Lynx Middle School Newsletter
AIS West - August 2021
Welcome Back to School!
We hope this message finds you well and that you are refreshed and ready for a new school year. We are thrilled to welcome everyone back on campus on September 12. This is going to be a great year of learning and growth. Please take a moment to read this newsletter to familiarize yourself with our teaching team and upcoming important dates. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool will open for families and students on September 6. You will be able to view student schedules through the website and mobile application.
Online Learning Program
We understand that some families may not be comfortable sending their children to school during the COVID pandemic. Although we do not believe that online learning is the best option for students, we will continue to offer this program to those in need. Middle School students will join classes through Zoom following their schedules in PowerSchool. Please note that joining the online only program is a commitment for the entire term. Students may not move in and out of online learning during a term. Sign up here before September 9 if you are interested in this option.
Virtual Open House - Zoom - September 7
Parents are invited to our Virtual Open House on Zoom on September 7. This is a time to meet teachers, learn about our program and get excited about the year ahead. Links will be sent out in grade specific emails next week.
- Grade 6 - 9:00 - 9:30
- Grade 7 - 9:40 - 10:10
- Grade 8 - 10:15 - 10:45
New Student Orientation - On Campus - September 8
All students who are new to AIS West are invited to our New Student Orientation on September 8 for 10:00 - 12:00. We will meet in the 4th floor library. Students will learn about our school, get set up with email and PowerSchool accounts, make a schedule and have a tour of the school. Due to COVID precautions, parents will not attend. We will host a special Zoom session for new parents at 2:00 on September 8.
Grade 6 Orientation - On Campus - September 9
Grade 6 students are invited to a morning of team building, friendship making and fun from 9:00 - 12:00 on September 9. We'll kick things off in the Auditorium and end with an ice cream social by Gate 1. We can't wait to meet you!!
Grade 7 Orientation - Zoom - September 9
All grade 7 students are invited to meet their teachers on Zoom at 1:00. A link will be sent in a separate email.
Grade 8 Orientation - Zoom - September 9
All grade 8 students are invited to meet their teachers on Zoom at 2:00. A link will be sent in a separate email.
September 12 - First Day of School!!
All students will be welcomed back to campus for the first day of the school year. See you soon, Lynx!!
Your partners in education,
Chelsea Armstrong
Middle School Principal
Mathias Sanders
Middle School Assistant Principal
Reham Sherif
Middle School Administrative Assistant
Dr. Randy Refsland, Director
Chelsea Armstrong, Principal
Mathias Sanders, Assistant Principal
Reham Sherif - Admin Assistant
Jonathan Potter - Learning Support
Angela Fushtey - Counselor - afushtey@aiswest.com
Addie Parker - Counseling Intern
Maureen Johnson - Librarian
Meet Your English Teachers!
Michaela Lucey - English 6
Sara Afify - English 6&7
Amira Nabhan - English 7&8
Hello. My name is Amira Nabhan. I will be teaching Grades 7 and 8 English. I look forward to meeting you all this year. This is my second year at AIS West. In my free time I love spending time in the kitchen to cook. I also enjoy photography and going to the beach. I am very excited to get to know each and every single one of you.
Stacy Pape - English 8 and History 8
My name is Stacy Pape and I have been teaching in different settings for twenty years. I studied in London and at Oxford with a focus on theatre and received my BA from the University of South Florida with a minor in education. I obtained my MA in Cultural Anthropology from Brandeis University and an MA/ ABD from the University of Chicago. . I have a passion for teaching children culture, encouraging curiosity, engaging in creativity, and challenging students to think and ask questions about the greater world around them. I am excited to become a part of the AIS family!
Meet Your Social Studies Teachers!
Daniel McCarville - History 7 & 8
Hello, my name is Daniel McCarville. It is my second year at AIS. I will be teaching 7th and 8th grade History. I am looking forward to a great school year. One thing I like to emphasize in my classroom is the importance of possessing strong moral values.
John Lawrence - Geography 6
Welcome and see you soon. Mr. John is one of several very tall staff in Middle School. I come from Ohio and hold degrees in economics, accounting and a masters in teaching. I have grandchildren and was blessed to see most of them this summer. See you soon!
Abdelkader Chabi - Geography 6 & History 7
I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing summer break with family and friends, and is prepared for an exciting and successful year. I can't wait to see my old students and meet the new ones in Grade 7 History and Grade 6 Geography.
Meet Your Math Teachers!
Vince Yung - Math 6
My name is Mr. Vince. I will be teaching 6th grade Mathematics again this year. I was the ultimate third culture kid (ask me in class!). Let's do great and challenging math this year!
Michael Heard - Math 6 & Pre-Algebra
I spent my summer visiting family in Virginia and New Mexico. I like working in AIS West because it's never boring. Looking forward to another memorable school year. Together we'll be exploring math in grades 6 and 7. I hope you're fully charged and ready to go!
Amira El Sherif - Algebra
Hello everyone! I will be teaching Mathematics, grades 8 & 9 this year. This is my 4th year at AIS and my 9th year as a teacher. I have a BA in architectural engineering, and MA in Education. My passion for teaching started with Mini Architect, my program for teaching children about architecture, and I started my first teaching job in 2013. I am so excited to be starting this school year with you all!
Sophie Sewailem - Pre-Algebra and Algebra
Hello students and parents and welcome to the new academic year 2021-2022! This is my 8th year teaching at AIS West and my first year working in Middle School. The past seven years I have taught 5th Grade, so many of you will already know me. I'm really excited to start teaching math to grades 7 and 8 this year. I'm looking forward to a successful, fun year, working together and getting to know every single one of you. In my free time I love to do outdoor sports, like running, cycling, hiking and swimming.
Meet Your Science Teachers!
Amanda Bailey- Science 6
Hey 6th Graders! I am so excited to be teaching you and can't wait to begin our science journey together! This year in science we will explore a range of topics: everything from how the Earth was formed to what makes the sky blue. See you soon future scientist!
Amanda Kerschen - Science 6 & 7
Holly Holst- Science 7 & 8
Howdy y'all! I am Miss Holly Holst & am excited to start my seventh year teaching (my first here at AISW!) I have experience teaching middle school science in the state of Iowa and country of New Zealand and am excited to return back to the middle school classroom after the last few years of teaching high school physics, chemistry, and Biology in the state of Texas. When I'm not learning with our young scientists, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, playing board games, and exploring this beautiful country I now call home! I'm most excited to educate middle school students again; they're the best scientists because they're not as afraid to make mistakes and try something new! We will certainly be exploring science with hands-on activities and laboratory investigations as much as possible; be prepared to move and have fun!
Kimberly Walker - Science 8
My name is Kimberly Walker and I will be teaching 9th grade Biology and 8th grade Integrated Science at AISE West this year! In the United States, I taught grades 4 and 5 in elementary school and General Science in middle school. In Shenzhen, China, I recently taught STEM Science to grades 6-8 and Integrated Science to grade 9. I love traveling, being outside, gardening, swimming, kayaking, and excellent coffee! I have been learning Arabic for 6th months and I am looking forward to continue learning more about the language, culture, and history of Egypt. One of my personal goals during this school year is to learn to scuba dive and experience diving in the Red Sea! I am really looking forward to working with passionate colleagues to design an educational experience that is challenging and rewarding for our students at AISE West!
Meet Your Arabic Teachers!
Sahar Mahmoud - Arabic 7
Hello parents and students! welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. I am excited to be teaching grade 7 Arabic and Religion this year. I have been in the teaching field for 25 years. I’m looking forward to seeing you all very soon. I wish you all a happy and successful academic year!
Mahmoud Sharkawy - Arabic Social Studies
Mohammed Hassan - Arabic 6 and AFL
Hello. I am teach Arabic for grades 6 and AFL for grades 6,7,8. I am very happy to work with the AIS team (teachers, admin and lovely students). I am looking forward to teaching my kids new ideas and improve their language skills.
Mohamed Ahmed, Arabic Social Studies
I am looking forward to teaching new ideas this year. It's a difficult time for everyone and that why it will be more beneficial.
Ali Mansour - Arabic 8
Hello. I am teaching the Arabic language to grade 8. I have eleven years experience. I am happy to work at AIS West. I am looking forward to teaching my kids new ideas and improve their language skills.
Ahmed Khattab - Arabic 6 and 7
Meet Your Physical Education Teachers!
Anders Nordquist - PE
Hi there! I am delighted to be in my third year here at AIS West teaching middle school Physical Education. I am excited to see all of the new and returning faces this year in the middle school and am very much looking forward to a great 2021-2022 school year with you all.
Marty Perry - PE
Katrina Wards - PE
Steve Guelff - PE
Meet Your Elective Teachers!
Dolores Rodriguez - Spanish
¡Hola! I will be teaching Spanish in grades 6, 7 and 8. I hope to have fun, learning with you in class about such an important language, its culture and its celebrations. ¡Hasta la vista!
Edwina Nordquist - French
Salut! Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! I'm Madame Edwina and I am the Middle School French teacher. French class will be fun this year :) I'm looking forward to start and meet my students. À bientôt!
Alejandro Corredor - Technology
Lina Rodriguez - Dance
HOLA!! My name is Lina Rodriguez, from Colombia; This will be my 2nd year as a Dance Teacher for Middle School at AIS. I am here to support you every step of the way, share my passion with all of you, work on your confidence and discover different cultures through dance!
Ilonka Meier - Drama
Patricia Granter - Band
AIS West Middle School
Email: carmstrong@aiswest.com
Website: aiswest.com
Location: Al Shabab Road, Al Sheikh Zayed, Giza Governorate, Egypt