AIS Friday Flash
Friday, April 12, 2019
Student Assembly
At AIS, our vision is to live in a world in which we are adaptable. We consider different perspectives and approaches to the problems that face us. This month we recognized the following students for being adaptable: Cycle 1: Audrey, Sebastian, Emma A., Nayla, Vivienne, Joshua, Noah, Felix, & Marlene; Cycle 2: Pierre, Sam, Aroa, Carew, Natalie, Sacha, Samrawit, Chloe, Donovan, Alva, Autymn Rose; Cycle 3: Simone, Quinn, Ian, & Pablo.
ISAS Accreditation Visit
After many years of preparation, we were very excited to host the ISAS Visiting Committee at AIS from Sunday through Wednesday of this week. At the conclusion of the visit, the Chair of the Visiting Committee shared with our staff the committee’s reflections from their three-day visit to the campus. Though a copy of his summary remarks are listed below, a final decision on accreditation won’t be made until mid-June 2019. At this point, it is important to take time to acknowledge that we have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Our entire community is, indeed, highly appreciative of all of our families’ support in helping us see this process through. Thank you, merci, and muchísimas gracias to all families for your generous contributions to our community! We could not have reached this point without you!
As the Committee has reached the conclusion of our three-day review of the Austin International School, we are confident the community is invested and dedicated to the living out of its Mission, Vision, and Core Values. AIS is a young school as it approaches its 20th year anniversary. The Committee applauds AIS for its courage and fortitude in developing global citizens for our ever-changing world. Our world needs leaders who will not shy away from differences but rather embrace all cultures so to create avenues of peace and bridges of understanding.
The challenge that all institutions of learning face today is to remain relevant for the world of tomorrow. AIS believes a curriculum that is challenging and supportive can give students the gift of expanding their minds and broadening their nascent perspectives. The Committee has witnessed the Core Values of students who demonstrate curious, independent thinking. The Committee has been inspired by the board and administration who give generously of their time and resources so that AIS can thrive into the future. The Committee enjoyed meeting faculty and staff who expressed a need for finding personal balance while creating meaningful work. The Committee honored the time with parents who loyally volunteer their time to AIS so that a spirit of adventurousness can lead to community growth and celebration.
In the report, there were many commendations highlighting our successes and recommendations for future growth. Perhaps the commendation that most resonated with our staff was the following: “AIS Students are happy, confident, articulate, and supportive of their friends. Student relationships with teachers, classmates, and administrators are warm and loving. Students commented, ‘Our school is not too big, and not too small; it’s like a family.’” Thank you again for playing such an integral part in the development of our beautiful AIS community.
Bachata/Sala Class-Sat., 4/13 7:00-9:00 pm
Thanks to our PTO for hosting and Robert & Genevieve Booth for their moves and instruction at a Bachata/Salsa Dance Class. This fun, complimentary, social gathering will take place in the AIS auditorium from 7pm to 9pm. Due to extremely low interest, there will be no childcare offered at the event. But we hope to see you come out again or come for your first time!
Spanish Consul Picnic-Mon., 4/15 2:45-3:30 pm
We are excited to host the Honorary Spanish Consul at AIS on Monday, April 15th from 1:30-3:30 pm. Everyone is invited to a mini picnic from 2:45-3:30 to welcome, Sr. James Taylor to our community. We would love to have a few dishes, treats and drinks celebrating Hispanic cultures around the world for our picnic and would appreciate a few extra hands to help with the event. We still have spots available, so thank you for signing up here. We are also excited to share we will have dancers and guitarists from Flamencura to perform for our students during a brief assembly. If you have any questions, please reach out to Emily Hopkins. Thank you for your participation and support of Spanish at AIS!
STEAM Week-Mon., 4/15 - Fri., 4/19
During STEAM week we will showcase our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math programs at AIS culminating in an open house on Friday afternoon. Students will be able to view the other class projects during the week including: the five senses, biodiversity, the life cycle of a butterfly, relationships between animals, living and non-living, the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, the ocean, chemistry and cooking, aerodynamics, color and memory, potato clocks, cells, solids and liquids, and crystals.
Class Pictures-Fri., 4/19
Next Friday we will be taking our group class photos. Please ensure all students come in required school uniforms and looking sharp! Photos will be taken in the morning before the STEAM presentations.
STEAM Fair-Fri., 4/19 2:15, 2:40, 3:05 pm
Classroom presentations of our STEAM projects will be held next Friday afternoon. Families are invited to attend and the interactive student presentations of their work by the following cycle sessions.
- Families for CP and up may visit classrooms from 2:15 - 2:35 pm.
- Families for CE1 and up may visit classrooms from 2:40 - 3:00 pm.
- Families in cycle 1 (PS, MS, & GS) may visit classrooms from 3:05 - 3:25 pm.
Family Day-Tue., 4/23
Our annual Family Day celebration (formerly Grandparents Day) is a chance for us to share our school with extended families or friends who help support our AIS students throughout the year. Due to limited capacity, and as parents get to visit with us often, this event is typically for non-parents to visit our campus. We invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends to join us for breakfast and classroom visits. However, if a loved one will need special assistance, or if you would like to accompany them, please let us know. We will send invitations to the grandparents on file in Ren Web. Be on the lookout for an email and Google form requesting contact information so that we may invite your desired guests. RSVP is essential for catering and space planning so we thank you in advance for your assistance and for sharing your loved ones with us.
Yearbook Sales-4/22 - 5/3
Be on the lookout for more information about purchasing your 2018-2019 school yearbook. You will receive an email link with order information from Tree Ring soon. Tree Ring generously donates a portion of sales back to AIS plus they plant a tree for every yearbook purchased in countries devastated by deforestation and global climate change!
PTO Important Updates
Please review this month's PTO Newsletter for important updates and information about this meeting's scheduled votes and the process and timeline for PTO leadership candidacy for next year. Here are few key dates and things to know:
- The next PTO Monthly Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16th at 4:30pm.
- The agenda for this meeting includes important votes on revisions to the PTO bylaws from 4:30-5:30 pm with a regular PTO meeting from 5:30-6:30 pm to include voting on proposed recommendations for year-end expenditures and playground funds.
- Deadline for candidates to submit their interest/intent for the 2019/2020 PTO Board/Executive Committee is Wednesday, 5/1.
- Tue., 5/7: Special Meeting for 2019-2020 PTO Executive Committee Candidates – Candidates will be able to introduce themselves, their interests, and intents to the PTO Community.
- Tue., 5/14: PTO Monthly Meeting & Elections.
Re-enrollment Steps for the 2019-2020 school year
Check out last week's flash for instructions on re-enrollment or reach out to Mathilde or April with questions or for support.
Summer Adventure Camp
Summer is around the corner and we would love to have your students at our Summer Adventure Camp for 2 weeks or the whole summer. Our camp runs from June 10th-July19th from 9am to 3pm daily with complimentary drop-off after 7:30 am and optional after camp care until 6:00pm ($80/wk). You may elect Full Day camp at $310/week or Half Day camp at $165/wk. Each sibling will receive a $25 discount per week and ask about special pricing if registering for the whole summer.
This year, campers will go on an adventure as they fall into Jungle Mania with Welcome to the Jungle in Week 1 and have a Rainforest Safari in week 2. Next, campers will explore Medieval Times as they celebrate Knights & Dragons in week 3 and Wizards and Wands in Week 4. Then campers can blast off with our Space Cadets camp in week 5 and watch out for the Alien Invasion in Week 6! Register for the adventure here!
A Look Ahead
Please save the date for these upcoming events. More details to come as the events get closer.
- 4/13 PTO Bachata Event
- 4/15 Spanish Consul Picnic
- 4/15-4/19 STEAM Week
- 4/16 PTO Meeting
- 4/16 AIS Board Meeting
- 4/19 STEAM Showcase
- 4/23-5/4 CM2 France Field Trip
- 4/23 Family Day Breakfast
- 4/26 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
- 5/1 Candidacy/Nominations due for PTO leadership
- 5/6 May Break - No School
- 5/7 Coffee with the Head of School
- 5/7 PTO Special Meeting-Candidate Introductions
- 5/10 Family Skate Night at Playland Skate Center 6-11pm
- 5/14 PTO Meeting & Elections
- 5/14 AIS Board Meeting
- 5/17 Discovery Day
Austin International School
Email: info@austinis.org
Website: www.austininternationalschool.org
Location: 4001 Adelphi Lane, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-331-7806
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustinInternationalSchool
Twitter: @austinintschool