AISM NEWSLETTER
Happy December!
Director's Message
Greeting AISM Community,
Hard to believe we are half way through November. We thought it prudent to send the December newsletter a bit early as we have much news to share before the break. As the Holiday Season is upon us, we are mindful that we are a rich community of diverse cultures, beliefs and traditions. As our theme for the year is a Growth Mindset, we are continuously looking inward on how to improve our celebrations, classes and ourselves to be more inclusive. We may fall short of the ideal, nonetheless we are taking steps towards a more equitable AISM.
One singular idea that many holidays have in common is the spirit of giving. Last year we shifted the narrative on what the Winter Holidays are about at AISM. The Faculty and Parents came together to donate rice, oil and gently used clothes and toys to our neighbors. Directly outside our gates is a neighborhood that looks at AISM as a part of their community. We are eager to take steps towards being a better neighbor and to be a part of the community in which the school resides. By opening our gates to pre-screened community members and donating to those in need, we are taking steps towards a more inclusive AISM.
This year our PTA is taking the Giving Season to another level they are excited to double the efforts from last year. Last year we collected 40 bags of rice, equal amounts of oil and some small treats of gently used clothes, toys, notebooks/pencils and candies to give to the children, who come with their parents to collect the rice and oil. Please see the Giving Flyer below. We look forward to your donation. As of the writing of this newsletter there are only 2 bags of rice and 2 containers of oil that have been donated.
Finally, ALL Parents are invited to the Winter Sing-Along. Although I’m not a great singer it never stopped me from enjoying a festive tune. The evening promises to be relaxed and enjoyable. It is the first time we have opened the campus to ALL Parents for an event, since April of 2019 and COVID. We have checked in with our COVID Task Force and all members agreed it is a low risk event, as it outdoors and social distancing protocols will be adhered to, as well as we are requiring masks for all parents.
In closing, we wish all of you a joyous holiday season that is filled with love and laughter. Enjoy the break, and return to AISM on January 3rd, 2022 renewed and refreshed, ready to take on the New Year.
Stay safe and healthy.
Dr. Bobbi Mc Daniel
Updated Calendar Please Review
November 24th is the last DAY for After School Activities - ASAs Resumes Jan. 31, 2022
Below is the link for Scholastic Book orders! If you choose to place an order do so ASAP.
Flashback on Fall Festival/ Halloween
John Razzouk & Sky Razzouk
Left-Right Kuber Khanija, Fadi Shanid, Ivan Kizega & Musa Bility
AISM Students collecting Yummy Candies.
Our Great PTA MOMS
Elementary School Students
Middle & High School Students
ALL Parents Invited! Holiday Sing-Along December 2nd! Parents must wear masks.
Please donate to Holiday Giving - Distribution Dec 3
Important Dates and Reminders
November 17th TOMORROW - PICTURE DAY
November 24th - LAST DAY for ASAs this year
November 25 - 26 American Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL
November 29th - Tubman Birthday Liberian Holiday - NO SCHOOL
December 2nd - Holiday Sing - Along 6:00pm -7:30pm - ALL Parents Invited
December 3rd - Winter Holiday Giving-Program 1/2 day
December 10th- - Last day before the Winter Break 1/2 day
December 13th -Jan. 2nd - Winter Break
January 1st- Happy New Year
January 3rd - Classes Resume
January 17 - 20 - HIGH SCHOOL MIDTERMS
Student & Family Goal Setting 2022 - adapted from The National Association of Elementary Principals Nov 2021
The middle of the school year is a great time for families to check in with students on goals. Setting academic and personal goals helps motivate, energize, and focus students, and it is a valuable skill that will benefit learners throughout their lives. Parents can help students set and achieve these goals.
Goal-setting can be tedious, even intimidating, for some students. Parents can support students in this process by following these steps: pick it, map it, do it, own it, and celebrate it.
Pick it. Encourage your child to consider his or her dreams and passions and pick goals that are important and meaningful. Guide your child to think about, “What motivates me? What would inspire me to give my best effort? What would make me feel good while I’m doing it? What achievement would make me feel proud?”
Map it. After your child picks a goal, help map the path from where he or she is now to where the child wants to be. Offer the following analogy: If we want to drive across the country from New York to California, we don’t just get in our car and start driving—we get a map, pick a route, and follow it until we get to California. With your child, analyze different approaches and define clear steps to reach their goal. For instance, if the goal is to get a higher test grade in a tough subject, each quiz or project is a step on the path to the higher goal: earning an A.
Do it. Once you and your child have mapped a path to their goal, encourage him or her to take action, focus on the first step and give it his or her best eff ort. Remind your child that no goal is ever reached without focused action.
Own it. As your child makes progress toward their goal, help him or her to take responsibility for making it happen. Teach the mantra, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Reflect with your child. Ask, “How are you doing? What’s working? What’s not working? What can you or your family change to get to this goal?” From there, analyze the map, and make changes to the plan if necessary. Help your child keep a positive attitude and own mistakes as well as successes. Remind your child that if something comes along that holds him or her back temporarily, to look at the experience as feedback. Failures, or bumps in the road, can provide us with information we need to succeed. Reinforce the message that we can learn from our mistakes and move on with new, valuable knowledge.
Celebrate it. Acknowledgment and celebration are huge parts of achieving goals. Acknowledge every effort and celebrate your child’s mini-successes along the way to achieving a goal. This builds his or her confidence and motivation. Your child will feel good and understand that perseverance will result in another mini-success and finally goal achievement. Try going through the goal-setting process as a family. Pick a family goal (perhaps a charitable activity) and work together to achieve it. After the family experience, have each family member pick a personal goal. Support and acknowledge one another as you move through the above steps. Success is assured when students believe in themselves and in their ability to achieve.