News
Director’ s Message
It was pleasing to see the return of the faculty and students after our Winter holidays. What was more satisfying was the way they started classes working diligently as if they were never away on vacation. This type of attitude illustrates the work ethic and dedication that we strive to represent here at AIS. We welcome everyone back for the second semester as well as the new families that added fifteen students to the AIS community.
AIS is currently experiencing some difficult financial situations. On February 12, 2008 at 6:00pm we will have an Extraordinary General Assembly to explain the depth of the school’s position and strategies to solve these difficulties. We hope to have a majority of associates to discuss the issues and be in agreement with the necessary actions to guide AIS out of this situation.
In the past few weeks we have made some schedule changes which involves several teachers and various students. The reason for this is twofold, one is to be more cost efficient and the second is to move students into mainstream classes to increase language levels, especially those students who have been in ESL classes for more than a year. Please be assured that all students will be monitored and accommodations will be made to support every student. As well, any parent that has any questions please make an appointment with the office to discuss your concerns. We are here to assist you and to provide a quality education for your children.
Another major concern is that all parents make timely monthly tuition payments, while the majority pay on time, there are some that are continually late. Please assist us with making your payment in the first five days of each month. We have obligations as well and do not like to be behind on our payments. The parents that make direct deposits into our bank accounts please forward to ais@aiscr.com or send a copy via fax to Elizabeth Hernández in the main office, fax: 2390625. Also, for the parents that are punctual, please forgive the office staff phone calls that are made inadvertently. It is not our intention to offend anyone; however, we need to improve our school efficiency in collecting tuition.
In March, we have our boys and girls varsity soccer teams traveling to El Salvador to compete in the AASCA Tournament. We wish them all the best as they diligently prepare for this tournament. I would also like to thank Mr. Carlos Zelaya for taking over the sponsorship of the Student Council. His knowledge and enthusiasm in working with our students will be an encouraging influence for this group.
In closing I would like to once again invite every parent to come in and discuss any concerns that they may have with their children’s education. Our focus at AIS is to provide a quality education for all. However, it can not be done without the teamwork of the whole AIS community. As always I thank you for your understanding in all aspects of this communication.
Sincerely,
Austin Briggs Jr.
From the Principal’s Office
The Second Semester started out with great energy from teachers and students. The staff is rested after having a well deserved month long break and students are energized for the last part of their school year. Seniors have sent out their college applications and all are waiting anxiously for their acceptance letters. Most of the juniors are focused on the MEP exams just
around the corner.
February is a great month; it is the month of friendship. We are celebrating with different activities such as the seniors’ Valentine Grams where students have the opportunity to buy and give messages to their friends to express their friendship. There will be a Valentine’s dance, sponsored by the Student Council, on Feb. 15th from 6:30-10:30 for 6th -12th grade in our Gymnasium. And as tradition mandates, there will be a King and Queen chosen from our student body.
Also this month AIS Camping, sponsored by the Student Council, will be held on campus the night of Feb. 22/23.
It will be an opportunity for students to spend time with each other in safe and friendly surroundings, creating and sharing fun, entertaining activities that will become treasured memories. Let’s not forget about Spirit Week at the end of the month; just in time to celebrate with the AIS Soccer Teams who are leaving for El Salvador AASCA Tournament in March. Spirit Week is full of fun activities which involve the whole school in celebrating our uniqueness.
It might seem like it will only be a month of fun, not true. The ILT is organizing the second writing sample 6+1 Traits rubrics for Tuesday, February 12. Every student will be writing a narrative, and the TCT ILT will grade them according to the 6 + 1 rubrics. Results will be available to parents by the end of the third quarter. Let’s not forget mid-quarter progress reports will go out on Wednesday, February 13.
There were some schedule changes in some classes this semester due to unexpected circumstances at school. The Student Review Committee will be working with the teachers and students to make sure things go smoothly. We are committed to finding ways in which all students can be successful.
Sports
The winner team of Futbol 5 Elemetary Tournament was formed by the following students:
Yessenia Koontz, Aureliana Lizarazo, Paul Kelly, Valeria Becerra, Patrick Rowland, Victor Prudencio y Valery Jara. Congratulations!
The second Season of sport activities for High School and Middle School will start on February 4th. We will start with Basketball Tournament (boys and girls) and Indoor Soccer Tournament feminine and masculine.
Elementary will start a Kick Ball Tournament in the soccer field in front of the school. It will take place at lunch time and the teams will be selected soon.
The Soccer ACTION (National Tournament) is in process and our High School and Middle School Teams (fem. and masc.) started their training in the same schedule. Soon we will start selecting the athletes that will represent the school in the AASCA Soccer Tournament in Salvador.
The following is a list of games that will take place in January and February.
Jan 22 ICS vs AIS “B” Fem.
Jan 23 AIS vs. Lincoln “A” Masc.
Jan 24 AIS vs CDS “B” Masc. & Fem
Jan 29 ICS vs AIS “A” Masc. & Fem
Jan 31 AIS vs ICS “B” Masc. & Fem
Feb 5 AIS vs MBS “B” Masc. & Fem
Feb 7 MBS vs AIS “A” Masc. & Fem
Feb 12 AIS vs. B. Valley “A” Masc. & Fem
Feb 13 AIS vs MBS “B” Fem.
Feb 14 Lincoln vs. AIS “B” Masc.
Feb 19 AIS vs. Lincoln “A” Fem.
Feb 20 B.Valley vs. AIS “B” Masc.
Feb 21 ICS vs AIS “A” Masc. & Fem.
Feb 26 AIS vs. CDS “A” Masc. & Fem.
NHS
The NHS has began the process of selecting possible NHS members. The selection will be determined by the Faculty Council Selection Committee who will review the students' academic records to determine those students who are eligible for membership, those who meet the required GPA of 90 or above, and exhibit good leadership, service, and character. The student information form should be turned in to the advisors no later than January 31.
Arts
We are pleased to announce the opening of the AIS ´Theater Group.
The Theater Group will open Monday, January 28 at 3:00 pm. The group will meet once a week from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Cindy Lowrance, John Salmon, and Wilson McCray will coordinate the activity. Students will learn and practice the craft of acting. Students will also work on set and costume design, lighting and direction. The Theater Group is open to all students in 9th - 12th grades.
Student Council News
This month, Student Council is planning two major activities. We are pleased to start another semester of hard work; we come revitalized and with dedication and responsibility to ensure that the students have a pleasant experience at AIS. With this said, the next projects Student Council is developing are:
Valentine´s Dance (6-12 grades)
Love and friendship are part of the foundation of modern society. With Valentine´s Dance we celebrate these foundations, and to commemorate such an important holiday, we at AIS, will hold the Valentine´s Dance. The dance is way to have students interact and enjoy themselves in a healthy environment. This year, we will focus in improving the decoration and infrastructure, providing an event surpassing that of past years. This event will be held in the AIS Gymnasium on Feb.15 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm, and its price is C2.000 or $4.
AIS Camping 2008 (6-12 grades)
The second event being organized by Student Council is the AIS Camping Night 2008, a new event that will be held on the school grounds Feb 22-23. The objective of the AIS Camping is to give students the chance to be in contact with nature, as well as to stimulate the values of friendship and life through fun activities. The AIS Camping will begin at 7:00 pm on Feb.22, and it will conclude at 1:30 pm on Feb.23. Students just need to bring their place to sleep (can be a tent, sleeping bag, or sheets) and personal products. It has a cost of C4000 or $8. (it includes everything: dinner, breakfast, and all the activities).
We are working very hard to please the students by choosing activities they will like, and we hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoyed organizing them.
Registration slip for the Camping will be sent next week. The students will have two options: to use electricity, baths, etc, or “camping in the wild” (no electricity, etc).
Carlos Nigro
9th Grade Representative
STUDENT COUNCIL 2007/2008:
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but we most also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” ---Anatole France