THE ISLANDER
The Islander
May 5, 2017
Upcoming
Events
▪
Check here to
learn about all
our upcoming
events
Elementary,
MS/HS School
Counselling
Offices
▪ News from our
Counsellors
PAC / PASNET
▪ PASNET Teacher
Appreciation
Week
Buses and
Lunch Menu
News from
Leadership
Team
▪ Bus Schedule for
Week May 8
▪ Hungry?
Come have lunch in
the Cafeteria!
Educational
Technology
▪ Grade 9 French
Language
Students
▪ Kangarou Math
Results
Activities,
Field Trips &
Service
Learning
IB Office
▪ What’s the Best
Approach to an
Exam?
▪ IB May 2017
Examination
Schedule
Nurse
▪ Carbohydrates
▪ News from our
Activities Director
Important
Links
AISC Guiding
Statements
▪ Access important
and useful school
information here
▪
▪
▪
AISC Mission
Statement
AISC Belief
Statements
AISC Statement of
International
Mindedness
Annual
Calendar
Esol Education
FACEBOOK
THE ISLANDER
MAY 5, 2017
^
Upcoming Events
April 28-May 19
IB Exams
May 6
SAT Testing
May 11
Grade 10 Parent Coffee Morning at 8:15 am, Library
May 12
Grade 5 & 6 Shadow Day
May 15-16
Grade 11 Kritou Terra Environmental Center Trip
May 15-26
MAP Testing Grades 2-10
May 17
Grade 9 Parent Coffee Morning at 8:15 am
May 18-19
Middle and High School Production of MacBeth
May 20
Grade 4 Information Day for the Stray Cats of Cyprus and Cat PAWS
May 22
Grades 6-12 Earth Day Celebration
May 25
Grade 8 Parent Coffee Morning at 8:15 am, Library
May 26
Children’s Books Cyprus Book Sale, Foyer
May 29
Elementary Science Fair
May 30
HS Departmental Awards at 11:26 am
May 31
Grade 7 Parent Coffee Morning at 8:15 am, Room 212
June 7
MS Department Awards at 10:53 am
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Director’s Coffee Mornings – updated schedule
Please note this updated schedule for our upcoming coffee morning presentations on the integration of Educational Technology in our
academic program:
➢
Thursday May 11 (Day 4):
Grade 10 Parents
Library
➢
Wednesday May 17 (Day 8):
Grade 9 Parents
TBA
➢
Thursday May 25 (Day 4):
Grade 8 Parents
Library
➢
Wednesday May 31 (Day 8):
Grade 7 Parents
Room 212
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Buses and Lunch Menu
Buses for the Week of May 8, 2017
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
3:15 pm, 4:15 pm
3:15 pm, 4:15 pm
2:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm
3:00 pm, 4:00 pm
3:00 pm, 4:00 pm
BUS A & C, B & D, E
BUS A & C, B & D, E
BUS A & C, B & D, E
BUS A & C, B & D, E
BUS A & C, B & D, E
TUESDAY 9
WEDNESDAY 10
THURSDAY 11
FRIDAY 12
Chicken Wings
Pilaf
Yoghurt
Stuffed Vegetables
Salad
Fruit
Drink
Souvlaki (Chicken or
Pork)
Potato Wedges
Yoghurt
Beans with
Vegetables
Salad
Zucchini Bread
Drink
Spaghetti
Bolognese (Beef or
Pork)
Spaghetti with
Tomato Sauce
Salad
Fruit
Drink
Salad Bar
Chicken Sandwiches
Fruit
Drink
Souvlaki (Chicken or
Pork)
Potato Wedges
Yoghurt
Beans with
Vegetables
Salad
Zucchini Bread
Drink
Spaghetti Choice of
Cheese
Bolognese (Beef,
Pork or Tomato
Sauce
Salad
Fruit
Drink
Salad Bar
Toasted Sandwiches
Lentils
Fruit
Drink
BUS A & C, B & D, E
Lunch Menu
BUS A & C, B & D, E
MONDAY 8
Middle & High School
Chicken Curry
Rice
Black Eyed Beans
Salad
Fruit
Drink
Choice of Lemonade or Orange Squash
Elementary School
Penne with Cheese
Boiled Eggs
Broccoli
Black Eyed Beans
Salad
Fruit
Drink
Chicken Wings
Pilaf
Yoghurt
Salad
Fruit
Drink
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News from the Leadership Team
Kangarou Math Results
Congratulations to all of AISC’s mathematicians who participated in the Kangarou Math Competition last month. The Thales Foundation
has posted the results. We are proud to announce that the following students placed in the top 6% of all students participating and will
receive a medal:
Alex Ioannou, Grade 1
Bronze Medal
Leda Hadjitheodosiou O’Rourke, Grade 2
Bronze Medal
Alexandra Gusarova, Grade 3
Bronze Medal
Christopher Keeling, Grade 7
Silver Medal
Amy Shen, Grade 10
Gold Medal
Ilyas Abyanov, Grade 11
Bronze Medal
Congratulations to you all!
IB Office
^
What's the best approach to an exam?
The IB exams are upon us and approaching the exams as well as coping with all the related stress and everyone’s expectations to do well
on them can be a huge burden. Remind yourself that you can only do your best - and your best is all that you can do.
It should be obvious that we, your teachers, as well as your parents are here, ready to support you in any way that we can, but at the
same time, you must be aware that this is a challenge that you have to face, for the most part, on your own.
From my part, as a person who has been in your shoes numerous times, I wish to provide you with some additional advice.
Before the exam:
1.
2.
Be sure you're clear about what exam is coming up and when, so that you don't prepare for the wrong one. It happens. You
misread a date, or really got in your head that you have a specific test on a given day and you got it wrong. Double and if
necessary, triple check to avoid any surprises.
Do not cram your study on the last night! Working through the night before an exam may save you on the day, but it's not a
good strategy to rely on. On occasion, it's possible to work effectively without having had enough sleep, but getting a good
night's sleep is arguably a better option. If you usually take the last-minute approach, it may be worth reflecting on why it's
necessary for you to tackle exams this way.
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MAY 5, 2017
Eat a good, but not excessive, breakfast before the exam even if you are feeling queasy. You will function better with fuel inside.
Set off in good time! You do not want to be late. The IB has very strict demands in regards to timekeeping of the exams.
During the exam:
1.
2.
If you feel panic rising and your mind going blank, take a minute to do a breathing routine by taking a deep breath and start
counting steadily. Breathe out slowly and try to get the last of the breath out on about five seconds. Carry on doing this until
you are doing it naturally. This will give yourself time to calm down.
The biggest mistake people make in exams is not reading each question carefully. Answer to the question that is being asked,
not the question you would like to be asked. Prepare for this by revising on your IB command terms – they are available in the
last pages of each subject textbook.
After the exam:
1.
2.
3.
Even though it is tempting to think about all the answers you gave and if they were good enough, it does not matter anymore.
What’s done is done and dwelling on the past is not productive. Forget about the last exam and focus on the next one instead.
Keep things in perspective. Remember that we are all different and we all achieve at different levels. We have different talents
and variable skills. Exams are not a validation of who you are as a person. Be positive about who you are and what makes you,
you!
If things go well, good for you! If things don’t go the way you planned, it won’t be the end of the world. Sometimes facing up
to the worst bring the best out of everyone. It enables us to look at how we may cope and what we can do next. There may
well be other chances to take the exam, or, an altogether different path may open up for you. As a scientist, I will never base a
conclusion on a single data point. In a similar sense, your life is not going to be defined by a single exam.
Best of success to everyone!
Dr. Andreas Economou
IB Chemistry teacher
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Elementary, Middle and High School Counselling Offices
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For the 6th and 5th Grade Students and Parents:
Welcome back from your Jubilee Trip! I hope you all had a super fun and interesting time together. Thank you to all the 6 th Grade
students for being a support to the 5th Grade students who will be joining the Middle School next year.
Next Friday, May 12th, the 5th Grade Students will be joining the Grade 6 class for a Shadow Day! All the Grade 6 students will have
another opportunity to be a friend and helper to their younger peers. I hope you will think about the information you would like to
share with them about how to make an easy and fun transition to Middle School. You can share the things you have learned about how
to be a successful student in Grade 6.
Have a good weekend and I’ll see you in school next week!
Grade 11 students and parents:
I hope you received an email from me earlier this week about planning a meeting together to discuss questions, ideas, and plans for
your university applications next year. It is hard to imagine that application time for new Seniors all around the world starts in only 5
or 6 months!
Please use a free period to come talk individually about application systems, writing your personal statement or essay, research you
want to do, etc.
Even though you are busy with the end of school and exams coming up, follow through on learning about your application process next
year.
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Seniors:
I am wishing you Much Success on your 2nd week of exams!
Summer Opportunities:
If you are looking for some summer experiences, please look at the Islander from last week. There are several programs listed. As I
receive information I will pass it along to you.
Happy Weekend Everyone,
Ms. Cody Hamilton, MS and HS Guidance and University Counsellor
Counselor’s Corner…
Hello AISC Elementary Parents!!
This week has been rather exciting for our Grade 5 and 6 students, as I had the pleasure and opportunity to join them on
their trip up into the Troodos mountains for two nights. It was a good way for them all to bond as a group and do some
growing up together.
Character Education has been moving forward well, with the classes continuing with their work on the idea of respect, shifting the
perspective from showing respect to our families to showing respect to ourselves. Students
are completing a reflective assignment where they analyze how they feel inside and how they
show their personalities to others on the outside. From there we problem-solve how we can
better respect ourselves in a healthy, positive way! Keep an eye out next week for some
interesting products of this work!
An article for us as adults to ponder the same concept:
Respect Yourself!
Mr. Noah Hayes-McKeirnan, [email protected]
^
Educational Technology
Grade 9 French Language Students
Last month, the 9th Grade French language students, studied the formation and use of the
Imperfect Tense (in English this is translated as was doing or used to do something). Their
task was to research the everyday life, social hierarchy, rituals and morals of the Gauls, the
Celtic people inhabiting Gaul, a region encompassing present day France together with
neighbor countries, in the Iron Age and the Roman period (roughly from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD).
Each student was assigned a specific area of the Gauls life: physical appearance, culture, social structure, religion and rituals. We
divided the project in 3 main steps:
STEP 1: research all the necessary information on line, fact check, narrow down and organization of findings.
STEP 2: write down in French, applying the studied grammatical phenomenon (the Imperfect Tense in this case)
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STEP 3: create a video on iMovie, where they would deliver that information and demonstrate their speaking skills.
Since youngsters nowadays live their lives through technology, we took this project one step further: The
students had to use the ‘Green Screen’ Effect on iMovie to edit their videos. So for that purpose, parts of
2 French TV shows, C’est pas sorcière and ARTE HD, that had already studied the Gauls were used
selectively.
The product of their hard work you can see by clicking on the link: http://www.aisc.ac.cy/community/video-galleries/
I am proud to say that the students worked with natural enthusiasm towards embedding technology purposefully into our French
Language classroom. In this case, it was incorporated as an integral part of the learning process and allowed students to collaborate,
create and communicate their knowledge. Moreover, publishing their product on the school’s social media gave them a real audience
for their work and encouraged them to raise their standards as a result.
Katerina Loizidou
HS & IB FRENCH B Language Teacher
Activities & Service Learning
High School Boys Futsal Tournament
Congratulations to the High School Boys Futsal team. Thank you to Mr. Papasolomou and Mr. Papapetrou for organizing the Futsal
Tournament at the English School on Friday, April 28th. Six private schools participated in the tournament. The eventual winner was
the Pascal Greek School.
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From the Librarian…
Every few weeks, our Librarian Stephen Perry reviews new books we have received throughout the year.
This book, WHAT IF, has literally been flying off the shelves so rapidly that only now has he had a chance to review it.
It has intrigued, educated and brought many laughs (and also many insights) to the students who have read it.
The author, Randall Munroe, is a self-described "Dear Abby" to mad scientists.
Enjoy!
http://list.ly/list/1URV-what-if-serious-scientific-answers-to-absurd-hypothetical-questions
^
Nurse
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
When you think of the word “Carbohydrates”, the first image that might pop into your head may be a bowl of pasta, a baked potato or
a plate of rice. And you’re right! However, there are other foods that contain carbohydrates that may not be as obvious. These include
nutritious foods such as fruit, dairy and legumes as well as foods with less nutritional value such as biscuits, cakes and lollies.
Carbohydrates are in most of the food we eat. For example, fruits contain the carbohydrate fructose and glucose, dairy has lactose,
potato has starch and the list goes on. Carbohydrates are broken down by the body into simple sugars. These sugars circulate in the
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blood stream and are used by the body’s cells for energy. The brain also uses one of these simple sugars (glucose) as its main energy
source. This is why children need carbohydrates to stay alert and active throughout the day.
Which foods contain carbohydrate?
There are many foods that contain carbohydrates, however some foods are more nutrient rich than others. Since carbohydrates are
all treated in the same way by the body, it is important to choose carbohydrates that also contain other nutrients. This ensures the body
is not simply being provided with sugar but with other nutrients that it also requires to function.
Let’s look at the foods on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating plate:
Grains, Breads and Cereals
When opting for carbohydrates in the form of bread, always choose higher fiber and low GI options of these products as they provide
more nutritional value and keep children fuller for longer.
Vegetables
Starchy vegetables such as potato, corn, parsnip, sweet potato and pumpkin all contain carbohydrates and are all nutrient rich foods
that contain many other vitamins and minerals. Plus, they’re a good source of fiber.
Legumes/Beans
Legumes are a great source of protein, B vitamins, iron and folate. They have a low GI, keeping children fuller for longer. Examples of
legumes include kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils.
Fruit
All fruits contain carbohydrates, in the form of fructose and glucose. Eating fruit not only provides your body with carbohydrates, but
also the nutritional benefit of other vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber contained in fruit.
Dairy
Dairy products contain a carbohydrate called lactose. These products are nutrient rich contributing high calcium and protein to the diet.
“Extra” (occasional) foods Cakes, pastries, pies, donuts, chips, confectionery, sweets, and all sugary drinks contain carbohydrate. These
are nutrient poor foods as they do not provide many nutritional benefits and are high in energy (kilojoules), fat, sugar and sodium.
Glycaemic Index (GI)
The GI is a measure of the rate at which blood sugar levels rise after eating a particular food. It can only be measured in carbohydrate
containing foods. For more information about GI see our grains, breads & cereals page.
So what should children be eating?
Children need to eat a wide variety of nutritious carbohydrates for a healthy and balanced diet. It is beneficial to eat more of the lower
GI foods, legumes, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and choose whole grain cereals as these provide more fiber, vitamins and minerals, and
contain more natural sugars.
Children also need to limit food and drinks containing high amounts of added sugars. Sweets, baked goods, pastries, soft drinks and
many snack foods are often high in added sugar, provide excess energy and are low in beneficial nutrients. Findings from the 2007
National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey showed that children are eating too many of these ‘extra’ foods instead of
healthier carbohydrates. We recommend limiting intake of these ‘extra’ foods by only eating them occasionally.
http://healthy-kids.com.au/food-nutrition/nutrients-in-food/carbohydrates/
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PASNET/PAC
^
PASNET
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12. Elementary Room parents may be contacting you to help with something in the classroom, but
consider doing something to brighten the day for one or more of our teachers. Don't forget all the "extra" teachers--Art, Music, PE,
Library, Languages, Learning Support, Middle and High School teachers. Even a simple Thank You note from parents is meaningful.
Friday May 12, PASNET is providing food for the teachers. Please send in a small portion (we have many more parents than teachers) of
something sweet or savory for them to enjoy.
As the end of the year approaches, consider donating your gently used uniforms to the Uniform Recycle shop. Put them in a box or bag
clearly marked PASNET in the Lost and Found Closet.
And, don't forget Follow us on Facebook! You just need to ask to join the group.
PAC
This year’s PAC members:
1.
Michelle Kleiss (Grade 5) Email: [email protected]
2.
Amy Clerides (Grade 6, Grade 10) Email: [email protected]
3.
Helia Alikhani (Grade 4, Grade 7) Email: [email protected]
4.
Katerina Lazic (Grade 10) Email: [email protected]
5.
Angela Vidmar (Grade 1, Grade 6) Email: [email protected]
6.
Elena Gusarova (Grade 3, Grade 7) Email: [email protected]
7.
Luba Kislaya (Grade K3, Grade 2, Grade 3) Email: [email protected]
8.
Robin Huyett (Grade 7) Email: [email protected]
9.
Assebwork Ambaye (Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 8) Email: [email protected]
10. Symeon Boeros (Grade 4) Email: [email protected]
11. Pantelis Charalambous, Grade 5 Teacher, Elementary Division Head Email: [email protected]
12. Thomas Kaiser (Grade 1, Grade 4, Grade 7, Grade 9) Email: [email protected]
13. Miki Hathaway (Grade 10, Grade 12) Email: [email protected]
14. Stalo Kyriakidou (Grade 11) Email: [email protected]
15. Marieta Horsky Gundova (Grade 2) Email: [email protected]
➢
Next PAC Meeting will be held on Thursday May 11 at 1:30 pm.
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Important Links
Name of Document/Resource
Location
AISC Family Handbook
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
AISC Course Descriptions
http://aisc-cy-public.rubiconatlas.org/Atlas/Authentication/View/PublicLogin Password: inspire
AISC English Language Learning Admissions Policy
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
AISC Website
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Organizational Chart
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
School Calendar
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Governing Statements
·
Mission
·
Set of Beliefs
·
Graduate Profile
·
Human Rights Policy
·
Definition of International
Mindedness
History of AISC
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Parent Involvement – PAC & PASNET
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
ATLAS Curriculum Maps
http://aisc-cy-public.rubiconatlas.org/Atlas/Authentication/View/PublicLogin Password: inspire
Educational Services Overseas Ltd (ESOL)
·
School Improvement Plan
·
2012-2013 Annual Report
·
MSA Student Achievement Plans
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL)
http://www.esolonline.com/esolonline/
Middle States Association (MSA) Website
http://middlestates.org/
International Baccalaureate Website
http://www.ibo.org/
AISC IB Grading Policy and Student Contract
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
AISC IB Course Description Guide
The IB Diploma Program - AISC Special Education
and Inclusive Assessment Policy
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Islander Newsletter
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Academic Honesty Policy, Grades 6-12
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Acceptable Computer Use Policy
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Learning Support Centre Information
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Library Resources
http://library.aisc.ac.cy
http://search.ebscohost.com
https://newsela.com/
Ebsco library database
Newsela
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Guidance Department Naviance Software
http://connection.naviance.com/aisc
Language Policy
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Rosetta Stone
https://aisc.rosettastoneclassroom.com
Assessment Policy Handbook
· Essential Agreements on Assessment
· All Grading Policies
·Assessment Definitions
http://www.aisc.ac.cy
mailto:http://www.aisc.ac.cy
Healthy Food Policy
Elementary Supply List
Elementary Information Sheet
Middle School Supply List
Elementary Curriculum Overviews
School website http://www.aisc.ac.cy
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AISC Guiding Statements
AISC Mission Statement
The American International School in Cyprus inspires students to become
enthusiastic life-long learners who value integrity, cultural diversity, and the pursuit
of excellence. Using an American and International Curriculum, our qualified
professionals work with the school community to prepare students to be creative,
critical thinkers, and socially responsible world citizens.
AISC Belief Statements
We believe that:
• Everyone must be valued as a unique individual.
• Everyone deserves an education, which respects his or her differences.
• Understanding and appreciation of diversity are critical to peace and harmony.
• The development of all aspects of the individual is essential.
• Critical thinking and problem solving are vital in a changing world.
• Participation in activities and service learning fosters a sense of
self-worth, community, and school ethos.
• Technology must be an integral part of the education process.
• Learning must be a life-long process for everyone.
• Everyone is entitled to have his/her opinion heard and considered.
• Everyone has a right to safety, love, and learning.
AISC Statement of International-mindedness
An internationally minded student seeks to understand, appreciate and accept
others' diversity, culture, and opinions, even if they disagree, while keeping in mind
that people have different perspectives.
• As an internationally minded student, you are constantly seeking to evolve your
understanding of other peoples' opinions and cultures.
• As an internationally minded student, you can respect someone’s opinion while not
accepting it as your own.
• As an internationally minded student, your opinion should not violate another person’s
human rights.
AISC Graduate Profile:
Life Long Learner
AISC graduates are inquisitive, reflective and
have a desire to be lifelong learners. They
communicate effectively for a variety of
purposes and are technologically literate for
the 21st century. They are open to a variety
of esthetic experiences and continue to
develop an appreciation for the arts.
Pursuit of Excellence
AISC graduates are self-directed learners who
prioritize in order to meet high academic
standards. They demonstrate skills in both
collaboration and leadership, and are willing
to take risks and seek new experiences. They
are confident and responsible in making
appropriate life choices.
Critical/Creative Thinker
AISC graduates are critical thinkers who
evaluate information and use conclusions to
guide their behavior for a common good. As
creative thinkers they are innovative and
focused on exploring ideas and generating
possibilities when problem solving.
Cultural Diversity
AISC graduates demonstrate an appreciation
for cultural differences and understand the
need for flexibility, sensitivity and
adaptability. They have acquired a high level
of competency in at least one foreign
language.
Integrity
AISC graduates understand the importance of
integrity and accountability, and are positive
thinkers. They use their knowledge ethically,
advocating universal values such as honesty,
integrity, reciprocity, and compassion.
Socially Responsible World Citizens
AISC graduates are aware of the global nature
of many current social, economic and
environmental issues and make positive
contributions to society.
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Annual Calendar
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Esol Education
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