AISA Insider

The Quarterly Newsletter for Parents

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Volume 1, Issue 1

Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it." November 2010
-Raymond Chandler

Calendar
 Quarter 1 Ends —- Nov. 11
 Eid Al-Adha Break—Nov. 14-18
 Report Cards —-Nov. 25
 National Day — Dec. 2-3
 Islamic New Year — Dec. 7
 Winter Break — Dec. 17-Jan. 1
 Elementary Report Cards—Jan. 5
 Secondary Exams-Jan. 30-Feb. 3
 Quarter 2 Ends — Feb. 3
Sports News
 ECC Championships Oct 29
How Different Are You From Your Children?
A Sharp Reminder from Gareth Jones, AISA Director.
Every year, Beloit College in Wisconsin publishes facts about the freshman students entering
university. These facts help below remind us how old folks like me are different from the
young people who graduated from high school last June.
 They have never found Korean-made cars unusual on the Interstate.
 They have never written in cursive.
 With cell phones to tell them the time, there is no need for a wrist watch.
 John McEnroe has never played professional tennis.
 Clint Eastwood is better known as a sensitive director than as Dirty Harry.
 Fergie is a pop singer, not a princess.
 Czechoslovakia has never existed.
 Russia has never aimed nuclear weapons at the United States, and China has always posed
an economic threat.
 Instant access to information with computerized technology will not help them distinguish
information from knowledge. Their professors will have to help them acquire the patience
of scholarship. Students will discover how to research information in books and journals
and not just online. (I hope they have learned this at AISA.)
 Their professors are shocked that Kurt Cobain is now on the classic oldies station.
Source: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php

 U 14 Volleyball Teams Oct 30 Mix It Up Lunch

 JV ISAC in Cairo Nov. 3-7
 Tryouts start in November
On Nov. 9, AISA will hold its Mix It Up Lunch, an event in which students will sit and eat
with different classmates – helping to alleviate tensions and to reduce prejudice. Students will
also participate in structured activities to help them get to know one other and interact with
others. The program is based on the successful Mix It Up Lunch held in the United States.
-Emma Mercado

Yearbook Design
Underway
The school yearbook ―The Pride‖
is in the design phase. Send your
ideas to Bassem Kandil
(bkandil@aisa.sch.ae) or Stephen
Baron (sbaron@aisa.sch.ae).
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
For the International Baccalaureate (IB) Pro-
gram, one of the three essential elements is
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS). IB students
design, plan, and participate in CAS projects
over the 18 months in which they are enrolled
in the program. Creativity involves the arts,
Action involves physical exertion for a
healthy lifestyle and Service involves an un-
paid or voluntary service.
CAS enables students to enhance their person-
al and interpersonal development through
experiential learning. AISA‘s IB students
are involved in school-wide, community-
wide, and international projects. Some ex-
amples of this year's CAS projects are the 30
-Hour Famine to support Pakistan, coaching
elementary school students in basketball,
Model United Nations and dance perfor-
mances. -Leanne Fleming
 Page 2
The international experi-
ence that the members of
our community encoun-
ter every day
Our students are of
77 nationalities —
there are few if any
schools around the
world that can
match that
diversity!
D.E.A.R.
The aim of this program
is to improve reading
fluency and comprehen-
sion. D.E.A.R. has also
been shown to improve
acad e mi c vo c ab u lar y
which translates to im-
proved academic perfor-
mance
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
AISA’s Record-Setting 77 Student Nationalities
Here at AISA we are proud of our ‗Global Mindedness‘ and the international experience that
the members of our community encounter every day. In fact, this year our students are of 77
different nationalities – the most we have ever had. There are few if any schools around the
world that can match that diversity!
As an American School with an international essence, we offer the best educational and cultural
experiences for students who are learning to be significant members of the shrinking, global
community of the future.
A growing trend in American public education for schools is to try to emulate the experiences
and skill sets that schools like ours develop in our students. Parents often say this is one of their
reasons for choosing AISA. While AISA is proud of its academic rigor and welcoming student
body, our international community makes the difference.
AISA Student Nationality Breakdown
Middle East/North Africa 48%
North America/Caribbean 20%
Europe 12%
Asia 10%
Australasia 4%
Africa 3%
South America 2%
-Rob Godley,
Secondary School Principal
High School Advisory Program
Advisory places every high school student in an Advisory group and assigns him or her an
adult mentor. Groups meet daily for 20 minutes, with a broad and varied program. Key ele-
ments include DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), current events, assemblies or activities,
counseling and peer tutoring. Each week the advisor checks the students handbooks, ensuring
they are developing successful study skills.
Advisories have developed extraordinary projects: time capsules, mandalas, pen portraits, the
Code of Conduct, School Rules, IT and Academic Honesty contracts, a study skills survey and
a more effective DEAR program.
It has been a busy start, but it illustrates the broader education comprehended in the school‘s
Advisory program that complements individual subjects. School rules and policies, ethical use
of IT, academic honesty, literacy, a sense of belonging and attachment, of aspiration: each may,
or may not, be explicitly addressed in individual subjects, but each are foundations to effective
study and the academic growth and development of all students within all subjects.
Assemblies are student managed events, with Student Leaders taking charge. Assemblies have
focused on expectations of students and RESPECT as a key expectation of the student body in
their interactions with one another, adults, other cultures, information and property.
It was the first of five scheduled assemblies which will address the key elements of a student
negotiated Code of Conduct. Additional elements will include on DIGNITY, INTEGRITY,
EMPATHY and JUSTICE. The RESPECT assembly was a breakthrough, with students talking
about the challenging topics of respect. Students listened respectfully, and it clearly resonated
with them.
There was also a special assembly on the devastation of Pakistan by the recent flooding. This
has been complemented by an awareness campaign in advisory groups where students complet-
ed posters depicting the devastation within Pakistan. There will be a major fundraising venture
conducted throughout the year.
The Advisory program has been hectic and productive. The dividend will be more focused,
engaged, involved and aware students and the benefits of that extend far beyond classrooms.
-Alan Morley, Secondary School Assistant Principal
NOVEMBER 2010 Page 3

World Challenge Trip to Nepal

On November 10, teacher Darren Deschamps will lead a group of six students on a service
trip to Nepal. Participants will help a school for orphans and less fortunate children, by
working with the children and fundraising for the school with a film night at AISA. Partici-
pants will also hike through the countryside. -Darren Deschamps

Global Village Trip to Romania

The Romanian countryside, building homes, and Dracula‘s Castle are all part of the AISA It is important to go
Global Village trip from March 4-11! Students will participate in a unique adventure, re- through the safety tips
ceive Community, Action, Service (CAS) credit, and contribute to a worthy cause.
Global Village, an extension of Habitat for Humanity, builds homes with and for less fortu- for hiking.
nate people in 137 countries. Teachers Emily Townsend and Michael Marty will lead stu-
dents on the project in Commonest, Romania. Participants will build houses, establish rela-
tionships with village residents, attend cultural events and explore the area.
-Emily Townsend and Michael Marty

International Baccalaureate (IB) in a Nutshell

The IB Diploma Programmer is a two-year, academically challenging, balanced program of
education for Grade 11 and 12 students, recognized by global universities.
Students study six courses at higher or standard levels, choosing among languages, social
studies, sciences, math and the arts. Three core requirements (Extended Essay, Theory of
Knowledge, and Creativity, Action, Service) broaden students' experience and apply their
knowledge.
IB 1s: Students and parents must keep track of deadlines and manage their time. There will It will be the end of the
be a Time Management workshop on November 30. Romanian winter and there
IB 2s: Internal Assessment deadlines are fast approaching, and exam fees were due Oct. 21. is the possibility of a one
Carefully check the confirmation documents that Ms. Farrell gives you since changes may
day ski trip. In addition, we
be costly later. -Ryley Farrell
plan to visit Dracula‘s
Castle!
Understanding Culture Shock for AISA’s New Families
As the temperature cools and school routines becomes established, new students shift their moods from excitement to to feelings
of frustration, disconnectedness and loneliness.
This predictable shift we see every year is called culture shock. Though the strength and timing varies for each student, your chil-
dren are bound to be affected at one point or another. By understanding the process of culture shock and implementing simple
support mechanisms at home, you can help your children successfully transition to life here.
Culture Shock begins with a fascination period, for example trying foreign foods or learning a few words of Arabic. Slowly, this
turns to frustration. When your children reach the second stage of culture shock, they miss friends from home, complain of not
―fitting in‖ and may not want to go to school in the morning.
Here are a few tips to help your children:
Establish a routine. The quicker you are able to settle into a daily routine at home, the quicker the feeling of being foreign and
living in a strange and uncomfortable place will vanish.
Get involved with the community. The more you and your family get involved with the AISA community and the larger Abu
Dhabi community, the more support your children will have in place.
Model open-mindedness at home. Remaining positive and open-minded in front of your children is the key to helping them ap-
preciate the differences Abu Dhabi has to offer.
Talk about culture shock. The more you talk with your children about culture shock, the more they will understand their feelings
and realize the reaction they are experiencing is normal.
Eventually, the frustration will pass and your children will reach a stage of acceptance. They will once again appreciate the expe-
rience of living abroad and eagerly share exciting stories of their new life with friends and family members back home. Though it
can be tough to watch your children struggle to reach the stage of acceptance, remember they are leaning life‘s most important
lessons in acceptance, open mindedness and self-confidence throughout this process.
The AISA staff is always available to support you and your family in any way we can as your children make the transition to life
in Abu Dhabi. -Elizabeth Spegele, Secondary School Assistant Principal
American International School of
University Visits
Abu Dhabi  October 25: University of the Arts-London
 October 25: Glion and Les Roches Collages-Switzerland
Primary Business Address  October 26: Global Vision Tour-UK Collage & Universities
P.O.BOX 5992 Parents Welcome
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates  October 27: Linden USA Universities Tour
 October 31: Mount Holyoke-USA
Phone: 02-4444-333
Fax: 02-4444-005  October 31: University of Toronto & University of British Columbia
E-mail: aisa@emirates.net.ae  November 3: Linden Boarding School Tours-USA UK, & Canadian
Parents Welcome
WE’RE ON THE  November 3: St. Edwards University
WEB !  November 7: Bucknell and Lafayette Universities
 November 8: University of Kentucky-Roger Williams University
www.aisa.sch.ae -Carsley Merrell

AISA Sports: Volleyball Championships

Important volleyball tournaments in the coming weeks! The Varsity Volleyball teams will be traveling to Doha, Qatar for the
ISAC Championships on Oct. 27-31.
The JV Volleyball teams will compete in our ECC Championships at AISA on Oct. 29, then travel to Cairo, Egypt for their
ISAC Championships. For the ECC Championships, the Boys (4-1) will be the second seed, while the Girls (4-2) will be the
third seed. Our Under-14 Volleyball teams will participate in the ECC Championships in Dubai on Oct. 30.
Basketball and Soccer teams tryouts start in November, and we are looking for strong teams in all divisions. Seasons last until
March, culminating with AISAFest and the ISAC Championships. We will be hosting the ISAC Soccer Championships on Jan-
uary 12-16, 2011. If you're not a student athlete, watch and cheer on your teams! Go Lions! -Tim Synoground

Middle School Advisory Middle and High School Music

Department Tuning Up
The Advisory Program is new to the Middle School this year. Daily from 9:55
-10:15 am, students in Grades 6-8 meet with their Advisor to participate in in- The Secondary School Music Department
formal activities and games. Weekly activities include silent reading, student- is new this year, and we're already tuning
led conference preparation, trivia and activities, current events and guidance. up! Our first field trip was to Emirates
Advisory builds new friendships, explores leadership opportunities for older Palace for the Young People's Concert
students and develops a Middle School identity. with the Concertgebouw Orchestra from
Linked to our Advisory program is our intramural program, with games taking Amsterdam.
place three days a week during lunch and the winners are awarded Advisory The Performing Arts Night is Nov. 10th
Points. Boys are preparing for the second annual Intramural Football Champi- at 7:00 pm, featuring one-act play ―The
onship while the Girls are battling for kickball supremacy. Watch out for the Hysterical History of the Trojan War,‖ and
Falcons, Scorpions, Hawksbills, Oryx, Leopards, Wolves and Sting Rays! the musical solos ―War and Pieces,‖ also
After-school activities for the Middle School include Science to Excite (Mr. featuring the High School Choir. Rehears-
Murray), Middle School Choir (Ms. Van Rensburg), Middle School Drama als for Middle and High School Choir are
(Ms. Townsend), Mosaic: Literature and Arts Magazine Club and Middle Mondays 3-4 pm. -Jana Van Rensburg
School Model United Nations (Ms. Schuler).
For students who want to learn about desert ecosystems, living sustainably, and Girl Scouts Turn 100
who want to try new activities – attend the Outdoor Academy! The program
will run for two nights: Boys on Dec. 12-14, Girls on Dec. 14-16. It will be a
fantastic opportunity to try new activities such as abseiling, orienteering, On October 20, the Girl Guides and Girl
kayaking, canoeing, and ropes. Attend an informational session on November 3. Scouts celebrated our centennial, renewing
-Matthew McGrady promises to be responsible global citizens.
In 1910, girls marched in front of a Boy
Middle School Student Ambassadors Scots rally in London, demanding an equal
AISA is in its second year of the successful Student Ambassador Program. Stu- organization. Now, we are one of the most
dent Ambassadors are a group of Grade 6-8 students, with three girls and three respected in the world, teaching girls new
boys for each grade level, who give school tours to new students, help represent skills, sending them on adventures and
the school at various functions and serve as ―Student Buddies‖ to new students providing them with increased confidence
to help them transition. Ambassadors must have at least a ―C‖ average, are re- and friendship of Guides around the
sponsible and not already in leadership roles, and have no disciplinary or at- world. If you want to join, e-mail Aida
tendance issues. -Emma Mercado Loughran: aloughran@aisa.sch.ae.