MICA (P) 195/08/2006
Volume 9, Issue 3-06/07 - October 2006
A Singapore American School community service publication
NewsFlash
The International Coastal Cleanup By Julia Knight, HS Student Photos by Steve Early, HS Faculty and Marissa Leow, HS Student
I couldn’t help but think that nature must be taking her sweet revenge. My left shoe nearly perished in a battle against an expanse of foot-deep mud, and the mosquitoes perceived me as a walking blood bank. In turn, I fought back to the bitter end with tight shoelaces, and skin saturated with Off! spray. All right, I exaggerate: there was no “bitter end,” and I doubt that I have the literary license to personify nature, anyway. However, the question of my impact on the environment did not leave my mind throughout the International Coastal Cleanup in Singapore (ICCS). This annual event, held on the beaches and mangroves of the world, engages the local community in removing waste from nature and taking data on what is collected. Over 100 SAS students, faculty, and parents met at school on the morning of September 9th to see what could be done for the mangroves at Kranji Nature Reserve. After a briefing on safety, hydration, and data collection, we departed from the SAS campus. The enthusiasm of the participants was palpable, as was the smell of mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Looking down at my old, white sneakers, I wondered if the diving boots and other high-tech footwear of some of the other participants were a harbinger of the mud to come. continued on page 18...
Content Page
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ue In This Iss hlights Calendar Hig vernors Board of Go ce dventure Ra A ia s A n o ti Ac
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Robert Gross Superintendent of Schools
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Mark Boyer Asst. Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction
Rhonda Norris Asst. Superintendent Business
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PTA
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CHESS...the
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Boosters
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MS CWW
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Community
27 Marian DeGroot Principal Intermediate School
rence ership Confe d a e L S A S IA hips HS Scholars ge Visits HS Art Colle
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David Hoss Principal Primary School
musical
Library
ist The Strateg ing IS Keyboard
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Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS?
Robert Godley Principal Middle School
David Norcott Principal High School
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: Ms. Beth Gribbon Staff Editor: Mr. Scott Duncan Layout Design: Ms. Joey Lew
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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, probably we do not have your correct email address. Send us an email at communications@sas. edu.sg to give us your current email address. The distribution can include both parent email addresses. The weekly What’s Happening at SAS will also be posted on the website at http://www.sas.edu.sg.
We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School November NewsFlash Deadline: October 27, 2006 Publication Date: November 13, 2006 December NewsFlash Deadline: November 22, 2006 Publication Date: December 11, 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
17 18 19 20-24
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Pre-School Parent Teacher Conferences No School FOR Pre-school HS “Launching Your Senior” Parent Group 10:00am - 11:15am (H301) HS Choir Concert 7:00pm (Drama Theater) PSAT/PLAN TESTING EARLY DISMISSAL FOR HS STUDENTS 12:30pm First Season Sports Awards Night 7:00pm (Auditorium/ Drama Theater/Theater Studio) EARLY DISMISSAL FOR PRE-K – GRADE 5 11:30am (no lunch will be served) Parent-Teacher Conferences for Pre-School – Grade 5 NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-SCHOOL Parent / Teacher Conferences Pre-School – Grade 5 NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-SCHOOL – GRADE 5 HS Sports Activity Free Weekend Begins 5pm PUBLIC HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL (DEEPAVALI/HARI RAYA PUASA)
20-24 25 26 27-28 27 28 29 31
Wish For Kids Service Trip HS Sports Activity Free Weekend Alternate Dress Day Annual General Meeting of the American School Trust Limited 7:00pm (H301) Pumpkin Patch Pre-School - K HS Musical Production CHESS 7:00pm (Auditorium) Pumpkin Patch Grade 1 & 2 Booster Bake Sale Pumpkin Sale 9:00am ACT HS Musical Production CHESS 3:00pm (Auditorium) Halloween Alternate Dress Day HS “Launching Your Senior” Parent Group 10:00am – 11:15am (H301)
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm 2 4 6 7 8 9-11 9
ECC Parenting Workshop 8:30am - 10:30am (Pre-School Group Room, E112) PTA Food Fest 11:00am – 3:00pm (HS/MS Gyms) SAT and Subject Tests FACULTY IN-SERVICE DAY (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS) 4th Grade Parent Coffee 8:15am (5th Grade Group Room, I311) Kindergarten Family Math Night 6:30pm – 8:30pm Financial-Aid for US Citizens – Senior Parents 7:00pm (H301) Alternate Dress Day 3rd Grade Parent Coffee 8:15am (5th Grade Group Room, I311) Grade 1 Family Math Night 6:30pm – 8:30pm Hong Kong Honor Band Festival MS Early Dismissal 11:30am MS Parent Teacher Conferences 5th Grade Parent Coffee 8:15am (5th Grade Group Room, I311)
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Calendar Highlights
October 2006
November 2006
ECC Parenting Workshop 8:30am - 10:30am (Pre-School Group Room, E112) Grade 2 Family Math Night 6:30pm – 8:30pm HS Dance Performance CLUE Preview 3:45pm (Auditorium) No School for MS Students MS Parent Teacher Conferences Young People’s Concert HS Dance Performance CLUE 4:00pm & 7:00pm (Auditorium) Biathlon 8:00am – 10:00am (Pool/Campus) HS SISMC Match Competition 8:00am – 1:00pm (H301) Tennis Exchange in Kuala Lumpur Touch Rugby Exchange in Bangkok HS PTA Parent Coffee 10:00am (H301) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301)
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
Board of Governors
From the Board Chair To:
All Members of The American School Trust Limited Those Eligible to be Members
The Annual General Meeting of The American School Trust Limited (the “Trust”) will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., in Room H301 in the High School. The agenda for the AGM includes: o o o o
A presentation of the audited accounts of the Singapore American School for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. The appointment of auditors for the year 2006-07. A report from the Superintendent. The election of four Governors of the Board for three-year terms.
All Trust members are entitled and encouraged to attend the AGM and are eligible to vote in the election. The four candidates standing for election are Bart Broadman, Sally Greene, Tom Linton and Carl Stocking and their personal statements appear in this publication. Trust members may cast their ballot for up to four of these candidates by: o o o
Voting personally by attending the AGM on October 26th. Voting by absentee ballot. An absentee ballot and instructions on its use is available from the Board Secretary, Margaret Yeo, in the Central Administration office. Delegating your vote via the use of the proxy form. Any Trust member who desires to delegate their vote by proxy must personally obtain the said serialized proxy form from the Board Secretary in the Central Administration office.
Please also be aware that in order to vote in this election, you must be a member of the Trust. If you have not yet joined the Trust or if you are unsure about your membership, please contact Margaret Yeo at email Margaret@ sas.edu.sg or call 6360-6314 for assistance. On behalf of the Board, I encourage you to join the Trust, attend the AGM and vote. Sincerely, Shelley DeFord Chairman, Board of Governors
isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdsajdlksajdkasjdasjdklsajdjsald Moving On Susan Murray, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, has resigned from SAS. During Susan’s one year tenure, she provided the leadership and organization for a very successful 50th year anniversary celebration and played a major role in raising $450,000 for the Singapore American School Educational Foundation. Susan also established a strong communication link with our alumni and former staff members that we hope to continue nurturing. For the immediate future, alumni relations and development will be placed under the auspices of the Communications office. We are grateful for Susan’s work in advancing the development efforts and alumni relations at SAS, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
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SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
BoG Candidates
BART BROADMAN Occupation: Investor Employer: Alphadyne Asset Management Number of Children at SAS: 3 – Jared (G6), Craig (G4), Kianna (G1) Expected Stay in Singapore: Long Term Educational Background: * B.S. (UC Davis) * MBA (USC) * Ph.D (USC) Community Involvement: * Board of Governors, SAS, Chair of the Trust Committee, member of Finance Committee * Board of Directors, Central Provident Fund of Singapore (CPF) * Member of QAFU (Quality Assurance for Universities), a Ministry of Education external review panel * Baseball coach of 6 SACAC teams in the past 3 years Mr. Broadman’s Statement: SAS is a wonderful school – My wife and I feel fortunate that our three children attend SAS and I am honored to be a current member of the Board. I was appointed to the Board in May 2005 and have since learned how much must come together to make SAS such a great school. In particular it takes a great faculty, an effective administration, a supportive, involved parent community, and good kids, all working hard that makes this place special. The Board also contributes and I hope to be re-elected to the Board to ensure that the Board’s contribution is as helpful as it can be. This year will be a particularly challenging one for the Board as it faces decisions around three very important issues: (1) New Superintendent. Perhaps the most important thing the Board faces is choosing a successor to Bob Gross. Bob has done a superb job and will hand his successor a great situation, but the wrong choice can undo a lot of good quickly. It is critical that we make the right choice. (2) Long-range planning. Our school has almost 3,700 students in it this year, which is our planned capacity. Where do we go from here? Do we form a waiting list or add capacity? How can we accommodate growth without the quality of SAS deteriorating from overcrowding? How can we ensure that parents of current students do not overpay for facilities they may never use? These are tough issues that need to be discussed thoroughly and considered wisely. (3) Financial Health. The school is in good shape financially, but has never operated with a substantial “reserve.” The creation of the Endowment last year was meant, in part, to address that shortcoming. Continuing the development of the Endowment and the policies around it are critical to securing the long term health of SAS. These are important issues and the Board and the Administration have invested a lot of time in discussing them. There are a host of other issues that the Board is also involved with ranging from new facilities, to curriculum changes to the calendar. While less “big picture” than the three issues above, they are important to all of us nonetheless and need to be taken seriously. In addition, we have three Board members who will be leaving us at year end, so the Trust committee, which I chair, will need to ensure that those slots are filled appropriately. In sum, it promises to be a very busy year for the Board. Finally, on a personal note, Val and I are both Permanent Residents and we intend to stay in Singapore for the longterm. I have recently started a business here and have begun to become involved with the Singaporean community as well as the American Community. This year I was pleased to join the CPF Board and work on a project with the Ministry of Education. I hope that this involvement gives me a perspective which is unique and, hopefully, valuable to the SAS Board. You can rest assured that I take the long-term view regarding SAS. It is my strong desire to help keep SAS a top-notch school. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
BoG Candidates
SALLY G. GREENE Occupation: Import Retail Business Owner, Mom, School and Community Volunteer Business: Silverworks (accessories import business) Number of children at SAS: Sophie – Grade 12, Michael SAS ‘06, Scott SAS ‘04 Expected stay in Singapore: Indefinite Educational background: * Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (1975 – 1977) * Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (1977 – 1979) * Bachelor of Arts Degree: June 1979 Major area of concentration: Business and Communications Community involvement: * Singapore American School Board of Governors (August ’00 – Present) • Chairman of the Curriculum Committee (February ’02 – Present) • Member of the Curriculum Committee • Member of the Facilities Committee * Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC) • Board of Directors • Settling in Singapore Facilitator * PTA – Various jobs including • Intermediate Representative • Room Mom • Calendar Coordinator * Girl Scout • Assistant Troop Leader * American Women’s Association • Foreign and Local Tours Committee * United Hebrew Congregation (Singapore) • Past treasurer and steering committee member of the United Hebrew Congregation the only Reform Jewish Congregation in Singapore Mrs. Greene’s statement: I was appointed to the Board of Governors in August 2000. The Greene family is now beginning its thirteenth school year here and we all consider Singapore our home. Service on the Board of Governors continues to be an enriching opportunity to give something back to this community in which I live, work and raise my children. I believe I can encourage others to feel a strong connection to this school and our adopted home – no matter the length of the stay here in Singapore. I want to be an advocate for all our children, as I work with the administration, staff, parents and other Board members to meet the challenges and needs of the school community. While on the Board, I plan to continue to use my strengths to serve and improve SAS as we meet the demands ahead. The Board of Governors this year will have the responsibility to hire a new Superintendent. I know that I can bring a vision and a level of experience that will help the Board find the right person to lead our faculty and students and community. I ask for your support as I seek re-election to the Board of Governors. Thank you.
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
BoG Candidates
TOM LINTON Occupation: Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer Employer: Freescale Semiconductor Inc. Number of Children at SAS: One: James in grade 10 (Patrick SAS ’03, Brian SAS ’05) Expected Stay in Singapore: Indefinite Educational Background: BA, University of Vermont Community Involvement: * Previously SACAC National League Football Commissioner, SACAC Football and Basketball Coach * VP International Procurement Management Association of Singapore * International Baptist Church Deacon Council and Elder Board * Guest speaker at NTU, NUS, and visiting US MBA programs Mr. Linton’s statement: It has been my privilege and delight to serve on the SAS Board of Governors since 2005. The progress we continue to make in the quality of the educational experience at SAS is a tribute to the investment that past and present board members, administrators, and faculty have made. As we reach the planned capacity of our current facility, I believe it is important we maintain and improve on this achievement. One of the key roles of our Board this year is the recruitment and selection of our next Superintendent. As a parent of two SAS graduates and one current SAS student, I am deeply committed to insuring we hire the very best leader for our administration, faculty, and our kids. Another important role of our Board this year is to focus on policies that guide the administration in continually improving and staying current with best practices in school administration. As a member of the Finance and Trust Committees on the Board, I am particularly proud of the fact that we have been able to reduce our facility costs and hold our tuition levels in the last year while approving needed improvements in our facility. In my almost 11 years in Singapore I continue to be impressed by the involvement and interest of our parents. I am always interested to hear your input and look forward to learning more ways we can make SAS a school our kids, faculty, and administrators are proud to call their school.
isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdsajdlksajdkasjdasjdklsajdjsasld Franke Thomas Selected as High School Deputy Principal Franke Thomas has been selected as the new SAS High School Deputy Principal, effective for the 2007-2008 school year. This will be an additional position in the High School next year and Franke will work in partnership with the current Deputy Principal, Doug Neihart. Franke has worked at SAS since 2005 as Deputy Principal at the Middle School. He and his wife Carrie, who works as a high school math teacher at SAS, moved to Singapore from Oregon where he worked as a middle school principal. Prior to that, Franke worked as a biology instructor in Johannesburg for three years, and served in a number of different positions in the schools in Oregon. He received his undergraduate education and Masters Degree at the University of Southern Oregon. Franke has two children attending SAS; a daughter, Mariko, in 11th grade and a son, Micah in 6th grade. A professional educator with a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience, Franke will be a tremendous asset to the High School division.
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BoG Candidates
CARL H. STOCKING Occupation: Managing Director & Regional Head of Trade Sales Employer: Citigroup Number of children at SAS: 3 in grades 4, 8, 11 Expected stay in Singapore: Indefinite Educational background: * BA (Economics, w/Honors), University of Chicago * MBA, (Finance), University of Chicago Community involvement: I have been a member of the SAS Board of Governors since 2002, and currently Chair the Finance Committee. Prior to that, I served on the General Committee of the American Club. I have also been very active with SACAC sports, coaching soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball. Candidate’s Statement: There is a long list of things my wife and I appreciate about living, working, and raising a family in Singapore, but the opportunity for our children to attend SAS ranks at the top. Every day, our kids have the chance to enjoy friendships and learn from kids from 50 States and 50 Countries, in a school that offers excellence in education, personal attention from teachers, and a dizzying array of options in sports, arts, and extracurricular activities. At the same time, the Administration, teachers, and aides, seek out and benefit from close cooperation with engaged parents. Together, we form an SAS community, which is remarkable both for the level of achievement by our kids as well as the degree of support and encouragement they receive. These strengths have attracted many new students, and propelled SAS to its position as the largest international school in the world. In my current term on the Board, I have witnessed that growth is a two-sided coin, containing both blessings and challenges. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, I have worked with my colleagues on the Board to keep tuition levels as affordable as possible, while ensuring that funding is sufficient to provide for the high level of teachers, programs, and facilities that makes SAS what it is. Clearly, the growth we have experienced has not only enhanced the vibrancy of SAS, but aided the financial picture too. The reality is, though, we are now approaching the limits of growth at our Woodlands Campus. As a candidate for re-election, I am strongly committed to ensuring that we preserve the quality of our educational experience, and strongly support limiting our Woodlands Campus to its present capacity. After thirteen years in Singapore, I have seen the ups, downs, and in-betweens. I remain optimistic about Singapore’s place in our global world, and my family is a direct beneficiary of the plans past Boards have made to accommodate a growing population. However, I also know that plans for our future must be made cautiously, and mindful of the proverb that “a tree does not grow to the sky”. Past growth does not necessarily guarantee future growth, and global economies remain unpredictable. Options such as building a second campus must only be considered as part of a careful, long-term plan that is mindful to minimize any adverse impact on our students and families. Adding to the complexity of this issue is the reality that we must also find a replacement for Bob Gross, who has led SAS to these new heights during his outstanding tenure as Superintendent. In light of these coming challenges, I believe my recent experience on the Board, along with my educational and professional background, would prove useful, and I would be honored to have your support to continue serving on the Board of Governors.
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
Jamie Morrisroe and Troy Strike coming into the finish line
Faculty News
Duane Melsom and Anthony Selley at the end of the race
Action Asia Adventure Race By Becky Green, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
O
n September 3rd, thirteen SAS employees and parents donned their bike helmets, climbing harnesses, and running shoes to voluntarily scramble through Singapore’s sewers. For the second time in three years, Singapore hosted an Action Asia Adventure Race. This year’s race was part of the Subaru Action Asia Challenge, a series of endurance races held throughout Asia. The grueling 58 kilometer course taunted 107 teams with a myriad of challenging disciplines: running, biking, kayaking, swimming, abseiling, bridge jumping, and paddle boarding. Keith and Annika Ferrell, Sandy and Stephen Markle, Jamie Morrisroe, Cary Greegor, Crew Carroll, Duane Melsom, Anthony Selley, Todd Bombard, Vicki Rameker, Pele Young, and Becky Green all took part in the event in two person teams. The race began before daybreak off Mandai Road with a short bike ride followed by a 10 kilometer run through Singapore’s rain forests and trails. Headlamps were a necessity as the route diverted runners into a sewer drain before heading them into dark forest. After the run, racers transitioned to mountain bicycles for a ride through the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; riders disembarked only for a mandatory jump into the quarry and cargo net climb back out. As the weather heated up, the competitors continued on bike for 35 kilometers through west Singapore neighborhoods and on the upper deck of the AYE. After biking, the race pace increased with a series of swims, abseils, jumps, kayaking, and Tyrolean traverse in and along the Singapore River and Kallang Basin. The race ended with a 200 meter flying fox---the longest in Asia---off the Shears Bridge and a difficult oar-free paddle to the finish line outside the National Stadium.
Annika Ferrell (holding daughter Kiana), Keith Ferrell, Troy Strike (Jamie’s race partner), Jamie Morrisroe, Pele Young, Becky Green
Annika and Keith at the finish line
All the Singapore American School participants finished in strong standing before the cut off time. Cary Greegor and Crew Carroll placed fourth in the mixed team division; Pele Young and Becky Green placed fourth out of the women’s teams. For their third Action Asia race, Keith and Annika Ferrell earned a top spot as the second place team in the mixed category. When asked why he subjects himself to the rigors of adventure races, Intermediate School computer teacher Keith Ferrell said, “I love the variety. It’s not like a marathon where after a few hours you think to yourself, ‘ok, I’m still running…’ About the time you’re getting tired of being on a bike, you transition to the kayak. Then, when your shoulders are screaming for you to stop, it’s an abseil, or a run, or a swim. The uncertainty of what is coming next is exhilarating. Adven- Todd and Vicki at the finish line ture racing forces you to go beyond your preconceived ideas of your physical and mental limits.” You can watch the racers push themselves to their limits on the AXN network later this year. Highlights of the four to ten hour race will be broadcast as a half-hour television show. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
SAS PTA
PTA President Letter
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o help bring a little fall to our community here in Singapore, the PTA will be sponsoring a number of seasonal events at SAS. For those of you that have students in the ECC and Primary Division, mark your calendar for Thursday, October 26th and Friday, October 27th for our annual Pumpkin Patch. Your child will have the opportunity to visit the Kindergarten Group Room with their class to enjoy a seasonal story, pick out a gourd and receive a treat, compliments of the PTA. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on October 28th, we will have our annual Pumpkin Sale. Pumpkins, gourds and decorative corn shipped to us from the USA will be available for purchase to everyone in the SAS community at very reasonable prices. Proceeds from this event will be used to support the High School community service clubs. Due to a limited supply and anticipated high demand for these special items, please plan to arrive early for the best selection. We are able to coordinate these two events due to the generous support of the APL. They support this event by purchasing the pumpkins in the Northwest portion of the USA, crating them for shipment, providing shipping support, clearing the shipment into the country and delivering this precious cargo to SAS. We once again thank APL for their generous support that benefits so many families here at SAS. After picking out your special pumpkin, please take a walk over to the Middle School Gym and visit our first campus While Elephant Sale. There will be plenty of great bargains for everyone. One week later on Saturday, November 4th, plan to come back to school and join us at our International Food Fest in the Middle and High School Gymnasiums. This event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For those unfamiliar with this event, you will find a large variety of ethnic food prepared by members of the SAS community. Plan to come and enjoy cuisines from Japan, China, India, France, the Philippines and many other countries. Keep your eyes open for our second Chili Cook Off at the American Booth. While at Food Fest, do not forget to stop by room S204 to view the gorgeous Theme Baskets and purchase raffle tickets in order to have a chance to win your favorite basket filled with various delights. These baskets have a wonderful selection of games, treats and treasures, and need to be seen to be believed. For the first time at Food Fest, we will hold a Holiday Vendor Fair located in the area between the Auditorium and Drama Theater. This will be a wonderful opportunity to make a dent in your holiday shopping needs. October is a very busy month for PTA and we look forward to seeing you at these events. If you have the time to help at these or any other future events, we would welcome your support. Please contact us with any questions or inquiries at pta@sas.edu.sg. Susan Fay PTA President
isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdsajdlksajdkjdasjdklsajdjsasld All Creatures Great and Small By Nanette Devens, HS Choir Director
Artwork by Ji Na Lee, HS Student
The SAS High School Choirs invite you to their annual fall themed concert on Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Drama Theater. All Creatures Great and Small is the theme this year. You will be treated to interesting and entertaining pieces about many creatures; from slithering snakes to silver swans, from fierce lions to shy mice, from the “frumious Bandarsnatch” to the “galumphing Jabberwock”. You will not want to miss out! We hope to see you there!
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SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
Chess… Exotic settings, catchy tunes, and a love triangle…it’s a musical! The Cold War, a board game, and 50% of ABBA…it’s a musical? It’s Chess, with music by former ABBA stars Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Lion King)—and it’s this year’s SAS production. We caught up with the show’s director, Visual and Performing Arts Department faculty member Patricia Kuester, to learn more about the show, the ambitious production, and the more than 140 students who are making it all happen: What governed your selection of Chess for this year’s musical? Members of the music faculty admired Chess, and introduced it to the rest of us (the participating faculty from the Dance and the Visual and Performing Arts Departments). The dark, cynical, sophisticated story appealed to us, and we were drawn to it in part because it is quite different from anything SAS has staged before. We hope that audiences will appreciate something a bit different, a bit challenging. Given that the students were born in the post-Cold War era, how are they relating to the Cold War themes? Students have responded well to the story, as the themes transcend the Cold War. The real theme of the show, “dirty politics,” is unfortunately one with which our students are far too familiar. Corruption, ruthless chicanery, the exploitation of others for political ends—as well as the commercialization of sport and competition—are characteristics of the world around them. Chess allows us to engage in an artistic exposé of these themes.
Performance times are 7:00 pm, Friday, October 27th, 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 28th, and 3:00 pm Sunday, October 29th, at the Singapore American School Auditorium.
Tickets, priced at S$10.00, are on sale now at the High School Booster booth, the PTA office and at the AWA office at the American Club.
…the musical The rehearsal process has been intensive. By our count, there are nearly 100 hours of scheduled rehearsal time for the show—accomplished in only 2 months’ time. What have been some of the challenges? The students have been wonderful. A show of this magnitude demands commitment on a level new to many of them, but they’ve risen to the challenges. At the very least, the experience has given them an appreciation for the rigor necessary to produce good art. What do you hope students will take from this experience? A sense of teamwork and the importance of cooperation, patience with self and others, the importance of practice and revision, and an appreciation for the effort needed to get the lines just right, an ability to measure their progress over time, and a respect for the work required to make a show succeed. Is there anything more you would like readers to know? We have created a visually interesting show; it is a mixed media project, including film and still photography, which contribute to its immediacy and contemporary relevance. We hope that the audience will come to support our students, and come to enjoy an evening of thought-provoking theatre.
– John Groch and Valerie Begley, SAS Parents
Booster Meeting Oct 16 at 9:30 H301 Come join in the planning of the 2006 Home Tour. Find out What’s Happening at SAS Activities. Come get involved!
Booster Bake Sale Oct 27 9:30am in the high school cafe (both levels) If you would like to donate baked goods (cupcakes, cookies, rice krispie treats, brownies are favorites) for the bake sale, please individually wrap the items (i.e. two cookies in a zip lock bag or two brownies in saran wrap, etc.) and deliver to the Booster Booth or High School Office by 9:00 a.m. Questions on bake sale donations: Anne Stocking 9062-4788.
October Booster Featured Items Candy corn for $1 and jack o lantern votive for $5. Sale for both items starts October 16.
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The Booster Club will recognize all high school students who made the 1st quarter Honor Roll with a lunch on October 31, in the walkway between the high school theaters. If your child made the Honor Roll and you can help or donate food for the event, please contact Sandy Kobylarz at 9836-6944 or sandykob@singnet.com.sg or Mary Theisen at 9011-0146 or theisen@starhub.net.sg
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Honor Roll Lunch - October 31, 2006
ICCS 2006
HS Principal participated in ICCS 2006
ICCS 2006 Group Photo
...continued from page 1 (cover page) When we arrived at the nature reserve, we quickly dispersed over the area to which we had been assigned. The majority of us picked up garbage, while the others recorded data and weighed our findings. At the outset of the ICCS, Ms. Thome had quipped that after today, we would never want to use another plastic straw again. I soon learned that she was correct, and extended her observation to plastic bags, water bottles, and Styrofoam of any kind. Initially, I picked up these soggy items with trepidation, but upon acknowledging the sheer amount of waste, I threw myself enthusiastically into the task. Before long, sweat was streaming down my face. If there is one thing that the marriage of garbage Data Recording collection and a common goal fosters, it is camaraderie. We met new people, laughed about the state of our clothing, and helped each other out of the mud. The ICCS at once gave us a daunting glimpse of mankind’s environmental impact, and imbued us with a sense of optimism—we were doing something about the problem. My favorite memory of the ICCS is the sense of urgency and enthusiasm with which a group of middle school students rescued a crab entangled in a discarded fishnet. They then proceeded to lug this 25kg wildlife-trap off of the beach. Tramping in the mud
Undoubtedly, our teamwork produced phenomenal results. That morning, at the Kranji mangroves, 281 volunteers (from SAS and Singaporean institutions) collected 242 bags of waste, comprising 14,851 items, and amounting to over three tons. An overwhelming 86% of the items collected were plastics. As I boarded the bus, chatting with the other volunteers, I felt a surge of pride as I thought about the relatively cleaner mangroves and the bags of waste we hauled away. Later that afternoon, after a much-needed lunch that unfortunately involved drinking with a straw, the intensity of what I saw at Kranji hit me. As our AP Environmental Science textbook states, “There is no ‘away’ in ‘throw away.’” Perhaps the worst type of waste to see is that which chokes our coastlines, but once that is cleared, there is the inescapable reality of having to dispose of it. Burning the waste, or storing it in landfills, are possible solutions, but without careful planning, both can have serious environmental implications. The only long-term solution to the waste problem is not producing it in the first place, but the general human preference for economics over environment renders this difficult. However, as I thought about the mangroves, majestic in spite of the waste, I was reminded that the environment is worth fighting for. It is worth using our educational and financial resources to develop better, practical solutions to consumption and waste; it is worth donating our time to preserve the environment. In twenty years, I don’t want to tell my children that I was part of a generation that had unprecedented access to information and education, but was incapable of preserving the environment. I want them to walk in the Kranji mangroves, attempt to save imperiled crabs, and to play on a beach free of litter.
Picking up litter
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SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
This hope is worth fighting for, and in my opinion, the best way to begin is by getting thoroughly muddy, clearing a bunch of waste, and spending a morning at the ICCS. And in this noble fight, don’t lose your shoes.
By Jennifer Nockels, Student Director and Julia Knight, Assistant Student Director Photos by Brian Riady, HS Student
W
e scaled walls, dashed frantically around Singapore, and bravely faced the rigors of amending a constitution. Indeed, the IASAS Leadership Conference tested our ability to handle the adrenaline, and the minute details, that come with being leaders. The conference was hosted at SAS on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 and included fifty-four participants from the IASAS schools. As the host school, SAS was able to add six additional participants to the usual eight delegates. Begun in 1999, the conference is unique in that it is primarily student organized and run, under the guidance of student council advisors and athletic directors. The goal of the IASAS Leadership Conference is to “build a tighter community amongst IASAS schools and so increase opportunities for cooperation and teamwork, to develop existing skills and acquire new leadership skills, and to promote social service activities and options.” This year, the conference completely fulfilled these goals.
IASAS Leadership Conference
IASAS Leadership Conference 2006
With the theme “The Amazing Race”, the conference focused on risktaking, cooperation, and building leaders’ confidence in making decisions. Delegates participated in a variety of activities that applied these skills to real-life leadership scenarios. Friday morning was dedicated to more formal activities, including discussing the conference’s themes, amending the IASAS Leadership Constitution, and swapping ideas about leadership projects and challenges at IASAS schools. The afternoon challenged our bodies as well as our minds, with ropes course, climbing wall and gym activities that emphasized individual risk-taking, leadership and teamwork. The SAS organizing team was tested with a real leadership challenge when some activities were cancelled due to a torrential downpour. Fortunately, back-up plans were in place. On Saturday, guest speaker Steve Morris, an international leadership and personal development coach, author of Glorious Leadership, and SAS parent, spoke about recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses in leadership, and overcoming deep-seated fears, such as the fear of public speaking. His words resonated with many of the student leaders – who has not been apprehensive about addressing a large crowd? Afterwards, some delegates visited our charity site, the Special Olympics Singapore. Each year, money raised by the sale of IASAS Leadership t-shirts and other fundraisers is donated to a selected charity. The enthusiasm of these mentally disabled swimmers and the Special Olympics volunteers confirmed that we had chosen a great charity group. Delegates also participated in a friendly but competitive scavenger hunt, racing to complete a variety of tasks in a set amount of time, such as finding famous Singapore landmarks or trying local bak kwa. The skills needed in this scavenger hunt epitomize risk-taking, cooperation, and confidence in decision-making. The Leadership Conference at SAS was a resounding success. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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HS Scholarships
Interim Semester – Boosters and PTA Fund Scholarships
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he PTA and the Booster Club funded scholarships again this year to help a number of high school students take full advantage of the educational opportunities available at SAS through the Interim Semester program. Interim Semester is one of the most memorable experiences for SAS high school students and both the PTA and the Booster Club proudly sponsor students through their scholarship programs. Two full course scholarships were sponsored by the PTA for the February 2007 Interim Semester. The recipients were able to choose any Interim Semester trip available to them with the full cost funded by PTA. Booster Club sponsored eight Interim Semester Scholarship; four full scholarships (up to S$3,500) and four partial scholarships (up to S$1,500). The scholarships application process was anonymous. For the PTA scholarships, essays were read by a panel of SAS parents and teachers. For the Booster scholarships, the selection process was managed by the principal and deputy principal who appoint a panel of high school teachers and counselors to read the student essays. Recipients were selected from a competitive field of about 40 applicants. This year’s PTA scholarship recipients were Tiffany Cheng and Jong Eun (Ellen) Lee. Full Booster scholarships were awarded to Christella Soriano, Azhani Amiruddin, Michelle Ong and Aishwarrya Balaji and partial Booster scholarships were awarded to Yeon Joon Park, Jae Won Hur, Mariko Kristen Bock and Priscilla Chan. The Booster Club and PTA are both parent volunteer organizations at SAS. Boosters raise funds, through out the school year, to support the numerous high school students’ activities including Interim Semester. Interim Semester Scholarships are just one of many ways that the PTA supports SAS students through their fund raising efforts. The PTA and the Booster Club congratulate all the scholarship recipients on a job well done and wish them an exciting and educational experience!
Booster Scholarships: Yeon Joon Park. Mariko Kristen Bock, Priscilla Chan, Michelle Brunoehler (Booster Club President), Jae Won Hur, Aishwarry Balangi, Christella Soriano, Azhani Amiruddin, Michelle Ong
SAS National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students By Dale Ford, HS Counselor
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AS seniors Samuel Lloyd, Karen Ngo and Rachel Witt have been named as Semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC). NMSC named 16,000 students as Semifinalists with only 56 students living outside the US receiving the Semifinalist distinction this year. Approximately 50,000 academically able high school students have been honored as Commended Students. The following SAS seniors received this designation and will receive a Letter of Commendation: Shetha Alaskar, Denise Borsuk, Penn Bullock, Michelle Conway, Keri Dixon, Abhinav Kaul, Julia Knight, JefSAS National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students frey Kreutter, Brian Leung, Jessica Lin, Thomas Lindh, Winnie Ma, Michelle Schmitz, Maya Shanker, and Tiffanie Wu. To be named as a Semifinalist, a student living overseas must be a US citizen or Permanent Resident and earn a “selection index” of at least 224. Commended Students must earn scores ranging from 203 to 223. A selection index is arrived at by adding the critical reading, math and writing scores of the PSAT. The scores on the PSAT range from 20 to 80, which parallel the SAT scale of 200 to 800. Since this competition is only open to US citizens, 47% of the SAS seniors were eligible to be considered for these awards. The Semifinalist cutoff scores vary widely from state to state and range from a low of 203 in Wyoming to a high of 224 for US citizens living outside the country. According to NMSC, they vary scores by state so that “... able students from all parts of the nation will be included in the Semifinalist talent pool.” The number of Semifinalists named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of high school graduating seniors.
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Approximately 4% of the students in the US are annually recognized by NMSC. At SAS, 16% percent of our eligible seniors were recognized. To read more about National Merit selection, go to the SAS High School Counseling website at http://hseagle.sas.edu.sg/hscounseling/Tests/NationalMeritSelectionIndices.htm. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
By Frieda Dietrich, Counselor
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n September, representatives from eleven art and design schools in the US and Canada conducted an art portfolio review for upper level art students. Schools were here as a part of the Linden Art and Design College Tour which is currently touring Asia. This was the first time that such a large of a group of art schools visited SAS. In addition to conducting a college fair during lunch break and meeting with the SAS counselors to discuss new programs, the highlight of the morning was the professional critique session designed to help students in grades 11 and 12 further prepare the works they will be submitting to colleges this fall and in the future. Each year over 200 colleges and universities visit SAS to meet with SAS counselors and high school students, and to share information about their programs and admissions guidelines.
Pursuing My Dream By Alison Tan, High School Student
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e all know there are two things you don’t do when you’re trying to impress a college: cry and spell your name wrong. As for what you should do, I got a few bites of worldly advice from Ms. Harvey, my art teacher who’s “been-there-done-that” and can suppress hysteria like Paul Bunyan eats flapjacks. First, talk about your artwork coherently and enthusiastically, because the college representatives want to hear about your artistic process and opinions. Second, take everything they say graciously and as an opportunity to progress, which is another way of warning us not to lash out in sob-infused defense if we receive criticism.
HS Art College Visits
Linden Art and Design College Tour Visits SAS
Although I kept this all in mind, my hands were trembling as the posse of stylish art school representatives streamed into the art room door. ‘Murphy’s Law’ was exercising its power over me. Everything from my portfolio pages coming out of the binder rings to my shawl becoming entangled with the chicken wire on an art piece combined to create the chaos that was undoubtedly my striking first impression. Thankfully, as soon as I sat down with the nearest school rep, my mind went into professional-mode as I went through the motions. I chatted, made eye contact and gesticulated where appropriate. In the hour we had, I managed to show my work to four people. I received mixed reviews from each and every college, which perplexed me at first. One told me to throw out half my work and replace it with “drawings from life that displayed more complex compositions.” Another gushed enthusiastically over pieces I didn’t even like, and another questioned me about the concepts behind my pieces until I had exhausted all ability to form words. All enforced my faith in my concentration choice, as they suggested different ways I might develop it. Many other students received the same mixed critiques, and when we asked Ms. Harvey she explained that each college looks for different things and we should take the advice of the college we want to attend most seriously. When our session had finished, the art school reps surged out leaving me with a pile of business cards, brochures, view books, programs and assorted college-logo pens. Inspired and humbled by what they had told me, I left that college fair with great certainty that art is what I want to pursue, what I want to lose sleep over and what I want to be underpaid doing.
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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MS CWW
Overnighter challenges sixth-graders with firsts By Jo Ann Clemens, Sixth Grade Teacher
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everal “firsts” were experienced by sixth grade students this year during their Classroom Without Walls (CWW) trip. One “first” was that students were in charge of washing their own dishes and utensils before and after each meal. Sixth grade student Ryan Dunn proudly held up a spotless plate and announced to all within earshot that he’d never washed dishes before, “I’m not very good at it yet, but it’s fun.” In addition, students were encouraged to expand their food horizons. “I tried new food, even though I didn’t know if I would like it,” one student told his teacher.
Brandon Zhang learns how to lower himself in the abseiling event.
For the first time, the sixth grade took an over-night trip, spending one night and two days at Outward Bound’s Spark C camp on East Coast Parkway. Half of the students spent Tuesday night and the other half spent Thursday night at the camp accompanied by Deputy Prin- Matthew Siu cleans up after a meal. cipal, Franke Thomas, Counselor, Mike Anthony, and eight teachers. Divided by gender and homebase, the students lived in elevated cabins that housed 14-20 students. Some of the most challenging aspects of CWW were students not sleeping in their own beds in the heat. “I wish there was air conditioning,” commented one student. Others such as Ayesha Agarwal noted that sleeping over with all her friends was the best part of CWW.
In the evening, homebase teams went on an ECO scavenger hunt searching for hidden animals in a food chain. Winning homebases won recognition and Outward Bound pins. “It was so cool to win,” said one winning team member. “We learned while we played,” said another. During the day, homebase groups rotated through four activities: abseiling, rock climbing, high ropes course, and cave maze. Each participant was challenged to do his or her personal best in a safe, non-threatening environment. Abseiling or rappelling was an exciting “first” for most students. Visions of action heroes rappelling down sky-scrapers filled their imaginations. Felicity Dunbar happily said of her experience, “The first step is usually the hardest, but normally the one you won’t have to repeat!”
Katia Tanner & Brenden Baxter beginning the high ropes course.
Although rock climbing was not a “first”, students were taught to belay for the first time. Each student was issued a harness and helmet during the first hour of camp and taught to use both properly. This equipment became their responsibility and stayed with them throughout the two days.
The high ropes course consisted of cables, logs, swings, platforms, ladders and ropes. One sixth grader said there is only one word to describe it: “AWESOME!” Cat Andrade said, “I liked the Tarzan swing best.” The tunnel maze was rated as the most popular activity, consisting of several shipping containers filled with balls, slides, twists, and turns. Some passages ended in dead ends, while others led to more obstacles. Escape hatches were spaced evenly in case of injury. Each team of 3-4 students ventured through the tunnel with the aid of two light sticks. One student said she “freaked out” at first, but rated the maze as “totally awesome” after two minutes. “It was the best,” said James Khoo. Theresa Bascomb and Celine Kwon emerging from the tunnel maze.
Children urged each other on, cheered when accomplishments were made, worked together as a team, and generally enjoyed a break from their usual school responsibilities. “Facing my fears was a tough job, but I did it in the end,” admitted one student. Teachers agreed it was rewarding to watch students conquer new physical challenges, confront their fears, wash their own dishes, and just have fun with each other.
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Some parents shared that their children were exhausted when they returned home from all the excitement. “Erica had a nonstop story when she got home. She had fun,” wrote one parent to a teacher. Despite the rain, the local food, and sleeping without air-conditioning, most agreed it was a very worthwhile adventure. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
CWW – the 8th Grade Perspective
MS CWW
By Paula St. James, MS Teacher Photos by Dr. David Putnam, MS Psychologist
“M
s. St. James, can we go to Mr. Donahue’s room to greet our fourth roommate and welcome her?” That quote from excited girls on a Wednesday morning exemplifies the spirit of 8th grade Classroom Without Walls. Students are swamped with reading, writing, and arithmetic (and more!) 180 days out of the school year, but for these two and a half days, cooperation, problem solving, and making new friends comprise the curriculum. After boarding Wednesday night and attending the mandatory safety drill, the kids snuggled in, four to a cabin, as the cruise ship started its journey to Malacca, Malaysia, and then on to Kuala Lumpur. Thursday morning started with Scavenger Hunt a breakfast buffet in the Mediterranean Room after which 8th grade homebases paired up and started the circuit of activities. Many of these were problem-solving/cooperation exercises such as: The SpiderWeb; Pass the Marble; Marshmallows; Pathfinder; The Island; Helium Stick; and a good, old-fashioned Scavenger Hunt. A few activities such as Line Dancing, Melodrama, and ‘Name that Tune’ were mixed in for variety. All of the activities provided students an arena to practice interpersonal Spider Web skills they are learning in the HB program: listening to others, avoiding put-downs, inclusion, and working together to achieve a common goal. How else could they get all their mates from one side of a rope spider web to the other without touching the rope or going through each space more than once?
Etiquette Dinner
By 4:00 p.m., the students were ready to Melodrama Madness shower and get ready for the Etiquette Dinner in the beautiful Bella Vista Dining Room. What a change! The metamorphosis was amazing: from sweaty P.E. uniforms to well-dressed young men and women circling tables and calmly chatting with their dinner partners. For ambiance, some very talented students played the piano on the Baby Grand.
After dinner, students made their way to the Helicopter Pad to kick off the dance with a large group line dance to “Freak Out.” Many of the students spent the evening bopping to the beat, while a few others played basketball or frequented the arcade. The next morning, students enjoyed the much-anticipated Talent Show in the Lido Theater. Under the professional colored lights and fog machine, student bands rocked, groups danced, and comedy routines amused as audience cheers added to the celebratory atmosphere. After lunch it was time to gather for disembarkation, and students headed back home to rest for the weekend and prepare for their journey back to reality. Many 8th graders arrived home with dirty laundry, shared stories, treasured pictures, and new or better friends. Mission accomplished.
Talent Show
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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Community Library
The Community Library In Support of Parenting By Mary Gruman, SAS Parent
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he Community Library opened its doors in April of 2005 and is located within the SAS Middle School Library. The Library is intended to support the mission of the school especially the commitment to providing “extraordinary care for the welfare of each child.” The Library contains a collection of books on various aspects of parenting acquired based on suggestions from parents whose personal experiences led them to recommend helpful books. Books on topics such as ADD, ADHD, Autism, Giftedness, Eating Issues, Alcohol and Drug Use, Self Esteem and Aggressive Behavior are included in the Library as well as a bulletin board for local businesses and agencies that have helped other SAS families. Singapore American School is the largest international school in the world today with a population of 3,700 students representing 54 nationalities. Diversity provides our children with an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment with a broad sense of purpose but also means that there are differences in: our community, the learning styles of our children, the teaching styles of our faculty and the expectations of parents. We can best support all of our children and families by learning about these differences. Research in the field of learning suggests that learning differences are not new and have existed since ancient times. Parenting practices vary across cultures and even age groups. Parenting has never been easy, but parenting outside one’s own culture is a special challenge. Plans for the Library include a new Speaker Series started in September 2006 and funded by the SAS Educational Foundation. Our November speaker is Dr. Roby Marcou, an American developmental pediatrician who trained with Mel Levine, author of All Kinds of Minds. Dr. Marcou’s presentation is titled “Understanding Your Child’s Kind of Mind.” This event takes place on November 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Drama Theater. Parents interested in attending Dr. Marcou’s presentation should RSVP to suri@sas.edu.sg . To find the Library, go to the Middle School Library and take an immediate right turn at the glass door with the lighthouse logo. Visitors are welcome and comfortable seating is available along with beautiful displays of art generously provided by SAS students. Please sign the guest book and include any suggestions you might have for programs and acquisitions.
R
Silly Sally
ecently the Early Childhood Center had a visit from a special guest; none other than our very own Ken Schunk, the Primary School deputy principal.
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SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
Understanding Your Child’s Kind of Mind Dr. Roby Marcou Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician November 15, 2006 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In the Drama Theater
Community Library
SAS parents are invited to attend a series of presentations to be offered this school year, which advance the “Extraordinary Care for the Welfare of Each Child” and are funded by the SAS Educational Foundation in conjunction with the SAS Community Library.
Our November guest speaker, Dr. Roby Marcou, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, has worked throughout Asia in affiliation with various international schools and now practices at Raffles Hospital. A graduate of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Marcou trained under Dr. Mel Levine, author of the best-selling book All Kinds of Minds. Dr. Marcou has three children, two who graduated from Jakarta International School. Dr. Marcou will speak about ‘neurodevelopmental understanding’ as it pertains to students in an international school environment. The neurodevelopmental approach addresses the impact that variations in language, memory, attention, motor functions, ordering, higher order thinking and social cognition have on learning. The ‘neurodevelopmental’ approach also takes into account the student’s intrinsic behavioral style, or temperament. Many students experience these variations but the variations are often a challenge to identify. Once patterns of strength or challenge are clarified, they can become the strategic focus for nurturing the student’s nature and development at home and at school. Please RSVP to suri@sas.edu.sg.
at the ECC While he was there, Ken read Silly Sally to a captivated audience of preschoolers. Primary School administrators, David Hoss, Ken Schunk and Geri Johnson, regularly read to students at the ECC and Primary School.
SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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Faculty News
The Strategist By Bob Dodge, HS Teacher (Retired)
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retired from teaching last spring after twenty-three years at SAS. During those years I had taken time off to attend the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, where I studied with Tom Schelling, subject of The Strategist. We discussed presenting his work to a younger audience, began corresponding and getting together in summers. His stories about the world of the elite nuclear strategists of the Cold War were fascinating and I suggested he write his memoirs. He didn’t want to take the time, so I volunteered. The book carries endorsements from a strange combination of people. What could bring such a group together is a man with a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye, that had lived a life unknown to the general public until his profound yet quiet influence was recognized as he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Economics for 2005. Schelling always sought the most difficult “puzzle” to solve, and that became survival in a nuclear age. In his struggle to contain the Cold War one of his tools was game theory; the study of interactive decision-making between rational decision-makers. It could be seen in the advice he gave President Kennedy during the Berlin Crisis when nuclear holocaust threatened, and in his efforts to help overcome the arms race to achieve arms control with the Soviet Union. He also stressed communication, evident in his proposal of a “hotline” to connect Moscow and Washington and in the war games he conducted to give such high level officials as Henry Kissinger and Robert Kennedy experience in decision-making during crisis times. Schelling’s writing established deterrence theory, while one article brought Stanley Kubrick to his office to discuss making a movie that became Dr. Strangelove. His work was intended to make strategic situations understandable and his fear was that his words might be misread or taken as advice he hadn’t intended. Misreading of his work appeared during the Berlin Crisis in reports that he suggested a possible nuclear strike on Russia. Similar issues arose during Vietnam, where some give him credit for the bombing of the North and the “madman” theory employed late in the war. His fear of being misread was justified and has left him with a “warmonger” image with some. A more accurate and generally accepted summary of Schelling’s work was stated by David Ellwood, Dean of the Kennedy School at Harvard: “it is not the slightest exaggeration to say that his remarkable scholarship has made the world a safer and better place.” Schelling took on other problems, including segregation and integration, where he came up with the “tipping point” explanation and other models. His inquisitive mind was drawn to study addiction and self control and as the Cold War faded away, global warming. His ideas had special impact on Singapore, where they influenced both public housing policies to combat racial violence and policies for reducing traffic congestion. While the source list of interviews and mail includes four other Nobel Laureates in Economics, a Pulitzer Prize winner, both Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee along with a string of people who have held or still hold high academic or governmental positions, there is one very local connection. SAS grad, Siddharth Mohandas is on the list, as by a twist of fate, when he was Assistant Editor of the distinguished journal, Foreign Affairs, he was assigned to edit an article they were going to include by Schelling. So my former student edited my teacher. They had an interesting encounter. The Strategist will be available in local book stores in mid-October and the hardcover version being published in the U.S. will be available in selected American book stores and from amazon.com in November. Copies will also be available at the Booster Booth.
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SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
IS Keyboarding
Keyboarding at IS By Susan Sedro, Intermediate School Technology Coordinator
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o you remember learning to type? Likely it was in a high school typing class. Now many children learn touch typing, or keyboarding in elementary school. At SAS, keyboarding is taught throughout the IS division using different typing programs at each grade level. Third graders use a software program called Read, Write and Type that reinforces phonemic awareness while familiarizing the location of the letters on the keyboard. It also teaches which hand is assigned to which letters on the keyboard, and helps the children to use two hands while typing. Fourth grade keyboarding focuses on accuracy and good typing habits. Our fourth graders use Type to Learn version 3 which introduces touch typing through lessons interspersed with a variety of typing games. Starting in fourth grade, we use keyboard covers to prevent students from peeking at the keys while typing. In fifth grade, to help the students focus on speed, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing reports words typed per minute, and adjusted typed words per minute. The second score lowers their words per minute for each error. Our goal is to have students typing 20 words per minute with 90% accuracy which is typing faster than writing legibly by hand. We encourage children to practice keyboarding at home. Keyboarding is better done for a short time each day rather than for a longer time once a week. Fifteen to twenty minutes is a reasonable length for a practice session. Remember to emphasize accuracy, not speed. Speed naturally increases with accuracy. It is necessary to cover the keyboard, otherwise children tend to peek rather than touch type. Fourth and fifth graders cover keyboards with a plastic cover called a Speedskin that hides the keys forcing the children to memorize the location of the letters. Speedskins are purchased online at http://www.speedskin.com/. However, there are many other ways to hide the keys: • • •
Wedge a sheet of A4 paper length-wise between the number and function keys on the keyboard, covering the keyboard. Secure it with tape. Find a cardboard box that fits over the keyboard. Cut one side of the box for the student’s hands to enter the box. Slide the keyboard into a pair of boxer shorts. Students slide their hands through the leg holes.
It is important that the computer set up is physically safe. Children are more likely to develop strain injuries because their bodies are still growing. The problem is worsened when children work on a family computer set up for an adult. This link explains safe ergonomic computer use: http://www.education.umn.edu/kls/ecee/guidelines.html. In addition to a safe set up, children need good posture. Slouching and resting wrists on the keyboard or desk can lead to injury. Children should sit up straight with wrists flat, not bending up or down. Bending the wrist puts extra pressure on tendons and nerves and can cut off circulation. Bad habits can lead to long-term nerve and tendon damage. Families often ask where to purchase keyboarding software. SAS purchases through Challenger at Funan Plaza. Neighborhood computer stores may be able to order software as well. An easier option may be to use an online vendor such as Amazon.com. To keep your child’s interest level high, you may want to purchase a different program than the one they use at school. SAS NewsFlash – October 2006
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The High School Dance Show, Clue, is a murder mystery based on the board game ‘Clue’ or ‘Cludeo’. The dance piece is a game for both the dancers and the audience. The aim is to guess who murdered Mr. Body out of the six colorful suspects. Each show will have a different murderer that will not be revealed to the dancers until the start of the show. At the beginning of each performance each of the 6 suspects will be given a card stating either guilty or innocent. Only the guilty suspect and the host Mr. Black will know who committed the crime. It will be up to the detective and the audience to solve the crime. Clue has a cast of over 80 dancers and has worked collaboratively with the High School Art and Technical Theater students. Come and be a part of this forty-five minute murder mystery on November 9th and 10th.