Interim Upper ES Principal | Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

💙  Respect in the Classroom

Respect is one of our Core Values consistently emphasized throughout the day - respect for how we communicate with each other, respect for how we behave, respect for spaces and materials, and respect for each other’s specific learning needs.

In the first few days of school, when classrooms established their Essential Agreements, respect popped up time and again when students brainstormed what was important to them in their classrooms.

The establishment of Essential Agreements is a key starting point for conversations, but the true growth comes once we start interacting with each other. Teachers (and often students) are on the lookout for teachable/learnable moments where the agreements could be applied. We encourage our teachers to protect and prioritize time to nurture classroom environments built on all of our Core Values - especially Respect, and these conversations can also come after a disagreement at recess, a conflict over personal space at the lockers, or a miscommunication about what each person needs when they’re working.  

Earlier this week, in an Upper Elementary classroom, students were taking a Brain Break, and a couple hesitant students stood to the side and started to roll their eyes. Others started noticing the eye-rolling and became more inhibited about their own participation. Instead of continuing, the teacher stopped the class, and some students shared what they were feeling and how they might have felt respected or disrespected. After this needed exchange, after students could better “feel” respect, the class restarted the Brain Break, and every student was able to stretch their comfort zones and recharge for the next lesson.
 

🎯  Goal Setting Conference

This week, you will receive registration information for next week’s conferences.

Please note that you need to sign up for a conference time for each of your children in the Elementary School and that, if your child receives Student Support Services, you will only need to sign up for one time slot with the SSS teacher, as both teachers will be attending.

A structural change will have these meetings look different to families, compared to prior Goal Setting Conference experience at AAS. To best ensure every student walks away truly aware and confident about their next steps as a learner, each student will be choosing one overarching holistic goal that can apply to all learning environments. In the days leading up to next week’s conferences, teachers will work with students to narrow down which PYP Learner Profile attribute (Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, Reflective) best matches where they want to focus their efforts this quarter. During and after the conferences, please be willing to support attainment of that goal, both at school and at home. In some instances, there will be other focus areas for growth that are discussed.
 

💻  Last week of One Way Interaction

To best enable our teachers to prioritize supporting our on-campus students, this Friday, September 17th, will be the final day of one-way video access into the classroom.
 

⚽️  Profile on PE

by Jenny Collins, Department Leader

In Elementary PE, we focus on exploring and developing the skills needed to enjoy a variety of physical activities that promote long-life wellbeing.  At the moment, our 2nd through 5th graders are developing their foot-eye coordination skills (foot dribbling, passing, and kicking). This is done through a diverse collection of games and activities that allow students to improve their skills at their level.

Most students enjoy participating in a game called 3 Kick Kickball that not only allows them to work on their foot-eye skills, but also teamwork abilities and strategies. During the unit's provocation, one student remarked that he hadn’t realized that there are so many different sports and activities that use kicking skills, not just soccer (football), and he was excited to learn more about them.  At the end of this unit, each student will have a chance to create a video reflection on their progress during this unit.

Don’t forget to check it out on Toddle in a few weeks!

Interim Upper ES Principal | Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

⭐️  Core Values

Integrity and Beyond

Although this year we are focusing on the Core Value of Integrity, we will continue to discuss and model our other Core Values to help our students develop and practice their inter- and intra-personal skills. When we all actively turn on the lenses of Respect - Integrity - Courage - Curiosity - Care, we start to notice that our students have the opportunities to demonstrate these traits all through their days, in ways expected and often unexpected.

Recently, Care was showcased in a not-so-common manner. A few weeks back, on the first day of school, a 2nd grade student showed care for his PreK sister by taking her bags out of the car, whispering encouragement to her while she clutched onto her dad’s leg, and then holding her hand as they navigated through the unfamiliar entrance to her classroom hallway. Flash forward two weeks - this same boy on Monday showed care in an entirely different way. He jumped out of the car, grabbed his bag and just waited for his sister to get out of the car on her own. The PreKer hopped out of the car, hugged dad and then walked off with big brother. They chuckled and chatted about the upcoming day and when big brother stopped to say hello to a teacher, he motioned for her sister to go on ahead. And without a pause...she smiled, shared a “Пока-пока!” and then scuttered off independently to the doorway. At different times, in vastly different ways, he showed the care his sister needed. Two weeks ago, care meant holding a hand. Monday, it meant saying goodbye and letting her enter her school day unaccompanied.

Unexpected care shown in an unexpected way.
 

🎯  Goal Setting Conferences

 September 23 & 24 

On September 23rd and 24th, the Elementary School will be having our Goal Setting Conferences.

At these 20-minute conferences, students will be sharing their personally chosen goals - how they arrived to choosing them, what they mean, and what will be the next steps. In the coming weeks, students will begin looking at our PYP Learner Profile to determine which attribute they want to choose as their overarching goal.

About THE PYP Learner Profile

Should your son choose Risk-Taker, he might talk about areas where he’s struggling to be a risk-taker, and what being a risk-taker for him would look like when learning a new skill in PE, or sharing his thinking during math class, or experimenting with colors in Art, or trying out new types of dialogue when writing a personal narrative. Should your daughter choose Open-Minded, she then might talk about how she will demonstrate open-mindedness when she converses about foods in Spanish, or chooses books during her literacy block, or listens to new genres in music, or debates perspectives during her Unit of Inquiry.

For some students, their goals will be firmly established and the conference will be a chance to share their best thinking. For others, their goals might evolve over the course of the conference, as they reflect on new information or debate where they might better dedicate their time.

Next week, families will receive directions for signing up for their Goal Setting Conferences. For families with multiple children in the ES, please ensure you sign up for each child independently. Also, parents of children in Student Support Services (SSS) will only need to sign up for one conference, where both their SSS and Homeroom teacher will be in attendance.

We look forward to seeing you on Webex in a couple weeks.
 

👕  Uniform Sales

Over the last few months, we’ve been upgrading our payment system to enable uniform transactions.

We understand this delay has been frustrating for families who want their children to have a school uniform, and we are hopeful that in the next week, the system will be finalized so we can start inviting parents to purchase clothing shortly after.
 

💻  Toddle Update

Thank you in advance for your efforts to support and motivate your students to reach their goals.

We are extremely fortunate this year, that, through our Toddle system, you’ll be able to actively share in your students’ learning.

By now you hopefully have been able to sign into our new school platform - Toddle - that will be fully used across all grades in the elementary school. Toddle is a collaboration platform designed specifically by IB teachers for IB teachers. It integrates curriculum planning, evidence collection, student portfolios, and reporting.

In the coming weeks you can nourish learning by:

• Making sure you are signed in to the platform
• Discussing class/student posts with your child 
• Giving encouraging positive comments/“Likes” to a post
• Checking for any school/class announcements

If you have not yet received your family’s login information, please contact your homeroom teacher. If you have multiple siblings, please follow the link below for hints on how to add sibling profiles in one family app.

Adding Sibling Profiles

If you have any technical questions, please email directly to distance.learning@aas.ru.
 

🐧  After School Activity Expansion

This first season, we’ve been extremely fortunate to provide two new after school Penguin Life opportunities - Swimming to Grades 4 and 5 and Drama Workshop to Grades 3.

We recognize that although many families were excited at these offerings, others found themselves a bit discouraged that more choices weren’t available to different grade levels, or that there were some challenging limitations for those that were available (needing to be picked up at the end of the activity and not being able to engage with students from another classroom).

Please know that we are constantly looking for ways to expand our extracurricular offerings, but our foremost priority is ensuring our choices don’t endanger our ability to maintain on-campus learning.

As the season progresses and we’re able to determine the impacts of these programs (both intended and unintended), we’ll be more thoughtfully able to engage in conversations about what could be available after the November break.

We will continue to keep you updated as our thinking evolves.
 

📹  One-Way Video Access

 September 17 

For those students currently unable to be on-campus due to extenuating circumstances, the final day for One-Way Classroom Video access will be September 17th.

From that date, our educators will be focusing exclusively on supporting the learning of the students in the classroom.

Interim Upper ES Principal, Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

🎯  Goal Setting Conferences

 September 23 & 24 

This week, the Middle and High School will be offering a chance for families to connect with teachers through their Back to School Nights.

After our initial Open House conversations, Elementary School parents might be wondering what will be the next scheduled time to communicate with teachers. In the Elementary School, we have three scheduled conferences throughout the year - the first of which is our Student-Led Goal Setting Conferences on September 23rd and 24th.

This year, those conferences will again happen virtually and students will not come to school. During these conferences, students will share with their parents their goals -  academic, executive functioning and/or interpersonal. Over the course of the year, these goals will be revisited in the classroom, and please continue to discuss them in your family conversations.

In a couple weeks, families will receive notification of the sign-up procedure, so they can choose an online WebEx appointment that works for both their family’s and their teacher’s schedules.
 

🐧  Integrity and our Daily Passes

In Arthur Miller’s 1953 play - the Crucible - the lead character John Proctor refused to sign his name to a paper that would free him from punishment, but would force him to sign his name to a falsehood. He justifies his choice, proclaiming to all, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!”  

This scene revealed the ultimate test of Integrity.

Every day, all members of the AAS community have their own test of Integrity when we complete our Daily Passes. A few members of the community have in the past questioned, “Do you know that some people could lie on these forms?”  Yes, dishonesty is always a possibility, but in our school we believe that our community members, when faced with a difficult decision, will choose Integrity as their guiding value.  When we all fill out the Daily Passes honestly, we best ensure our community can stay healthy, that our medical staff can follow up appropriately to support families, and that student learning can remain on campus as long as possible.  As the filling out and signing of passes becomes more repeated over time, it might feel to some like an insignificant task, void of meaning.  But please remember that when we fill out these passes, our Integrity is being tested.  So if ever someone asks you to choose expediency over honesty, please let them know why you chose honesty.

Because it is your name.
 

📋  Thinking Ahead in Case a Class Moves to Distance Learning

Because some or our families are new to our ES community, and as a friendly reminder to those who were at AAS last year, should individual classes ever need to move to the Distance Learning pathway in response to a Covid situation, please see our procedures below.

• We will employ a modified Distance Learning schedule that will maximize learning, while minimizing screen time.
• Classroom teachers will share their schedule of meeting times, recognizing that realities of the learning experience could mildly alter the intended plan.
• Single Subject Classes (Music, Art, PE) will not meet synchronously, but will provide optional learning experiences.
• Students will access the learning through their iPads, using primarily WebEx links to their classroom teacher’s account and Toddle activities.

Although we hope the need to employ the Distance Learning pathway does not emerge, we want to ensure families know in advance, so that they can discuss a plan for how their household would adjust to the altered learning environment.
 

📚  Identifying Student Belongings

Please ensure your students belongings (clothing, backpacks, water bottles) are labeled with your family name.

Because many items look similar and/or students might not yet know exactly which items are theirs, this labelling will help with any later needed identification.
 

💻  Digitally Connecting to Your Child’s Learning

Powerschool and Toddle

In the Elementary School, we have two methods for families to digitally engage in their students’ learning and the classroom experience.

Foremost is Toddle. Through our Toddle system, students are able to access their class resources and share their learning with their teacher, classmates and families. In addition to providing regular glimpses into the classroom experience, Toddle will also be the platform for how we will share our more formalized semester reporting.

At the ES level, families will primarily use Powerschool for accessing attendance data and teacher email addresses (the MS and HS use additional features of this system).

For both of these platforms, we need families this week to login and activate their accounts. Toddle login information will be shared by classroom teachers, and further directions can be found through our Parent Toddle Sign-In presentation.

Toddle Sign In Information

If you have not yet received the Toddle activation information from your classroom teacher, you can in preparation download the app. Powerschool login information was shared in a Monday email. Please reference these two correspondences for more detailed instructions, and if you have any questions, please contact distance.learning@aas.ru.
 

Interim Upper ES Principal, Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

Welcome to the new year!

These last few days, we have felt so fortunate to have our halls and classrooms filled with the energy, the chuckles and the excitement of our students. As the students stepped off the busses, exited their cars and entered in from the gates, we saw a bit of nerves, a bit of relief, and a whole lot of anticipation (even from their parents!). From these early arrivals, our students then headed off to their classrooms where teachers started to build their classroom communities - learning more about students’ lives and interests, finding out about what’s possible this year in the classroom and beyond, and setting classroom agreements for how everyone will be treated.
 

💙  Integrity in the ES

Throughout the year, we’ll be showcasing how our school value - Integrity - pops up across our division.

Integrity can be defined in so many ways, but one of the foremost traits of someone with integrity is someone who is honest - honest in their academic choices, their interactions with others, and their self-reflection. Honesty is also something that is not always learned from what we say, but more often from what we do. Our children are constantly taking cues from their community for how honesty is defined, so please join us this year in seeking out teachable moments when you can uncover what honesty means to your family.
 

📖  Home Learning Policy

In the AAS Elementary School, we believe that the school day is intellectually demanding, and that when students return to their homes we want them to enjoy the time with their families and friends, and pursue their individual interests.

Subsequently, we will not be assigning regular “homework” that stands in addition to the work they complete during the day. The most important learning students can do at home is reading - reading from a variety of genres; reading to family members and reading with family members; and having active conversations about what is being read.  In addition, based on the grade of the students, on Monday through Thursday, additional time might be spent either completing projects or practicing musical instruments. For more information on our Home Learning policy (including what happens during extended absences) please check out our "School Handbook".

Read School Handbook Here
 

🚍  Dropping Students Off and Picking Them Up

To ensure a safe and efficient arrival and departure for our students, we ask you to adhere to the following procedures.

• Students will have a staggered dismissal
  • Walking students are able to be picked up at 3:30
  • Students being picked up by drivers are ready at 3:40
• If dropping off/picking your students up by car, please
  • Pull your car up to the furthest available drop-off spot to allow more cars in the queue
  • Remain in your car and students will be brought to you
• Please ensure you’ve secured a badge from the office.
• Please follow all directions (and adjustments) provided by our Security Team
• Please do not walk across parking lot
   

🎨  Art Integration

To allow for a better opportunity for Art-UOI integration in Grade 2-5, Art classes in those grades will now meet twice every 6-day cycle for one semester.

Grade 3+4 art will happen during the first semester and Grade 2+5 art will be in the second semester. In the alternate semester, those grades will not be having art class. We’re excited for the possibilities of how students’ creativity and artistic expression will be further sparked as they will be able to make even more connections from their classroom learning to their art experiences.
 

🍲  Ordering Lunch

To ensure the accurate preparation and delivery of food to your student(s), please use our school ordering system on our Nutrition at AAS page.

Orders should be placed by Friday of the previous week. Any questions regarding our cafeteria should be directed to mos.cafeteria@aas.ru.

ES Senior Associate Principal Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

Dear ES Families,

❤️  Thank You

The Elementary School would like to thank our students and families for an unusual but amazing year that pushed us all to learn in new ways, promoted flexibility and creativity and depended on enhanced partnerships.
 

📊  Report Cards

Report cards will be sent to families electronically via Email.
 

☀️  Summer Learning

We encourage families to keep their children learning over the summer.

Daily reading is the single biggest factor that predicts school success for students. This includes, reading, being read to, and listening to books. Conversations about what has been read/listened to helps to develop comprehension, understanding and inference skills. As you think about the holiday, we highly encourage you to have enough books on hand so that your child can read on a daily basis over the summer.

A way for students to continue to grow as writers is to promote writing for a purpose. This could include:

• writing shopping lists
• daily diary or journal entries
• connecting with friends or family through letters
• sharing persuasive writing to promote change
   

🗓  Next Year

For those families that are moving on to a new adventure, we hope all the best for you through that transition. Please keep in touch.

For those families returning to the AAS Community, we look forward to catching up with you in August.
 

Donna and Jeff Hinton would like to thank you for seven amazing years. The AAS Community is a wonderful and special place and they will very much miss their AAS Family as they move to spend time with their Canadian Family and and take time to pursue their professional goals. They leave you in the competent hands of Julie Villers and Eric Burnett.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
The ES Leadership

Greetings from the ES Counselors,
 

☀️  Summer Recommendations

READ daily for a few minutes.
Read books to your siblings, read to your parents, grandparents, just read.  If you don’t  speak English daily at home, make sure you read in English.

WRITE a little each day.
You can write letters, stories, shopping lists, and diaries.

PLAY outdoors daily.
It’s better for you to have a break from screens and get fresh air and sunshine. Gather some friends (COVID safety-permitting) and enjoy free play outdoors.

SLEEP on a regular schedule.
You will want to stay up very late for a few special events. Otherwise keep a fairly regular sleep schedule. In early August, start going to bed a few minutes earlier each night to work back to a school night sleep schedule.

WATCH for communication from AAS.
We will send our schedules and announcements. Just a few days before school starts, we will send our classlists.
 

😎  7 Kinds of Rest 

We posted this a couple of months ago but as we head into summer it is a reminder we can all use and is beneficial for both your children as well as yourself.

Read the article here

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician, researcher and the author of the book Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity says we all need 7 different kinds of rest:

• Physical rest, both passive (sleeping/napping) or active (yoga, stretching, deep breathing, massage) that help improve the body’s circulation and flexibility
• Mental rest (short brain breaks)
  Many teachers incorporate brain break activities into their students' day to ready them for more learning. 
• Sensory rest (from devices, electronics and screen time)
  Your child should be off all devices at least an hour before bedtime 
• Creative rest (Nature, the Arts, or a good book)
  To reawaken the awe and wonder inside each of us. 
• Emotional rest (The courage to be authentic and talk about how you are really doing to someone who cares)
• Social rest (in person or virtually)
  Spending time with a good friend or taking a break from socializing 
• Spiritual rest
  Doing things that give you a sense of purpose or meaning

Sleep alone can’t restore us to the point we feel rested. What type of rest might your kids need that they are not getting enough of? How can you help them incorporate that rest into their week? What type of rest do you need as parents or individuals?
 

❤️  A Note from Donna

I don’t know how to adequately say thank you to all the ES children and families I have had the pleasure to know and support over these last 7 years. I have known some of our 5th graders since they were in Pre K and we were all new AAS Penguins together. Some students I have just met this year. To all the amazing ES students I have so enjoyed getting to know you. You have put a smile on my face and a spring in my step each and every day. To all the caring parents who I have had the opportunity to partner with in support of your wonderful children, thank you for your trust and your support. I will miss ES and the AAS family immensely. AAS is a unique and special place because of all the fabulous people who put the care and courage into making this a community like no other. I wish AAS and our students the brightest of futures as you embark next year in this next chapter. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a Penguin. 
Warmest regards,
Donna.

Please have a lovely restful, relaxing and healthy summer! It has been our pleasure to support your children this year!

ES Senior Associate Principal Eric.Burnett@aas.ru
 

It is an exciting and reflective time as the 2020 2021 school year comes to a close.

🌼  ES Summer Field Day

 June 11 

This Friday, the ES will have their Summer Field Day (weather permitting).

Please support your child in coming prepared. All items, as always, need to have the students name and class code on them.

• Athletic clothes (easy to move in)
• Jacket (preferably water resistant)
• Extra pair of socks to change into after
• Athletic shoes
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Hat or Sunglasses (Optional)

Thank you to the PTO for organizing cool treats. We look forward to a fun day with students on the field.
 

☝️  Grade Five Moving Up Ceremony

On Monday, the Grade Five classes recorded their Moving Up Ceremony, one class at a time.

All of the Grade Five classes will watch the ceremony on Tuesday, June 15 as they enjoy treats provided by the PTO and as a part of their Year End Class Parties. The link to the ceremony will be shared with parents once the video is edited. Enjoy.
 

📖  Home Learning/Homework

There are numerous research articles on the appropriateness of homework for Elementary Students.

Here is a recent article

The guidelines on Home Learning in the ES at AAS are below.

• The intellectual demands placed on students at the Elementary School are great. Educators require students to produce quality work (work created to the best of their ability), and they work with students to ensure their academic potential is met. To support classroom learning, educators will assign a limited amount of home learning during the week. Four times a week, students in Grades 1 - 5 will only receive home learning assignments that include reading, and, if applicable, instrument practice and project completion. Aside from special project completion, home learning will not be assigned on weekends.
   
• All students are expected to read or be read to on a daily basis.
   
• When home learning is assigned, educators will ensure that students know exactly what is required. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the work and to inform their parents that it has been done. Teachers will use these home learning opportunities to motivate students into taking responsibility for their own learning, to strengthen links between learning at school and at home, and to enrich classroom learning.
   
• Home learning will be given when a student misses school due to a long illness and, upon the student’s return, appropriate steps will be taken to support his/her acquisition of key content and skills.  Home learning will not be given for holidays taken outside the school calendar. Please read section 3.7 “Extended Absences” for further explanation.
   
• There are many other ways that students’ home lives can be filled with educational activities in support of those experienced at school. These include writing letters, keeping a diary, crossword/missing word puzzles, playing board games, cooking, talking, and planning trips.
   

📺  YouTube

Here is an article about the new parental controls on YouTube, a way for parents and guardians to ensure safer age appropriate navigation of YouTube for children.

Read the article here
 

🗓  Last Day of School

 June 16 

Please remember that the last day of school is Wednesday, June 16.

This day will not be a late start and students will be dismissed at 12:00. Lunch will not be served this day and students should bring their own snacks from home as usual.
 

Enjoy the rest of your week.
The ES Leadership Team
 

Greetings from the ES Counselors,

👍  Finishing the School Year Well 

As we approach the finish line for this school year the teachers, counselors and ES admin are encouraging students to finish well.

For some students it is the importance of finishing well so that they can start well in their next country, city or school. For most it is the value of finishing well in their current grade and class in anticipation of a new year of challenge and growth as they continue their learning journey here at AAS. This is a year that has truly required courage, care and compassion as we have all faced so many challenges and navigated the various learning pathways needed at that time to best meet student needs and provide the safest current scenarios possible in which to provide for our students and community. If ever there was a year to finish well, it is this one.

We value your partnership in supporting your children to end this unprecedented year strong. Please reach out to your child’s counselor if we can be of assistance.

Below are a few articles that you may find of interest in these final days. 

4 Ways to Help Your Student Finish the School Year Strong

The Importance of Ending The School Year Well

19 Super Fun Ways to Celebrate the Last Day of School
 

🤝  Transition Support

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions about wellness, transition or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family.

It is hard to believe that this school year is coming to an end in just two weeks. It has been an incredibly interesting year.
 

🌻  ES Summer Field Day

 June 11 

We are excited to announce that Summer Field Day for Elementary School is just around the corner!

Students will get to participate in racket games, relay races, throwing tasks, and building challenges. In keeping with the Elementary School Covid mitigations, each grade will have its own summer field day time slot. To help students stay comfortable for the day there are a few things to make sure your child has:

• Athletic clothes (easy to move in)
• Jacket (preferably water resistant)
• Extra pair of socks to change into after
• Athletic shoes
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Hat or Sunglasses (Optional)

A special thank you to the PTO for organizing cool treats. We look forward to seeing all the students on the field for Field day!
 

📊  MAP Parent Session and Reports

 Wednesday, June 9, 11:00 & 18:00 

Next Wednesday there will be two MAP Parent Sessions offered - 11:00-12:00 and 18:00-19:00 at Kirsten Welbes' webex.

At this session, Kirsten will review how parents, teachers and the school use MAP data.

Join MAP Parent Session

MAP reports will be sent out to parents by end of the day on Friday, June 11.

If you would like a more in-depth report for your child, please email Kirsten at kirsten.welbes@aas.ru and share your child's name, their grade and their homeroom/advisory teacher.
 

Greetings from the ES Counselors,

In our guidance lessons, we are talking with students about upcoming transitions. Your students are talking about their concerns about the next school year. Common themes are:

• What will my teacher be like?
• Which friends will be in my class?
• Will the math be much harder?
• Will I get lost on the first day of school?
• Will I forget a lot over the summer?
• Will COVID-19 be gone from the world?
• Will I grow a lot over the summer?
• How many of my friends will move away?
• What will the new kids be like?

We are listening to each concern and giving age appropriate answers. No questions are silly and each concern is valid. Please ask your child(ren) how they are feeling about next year. Please reach out to us if there are any significant concerns.

🤝  Transition Support

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions about wellness, transition or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family.

Dear ES Families,

We hope that you have been able to enjoy some of the amazing weather we have had in Moscow as of late!
 

🖐  Grade Five

If you missed the Grade 5-6 Transition Parent Meeting yesterday morning, here is the link to the recording of the session and the slide deck presentation.

Watch the Recording     See the Slides

If you have any questions about your child’s transition to the Middle School, do not hesitate to contact them.

Karisti Cormier | MS Sr. Associate Principal
karisti.cormier@aas.ru

Alexander Lopez-Barton | MS Associate Principal
alexander.lopez-barton@aas.ru

James Villers | MS Counselor
james.villers@aas.ru

🎉  End of Year Celebrations

 June 11 - 16 

As we begin the last three weeks of learning, here are some events we have planned to help celebrate and create closure for the 2020-2021 School Year.

Thank you to the PTO for their support.

• PTO Craft Fair  June 11 
• ES Summer Field Day  June 11 
• Grade Five Moving Up Ceremony  June 15  | virtual
• End of Year Class Parties  June 15 
• Good-By Popcorn Parties For Students Leaving AAS
• Last Day of School with Early Dismissal  Wednesday, June 16, 12:00  | no lunch that day
• Report Cards Sent Electronically

We hope the rest of your week goes well,
The ES Leadership Team
 

Greetings from the ES Counselors,

Thank you to students and families for your participation in Wellness week last week. It was great to see all the school spirit and focus on healthy practices. Thankful Thursday and ES students sending messages of gratitude to others in our community inspired others to do the same. Well done to our penguins!
 

🐧  Finishing the School Year Well 

As we near the end of a school year that has been challenging in so many ways students can run out of steam to finish well.

This short article from Scholastic has a few simple tips to finish strong.

Lead by Example.
Demonstrate for your child what it means to finish strong and develop their own grit, determination, perseverance and resilience to see this year through. Involve them in summer planning to hear what they think they will need to return to school in August recharged and ready to continue their learning journey.
 
Stick to the Routine.
As the Sun stays up later and rises earlier, kids' needs for a good night’s sleep have not changed. Keep bedtime consistent with the rest of the school year. Maintain balance and routines around reading, family and play time. 
 
Set 1-2 Reasonable and Reachable Goals.
Goals are a great tool to help your child to stay motivated, on task and eager to learn. What small challenging but reachable goal can your child work on achieving in our final few weeks of school this year? Support your child in determining what steps they can take to achieve their goals.

Adapted from "4 Ways to Help Your Student Finish the School Year Strong" by Bekki Lindner.

🤝  Transition Support

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions about wellness, transition or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family.

It looks like we have moved into some warm summerlike weather. We hope that you and your family have had an opportunity to enjoy both the warmth and the longer days of sunshine.
 

🍏  Wellness Week

 May 17 - 22 

This week, from PreK to High School, AAS has been celebrating Wellness Week - taking time in our lives to ensure we take care of the health of ourselves and others.

Each day there have been special dress up day options and activities for students and educators to practice care. Individuals looked comfy in their pajamas on Monday, colourful in flowers no Tuesday and there was some crazy hair and wear today.

Check out the Wellness Week slideshow for ideas for your child(ren) for tomorrow and Friday. Students may wear the alternate dress theme or their uniform to school on these last two days of Wellness week.

Wellness Week Slideshow

🙏  PTO

The AAS PTO is currently looking for a VP ES PTO Representative for the 2021 - 2022 School Year.

If you are interested (which is very much appreciated), please contact Ines Cremers.
 

🚨  Code Red

We had a successful announced Code Red Drill this morning.

We routinely have emergency drills at school so that children and educators have the opportunity to practice how to respond in emergency situations. These drills also give us the opportunity to reflect and improve on our emergency procedures.
 

Take care,
The ES Leadership Team

🌱  Wellness Week

 May 17 - 21 

Our ES Student Council has been helping plan some Spirit Dress Days and Wellness activities for our ES Students as we celebrate Wellness Week at AAS.

• Thankful Thursday
  Rainbow Colors / Positive Slogans
• Fitness Friday
  Sports Wear / Team Jerseys

Thank you for supporting our Wellness Week!
 

🐧  Transition

Build a RAFT to help your family navigate the waters of transition.
Adapted from Dave Pollock, Leave Right: Enter Right: Thriving Through Transition, www.tckinteract.net 2003

• Reconciling conflict with others...
  Make peace. Fix any broken relationships as much as possible.
   
• Affirming relationships...
  Aside from your family, who in Moscow matters most to you?
  Tell them, send them notes, let your children write letters to them.
   
• Farewell to people, places, pets, & possessions...
  Check off your Bucket List before you go.
  Exchange contact information.
   
• Thinking ahead to your destination...
  Be honest with yourself about hopes, anxieties, questions you have.
  Make an informational contact in your new place.
   

🤝  Transition Support

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.

🧒  Pause, Reset, Nourish

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has this great resource on practices that promote wellbeing and enhance resilience in just a few short minutes. Use P.R.N. - Pause, Reset, Nourish - when you gauge your distress level could use a little self-care.

Learn more about P.R.N. here

Modeling well-being and self care practices is an important component in helping our children develop their own strategies for healthy coping and thriving. The ES counselors are available if you have any questions about mental health or wellness.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions about wellness, transition or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family.

Dear ES Families,

We hope you had an enjoyable Victory Day weekend and had an opportunity to spend time outside in the amazing weather.

We are pleased to have students transitioned back to our Modified Full On Campus Learning Pathway this week.
 

⤴️  Grade 5-6 Transition - Parent Meeting

 May 25, 13:00 

Over the next two weeks, the MS Leadership team will be meeting with Grade 5 students to talk about the transition to Middle School.

We will also be hosting a Grade 5-6 Transition meeting for parents on Tuesday, May 25 at 13:00 on Ms. Cormier’s Webex.

Join the Meeting here

More details will be sent directly to Grade 5 parents next week.
 

🍏  Wellness Week

 May 17 - 22 

Next week, from PreK to High School, AAS will be celebrating Wellness Week - taking a time in our lives to ensure we take care of the health of ourselves and others.

Each day will have special dress up day options and each day will have activities for students and educators to practice care. Check out the Wellness Week slideshow for ideas that the Student Council is creating.

Wellness Week Slideshow

Enjoy the rest of your week.

The ES Leadership Team

🌱  Wellness Week

 May 17 - 21 

Our ES Student Council has been helping plan some Spirit Dress Days and Wellness activities for our ES Students as we celebrate Wellness Week at AAS.

What can you do at home to celebrate wellness? 

• Mindful Monday
  PJs / Comfy Clothes
• Thoughtful Tuesday
  Flower Power
• Whimsical Wednesday
  Crazy Hair / Hats / Dress
• Thankful Thursday
  Rainbow Colors / Positive Slogans
• Fitness Friday
  Sports Wear / Team Jerseys

Thank you for supporting our Wellness Week!

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has this great resource on practices that promote wellbeing and enhance resilience in just a few short minutes. Use P.R.N. Pause, Reset, Nourish  when you gauge your distress level could use a little self-care.

Learn more about P.R.N. here

Modeling well-being and self care practices is an important component in helping our children develop their own strategies for healthy coping and thriving. The ES counselors are available if you have any questions about mental health or wellness.
 

🕯  Talking with Kids About School Shootings and Violence

News of the school shooting in Kazan this week and the bombing outside of a girl’s school in Afghanistan is upsetting to many.

The news can be overwhelming and cause feelings of anxiety in us as adults. No matter how we try to protect our children they are keenly aware of the world we now live in and the challenges we face. 

Dramatic, disturbing news events, especially in school settings can leave parents speechless. These age-based tips on how to talk to kids about school shootings - and listen, too - can help.

This article is adapted from Caroline Knorr of Common Sense Media.

Focus on helping kids understand the news and information they're seeing and hearing, while allowing them to express their questions and feelings. Cutting through the noise and chaos provides the stability and security kids need to process what's going on -- and to ultimately feel safe again.

Tips for Kids Under 7

Young kids tend to think concretely, understand simple ideas best, and think of their immediate family as the center of their world. During times of stress, they may get whiny or engage in difficult behavior. It could be a sign that they need comfort even if they can't articulate it.

Tips for ES Students 

• Ask open-ended questions.
  If your kids don't know what happened and don't bring it up, you don't necessarily have to fill in the blanks. If they bring up an incident, you can ask, "What did you hear?" or "What do you think is going on?"
• Use simple sentences.
  Feel free to oversimplify if you have to. You can say, "Someone hurt people." And if an idea is too complicated to explain -- maybe you don't need to.
• Don't overtalk.
  Once you've conveyed the news, you can wait until your kid asks questions to reopen the conversation.
• Reassure them that they're safe and that people are working on the problem.
  Even if you feel iffy about the situation, you want your kids to feel like you're in charge and that it will be resolved.
• Emphasize that emergency drills help keep them safe.
  Encourage them to follow the procedures and stay calm. Remind them that we have excellent security and safety policies, plans and resources at AAS to keep children and our AAS community safe. 

What to do

• Try to keep the news away.
  You might be eager for information, but try to be discreet. If you can't turn off the news, try distracting your kid or changing their focus with a book or an activity.
• Save strong emotions for your adult support community.
  You don't have to be a robot, but avoid displaying strong emotions related to these tragic incidents around young kids. Kids often get scared when they don't know why parents are upset. Make sure to say, "I'm upset about what I heard on the news. It's not you."
• Allow them to express themselves how they want.
  You may see a wide range of reactions when you discuss bad news. Some kids may cry or act out when they're upset and don't know what to do. Some kids want quiet time with you. Some kids like to talk. Some like to draw their feelings.
• Make it a normal day.
  Try to maintain a typical schedule so kids feel the safety of regularity. But feel free to indulge in extra comfort and togetherness.
   

For more information on talking with older or more mature kids please see the two links below.

Talking About School Shootings     Explaining the news

Advice for Kids Upset by the News from BBC

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions or concerns or if we can support your child through a conversation with them. We are available to support your child and family.

Dear ES Families,

We hope that this week of learning engagements from home has gone well. We look forward to having students in Modified Full On Campus next week.

As a reminder, students will continue to use our Daily Health Pass. Any individual who chooses to travel internationally will need to remain off campus for 14 days and may return, if they are symptom free, after the 14 days are completed. Please contact our Health Office if you have any health related questions.
 

📊  MAP

Over the next two weeks, all students in grades 2-5 are scheduled to participate in Measures of Academic Progress (MAP®) testing on May 12, 13, and 14, with May 17 for make-ups.

MAP, a product of the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), is a computerized assessment aligned with Common Core standards; the learning standards that we have adopted and use at AAS for Literacy and Mathematics. MAP tests are unique in that they are adaptive, grade-level independent assessments which create personalized tests for each student. Simply put, the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the student’s answers. Therefore, each student completes a test specifically designed for his or her learning level at that moment.  As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude towards testing.

MAP assessments this year are being given in the Fall and Spring to help determine your child’s current instructional level at each of those times, measure academic growth throughout the school year, as well as from year to year, in the areas of Mathematics, Reading, and Language Usage. MAP results are not reflected in students’ grades, but rather will be used by classroom teachers to inform instruction. They are one piece of data that is collected as evidence of student learning achievement.

Last Fall, we completed MAP testing on campus and via Distance due to the challenges related to COVID. For testing this Spring, we will only be testing while the students are on campus. There will be no Distance MAP option.

The data from Fall of 2020 showed that, as a school, AAS saw no “COVID dip”, and outperformed the US, international and CEESA means, which were established pre-pandemic.

This data reassures us that despite the uncertainty and unknowns that we are experiencing, students are still learning at a high level. The Spring MAP test will yet provide another data point to help us better understand where students are in their learning, which is why we are administering the test in May.

Because MAP assessments are designed to be snapshots of what your child already knows, there is no need for students to study to prepare for the tests. To be best prepared, students are encouraged to get a good night’s sleep and to eat a healthy breakfast.

The ES Leadership Team

🌱  Wellness Week

 May 17 - 21 

Please watch the Newsletter next week for information on the school wide Wellness Week May 17 - May 21.

Our ES Student Council is helping plan some Spirit Dress Days and Wellness activities for our ES Students as we celebrate Wellness Week at AAS.
 

🧒  Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

 May 7 

Please follow the American Psychological Association link below for more information.

Visit APA

Further Resources can be found at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Visit NCTSN

We are available if you have any questions about mental health or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family.

Please also contact your child’s counselor if your child needs any support during our Enhanced DL this week or if your son or daughter would like to chat with us about anything. We look forward to seeing all the students back on campus soon!
 

🪴  Tips for Rearing Resilient Adults

Be a gardener, not a carpenter.

Gardeners guide growth so the plants can flourish. Carpenters have a very clear plan and are making one thing. That can be very rigid. Let your child explore music rather than insisting on a certain instrument that you like.

• Talk and read a lot.
  Let your children explore through books.
   
• Explain things or direct your children on how to get their questions answered.
   
• Describe “activities” rather than people.
  Instead of labeling a person good or bad, talk about the activity.
  “Throwing that trash on the ground was a bad choice.”
  “When you cleaned your room first, you made a good choice.”
   
• Help your children to copy you when you do things.
  Let them pick up toys, sweep the floors, and read when you are reading, help in the kitchen.
   
• Expose your children (safely) to a lot of different people.
  They should see diverse faces and hear other languages as often as possible.
   
• Applaud agency.
  Let children choose whenever possible when either choice is acceptable.
  “Would you rather wear green shoes or blue shoes?”

Adapted from Harvard psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett: 7½ Lessons About the Brain.

Learn more here

🔀  Transition

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.

🖐  Grade Five: Primary Years Program Exhibition (PYPX)

 April 29 

The last G5 PYPX presentations will take place tomorrow.

Click the link below for times, links and instructions for the presentations.

Visit PYPX

All of the AAS Community is encouraged to attend.
 

💻  Distance Learning

As was communicated, the Elementary School will be transitioning to Distance Learning next week, following our Distance Learning Schedule.

Educators will share with students and families a detailed class/student specific schedule that includes times, Webex links and instructions. This will help your child be prepared to engage in learning activities.
 

📝  MAP Assessment

The ES had originally planned to administer the MAP assessments next week. With our transition to Distance Learning we will postpone these to a later date.
 

Enjoy your long weekend.
The ES Leadership Team

👌  Tips for Virtual Learning

Adapted from the book
"A Little Spot learns Online:
A Story About Virtual
Classroom Expectations",
Diane Alber, 2020

• Get dressed - learning in your pajamas doesn’t set the right tone.
• Eat breakfast before you join your online class.
• Find a quiet place to participate with your class. Put your pets in a different room.
• Set your environment up by getting your supplies, including your water bottle next to you.
• Sit at your desk or table 5 minutes before the class is to start and log-in.
• If you need a break for the restroom, don’t take your device with you. Leave it at your desk or table.

Please contact your child’s counselor if your child needs any support during our Enhanced DL next week or if your son or daughter would like to chat with us about anything. We are also available if you have any questions about transition or any other issues or concerns that impact your child and family. We look forward to seeing all the students back on campus soon!
 

🗓  Action Calendar for Families

30 actions for parents to take care of themselves and their families during challenging times.

See the Calendar
 

👟  May Fitness Challenge Calendar

Alliance for a Healthier Generation May Fitness Challenge Calendar

May is National Physical Fitness & Sport Month in the US. These resources provide some great ways to stay fit and healthy with your family.

Take a look
 

🔀  Transition

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.

🖐  Grade Five: Primary Years Program Exhibition (PYPX)

 Next Week 

This is an exciting time for Grade Five as they complete their work on their PYP culminating experience, the Grade Five PYPX.

For the past nine weeks, students have been engaged in student driven inquiry using an inquiry cycle. Focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, students have created Websites for their projects and will be presenting their work and experiences. Presentations are open to all AAS Community members, via Webex, on Tuesday April 27 and Thursday April 29.

Learn more here

Use the link above to learn more about the times, links and instructions for the presentations.

It will also include the links to finished student Web Pages that will be coming on Monday April 26. This year, with Webex, the Grade Five students are able to open their presentations and projects to share their learning with a wider AAS Community.
 

🎨  Fifth Grade Artists as Change Makers: PYP Exhibition

The aim of the blog post below is to enlighten you, regarding this year’s strong integration of art and the upcoming Grade 5 PYP Exhibition (PYPX).

Read the Blog Post

As you may know, students are currently involved in a personal investigation of their choice, related to the United Nations Sustainable Goals. Groups have been organised according to interest and students are now in the midst of a collaborative process of inquiry. This year, they will be required to present their learning journey via Webex and by use of a group created Website. This is the culminating learning experience of a child’s Elementary School experience and very exciting! Right now, the PYPX Art Action Station (workspace outside the ES Art Rooms) is buzzing with creative activity on a daily basis. Many students have chosen to sign up for the use of the studio space in order to create artworks which will assist in raising awareness of their findings and desire for change.

Reminder: Earth Day Celebration and Student Dress-Up
Tomorrow, April 22 is Earth Day! In celebration of our Earth, the ES Student Council hopes our families have engaged in activities that support our planet - planting flowers, picking up trash in nature areas, creating earth-related arts and crafts or taking time to read or watch about how we can all help our planet. Tomorrow, in honor of Earth Day, students are encouraged to wear some “Earth Clothing” - items that are colored blue, green or brown OR an outfit or accessory that celebrates our planet. Students may wear “Earth Clothing” or their regular uniform.
 

🌎  Earth Day Celebration and Student Dress-Up

 Thursday, April 22 

Tomorrow is Earth Day!

In celebration of our Earth, the ES Student Council hopes our families have engaged in activities that support our planet - planting flowers, picking up trash in nature areas, creating earth-related arts and crafts or taking time to read or watch about how we can all help our planet.

Tomorrow, in honor of Earth Day, students are encouraged to wear some “Earth Clothing” - items that are colored blue, green or brown OR an outfit or accessory that celebrates our planet. Students may wear “Earth Clothing” or their regular uniform.

Have a great day.
The ES Leadership Team

💙  Revisiting the 5 Principles of Love and Logic
 

Mutual Dignity
“Why don’t you just do it this way, instead? That’s not going to work,” is not a good way of demonstrating respect and dignity. Silence, coupled with a loving pat on the back, would have been a far better approach.

Shared Thinking
When we become the “experts,” it rarely brings the best out of people. When we allow others to think and solve their problems, we show that we believe in their abilities.

Shared Control
Asking, “Would you like to hear what some people decide to do?” shares healthy control. Doing so also opens their willingness to learn from our guidance. Respect is earned by providing supportive suggestions—not by trying to micromanage.

Sincere Empathy
The real “solution” involves love—not lectures. It involves recognizing feelings—not providing fixes.

Loving Relationships
This fifth principle of Love and Logic plays out as a natural result of our living by the first four.

From: Dr. Charles Fay, The Love and Logic Institute, Inc.  
 

🧒  ES Placement Survey Closed

Thank you for completing the placement survey that ran from February 10 - April 12, 2021.

We value and appreciate your timely input in the placement process. The survey is now closed and the fall placement process is underway.
 

🔀  Transition

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions, issues or concerns we can support with. Please also reach out to Ms. Hinton if you have any questions or concerns about your Grade 3-5 child’s transition to modified full on campus learning this week. We are available to support your child and family.

Dear ES Families,

We hope that all had an enjoyable Spring Break, spending time together with family.

The students were eager to be back at school and engaged in learning. They were especially excited to be able to enjoy the warmer Spring weather with less cold and layers of clothing.
 

💖  Thank You

We would like to thank the PTO and their volunteers who helped to make our revised version of the PTO Used Book Fair such a great success.

Students were very excited to be taking home “new to them” books to read. We very much appreciate all the time that was given to organize the books by age level, set them up and then store away those that did not find a new home this year.
 

🌎  Earth Day Celebration and Student Dress-Up

 Thursday, April 22 

Next Thursday is Earth Day!

In celebration of our Earth, the ES Student Council encourages our families over the next week to engage in activities that support our planet - planting flowers, picking up trash in nature areas, creating earth-related arts and crafts or taking time to read or watch about how we can all help our planet.

Next Thursday, in honor of Earth Day, students are encouraged to wear some “Earth Clothing” - items that are colored blue, green or brown OR an outfit or accessory that celebrates our planet. Students may wear “Earth Clothing” or their regular uniform. In the coming week, the ES Student Council will be sharing more ideas for how students can commemorate the day, both at school and at home.
 

🌱  Spring Break

We hope that all families enjoyed their Spring Break and were able to have quality time together.

As a reminder, students will continue to use our Daily Health Pass. Any individual who choses to travel internationally will need to remain off campus for 14 days and may return, if they are symptom free, after the 14 days are completed.

Please contact our Health Office if you have any health related questions.

Enjoy the warmer weather.
The ES Leadership Team

🧒  ES Placement Survey Closed

Thank you for completing the placement survey that ran from February 10 - April 12, 2021.

We value and appreciate your timely input in the placement process. The survey is now closed and the fall placement process is underway.
 

🔀  Transition

At this time of year many parents ask for teacher reference letters to be sent to new schools. We understand that this can be a challenging time for families and that placement in the next school is of utmost importance to families on the move.

If your family is approaching a possible transition please keep the following in mind:

• Children can often sense the additional stress in the family that the idea of a move can bring so being as open and honest with your children as possible can help them move through this time more successfully.
• Please let your child’s counselor and teacher know of any potential move as soon as possible, and how your child is coping with the news, so we can be of support.
• Please contact your student’s counselor first for: reference letters, online teacher evaluation, requests for report cards, MAP reports and new school assessments.
• Please note that all teacher/counselor or principal references are confidential. Our procedure is that the confidential teacher reference forms or letters are sent directly to the new school by the school counselors or counseling department.
• The counseling department coordinates all documentation requested by parents to be sent to the application school(s). References and records usually take 1-2 weeks to complete.

Transition letter from Counselors

Transition Information for Parents

Tech Back Up Letter for Leaving Students 

We best support our students moving on successfully when the potential new school receives all the information they need to allow them to meet a child’s needs. We want to help students end their time as AAS as positively as possible to prepare them to start well in their next school.
 

🤲  Tools for Praise and Appreciation

Describe what you see
“I see green lines that are zooming up and down on the page. And look how they connect with all the red shapes.” instead of “Pretty picture.”

Describe the effect on others
“The baby loves is when you make those funny sounds. I see a big smile on her face."

Describe effort
“You kept working on that button until you got it into that little buttonhole.”

Describe progress
“You sounded out each of the letters and put them together. You read a whole sentence!" instead of “Nice job reading.”

Consider asking questions or starting a conversation instead of simple praise. Give a child a new picture of themselves. Resist the urge to praise by comparison to other’s work.

Resources: How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2 - 7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King, Scribner Press, 2017. Easily purchased on Kindle.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions, issues or concerns we can support with. Please also reach out to Ms. Hinton if you have any questions or concerns about your Grade 3-5 child’s transition to modified full on campus learning this week. We are available to support your child and family.

Dear ES Families,

We hope you have been able to enjoy some of our more Spring-like weather.
 

🚦  ES Conferences

We hope that families enjoyed the process of setting aside 45 dedicated minutes with their child in order for them to provide evidence and perspective on their growth as a learner so far this year.

In addition, we hope the conference with your child’s teacher allowed you the opportunity to collaborate with your child and their teacher, reflecting on goal progress and setting targets for the remainder of the. If you have any feedback on this year’s process, please pass this on to your child’s teacher or to the ES Office.

❓  ES Placement Survey

 Monday, April 12 

Please note that the ES Placement Survey has now been open for 7 weeks and will be closing right after the April Break.

This is your final opportunity to share your valuable thoughts about your child as a learner, if you wish them to be considered as a part of our placement process. Please see the ES Counselor section of the newsletter for more information.

Classroom Placement Parent Survey

 Survey closes Monday, April 12th 
 

🥸  Student Council Book Character Day

Today, all educators and students in our ES Community were encouraged to dress up as their favorite Book Character.

In response to student and educator suggestions in a survey, the Student Council was able to recommend a bunch of reading-related activities that students could do in their classrooms and also a few that all of the ES is doing (Picture to Padlet, Vote for Your Favorite Book Character, PTO Book Fair). Below are the Student Council Slideshow that was used to give more ideas, and a video created by Zahra and Ava that helped to launch the day.

See the Slideshow     Watch the Video
 

📚  PTO Used Book Fair

 April 1 - April 2 

The PTO is very excited to announce that the Annual Used Book Fair will be held on tomorrow April 1st and Friday April 2nd.

Each Elementary class will be taken by their class teacher to visit the fair and will be able to choose up to 5 “new to you” books.

The PTO is asking for a minimum donation of  200  Rub for up to 5 books. The money raised will go towards upcoming PTO events. ES families should have received an envelope in their children’s bag with a brief note explaining the event. The envelope can be used to return your voluntary donations.

There are some fantastic books to choose from. Happy reading!
 

🌱  Spring Break

We hope that all families enjoy their Spring Break and are able to have quality time together.

As a reminder, when students return after the break we will continue to use our Daily Health Pass. Any individual who chose to travel internationally will need to remain off campus for 14 days and may return, if they are symptom free, after the 14 days are completed. Please contact our Health Office if you have any health related questions.

Have a great break!
The ES Leadership Team
 

🧒  ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

🤲  Tools for Engaging Cooperation

Be Playful
 - Make it a game: “Can we get all the cars into the box before the timer beeps? Ready … set … go!”                                                                                                                                                              
 - Make inanimate objects talk: “I’m an empty sock.  I need a foot in me!”
 - Use silly voices and accents: “ I …. am … your …..robot….Must …..buckle seat ...belt …. now..."

Offer a choice
“Do you want to hop to the tub like a bunny or crawl like a crab?”

Put the child in charge
“Johnny, set the timer for 5 minutes and let us know when it is time to leave."

Give information
“Tissues go in the trash”

Say it with one word
“Trash”

Describe what you see
“I see most of the blocks put away in the toy box. There are only a few more blocks left to go.”

Describe how you feel
“I don’t like food thrown on the floor.”

Take action without insult
“I’m putting the paint away for now. I can’t let you splatter other kids."

In all of these options, the adult keeps control and avoids shaming or name calling.

Resources: How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2 - 7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King, Scribner Press, 2017. Easily purchased on Kindle.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions, issues or concerns we can support with. Please also reach out to Ms. Hinton if you have any questions or concerns about your Grade 3-5 child’s transition to modified full on campus learning this week. We are available to support your child and family.

It was wonderful to have all students on campus learning this week.
 

💻  Conference Day

 Friday, March 26 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you would like to meet over Webex on Conference Day.
 

🧒  ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

❣️  Tools for Handling Emotions

Acknowledge Feelings with Words
“You were looking forward to that playdate. How disappointing!”
“It can be so frustrating when the train tracks fall apart.”

Acknowledge Feelings with Writing
“Oh no! We don’t have the ingredients we need. Let’s make a shopping list.”
“You really want that underwater Lego set. Let’s write that down on your wish list.”

Acknowledge Feelings with Art
“You seem so sad.”
(Draw a stick figure with big tears or simply let them draw how they feel).

Give in Fantasy What You Can’t Give in Reality
“I wish we had a million, billion more hours to play.”

Acknowledge Feelings with Short Sounds
“Ugh!”  “Mmmm.”  “Ooh.”   “Huh.”

After you have acknowledged the feelings, you can move on to the problem. Summarize the issue with “The problem is …” Then you can work out possible solutions with your child.

All feelings must be accepted. Some actions must be limited!
 

Resources: How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2 - 7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King, Scribner Press, 2017. Easily purchased on Kindle.
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions, issues or concerns we can support with. Please also reach out to Ms. Hinton if you have any questions or concerns about your Grade 3-5 child’s transition to modified full on campus learning this week. We are available to support your child and family.

💻  Conference Day

 Friday, March 26 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you would like to meet over Webex on Conference Day.
 

🧒  ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

🥪  Anger: A Secondary Emotion

Ms. Ronan recently did a guidance lesson with the PK - 2 students about anger.

Anger is a secondary emotion. Anger is like a smoke alarm letting you know something is wrong. It can’t tell you the cause of the anger.

As soon as you can calm your body down by slow deep breathing, moving away from the situation or other calming techniques, look for what was under the outside anger layer. We talked about safe ways to express anger and unsafe ways to demonstrate anger.

Common roots of anger are being tired or hungry. Sometimes we have expectations that were not met or are worried about another topic. Some students show anger when they are frustrated at not getting the outcome they wanted on an assignment. At times, anger can bubble up from feeling that something is unfair.

Anger is only a feeling that lets us know “something is not going well”. Looking under the feeling is the best way to dissolve the anger.

We compared anger to the tip of the iceberg and to the bread on the outside of the sandwich.

Resources

The Anger Sandwich

The Very Well Family
7 Ways to Help a Child Cope with Anger

AAS Wellness Page 
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions or concerns or if we can support your child in any way. We are available to support your child and family.

🧒  ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

💚  Wellness

Please see the AAS Wellness Page for resources to support your child and family.

😀  7 Kinds of Rest

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician, researcher and the author of the book "Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity." says we all need 7 different kinds of rest.

1. Physical rest, both passive (sleeping/napping) or active (yoga, stretching, deep breathing, massage)
   Helps improve the body’s circulation and flexibility.
2. Mental rest (short brain breaks)
   Many teachers incorporate brain break activities into their students' day to ready them for more learning. 
3. Sensory rest (from devices, electronics and screen time)
   Your child should be off all devices at least an hour before bedtime. 
4. Creative rest (Nature, the Arts, or a good book)
   To reawaken the awe and wonder inside each of us. 
5. Emotional rest (The courage to be authentic)
   Talk about how you are really doing to someone who cares.
6. Social rest (in person or virtually)
   Spending time with a good friend or taking a break from socializing 
7. Spiritual rest
   Doing things that give you a sense of purpose or meaning

Sleep alone can’t restore us to the point we feel rested. What type of rest might your kids need that they are not getting enough of? How can you help them incorporate that rest into their week? What type of rest do you need as parents or individuals?

Read and Watch more here
 

Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions or concerns or if we can support your child in any way. We are available to support your child and family.

🧒 ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

💚 Wellness

Please see the AAS Wellness Page for resources to support your child and family.

😀 Action For Happiness

We celebrate mindfulness this month. Mindfulness is something the ES counselors have talked with many classes about in recent months. Mindful moments can help students refocus and center themselves so they are able to be at their best. A mindful moment can also help students before beginning an assessment or presentation.

Action for Happiness writes:  “Let's take the time to pause, breathe and really take in what's all around us. This month we're encouraging you to take some time to look within. Learning to be more mindful and aware can do wonders for our well-being in all areas of life - like the way we eat, the things we notice or our relationships. It helps us get in tune with our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future - so we get more out of the day-to-day. It can also help us identify what we're grateful for, which has been proven to help boost your happiness levels!”

Download the Action for Happiness Mindful March Calendar and try some of their suggestions with your family. 🙂

DOWNLOAD MINDFUL MARCH CALENDAR

🧒 ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives. As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but cannot guarantee your child will be placed with specific friends.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

💚 Wellness

Please see the AAS Wellness Page for resources to support your child and family.

😀 Action For Happiness

We celebrate mindfulness this month. Mindfulness is something the ES counselors have talked with many classes about in recent months. Mindful moments can help students refocus and center themselves so they are able to be at their best. A mindful moment can also help students before beginning an assessment or presentation.

Action for Happiness writes:  “Let's take the time to pause, breathe and really take in what's all around us. This month we're encouraging you to take some time to look within. Learning to be more mindful and aware can do wonders for our well-being in all areas of life - like the way we eat, the things we notice or our relationships. It helps us get in tune with our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future - so we get more out of the day-to-day. It can also help us identify what we're grateful for, which has been proven to help boost your happiness levels!”

Download the Action for Happiness Mindful March Calendar and try some of their suggestions with your family. 🙂

DOWNLOAD MINDFUL MARCH CALENDAR

☕️ ES Virtual Parent Coffees

Enjoy the rest of your week and the February Break!

🧒 ES Placement for Fall 2021

 February 10  -  April 12 

• Creating class lists is a complex process that requires great thought and time involving many perspectives.  As professional educators, we invest a great deal of effort in the development of homeroom class rosters to create the best learning situations for all our students and classes.
• A request for a specific teacher will not be considered. However, a request to be thoughtful about a child's learning style will be considered as part of our process. Please fill in the form below to tell us about factors unique to your child’s needs. Please do not request friends by name. We make every effort to place each student with a friend but 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.
• All information from this survey is confidential and will only be seen by counselors and administration. Thank you for your partnership!

💚 Please see the AAS Wellness Page for resources to support your child and family.

❄️ Winter Field Day

February 4 & 5 - Please remember to send your child to school in appropriate winter wear on Thursday and Friday for our days of snow fun.

❗️ Pilot Full On-Campus Learning for Grade 1 & 2 Students

February 8 - We are pleased to share that we would like to pilot having all of our Grade One and Two students in full on-campus learning every day starting next Monday. Some recent research continues to provide evidence indicating a lower risk of COVID spread, with fewer or no symptoms if it is contracted, by younger learners. Our mitigations for safety, no evidence of spread on campus, smaller class sizes in these grade levels, and taking into consideration that for our younger learners the ideal situation is to have them on campus each day instead of a need to have them engage through synchronous learning from home, provides confirmation for taking this next step.

The stamina and level of independence during learning from home has greater challenges for many younger learners and being on campus every day would provide an enhanced balance between safety providing for the interactions and scaffolding that is more effectively provided in person for these students. In addition, Grade One and Two classroom teachers will be re-arranging classroom spaces and will integrate further mitigations in these classrooms before all of these students return to campus. When making family plans, please be mindful of our fluid circumstances during this pandemic that may result in last minute notifications of a transition in Learning Pathways for a class, grade level or division as we continue to strive to keep our students and school community as safe as possible.

As a reminder to our families and students, please adhere to health guidelines that protect all individuals:

• We understand the challenges of self-isolation, families should be maintaining their social bubbles and not mixing with others
• For the greatest mitigation, wear masks at all times when outside your home, and particularly if  you  are not able to socially distance (grocery store and other essential activities)
• We recommend that social gatherings including playdates, sports outside of AAS, or parties outside of family bubbles, should not be participated in
• If your child is not feeling well or has any symptoms, please keep them at home and contact the AAS Health Office
• If a family member or student receives a COVID test result, please send this to the AAS Health Office
• Everyone should wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
• If your child is identified as a close contact, either from being on campus or due to an event off-campus, he/she must have a PCR test according to our protocols and obtaining this test as soon as possible is recommended to best manage transmission within our community taking the following into consideration:
  • This gives prompt identification of positive cases who may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic as these individuals can still transmit the infection to others
  • This helps us identify further close contacts and to minimize further exposures
  • This allows AAS to continue to monitor any impact a positive case on our campus might have
• Please follow our AAS COVID Response Flowchart
• Please remember to accurately complete the Daily Health Pass each morning and follow the response flowchart if any answers are “yes” to these questions

We continue to prioritize the Learning Pathway that has been determined by the school for each class, grade level, or learning cohort. All students are expected to be on campus for in person learning when they are scheduled to do so. Some subjects and learning experiences will continue to only be available to those students while on campus and in person. We appreciate your collaboration so that we can provide the best learning environment for each student.

📒 Transitions

During this time of year families sometimes become aware of a need to transition to another country and/or school. Please reach out to our Counselors for support with this, whether it be for references for a possible new school, getting school records or for support in the transition.

☕️ ES Virtual Parent Coffees

The Elementary School has had several Virtual Parent Coffees this year. In order to further support families, we are asking for feedback on additional topics that might be of interest for future coffees.

Please fill in the survey to help us plan

So far, the topics of previous ES Virtual Parent Coffees have been: Reading and Writing in the ES, Digital Citizenship, Introduction of the ES Coaches and how they support learning and an open session supporting each other with tips and tricks for making Hybrid and DL a success for students.

Take care!

🌎 International School Counseling Week:  February 1-5, 2021

MYTH School counselors only help the neediest students.
FACT  School counselors provide ALL students with support and standards based on school counseling core curriculum to address universal academic, career, and social/emotional development.

MYTH School counselors and other types of educators can be hired interchangeably.
FACT  Certified Professional School Counselors are uniquely trained in areas of human development, trauma, relationships, crisis response, and specific counseling techniques and theories.

MYTH School counselors have a job that is similar to a principal or administrator.
FACT  The role of an administrator can be discipline-oriented in nature. The school counselor’s role aims to be restorative, supportive, and student centered. It is not appropriate for school counselors to perform disciplinary actions or to assign consequences.

MYTH School counselors give long-term, intensive therapy for students who need it.
FACT  School counselors are trained to provide short-term, brief, solution-focused, and structured interventions for students. We refer out to a mental health professional when a student needs ongoing therapeutic services.

MYTH Guidance Counselor and School Counselor are the same thing, right?
FACT  The term “Guidance Counselor” is outdated - the position focused solely on graduation and course selection for secondary students. Today’s professional school counselors are working hard to eliminate the term.

School counselors are trained professionals who holistically focus on the academic, personal/social, and career development of all students at every age of their journey.

💙 Please see the AAS Wellness Page for resources to support your child and family.

We use the newsletter for a variety of purposes, including updating you about parent events (like coffee chats or book discussions) or linking to websites and articles related to parenting. If you discover a resource or article that you think might be interesting or helpful to our school community, please do not hesitate to forward it to either one of us. The same invitation applies to parent forums: if you would like to request a particular topic of discussion, just let us know.

Please contact us if you would ever like to discuss your child. Email is absolutely the best way to get in touch. We will get back to you as soon as possible and schedule a time to meet. During the start of this year at least, any meetings will be virtual.
 

In the spirit of the end of this oh-so-challenging school year, I’m sharing two articles related to recharging and relaxing during the upcoming, much-needed summer.

• How to Have a Healthy, Brainy, and Fun Summer offers ideas to keep our students’ brains active, while still allowing for fun.
   
• Celebrate Summer reminds us - students and parents - that summer is meant to be savored, and that the sooner we get down to enjoying ourselves, the more rejuvenating the summer weeks can be.
   

This week, I’m once again sharing the short video I made for those families leaving AAS this year.

Watch 2021 Successful Transitions Video

One key facet of saying goodbye - whether it’s for the summer or forever - is expressing the gratitude we feel for the friends and community members who have had a positive impact on our lives. In a community like ours, and during the sort of year we’ve all had, that step should feel necessary for everyone, whether we’re leaving or staying. And fortunately, saying “thank you” has significant mental and physical health benefits, even outside the context of saying good-bye.

If you’re interested in learning more about the positive power gratitude can have on our bodies, minds, and relationships, you’ll find details in this article, “Why Gratitude is Good,” published by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

Read The Article

The article includes a thorough list of the many benefits gratitude can have, as well as suggestions on how to tap into this powerful force for well-being.

📷  MS Student Pictures Slideshow

 Friday, June 4 

If your family is leaving the MS this year, please remind your child to send me 2-3 of their favorite pictures from their time at AAS before Friday, June 4.

I am creating a good-bye slideshow. In June, we will email a link to the completed presentation, so please help make sure your child sends pictures, even if your family is leaving before mid-June. Looking through pictures together can even provide some necessary closure during this time of transition.
 

In addition, I have made a short video with some thoughts on transitions. I hope you find it helpful, and will get in touch if you have any questions.

Watch 2021 Successful Transitions Video

📷  MS Student Pictures Slideshow

If your family is leaving the MS this year, please remind your child to send me 2-3 of their favorite pictures from their time at AAS, so I can include them in a goodbye slideshow.

It would be good if I had those photos as soon as possible. In June, we will email a link to the completed presentation, so please help make sure your child sends pictures, even if your family is leaving before mid-June.

Looking through pictures together can even provide some necessary closure during this time of transition.

As we begin the fourth quarter, please be aware of the following process for families leaving AAS at the end of this school year:

• Please notify our admissions office, admissions@aas.ru, and CC me, james.villers@aas.ru
• I will send you our transcript request form
• I will then help coordinate teacher recommendations, if needed
• MS Office will coordinate the sending of academic reports
   

📰  "Parents, Stop Talking about the Lost Year"

This article dives into the idea that MS students have enough resiliency in their brains and their emotions to successfully emerge from the isolation and limits the pandemic has forced on them.

Read The Article Here

Here is the quote I find most encouraging: “Getting a full picture of what’s going on with middle schoolers — and being ready to help them — (experts) agreed, requires holding two seemingly contradictory ideas simultaneously in mind: The past year has been terrible. And most middle schoolers will be fine.”

This is an optimistic perspective, and one that I find helpful in my work with AAS families. If your child is someone who continues to struggle with life’s current demands, please get in touch with me or your child’s teachers.

The combination of students on campus and the sunny weather have brought an almost festive feeling to the MS this week. The MS team, however, is still aware that this transition might be easier for some students than others. If your child is struggling with any aspect of being back on campus, please get in touch with me or your child’s teachers.

A recent NY Times article does such a fantastic job of explaining anxiety in a teen-friendly way that I just had to share the article with teachers and with you: “Teenagers, Anxiety Can Be Your Friend.” The article breaks down a few common myths around anxiety, and draws a clear distinction between helpful and unhelpful anxiety. My favorite quote from the article: “Try to view anxiety as your own personal warning system. It’s more often a friend than a foe, one that will help you notice when things are on the wrong track.” 

Have a safe and relaxing April break.

The MS team has been working hard to prepare for next week’s Modified Full On-Campus Learning (MFOCL).

An important part of that preparation includes making sure we are supporting students who might feel nervous about the change. Advisors regularly check in with students to see how they are feeling, and we also urge students feeling anxiety to contact the counselor. If your child is struggling with any aspect of MFOCL, please get in touch with me or your child’s teachers.

In addition to academic standards, AAS MS students are evaluated on their Approaches to Learning (ATLs). These are:

• Engagement in Learning;
• Managing Assignments;
• Preparedness for Class;
• Self-Motivated Learning;
• Social Responsibility.

These behaviors and dispositions--and the feedback teachers provide related to them--are meant to help students move towards their academic potential; they are reported on both in report cards and in JumpRope.

The ATLs are an excellent and practical way to help MS students develop the skills and behaviors needed for academic success. Having a conversation with your own child about their performance on the ATLs can have a positive impact on your child’s academic growth. And the ATLs can also provide a useful structure for conversations during parent-teacher conferences.

I will be available for meetings during this week’s conference days. Please email me directly if you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss your child.

Coming back to full on-campus learning - while, in some sense, a much needed return to "normal" - is also a transition that may be causing anxiety for some of our students.

As a step towards helping students feel safe during this upcoming transition, MS Counseling has been offering voluntary support sessions this week. The sessions have given students the opportunity to speak about how they are feeling, and we have also provided guidance in managing anxiety during times of uncertainty. The sessions have been happening during lunch recess when students are at school for their huddle day; if needed, we will offer future sessions, as well.

You can view our presentation slides here:

Dealing with Uncertainty

And as an additional resource related to this topic, our school psychologist, Dr. Joseph Graybill, put together some information linked below to help AAS teachers in their support of students. We thought it would be useful for parents to see, as well.

Talking to Students about MFOCL

If your child is experiencing anxiety, whether related to the return to campus or to any other issue, please email me, and we can schedule a meeting.

Recently, in visits to grade 8 advisories, and with the intention of starting some informal conversations about high school, I’ve been discussing with students the importance of paying attention to the Approaches to Learning (ATLs): Engagement in Learning; Managing Assignments; Preparedness for Class; Self-Motivated Learning; and Social Responsibility.

These behaviors and dispositions - and the feedback teachers provide related to them - are meant to help students move towards their academic potential; they are reported on both in report cards and in JumpRope. 

Many students tend to overlook teacher feedback on these ATLs, but we hope to change that tendency. The ATLs are an excellent and practical way to help all MS students, no matter their grade level, develop the skills and behaviors needed for academic success. Having a conversation with your own child about their performance on the ATLs can have a positive impact on your child’s academic growth. And the ATLs can also provide a useful structure during parent-teacher conferences.

If you would like to discuss your child in the context of the ATLs, or in any other context, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Supporting our children academically and emotionally is a complex and ongoing effort this year.

I hope these two articles offer some helpful strategies relevant to those efforts.

In “How to Help a Teen Out of a Homework Hole,” the author reminds us that emotional support can be as important as practical tips. The nature and duration of the pandemic has made it difficult for many teens to concentrate and be productive. An empathetic approach can result in more rewards than a frustrated or angry one.

Along the same lines, but from a slightly bigger picture perspective, the writer of “How to Do School When Motivation is Missing,” breaks down the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and how each can be useful in helping a teenager get back on the path towards productivity in school.

If you would like to discuss your child in the context of school work or motivation, or for any other concerns, please get directly in touch with me, and we can schedule a conversation.

🧣 Outdoors

With temperatures dipping down into the negative double digits, it is important that our students are still prepared to be outside for recess. We do still have outdoor recess until the temperature is -20, which is closely monitored every day, and all students are expected to go outside (even in cold temperatures). We ask that students come prepared to be outside for both 20-minute recesses by wearing a warm coat, boots, scarf, hat, and gloves. In addition, snow pants are optional.
 

👾  Webex Learning Procedure

When students are participating in class from home, they are expected to sign-in to Webex using their AAS credentials. This allows us to make our classes secure from any outsiders. Teachers will not admit students to Webex if they are not logged in. If students cannot get logged in, they should email distance.learning@aas.ru for help.
 

📚  Hybrid Learning

We continue to prioritize the Learning Pathway that has been determined by the school for each class, grade level, or learning cohort.

All students are expected to be on campus for in person learning when they are scheduled to. Some learning experiences will continue to only be available to those students while on campus and in person. We appreciate your collaboration so that we can provide the best learning environment for each student.

🌳  A Healthy and Safe Campus

It is great to see more and more students joining us on campus and carefully following our safety procedures.

• If a student travels internationally over February break they will have to wait two weeks from the date of their return to Russia before they can return to campus with their huddle
• If a family member or student receives a COVID test result, please send this to the AAS Health Office
• Everyone should wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds
• If your child is identified as a close contact, either from being on campus or at home, they should be PCR tested as soon as possible
  • This gives prompt identification of positive cases who may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic as these patients can still transmit the infection to others
  • This would help us identify further close contacts and help to minimize further spread
  • This allows AAS to continue to monitor any impact a positive case on our campus might have
• Please follow our AAS COVID Response Flowchart
• You can see the number of COVID cases on campus by reviewing this chart
• Please remember to accurately complete your child’s Daily Health Pass each morning before your child leaves for school
   

⌨️  Technology

If your child is having any access issues with school-related technology - Email, WebEx, or JumpRope - please contact distance.learning@aas.ru

Thank you to those parents who attended our parent coffee this morning.

The principals explained how we provide feedback on standards-based learning, and I spoke briefly about the work we do to monitor and help students achieve well-being. If you’re interested in seeing the recording, please check the links below.

WATCH the RECORDING     DOWNLOAD the SLIDES

📊 Wellness Tracking Changes

📑 End of Semester Reporting

In our first distribution of the MS Semester 1 Report Card there was a technical issue with the colored bars and proficiency language. We were able to fix the reports and resend on Tuesday evening.

We apologize for any confusion or undue stress this might have caused families.

If you have any questions, please contact the MS Office.
 

❣️ Spirit Days

 Thursday  and  Friday 

MS students will have Pink/Red/White spirit days on Thursday and Friday this week to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

This means they do not need to come to school in uniform if they are wearing Valentine’s colors.
 

👕 School Uniform

When students are on campus, it is important that they are in school uniform.

This means blue/black/khaki trousers or a skirt and a red or white polo shirt. If it is a PE day, students should wear their PE kit to school. Now that it is winter, a quick reminder that students should bring a pair of shoes to change into from their outdoor boots.
 

❄️ Outdoors

With temperatures dipping down into the negative double digits, it is important that our students are still prepared to be outside for recess and PE.

We do still have outdoor recess and PE until the temperature is -20, which is closely monitored every day, and all students are expected to go outside (even in cold temperatures). We ask that students come prepared to be outside for both 20-minute recesses by wearing a warm coat, boots, scarf, hat, and gloves. In addition, snow pants (or two layers of trousers) are optional for recess, but are a requirement for PE class.
 

☕️ Parent Coffee - Save the Date!

 February 24 

After the break, on Wednesday, February 24 at 9:30am, we will be hosting a MS Parent Virtual Coffee. During this coffee will be talking about student wellness as well as Standards-Based Learning in the MS.

The Webex link for the virtual coffee will be sent out to all MS families on Monday, February 22.

💻 Hybrid Learning

❄️ Winter Unit

🏫 A Healthy and Safe Campus

• If a family member or student receives a COVID test result, please send this to the AAS Health Office: health.office@aas.ru
• Everyone should wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds
• If your child is identified as a close contact, either from being on campus or at home, they should be PCR tested as soon as possible
  • This gives prompt identification of positive cases who may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic as these patients can still transmit the infection to others
  • This would help us identify further close contacts and help to minimize further spread
  • This allows AAS to continue to monitor any impact a positive case on our campus might have
  • Please follow our AAS COVID Response Flowchart
• Please remember to accurately complete the Daily Health Pass each morning, when we return to campus, before your child leaves for school

📝 End of Semester Reporting

👕 School Uniform

📸 School Photos

We’re happy to have students back on campus this week, and they seem to be happy to be back, as well.

If your child is having any problems adjusting to the hybrid learning schedule or routines, let me or their teachers know right away.

👨‍💻The Upside to Screen Time is a recent article from the NY Times. While the author doesn’t argue that all learning and socializing should be done digitally from now on, she does assert that our kids may be getting more positives from the online lives they’re living than we realize. If you read the article and feel like sharing your thoughts, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

💬If you would like to discuss your child for any reason, please email me, and we can set up an online meeting.