Superintendent's Office
Dear ACS Community,
Today is the second of May, and graduation is on the second of June. So, we have exactly one month of school left. The pace of activity at a school never winds down. Instead, it builds to a crescendo, and then comes to a jarring abrupt halt after graduation. This can be an extremely stressful time for everyone. Our older students have started their AP exams. All of our students and teachers are finishing off the last elements of the curriculum and preparing for final projects and exams. At the same time, preparations are under way for the end-of-year concerts, activities, and shows. Parents are also supporting their children, racing to attend these events, and preparing for the upcoming break. It is a time of the year that a former colleague of mine used to refer to as the 'silly season'. It was the silly season because minor problems or annoyances that ordinarily don't cause any ripples often get amplified and blown out of proportion this time of year. With that in mind, I encourage our whole community to take a deep breath, pile on some extra patience, and try to make allowances for others who might be under a great deal of stress. Let's remember that while it is a stressful time of year, it is also a wonderful time of celebration and possibility. Let's enjoy it together.
This week is a short week, but next week we have MAP testing, the elementary cougar cup and a secondary school music and drama event.
Have a great week ahead.
Yours,
Andrew
Estimada Comunidad de ACS,
Hoy es dos de mayo y la graduación es el dos de junio. Entonces, nos queda exactamente un mes de clases. El ritmo de actividad en un colegio nunca baja. En lugar de eso, se desarrolla en un crescendo, y luego se detiene bruscamente después de la graduación. Este puede ser un momento extremadamente estresante para todos. Nuestros estudiantes mayores han comenzado sus exámenes de AP. Todos nuestros estudiantes y profesores están terminando los últimos elementos del plan de estudios y preparándose para los proyectos y exámenes finales. Al mismo tiempo, están en marcha los preparativos para los conciertos, actividades y espectáculos de fin de año. Los padres también están apoyando a sus hijos, compitiendo para asistir a estos eventos y preparándose para las próximas vacaciones. Es una época del año a la que un antiguo colega mío solía referirse como la 'época tonta'. Es la época tonta porque los problemas menores o las molestias que normalmente no causan ninguna onda, a menudo se amplifican y se desproporcionan en esta época del año. Con esto en mente, pido a toda nuestra comunidad a respirar hondo, acumular un poco más de paciencia y tratar de hacer concesiones a otras personas que puedan estar bajo una gran cantidad de estrés. Recordemos que si bien es una época estresante del año, también es una época maravillosa de celebración y posibilidades. Disfrutemosla juntos.
Esta semana es una semana corta, pero la próxima semana tendremos los exámenes MAP, la copa Cougar de primaria y un evento de música y drama en Secundaria.
Que tengan una gran semana.
Atentamente,
Andrew
Urgent Action Items
- May's tuition is due on 5 May.
- On Friday: parent meeting about G5 to G6 transition.
- Next Week: MAP testing.
- Next Week: ES Cougar Cup
- Next Week: Secondary Music & Drama
Elementary School
Dear Parents,
We have made it to the last month of the school year. Although we would like to start winding down I am here to remind you that May is a busy and an academically packed month. Please don't let your guards down. Continue reading with you child nightly. Arrive to school on time and if possible don't miss any school days. We all want your children to finish the school year strong.
Thank you to all who signed up your children to attend Summer Camp. You will receive a registration form and payment instructions early next week.
With Gratitude - Maria Inarra
Secondary School
Dear Parents,
Welcome to May! We are now firmly in the period that I refer to as "the home stretch", that time when you can count the number of weeks remaining in the school year on one hand. It tends to be a tricky period to navigate: On the one hand, there is so much excitement that comes from being able to glimpse the end of the academic year and the summer vacation that follows. On the other hand, we must continually remind ourselves that there is so much to be done before we can all head off on summer holiday. This is not a scenario that applies just to students; the adults are susceptible to this state of affairs as well.
In my previous schools, I found it worthwhile at this time of year to remind students of the importance of finishing the year well. Several weeks ago, I spoke with our Seniors about this very thing, telling them that it should be a goal of theirs to leave their audience wanting more. In other words, conducting themselves in such a way that members of the school community (parents, teachers, administrators, fellow students) would be sad to see them go. This, I explained, is so much more preferable to conducting themselves in such a way that we are all happy to see them go!
Now, I don't necessarily believe that the words of someone who has joined the school just 3 months prior to Graduation carry significant weight with this group. However, I am pleased to see them maintaining a positive attitude and continuing to conduct themselves as role models and leaders for our other grade levels.
I look forward to working with students in all our grade levels to finish the year well!
Important Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, May 6: Garage Sale
- Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12: MAP Testing (Grades 6 - 8)
- Friday, May 12: Music & Drama Performances