May 17th, 2013

Up coming...

1. Fond farewell and best wishes to 

• Capucine de la Porte Theil, 6th grade,  who will be leaving AISC Thursday, May 23rd. We wish her well.
• Vittoria Megazzini, 6th grade, who will be leaving Thursday May 23rd. We wish her well.

2. 5th grade Student Orientation to Middle School: May 20th 2:00pm in PAC Cafeteria

3. 5th grade Parent Orientation to Middle School: May 22nd 9:00am BBT

Advisory...Caring Theme

Water Walk: As part of our caring theme for the environment,  students experienced what many people in the world have to do to get their water. Students had to carry a container of water for two laps around the field, just as families have to do in many places in the world  to deliver water home.  Students learned what a precious commodity water is and what people have to go through to get it, especially in the heat of the day. 

Caring and Appreciating  our Diversity

We are well into our work on appreciating our different cultures that we have in our advisory classes. Students are sharing their home values and customs with each other. They will then represent these cultural values in a grade level mural on the bulletin board....watch for this coming up:-)

Transitioning...The "Entering Stage"

Transition can take many forms. It can be moving from one school or place to another, from one grade level to another or from one situation to another. Whatever the transition, it usually takes a period of 6 -8 months to adjust fully to the new surrounding. So what can one do to adjust more easily and rapidly?

Entering a new stage, comes with lots of doubts like, "Can i do this?" ,"Do i like it here?", "Why am I in this situation?", " What do I do now?".

Here are some ways to help ease the ups and downs in the "Entering Stage'

1. Know what you are interested in and and try to connect with someone who has that similar interest of seek out where to pursue it. If you are interested in art, join an art class or sign up for lessons.

2. Talk to others about how you are feeling. The more you express your feelings, the easier it is to get over your fears and doubts. Other people may have gone through a similar situation and may offer something that may help you and just be the thing you are looking for.

3. Give yourself time to adjust. remember that this is a process and it does take take. There may be smooth periods, but there may be bumps along the way as well. Know in your heart that this feeling will not last forever and will get better!

4. Do some research about your new place and source out some interesting places that you would like to visit when you arrive. Get yourself excited about one thing that you would like to do or explore in your new place or situation.

It is an exciting time! Change in not easy but personal growth will be guaranteed:-)  Enjoy the process!

May 10th, 2013

Up coming.....

1. Fond farewell and best wishes to Monet Swain who will be leaving AISC Friday, May 10th.

2. 5th grade Student Orientation to Middle School: May 20th 2:00pm in PAC Cafeteria
4. 5th grade Parent Orientation to Middle School: May 22nd 9:00am BBT


Congratulations to 6th grade for a wonderful MS Assembly celebrating our themes this year, of Making Good choices, Honesty and Caring!!

Advisory.... "Caring" theme

We are finishing up our unit on "Caring for the Environment". Our next unit in Advisory classes will be "caring for Diversity and Cultures" which will finish May 31st. In this theme we will be exploring and understanding our representative cultures through interviews with family members about values, traditions and ideas on etiquette, personal space, modesty, time and body language. Your child will be coming home with a series of questions to ask. Pleas make some time so that you can share your ideas about your culture and  values with him/her.

Transitions.....

Change is inevitable! If there is no change, we will not be able to grow and develop. There are many transitions and changes we have to face in our lives. Some many be difficult, and some may be easier to adjust to . What makes change  easy or difficult?

There are many transitions and changes in our lives that we have to adapt to such as a death of a loved one, moving to a new place, changing jobs, friends moving away, new teacher, relationships etc. Why is transition so difficult? Well, loss is usually at the bottom of any change and that is always hard to accept. If we take, for example, a transition or a move to a new place, what is the loss inherent in this change?

• Loss of friends
• Loss of familiarity with food, meeting places etc
• Loss of home
• Loss of  comfort with routine and stability

When we experience and go through this loss we are entering the "transition" phase. This is generally accompanied by symptoms of chaos, panic, venerability, blame, worry, loss of self-esteem etc. It is worthwhile to acknowledge this stage and recognize that it is a stage that you will get through it and will enter a better period called the "Entering" stage, which I will discuss in next week's blog. 

Some ways in which you can help to transition through the first stage quicker and easier are listed below. Enjoy the time remaining to celebrate the friendships you have made and the things you have accomplished and look at how much you have grown here:-)

Things to do before you go:

1. Tell your friends how important their friendships have been. Perhaps leave them some memento of a special time you have shared.

1. 2.    Schedule time for your farewells: friends, neighbors, pets, teachers

a.     Write a note or make a visit or bake some cookies to bring over to say “Thank you for being a special person! I will miss you!”

1. 3.    Visit the places that you will miss and say good bye. 

1. 4.    Take some photographs for memories.

1. 5.    Choose some sacred objects to take with you to remember the life you had here and special place that you lived in.

1. 6.    Take some time to share and talk  with friends and family about leaving and how you are feeling.