Friday, January 13, 2017

Dear everyone,

Happy New Year!  Lots of great energy back here this week - kids and adults alike!  We have a busy stretch in front of us, so let’s harness all of it to put to good use :)

Our Faculty Meeting next Wednesday 18th Jan will be our whole section all together to begin with.  We have a few reminders and updates, and then we will let specialists work on field days/ events and planning, and homeroom teachers - we will complete the literal unpack of the new Reading Units of Study.

Thank you’s

• Carl and Nushrath for ensuring no child was out playing in the smoky air this morning
• All those who offered (and donated) blood to help out Chandra on Thursday
• All teachers for not complaining about all the indoor recess on Friday!! (Thank You)

Upcoming Field Days

A LOT of important information and schedules/game overviews are found at this link
Important read for all!

Make Up Saturday Schedules

Saturday 21st - we will run a Monday schedule (due to Pongol holiday)

Saturday 28th - we will run a Thursday schedule (make up Indian Republic Day)

Recruiting Update

We are so close!  Only the last two positions remain, and so as soon as this is complete, we will be sharing with you information about our new hires, as well as confirming Grade level placements.

Makeology Maker Summit @ AISC - March 3-4, 2017--NO COST TO AISC TEACHERS

Makeology is a hands-on Maker Summit for curriculum leaders, classroom educators, principals, and heads of schools who want to learn more about how to leverage the Making pedagogy and practices to deepen, enliven, and transform teaching and learning for their students. Great cost-free, on campus, opportunity for ALL interested in the future of education and implication of design on teaching & learning.

Join Consilence and AISC to experience hands-on professional learning through the following strands: Making in the Classroom; Programming; Design Thinking; Wearable Technology. Learn more at http://chennai.makersummit.org/ For AISC teachers interested in participants sign ups and presentations solicitations.

Last chance to sign up with me by Wednesday January 17!

Carl & the Design Studio

Welcome back everybody. Just a quick note to let you know that the Discovery Studios are open for business. Besides doing the NGSS based engineering problems, I would really like to help you in any area that you think I could add value to and enhance the learning that the kids are doing with you. I am open to attending meetings to help come up with new slant on some of your favourite ideas or we can work out something totally new from scratch. I am very willing to work with students; individually, in small groups or as a class to help you all out. Lastly, if you would like to learn some different skills related to designing, creating and building just ask and I will set up some time to help you out.

TA Evaluations

Some time in the next two weeks, teachers and TAs should find time to discuss and complete the TA Feedback Form. TAs are evaluated in the areas of Professional Behavior, Rapport with Students, Social Behavioral Support, Instructional Support & Non Instructional Support. Our TAs hold a variety of responsibilities, many of which differ depending on their job assignments. Any of the indicators that do not apply can be marked as not applicable.

TA standards and the feedback form can be found here. The form can be printed and completed by hand, or an electronic copy can be made, completed, then printed so that appropriate signatures can be added. Either way, a signed and completed paper version should be turned in to Lori by Friday, January 27.

See Lori with any other questions about the process.

Upcoming Trimester 2 Report timeline and information

Style guide for writing narrative comments can be found here

Weds 1 Feb	faculty meeting dedicated to reports; time could be used for entering proficiency levels (B, D, A, E) or for proofing a colleague’s narratives
By Tuesday 7 Feb	Narratives written on google doc and given to proofing buddy
Thursday 16 Oct 4pm	report card narratives (google doc) due to admin for final proofing
Friday 17- Tues 21 Oct	Admin proof reports  (will return as completed)
By Tuesday 21 Feb 4pm -	Reports returned to teachers, can begin entering narratives into skyward
By Thursday 23 Feb 8am	All report information entered into Skyward
Friday 24th 3pm	Reports go live to parents

Proof Readers (after a colleague has already proofed)

PK	Lori
KG	Lori
Grade 1	Rachael
Grade 2 A B	Rachael
Grade 2 C D	Karen
Grade 3	Karen
Grade 4	Keryn
Grade 5	Keryn

HOD and Grade Team Leader Positions

If you are interested in applying for HOD you can access the job description here.  All interested applicants should send a cover letter and their resume to their respective Associate Principal by January 20th.  In turn, they will coordinate all interviews.  Please note that HODs are expected to return to school two days before returning staff (31st July 2017) so kindly factor that into your vacation planning as you buy tickets home.  

Open HOD positions for 17/18:

PK - 12 PE

PK - 12 Visual Art

PK - 12 Performing Arts

PK - 12 Library

PK - 12 World Languages

Open GTL

PK, KG, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Upcoming Dates For Your Calendar

Monday 16 January Pongal Holiday (no school)

Tuesday 17 January ES Parent Coffee 8:45am - 9:45am

Tuesday 17 January Co-Teaching Professional Learning (3:45-5:00)

Wednesday 18 January ES Section Meeting

Thursday 19 January Grade 3-5 Field Day

Saturday 21 January Make Up Day, TGIS @ Andrew’s

Monday 23 January ASA Semester 2 begins

Tuesday 24 January Korean Food Festival

Monday 23 January ASA Semester 2 Begins

Wednesday 25 January No early release; no after school meetings

Thursday 26 January Indian Republic Day Holiday (no school)

Friday 27 January PK - Grade 2 Field Day

Friday 27 January TA Evaluations due

Saturday 28 January Make Up Day

Friday 3 February Whole School Learning Celebration (1, 3, 5 presenting)

Feb 6-10 Consultant: Tom Schimmer visits AISC

Enjoy your long weekend!
Keryn and Lori