AISG Annual Report 2020-2021 by AISGZrams

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Contents Our RamNation

Our Community

Letter from the Director

AISG’s Annual Fund

Leadership Team

Annual Fund Speaker Series

Letter from the Board of Governors

Our Alumni

Year in Numbers

Our Students

Our Faculty

Our PTA

Our Strategic Direction 12

Strategic Vision Framework

Master Facilities Plan

Our Celebration of Learning

Our Support Systems & Resources 80

Facilities & Operations

Communications

Finances

Our Curriculum

Academic Progress

IBDP Results

Class of 2021

The Global Pandemic

University Acceptances

Another Unprecedented Year

Elementary School Review

Back to School Plan

Secondary School Review

Pre-Planning Task Force

Arts

Ram Migration

Athletics & Activities

Reflections from the Community

Innovation & Technology

Community Service

P u b l i s h e d b y : American International School of Guangzhou A rt D i r e ct i on & P rod u ct i on : Lou O’Brien

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Our RamNation

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2020 was a year of challenge, resilience, reflection and vision for the American International School of Guangzhou. Kevin Baker, D i r e c t or

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Letter from the Director

elcome to our Annual Report. Each year, we take a reflective look back on the past academic year to report on our performance, to celebrate our accomplishments, and to share our improvement plans for the future. the strong leadership of the Board and Administration Team, with the dedicated and inspiring efforts of our faculty and staff, and the hard work and dedication of our students, parents and the Guangzhou community, AISG students thrived and excelled. We could only have achieved these extraordinary results during the global pandemic as a united and connected RamNation! As you will see in this year’s annual report, the school’s overall performance is steadily improving and has a firm foundation. We continue to inspire our students to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world through a rigorous program of inquirybased curriculum, expansive co-curricular programs, community service experiences, and innovative technology training. Honestly, it is a strange time to look back on. The current circumstances have forced many of us to re-evaluate priorities and ways of working and mobilize new solutions in order to ensure the safety, care, and learning of all our students and community. The clear message we wanted all stakeholders to experience during this difficult time is that “AISG cares!” Of course, looking back is what accountable organizations do: we ask if we followed our mission and achieved our goals, if we strengthened our relationships and partnerships, if we helped and supported others with their learning and if we impacted young lives for the better. We also ask ourselves about what we, as a school, learned and how can we better serve our community going forward. Therefore, the fundamental purpose of our annual report is to look at the relationship between our actions and our impact. Did we make a difference? 2020 was a year of challenge, resilience, reflection, and vision for the American International School of Guangzhou. Under

AISG was founded in 1981 to serve the needs of the international community in Guangzhou. In 2020, AISG still passionately and inclusively serves this purpose as our school community expands and becomes more diverse. We proudly look forward to providing the premier dynamic, compassionate, and connected education in Guangzhou to ensure that each AISG student is future-ready! We look forward to continuing our exciting journey together in 2021 and beyond with even more excellent school performance and greater levels of achievement and impact as together we seize the opportunities before us. Enjoy your reading! Go Rams! Kindest regards,

Kevin Baker, Director

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Leadership Team Leadership at the American International School of Guangzhou has oversight of all aspects of the school’s learning and operations. Guided by our school mission, our leadership team is dedicated to creating a forward-thinking school with an environment that values creative learning and quality teaching.

B a c k R ow : Anne Martin-Bauer – International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Coordinator Corey Kydd – Director of Athletics and Activities Eric Crabtree – Elementary School Assistant Principal Dirk De Jager – Director of Finance and Operations Robert Bauer – Director of Innovation and Technology Amos Lyso – Secondary School Principal Jamie Robb – Deputy Director Ruth Herrin – Secondary School Director of Teaching & Learning F ront R ow : Kathy Burns – Director of Communications and Marketing Trixie Siemens – Secondary School Assistant Principal Shirley Chan – Director of Human Resources (up to May 2021) Kevin Baker – Director Tatiana Lopukhin – Elementary School Principal Lydia Van Berkhout – Elementary School Director of Teaching & Learning, Primary Years Programme Coordinator Sanja Ilić – Director of Admissions N ot p i c tured :

Christy Tan – Director of Human Resources (since May 2021)

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Letter From the Board of Governors

ear AISG Community, I am very pleased to present to you the 2020-2021 Annual Report for AISG.

As you read this report, I hope you will be able to take the facts and information and view them in totality with all the activities, challenges, and successes that have taken place this year. Viewing them with this lens makes this year’s work and accomplishments even more impressive. Emerging from the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves in a very strong and stable position compared to other international schools in China, in the region, and around the world. Under the leadership of Mr. Kevin Baker and with assistance from our community members, my board colleagues and I were able to achieve the following major developments: • We facilitated the entry of nearly all our administrative staff and faculty which allowed us to resume full in-person learning. • We concluded Phase One of the Master Facilities Plan and are looking to complete Phase Two by the end of 2021 calendar year. • We completed the school’s strategic framework, a collaborative process that involved voices from the entire AISG community, in order to provide a path forward to sustain and strengthen AISG.

policies to facilitate such activities in the future. • We expanded the number of community activities to strengthen our identity and esprit de corps. As we have endured the latest round of COVID-19 developments and challenges, I would like to stress again the importance for all of us to continue working together to be dynamic, compassionate, and connected. We all have a role to play to promote the welfare and development of our children and others. We should all be committed to care for others and to promote inclusivity, respect, and dignity. Let us be mindful in our words and action to promote safe, respectful, and productive two-way dialogue. Along with Mr. Kevin Baker, my board colleagues and I are eager to develop and execute strategy, policy, and activities to ensure that AISG continues to improve upon what it provides to all our stakeholders. Most importantly, we appreciate the support f rom all of you: families, students, PTA, faculty, staff and the corporate and diplomatic communities. We are grateful for all of your contributions, energy, and assistance.

• We diversified and stabilized the school’s financial position with access to lines of credit as well as loan financing. • We laid the framework to expand our development and donation activities and will finalize investment and donation

Mr. Thomas Jung Board Chairman

B o a rd o f G o v e rnor s Thomas Jung – Chair, Jane Wang – Vice Chair, Eric Hansen – Treasurer, Tess Cai – Secretary, Frederic Barbier – Member, Carmen Wu – Member, Rick Adams – Member

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Year in Numbers PTA Volunteers

150

Graduating Students

Highest IB Score

El e m e ntary School Af t e r School Activities

Secondary School Competitive Athletic Teams

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Speaker Series Guests

Nationalitie s R epre se nt e d at AIS G

78%

of Teachers have Master’s Degrees

Perfor m i ng Arts Program s

University Acceptances

(Band, Orchestra , Drama , Choir & Dance)

180+ S ocial Me dia Followers on All Platfor m s

14,300

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Our Strategic

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Direction

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Strategic Vision Framework As a leading international school, AISG’s Strategic Vision Framework reflects the importance of building a sustainable future that takes into account the vast changes in the education market as well as the market we serve. It also highlights how to leverage those changes to provide the most transformational experiences for our community. The journey towards creating the Strategic Vision Framework was extensive and comprehensive, with participation from all areas of the AISG community. Led by the Board of Governors and with the professional guidance of an organizational consulting firm, Triangle Associates, the development of the framework took into consideration data from the community, focus groups, and feedback from stakeholders. It is important to note that this is a framework and not a three- or five-year plan that is common in many schools. As we approach our 40th anniversary next year, AISG’s Strategic Vision Framework creates an exciting, bold and ambitious vision for AISG for the next 40 years. A key outcome from the framework called for AISG to reinforce its foundation, which includes a reexamination of our school’s purpose, vision and mission statements, core values, and value propositions. A continuation of involving the AISG community is instrumental in this foundational work that is planned for the following school year.

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Clarify our Value Proposition

Revise Mission Statement

Pivot our Purpose

Identify our Core Values

Revise Vision Statement

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The framework also identified four strategic priorities that the community believes will guide them for the next 40 years: School Improvement, Expansion, Training & Consulting and Corporate Social Responsibility.

School Improvements

Expansion

Corporate Social Responsibility

Training & Consulting

These four strategic priorities are aspirational and are meant to push the boundaries of innovation in a way that is inclusive of both local and global communities. The work on these priorities will be ongoing with the expectation of moving from framework to action by identifying task forces, creating action plans, and identifying projects.

Strategic Priorities Foundation

Projects Action Plan

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AISG will be a hub of education, offering a learning environment that provides a transformative experience through its innovative programs, methods, and spaces, empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and character strengths necessary to be positively impactful global citizens, striving to excel educationally and personally.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

EXPANSION

AISG will increase its influence through the physical expansion of its programming, leveraging its expertise to increase accessibility to a diverse population of students within Guangzhou and beyond.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

TRAINING AND CONSULTING AISG will be a leading center of international education, recognized locally, regionally, and globally as a thought leader in curriculum, teaching and learning, and student experience.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AISG will develop and leverage partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, alumni, and non-profit organizations to create a service program that enriches the AISG community and establishes the school as a leading “corporate citizen” in Guangzhou and beyond.

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Master Facilities Plan Continuing to Build Innovative Learning Spaces Overall Objective

The Master Facilities Plan (MFP) was intentionally designed with the future of learning in mind. A redevelopment project across both campuses, Science Park and Ersha will transform educational spaces into world-class learning environments. This includes large, bright, open learning spaces to promote collaborative and transparent learning while also adopting a sustainable approach with green building design and flexible spaces that can evolve with the pedagogical changes that lie ahead.

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Construction Timeline October 2019 Sc i e nc e P a rk G ro u nd B r e a k i ng C e r e m on y The kick-off to the MFP was a groundbreaking ceremony at Science Park. Hosted by the Board of Governors, the grand event was attended by parents, government officials, consulate representatives and many other special guests.

November 2020 – November 2021 (est.)

Phase 2 Sc i e nc e P a rk : R e no v a t e d S e cond a r y Sc h oo l

Phase 2 on the Science Park campus started as soon as the Secondary School students moved to the new building in November 2020. Using the existing foundation and frame, the renovated building is now the main academic wing of the Secondary School. The enhancement includes a centralized learning atrium flooded with natural light, flexible learning spaces and innovation labs.

June 2021 – January 2022 (est.)

Phase 3

Sc i e nc e P a rk : N e w Und e rgro u nd P a rk i ng a nd R e no v a t e d Spor t s F i e l d To support expansion, a parking area for parents and guests is being constructed on the Science Park campus. The parking area will be located under the current sports field, which will be renovated to have a surrounding walking trail. The expected completion date is December 2021.

October 2019August 2020 Phase 1 Sc i e nc e P a rk : Upp e r E l e m e n t a r y Sc h oo l & M a i n En t r a nc e A little less than a year after the groundbreaking ceremony, the brand-new building for the Upper Elementary School and the renovated main entrance were completed on the Science Park campus. The new building then served as a temporary location for the Secondary School while their building was next in line for construction. The new building is a state-of-the-art building that consists of four floors of classrooms and administrative off ices, including pathf inder hallways, adjustable walls, and innovative furniture to provide varying learning environments. The canopy-style main entrance includes a natural skylight that provides a warm welcome and a 54-step grand staircase with built-in benches that has proven to be a favorite spot for people to socialize during the day.

June 2021 – August 2021 Phase 3 Er s h a : C a m p u s Upgr a d e s Over the 2021 summer, the re-design process started on the Ersha campus by remodeling its external landscape to promote play-based learning, outfitting the classrooms with innovative furniture and completing small refurbishment projects to the existing buildings.

Future Phases The original planned phases of the MFP were revisited during the 2019-2020 school year with many factors to consider, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued focus on quality control to ensure a sustainable and long-term investment. The result was a longer but more realistic timeline with certain projects moved to a later date, such as the enhancement of the athletic and playground facilities at the Science Park campus, which includes two gymnasiums, swimming facilities, and rooftop spaces, and further renovation of the Ersha campus. These projects and their timelines will be further reviewed during the 2021-2022 school year. Most importantly, the MFP plan and the construction continue to move forward, demonstrating the school’s commitment to enhancing learning for all of its community.

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Construction Numbers Upper Elementary Building

Secondary Building

SQUARE METERS

8,475m2

13,979m2

NUMBER OF FLOORS

6,306m3

150m3

TONS OF REINFORCED STEEL

578t

338t

AREA OF GLASS WINDOWS

1,910m2

1,855m2

NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS

NUMBER OF INNOVATION LABS

NUMBER OF WORKING HOURS

331,467

151,548*

NUMBER OF WORKERS

779

228*

AMOUNT OF CONCRETE USED

(new foundation)

(remodeled building)

*estimated as of June 30, 2021

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Our Celebration

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of Learning

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Our Curriculum The American International School of Guangzhou provides the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Diploma Programme as well as a standards-based curriculum. American Education Reaches Out (AERO), Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are used throughout all phases to tailor a program most relevant to our unique context and learners. AISG is one of only two schools in Asia and the only school in China to have a full Early Childhood through Grade 12 implementation of the PLC at Work framework. PLC (Professional Learning Community) teams work in a continuous cycle of inquiry focused on student learning outcomes and data-informed instruction and assessment. The 2020-2021 school year saw continued growth in our faculty’s approach to hybrid teaching and learning, including experiencing professional development tailored to a range of flexible learning environments. In the first half of the year, many teachers returned to China from their displaced locations abroad. At school, we pivoted with a return to face-to-face instruction, while maintaining all the valuable insights and learning opportunities gained from the prior year including flexibility in planning and instruction, varied and innovative assessment practices, and a focus on student well-being. The 2020-2021 school year provided us with a focus on accelerated learning – by ensuring the most essential learning opportunities

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and assessing the gaps in the taught curriculum from last year, we were able to prepare our students to access the curriculum, stay on track in their learning and excel. PLC teams worked collaboratively to determine the essential elements of our units and distill content into what was most important to cover. This process re-emphasized the importance of all the hard work done over the past few years in identifying power standards and creating a viable and aligned curriculum. English Language Arts, Language Acquisition and Early Childhood were up for curricular review. This process of review includes datadriven research and investigation into the best teaching and learning practices associated with the subject area. Additional curricular work included continuing our development of language phases in Spanish, French and Chinese B, the extension of Robotics in the Lower Secondary School to a whole-year course, the development of NGSS units in the Elementary School’s science lessons, and alignment of health standards across Elementary School. Next year, Mathematics, English as an Additional Language, Learning Support, and our assessment policies are all up for this same data-driven review.

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Academic Progress Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests in Mathematics, Language Usage and Reading are administered twice throughout the year for students in Grades 3-10. MAP tests are adaptive assessments, meaning the difficulty level of the questions are adjusted to best assess students’ abilities. Results are reported in a manner which allows AISG to compare scores from international, US and EARCOS schools. Our Fall 2020 MAP results indicate that AISG students are continuing to perform well above international and US school norms, which is consistent with longitudinal results even with hybrid and distance learning due to COVID-19. AISG scores were higher than, or near to EARCOS norms in most subjects, most notably in Mathematics, which is also consistent with historical results.

Language Usage aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 25

250 200 150 100 50

F a l l 2 0 2 0 M a p C o m p a r a t i v e L e a rn i ng D a t a – Mean Rit Versus Grade Level Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Reading

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

AISG

INTL

EARCOS

250 200 150 100 50

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Math 250 200 150 100 50

Grade 3

Language Usage 250 200 150 100 50

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

AISG

INTL

EARCOS

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IBDP Results AISG outperformed last year’s results in every category. For the American International School of Guangzhou, however, success means more than just high grades. When it comes to the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), the school believes in an inclusive approach. AISG allows students to pursue online IBDP courses that we do not offer on-campus or that are blocked by scheduling constraints. We encourage all students to build a program for themselves which may include 2-year IBDP courses, first year IBDP courses and electives. We believe in allowing for as much student choice as possible. AISG’s rigorous IBDP, strong college counseling program, and emphasis on social-emotional wellness provides a unique platform for students to find their best-fit pathway. It is this very balance of providing students with opportunities to take ownership of their learning and creating young adults who are future-ready that cements AISG’s place as the premier international school in Guangzhou.

We are incredibly proud of our 2021 graduates and the successes they had with their university applications. Our graduates secured admissions to excellent universities in multiple countries in a highly competitive market. We wish them the very best as they pursue their future dreams and aspirations! D r . A m o s Ly s o , S e cond a r y Sc h oo l P r i nc i p a l

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Class of 2021 - IB Results Average Diploma Score of all Students

36.4

42/49

Students were Full Diploma Candidates

HIGHEST SCORE

Graduates in National Honor Society

14/42

5.85*

Diploma Candidates earned Bilingual Diplomas

Exam G d ra

33%

Me a

Diploma Candidates with Score Over 40

An Increase from Last Year’s 5.33 and Outpacing World Average of 4.95 *by those earning the IB diploma

WORLDWIDE STATS BASED ON MAY 2021

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Class of 2021 5

S t u d e nts h av e att e nd e d A I S G s i nc e k i nd e rgart e n

Online graduates

100%

of students plan t o a t t e nd u n i v e r s i t y a bro a d ( outside of China )

Students in the Class of 2021

Being part of the RamNation is like being part of a family. We are always taken care of and are welcomed back after graduation. Furthermore, being part of the RamNation is like having pride in the accomplishment our community has made. This helps me make friendships with other people because they realize the RamNation and how dominant our school is. RamNation is a tag that I will be carrying wherever I go, and I will proudly say that I am from the RamNation. And y H a n

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To me, being part of the RamNation means that I’m in a community of caring people who I can always reach out to. It’s about the relationships and memories I’ve made over these past three years - which I will cherish for a long time. M a y a H a n T a y l or

Graduates received offers from more than

180 universities worldwide A I S G st u d e nts appl i e d f or top u n i v e rs i t i e s i n

13+ countries

3.38*

Average GPA (*Grade 9-12 cumulative GPA)

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University Acceptances 2019-2021 Universities listed below with at least one enrolled AISG graduate appear in bold type.

A u stral i a Monash University University of Sydney C anada Bishop’s University Concordia University McGill University Mount Allison University Queen’s University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Toronto Mississauga University of Toronto Scarborough University of Victoria University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario York University S w i t z e rland Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne Les Roches Bluche Swiss Hotel Management School SBS Swiss Business School Zürich f ranc e ESCP Europe Business School in Paris ESMOD International gr e at b r i t i an Brunel University London Cardiff University Coventry University King’s College London London Metropolitan University

Oxford Brookes University Queen Mary University of London University College London University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Brighton University of Bristol University of Greenwich University of Kent University of Leeds University of Liverpool University of Nottingham University of Reading University of Southampton University of the Arts London University of Warwick University of Winchester University of York

j apan International Christian University Keio University Sophia University University of Tokyo Waseda University

hong kong (china) Chinese University of Hong Kong City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The Education University of Hong Kong University of Hong Kong

P h i l i pp i n e s Ateneo de Manila University De La Salle College of Saint Benilde De La Salle University

h u ngar y Semmelweis University University of Debrecen Medical School and Health Science Center

Un i t e d S tat e s o f A m e r i ca American University Arizona State University Auburn University Babson College Barnard College Belmont University Binghamton University Boston College

i r e land National University of Ireland, Galway Trinity College Dublin University College Dublin

S o u t h Kor e a Hanyang University KAIST Korea University Seoul National University Sungkyunkwan University Yonsei University Macao (China) Macau University of Science & Technology

S i ngapor e Lasalle College of the Arts Nanyang Technological University National University of Singapore Singapore Management University

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Boston University Brandeis University Bridgewater State University Brigham Young University Hawaii Brigham Young University Idaho Brigham Young University Provo California College of the Arts California Institute of the Arts California Lutheran University California State Polytechnic University, Pomona California State University Channel Islands California State University, Long Beach California State University, Los Angeles California State University, Northridge Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Chapman University Clark University Colgate University College of William & Mary Connecticut College Curry College DePaul University Dickinson College Dixie State University Drew University Drexel University East Carolina University Elon University Emory & Henry College Fashion Institute of Technology FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, San Francisco Fordham University Framingham State University George Mason University George Washington University Illinois Institute of Technology Indiana University Bloomington Iowa State University James Madison University Juniata College Lehigh University Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Lynn University Marietta College Marist College Maryland Institute College of Art McDaniel College Merrimack College Miami University

Michigan State University New York School of Interior Design New York University North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Occidental College Ohio State University Ohio University Old Dominion University Oregon State University Parsons School of Design Penn State Abington Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Pratt Institute Providence College Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island College Rhode Island School of Design Ringling College of Art and Design Rutgers University, Newark Rutgers University-New Brunswick San Diego State University San Francisco State University Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of Visual Arts Seattle Pacific University Seattle University Skidmore College State University of New York at Fredonia Stony Brook University Suffolk University Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University The New School The University of Tampa Tufts University University at Buffalo University of Arizona University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Connecticut University of Dallas University of Delaware University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Houston University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign University of Kansas University of Lynchburg University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Massachusetts Boston University of Massachusetts Dartmouth University of Michigan University of Minnesota Twin Cities University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of New England University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Oregon University of Pittsburgh University of Portland University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina Aiken University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Virginia University of Washington University of Washington Tacoma University of Wisconsin-Madison Ursinus College Valencia College Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Tech Washington University in St. Louis Western New England University Wheaton College (MA) Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Elementary School Review What an exciting year we have had in the AISG Elementary School! The 2020-2021 school year began with most of our students returning to campus, but many of our teachers were not yet able to return to China. As the weeks and months continued, more and more of our teachers were able to get back to their classrooms to see happy kids and relieved parents! As the year continued, AISG was able to get back to more and more of our traditions. This school year was unlike any AISG has seen before, but it didn’t stop our wonderful students, parents, and teachers from making it truly memorable!

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Grade 5 students took part in this year’s PYP Exhibition

p a ss i o n a t e , dedicated, experienced & fu l l - t i m e Elementary S c h o o l f a c u l t y

Parent Coffees (both virtual and in-person)

qu e s t i o n s i n the Battle o f t h e B o o ks competition

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HIGHLIGHTS C h i l d P ro t e c t i on A w a r e n e s s The month of November was Child Protection Awareness month at AISG, and students learned some important rules to protect themselves and their friends. Parents engaged in presentations and workshops and the whole school came in one day wearing AISG’s Child Safe Zone color, purple, to show our community’s unified stand in preventing child abuse and neglect. It was a powerful month! Up s t a nd e r A w a r e n e s s The month of March served as Upstander Awareness Month, where students developed new skills to stand up to unkind treatment and share with the world that no one in our community will stand by and allow bullying and hurtful behaviors! Through curriculum, assemblies, and parent events, we raised awareness about what bullying is and what we can do to prevent it from entering our community.

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Fr i e nd s h i p A w a r e n e s s April was Friendship Awareness Month, where AISG elementary students took some time to marvel at our incredibly diverse school community. Each student, class and grade level worked hard to develop friends and bridge our many different cultures through kindness and caring.

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L i t e r a c y Mon t h Literacy Month was held in May at AISG and was a fun-filled time celebrating our great readers and writers at AISG. We had multiple author visits, including Trevor Lai. Classroom doors were decorated to look like the covers of students’ favorite books and our community shared in lots of other great activities related to reading and writing. AISG truly ‘reads the world!’ B a t t l e o f t h e B ook s The infamous Battle of the Books was held with 83 students from the Elementary School. They read several novels and picture books and then, with their teams, answered tough questions about the various stories. It was a blast! P Y P E x h i b i t i on We ended the year with 5th Graders sharing their PYP Exhibition projects, an exhibition of their independent research projects and a celebration of learning of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The theme was ‘Small Actions Matter,’ and students chose a wide range of topics and used their critical thinking to think of what small actions can be done to help global issues. S a t u rd a y a t t h e L i br a r y Saturday at the Library is an opportunity for families to visit the library to listen to stories and borrow books. This year, Saturday at the Library was delayed until January 2021 due to campus access restrictions from COVID-19, but then successfully hosted four Saturdays until the end of the school year. Families signed up, with slots filling quickly, and everyone enjoyed their time in the library.

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Secondary School Review It has been an unpredictable and exciting year with a plethora of change at Science Park. The decision to create a Secondary School, with distinct Lower Secondary (Grade 6-8) and Upper Secondary (Grades 9-12) phases, means that we have many things to share that have impacted students across the grades. Resiliency has been at its finest in Secondary School with adapting to new learning spaces, overcoming challenges and creating unique learning opportunities throughout the year.

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s c h e d u l e c h a n g e s accommodated the transition from online to hybrid to inperson learning

Grade 5 students participated in Transition Day

p o i n t s e a r n e d during the dynasty c h a l l e n g e s (22 Yuan, 20 Qin, 1 4 T a n g & 8 H a n )

Faculty members performed in the pantomime

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HIGHLIGHTS s e cond a r y Sc h oo l R e no v a t i on While the Secondary School building underwent its renovation to again become the main academic wing of the Secondary School next school year, Secondary students moved into temporary spaces, including the newly built building that will eventually house Upper Elementary students. These changes provided an opportunity for students to access new environments and furnishings in which to engage and share their learning. C h i n e s e N e w Y e a r C onc e r t A new tradition started with having to re-imagine how to celebrate our host country due to campus access restrictions. This resulted in a Chinese New Year Concert, featuring students from all grade levels in the Secondary School singing, dancing and even producing their own drama performance. Fa c u lt y Pa n t o m i m e A musical comedy stage production like no other, this Pantomime involved faculty members who took to the stage to tell the melodramatic story of Cinderella in front of the entire Secondary student body. A great time was had by all with students actively participating with their cheers and advice to help Cinderella find her own voice.

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R AMSMU N I This year was our first ever MUN hosted at Science Park! Our very own AISG students created their own two-day MUN conference, hosting 30 of our students. This year’s theme was “Sustainable Development Amidst Turmoil” to reflect the hardships we continue to go through, which provided students with an opportunity to debate and discuss current and world issues. They are already planning RAMSMUN II! Un i v e r s i t y In s i g h t s An event attended by over 300 participants who heard from key stakeholders on how AISG offers unique insights for its students to attend and succeed at the best U.S. universities that are aligned with their passions and career interests. A great presentation showcased our long-standing university relationships, community connections, and the continuous development of our personalized university guidance program.

44 I our celebration of learning

S t u d e n t C o u n c i l ( STU C O ) Ac t i v i t i e s STUCO tirelessly worked on finding fun ways for Upper Secondary students and faculty to build school spirit. Great events that showcased talents were the Open Mic Afternoon and the Talent Show. Other great events included Spirit Week that celebrated Fandom Day, Mismatch Day, Crazy Hair Day, PJ Day, Rainbow Day and the infamous ‘Absurdity April Week’ that featured teachers battling it out every morning before classes started. This included arm wrestling, a “try not to laugh” battle, basketball shootout, compliment battle, and a dance battle. Literacy Fair Lower Secondary students worked for several weeks on their literary projects that were then uploaded to Flipgrid to share with everyone. Great projects on historical fiction, poetry and author studies were displayed in many forms, such as posters, models and scenes built in Virtual Reality programs. D y n a s t y C h a l l e ng e s Lower Secondary students are split into dynasties, Yuan, Tang, Han and Qin, which is our version of a ‘house system’. These dynasties have friendly competitions throughout the year which are part of our Social Emotional Learning Program. The most beloved challenge is the Iditarod race where groups are given the same materials to create their own version of a sled. The sled must be sturdy enough to carry one student from the group, as they are then pulled/pushed the distance of the soccer field in their sled creation. Teamwork and school spirit was at its height! Tr a n s i t i on D a y Fifth graders had the chance to visit the Science Park campus in preparation for being sixth graders next year. Through targeted activities such as a scavenger hunt and lunch with their Grade 6 buddy, questions were answered and students became familiar with the new campus, teachers and classes. More excitement awaits them at the beginning of the next school year!

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 45

46 I our celebration of learning

Arts AISG’s Visual and Performing Arts program is designed to provide our students with experiences to develop curiosity, interest, and enjoyment of their own creativity as well as an appreciation for others’ work. The Visual Arts program fosters a learning environment where all students feel welcome to exhibit their creativity. The Performing Arts program is robust, comprehensive, and founded on the belief that band, strings, choir, drama and dance are part of a balanced and effective education.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 47

E lementary S c hool highlights P e r f or m a nc e Ar t s En s e m b l e s To showcase the talents that they’d been working on during the school year, students in gala choir, junior choir, orchestra, and beginning band performed for their fellow students and teachers in June. Students performed classical songs as well as folk songs about unity and peace. Er s h a V i s i on The theme of this year’s annual tradition of our remarkable AISG Elementary School Talent Show was ErshaVision, a play on the popular EuroVision Song Contest. On stage, students showed off their numerous talents including singing, dancing, playing instruments, telling jokes, comedy skits, and short plays.

4 8 I our celebration of learning

S e condary S c hool highlights S e cond a r y Sc h oo l M u s i c a l : Ann i e Jr . A musical to remember with the collaboration of Secondary students committing to hours of practice to put on a spectacular show in our state-of-the-art theater. The performance not only included the actors on stage, but also the musicians in the pit orchestra who played songs that kept everyone humming for weeks after the show, the stagehands who made each scene look perfect, and the technical crew who managed the lighting, livestreaming, and audio. I B D P V i s u a l Ar t s E x h i b i t i on Upper Secondary students had an amazing Exhibition as the summation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) two-year Visual Arts Program. Students curated their own collection to showcase what they have been working on over the past two years. Students used a range of art forms, such as multimedia, mixed media, digital art and photography to communicate a specific topic through their work. IBDP Recitals The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Music and Performing Arts students held several recitals during the school year. Our talented students performed piano, as well as solo theater performances. The IBDP Recitals are not only an opportunity for our students to present their learning to the AISG community, but also part of the curriculum that grades their performance that imitate real-world situations.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 49

Secondary School Musical

students

27 Actors

musicians

Stagehands

technicians

st u dents showcased their collections at the

I B D P V is u al A rts E x hibition

Student concert performances

IB recitals

p e r f o r m i n g a r t s i n v o l v e m e n t o ff e r i n g s (band, orchestra, drama, and choir)

146

Total performers as part of 47 different acts in the year’s

Elementary School Talent Show

50 I our celebration of learning

Athletics & Activities AISG boasts an extensive athletic program, giving our student athletes the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports against other schools both internationally and within China. In addition, a diversity of options is offered to students in their pursuit of engaging and exploratory activities.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 51

E lementary S c hool highlights E x p l or i ng P a s s i on s Our Elementary After School Activities (EASA) program exposes students to a variety of activities offered by teachers, coaches, instructors, and community volunteers in a safe and learning-driven environment. With three sessions that covered over 76 activities ranging from sports, academic, arts, music, technology and social, students had a plethora of choices to enjoy a current passion or find a new one.

A ct i v i t i e s o f f e r e d :

87%

Technology activities

Student participation rate

Art activities

acad e m i c & soc i al act i v i t i e s

52 I our celebration of learning

Lower S e condary highlights AIS G In v i t a t i on a l To u rn a m e n t In March, AISG was fortunate to be able to re-enter the interscholastic scene at the Lower Secondary level by hosting an AISG Invitational Tournament for Volleyball and Badminton. The event saw over 200 students from AISG, Clifford International School, and Utahloy International School in attendance. AISG performed exceptionally well, placing in many categories, and winning several medals.

i n d i v i d u a l s p o r t s w e r e o ff e r e d (cross country, swimming, badminton, tennis)

94%

Student participation

in the Lower Secondary School athletics program

competitive teams

100%

student participation i n t h e v a r i o us co-curricular programs

Team sports were offered (Soccer, Touch, Volleyball, and Basketball)

Discovery classes

(including Yoga Club, Soap Making, Chinese Calligraphy & STEM 3D Printing)

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 53

U p p er S e condary highlights R obo t i c s Our Upper Secondary Robotics team participated in a virtual Vex Robotics Competition this year and competed against Tianjin International School, Wuhan Yangtze International School, and Yantai Huasheng International School. Students competed in the game of ‘Change Up’, where robots pick up balls to score points in nine goals. Due to the pandemic, students were unable to compete in person against each other, so they livestreamed with the other schools to see who scored the most.

Sports offered (Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis and Cross Country)

52%

Students involved in sports

99%

s t u d e n t s i n v o l v e d i n a c t i v i t i e s (non-athletic related)

DELEGATE S IN V OL V ED IN M U N

54 I our celebration of learning

Innovation & Technology INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE At AISG, we place an emphasis on using technology for creation over consumption. By giving students agency in their learning and promoting a maker’s mindset, teachers ensure every student is an empowered creator.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 55

Inno v a t i v e L e a rn i ng Sp a c e s Moving into the new building at Science Park realized our educator’s dream of having the resources to provide varying learning environments. The Innovation and Technology team facilitated the design of the classrooms and hallways to ensure collaboration and flexibility. More importantly, they continued this effort by collaborating with teachers and students in deciding on best practices for the future buildout and renovations on both campuses. Some unique features include classrooms that are designed without a true “front” so that the instruction can be delivered from any orientation of the classroom, furniture and walls that can be written on from top to bottom, walls and doors that can pivot or disappear to adapt the space for transdisciplinary teaching opportunities, and 75” touch screen TVs on wheels in each classroom for optimum ease of use and interactive learning. ISTE S t a nd a rd s G u i d i ng Inno v a t i on a nd T e c h no l og y ISTE standards are a framework for innovation in education, defining the digital-age skills needed for teaching and learning. AISG adopted ISTE standards in 2008 and continues to reference and integrate the latest standards within its curriculum to create innovative learning environments. The importance of adopting these standards and its benefit to our students is reflected in how many teachers and coaches have participated in achieving an ISTE Educator Certification, which includes seven AISG faculty across both campuses, and are great resources for all our faculty.

56 I our celebration of learning

EdT e c h G Z The seventh annual EdTechGZ conference was successfully held this year, albeit online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised format still attracted over 450 registered attendees with hundreds attending live stream sessions. With over thirty sessions and forty presentations from teachers and educational leaders around the globe, a broad range of topics offered great insight about educational technology to improve teaching and learning in our schools. D o u b l i ng B a nd w i d t h In response to the increased need for internet connectivity with the delay of many of our teachers and some of our families returning to China after being caught outside of its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school doubled its bandwidth on both campuses to support a seamless connection for the synchronous instruction that was required for nearly all of its classes. As everyone returned to campus by the end of the year, the increased reliability and speed of the internet tremendously helped classroom instruction and the school’s overall technical ability. Inno v a t i on C o a c h e s From helping with technology platforms and tech tools, to helping teachers implement the ISTE standards, our innovation coaches are the experts on how to leverage these to enhance learning in the classroom. With Lunch and Learn sessions and regular postings with helpful tips and invaluable one-on-one coaching, our faculty has greatly benefitted and are well-equipped to drive innovation and creativity in the classroom.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 57

Innovative Lab Tools

V R g o g g l e s

3D printers

Drones

Programmable robots

(ex: Spheros, Bee-Bots, Ozo-Bots, Dash)

Innovative Furniture for dynamic learning

75” Touch screen TVs

D r y - e r a s e t a b l e s o n wh e e l s

Expandable classrooms

Innovative Resources

I S TE c e r t i f i e d teachers

450

Attendees at the virtual EdTechGZ conference

innovation coaches

58 I our celebration of learning

Community Service E l e m e n t a r y Sc h oo l RamNation has a strong relationship with our surrounding community, and our Elementary School students have many opportunities to engage and learn the value of serving others. This year, the Elementary School continued to develop its relationship with organizations and groups around Guangzhou that needed support. For example, we were able to collect and donate a large number of older English books to the Guangzhou Huangpu District Public Service Center and the Wave Library, which collects English books for the children of migrant workers in the area. Additionally, AISG families helped fundraise enough funds to buy food staples to donate to the Baiyun Community to deliver to needy families in the city. S e cond a r y Sc h oo l AISG’s community service mission statement continues to be the focus of our student-led community service groups. With more than twenty Upper Secondary community service groups, students make a difference in the lives of our local community in a wide variety of activities such as raising awareness about cancer and autism, promoting recycling and humane treatment of animals, preparing emergency food rations, and giving financial support to several local charities. AISG students are giving back to our host country with their time, their person-to-person connections and their monetary and product donations.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 59

a i s g co m m u n i t y s e r v i c e m i s s i on s t a t e m e n t

Unite. Care. Act.

Empowering our community to take action locally and globally to bring about positive change.

60 I Our community

Our Community

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 61

The Annual Fund Hong Bao Campaign is an amazing program that brings our community together to celebrate the beauty of giving. AV a X i ng , D e p u t y D i r e c t or o f D e v e l op m e n t

62 I Our community

AISG’s Annual Fund AISG’s Annual Fund is a school-led yearly fundraising effort where donations are received from the AISG community. Proceeds are used for extraordinary enrichment programs to increase the margin of excellence for the benefit of AISG students. AISG has developed a Giving Program to provide a framework for all fundraising and volunteering programs at the school. By supporting the AISG Annual Fund, parents and faculty demonstrate that they believe in the mission and vision of the school and the impact in making AISG a positive and dynamic learning environment. The 2020-21 school year marked the third year of our successful Annual Fund Hong Bao Campaign. 36% of our community participated in the campaign, which stressed that a gift of any size makes a great difference. This is reflected in the fund’s motto: It is important to give, not how much you give. During Lunar New Year, it’s a tradition to give a gift of a bright, beautiful red envelope (known as Hong Bao) to our friends and family, which symbolizes good wishes and luck for the new year ahead. AISG invited students to design the Hong Bao and received 56 pieces of art from students of all grades. All the student artworks were showcased on the AISG website and at the Ersha entrance during the Lunar New Year. The envelopes were then hung on a peach blossom tree for the community to enjoy and reflect on the beauty of giving.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 63

64 I Our community

Annual Fund Speaker Series The AISG Annual Fund Speaker Series brings fascinating people with captivating stories into our school to inspire, enlighten and transform learning. AISG relaunched its Speaker Series in April 2021 after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speakers were invited to AISG from all over the world to share their experiences. Made possible through generous donations to the Annual Fund, these extraordinary speakers came to touch the minds and hearts of the members of the AISG Community.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 65

H u a ng F e ng R ong April 20-22, 2021 Huang Feng Rong was born in Fujian, Putian, China and is considered a postmodern collage artist. Huang has developed his own unique twist of bringing together music, art, and dance in an innovative way to create unique masterpieces. He has journeyed around the world with his unique artistic style, with some of his works exhibited in several European art museums. Huang Feng Rong visited both AISG campuses and performed live, and also collaborated with students on projects in and out of the classroom. Onstage, Huang painted and danced to music as students cheered. Students were also invited onstage to try painting with their feet, one of Huang’s performance techniques. At Science Park, Huang worked with students on several 3D projects as well as a life-size collage, providing students an outlet to create art they might not usually have the chance to try. At Ersha, Huang worked on painting aspects of Guangzhou life on the ten pillars on the first floor, working with students to beautify our campus. Huang also performed at the Spring ASAG meeting, giving parents an opportunity to enjoy his unique art style.

66 I Our community

S u s i e Z h a ng May 11-12, 2021 Susie Zhang is a certified Lead Trainer in Positive Discipline for Early Childhood Educators, Positive Discipline in the Classroom, Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way, and Keep the Joy in Relationships by the Positive Discipline Association. Over the past 12 years, she has trained thousands of parents and classroom facilitators and has spoken at numerous events. Susie Zhang hosted an in-person parent presentation, two in Chinese and one in English, where she focused on Alternatives to Punishment: A Positive Approach to Discipline. In her presentation, Susie discussed the long-term goal of family education, and revealed what Social Emotional Learning is, as well as its importance. Parents participated in role playing exercises, engaged in great discussion, and asked questions. Susie’s extensive knowledge and experience along with her welcoming nature had everyone fully engaged in this unique learning experience.

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B r y n B a rn a rd May 13, 2021 Bryn Barnard is the author and illustrator of four award-winning science-history books for kids. He is an illustrator of more than 20 children’s books for other authors and is a former illustrator for NASA and National Geographic. Bryn has taught around the world, including teaching illustration at several universities and DP and MYP art and Theory of Knowledge at international schools. He has been a guest author and artist at more than 30 international schools worldwide. Bryn Barnard’s virtual visit to AISG was full of creative ideas and interactions with students from both campuses. With Elementary School students he presented “Creativity Confidential,” which explores the process of writing and illustrating a book from start to finish and how authors develop a creative “brand.” Bryn showed examples of his exploratory mind maps, manuscripts, sketches, book layouts, preliminary paintings, and final printed books. Students saw how an initial idea is often radically transformed by the collaborative process between author, art director and editor.

68 I Our community

J e nn i f e r Abr a m s May 20, 25, 2021 Jennifer Abrams is a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others in schools on being generationally savvy, using effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces. Jennifer has been named one of the “18 Women All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week’s ‘Finding Common Ground’ blog. Jennifer Abram’s virtual visit to AISG included a workshop for Upper Secondary students and a separate session for AISG parents. The workshop for Upper Secondary students was on the topic, “Students Advocating for Themselves” and for the parents, “How to Best Communicate So the School Can Hear You.” Based on Jennifer’s expertise on conflict and interpersonal communication, these sessions provided participants with planning and scripting tools for having those necessary humane and growth producing conversations.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 69

Our Alumni Once a Ram, Always a Ram! AISG alumni are located all over the world, but they have a common connection of holding a special place in their heart for beloved memories and experiences at AISG.

C onn e c t w i t h AIS G A l u m n i

aisgz.org/community/alumni facebook.com/aisgzalumni instagram.com/aisgalumni

70 I Our community

Our Students A truly international environment that embraces multiculturism, inclusiveness and global mindedness. Following a record-breaking enrollment number from the prior year, AISG 2020-2021 enrollment stayed strong despite the COVID-19 pandemic with many classes having waiting lists. Our student body demographics continue to reflect our international environment with over 40 nationalities. Our students are guided by faculty who challenge them to achieve, nurtured in an environment where creativity and inquiry are celebrated, and supported by a community who understands the power of a growth mindset.

NU MB E R O F S T U DE NT S A T A IS G

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 7 1

300 250

274

270 219

200 150

148

100

50 0

N UM B E R O F Y E AR S AT A I S G

n a t i on a l i t y

COUNT

Australia

Austria

Bangladesh

Belgium

Botswana

Brazil

Cambodia

Canada

116

China

285

Denmark

Dominican Republic

(Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan)

G R A D E LEVEL

COUNT

Preschool (3yo)

Preschool (4yo)

Kindergarten

Grade 1

France

Germany

Guinea-Bissau

India

Grade 2

Indonesia

Grade 3

Israel

Grade 4

Italy

Grade 5

Japan

Grade 6

65 86

Jordan

Grade 7 Grade 8

Korea

116

Grade 9

Malaysia

Grade 10

Mexico

Grade 11

Netherlands

Grade 12

New Zealand

Tota l Total Fa mi l i e s

1007 773

Norway

Pakistan

Panama

Philippines

Poland

Russia

Seychelles

Singapore

Spain

St. Kitts and Nevis

New Students:

173 53 24 elementary s c h oo l

Lo w e r S e cond a r y s c h oo l

total :

Upp e r S e cond a r y s c h oo l

250

Thailand

USA

276

Vanuatu

Venezuela

T O TAL

1007

72 I Our community

Our Faculty AISG is a caring community that looks for passionate teachers who bring their forward-thinking pedagogy along with an empathetic approach to enrich each child’s learning. In 2020-2021 AISG welcomed 31 new educators to our family of 110 innovative and experienced faculty members. More than 78% of our faculty have attained their master’s degrees, and more than 68% have over 11 years of experience in education.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 73 aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 73

T h e AIS G t e a c h e r pro f i l e i s p a s s i on a t e a bo u t t h e f o l l o w i ng : •

Wanting to continuously learn and improve as a teacher by participating in a multitude of professional development opportunities, by actively collaborating with colleagues, reflecting on practices, and co-creating a future pedagogical climate that promotes teacher growth and development.

•

Wanting to maximize the educational impact of flexibly designed learning spaces that are purposely built to drive innovation and creativity in the classroom.

•

Wanting to contribute to a positive environment where the administration, teachers, parents and students alike are empathetic, supportive and believe in the well-being of everyone in the community.

•

Wanting to apply the attributes of a positive and valued member of a Professional Learning Community and the IB learner profile to ensure a holistic approach for student-centered learning.

•

Wanting to embrace change by leveraging expertise in technology and bringing best practice to different learning environments so that students can perform at their optimal potential.

NUM BER O F TEAC HE RS AT AIS G

Europe (6%) Africa (1%)

Asia (10%)

Australia/ New Zealand (6%)

3-5

6-10

11-20

21-30

South America (2%)

11 30+

NUM B E R OF YE ARS T E AC H I N G

North America (76%)

74 I Our community

Our PTA “The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely forced us to lock hands, step up, and embrace the challenges together as one AISG community. Even during these uncertain times, our goal remains unchanged - support the AISG community to provide a secure and stable environment for our children, AISG’s students.” T a n i a W a l l a , P TA P r e s i d e n t

P TA B o a rd Tania Walla – PTA President, Sara Matthews – Secretary (Sep-Dec 2020), Nebojsa Matic – Secretary (Jan-Jun 2021), Jiajia Ou – Treasurer, Julianne Park – Volunteer Coordinator, Anita Feng – Elementary School Liaison (Sep - Dec 2020), Asella Lee – Elementary School Liaison (Jan-Jun 2021), Qiang Dong – Elementary School Liaison (Jan-Jun 2021), Tess Cai – Lower Secondary Liaison, Ling Wang – Upper Secondary Liaison, Christina Weber – Ramshack Coordinator, Amy Cen – Ramshack Coordinator

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 75

HIGHLIGHTS Ho l i d a y C e l e br a t i on The Holiday Celebration was the biggest PTA signature event to welcome the holiday season. Student and teacher performances, a variety of food, 24 student groups with various activities, 12 themed baskets, 6 fabulous raffle prizes, and Santa even finished his quarantine and made an appearance! Also, the AISG community gave a big, warm welcome to our new teachers and members of the leadership team, and their families. C h i n e s e C u lt u r e D ay To honor our host country, China, and to celebrate Chinese New Year and the beginning of Spring, our parent community and Upper Secondary students created a day of cultural experience for both campuses. This year, the theme for Chinese Cultural Day was “Honoring the Silk Road”.

76 I Our community

HIGHLIGHTS In t e rn a t i on a l D a y International Day was the most anticipated PTA signature event, with some unique changes due to COVID-19 restrictions. The program was full of cultural activities from around the world with country booths and performances on stage, and food solely catered by the Garden Hotel with delicious menu choices from China, Thailand, USA, Mexico, and Japan. V i s i t i ng A u t h or : Tr e v or L a i Every year, the PTA sponsors an author to provide an enriched experience for the students. This year, the talented author and illustrator, Trevor Lai came to AISG to talk to students about the power of imagination. Students participated in writing and drawing workshops and learned about his journey from loving books as a kid to owning his own animation studio and publishing books! Q u a r a n t i n e S u ppor t The PTA joined AISG Human Resources to support those who were in quarantine upon their arrival to China. The PTA provided a special meal and sent a PTA Care Package of healthy snacks and sweets. The PTA supported 86 teachers, administrators and their families in quarantine and were instrumental in helping everyone feel part of our very special AISG community. Vo l u n t e e r P rogr a m When the school needed extra hands, around 150 parents took turns stepping up and helping. Volunteers were found in all areas, including classrooms, recess time, lunch time, COVID test days, yearbook photo day, and even field trips. The PTA took the definition of volunteering at school to the next level. R a m s h a ck The PTA continues to provide great merchandises to boost our RamNation spirit! From t-shirts to hoodies, polo shirts, magnets, tote bags, water bottles, and more.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 77

Quarantine care packages created and delivered

150+

volunteers

210

h o o d i e s s o l d

Countries represented on the PTA board

¥282,794

Directly invested back into the school

P TA F i n a n c i a l R e p o r t 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1 Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon Student Group Grants Chinese Culture Day Three Portable Coolers Quarantine Support Expenses Author Visit Upper Secondary APAC Awards Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Uniform Staff Appreciation Luncheon PTA Senior Gift Ersha Library Book Donation

¥7,824 ¥19,000 ¥24,986 ¥6,504 ¥19,136 ¥112,882 ¥35,000 ¥25,000 ¥12,960 ¥1,650 ¥3,850 ¥14,000

78 I support systems & resources

Our Support

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 79

Systems & Resources

80 I support systems & resources

Facilities & Operations For the 2020-2021 school year, the Facilities and Operations departments managed the Master Facilities Plan alongside the day-to-day operations of the two campuses while continuously monitoring the safety measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to Facilities & Operations, learning continued uninterrupted as it would under normal circumstances. This sense of ‘normalcy’ was largely due to the continued safety precautions, which included disinfecting protocols, monitoring everyone’s health on campus, coordinating COVID testing, and enforcing the campus access requirements. While the campus was kept safe, the Facilities and Operations team continued to work on providing services to help our days run smoothly, such as attending to facility helpdesk requests, managing the bus and cafeteria services, completing summer works, and ongoing maintenance. Facilities and Operations continue to play a large role in creating flexible and collaborative learning spaces with new furniture and equipment. Their support is invaluable as the school continues its evolution of forward-thinking pedagogy that aims to meet the needs of a diverse set of learners.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 81

Summer Works

projects 15 Ersha, 10 Science Park

8,160

Accidents

Man hours

Facility Helpdesk Requests e r sh a

science park

2,941

2,862

Average 20 requests per day

Average 18 requests per day

82 I support systems & resources

Communications With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nature of uncertainty that it brings, the 20202021 school year communication plan continued its focus on transparency and clarity while highlighting the strength of our connected community and the AISG difference.

20 e n e ws emails

F e a t u r e d N e ws s t o r i e s o n w e bs i t e

d i r e c t o r ’ s messages

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 83

Communication Channels F OLLO W ER S W e Ch a t

10,500

80+ Stories

Facebook

2,145

55 Posts

Instagram

935

118 Posts

Twitter

723

505 Tweets/Retweets

C on s i s t e n t Sc h oo l w i d e M e s s a g i ng The numerous variables and uncertainties that persisted throughout the school year were addressed with regular and consistent messaging in the bi-weekly eNews, announcements on our intranet portal, Ramsnet, and for the items that required special attention, direct emails from the Director. For instance, the updates of required COVID testing and our campus access policy united the community to work together to keep our campus safe. M a rk e t i ng t h e AIS G D i f f e r e nc e Public communications, such as social media, advertisements, the AISG website and the publication of our Annual Report revealed the many unique stories of the AISG Difference. With the campus only open to students, faculty and staff, these stories about the transformational learning that took place at AISG were shared with the community and with our followers around the world.

84 I support systems & resources

Finances AISG is one of the few non-profit schools in China. Its organization and structure enhance the school’s responsibility to be good stewards of its resources to support our educational mission. Accordingly, the school’s Board of Governors serves without remuneration as they volunteer to govern our school. Financial surpluses, if any, are used for the advancement of the school and benefit of our students and their learning. The Board of Governors provides fiduciary, strategic and generative governance and oversight of the school. Specifically, financial oversight through the Finance Committee, which is chaired by the Board’s Treasurer, and includes members and parents experienced in tax and financial matters. The Director of Finance and Operations works under the guidance of the School Director, implements the strategic decisions of the board and its committees, and ensures that operational resources are managed efficiently and responsibly. Our school operations comply with high standards of financial accountability and transparency. Annually, AISG hires an international firm of auditors to conduct an external audit. Their report, along with the school’s financial statements, is presented at the bi-annual American School Association of Guangzhou (ASAG) meeting in October.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 85

F i n a nc i a l R e v i e w We are pleased to report that our audited financial results for the 20202021 school year compare well to the budget approved by the board in March 2020. Interest income was once again higher than budgeted and operating expenses were within budget despite the unexpected additional costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the fee credits the school provided to families due to the pandemic. The overall operating surplus, which can be attributed to school cost saving efforts, as well as COVID-19 pandemic expenditure reductions, of nearly 20 million RMB ($2.9 million USD) was 9.3% of actual revenues. P l a nn e d R e s e r v e s As one of the few non-profit independent schools in China, AISG carefully manages the resources entrusted by our current and former families. AISG’s total reserves are intended to ensure its long-term financial health and sustainability; the emergency reserves provide a safety net in case of an unexpected decline in enrollment, while the capital reserves underpin the school’s long-term facilities plan. The total value of the school’s reserves as of June 30, 2021 was 383 million RMB ($59.4 million USD).

Operating Expenses

Operat i ng R evenues

B u d ge t: 203.85m RMB

Administration (10%)

Actual : 213.66m RMB

Learning Resources (3%) Property Rental (5%)

Operat i ng expenses

Campus Operations (12%) Salaries and Benefits (70%)

B u d ge t: 199.71m RMB

Tax Payable (Less than 1%)

Actual : 193.71m RMB

Operating Fund 200 150

Revenue

100

Expense

Surplus 16/17

17/18

18/19

19/20

20/21

86 I The Global Pandemic

The Global Pandemic

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The COVID-19 Pandemic Continues...

88 I The Global Pandemic

Another Unprecedented Year The AISG community has shown unwavering understanding and resilient support as the school diligently worked to ensure the safety, well-being, and continuation of learning for the AISG community amidst the unprecedented and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020-2021 school year started unlike any other with 85% of the faculty starting the school year outside of China and around the world, while the majority of the students were in Guangzhou. The school year continued to be dynamic with having to adapt schedules to accommodate the steady return of teachers and then having to make the decision to end the school year three days earlier than planned due to an outbreak in Guangzhou in late May. Despite the several restrictions in place and the abundant testing and protocols, both campuses were open for in-person learning up to the last week of school, a privilege that should not be taken lightly with many schools around the world being online since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our capacity for empathy has grown and our willingness to understand different perspectives has taken on a new meaning. The stories generated by this unprecedented year will be forever remembered and the challenges that we overcame will be forever considered a remarkable feat and a tribute to the strength of the AISG community.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 89

This year has taught us that change is the only thing in life we can count on, yet we can come together as a connected and compassionate community as dynamic learners to achieve great things in the new context and move forward with confidence. Kevin Baker, D i r e c t or

90 I The Global Pandemic

Back to School Plan Immediately following the end of the prior school year, a pre-planning task force was created that reflected the new leadership team. It was a necessary early start in order to plan for the upcoming challenges of our displaced faculty due to China’s closed border and to develop a series of communications regarding the Back to School Plan. The preplanning task force worked throughout the summer, monitoring the fluid situation and scenario planning for all possible contingencies. Four communications were shared with the AISG community over the summer, with more detailed information about specific elements as the context became clearer. The scaffolded communication was in line with the philosophy of providing regular, factual and verified information, which offered the needed transparency to the AISG community during these uncertain times. In addition, outreach and maintaining a connected community were important factors of understanding the plan so Mr. Baker hosted several town hall meetings, and the leadership team answered all questions that were received via the dedicated email address, prepare@aisgz.org.

The COVID-19 crisis called for a Back to School Plan that prioritized the health and safety of our community and allowed for flexibility and transparency while staying true to our mission and vision.

With the border remaining closed, the final decision was to initially start the school year with Hybrid Learning. This was a mixture of in-person learning and online learning that prioritized the continuation of providing a highquality learning experience for students both on and off campus. Students on campus followed a set schedule with teachers providing a combination of face-to-face and digital experiences throughout the day. This allowed us to take advantage of our talented teachers who were still overseas as well as those who were on site in Guangzhou. Students who are unable to physically be on campus participated virtually in an online or distanced learning environment. Students attended school virtually with synchronous and/or asynchronous lessons, assignments, and projects. Online learning provided the flexibility for students/families to complete asynchronous activities and assignments according to their time zone.

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 91

Pre-Planning Task Force Located around the world, the pre-planning task force represented the new leadership team at AISG for the 20202021 school year. From the early days of summer to the first day of school, the team worked tirelessly in formulating a Back to School Plan that defined learning objectives to ensure that student well-being and maximum learning were equitable and inclusive across all scenarios, as well as ensuring consistency and the school’s commitment to highquality learning.

T a s k Forc e ROW ONE: Kevin Baker – Director Robert Bauer – Director of Innovation and Technology Jamie Robb – Deputy Director Shirly Chan – Director of Human Resources Dirk de Jager – Director of Finance and Operations ROW TWO: Amos Lyso – Secondary School Principal Tatiana Lopukhin – Elementary School Principal Kathy Burns – Director of Communications and Marketing Sanja Ilić – Director of Admissions

92 I The Global Pandemic

Ram Migration The effort that went into getting our teachers back to Guangzhou was paramount. The behind the scenes work by the Human Resources department of numerous phone calls, documents to process, policies to interpret and meetings were all pursued with “stubborn optimism” that proved beneficial when the borders did open for a short time that allowed teachers to start arriving in the late fall. Not knowing when our teachers could return, the school proactively planned to have support in the classroom by hiring 18 temporary Learning Mentors. Learning Mentors were instrumental to the learning that was happening in the classroom as they served to be the bridge between the teacher and the student to help them both be successful. Many would agree that without the Learning Mentors, the state of our student’s learning, as well as the well-being of our teachers, would have resulted in a very different outcome. When teachers were finally allowed to enter Guangzhou, the unpleasant news of the mandatory two-week quarantine in a government approved hotel was alleviated by knowing that their stay was fully supported by a personalized Quarantine Support Team. The team was made up of a combination of personnel from Human Resources and our PTA. They were on call to help with any questions and also supplied the hotel room with necessities, special gift packages, and food deliveries. The details that went into the care of our teachers and their families during quarantine is truly exemplary of our connected community and what it means to be a part of the RamNation. A true highlight of the year was seeing the return of our Rams, teachers, and students to campus over the course of several months during the school year. Upon each person’s return, the energy on campus kept growing more positive. Important to mention are those who were not able to return to campus and had to remain online for the whole school year. While their migration is still ongoing and we are hoping they can eventually make it to Guangzhou, they have taught us a great lesson on resilience and how important it is to stay connected and support each other despite the physical distance.

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94 I The Global Pandemic

Reflections from the Community “Each and every member of our community has been faced with challenges due to COVID-19. It has increased conversations about collective responsibility, and how our actions directly influence and impact others. It has meant we haven’t been able to do all the things we have done in the past due to precaution processes, but in doing this, we are contributing to protecting ourselves, our AISG community, and our city.” T r i xi e S i e me n s ( S eco n dary S cho o l Ass i stant Pri nci pal)

“It was a year of constant changes and adjustments for everyone at AISG, and we were glad to be able to provide a bridge between the students on-site and teachers who were abroad. It was rewarding to be able to provide support to those in need and witness the improvement as time went on.” Ayl ine De Wi ld e ( L e ar n i n g Mento r)

“Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic provided unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As one of the many teachers who were not able to travel to China, I began the year with online learning. This gave us the chance to use technology in creative and purposeful ways that we had not imagined. The resilience of students and families to stay focused and dedicated was truly inspiring. The school supported us in so many ways, from additional quality personnel, to fighting for us to all get back, to quarantine care packages. There are no easy, existing answers to providing the best educational practices during a worldwide pandemic, but through our positive mindset and professional flexibility we have risen to the occasion to continue providing the best learning experience for our RamNation.” M i tc h Mad i g an ( G r ad e 3 Te acher)

aisg annual report 2020-2021 I 95

“It felt okay at first because everyone was following the hybrid learning schedule and many people were not on campus. However, later in the year, I had to make some adjustments in my classes as the only 10th grade student online. Nevertheless, I’m very thankful for the teachers and classmates because they were always really nice and willing to help me when I needed.” Ja s m i n e Lu ( D i s pl ac e d G r ade 1 0 Student )

“2020-2021 has been one memorable school year. I have witnessed and experienced the resilience and strength of our community. Instead of cracking under uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic, our community locked hands and channeled its energy to focus on helping the school help the students and teachers, so learning could resume normally when other things around it were still trying to be sorted.” Ta nia Wall a ( PTA Pr e s i d e n t )

“The COVID-19 pandemic created a challenging working environment for every organization in the world. AISG, with HR taking a critical role, took numerous actions to limit the risk to our campuses and community from the possible spread of COVID-19. We worked closely with the General Educational Bureau and our leadership team to proactively monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and well-being of our AISG community. We learned how to best utilize our existing resources to work more digitally and efficiently. We understood the stressors from faculty and staff while working from home and tried to keep them productive, motivated, and connected. We worked with faculty, staff, and our PTA to support our teachers to return to China and provided close support during their quarantine period. The HR department collaborated with everyone at every level and practically at every moment to implement best practices to support our AISG community during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Ch r isty Tan ( D i r ecto r o f H uman R eso urces)

AISG Annual Report 2020-2021

Articles inside

Ram Migration

Pre-Planning Task Force

Back to School Plan

Our PTA

Our Alumni

Another Unprecedented Year

Annual Fund Speaker Series

AISG’s Annual Fund

Community Service

Secondary School Review

Letter from the Board of Governors

Our Curriculum

Leadership Team

aisg annual RepoRt 2020-2021 i

Elementary School Review

Letter from the Director

IBDP Results