Upper school German language students take all top prizes in the Goethe-Zentrum's competition "Advancing Your Career Through World Languages"
Congratulations to the following students:
Sean Koval '16
Liam Heery '17
Iain Schmitt '16
Sidarth Rajiv '16
Bruno Bartolek '16
Isabella Wasserfuhr '16
Anna Fritz '16
by Ross Williams
rwilliams@neighbornewspapers.com
October 21, 2015
 |
|
| Veronica Plaut McDaniel, daughter of Atlanta International School founders Olga and Roy Plaut, with her son Mateo McDaniel, 4. Veronica was one of the first members of the school and her son is now one of eight alumni students to attend. |
As their teacher rings a bell, a cavalcade of 3-year-olds comes charging in from the school playground, laughing and shouting in English, Spanish, French and German.
These rambunctious little tykes make up Atlanta International School’s class of 2030, and by coincidence, their first year of classes marks the Buckhead school’s 30th anniversary.
As part of the festivities for the anniversary, in the spring the kids will be burying time capsules, which they will dig up upon their graduation.
Headmaster Kevin Glass said he is excited to see what the students choose to put in their capsules, but he is trying not to let his curiosity get the better of him.
“I’m thinking that I want to keep myself away from that because I don’t want to influence them,” he said. “We’re thinking forward to what’s important to them and their future, the things that are special to them now.”
Glass said if he were to choose items for the capsule, he would want to include aspects of today’s latest technology like iPads and smart watches.
“Things that are cutting edge now but will be antiques then,” he said.
As these 3-year-olds grow up, they will be no stranger to today’s latest technology. The school’s science lab includes gadgets like laser cutters and 3D printers. But alumna Veronica Plaut McDaniel said that was not always the case.
Now a gym teacher and soccer coach, McDaniel is the daughter of the school’s founders and one of the first students there. She recalled when the school opened in a Quonset hut behind Sardis United Methodist Church in Buckhead. It now includes about 1,200 students but began with five staff members and 51 pupils.
McDaniel said as she went through school, the only computers she used were massive PCs utilized primarily for typing lessons. But for her, some of the school’s greatest achievements have been outside the classroom.
“Being a PE teacher and a soccer coach and having participated in sports at AIS as a kid, I’m really proud of how far the athletics department has come,” McDaniel said.
She said when the school was getting started, PE was in a patch of dirt behind the cemetery and there was no girls’ soccer team. Now, the school boasts top-notch teams and facilities.
But McDaniel, Glass and the rest of the school’s team said the most important thing it provides to its students has not changed in 30 years: the chance to find a place in a unique community that is both local and global.
“We have over 90 nationalities, over 60 languages, every color of skin and a fair representation of all the religions around the world,” Glass said.
He said he hopes that diversity will not only prepare the 3-year-olds for jobs in the global economy, but teach them tolerance and respect for all cultures.
The school will host its annual WorldFest Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. It is open to the public and will include family activities and food tastings from nearly 20 countries, which each require tickets that can be bought at the door for cash only.
Early Learning Center (Grades 3K-4K)
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Primary School (Grades 5K-5)
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Secondary School (Grades 6-12)
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Please contact admission@aischool.org
for more information
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.aischool.org/christmasmarket
Dear Families,
I hope June finds you well and your children are enjoying their summer vacations (or are soon to do so!) We are delighted and honored that you have chosen to enroll your child in middle school at AIS.
I wanted to write to you to share some key aspects of our middle school program. Hopefully, the following information will provide you with broad strokes and some details. Feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. (Please see below for “Key People in Middle School”.)
We are really looking forward to welcoming your child into middle school in August. MS New Students’ Orientation will be on August 10. You are also invited to attend an orientation for parents on that day. More detailed information about orientation will follow.
I hope you have a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating summer break!
Best,
Kevin
SCHOOL START/END TIMES
School begins each day at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays are a late start with school beginning at 8:45 a.m. The last Wednesday of many months is a half day, with school ending at 12:30 p.m. Please refer to the school calendar to see when these half days occur. More dates can be found on new parent webpage, http://www.aischool.org/newparent
CARPOOL
Secondary students must be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school. Carpool decal numbers are not used in Secondary. For pick up, students find their parent’s car on their own. Please carefully read carpool guidelines on the web. Specifics about times and routes are addressed. “Advanced” topics involving siblings in different divisions are also addressed.
KEY PEOPLE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Your child’s Advisor - On orientation day, your child meet their advisor, a secondary school teacher, who will be your child’s key contact for the year.
Head of Year - Each Head of Year coordinates the grade level advisory team (8 advisors) and leads the grade-level advisory program.
Head of Grade 6 - Jutta Martinez (jmartinez@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 7 - Jason Simons (jsimons@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 8 - Nathaniel Ben-Haiem (nbenhaiem@aischool.org)
Middle School Administrative Assistant - Jane Panzer (jpanzer@aischool.org)
Please be in touch with Jane if your child is going to be absent. Students arriving late must check in with Ms. Panzer in the MS office. Parents may accompany their child, or they may call or email Ms. Panzer. Parents must sign their children out at the office if they are leaving early.
MS Counselors
Lanie Cox (grades 6-8, last names A-M). Lanie is also Head of Personal Counseling. (lcox@aischool.org)
Lisa Calderon (grades 6-8, last names L-Z) (lcalderon@aischool.org)
Head of Middle School, Deputy Head of Secondary - Kevin Onabiyi (konabiyi@aischool.org)
Head of Secondary - Sandy MacKenzie (smackenzie@aischool.org)
Director of Technology - Yolanda Ramirez (yramirez@aischool.org)
IB Middle Years Program Coordinator - Carmen Samanes (csamanes@aischool.org)
GRADE 6 CLASSES
On orientation day in August, students receive a copy of their specific schedule with class times and teachers. Please find a copy of the general Secondary School schedule, attached. Notice that each morning begins with a 5 minute advisory session. Next is two academic classes followed by a break. Then two more academic classes are followed by lunch. Finally, two afternoon classes are followed by community time. Community time differs across the days of the week.
Here are the classes that grade 6 students take:
1 English or ESOL
2 French, German, Spanish, or Chinese
3 Geography/History (taught in English, French, German, or Spanish)
4 Math
5 Sciences
6 Arts (Visual Art, Theatre, Music)
7 Design (Product and Digital)
8 PE (including Personal and Social Health Education)
9 Option: French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Latin, ICT, Science Option, Resource, ESOL
SUMMER READING
Your child will have an assignment for English and they may have assignment for the other Language(s) they will be taking. Please access these assignments through the New Parents’ Webpage: http://www.aischool.org/newparent, password: ais2015.
SUPPLIES
You may also access the Secondary School supplies list through the new parent webpage.
KEY DATES IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Orientation day for all grade 6 students Mon, 8/10
Orientation session for grade 6 parents Mon, 8/10
First day of school Tues, 8/11
MS Back to School Night Wed, 8/19
Secondary School Field Trip Week Mon 8/31 - Thur 9 /3
Dear new families,
I am very happy to welcome you to the AIS community. I was new myself last year so I can empathize with the excitement and nerves of starting at a new school.
We are delighted and honored that you have chosen to enroll your child in the Primary School at AIS. I want to share some key aspects of our Primary School program. Hopefully, the following information will answer some of your burning questions.
I hope you have a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating summer break!
Sincerely,
Camille Du Aime
Head of Primary School
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Early Learning Center:
The 3K and 4K classes are in a purpose built building just across the street from the main campus. Maria Voutos, the Grade level Coordinator and Camille Du Aime, the Head of the Primary School are the administrators for the ELC and Anne Williams is the Administrative Assistant.
ELC Classes start at 8.30 a.m and end at 2.30 p.m.
Morning carpool: 7.40 a.m. to 8.20 a.m. Parents are welcome to park their car and walk their child in and stay with them for a few minutes until they feel settled.
Afternoon carpool: ELC walk-up is from 2:30pm to 2:50pm for students WITHOUT AIS siblings in older grades. For students WITH AIS siblings in older grades, ELC carpool is from 2:40pm until 3:00 pm.
Primary School (main campus):
Lower Primary School: The Lower Primary School (LPS) is led by the LPS Principal Lynda Sarelius and Camille Du Aime the Head of the Primary School. LPS includes students from 5K to Grade 2.
Upper Primary School: The Upper Primary School (UPS) is led by the UPS Principal Alain Poiraud and Camille Du Aime the Head of the Primary School. UPS includes students from Grade 3-5.
Lower and Upper Primary School Classes start at 8.20 a.m. and classes end at 3.00 p.m. Children who arrive between 7:40 and 8:00 will be supervised until the classes are open. During the first couple weeks, parents of 5K students are welcome to walk them in to help them get settled.
Primary School Morning carpool: 7.40 a.m. to 8.10 a.m. at the front entrance of the campus.
Primary School Afternoon carpool: 3.05 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. for PS students with no siblings in the secondary school. For students with older sibling in Secondary school, the pick up is from 3.45 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. If the youngest child is in 5K-Gr. 2 they will be picked up in at the front of the campus. If the youngest child is in Gr. 3-5, they will be picked up at the back parking lot.
Late Arrival: Students arriving to school after 8.20 a.m. must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the ELC or Primary School office to sign in prior to being taken by the parent or guardian to class.
Half Days: The last Wednesday of most months is a half day, with school ending at 11:30 p.m. for ELC and 11:50 for LPS and UPS. Please refer to the school calendar to see when these half days occur.
KEY PEOPLE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL
|
Primary Leadership Team Head of Primary: Camille Du Aime (cduaime@aischool.org) LPS Principal: Lynda Sarelius (lsarelius@aischool.org) UPS Principal: Alain Poiraud (apoiraud@aischool.org) PYP coordinator: Leonie Ley-Mitchell Learning Support Coordinator: Suzi Di Pietro (sdipietro@aischool.org) LPS Counselor: Bev Fetter UPS Counselor: Kat Cagle
Administrative Assistants ELC: Ann Williams (awilliams@aischool.org) Primary office: Julie Audibert (jaudibert@aischool.org) Lin Wong (lwong@aischool.org) |
Grade Level Leaders ELC: Maria Voutos (mvoutos@aischool.org) 5K: Tina Clark (tclark@aischool.org) Gr. 1: Linda Doulkhani (ldoulkhani@aischool.org) Gr. 2: Carmen Baker (cbaker@aischool.org) Gr. 3 Kim Aguirre (kaguirre@aischool.org) Gr. 4: Dianne Potdevin (dpotdevin@aischool.org) Gr. 5 Arndt Hafele (ahafele@aischool.org)
Language Coordinators French: Serge Petitpre (spetitpre@aischool.org) German: Annette Witte (awitte@aischool.org) Spanish: Vanenka Mosqueira (vmosqueira@aischool.org) English: Suzi Di Pietro (sdipietro@aischool.org) |
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION MODEL
In ELC, the children are with the same teacher and assistant in the same classroom, working every day in the target language (German, French or Spanish).
In 5K-Gr. 5 the school is organized into A days and B days. On the A days, your child will be with one teacher and on B days they will be in a different class, with a different teacher learning in a different language. You and your child will get skilled at remembering which day it is and what they need to bring with them. Specialist classes like PE, Music and Art will always fall on the same day (A or B).
School Supplies: Each grade level has posted a list of supplies on the school website. However, don’t worry, nothing is needed for the first day of school.
KEY DATES IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Orientation day for new students in 5K- Grade 12 Mon. August 10th.
ELC will schedule in-take interviews with each family during the first week.
First day of school Tues. August 11th.
ELC students will only have half days until 11:30 during the first week.
Lower Primary Back to School Night Thurs. August 20th.
Back to School Picnic Fri. August 21st
Upper Primary Back to School Night Tues. August 25th
Greetings Atlanta International School families!
It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the newly appointed Upper School Principal. I am honored to join you and your student in becoming the newest members of the AIS community for the 2015-2016 school year . I look forward to establishing a working relationship with each of you. AIS is pleased that you have chosen to enroll your child in the Upper School.
As an educational professional I possess over 18 years of educational experience spanning K-12. I am truly happy to bring my skills as an educational leader and teacher to AIS and I welcome working with you as a partner in their education. Together we will ensure your child's success.
I am writing to you to share key aspects of the Upper School program. My hope is that the following information will provide you with the details you need to begin a productive start to the year. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have (see below key people in the Upper School). You will also be contacted by your child's Head of Year with additional information.
I can't say enough how thrilled I am to work with you and your child. Let me be the first to welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year. I anticipate a thriving and successful year.
Enjoy your summer
Best Regards
Tambi L Greene.
Tambi L Greene
Upper School Principal/Deputy of Secondary School
Atlanta International School
2890 N Fulton Dr. NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 841-3840
SCHOOL START/END TIMES
School begins each day at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.. Wednesdays are a late start with school beginning at 8:45 a.m.. The last Wednesday of many months is a half day, with school ending at 12:30 p.m.. Please refer to the school calendar to see when these half days occur.
CARPOOL
Secondary students must be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school. Carpool decal numbers are not used in Secondary. For pick up, students find their parent’s car on their own. Please carefully read carpool guidelines on the web. Specifics about times and routes are addressed. “Advanced” topics involving siblings in different divisions are also addressed.
Students in Grades 11 and 12 are, with your permission, allowed to drive to school. However, we must receive a signed Driving to School form so that students can obtain a parking pass. Students must park in the Student Parking Lot at the Second Ponce de Leon Church.
KEY PEOPLE IN UPPER SCHOOL
Your child’s Advisor - On orientation day, your child meet their advisor, a secondary school teacher, who will be your child’s key contact for the year. The Advisor should be the first port of call for communications from home to school.
Head of Year - Each Head of Year coordinates the grade level advisory team and leads the grade-level advisory program.
Head of Grade 9 - Veronica McDaniel (vmcdaniel@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 10 - Anthony Gillett (agillett@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 11 - Tony Locke (tlocke@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 12 - Paul Husken (phusken@aischool.org)
Upper School Administrative Assistant - Layne Stabler (lstabler@aischool.org)
Please be in touch with Layne if your child is going to be absent. Students arriving late must check in with either Ms. Stabler in the US office (Grades 9 - 10) or sign in at the ASD Desk (Grades 11 - 12). Students must also sign out if they are leaving early, however parents need to phone or email Ms. Stabler to notify her of the reason for early dismissal.
US Counselors -
Upper School Counseling is split into two departments - College Counseling and Personal Counseling. The College Counseling team splits each grade level up alphabetically, and works with the same students throughout their years in the Upper School. They assist with academic issues (scheduling, academic challenges and support, and application to college). The Personal Counselor works with students to manage personal stress or crisis and interpersonal or social issues at school. Your student will be notified of their College Counselor assignment in August.
Christine Kelley (College Counselor; ckelley@aischool.org)
Peter Morgan (College Counselor; pmorgan@aischool.org)
Alice Schaaf (College Counselor; aschaaf@aischool.org)
Jessi Heneghan (Personal Counselor; jheneghan@aischool.org)
Upper School Principal, Deputy Head of Secondary - Tambi Greene (tgreene@aischool.org)
Head of Secondary School - Sandy MacKenzie (smackenzie@aischool.org)
Director of Technology - Yolanda Ramirez (yramirez@aischool.org)
IB Middle Years Program Coordinator - Carmen Samanes (csamanes@aischool.org)
IB Diploma Program Coordinator - Gary Paterson (gpaterson@aischool.org)
GRADE 9 - 10 CLASSES
On orientation day in August, students receive a copy of their specific schedule with class times and teachers. Please click here to find a copy of the general Secondary School schedule. Notice that each morning begins with a 5 minute advisory session. Next is two academic classes followed by a break. Then two more academic classes are followed by lunch. Finally, two afternoon classes are followed by community time. Community time differs across the days of the week.
Here are the classes that grade 9 / 10 students take:
1 English or ESOL
2 French, German, Spanish, or Chinese
3 Geography/History (taught in English, French, German, or Spanish)
4 Math
5 Sciences
6 Arts (Visual Art, Theatre, Music)
7 Design (Product and Digital)
8 PE (including Personal and Social Health Education)
9 Option: French, German, Spanish, Chinese, ICT, Science Option, Resource, ESOL
SUMMER READING
Your child will have an assignment for English and they may have assignment for the other Language(s) they will be taking. Please access these assignments through the New Parents’ Webpage: http://www.aischool.org/newparent, password: ais2015.
SUPPLIES
You may also access the Secondary School supplies list through the new parent webpage.
KEY DATES IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Orientation day for all new students Mon, 8/10
Orientation session for new parents Mon, 8/10
First day of school Tues, 8/11
US Back to School Night Wed, 8/27
Secondary School Field Trip Week Mon 8/31 - Fri 9/4
Use your Admission Portal login to access the Parent Portal through the link below.
Please contact Laurette Sirkin (lsirkin@aischool.org) if you are experiencing difficulties with your login.
|
|
Ben Franklin Academy’s Abby Pinson enjoys a moment with two children at an orphanage in Swaziland, Africa, where she spent the summer helping others. (Special Photo) |
Upper school German language students take all top prizes in the Goethe-Zentrum's competition "Advancing Your Career Through World Languages"
Congratulations to the following students:
Sean Koval '16
Liam Heery '17
Iain Schmitt '16
Sidarth Rajiv '16
Bruno Bartolek '16
Isabella Wasserfuhr '16
Anna Fritz '16
by Ross Williams
rwilliams@neighbornewspapers.com
October 21, 2015
 |
|
| Veronica Plaut McDaniel, daughter of Atlanta International School founders Olga and Roy Plaut, with her son Mateo McDaniel, 4. Veronica was one of the first members of the school and her son is now one of eight alumni students to attend. |
As their teacher rings a bell, a cavalcade of 3-year-olds comes charging in from the school playground, laughing and shouting in English, Spanish, French and German.
These rambunctious little tykes make up Atlanta International School’s class of 2030, and by coincidence, their first year of classes marks the Buckhead school’s 30th anniversary.
As part of the festivities for the anniversary, in the spring the kids will be burying time capsules, which they will dig up upon their graduation.
Headmaster Kevin Glass said he is excited to see what the students choose to put in their capsules, but he is trying not to let his curiosity get the better of him.
“I’m thinking that I want to keep myself away from that because I don’t want to influence them,” he said. “We’re thinking forward to what’s important to them and their future, the things that are special to them now.”
Glass said if he were to choose items for the capsule, he would want to include aspects of today’s latest technology like iPads and smart watches.
“Things that are cutting edge now but will be antiques then,” he said.
As these 3-year-olds grow up, they will be no stranger to today’s latest technology. The school’s science lab includes gadgets like laser cutters and 3D printers. But alumna Veronica Plaut McDaniel said that was not always the case.
Now a gym teacher and soccer coach, McDaniel is the daughter of the school’s founders and one of the first students there. She recalled when the school opened in a Quonset hut behind Sardis United Methodist Church in Buckhead. It now includes about 1,200 students but began with five staff members and 51 pupils.
McDaniel said as she went through school, the only computers she used were massive PCs utilized primarily for typing lessons. But for her, some of the school’s greatest achievements have been outside the classroom.
“Being a PE teacher and a soccer coach and having participated in sports at AIS as a kid, I’m really proud of how far the athletics department has come,” McDaniel said.
She said when the school was getting started, PE was in a patch of dirt behind the cemetery and there was no girls’ soccer team. Now, the school boasts top-notch teams and facilities.
But McDaniel, Glass and the rest of the school’s team said the most important thing it provides to its students has not changed in 30 years: the chance to find a place in a unique community that is both local and global.
“We have over 90 nationalities, over 60 languages, every color of skin and a fair representation of all the religions around the world,” Glass said.
He said he hopes that diversity will not only prepare the 3-year-olds for jobs in the global economy, but teach them tolerance and respect for all cultures.
The school will host its annual WorldFest Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. It is open to the public and will include family activities and food tastings from nearly 20 countries, which each require tickets that can be bought at the door for cash only.
Early Learning Center (Grades 3K-4K)
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Primary School (Grades 5K-5)
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Secondary School (Grades 6-12)
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Please contact admission@aischool.org
for more information
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.aischool.org/christmasmarket
There’s a first time for everything – and this is our first annual Walk It Off! Your alumni children will remember that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday…so the day after, Friday November 27, think about joining Adi Selimovich and many others in the AIS community to walk off those calories! Meet up between 10:15 and 10:30 that morning at the beltline by The Mediterranean Grill, 985 Monroe Drive.
This event is for alums, alum parents, children, anyone in the AIS community – and for out-of-town relatives and friends. No RSVP’s…no tickets! Just show up and in the event of heavy rain, go to a movie or join the throngs at a mall – or do what my family does – veg out in front of the football games on TV.
(If you drive down Peachtree, turn left on 10th and go to the dead-end which at Monroe.) Walk the two miles, ride your bike, or push a stroller around the beltline and stop at Krog Market to enjoy a snack or coffee with friends and family. Then walk back ---or if you aren’t up to four miles, park a car at the end of the beltline and drive home from there.
A word from Adi about parking: do not park in the strip mall where The Mediterranean Grill is located because they will have your car booted. Park on 10th or in the Piedmont Park pay lot.
June 8, 2015
Dear AIS Parents,
On behalf of the Parent Organization of Atlanta International School, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our community and the upcoming school year. The AIS community is vibrant, diverse, and filled with interesting and talented students, parents and teachers. As the parent of a student enrolled at AIS, you automatically become a member of the PO, and we welcome your energy, ideas, talents and contributions.
The purpose of the Parent Organization is to promote AIS through the organized efforts of the parent body and to build a strong sense of community by interacting with each other, the faculty and leadership of the school.
There are many ways to become involved with the Parent Organization, such as volunteering for a position on the PO Council or as a grade representative, school representative or room parent. You can also work with one of our groups like the culture clubs, Ambassador Program, Parent Programs, Sports Boosters, Arts Boosters and event committees. You can find out more about these opportunities by visiting the Parent Organization section of the AIS web site.
Together with my family, I arrived here in Atlanta from Asia some ten years ago not knowing a soul here. As my daughter started school, I became aware of the Parent Organization and joined, first as a room parent in the Primary School. Since then I have taken on a number of other roles within the PO and have enjoyed each one immensely. I have been generously rewarded by the many friendships I have made whilst working with the PO, some of whom I know will remain lifelong friends. Working with the PO really is one of the best ways to make good friends whilst at the same time helping to shape our children’s school into the great institution it has become and will continue to be with our support.
Finally I would like to leave you with a taste of the kind of fun activities it is possible to engage in with the PO. Please take the opportunity to view this short presentation that was created by Hermine Morrell, Chair of Ensemble, our French culture club. I am certain that you will enjoy it and be encouraged to come and work with us.
Use the following link to access the presentation:
http://play.smilebox.com/SpreadMoreHappy/4e4449314f5451314e6a42384f5455794d7a497a4d44673d0d0a
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Best regards,
Mark Hayler
Download PDF version of this letter
Dear Families,
I hope June finds you well and your children are enjoying their summer vacations (or are soon to do so!) We are delighted and honored that you have chosen to enroll your child in middle school at AIS.
I wanted to write to you to share some key aspects of our middle school program. Hopefully, the following information will provide you with broad strokes and some details. Feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. (Please see below for “Key People in Middle School”.)
We are really looking forward to welcoming your child into middle school in August. MS New Students’ Orientation will be on August 10. You are also invited to attend an orientation for parents on that day. More detailed information about orientation will follow.
I hope you have a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating summer break!
Best,
Kevin
SCHOOL START/END TIMES
School begins each day at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays are a late start with school beginning at 8:45 a.m. The last Wednesday of many months is a half day, with school ending at 12:30 p.m. Please refer to the school calendar to see when these half days occur. More dates can be found on new parent webpage, http://www.aischool.org/newparent
CARPOOL
Secondary students must be dropped off and picked up in the back of the school. Carpool decal numbers are not used in Secondary. For pick up, students find their parent’s car on their own. Please carefully read carpool guidelines on the web. Specifics about times and routes are addressed. “Advanced” topics involving siblings in different divisions are also addressed.
KEY PEOPLE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Your child’s Advisor - On orientation day, your child meet their advisor, a secondary school teacher, who will be your child’s key contact for the year.
Head of Year - Each Head of Year coordinates the grade level advisory team (8 advisors) and leads the grade-level advisory program.
Head of Grade 6 - Jutta Martinez (jmartinez@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 7 - Jason Simons (jsimons@aischool.org)
Head of Grade 8 - Nathaniel Ben-Haiem (nbenhaiem@aischool.org)
Middle School Administrative Assistant - Jane Panzer (jpanzer@aischool.org)
Please be in touch with Jane if your child is going to be absent. Students arriving late must check in with Ms. Panzer in the MS office. Parents may accompany their child, or they may call or email Ms. Panzer. Parents must sign their children out at the office if they are leaving early.
MS Counselors
Lanie Cox (grades 6-8, last names A-M). Lanie is also Head of Personal Counseling. (lcox@aischool.org)
Lisa Calderon (grades 6-8, last names L-Z) (lcalderon@aischool.org)
Head of Middle School, Deputy Head of Secondary - Kevin Onabiyi (konabiyi@aischool.org)
Head of Secondary - Sandy MacKenzie (smackenzie@aischool.org)
Director of Technology - Yolanda Ramirez (yramirez@aischool.org)
IB Middle Years Program Coordinator - Carmen Samanes (csamanes@aischool.org)
GRADE 6 CLASSES
On orientation day in August, students receive a copy of their specific schedule with class times and teachers. Please find a copy of the general Secondary School schedule, attached. Notice that each morning begins with a 5 minute advisory session. Next is two academic classes followed by a break. Then two more academic classes are followed by lunch. Finally, two afternoon classes are followed by community time. Community time differs across the days of the week.
Here are the classes that grade 6 students take:
1 English or ESOL
2 French, German, Spanish, or Chinese
3 Geography/History (taught in English, French, German, or Spanish)
4 Math
5 Sciences
6 Arts (Visual Art, Theatre, Music)
7 Design (Product and Digital)
8 PE (including Personal and Social Health Education)
9 Option: French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Latin, ICT, Science Option, Resource, ESOL
SUMMER READING
Your child will have an assignment for English and they may have assignment for the other Language(s) they will be taking. Please access these assignments through the New Parents’ Webpage: http://www.aischool.org/newparent, password: ais2015.
SUPPLIES
You may also access the Secondary School supplies list through the new parent webpage.
KEY DATES IN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Orientation day for all grade 6 students Mon, 8/10
Orientation session for grade 6 parents Mon, 8/10
First day of school Tues, 8/11
MS Back to School Night Wed, 8/19
Secondary School Field Trip Week Mon 8/31 - Thur 9 /3
