Singapore American School Newsflash, December 2005

NewsFlash

Volume 8, Issue 5-05/06 - December 2005

A Singapore American School community service publication

MICA (P) 234/08/2005

A Culture of Giving In Singapore and beyond, Singapore American School students, faculty and families are ďŹ nding ways to help those in need. Challenged by natural disasters, man-made tragedies and the circumstances of those less fortunate living here in Singapore and in distant lands, SAS is committed to helping those in need.

This month in NewsFlash we take a look at just a few of the many ways Singapore American School is reaching out; teaching our children about commpassion, humility and charity, and learning from them as well.

News Flash Contents

2 In This Issue 03 05 07 08 09 10 12 17 18 22

Robert Gross Superintentend of Schools

Mark Boyer Asst. Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Rhonda Norris Asst. Superintendent Business

David Hoss Principal Primary School

Marian DeGroot Principal Intermediate School

Robert Godley Principal Middle School

Paul Chmelik Principal High School

We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEWSFLASH Deadline: January 20, 2006 Publication Date: February 6, 2006 MARCH NEWSFLASH Deadline: February 27, 2006 Publication Date: March 13, 2006 Email Community News Input to bgribbon@sas.edu.sg Email Trading Post Input to trade@sas.edu.sg Trading Post advertising is restricted to non-commercial items only from SAS students, parents and staff

23 24 25 26 27

Curriculum & Instruction Congratulations 50th Anniversary PTA President’s Letter PTA Book Fair PTA Food Fest Booster Club Music Highlights A Culture of Giving SAVE: From Plastic to Canvas - Bags SAS at the SEA Games MUN - Basketball Mathematics Community Art and Art History in Singapore Language and Cultural Exchange

Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS? We are sending all parents and guardians a regular weekly What’s Happening at SAS newsletter by email.

If you have not been receiving the weekly email it probably means that we do not have your correct email address. Send us an email at communications@sas.edu.sg to let us know that you have not been hearing from us. We can add one or both parents emails to our distribution.

The weekly What’s Happening at SAS will also be posted on the website at http://www.sas.edu.sg

NEWSFLASH is published monthly by the Communications Office of the Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to the parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg Editor: Beth Gribbon Assistant: Joey Lew

Curriculum & Instruction

3

Identification of Recommendations For Study Areas Services, and Mathematics. The development of these recommendations is the result of a comprehensive review of parent surveys (completed last May), input at Parent Coffees in all four divisions, teacher input, administrator input, review of school data, and an external review for Resource Services and also for Mathematics.

Mark Boyer

s

ingapore American School has a five-year Curriculum Cycle of continual review and renewal in all subject areas and service areas.

This cycle ensures that all curriculum, service areas, and classroom resources are continually upgraded and connected to “best practices”. Each subject or service area has three years of support on this Cycle: Year One is the Study Year where stakeholder feedback and “best practices” are reviewed, Year Two is the Development Year where curriculum revision/ renewal is finalized and new/additional classroom resources are identified, and Year Three is the Implementation Year where the new curriculum is operationalized within classrooms and new/ additional classroom resources are available for students. Throughout the span of the cycle, continual enhancements continue to be made within curriculum and resources.

In the September issue of NewsFlash, I described the significant improvements that are occurring in the Development Year for Social Studies and Modern Language. The final curriculum is due to be submitted to the Curriculum Committee in March, and new/additional classroom resources to support the new curriculum will be purchased this year. Full implementation of the new curriculum and resources will begin next August, but many of the new ideas are already beginning to be introduced this school year.

For this issue of NewsFlash, I want to share with the school community the recommendations that are emerging from this year’s Study Year for Libraries, Counseling, Resource

A hallmark of Singapore American School is that, even though it is recognized as a world-leader in education, it continues to honestly, openly, and vigilantly look for ways to continuously improve. SAS uses U.S. curriculum and standards as its base, but it also looks to other places in the world that are noteworthy for their achievements. Therefore, our efforts are to pull on the best educational practices in the world that are contextually transferable to Singapore American School. It is in this way that we uphold our commitment to an “American education with an international perspective”.

Thanks to the hundreds of parents and staff who have contributed their ideas and interests to the four areas that are in their Study Year. Staff is fully engaged in the recommendations, and progress will continue to be shared.

Recommendations for Libraries: 1. Develop a compelling and meaningful philosophy for Preschool through 12th Grade Libraries at SAS 2. Continue to develop systematic communication to parents, students, and staff regarding library resources, services, and support 3. Review Library policies, procedures, and handbooks for Preschool through 12th grade alignment and consistent support of “best practices” (for maximum effective use of Libraries) 4. Develop a Preschool through 12th Grade Information Literacy (Library) Curriculum to be integrated into the curriculum of all subject areas 5. Continue to develop “just-in-time” learning opportunities in the Library that are connected to classroom learning (to increase the purposeful connection between the Library and the

Curriculum and Instruction

4

Identification of Recommendations For Study Areas (cont’) classroom) 6. Continue to review and upgrade all library systems to best support staff and student needs 7. Develop approaches (with and for parents and staff) that encourage students to be “good readers” 8. Conduct an external review to validate effective practices and to note possible areas for further improvement

models with review of the level of support for these models 5. Professional Development for more cohesive agreement on services and support (Resource Services Teachers and Classroom Teachers) 6. Develop and adopt a Preschool through 12th Grade Special Services Procedures Staff Manual and Parent Guide to Special Services

Recommendations for Counseling: 1. Review divisional services in alignment with divisional needs, and explore any significant areas of need that could benefit from increased support 2. Review “best practices” in Counseling for divisional enhancements 3. Develop enhanced articulation for Continuity of Care across divisions 4. Develop enhanced articulation for Character Education across divisions, involving students, staff, and parents 5. Consider the potential benefits and delivery models for Career Education across divisions 6. Develop enhanced articulation for Workshop opportunities across divisions among students, staff, and parents across divisions 7. Continue to develop systematic communication and feedback among parents, students, and staff regarding Counseling resources, services, and support

Recommendations for Mathematics: 1. Develop a compelling and meaningful Philosophy for mathematics education at SAS 2. Use the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics standards and other exemplary international curriculum in the development/ revision of our school’s mathematics curriculum 3. Continue to develop articulation of curriculum, course sequences, and resources in preschool through 12th grade 4. Review current delivery systems and support structures – during school and after school – for how they address the needs of diverse learners (i.e., high, medium, low), and investigate other/ additional possibilities for improved student learning for all students to ensure that all students are “appropriately challenged” 5. Develop tighter communication and support for parents about expectations for student learning in mathematics and how parents can also support math learning at home 6. Review the quality, variety, and consistency of grade level/subject area assessments that are used to understand and communicate student growth and progress, as well as appropriate placement in courses or leveled groups 7. Identify the data and criteria that we will use to benchmark excellence in mathematics within divisions and as a school 8. Identify specific and purposeful professional development support in mathematics – curriculum/content, instruction (e.g., differentiated instruction), assessment, technology 9. Explore ways to increase student motivation, curiosity, and enjoyment for mathematics through engaging and relevant tasks/projects

Recommendations for Resource Services: 1. Develop a compelling and meaningful Philosophy for Resource Services at SAS 2. Clarify the distinction between Individual Student Plan (ISP) and Individual Education Plan (IEP), and the use and continuity of forms (for better staff and parent understanding) 3. Review Assessments – review of the instruments that we use, how we show progress, demographic data on school trends in conjunction with potential school needs, and grading policies/procedures for special needs kids 4. Review of current and potential service delivery

Mark Boyer Assistant Superintendent For Curriculum and Instruction

Congratulations

5

Superintendent of the Year

s

AS Superintendent, Bob Gross, has been selected as the 2005 AAIE Superintendent of the Year. Mr. Gross will be recognized at the annual AAIE conference February 17-19, 2006, in Boston, where he will receive a plaque and give a keynote address.

Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) is the preeminent organization for American and international education and the professional group in the United States that speaks for American international schools. AAIE is the link and facilitator among institutions and people involved or interested in the more than 300 American International schools.

Members of AAIE are school heads, administrators, U.S. Department of State officials, counselors, teachers, professors and professionals who provide services for international schools, educators and children.

When notifying SAS about Bob’s award Dick Krajczar, Executive Director of AAIE, remarked that “Bob is an excellent leader who will represent all of our American/international superintendents in the highest manner. Bob is an outstanding educator and I’m sure SAS is as proud of him as we are at AAIE.” AAIE has 51st state status among the national organizations in the United States, so Mr. Gross will also be recognized at the annual American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Conference in San Diego along with other superintendents of the year from each of the 50 states where he will receive well deserved recognition from his colleagues at AASA.

HS Principal Appointed As ISKL School Head CONGRATULATIONS!!!

High School Principal, Paul Chmelik, has been selected as the new Head of School at International School of Kuala Lumpur. He and his wife Betsy, currently the Middle School Librarian, will leave SAS at the end of the school year. Having served as High School Principal at SAS since August 2000, he will leave behind a legacy of outstanding leadership and positive growth. We wish Paul and Betsy all the best with this exciting opportunity. We look forward to seeing them on a regular basis as ISKL is a part of the IASAS sports and cultural exchange program at SAS.

David Norcott Selected as High School Principal CONGRATULATIONS!!!

David Norcott, has been selected as the new SAS High School Principal, effective for the 2006-2007 school year. David has worked at SAS since 2002 as the Deputy Principal in the High School. He and his wife Annemarie, who works as a classroom instructional aide at SAS, moved to Singapore from British Columbia, Canada, where David worked as a High School Principal. Prior to that, he served in a number of different positions in the schools in British Columbia, Canada. David received his undergraduate education at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and his Masters Degree at Antioch University in Seattle, Washington.

50th Anniversary

SAS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Update from the Development Office

t

he Celebrating Our Alumni Series Art Exhibit and Auction took place November 11th – 19th in the High School Atrium. This very special exhibit of works by SAS alumni, arts faculty and parents was widely visited by everyone from the Intermediate School and Primary School classes to Middle and High School students and parents. Representatives of the Singapore National Arts Council also viewed the exhibit. The participation of alumni helped highlight the strength we gain from our connections and the inclusion of parents and arts faculty opened our eyes to the artists among us. On November 17, attendees of the live auction were entertained by the musical talents of Tracy Meyer, Garth Sheldon and Carmine Felice while viewing the artwork at a reception catered by the American Club. Later that evening, lively bidding raised almost $10,000 for the Annual Fund.

“The Standard of Pilgrims” (Faces of SAS), an American Flag montage by Viki Zulkowski, was bought and donated back to the school by a group of parents who felt this work, incorporating photos of more than 300 students, should remain on display at SAS. Thanks to their generosity, a limited edition of prints will be produced to be sold to our community.

Coming in January: SAS is Science! An Evening at the Science Centre with NASA Scientist and SAS Alumni (class of 1985) Hussein El-Lessy, the first of our returning alumni to share his knowledge and expertise with our school. Mr. El-Lessy will spend a full week working with our students in all four divisions. Mr. El-Lessy is generously donating his time in support of the Annual Fund. To help defray costs associated with his visit, and in order to allow parents and alumni to meet Mr. El-Lessy, a fund raiser is planned for the evening of January 17th.

A reception and dinner will take place in the Singapore Science Center. After enjoying a buffet dinner, guests will be able to view selected exhibits at the Science Center including a demonstration of the 3.5 million volt Tesla Coil. Guests will then proceed to the Maxwell auditorium where Mr. El-Lessy will speak to us about the International Space Program. At the conclusion of the evening, a private showing of the Boeing Imax Movie “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag” has been arranged at the Omni-Theatre.

Tickets are available in the Development Office of Singapore American School (Cash, Check or Credit Card) or at the American Association Office in the American Club (checks only). Due to space restrictions this event is limited to no more than 250 people.

An Evening At The Science Centre Tuesday, November 17, 2006 6:30pm – 10:00pm $126/person Don’t forget the Development Office when looking for a gift which says “Singapore”. We have a wide range of items including wine glasses, teddy bears, photos, M&Ms and more!

Susan Murray Director of Development

7

PTA

8 From the PTA President

a

s I glance at the calendar in preparation to turn the page to another month, it is hard to believe that we are almost half way through the school year.

With the holiday season now upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Healthy and Happy Holiday Season. It is also the time of year, with a long school break, that many families take the opportunity to relocate to their next assignment. To those of you leaving SAS over the coming months, we bid you a fond farewell and wish you all the best in your new location. For those who have had the opportunity to volunteer at SAS, we would like to thank you for all of the volunteer hours you have put in at school and for the support you’ve given the PTA during your stay in Singapore.

November was a busy month. The PTA held its annual Book Fair during the week of November 14th. This event was once again a huge success due in large part to the endless hours of our PTA chairs, Sandy Markle and Carol Peiffer. Along with a dedicated group of volunteers, they provided all of our Primary, Intermediate and Middle School students the opportunity to purchase books. For the second year, we held our Holiday Vendor Fair during the first two days of the Book Fair. Thank you to Linda Rossinsky for the superb job that she did in organizing that activity.

The 2005-2006 PTA Directories were also distributed in November. If you did not receive your complimentary copy, please either stop by or contact the PTA Office at 6363-6452.

While I know that all of you are concentrating on the many school and holiday activities over the coming month, I would like to ask you to take a minute to mark your calendar for the next PTA event. Our Wine Tasting/Silent Auction, “The Grape Escape” will be held on February 4th, 2006. This will be a lovely evening of delicious food, good wine and great company. Kris Gibson and her committee have been working hard on plans that I am sure will impress you and provide everyone a spectacular evening. While it may seem a long time away, it will be held only a few short weeks after we return from the holiday break. Seating will be arranged at tables of eight, so you can either make plans to join your friends by arranging your own table, or making new friends by signing up individually.

As always, please continue to check the PTA link located on the SAS website. You will find a host of useful information about PTA activities. Please go to www.sas.edu.sg and then click on the PTA link.

I would like to once again wish you and yours a very Safe and Happy Holiday Season, and a Joyous New Year!

Susan Fay PTA President

PTA

9

PTA Book Fair

Explore the Magical World of Books

h

eld this year the week of November 14, the PTA Book Fair is an annual event that brings to SAS an opportunity for students and parents to purchase quality children’s literature in a convenient and friendly atmosphere. The Book Fair is popular with students and parents alike. PTA volunteers spend hours selecting, ordering, sorting and setting up the books for the Book Fair. The Book Fair also serves as a fundraiser for the PTA and contributes substantially to the funds that the PTA generously donates back to the school each year.

This year’s bookmark winners are Hanna Chuang, Alfred Chin, Marco Rafael Cabato, Dana Lim, Tanvi Ahuja and Jay You.

In conjunction with the Book Fair, the PTA sponsored a bookmark contest for students in kindergarten through grade 5. Over 200 students submitted entries based on the Book Fair theme “Explore the Magical World of Books”.

Choosing a winner from each grade level proved a formidable task due to the quality and creativity of the submissions.

As well as having their book mark submissions framed for display, the winners were presented with a gift certificate to use at the Book Fair.

PTA Book Fair THANK YOU

Thank for all the help….

Many thanks go to all the wonderful volunteers that have helped in making the PTA Book Fair successful.

It all started many months ago with buying, sorting, and pricing books. Volunteer efforts continued with setting up tables, serving as cashiers, and walking the event floor every day for a week. Finally, the closing crew counted remaining inventory and packed whatever was left. We could not have managed without your countless hours and your willingness to help out when needed.

Thanks for everything!

Sandy Markle & Carol Peiffer PTA Book Fair Coordinators

Book Mark Contest THANK YOU

On behalf of the PTA Book Fair we would like to thank Christina You and Elaine Wertheimer and their committee for a wonderful job on the Book Mark Contest. The children loved the bookmarks they received at the fair. We really appreciate all your effort and countless hours.

Thanks, Sandy Markle & Carol Peiffer PTA Book Fair Coordinators

Boosters

12

BOOSTER BOOTH PRESENTS

Booster News

WHAT’S HAPPENING New Booster Item: Chinese New Year and Valentine Greeting Cards.

Booster Booth Finals Week Hours: December 12 - 15, 7:45am - 12:00pm.

Booster Closes for the Christmas Holiday...... December 15, 2005.

Honor Roll Brunch January 20, 2006 at 11:20am.

Booster Bake Sale February 22, 2006.

Boosters

13 Luxury of It All ~ A Success

On November 17, over 260 guests attended the 2005 Booster Home Tour ‘The Luxury of It All’, Guests were taken in buses, courtsey of Yeap Transportation, to view the exquisite selection of homes. Each home had a distinct architectural style (Peranakin, Black and White, 1930’s, and an architect’s home). Thank you to the SAS families who graciously opened their homes to the tour.

Following the home tours, there was a brunch at the Shangri-La Hotel, where each guest received a shopping bag and umbrella from Santa Fe and a tassel from the Booster Club. During the brunch, lucky draw prizes were awarded and guest had a chance to purchase raffle tickets for additional donated items. Brunch was followed by shopping at charity vendors and Boosters. A great time was had by all!

The Booster Home Tour Committee would like to extend their thanks to Mr. Clemens and year book student Chris Fussner for their assistance with the layout of the Home Tour Program.

‘05 Booster Home Tours DONATIONS

Booster Club Home Tour success provides funds for SAS High School Students: Interim Semester Scholarships, IASAS Athletic Bags, Jazz Band costumes, SAVE Club, Photography Club, Badminton Club, Thespian Club, Dead Artist Society, Peer Support and many more.

Calendar Highlights

14 December 2005

5

6

7 8 9

10 11 12

IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Group Room, I311) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301) Tri-M Induction Ceremony 3:15pm (HS Library) PS Parent Coffee 8:30am (Primary Faculty Lounge, P220) MS Musical – Annie 7:00pm (Drama Theater) Grade 3-5 Holiday Sing-A-Long (Elementary Theater) MS Dance Performance 7:00pm (Auditorium) HS Winter Collage Concert 7:00pm (Auditorium) MS Spirit Day 6th Grade Fun Friday 3:05pm – 4:45pm 7th/8th Grade Dance 7:00pm (IS/MS Cafeteria) ACT Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm HS Semester Finals (Periods 7 & 8) 8:00am – 12:00pm

13

HS Semester Finals (Period 3 & 4) 8:00am – 12:00pm MS Band Concert 7:00pm (Auditorium) PTA Board Meeting 11:30am 14 HS Semester Finals (Periods 5 & 6) 8:00am – 12:00pm IS After-School Groups Concert 7:00pm (Elementary Theater) 15 HS Semester Finals (Periods 1 & 2) 8:00am – 12:00pm HS Winter Ball 9:00pm – 1:00am 16 NO SCHOOL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PS/IS ALTERNATE DRESS DAY HS December Graduation Ceremony 10:00am (Drama Theater) PS/IS Holiday Parties 1:30pm MS Christmas Music Assembly 1:30pm (Auditorium) 17-31 WINTER RECESS (NO SCHOOL) DEC 17 - JAN 11 22 Celebrating Our Alumni Series: Young Alumni Reception 5:00pm – 7:00pm (American Club)

January 2006 1 1-8 5-7 8 9 10 12 13

14

15 16

Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm Winter Break Recess (No School) Dec 17 – Jan 11 Malaysian Swim Camp (HS Swim Team) Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm In-Service Day (No School for Students) Hari Raya Haji (No School) Interim Semester Parents Orientation Evening 7:15pm – 8:00pm IS/PS Report Cards Go Home HS PAUFest 7:00pm – 10:00pm (Theater Studio) That Dance Thing (7th Grade) 6:30pm – 8:30pm (Hollandse Club) That Dance Thing (8th Grade) 7:30pm – 9:30pm (Hollandse Club) ISEE (Grades 5 – 12) That Dance Thing (6th Grade) 6:00pm – 8:00pm (American Club, Colonial Room) Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm SAS NASA Scientist PS Parent Coffee 8:30am (Faculty Lounge, P221)

16 HS PTA Coffee 10:00am (H301) 16-20 Celebrating Our Alumni Series: Science 17 College Info Night for Parents of Juniors 7:00pm (Drama Theater) Celebrating Our Alumni Series: Evening at the Science Centre 6:30pm – 10:00pm 18 ALTERNATE DRESS DAY Re-Take and New Student Yearbook Portraits 8:00am – 3:00pm Booster Club Meeting 9:30am (Principal Conference Room) Picture Taking for New MS Students 18-19 HS Student-Led Production 7:00pm (Drama Theater) 20 PTA Mid-Year Welcome Coffee 9:30am (PTA Office) 20-21 MS Band Trip to KL 3:30pm 21 SACAC Registration 9:00am – 2:00pm (HS Cafeteria) 22 Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm 27 Chinese New Year Alternate Dress Day 28 HS/MS SAT 29 Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm 30-31 Chinese New Year (No School)

February 2006 3

4

That Dance Thing (7th Grade) 6:30pm – 8:30pm (American Club, Colonial Room) That Dance Thing (8th Grade) 7:30pm – 9:30pm (American Club, Colonial Room) That Dance Thing (6th Grade) 6:00pm – 8:00pm

5 6

(American Club, Colonial Room) Campus Mosquito Fogging 5:00pm – 7:00pm IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Grouproom, I311)) Early Childhood Center Parent Coffee 8:30am (ECC) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301)

Music Highlights

15

5th Grade Music Showcase

o

n November 15, 16 and 17, 5th grade students showcased their musical talents in their first performance of the year.

Parents were entertained by members of the Band, String Ensemble and Treble Makers, who played and sang in large and small groups. All the students were very excited to be up on stage.

The next performance by 5th grade will be at the all school Music Festival in February, 2006.

Piano Keyboard Lab

e

lementary students have recently begun visiting the new piano keyboard lab located in one of the music classrooms near the Intermediate cafeteria. The lab consists of 24 Yamaha electronic keyboards and speaker/headphone sets, plus a console which allows the teacher to hear and interact with the students. Using this new and wonderful learning tool, students can learn about rhythm, melody and harmony, develop basic piano skills and write their own compositions.

The Music department would like to thank SAS Superintendent Bob Gross and Intermediate School Principal, Marian de Groot and Deputy Principal, Marc L’Heureux for their support to purchase these fantastic instruments.

Solo and Ensemble Festival

o

n October 29, the SAS music department hosted the 1st annual Solo and Ensemble Festival. 150 solos and ensembles were performed by 228 SAS students in grade 5-12. Professional judges listened to these performances and provided helpful comments and a final rating for each participant.

Congratulations to the following High School students who earned a superior rating for their performance: Arthur Meng, Ben Spalter, Judy Kim, Stephanie Quach, Michael Bond, Adrian Iskandar, John Kwack, Jason Hung, Lionel Meng, Danny Wen, Cathy Koh, Jon Eg, Tasha Liou, DaYoung Kim, Julie Kim, Jae Won Hur , Joanna Tu, Chelsea Park, Alice Jeong, Tae Jin Son, Young Tack Oh, Jane Hur, Nathan Choe, Hae Lim Lee, Hye Sung Ahn, Joshua Velson and Ruth Norwinda.

Congratulations to the following Middle School students who earned a superior rating for their performance: Sophia Tinger, Dominic Wong, Amish Parikh, Mitch Hulse, Carolyn Koh, Caitlin Favatii, Jenni Abdi, Patrina Chan, Danielle Courtenay, Heather Morris, Chelsea Leonard, Mary Russell, Marvella Luhur, Carolyn YanDominic Wong, Stephen Curto, Alex Chadwick, Max Robertson, Thomas McCarvel, Gabriel Lee, Jean Lee, Nicole Melicor, Pallavi Gummalam, Joong Hoon Baek, J.C. Kim, Harvey Lee, Ken Sweigert, Monica Xie, Liz Quick, Taylor Boelkes, Kanika Chandaria, Patricia Limansubroto, Sidney Gerland, Christie Lee, Akane Otani, Marian Spencer, Paul Ban and Stephany Rhee.

Music Highlights

17

Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS) International Honors Band and Orchestra

Last month, several SAS band students prepared a rigorous audition for the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS) International Middle School Band Festival. AMIS is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in all levels of music education. Recorded auditions were sent to London where a panel of judges listened to them and selected approximately 70 students from around the world. Three of our SAS middle school band students were chosen and will head to Beijing in April to perform with their other honored peers. Please congratulate Ved Rajkumar, Mitch Hulse and Sophia Tinger when you see them!

They have earned it!

Recently, six SAS students were selected to participate in the Junior International Honor Orchestra performing outside Vienna in March.

Middle School cellists Aki Maedomari and Francis Yang, along with violinists Kristyn Chong, Andrea Schodorf and Jin Yoo Kim and 9th grade violinist Alex Lim were awarded the honor after submitting audition recordings. Aki Maedomari was selected as co-leader of the cello section, and Andrea and Alex were given set seating. Both leadership and set seating positions are additional honors. We wish them well as they prepare for their performance in March.

International Middle School Band Festival students (From L-R): Mitch Hulse, Ved Rajkumar and Sophia Tinger

Junior Int’l Honor Orchestra students (From L-R): Andrea Schodorf, Francis Yang, Jin Yoo Kim, Kristyn Chong and Aki Maedomari.

Absent is 9th grade student Alex Lim

Southeast Asia Honor Band – Hong Kong

By Peter Lee, HS Student

In November, twenty nine middle school and high school band students represented SAS at the Southeast Asia Honor Band Festival in Hong Kong. For two days, under the direction of guest conductor, Dr. Paula Holcomb, nearly one hundred high school students from ten different international schools rehearsed together to prepare for the Gala Concert.

Putting together an entire concert in a matter of one and a half days is a tough business. However, with each and every member of the band being enthusiastic and professional about mastering their given tasks, the process of putting together the scattered talents of the students went smoothly.

The middle school honor band, directed by Dr. Dale Lonis, impressed the audiences with the maturity of their sound and the precision of their playing. The middle school students were under the same tough schedule as their high school counterparts. Even so, they found the time to make friends with members of their section as well as their host families.

The Hong Kong Honor Band Festival inspired many students to pursue music further at SAS and gave them an idea of what a good musicianship is all about. From the very basic rules of staying focused during rehearsals and paying attention to the conductor, to understanding the meaning imbedded within each musical piece and learning to connect with the music being played, the festival was a stage of incredible individual growth, both mentally and musically, for all the participants.

A Culture of Giving

18

Keyboards for Kids

By Jim Diebley, MS Teacher and Dennis Steigerwald, HS Teacher Keyboards for Kids History

The idea to send donated computers to the Riau Island schools came after an 8th grade community service activity where SAS students rounded up old outgoing Macintosh computers and sent them off to the Lamdon School in Northern India back in 1998. Later that year while biking around Bintan and its islets, some teachers came up with the idea of donating computers to Indonesian Schools of Bintan and Batam Islands. Evan Jones from Island Adventures (the biking company) coined the term ‘Keyboards for Kids’.

He also lent his boats to us for our distribution to the schools on our pilot trip. The pilot trip was in September 2000. A group of SAS students and teachers went to Bintan and hand carried all the boxes of computers through customs! Later that school year, we set up a successful Classroom Without Wall trip with 60 kids in February 2001 where we went out to schools, set up computers and helped train local kids on the computers. From the Keyboards for Kids project, we have developed some major service components and committees. The group has expanded into a “Friendship Exchange” covering the Bintan, Batam and Karimun Islands; including their islets. The mission of the Friendship Exchange is to build a friendship between the Riau Islands and SAS communities through cultural, language and resource exchanges.

Annual trips now include three trips in the fall, an Interim trip in January, and one or two spring trip(s). In addition, a high school service club called “Bintan Club” was started. They meet on a regular basis to raise money, collect, clean and test computers and plan upcoming trips. Their trips have equipped 11 middle schools and 5 high schools in Tanjong Pinang with full computers labs, necessary sporting equipment and school supplies.

Additional Language and Cultural Opportunities

Recently, middle school trips have included resource and language exchange opportunities for SAS students, parents and staff. In conjunction with the fund raising efforts of the fourth grade swim-a-thon, a group from the SAS community outfitted five Batam schools with new curricular school books as well as computers and school supplies. This year, the trip has been expanded to Karimun islands where seven schools are expected to be outfitted with full computer labs and additional textbooks from additional swim-a-thon fund raising. Middle school music teacher, Darrell Townshend, spearheaded a cultural trip in Bintan last year. His students learned Indonesian songs and had an opportunity to play local instruments. Brian White is also co-sponsoring cultural & music trips where SAS middle school students play for and with the local students in Bintan.

The high school interim semester trip has been going to Bintan for the last three years. They survey rural schools outside Tanjong Pinang to assess their computer and supply needs. Then, they distribute used SAS computers and supplies to schools in need. They also have a very active cultural component to their week long trips.

Over the years we have purchased a used 20ft shipping container that serves as our shuttle back and forth to the Riau islands with our donated computers and school supplies. We now have a partnership with Sembawang Shipyard company to ship our container on their ships to Karimun for free! We are also able to park our container in their bonded shipyard in Karimun. The container then serves as a storage area where we can then pull computers and supplies as needed when we run trips to Karimun.

“Keyboards for Kids” continues to grow in many ways. This spring, intermediate school teacher Lynn Arnold has plans to run the first intermediate school trip for kids and parents. If you are interested in participating in future trips, please drop Jim Diebley an email at jdiebley@sas.edu.sg.

A Culture of Giving

19 SAS Earthquake Relief Effort

Contributed By Martha Chaudhry, SAS Parent

i

n the wake of the devastating earthquake in South Asia of October 8, 2005, the Singapore American School community initiated a twopart relief effort for victims in Pakistan. Students in the High School, in a joint effort involving several extra-curricular clubs, launched a fundraising drive with a goal of raising S$20,000.

The second component of the SAS relief effort focused on “in-kind” donations of warm winter clothing, boots and blankets and was the brainchild of second grader Logan Chaudhry, who has many relatives living in Pakistan. Logan created a donation box for winter items which he placed in the primary school office on October 10th. The box overflowed almost immediately, at which point his mother got involved and helped organize a larger drive within the SAS community. With the support of international relocation company Santa Fe Movers and DHL International, SAS launched a drive for in-kind donations. Within 6 days, donation boxes filled to overflowing and Santa Fe was called in to do a preliminary collection of donated items. 95 large boxes laden with blankets, coats, boots, sweaters and other winter items were loaded onto trucks and taken to the Santa Fe warehouse for inventory and re-packing, then sent over to DHL International facilities for shipment to Children’s Resources International in Islamabad.

“The response has been staggering, well beyond our expectations,” Chaudhry said. “In the wake of the Tsunami in southeast Asia, and hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which elicited huge giving campaigns, we weren’t sure what to expect in terms of a response for earthquake victims. But the community has sprung forth and opened its hearts, wallets and in this case closets. There is very deep concern about the well-being of survivors, particularly children, as winter sets in in the affected regions.”

Stars in the making!

By Bailey Goodwin, MS Student

m

iddle School video production teacher Mr. Hevey, and his E period 7th grade class recently produced a video for a fund raiser, a Teddy Bear drive, which is being organized by the Canadian Association of Singapore. The video is about a group of teddy bears in the FBI (Fuzzy Bear Institute) who are trying to get to the KK Women and Children’s Hospital to see the children who are staying there. At the same time, the bears are pursued by the villain, Villary Hugnkiss, who tries to keep them as prisoners. The students played the role of the bears, and helped with puppeteer and camerawork. Some of them even came to school to work on the movie during parent conferences!

This was a paid job, however, instead of squandering their money on holiday gifts, the kids decided to donate the money to the KK Hospital Health Endowment Fund (KKHEF). The premiere of Bear Adventure: Looking for our Friends at the KK Hospital will play on Saturday December 10 at the KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital – Children’s Ward during the ceremony which will run from 3:00pm - 4:30pm.

Congratulations to these SAS students for their talent and thoughtfulness.

A Culture of Giving

20

Tabitha at SAS

Photos contributed by Paul Koebnick, HS Faculty

m

any International Schools in Singapore, including SAS, are involved in activities and fundraising for Tabitha-Cambodia. At SAS, Middle School students have been actively involved in these activities and recently benefited by hearing first hand from the founder of Tabitha-Cambodia, Janne Ritskes, when she visited SAS in October. Involvement in Tabitha reaches all grade levels at SAS (it is also a club at the High School) and has helped develop student awareness of the needs of the poor in our global community and the part they can play in making a difference.

An ongoing fundraising effort for Tabitha at SAS is the Tabitha Stockroom which is open every Wednesday from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The stockroom is located in the Middle School in room M-311. Here, volunteers facilitate the sale of items made by Cambodians. The funds from these sales are returned to the Tabitha-Cambodia to help support their programs, all aimed at developing self-sufficiency for families.

Tabitha is always looking for parent volunteers. For more information, stop by the Tabitha Stockroom any Wednesday during their open hours.

Tabitha-Cambodia is a non-profit organization helping the poorest people in Cambodia through programs that focus on personal and financial development. Founded in 1994

by Canadian Janne Ritskes, Tabitha works in seven provinces in Cambodia. Apart from Ms. Ritskes, all staff are Khmer (Cambodian). In the 2004-05 program year, Tabitha worked with 20,130 families (totaling more than 150,000 people) through its community development programs.

Each year a group of SAS teachers go to Cambodia over Thanksgiving or Spring Break to build houses. Some SAS teachers have been involved with Tabitha as far back as 1994. The teachers raise money to help pay for homes for Cambodians and participate in the building of those homes. The trips provide an opportunity to educate volunteers about poverty and the issues involved, to promote stronger ties between volunteers and Tabitha and to give Cambodians an opportunity to know and work with foreigners.

To find out more about Tabitha in Singapore go to the website at http://www.tabithasingapore.com.

Sok Sabay

s

ok Sabay means ‘happiness’ in Khmer and about 40 children find happiness at Sok Sabay Children’s Home in Phnom Penn, Cambodia.

The home provides a safe haven for these children who have been rescued from situations of violence and abandonment. Sok Sabay also serves as a school for these children.

SAS High School Librarian, Ron Starker has been spearheading the fundraising efforts for Sok Sabay at SAS. He first went to the school with High School Counselor, Mark Swarstad, during an Interim Semester trip in 2004. For several years, SAS students have made a visit to the school during Interim Semester where they have painted and donated clothing and toys.

One of the teachers at Sok Sabay has taught the children traditional Cambodian dance, an art that was almost lost during the cultural revolution in Cambodia. Some of the students were recently in Singapore and were invited to perform at SAS, to showcase their talent and provide a fundraising opportunity.

To find out more about Sok Sabay, go to their website at http://www.soksabay.com.

A Culture of Giving

21

Thanksgiving in Cambodia

Contributed by Mary Reagan, SAS Parent

i

nstead of sitting down to a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, the Amelio, Bryans and Shaulis families, all from SAS, spent the day in Siem Reap distributing more than 1000 school uniforms to students at two schools supported by Caring for Cambodia, a non-profit organization committed to improving the lives children in Cambodia through education.

The uniforms, collected with the support of SAS families throughout the year, are required by the Cambodian government for children to attend school.

Hundreds of children, from young preschoolers to high school students, lined up to receive a fresh, clean uniform. As the day drew to a close, all the volunteers were especially thankful for the view – a sea of smiling young faces.

The weekend also marked the arrival of dental care in the village of Spienchreav.

Caring for Cambodia arranged for a group of dentists from an international relief organization to visit The Amelio School to set up a temporary dental clinic. The team of dentists, from Cambodia, Australia and the United States, spent five days examining, cleaning and extracting teeth for more than 350 children. For most of these children, it was a first, and they all came through their procedures with flying colors. It was an outstanding effort on the part of the resourceful dentists and the courageous kids.

Caring for Cambodia supports and funds schools, teachers, supplies and other tools needed to teach those who want to learn. The goal is to provide educational opportunities so children in Cambodia can reach their highest potential and make valuable contributions to their communities. For more information, visit www. caringforcambodia.org.

Thank you to the many SAS families that have donated uniforms to Caring for Cambodia.

SAS Katrina Relief Effort

Contributed by David Lee, HS Student

“t

his is the worst storm to have hit our company and territory,” said Morgan Stewart, a spokesman of Entergy, an energy company based in the Louisiana area. The storm knocked out 150 of Entergy’s substations and 150 feeder lines. “It looks like Hiroshima,” Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said of parts of Harrison County, which includes the hardest-hit cities of Biloxi and Gulfport. Only natural disasters as destructive as Hurricane Katrina could evoke such distressing reactions.

On August 29, 2005, its deadly waves stormed the coastal regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Consequently, the official death toll now stands at 1325, and the damage at US$70 to US$180 million. In addition, Katrina left five million people without power, forced Federal disaster declarations to blanket 90,000 square miles (roughly the size of the U.K.) of the United States and enforced the evacuation of close to one million citizens to neighboring states.

The SAS Community responded by organizing a Katrina Relief Effort. Under the leadership of Peace Initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Executive Council, Global Giving, the Leadership class and the Global Issues class, a school-wide donation drive took place from the 14th to the 22nd of September. Donation boxes were placed in the main offices of each school division. In the High School, student-led bands from the Independent Performing Artists Union promoted the drive through break gigs; Peace Initiative members walked around with donation boxes during breaks and various other clubs organized their own fund-raising measures. Total funds available to the Committee for distribution were S$41,067.52, including separate funds of S$2,700 raised by 6th Grade students.

Special Highlights

22

From Plastic to Canvas – Bags

Contributed by Kimberly Hartung, HS Student Each year, Singapore consumes an estimated 40 billion plastic bags, which averages out to approximately 27 bags per person per day. Plastic bags are used excessively in Singapore, with almost every purchase warranting at least a plastic bag or two. As the litter accumulates, the pollution grows. Plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, and release hazardous compounds when they finally do break down.

Anyone who has participated in the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore will tell you that litter is an issue. The mangrove’s carpet of plastic bags is thick enough that leaves and roots may never reach the surface. It ruthlessly chokes marine life. It is shocking, but is it enough for anyone to change their habits?

SAVE Club is launching an effort to reduce the use of plastic bags within the SAS community. By producing and selling canvas bags, created through a student-driven effort and featuring a student design, SAVE hopes to encourage families to replace the plastic bags they use with environmentally-friendly alternatives. A durable, reusable alternative, the canvas bags are being sold in the High School for only $6, with an additional bag free with every five purchased. A pamphlet with information about plastic bags is included with the canvas bags purchased. For your convenience, you will find an order form enclosed with this month’s issue of Newsflash.

Singapore is making gradual efforts to reduce the waste, and supermarkets are finally doing their part in providing displays of plastic bag alternatives for purchase. We are slowly reducing the overwhelming dependency on plastic bags, and hopefully you too will help, by choosing to use alternatives in place of plastic bags.

SAS at the SEA Games SAS 4th grader, Julia Abueva, was selected to sing at the opening ceremonies of the SEA Games on November 27th in Manila.

Although Julia has performed at many venues, including the Esplanade in Singapore, this time she sang to her largest audience ever. When asked how she felt about going to Manila to sing at this prestigious event, Julia said, “I think it will exciting, but a I’ll be a little bit nervous because my mom says there will be a lot of people there.” To make things even more memorable, her 10th birthday was on November 26th.

Julia was not the only representative from SAS to attend the 2005 SEA Games. SAS high school student, Catherine Chew was part of the Singaporean Show Jumping Equestrian Team. Her mother, Melanie Chew, a member of the SAS Board of Governors, traveled with the Equestrian team as Chef D’Equip.

SAS faculty member, Rose Bava also headed to Manila with the Singapore Gymnastics team as the team manager. They won the team gold medal, as well as several individual silver medals. Lance Kershner, SAS kindergarten teacher, sits on the Women’s Artistic Gymnastic sub-committee of Singapore Gymnastics and contributed to the programs that led to the team’s successes in Manila.

MUN - Basketball

23

Hong Kong Basketball Tournament

Back Row: Catherine Ward, Nicole Banister, Rachel Witt Front Row: Andy Long, Megan Anderson, Kathy Hon, Babara Lodwick, Jamie Cachola, Katie Fusco

All Tournament: Kathy Hon and David Bywater

Back Row: David Bywater, TJ Son, Clay Crawford, Jonathan Eg, Colin Lee Front Row: Jeff Kruetter, Ian Gillis, Chris Hussey, David Small, Mike Lyngaas

Singapore American School competed in the 36th Annual Hong Kong International School Basketball Tournament over the November four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Sixteen teams from all over Southeast Asia participated in this year’s event. SAS girls placed 5th and SAS boys placed 4th. This is the eighteenth year SAS has participated in this invitational tournament. IASAS Basketball will be held here on the SAS campus February 9 – 11, 2006.

IASAS Model United Nations

Contributed by Michael Stagg, MUN Coach SAS sent 14 delegates to the recent IASAS Model United Nations (MUN) Conference in Manila, representing countries as disparate as the Netherlands, Chad, Kazakhstan and Japan. The issues debated ranged from women’s right, to debt relief, to renewable energy alternatives, to final resolution of the Palestinian question.

MUN is unlike IASAS athletic events such as rugby or volleyball, in that it is not a competitive activity. Rather it is collaborative, and a key skill for students is how to lobby persuasively to sway other student delegates to support their resolution to an issue. Delegates try to forget that they are from SAS, and attempt to wear the shoes of Tokyo or The Hague. When SAS students participate in MUN, their objective is to perform at their peak by practicing sound diplomacy, seeking positive solutions to thorny problems (and not just harp on international differences) and by conducting themselves with dignity. All of this, and more, was visible in Manila. Our MUN team was everything we would hope: dynamic, articulate, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and actively engaged in the event. We fielded a team which was openly praised by all participants. Despite the fact that we try not to wear the SAS hat when we are at the conference, with their individual performances and with the good grace that our students conducted themselves our students brought great credit to the school.

The conference was magnificently organized and run by the International School of Manila, and we wish to thank ISM for their kind hospitality and hard work. Next year IASAS MUN will be held in Taipei, but before then a different group of 10 SAS delegates will be venturing to Beijing (in March) for BEIMUN XIII.

Mathematics

24

Singapore International School Mathematics Competition (SISMC) 2005 Contributed by Peck Yang, HS Student As participants of the first annual Singapore International School Mathematics Competition (SISMC) found out, math competitions require more than brains. With techno music blasting out of the speakers, the “energizer” team round of the competition found competitors sprinting in circles to the scoring desk and back frantically trying to answer 25 questions in 40 minutes — truly “energizing” the competitors. However, this exciting spectacle was merely a part of the four-hour event on November 12th where sixty-four students from eight various international schools in Singapore gathered at SAS for SISMC 2005.

From L-R: Shashank Bharadwaj, Jong Chan Kim, Zubin Chand, Chris Chee, Hyun Soo Kim, Si Hyun Kim, Joon Park, Yun Hoi Koo

SISMC is an off-shoot of the larger SouthEast Asian Math Competition (SEAMC), an event which schools around South East Asia, including SAS, attend. Jointly organized by SAS and UWCSEA, SISMC was organised

by SAS math teacher Dr. Kett, UWC teachers and student volunteers. In fact, SAS Math Club members created all of the problems for the individual round and the relay round; likewise, UWC students submitted the team round questions. SISMC contained three rounds: a team relay round, an individual round, and a team “energizer round.” Much of it student run, the event saw the vigorous SAS student volunteers transformed into graders and runners. But there were bumps in the road during the competition. Jason Zaman, Math Club President, noted that “there were a few last minute problems but in the end all worked out.”

SISMC culminated in an awards ceremony where prizes were bountiful. Over 34 prizes were given out! Ranging from math books to TI-84 calculators, the prizes were perfect for this inquisitive group of young mathematicians.

In the end, the SAS High School team emerged as the overall winner followed by a UWC team and the SAS Middle School team. Congratulations to the SAS participants: Joon Park, Hyun Soo Kim, Shashank Bharadwaj, Zubin Chand, Chris Chee, Jong Chan Kim, Si Hyun Kim, Yun Hoi Koo! Hyun Soo Kim, the top individual scorer, remarked, “I liked it how all the international schools in Singapore came together to compete in math.” It is hoped in the future that SISMC will become an annual event where young mathematicians can showcase their skills in a competitive environment.

SAS Places 21st in National Math Contest SAS has some of the best high school mathematicians, as demonstrated by their 21st place finish in the 2005 Fall Startup Event, a national (U.S.) mathematics contest administered by National Assessment and Testing. SAS math teacher, James Kett, prepared the student for the competition, in which they worked furiously for thirty minutes, racing to answer one hundreds problems in a variety of mathematical topics. With so many questions and so little time, competitors must not only have strong mathematical skills, but also be able to quickly decide which problems to solve and which to skip.

SAS high school student, Leon Li placed 23rd in the 12th grade division. Other top SAS students were Eng Seng Ng, Ji Young Choi and Ashley Xu who along with Leon Li contributed to the SAS finishing 21st place overall.

Community

25 MESSAGE FROM US EMBASSY Holiday Safety

As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to take this opportunity to pass along a couple of reminders to the many Americans resident in Singapore.

If your holiday plans include traveling, we encourage you to leave a record of your itinerary and contact information with someone in Singapore. In addition, we strongly advocate that each family register with the Embassy. This can be accomplished via our website, http://singapore.usembassy.gov/consular/amcit/ registration.shtml, in a matter of minutes. In emergencies -- whether involving your family back home or resulting from an overseas disaster -- the U.S. Department of State, embassies and consulates worldwide can access this registry to contact and assist American citizens. Recent events, including the October bombing in Bali, have highlighted the importance of being able to track down Americans abroad. When events such as these occur, the Embassy receives numerous calls from concerned family members in Singapore, the U.S. and elsewhere. The registry gives us the ability to contact you and confirm your well being. If you are traveling, we will be able to follow up only if you have left your itinerary and contact information with someone at your residence or office in Singapore.

Finally, we’d like to pass along our annual reminder that Americans in Singapore are subject to Singapore law. If you consume alcohol at any of the many holiday festivities happening in Singapore, please do not drive. As in the United States, local authorities are vigilant during the holiday season and driving while impaired is a serious offense. We want to see everyone usher in the New Year safely and in good spirits.

We wish you and your families a joyous holiday season.

Mark Zimmer Vice Consul

SACAC

NOTICES SACAC Spring Sports Registration NEW REGISTRATION DATES! Date: Monday, January 16 - Friday, January 20, 2006 Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm Where: SACAC Office at SAS

BASKETBALL CAMP for Girls and Boys 3rd-5th grade

Date: Saturday, January 21, 2006 Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm Where: High School Cafeteria

Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm (lunch included) Where: SAS Elementary Gym Cost: $155

WINTER BREAK - BASKETBALL CAMPS 3-DAY BASKETBALL CAMP for Boys and Girls 1st session 6th-8th grade 2nd session 9th-12th grade Date: Monday, December 19 through Wednesday, December 21, 2006 Time: 1st session-9:00am-12:30pm / 6th-8th graders 2nd session-1:00pm-4:30pm / 9th-12th graders Where: SAS Middle & High School Gyms Cost: $175 per 3-day session

For more information about registration and/or the basketball camps please go to our website at http://www.sacac.com

Special Highlights

26

Art and Art History in Singapore

Article contributed by Ellen White, HS Art History Teacher Photos contributed by Barbara Harvey, HS Art Teacher SAS High School Art and Art History students went on a walking tour of the art and architecture along the Singapore River on October 15 and 22. The tour began at the Victoria Concert Hall and proceeded on to Merlion Park for a closer look at the figure that is half lion and half fish.

Students then went to the Fullerton Hotel to see the Zhu Ming sculptures on display at the hotel entrance.

Visiting Raffles Place students marveled at the contrasts between the old and new in Singapore’s financial center.

Along the way our guide, Diana Chua, told us about the history surrounding the art and architecture we saw. Students made another excursion by bus on November 19 for a look at Singapore’s sacred architecture. This included visits to a Hindu temple, Singapore’s oldest mosque, a Chinese temple and Saint Andrew’s Cathedral.

School Fees and Student Withdrawal REMINDER

We are fast approaching the Winter Break. Before we all depart for the school holidays, we would like reminder all SAS families that school fees for the 2nd semester were due December 1, 2005. If you have not arranged for payment yet, we appreciate your taking care of this payment as soon as possible but particularly before you leave for Winter Break. All outstanding school fees must be paid before January 9, 2006 in order for students to attend school for the second semester. For high school students, all school fees must be paid in full for the 2005/2006 school year in order for the student to participate in Interim Semester.

If your family is planning to withdraw from SAS, please note that you must officially withdraw in writing to the SAS Admission’s office at sasinfo@sas.edu.sg. In addition, please ensure that SAS receives your withdrawal request as soon as possible so that we can arrange for final, official school records before you depart. Official school student records will be available at the division office in which your student is enrolled.

Language & Cultural Exchange

27

French Language and Cultural Exchange at Lycee Francais Article and photographs contributed by HS French Teacher, Laurence Patrick

In October and November, 41 students from the SAS French Department visited the Lycee Francais, participating in the ongoing mutual exchange program between the two institutions. In an effort to generate greater awareness of their respective cultures and languages, more than 60 students from the Lycee Francais hosted SAS students from the French Level 4 class. In return, the students from SAS who are taking the French language course also had the opportunity to host the students from the Lycee Francais during a school day.

During the visit, our students were treated to a wonderful orientation of the Lycee Francais. They were exposed to classroom sessions where they observed how lessons were conducted in French. This allowed our students to better understand the dynamics of the student-teacher relationship and what a classroom environment would be like at a French school. Following that, they had a tour of the library/resource center where they could access many books by French writers and translated works by other authors. After an eye-opening session at the library, our students accompanied their French buddies in classes. As the visit came to a close, our students were treated to a mouth-watering array of French gastronomy at the canteen! Pastries, baked dishes, croissants and cheeses‌ It was indeed a feast!

Such an exchange program is just one of the many opportunities that are open to students of the Singapore American School when they enroll in French language classes. Students, who have reached level 4 in the French medium, will also get to take up subjects such as philosophy, history, geography and literature. While most language immersion programs involve speciďŹ c emphasis on the language itself, this French class allows a more broad-scope approach in appreciating the language. Students are exposed to the French language in an interesting way where they get to know various aspects of the French people, culture and history. This gives the students a better understanding of both the essence of the language and the country, making further immersion in the course both in the Singapore American School and in France interesting, fun and adaptable.

Students have met since the exchange, during their free time and shared cultural activities including at the exhibition of the French Photographer, Yann Arthus Bertrand, on Orchard Road on December 6.