06 May 2024

Superintendent's Office

 Dear ACS Community,

We have exactly one month of school left before graduation on the sixth of June.  The activity at a school never winds down toward the end of the year.  Instead, the pace of activities “winds up” increasing intensity and then coming to an abrupt halt after graduation.  While this last month as we approach the end of the year contains some of the most memorable and exciting school activities, it can also be stressful.  With that in mind, I hope we can all bring an extra dose of kindness and patience to all of our interactions as the end of the year approaches.  

This week we have a very exciting event in the history of ACS.  As you may recall, last fall, the board decided to pursue a more challenging accreditation that would also dovetail with our strategic planning process.  Functional area teams met earlier this year to assess ACS against a set of external foundational standards provided by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).  This work grounds a portion of our strategic planning, but it also provides evidence for the NEASC accrediting body.  This week, we will host two NEASC visitors.  Their task is to verify our report, discuss the next steps in the process, and give us feedback as critical friends.  It is this last part that will be especially valuable to us in our strategic planning process and our future direction.  

You may encounter our visitors this week.  They have a busy schedule, meeting with groups and teams responsible for every aspect of our school.  Howard Thiery is a superintendent in Connecticut.  Susan McKinney is a retired head of school from Oslo.  Both will lend their expertise and experience to help make ACS the best it can be.  We are grateful for their efforts.

Have a great week ahead.

Yours,

Andrew


Estimada Comunidad de ACS,

Tenemos exactamente un mes de clases antes de la graduación del seis de junio. La actividad en un colegio nunca se calma hacia el final del año. En cambio, el ritmo de las actividades “termina” aumentando en intensidad y luego se detiene abruptamente después de la graduación. Si bien este último mes, a medida que nos acercamos al final del año, contiene algunas de las actividades escolares más memorables y emocionantes, también puede ser estresante.  Con esto en mente, espero que todos podamos aportar una dosis extra de amabilidad y paciencia a todas nuestras interacciones a medida que se acerca el fin de año.

Esta semana tenemos un evento muy emocionante en la historia del ACS. Como recordarán, el pasado otoño, la Directiva decidió buscar una acreditación más desafiante que también encajaría con nuestro proceso de planificación estratégica. Los equipos del área funcional se reunieron a principios de este año para evaluar al ACS frente a un conjunto de estándares fundamentales externos proporcionados por la Asociación de Colegios y Universidades de Nueva Inglaterra (NEASC). Este trabajo fundamenta una parte de nuestra planificación estratégica, pero también proporciona evidencia para el organismo de acreditación NEASC. Esta semana recibiremos a dos visitantes de NEASC. Su tarea consiste en verificar nuestro informe, discutir los próximos pasos del proceso y brindarnos comentarios como amigos críticos. Es esta última parte la que será especialmente valiosa para nosotros en nuestro proceso de planificación estratégica y nuestra dirección futura.

Probablemente se encuentren con nuestros visitantes esta semana.  Tienen una agenda ocupada, reuniéndose con grupos y equipos responsables de cada aspecto de nuestro colegio. Howard Thiery es superintendente en Connecticut. Susan McKinney es directora jubilada de un colegio de Oslo. Ambos aportarán sus conocimientos y experiencia para ayudar a que el ACS sea lo mejor posible.  Estamos agradecidos por sus esfuerzos.

Que tengan una gran semana.

Atentamente,

Andrew

Open Message

Urgent Action Items

 

  • 5 May, tuition was due
  • NEASC Visit Monday through Wednesday, May 6-8
  • Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10
  • Elementary International Day, May 10th
  • Elementary Cougar Cup, Monday through Friday after school
    • Open Message

    ACS Calendar

    • Mon – ES Cougar Cup
    • Tue – ILT meeting
    • Wed – PD (Whole School Teachmeet)
    • Fri – International Day
    • Fri – ES Parent Coffee
    • Mon – G5-G6 Transition Week
    Open Message

    Elementary School

    Dear Elementary Parents, 

    As you know, many things are happening at school right now. But we will make it through this busy time - and these events and your engagement will make it very special for our students!

    End of Year Calendar: Monitor all the things happening on campus over the next 5 weeks!
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNM_GmzwQltTOGtEcbQambeD0SHmuzIlIwxfpDB8q4U/edit?usp=sharing

    International Day: We have over 30 countries represented in our student body, but only have 10 countries represented for International Day! Signups for parents are open and your engagement will make this day extra special! Please sign up to represent a country! Time is running out!
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-u0unGQQl2-XoV1IEWFJy1d3m2-E0mfS0p1J0qmrksU/edit?usp=sharing

    Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank you so much for bringing in flowers for your teachers today! It was a joy to see children coming in with such beautiful bouquets. On Wednesday, you are invited to send in a dish, drinks, or a dessert for a teacher luncheon. The event starts after dismissal - 12:45 pm and will last about an hour. Send in any food in a container with your name and child's grade level. Thank you!

    Library Inventory and Closure: Our library inventory takes place at the end of each school year. We will be closing the space starting next Monday through the end of the following week (May 13-24). Please return all library books you have in your home no later than Friday. Thank you!

    Open House for Prospective Families: Next Tuesday, May 14th, we'll be hosting prospective families to learn about our program and take a tour of campus. The event starts at 8:30 am and will last roughly 2 hours. Please feel free to share this info with anyone you think might be interested! Thanks!


    Thanks, as always, for reading. I wish you a lovely week!

    Sincerely,

    Eric Crabtree
    Elementary Principal


    Open Message

    Learning & Teaching












    Monday, May 6, 2024

    Although we had a shortened week last week, it was certainly no less busy! Congratulations to our teachers and participants in the performances at the Hard Rock Cafe on Monday and on STEAM Family Afternoon on Friday - these events are testament to our vibrant community spirit. 

    Learning & Teaching Progress Highlights

    *Debriefing with teachers regarding classroom visits and planning next steps based on observations

    *The Senior Academic Leadership Team (SALT) continuing to make progress in developing a school-wide approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
    *Organizing our TeachMeet for Wednesday where all teachers will provide a brief snapshot of their professional learning journey this year for their colleagues
    *SALT gathering of key changes for the 2024-2025 that have already been established, as well as continuing to consider additional changes, such as in our AP offerings
    *Planning parent coffees this month to ensure clear communication
    *Celebrating and supporting secondary history teachers’ desire to shift emphasis to key concepts over strict chronology to ensure deeper understanding
    *Finalizing changes to the Language Policy draft
    *Finalizing preparations for this week’s NEASC Foundation Standards visit - thank you to those who are participating in meeting with our visitors!

    Thank you, and have a great week ahead!

     


    Open Message