SCHOOL NEWSLETTER April 20, 2017

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
April 20, 2017
Spring MAP testing is just around the corner
During the month of May, all MS students will be participating in our Spring MAP (Measures of
Academic Progress) testing. A MAP test is an external (not made by us), computer-based assessment
which gives us important information about each student to help plan instruction in the areas of math,
language usage, and reading. These results are one of several pieces of data that we use for this
purpose. MAP testing also is one indicator to chart student growth over time. We do not use MAP
test results to determine academic achievement grades. Students will be taking three tests during a
three week period and will be testing during one math, language arts, and social studies class during that
time. Our MAP testing will occur from May 7-May 25th. In next week’s newsletter, we will publish the
specific testing schedule for each grade.
20 MS students had a busy day in Colombo competing at the SAISA Track & Field event.
Bowling
Ms. Dante’s PE classes went bowling . Students used the target game to practice an individual
performance activity and demonstrate correct technique and mature overhand pattern. Mr. Newman’s
classes will work on their bowling skills in May.
Eagle Art
Grade 6 students started their Art class with collaborative learning. They taught each other the seven
elements of art and made Notan papercuts (following page). 7th graders practiced contour drawing.
SAISA Tournaments
Middle School After School Activities
Power Hour - Want to work on your homework before you go home? Need some help from a
teacher? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, Power Hour might be for you. Power
Hour is a quiet, supervised homework time where you will have access to a laptop, if needed, and
teacher assistance.
Minecraft Edu - Explore creating communities and cities using the educational version of
Minecraft.
Helpdesk - HS students are supporting MS students with homework in the MSLC on Sunday,
Monday and Wednesday.
El Cine Español - Come relax with friends while also practicing your Spanish. We’ll watch
movies in the language and also sometimes in English about Spanish speaking countries and
culture. ¡También hay palomitas de maíz!
Treble Makers - It’s baaaaaaaaaack! Do you love to sing? TREBLE MAKERS will now be meeting
after school on Thursdays from 3:45-4:30. We will explore a variety of genres - possibly even
accompany ourselves on the ukulele, and have our own mini-performances. Treble Makers may
also have a featured act in the choir’s spring concert, Choralation. Please see Mrs. Brink if you
have any questions.
Empty Bowls - One in nine people do not have enough food. Look around you and imagine
what those numbers mean. Every four seconds a person dies from hunger-related causes. But you
can make a difference and use your creativity to help the world. Join Ms. Mongardi and Ms. Dwyer
in the ceramics room on Mondays to make bowls from clay for a fundraiser.
MS Blockheads
Computational thinking is the kind of problem solving and critical thinking that is used when you
write computer code and build systems using digital technology. In this ASA you will learn more
about how a computer “thinks”, and you will start to make a computer do what you want it to
do by using blocks of code. Chances are you will end up becoming some sort of wizard. Come
along and try it out! Be a blockhead!
The Illustration Workshop will allow you to try your hand at a variety of illustration styles like
manga, fantasy, nature, animals, storyboards, cartoons and lettering. Each week, I will introduce a
new style and we will create an illustration to match that style and then add it to our illustration
portfolio. Paper and gouache will be provided. Bring your imagination and creativity!
POP! Prepared, Organized People. Learn a new study skill such as: Test taking strategies,
Active Listening, Managing test anxiety. Explore and practice a strategy to improve your
Preparation and Organization skills at school and at home! Bring an assignment and we will plan
and prioritize with calendaring tools for that specific project or task. Drop in one time or come
each week.
Chess Club - You can come and leave anytime. If you beat Mr. Gibney - Mrs. Gibney will give you
a tasty treat.
Soccer - Girls Only - Play for fun out on the small field next to the pool.
TAISM High School Drama Department
Presents:
Our TAISM Staff
Are Out Of This World!
Our Mission: Make sure our
teachers & staff know, that they are
The Best in the Universe!
This month, from Sunday, April 30 to Thursday, May 4, 2017, we celebrate Staff
Appreciation Week at TAISM to show our appreciation for all the staff at school. We have
planned activities throughout the week to thank the TAISM staff for all that they do, for
our children at school.
An American jukebox musical with Elvis Presley music
and with a book by Joe DiPietro.
The story is based on William Shakespeare's 1602 play Twelfth Night.
Thursday, April 27th at 7:00
Friday, April 28th at 7:00
Saturday, April 29th at 2:00
Tickets: 2 rials pre-sale or 3 rials at the door
Available from Reception, the HS Office, or cast members
“All Shook Up" is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized
performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 1180
Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036.
www.theatricalrights.com
We start a week-long celebration with an Interstellar Lunch on Sunday, April 30, 2017,
from 12:30 pm to 02:00 pm, in the ES Cafeteria. Bring in your traditional food for this
luncheon. To sign up, click the link given below or copy the same in your browser.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0D4FABA92FA0F49-taism9
We also have planned to host a Galactic Goodies day on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, from
11:30 pm to 02:00 pm, in the staff lounge. On this day we will offer a range of sweet treats
to our wonderful TAISM staff. To sign up, click the link given below or copy the same in
your browser.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0D4FABA92FA0F49-galactic
Appreciation Station (Sunday, April 30 to Thursday, May 4, 2017): Tell our staff how much
you appreciate them. Students & parents can collect a thank you card and drop it off at
the Appreciation Station located outside the Parent Volunteer Coordinator’s office (Room
No 148). We will make sure your cards get to the addressee.
For any further information on all the activities planned for the week, and to know more
about the various volunteering opportunities, please contact Natasha Fernandes, Parent
Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or call on 92953413.