Putting Students at the Center Welcome back to another year of learning! The summer break provided a much needed opportunity to unplug, refresh and start anew. The beginning of a school year always carries a positive vibe - the anticipation of a clean slate and the excitement of a fresh start. At The American School of Tegucigalpa we are always reflecting on how we learn and how we teach. We are kicking off the school year with a focus on personalized learning. Personalized learning invites students to the design table, giving them a voice in what interests them and sparks their curiosity. When teachers tailor instruction to the needs and interests of students, learning becomes more authentic and relevant. As students take more ownership in their learning journey, their performance improves. AST teaching staff participated in a two-day workshop with educator and published author Allison Zmuda to examine how to personalize learning, while still meeting rigorous curricular goals. As we start another academic year, we want to make sure teachers have the tools and resources to support and inspire students every day. If we want to see a positive change in student learning and performance, we must rethink the traditional role of teacher and student. As educators, we need to be willing to relinquish some control of the instructional design and be open to a more student-driven model for learning. When students are empowered to have a say in the learning process, the end result is a more engaged and happy learner. Here’s to a fantastic school year! Anahi Vargas de Paredes Curriculum Director
¡Bienvenidos a otro año de aprendizaje! Las vacaciones de verano proporcionaron un espacio necesario
para desconectarse, refrescarse y comenzar de nuevo. El inicio de un año escolar siempre acarrea un ambiente positivo - la anticipación del “borrón y cuenta nueva” y la emoción de un nuevo comenzar. En la Escuela Americana de Tegucigalpa siempre estamos reflexionando sobre cómo aprendemos y cómo enseñamos. Estamos comenzando el año escolar con un enfoque en el aprendizaje personalizado. El aprendizaje personalizado invita a los estudiantes a la mesa de diseño, dándoles una voz en aquello que les interesa y despierta su curiosidad. Cuando los maestros adaptan la instrucción a las necesidades e intereses del alumno, el aprendizaje se hace más auténtico y relevante. A medida que los alumnos se adueñan de su proceso de aprendizaje, su desempeño mejora. El personal docente de AST participó en un taller de dos días con la educadora y autora Allison Zmuda para examinar cómo personalizar el aprendizaje, cumpliendo a la vez las metas establecidas en el plan de estudios. Al comenzar otro año académico, queremos asegurarnos que los maestros tengan las herramientas y los recursos para apoyar e inspirar a los alumnos todos los días. Si queremos ver un cambio positivo en el aprendizaje y el rendimiento del alumno, debemos cuestionar el rol tradicional del educador y el educando. Como educadores, necesitamos estar dispuestos a renunciar a un poco de control en el diseño instruccional y estar abiertos a un modelo más orientado al alumno. Cuando los estudiantes están facultados para tener una voz en el proceso de aprendizaje, el resultado final es un educando más comprometido y feliz.
¡Apostemos por un año escolar fantástico!
Anahi Vargas de Paredes Directora de Currículum
American School of Tegucigalpa Early Dismissal / Late Start Calendar for Teacher Professional Learning 2017-2018
MONTH
DATE
January February February March April
2017 4 18 10 4 2018 17 2 28 12 13
April May
23 16
September October November December
DESCRIPTION Early Dismissal Late Start Early Dismissal Late Start Early Dismissal Late Start Early Dismissal Late Start Early Dismissal Late Start Early Dismissal
Early Dismissal - Students are dismissed at 12:30pm Late Start - Classes begin at 9:30am
Welcome parents to a new school year. We are looking forward to an excellent 2017-2018 academic year. Please make sure to read the Pre School Handbook located under The Parent Resources tab on the AST web page, regarding general procedures. Please refer to the class Google Site, for more specific information about the start of school. If you are not able to access the class site, please contact Pre School office ASAP. Pre School hours are as follows: Nursery 11:30 – 2:15 p.m. Students may be dropped off 11:15 – 11:30 a.m. Pre Kinder 7:30 – 10:45 a.m. Students may be dropped off 7:10 – 7:30 a.m. THERE IS NO SUPERVISION PRIOR TO 7:10 a.m. Kinder 7:30 – 2:15 p.m. Students may be dropped off 7:10 – 7:30 a.m. THERE IS NO SUPERVISION PRIOR TO 7:10 a.m. Please be prompt in picking up your child at dismissal time. Students should be dropped off/picked up at the front gate. Please do not get out of your car when dropping off/picking up students. Students will be helped out/into the car by a staff member. Open House will take place August 24th at the following times: - Nursery 6:00 p.m. - Pre Kinder 4:00 p.m. - Kinder 5:00 p.m. Important information about class procedures and academic content will be discussed, please plan to attend. There will be no supervision in the Pre School building, so we ask that you please leave your child at home. Have a great month!
Bienvenido a todos los padres a un nuevo año escolar. Esperamos que el 2017-2018 sea un excelente año académico. Por favor, asegúrese de leer el manual de Pre Escolar disponible en la pestaña Recursos para Padres de Familia en la página web de AST. Consulte el Google Site de la clase para obtener información importante sobre el inicio del año. Si no puede acceder al sitio de la clase, comuníquese con la oficina de Pre Escolar lo antes posible. Los horarios de clases son los siguientes: Nursery 11:30 - 2:15 p.m. Los alumnos pueden ser dejados de 11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Pre Kinder 7:30 - 10:45 a.m. Los alumnos pueden ser dejados de 7:10 - 7:30 a.m. NO HAY SUPERVISIÓN ANTES DE 7:10 a.m. Kinder 7:30 - 2:15 p.m. Los alumnos pueden ser dejados de 7:10 - 7:30 a.m. NO HAY SUPERVISIÓN ANTES DE 7:10 a.m. Los alumnos deben ser dejados/recogidos en el portón principal. Por favor no se salga del carro al dejar/recoger a los alumnos. Los alumnos serán ayudados por un miembro del personal. Open House tendrá lugar el 24 de agosto en los siguientes horarios: - Nursery 6:00 p.m. - Pre Kinder 4:00 p.m. - Kinder 5:00 p.m. Se discutirá información importante sobre los procedimientos de la clase y contenido académico, por favor planee en asistir. No habrá supervisión en el edificio de Pre Escolar durante este evento, por lo que le pedimos que deje a su hijo (a) en casa. ¡Que tengan un excelente mes!
Dear Elementary School Parents: Welcome to what will be a fantastic school year 2017-2018. Already you have received letters from your child’s homeroom teacher with important information and soon you will be able to meet each one of your child’s teachers in a more formal way at our school’s Open House next Tuesday August 22nd (grade 1,2,) and Wednesday 23rd (grades 3-4-5). I am cordially inviting you to attend the Elementary School Open House. Additionally, I would like to remind parents that the access to the front and back entrance gets very busy and it is important you follow safety procedures at drop off and pick – up times and, we respectfully request you find a parking space that is NOT numbered if you must park your car and refrain from parking alongside the main sidewalk. Any time you are waiting along the sidewalk, stay in your car to wait for your child so you can drive out and leave space for the next car. If parked in the parking area, walk to the covered area so you can cross your child over to your car. There is a teacher on duty at dismissal time, but we need to ensure another responsible adult helps children cross the street. Please, do not ask children to walk down to Pre School (at the front) or wait by the back gate (at the back parking lot) to wait for you. With the amount of traffic at dismissal time, it is not safe for children to walk down on their own or move away from supervision at the back parking area. All children in the Elementary who use private transportation and do not have Pre School siblings will be dismissed through the back at dismissal time. Parents should wait for them in the landing downstairs (NOT outside classroom or halls). Please let drivers and nannies know this, as well. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. We request you follow these procedures for your child’s safety and a smooth running of traffic. Do not hesitate to stop by the office if you have questions or comments of any type. I am here to work with you to make this a successful year for everyone. Further, please refer to our school website www.amschool.org. You will find important information such as the Student Handbook, teachers’ sites, school calendar and any news from the school administration. Finally, it is very important we have your e-mail address, we will be sending The Eagle Courier at the end of each month, invitations to meetings, booklists, etc. Therefore, if you are not receiving information please send your current e-mail to your child’s homeroom teacher so we can send it to the Business Office. Thank you for your support and I hope to see you at Open House. Respectfully yours, Lourdes Vides
The school year is on its way for sure and here is a little “poem” to depict the “new” things that are happening in the High School: Change has come, and here is a peek From passing grades, to honor roll, Still true excellence is what we extol, High expectations are what we seek. Attending class, coming to school, Must be priority, have your support And all activities: debate, band, or sport
We look forward to: 8/09: First Day of School 8/09: Class of 2018 Grand Entrance [Willow Path 9:15-9:30 AM] 8/09: STUCO MS/HS Welcome Back Gift Distribution 8/09: P.T.O. “Drop Off Your Child Event” [7:15 AM in the Second Floor Dining Hall.] 8/11: P.T.O. “Welcome Back Staff “Gathering [3:00 PM in the Grassy Knoll Area]
Will have its time, check out the rule! Punctuality is important nothing to laugh at, So wake up early and get here fast If you’re not here, you may be last And we’ll call home, let’s avoid all that! And I can tell you that this change is a good one, The halls are empty, everyone’s paying attention Learning is happening, which goes without mention! And believe it or not you’ll find knowledge is fun.
8/14: STUCO MS and HS Senators List of Candidates 8/14: STUCO MS/HS New Student Luncheon 8/15: STUCO Senators Approval of Candidates 8/17: First Thursday to Wear House Shirts 8/18: STUCO Senators Elections 8/21: MS/HS Club Fair [During Lunch Time] 8/21: MS/HS Open House and Parent Orientation [4:00-7:00 PM] 8/29-9/01: FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) Presentations
El año escolar ya está en camino con seguridad y aquí hay un pequeño "poema" para describir las "nuevas" cosas que están sucediendo en secundaria: El cambio ha llegado, y he aquí un vistazo Desde la nota que aprueba, hasta el cuadro de honor, Verdadera excelencia será nuestro nuevo valor, Y cuan más altas expectativas, será mayor el gustazo. Asistir a las clases, no faltar a la escuela, Será prioritario contar con tu aporte Y todas las actividades: debate, banda, o deporte Tendrán su cabida, echa un vistazo a la regla! La puntualidad es importante, no es cosa de risa, Así que a levantarse temprano y llegar rapidito Si no está aquí, perderás más que un poquito Y llamaremos a casa, una llamada concisa. Y te puedo decir que este cambio es muy bueno, Los pasillos vacíos, todos prestando atención, Aprendizaje está ocurriendo, ¡de eso ni se hace mención! Y lo creas o no, ¡aprender es ameno!
Fechas importantes: 8/09: Primer Día Escolar 8/09: Entrada Graduandos 2018 [Willow Path 9:15-9:30 AM] 8/09: STUCO distribución de regalitos 8/09: P.T.O. “Drop Off Your Child Event” [7:15 AM in the Second Floor Dining Hall:] 8/11: P.T.O. “Welcome Back Staff “Gathering [3:00 PM in the Grassy Knoll Area] 8/14: STUCO MS and HS Lista de candidatos para Senadores 8/14: STUCO MS/HS Almuerzo para nuevos alumnos 8/15: STUCO Aprobación de candidatos para senadores 8/17: Primer jueves de camisetas para Houses 8/18: STUCO Elecciones de Senador 8/21: MS/HS Club Fair [Hora de almuerzo] 8/21: MS/HS Open House y Parent Orientation [4:00-7:00 PM] 8/29-9/01: FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) Presentations