thursday and Friday, November 26, and 27. These are non-instructional days and we ask that students join conference times with their parent(s) since they are the centerpiece of the conversations.
A Three-Way Conference is when the student, parents, and teacher are present and the student shares, shows, and reflects on his/her learning journey. The student is the center of this conference so his or her attendance is mandatory. Three-Way Conferences are a reporting mechanism, with both students and parents coming away with an understanding of achievement based on grade-level standards and expectations. Possible discussion points may include:
-
Portfolios
-
Student Goals Progress and Updates
-
Writing Samples
-
Social Development
-
Learner Profile
-
Reflection on Learning
-
Reading Assessment
-
Math (Content and Practices)
-
Summative Assessments
Out of courtesy and respect to other parents, please be on time and adhere to the schedule. These meetings are valuable, and it is important that all parents attend. You will be in a virtual Webex waiting room until your conference begins.
Students are required to wear their Formal School Uniforms or other similar attire.
Sign Up Online
-
Registration began on Monday, November 16, and will end on Wednesday, November 25 at 14.00.
-
Conference times can be scheduled from 08:00 to 16:00 and are approximately 20 minutes in length
-
Select your child’s grade level below and then their teacher. Times available are a light blue rectangle. Select a time, fill in the required details, and submit. You will need to complete a separate booking for each child if you have more than one in the ES.
-
Grade Two and Grade Three
-
Grade Four and Grade Five
If you would like to have a conference with your child’s Single Subject Teacher, please email them individually to find a mutually convenient time to meet.
Cozy November Padlet
A Cozy November Padlet has been set up by AAS Community Relations. It provides an opportunity for ES students to engage in offline contests, participate in quizzes and win wonderful prizes that will keep them warm and smiling all November! The Padlet and instructions can be found HERE.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
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!
Dear MS Families,
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
We already had many families sign up for conferences on Nov 26 and 27 to discuss their child’s learning. If you have not yet been able to, please use this link to choose a time to meet with your child’s teachers. This is also a great way to get to know your child’s teachers and learn more about what they are doing to support each student during our various learning pathways. If you have any issues with booking, please contact the MS Office.
Upcoming MS Calendar
If you are ever wondering what day it is in the MS/HS learning cycle, you can view the calendar here.
Here is an overview of the calendar between now and November 27.
Celebrating Learning this Week
Normally, you would see student art on the walls of our campus all throughout the year. Faculty and students are being more creative with display and celebration of their artworks this year. Thank you to our MS/HS Art Assistant Masha for creating a wonderful video celebrating Grade 6 student scratch art.
In this image, Ms. Maya’s Grade 6 elective - Behind the Mask are talking about facial recognition software and how it reads a face.
Have a save week!
MS Counselor
James Villers | james.villers@aas.ru | Room 2075
UNICEF, the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and development assistance to children worldwide, has some interesting parenting resources. This article from their website offers strategies for helping teens deal with these stressful times; I especially like this article because the fourth item on their list is caring for yourself, which is something all of us need to remember to do these days.
One maladaptive behavior that many teens might need help with is fighting against the tendency to “catastrophize.” Simply put, catastrophizing is thinking that hard situations are the equivalent of doomsday, that things will “never, ever get better.” The use of such extreme language can increase a teen’s feelings of anxiety and distress, or have other negative impacts on their well-being. When this happens, our children need us to remind them that simple mindful acts--like taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk, or listening to music--can get them back into a more calm, rational mindset.
November 25th and 26th are parent/teacher/student conferences. I will also be available for meetings during these days. If you would like to speak with me about your student then, or at any time, please email me.
MS/HS Conference Sign-Up Instructions
Supporting Students During Asynchronous Days
HS Flash
HS SENIOR ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL | matthew.groves@aas.ru
Wellness
Building on last week’s section of the Flash, we would like to announce two upcoming sessions for any interested HS family that will focus on this important topic. We know that this year will be disruptive and difficult for the entire community, we want to share with you some of the things we are doing to support your child. If you have specific questions or concerns about how your child is doing please reach out to one of the HS counselors, Ms. Zimmerman (last names A-K) or Ms. Will (last names L-Z).
Community Connections
- The first, on November 27th at 14:00, will delve into the wellbeing data gathered in the student surveys, comparing trends from 2019 to 2020 as well as discussing what we are doing as a school to support student wellbeing. Please join us using this link.
- During the second session on December 10th at 14:00, we will take a closer look at one particular aspect of our wellness survey, motivation. We will look at what students are reporting and the multi-pronged approach focused on this one area. Please join us using this link.
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
We have already had many families signing up for conferences on Nov 26 and 27 to discuss their child’s learning, if you have not yet been able to, please use this link to choose a time to meet with your child’s teachers. This is also a great way to get to know your child’s teachers and learn more about what they are doing to support each student during our various learning pathways.
Upcoming HS Calendar
If you are ever wondering what day it is in the MS/HS learning cycle, you can view the calendar here.
Here is an overview of the calendar between now and Nov 27
Celebrating Learning this Week
HS LitMag Club published a thought provoking edition focused on the concept of Bravery.
Well done LitMag team and thank you to all of the contributing artists, poets, and writers!
Below is a snapshot from a grade 11 IBDP Theatre Arts class.
Students were participating in a warm-up activity led by Mr. Welbes in the first few minutes of class.
HS Choir Collaborated with AAS Community Relations on a Music Video
IB Office
Sean Sonderman sean.sonderman@aas.ru
100% of Seniors Uploaded Their Extended Essays
The deadline for the final Extended Essay came and went on Friday, November 6. I am happy to report that all the Grade 12 students met the internal deadline for this milestone component of the IB Program at AAS. This is especially worth celebrating given the difficulties this academic year and last have presented. We will, of course, now spend some time reading and completing academic honesty checks, formatting, etc. The final steps in the process include the viva voce defense of the paper with the students’ respective EE Supervisors and the presentation of the EEs in the Extended Essay Gallery Walk, which this year will be presented virtually. Through this year’s EE Gallery Showcase, the students will share their EEs with the community. Congratulations to the Class of 2021. Well done!
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
Your HS Counselors are currently attending (virtually!) the Council of International Schools' annual Global Forum on International Admissions. We attend this 3-day event each year in order to connect with admissions officers around the world, and to learn about the most recent topics related to higher education. This is one way that we keep abreast of current trends and topics in admissions in order to ensure a high level of support for our students.
This next week's university visits:
Minerva University (US) and U. of Warwick (UK).
Both presentations are at 12:15PM on Wednesday, Nov 25th via Webex. More information about each university is located in Maia Learning along with recordings of prior visits - click on past events.
Article of the week: The Importance of a Growth Mindset
It is an easy time to get stuck in the mindset of “I can’t”, and to see current challenges as insurmountable. Encouraging and practicing a growth mindset for ourselves and our children will not only support wellbeing at this time, but it will give us skills we can use to deal with future challenges. Adopting a growth mindset also allows us to focus on the process of learning and problem solving that takes place when we confront difficult situations. We hope you enjoy this article as in introduction to a growth mindset.
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
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
Flu Shots Schedule
Even during Distance Learning, the AAS Health Office is open for flu shots!
Fri, November 20, 10am -- 4pm
Wed, November 25, 8am -- 4pm
If an alternative time is required, please contact health office to arrange!
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
Many new updates!
Email: plife@aas.ru
Exciting week in Penguin Life!
Our HS and MS students participate in several international events this week demonstrating their great skills and perseverance.
- HS students Isaac, Finn and Maria represent AAS at THIMUN Singapore online conference. This is the first time that AAS students participate in this prestigious and reputable event. We are very proud of them!
- Our HS Speech and Debate team has entered the CEESA online tournament with 8 team members, representing AAS in Debate, Oral Interpretation and Original Oratory.
- Our MS Speech and Debate team has entered the CEESA online tournament with 5 team members, representing AAS in Debate and Oral Interpretation.
- We wish both teams the best of luck during the online rounds and finals this Friday and Saturday! Go Penguins!
Visit our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on what’s new in Penguin Life and to support the AAS Penguins.
PL Winter Season updates
- Season has started for MS Mathcounts participants. During the DL period practices are taking place on Wednesdays, during the asynchronous day. If you have questions about this activity, please contact plife@aas.ru or coaches Ms Ridley and Mr Bullock.
- HS Knowledge Bowl season will start the week of December 1. If you have questions about this activity, please contact plife@aas.ru or coaches Ms Donovan and Mr Fogel.
- Registration for Winter Season activities remains open. We welcome students that are in Moscow, as well as those who are not here yet to join in.
ATHLETICS
- We are pleased that you have registered your child for the 2020 Penguin Athletics Winter season. Unfortunately we have a slight delay for the start of the season but we are ready and excited to see the students on the courts and in the pool on November 30. Check out the following pages for more information: HS Athletics Webpage and MS Athletics Webpage (Calendar will be updated on November 25)
- MS & HS Swimming have started with dryland training this week. Coaches have sent an email to all students that have registered. Check out the email and kindly make sure swimmers join the Google Classrooms for the teams. Google Classroom will be the primary means of communication regarding information and workouts for the swimmers!
COMING SOON
Penguin Best Practices - starting this month, athletics will be exploring new ways to support our students and parents off the playing field. We will have some information sessions, parent coffee’s, course work, and contests related to topics of interest for parents and students. We are looking forward to having some great conversations with our penguin parent community. Some of the possible topics of interest will be:
- Concussion in Sports
- Performance Enhancing Substances
- The Parent Seat - Supporting your child in athletics & activities
- First Aid, Health & Safety
- NCAA Eligibility - Want to play sport after high school
- Sport Nutrition, Social Media, Sportsmanship
- And more!
AAS Literary Magazine
Student-run publication!
Cozy November
This week's contest and prize!
NEW CHALLENGE AND PRIZE THIS WEEK!
Engage in this week's Cozy November contest, "Who am I - Penguin Art", and you can be the lucky winner of a super-comfy kigurumi!
All you need to do is to follow these instructions:
- Download the penguin outline (from the padlet or Facebook post)
- Print and create your own unique penguin with pencils, paint, collages, playdoh, etc...
- Or, use a digital paint/markup app to make a unique digital penguin
- Finished? Post your work to padlet.com/AASMoscow/cozy_november
- Best penguin art wins a Penguin Kigurumi next week!
Cozy November
Last week's winner!
AAS Parent-Teacher Organization
email us at: pto@aas.ru
MESSAGE FROM THE PTO PRESIDENT
KRISTINA TADIC | pto@aas.ru
I am still under the empowering influence of yesterday’s Community Coffee meeting. Thank you for participating and taking an active part in the AAS community! Thank you for wearing blue to support Movember, and thank you for all your support, smiles, and thumbs up.
Running a WebEx meeting is not easy, but with you, I felt like we were in the same room; the warmth and connection was there, and for moments I thought we were again in the school in our South Cafeteria. It is always inspirational and motivational to meet you and to remind myself how lucky we are to have each other, how lucky we are to have a strong, positive and supportive community we can always count on!
I would like to thank our Director Rhonda Norris for her words and deeper explanation of the latest school decisions.
The surprise of the meeting was three members of the school board. Julia Crouch (Board Chair, British Embassy Executive Committee Member), Sonata Coulter (US Embassy Executive Committee Member), and James Golsen (US Embassy Board Member) participated in the meeting and showed their support to the ASS community. We thank them for joining us and we hope to see them again, same as other Board Members.
A big thank you goes out to the PTO Executive Committee team for presenting what is going on in the PTO and what events our community can expect in November and December, please take time and read about all PTO activities below.
Another big thank you goes out to our Guest Speaker, Marlene Nordlander (Dietician & Wellness Trainer from Oriflame), for the time, effort, knowledge, and passion she shared with us. We had a great opportunity to learn, refresh, and get a reminder of what is the most important in our life, health, and how to nourish it and improve it. Thank you Marlene, we will for sure see you and hear from you again.
If you missed our meeting yesterday, do not worry, here is the link to the meeting, and make sure you join us on 15th of December for our Happy Holidays Community Coffee, last one in this calendar year.
Stay strong and healthy, AAS community, smile often, be compassionate and help each other!
Yours,
Kristina
STAY HEALTHY AND FIT DURING COVID
by Marlene Nordlander, Dietician & Wellness Trainer in Oriflame Cosmetics
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- November 18 - 25 | SMOOTHIE CONTEST
- November 18 - December 3 | ONLINE HOLIDAY NEW BOOK FAIR
- November 30 | VIRTUAL PTO CONNECT
- December 3 | CULTURAL TRIP
- December 15 | PTO HAPPY HOLIDAYS COMMUNITY COFFEE
ONLINE HOLIDAY NEW BOOK FAIR
NOVEMBER 18 - DECEMBER 3
- The holidays are approaching and we can not imagine a better gift for your dear ones than a book.
- We have prepared the stocklist with 4500 books exclusively available for the AAS community with a 30% discount to market price in Russia! Check out this SPREADSHEET
- You can choose the books from different Categories: Christmas Books, Activity Books, Non-Fiction, Board Books, Illustrated Books 0 – 5 Years, Fiction 5-7 Years, Fiction 7-9 Years, Fiction 9-11 Years, Young Readers, Harry Potter Series, Minecraft Series, Young Adult
- The spreadsheet with the stocklist is very easy to navigate – it is indicating ISBN code, Title name, Author, Price, Format, Category and hyperlink to click on and see more details about the book or you can copy ISBN code and paste it into Amazon.com to get more details about the book and to see its cover.
- Check out this SPREADSHEET with all the books! Start browsing and choosing your favorite books.
- Your ORDER FORM needs to be submitted by December 3.
- DELIVERY will be on 9th-11th of December
- Doorstep delivery 350 rub, FREE for orders above 2000 rub
- Pick up point delivery - FREE
- English book company office: Leningradskoe Shosse 57k1 (‘Rechnoy vokzal’ Metro) 9am - 8pm, Phone +7 (495) 128-21-04
- US Embassy - Contact Dayra pto.ms@aas.ru
- Green Buildings: Beregovaya 4. Contact: Naree pto.treasurer@aas.ru
- Pokrovsky Hills: Beregovaya 3, PB 63. Contact: Kristina pto@aas.ru
- PAYMENT upon the delivery. Please prepare the exact amount of money and place it in the envelope or similar
- We would love to have our fair in our beloved Malyy theatre, though due to current circumstances, this is simply not possible. We ask for your understanding if this event is a bit different than previous years.
SMOOTHIE CONTEST | NOVEMBER 18th - 25th
-
everyone wins
- make your smoothie or raw balls following the recipes here
- take a photo
- send it to pto@aas.ru by Wednesday, November 25th (initial deadline was prolonged upon your request)
- all participants win Chocolate/Strawberry protein bars
VIRTUAL PTO CONNECT | November 30
- Join here: https://webex.com/meet/pto
- Bring your own coffee & drop in for a chat on Webex on Wednesday, 17th, any time between 10.30 - 11.30am.
CULTURAL TRIP | DECEMBER 3rd
Socialist Realism vs Lubyanka Reality - GULAG TOUR
- Discover Stalin's time, the tragic past of the Soviet people in the Great Purges, and the brightest world of Soviet Utopia.
- Our tour starts in front of the notorious KGB building on Lubyanka Square. What methods did Bolsheviks use to retain power? Do you know how the inner prison of Lubyanka functioned? Where was the bone-chilling "Shooting House" in Moscow? How many people were affected by the Great Purges? During our walking tour, we'll learn Russian history through the life stories of people who lived through the turbulent 20th century.
- The second part of the tour takes place inside NB Gallery. We'll discover a beautiful collection of Socialist Realist art. We'll have a guided tour around the Gallery collection and talk about the brightest world of Soviet Utopia.
- Tour duration: 2 hours, 1hour walk + 1hour in the Gallery
- Tour cost: 1500 RUB per person
- Meeting time: 10am
- Meeting point: TBA
- Sign up deadline: 30th of November at pto@aas.ru