15 Apr 2024

Superintendent's Office

 Dear ACS Community,

I think the parents, coaches, and teachers who accompanied our secondary students to the Friendship Games last week would agree with me that our community should be justifiably proud of our students. Not only did they demonstrate their prowess in the events, but they also showed good sportsmanship, kindness, and magnanimity.  I was especially heartened to see our cheerleaders as well as many of our students show up to support all of the events, including those that were nonathletic.  This built a great team spirit and contrasted favorably with the other teams.  Great work Cougars!

On a more somber note, I would like to invite you to a presentation about all that we do at ACS to make child protection a priority.  This event will be tomorrow evening at 5 PM in the Auditorium.

In addition, on Friday at 8:15 AM, I will be presenting a session on the past, present, and future of Mathematics at ACS.  This session is an opportunity to step back and examine the improvements that we have made in the past few years, as well as to give a preview of what is to come.   In addition, I'll discuss why these changes were necessary and how we are supporting continuous improvement at all levels.  

Next, I want to remind you to check your email for information about how to apply for Financial Aid.  Remember, this financial aid is targeted toward families experiencing temporary hardship.  Applications for Financial Aid are due on the tenth of May.

Finally, I want to encourage you to come to our General Assembly and Board Elections next week on April 24th.  The doors will open at 5:30 to view our art show with our special guest Mamani Mamani.  At 6:30, we will have a presentation about the state of the school.   The elections will close at 7:00 PM, and we hope to announce the winners by 7:30.  We hope you will join us on this exciting night, but even if you can't; please look for the individualized link to vote in your email on the morning of the 24th.  Note, only members in good standing who have paid their tuition through the 22nd of March will receive a ballot.   Links to candidate videos are attached to this message.

Have a great week ahead.

Yours,

Andrew

Candidates for the Board of Trustees:


BOLIVIA (1 position open):

Sergio Bohrt

Hianny Romero

Andrea Zuazo


THIRD COUNTRY (2 positions open):

Ernesto Malda Azorena (Mexico)

Gregor von Medeazza (Germany)


USA (4 positions open):

Lauren Garza

Thomas Lyons

Lucy Sanchez




Estimada Comunidad de ACS:


Creo que los padres, entrenadores y profesores que acompañaron a nuestros alumnos de secundaria a los Juegos de la Amistad la semana pasada estarán muy de acuerdo conmigo en que nuestra comunidad debería estar orgullosa con toda razón de nuestros alumnos. No solo demostraron su destreza en los eventos, sino que también mostraron buen espíritu deportivo, amabilidad y magnanimidad. Me alegró especialmente ver a nuestros animadores, así como a muchos de nuestros alumnos, apoyar todos los eventos, incluidos aquellos que no eran atléticos. Esto construyó un gran espíritu de equipo y contrastó favorablemente con los otros equipos. ¡Excelente trabajo, Cougars!


En una nota más sombría, me gustaría invitarlos a una presentación sobre todo lo que hacemos en ACS para hacer de la protección infantil una prioridad. Este evento será mañana por la noche a las 5 PM en el Auditorio.


Además, el viernes a las 8:15am, presentaré una sesión sobre el pasado, presente y futuro de las Matemáticas en ACS. Esta sesión es una oportunidad para retroceder y examinar las mejoras que hemos realizado en los últimos años, así como para dar un adelanto de lo que está por venir. Además, hablaremos de por qué estos cambios fueron necesarios y cómo estamos apoyando una mejora continua en todos los niveles.


A continuación, les recuerdo que revisen su correo electrónico para obtener información sobre cómo solicitar ayuda financiera. Recuerden, esta ayuda financiera está dirigida a familias que atraviesan dificultades temporales. Las solicitudes para ayuda financiera vencen el diez de mayo.


Finalmente, quiero animarlos a que asistan a nuestra Asamblea General y Elecciones de la Junta Directiva la próxima semana, el 24 de abril. Las puertas se abrirán a las 5:30 para ver nuestra exposición de arte con nuestro invitado especial Mamani Mamani. A las 6:30 tendremos una presentación sobre el estado del colegio. Las elecciones se cerrarán a las 7:00pm. y esperamos anunciar a los ganadores a las 7:30pm. Esperamos que se unan a nosotros en esta emocionante noche, pero incluso si no pueden, por favor busquen el enlace individualizado para votar desde su correo electrónico en la mañana del día 24.  Tengan en cuenta que sólo los miembros que estén al día y que hayan pagado las pensiones hasta el 22 de marzo, recibirán una papeleta de votación. Los enlaces para los vídeos de los candidatos se adjuntan a este mensaje.


Que tengan una gran semana.


Atentamente,


Andrew

Open Message

Urgent Action Items

 

  • 5 April, tuition was due
  • Tuesday 16 April @ 17:00 - Community Meeting (auditorium) - Child Protection @ ACS 
  • Friday 19 April @ 08:15 (theater) - Math @ ACS: past, present, & future
  • 10 May - Finanical Aid Applications Due (check your email)
    • Open Message

    ACS Calendar

    • Wed – STUCO Campaign & Elections (17-24)
    • Wed – PD
    • Fri – Earth day celebrated; ES CC Chess in Auditorium (tbc time)
    • Mon – Board Meeting (7 pm)
    Open Message

    Elementary School

    Dear Elementary Parents, 

    Thank you for taking the time to read my weekly letter to you all - there are so many things going on at the end of the year, and many of them will be improved with your engagement! We are actively seeking parents to participate and join us on all the fun that's coming between now and the end of school. To help you keep track of the many, many things going on at ACS, I have created an End Of Year Calendar for the final 8 weeks of school. You can access it by copying this link into your browser:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNM_GmzwQltTOGtEcbQambeD0SHmuzIlIwxfpDB8q4U/edit?usp=sharing

    Please note that this calendar is "living" and changing all the time with new events being added, so please bookmark the calendar and revisit it over the next few weeks for the most up-to-date information!

    Tomorrow from 5:00 to 6:00 pm - Parent Coffee on Child Protection at ACS: In response to the very upsetting news recently from another school in La Paz, we want to present ACS's proactive and comprehensive approach to Child Protection & Safeguarding. This presentation will be given by me, both as elementary principal at ACS, and as officer of the board for the Global Safeguarding Collaborative; a non-profit child protection organization, and other members of our Child Protection Committee.

    The event will be Tuesday, April 16th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and is open to ACS parents and parents from other schools. Please share with any friends who may be interested in attending. Thank you!


    A Letter to Parents of Incoming KG3 and KG4 students: Please see the letter here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15dX-OHSOes_7UViM8D6r-Jol27Hbs5023GFsfZFFhCI/edit?usp=sharing

    Book Swap Fair - April 18 & 19: We will host a Book Swap Fair for parents and kids this week! Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16, you can bring any books you are "done with" and exchange them for Book Swap tickets. These tickets can be exchanged for "new to you" books on Thursday and Friday. Any of your own books that are not swapped can be taken home, or donated to our libraries. This event is open for children's books you are done with, and adult books too! In any language! Send your books to the ES Auditorium in a bag, with your name or your child's name on it tomorrow or Wednesday!


    This Friday is Earth Day at ACS: This Friday, we will host a day of learning about our planet in celebration of Earth Day! In the afternoon, from 2-3pm, we will also host a barefoot concert on the green, which parents are cordially invited to attend!


    These are just the imminent events, but as you know there's way more in the coming weeks. You can see it all on the calendar linked at the top of this letter. Again, we are eager to see you here on campus to celebrate with us!

    Sincerely,

    Eric Crabtree
    Elementary Principal

    Open Message

    Secondary School

    Dear parents,

    I was honored this past week to be with our middle school students at the Friendship Games in Cochabamba. Our students had an amazing week and displayed incredible teamwork in basketball, track and field, chess, and cheerleading. They had a great time and have plenty of reasons to be proud.

    Back on campus, several students began work on a new mural, bringing color and creativity to a blank wall near the Library. It is great to see our students working together to express their creativity to the benefit of their school. Students' individual artwork will also be on display before next week's General Assembly meeting. Be sure to stop by the Auditorium and prepare to be awed by their talent.

    As part of our continuing effort to develop leadership skills, student candidates will begin their campaigns this week for next year's Student Council slots. We recently established a relationship with the U.S. National Student Council Association to help our students build critical leadership skills. We look forward to supporting our students' growth in this important area.

    Finally, ACS will celebrate Earth Day this Friday afternoon. All students will engage in conservation activities in an effort to reinforce their understanding of  regional and global environmental issues. We all have a role in conserving resources as we prepare to hand over the planet to the next generation. Please encourage your child to take an active role this Friday. 


    Open Message

    Learning & Teaching

    Monday, April 15

    Curriculum Review: Our curriculum review process continued last week with extended meetings for SS English and Freshman Seminar. Our English department made significant progress in sharing and documenting approaches to vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing. This work is essential for ensuring alignment across our programs. The content of Freshman Seminar is fundamental for supporting our students in their transition to high school. Our rising 9th graders will experience a revamped and refreshed course for the 2024-2025 school year. Please be sure to watch for the updated course description. 


    On Wednesday the ES faculty made great strides in unit development for the 2024-2025 school year. Our aim is to provide our teachers with ample time to plan new units that target multiple disciplines and are inquiry-driven. We are ensuring that all teachers have thorough understanding of the standards and performance indicators and that learning engagements and assessments are clearly linked to the objectives. 


    Professional Development: Central to our professional growth model is benefiting from observations by colleagues. Last week’s visits were a joy to experience, ranging from KG5 students understanding the importance of revision in writing, to grade 2 students being introduced to the term “inference,” to high school students learning about economies of scale and trade zones, to middle school students exploring with Tinkercad in Tech class. Feedback is provided immediately following these visits with a primary focus being student engagement and evidence of learning. 


    Student Support Services: Our schoolwide Student Support Team is conducting a thorough review of our Student Services Handbook and met with Leadership this week to share recommended changes. This process will continue through April and May and we aim to have a newly-revised Student Support Services Hanbook ready to share prior to the end of the school year. 


    Instructional Leadership Team: The Instructional Leadership Team met on Tuesday to reflect on two essential areas: 1) how we are doing with practicing “suspending our certainty” to ensure that we are open-minded listeners, and 2) how we are doing in relation to the team goals we established at the beginning of the school year. Each member has set one objective in relation to these two areas and has an accountability partner to check in with next week. 


    NEASC: Our Foundations Report was submitted to NEASC and our two visitors who will be joining us on May 6, 7, and 8. Howard Thiery, Lead Visitor, joins us from Connecticut, where he is Superintendent of Schools for Region 10, and Susan McKinney,  joins us from the United States and is the former Head of School of Oslo International School. We are very much looking forward to hosting our visitors and partnering with NEASC as a means of supporting our continuous improvement. 


    Mark your calendar! 

    School-wide Parent Coffee: The ACS Math Continuum, Friday April 19, 8:15 in the Theater.
    Open Message