Singapore American School Newsflash, November 2006

MICA (P) 195/08/2006

Volume 9, Issue 4-06/07 - November 2006

A Singapore American School community service publication

NewsFlash

Spectacular Sports

Content Page

Board of Govornors

In This Issue 03 04 06 07 Shelly DeFord Chairman of the Board

Garth Sheldon Vice Chairman of the Board Chairman Facilities

Sally Greene Chairman Curriculum

Carl Stocking Chairman Finance

Bart Broadman Richard Borsuk Chairman Trust Board Member

Melanie Ng Chew Board Member

William Ball Board Member

Bob Comstock Board Member

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Calendar Highlights Counseling What’s New at the SAS Cafeterias?

Swim Team - 11th Biathlon Honors an Alumna Whale Shark Project ACSIS Japanese Sports Day IASAS Faculty JP Morgan Chase MS Intramurals South Asia Boys Nankyu Baseball Championship 2006 AP Art Restreat: Telunas Beach SAS PTA Boosters

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

We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School

Kirk Hulse Board Member

Maya Roll Board Member

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Tom Linton Board Member

Sheila Wang Board Member

December NewsFlash Deadline: November 22, 2006 Publication Date: December 11, 2006 January NewsFlash NO ISSUE (SCHOOL HOLIDAY) 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

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* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm

HS PTA Parent Coffee 10:00am (H301) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301) PTA Board Meeting (PTA Office) National Art Honor Society Inductions 3:15pm (Art Rooms & Gallery) Tabitha Sales IASAS MUN in Taipei MS/HS Bintan Cultural Service Trip Peace Concert 6:00pm – 11:00pm (SAS Stadium) HS Student Community Service – Thanksgiving Dinner 11:30am PTA Book Fair (Elementary Gym)

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Booster Club Meeting 9:30am (H301) Thespians Induction 4:30pm (Theater Studio) Alternate Dress Day THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL) Basketball Tournament in Hong Kong Santa Claus Swim Meet (HS Pool) Tabitha Sales MS Strings Concert 7:00pm (Auditorium) THIMUN in Singapore MS Choir Concert 7:00pm (Drama Theater) IS EASA Concert by Ms. Huisman

* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm 1-2

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The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) in Singapore Booster Bake Sale HS Art Show Opening 3:30pm MS Dance Performance 3:00pm & 7:00pm All University Applications Due HS Art Show SAT & Subject Tests ACSIS Rugby Tournament 8:00am – 6:00pm (AIS) PS Parent Coffee 8:30am (PS Faculty Lounge, P220/221) IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Grouproom, I311) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301) Tri-M Inductions 3:15pm – 4:30pm (HS Library) ITBS Parent Coffee 10:00am Booster Club Home Tour ACSIS Swimming Meet 3:45pm – 7:30pm (HS Pool) Booster Club Popcorn Day HS Winter Collage Concert 7:00pm (Auditorium)

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Calendar Highlights

November 2006

December 2006

Grade 6 Fun Friday 3:05pm – 4:45pm ACSIS Tennis Tournament 8:00am – 6:00pm (SAS/UWC) HS Final Exams 8:00am – 12:00pm, Period 5 & 6 PTA Board Meeting 11:30am (PTA Office) HS Final Exams 8:00am – 12:00pm, Period 1 & 2 Alternate Dress Day HS Final Exams 8:00am – 12noon, Period 7 &8 HS Final Exams 8:00am – 12:00noon, Period 3 & 4 Winter Ball 9:00pm – 1:00 am (Tanglin Club) Holiday Alternate Dress Day No School for HS Students PS/IS Holiday Parties 1:30pm December Graduation 10:00am (Drama Theater) WINTER BREAK (NO SCHOOL)

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Counseling

Gaming, what’s going on here?

By School Psychologist Jeff Devens, Ph.D

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imly lit lights, half empty pizza boxes, and the thunderous sounds of cheers and groans filter their way from the television room throughout the house. Entering the room you notice your son and his friends mindlessly engaged in what appears to be a series of orchestrated sequences involving an ergonomically designed handheld device, connected to a box, with cords running into the television. What is going on here?

Mom and Dad, welcome to the world of gaming.

over the age of 35) have had comparatively limited experience gaming as children growing up. Without a reference point, parents can be at a loss to appreciate the allure. The purpose of this article is to provide a richer understanding of the draw that games have for kids, particularly teens.

Bring it on: While it is true that games are a consumer product, they are also a consumer experience. One of the central features of games is that they provide experiences that draw on parts of reality, while simultaneously drawing on powerful emotions. Games put the players in direct control of the various scenarios they are experiencing.

Whether a soldier fighting in WW II or a wizard casting spells, the outcome is ultimately in the hands of the person with the controls. In essence, the video games provide a platform where teens can fulfill the urge to challenge, compete, and win, without leaving a record of failures.

When I speak of games I’m not simply referring to arcade machines commonly found in local malls and pubs, but rather any type of media that is electronic and interactive. This includes such common platforms as: the Internet, Game Boy, X-Box, Game Cube, Sony Play The physical skills for gaming are quite simple, hitting the Station, etc. In the last 20 years these interactive de- right sequence of buttons at the right moment. But these vices have become cultural mainstays. For example, it skills can be taken to extremely high levels. Wins and is estimated that Sony PlayStation alone is in 25%, or losses are not evaluated solely based on a particular score, 50 million, of all U.S. homes. It’s not surprising with but rather acquisition of a new skill or level of understandthis type of market share that companies such as Micro- ing. Gaming is progressive in nature. With each additional soft are willing to spend upwards of $750 million on its game played, a new level of understanding and confiinitial marketing for its Xbox game console. The New dence is gained. Gratification and “tangible” improvement York Times reports that Americans are spending more can be charted moment by moment, game by game. One on video games than they do on going to the movies or would be hard pressed to replicate this type of continuous even watching rented videos. Worldwide sales of video reinforcement in other arenas of life. This is one of the game consoles and software are expected to reach $35 many factors that make gaming so appealing…and posbillion this year alone, representing twice the revenue of sibly compulsive. the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Major League I am the hero: The world of realiBaseball, combined! Gaming “Games are all about role playing. Kids can ty takes a back seat when it comes is no longer child’s play but assume the role of a: soldier, pilot, warlock, to gaming. Games are all about a lucrative economic enter- athlete, and a host of other characters.” role playing. Kids can assume the prise. role of a: soldier, pilot, warlock, athlete, and a host of other characWith these kinds of ecoters. The characteristics of gaming nomic numbers driving the also trigger a wide assortment of market, gaming no longer half-truths, and exaggerations. Incomprises a cultural subset; sulating themselves from the conit is an embedded and large sequences of their actions, gampart of mainstream culture. ing allows kids to try on different Researchers Beck and Wade roles, interacting with others who (2004) note that, “games have similar interests and abiliare a technology that has been universally adopted by ties. This form of social interaction and development is a large, young cohort and ignored by their elders.” For markedly different from experiences commonly noted by kids today, gaming is everywhere, established, emotion- parents when they were kids. Children of past generations ally enticing, and embedded in the fabric of their lives. typically formed bonds with others based on school, club, Kids today don’t know of a time when gaming did not sport, or religious affiliations. While this is still true of exist. As far as they are concerned, people who did not kids today, gaming also affords an opportunity to connect grow up with such “necessities” might as well have been with others and develop a sense of belonging and commuborn hundreds of years ago, and sometimes this is how nity, even if this community is electronically based. Gamparents feel when it comes to understanding the attrac- ing also makes it possible for kids, regardless of physical tion. Part of the difficulty is that parents (those typically and social limitations, to become the central hero. Wallace

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

ty-affiliated McLean Hospital, Dr. Orzak, believes that social aspects are a primary factor in compulsive gaming. “Many of these people are lonely, have never felt like they belonged…People get a sense of belonging in the game. In some cases, it provides the only friends they interact with.”

Social Enticements: In computer gaming, a Multi-User Domain (MUD) is a multi-player computer game that comAs a starting point some bines elements of role-playing and ingeneral areas for parents to stant messaging. People connected to “ ...a Multi-User Domain (MUD) is a consider regarding possithe internet, from anywhere around the multi-player computer game that comble excessive use of gamworld, become part of a team, working bines elements of role-playing and instant ing include: towards an established goal, all along messaging.” the way communicating with one anoth- Lifestyle changes in er via a dialogue box which is part of the order to spend more game itself. For example, in EverQuest time gaming (a popular MUD) players explore a Tolk- General decreases in ienesque fantasy world of sword and sor physical activity incery, fighting monsters and enemies for stead devoting additional time to gaming treasure and experience points, all the while interacting with other players. As they progress, players advance in level, gain- - A disregard for one’s health (missing meals) and hygiene in order to game ing power, prestige, and increased abilities. In addition, players - Avoiding homework / social obligations in order to may opt to take part in battles against other players; including game both duels and fights against player characters allied with an enemy faction. Entering into this gaming arena can be likened - A decrease in socializing, resulting in loss of friends due to gaming behaviors to meeting up with friends for a night on the town. When gaming online for example, kids may form “friendships” with oth- - Craving for more time at the computer and becoming agitated if prohibited from gaming ers whom they share no other interest (or physical proximity) outside of the MUD environment; however, the bonds formed - Changes in sleep pattens or sleep deprivation in order to spend additional time gaming as a result of these interactions can be just as intense and significant for kids (particularly teens) as any “real” relationship.

Teens are in the process of asking that fundamental question: The above symptoms are by no means exhaustive, nor Who am I? Along the way, games help them to express and are they official criteria for gaming addiction or comexplore several aspects of this question. Over the course of pulsive gaming. In fact, no official psychological or adolescence, teens address substantial developmental tasks in- psychiatric diagnosis for gaming or internet addiction cluding: forming positive healthy relationships with peers and exists. For those who are concerned that their children developing an understanding of social forms and norms. Online may be struggling with excessive gaming related begaming draws teens toward others on an international platform, haviors, it is helpful to seek out additional guidance where they are able to communicate, interact, and share simi- from counselors and psychologists within the commular experiences. These experiences, at some level, help shape, nity. At Singapore American School, we have 9 counselors working within the middle-high school divisions, mold, and influence who the teen will become. as well as three school psychologists throughout the Worst Case Scenarios: At what point, if at all, should gaming school that can help answer specific questions related become a concern? For example, I have met parents who are to your child. concerned about the excessive amount of time their children Gamers and the games they play are spending gaming and are wondering at what point do they are rapidly evolving. As the ink intervene? As educators and parents, we bear the primary redries on this article new gaming sponsibility for guiding children. We are responsible for unplatforms are being launched and derstanding what’s out there in the world of gaming, how it’s new games are hitting the market. evolving, and what impact (both positive and negative) it may The challenge for parents is keep be having on our children, but therein lies the difficulty. Beup with these changes. It is in your cause gaming is a relatively new phenomenon, considerable interest to be aware of the factors controversy surrounds the extent to which gaming behavior is that are shaping and influencing addictive or compulsive in nature, this is true among the laythe way your chilperson as well as psychologists. We have very little to go on at dren think. In this juncture other than anecdotes, a few surveys, and societal other words, concerns over the impact excessive gaming is having on some it’s time to kids lives. get in the game.

Director of Computer Addiction Services at Harvard UniversiSAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Counseling

(1999) notes we live in an age when attention is a commodity in short supply but very great in demand. Gaming put kids at the center of the universe where the world, albeit a virtual one, does indeed revolve around them.

School News

Healthy Choices What’s New at the SAS Cafeterias?

By Rhonda Norris, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Food Service Committee Chair

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ast year SAS began an effort to study, evaluate and improve the food offerings provided each day in our three cafeterias. As has been the case at many schools worldwide, SAS is seeking to ensure that the foods served at school are healthy and appealing for students and staff.

Initially a committee was established to review the food services at SAS and then input was sought from parents, faculty and students as well as experts in the field of nutrition. The administration then took steps to review and begin to implement the recommendations for improvements to the food services at SAS. These recommendations included the hiring of a nutritional consultant to assist in revising the food offering at school. SAS’ approach has been one of balance between providing healthier options and ensuring that students still choose to eat what is offered. Some of the major implementation activities the consultant has been directing are noted below. Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Choices, variety, and content of food offerings Quality of food preparation and ingredients Recommendation and demonstration of preparation for menus and recipes Review food services at SAS for efficiency, friendliness, organization and hygiene Integration of food services with SAS curriculum Monitoring and on-going evaluation of SAS food services programs from week to week Given the size of the food services operations at SAS, it seemed most practical to implement changes in phases, starting this year with the fixed lunch and snack menus for Pre-K through grade 3. We hope that you have noticed and are pleased with the changes and enhancements.

While many small steps have been taken behind the scenes toward enhancing food services at SAS, the most significant enhancements for the fixed lunch and snack programs are noted below. These apply to students in Pre-K to grade 3, and optionally to students in grades 4 and 5.

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Ø Introduction of new lunch and snack menu items providing more variety and healthier options Offering more daily fruit and vegetable choices with snacks and lunches Introduction of a daily vegetarian option Improving the nutritional content of food offerings in a balanced way Providing only 100% juice, water, or milk for lunch and snack drinks Enhancing the food preparation methods, including baking instead of frying Enhancing the consistency, quality, and taste, including the western menu items Menu items are freshly prepared instead of from pre-packaged products Improvements in the fixed lunch and snack serving areas

We have also made the following changes and enhancements in the food service options for grades 4 through 8. Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Introduction of a daily pasta bar Enhancement of the salad and sandwich bars Introduction of new dishes, some of which are based on student taste testing Enhancing the food preparation methods, including baking instead of frying Enhancing the consistency, quality, and taste of food offerings, including for the western menu items Providing student taste testing for new dishes in intermediate school Providing opportunities in middle school home living classes to prepare new menu items for their own taste testing Decreasing the size of sugary snacks Enhancing nutritional education for students

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Ø Limiting drinks to non-sugary options

Ø Decreasing the food offerings that are repeated daily allowing for the introduction of new menu items and improvement in the daily options being served Ø Enhancing the snack foods by increasing the number of healthy choices and providing appropriate snacks for varying times of the day Ø Enhancing the kitchen and serving area space, including food preparation areas Ø Improving the nutritional content of food offerings in a balanced way Ø Consider the implementation of additional specialty bars or food stations Ø Provide signage to announce daily specials and identify those menu items that are healthier Ø Review of cost structure with consultant for snacks and lunches to adjust where appropriate Ø Providing additional training for food service staff both in the preparation and handling of food as well as training for providing high quality service for customers

HS Sports

We will continue to enhance the fixed snack and lunch program with new dishes and healthy options. The major focus for the next few quarters will be on the a-la-carte menus for grades 4 and 8 and ultimately grades 9 through 12, based on what works best for the various student groups. At this time our plan includes the following next steps.

We hope that your family has found our approach to be thoughtful, balanced and positive. We will continue to provide opportunities for student, parent, and staff feedback as we implement the recommendations of the committee with the guidance of our consultant. We expect that the implementation of recommendations for food services will be ongoing and hope that our work this year will provide the framework for enhancements or improvements in SAS food services programs in years to come. We appreciate your support and patience as we work to enhance and improve the food services at SAS. We welcome your feedback and ask that your comments and questions be directed to Rhonda Norris,

Swim Team – 11th Annual Biathlon Honors an SAS Alumna

Boys’ biathlon winners: Jack Pitfield, third place, Brian Maissen, second place and Ted Chritton, first place

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arly Saturday morning, October 28th, the SAS varsity swim team competed in the 11th annual Biathlon at SAS. First swimming 1,000 meters and then quickly changing into a pair of running shoes and heading off for an additional 2 kilometers of running, the athletes exhibited speed and endurance very early in the season.

This year the name of the biathlon was changed to the Kendra Chiota Payne Biathlon, honoring a recently deceased alumna, Kendra Chiota Payne (SAS class of 2002). Kendra was a member of the SAS swim team for four years while at SAS and an avid sports enthusiast while at the University of California. She was killed in a tragic accident last year while training for a triathlon.

Girls’ biathlon winners: Kristen Johnson, third place, Michelle Ong, second place and Kathy De La Hoz, first place

This year’s biathlon winners were honored with a unique certificate and medals specially designed to honor Kendra’s memory. In the girls’ biathlon, Kristen Johnson placed third, Michelle Ong placed second and Kathy De La Hoz was the first place winner. In the boys’ biathlon, Jack Pittfield placed third, Brian Maissen finished second and Ted Chritton finished in first place.

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

School News

Whale Shark Project

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By Ellie Stanton and Elisabeth Stocking, High School Students

ver the last six weeks, the high school’s Save Club and Art Club have been working on an ambitious project: assembling a life size model of a 32-foot long female whale shark. Once a week, approximately 20 members from both organizations gathered to fuse scientific knowledge and artistic skill. The group sketched out a design on eight sheets of plywood, cut it out with power tools (with the assistance of Mr. Diebley), and painted the model (with the assistance of Ms. Harvey). Students from Mr. Diebley’s grade 8 Technology Education helped make the joining plates on the back, as well as the support legs.

The model serves to raise awareness of the plight of the whale shark, now at a conservation status of “vulnerable”. It also will bring to light a recent tagging/monitoring mission made by a handful of SAS students, parents, and teachers to the Seychelles. Martha Began, Jim Diebley, Linda Clarke, Lynn Arnold, and Pele Young spent three days assisting in an ongoing Marine Conservation Society of the Seychelles (MCSS) sponsored whale shark monitoring program.

“We made direct observations while swimming with the whale sharks and then recorded our observations with trained marine biologists,” said Ms. Began.

Look for the finished product, now on display in the high school.

HS Art Club and Grade 8 Technology Education Students

isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdajdlksajdkasjdasjdklsajdjsajjld 2006 – 2007 School Fees for Second Semester The 2006-2007 second semester invoices were sent to all SAS families and employers as of October 16, 2006. If you or your employer have not received the second semester invoice, please contact Debra Chee at 6360-6324 or Bency Chua at 6360-6347 at your earliest convenience to request a copy of the invoice. The due date for payment of the second semester invoices is December 1, 2006, so please ensure that you have arranged for payment before Winter Break. All outstanding school fees must be paid before January 9, 2007 in order for students to attend school for the second semester and in order for high school students to be eligible to participate in Interim Semester.

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Athletic Conference Singapore International Schools - ACSIS

HS Sports

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ACSIS cross country runners from the participating schools at the September 28th meet hosted by SAS at the Turf Club

new athletic conference, Athletic Conference Singapore International Schools (ACSIS), was launched this year offering additional athletic competition for high school athletic teams at international schools in Singapore. Student athletes from Singapore American School (SAS) will join forces with students from United World College (UWC), Tanglin Trust School, the Australian School and Overseas Family School (OFS) to compete in a series of athletic tournaments during the school year. The league kicked things off in September with a soccer tournament hosted by UWC on September 23rd and a cross country meet on September 28th hosted by SAS at Turf City.

SAS Athletic Council members at the ACSIS Cross Country meet on September 28th at the Turf Club

Upcoming ACSIS events include a swim meet hosted at the SAS pool and a rugby tournament hosted by the Australian School at Turf City. Both events will be held on December 2nd. Tennis matches jointly hosted by UWC and SAS will be held on the campuses of both schools on December 9th.

Additional ACSIS events are planned for the future and all participating schools will take turns hosting the various sports competitions.

Participation of SAS Athletic Council members ensures that IASAS, ACSIS and sports exchanges run smoothly.

Council members were out in force for the ACSIS cross country tournament at Turf City in September. High School students interested in joining Athletic Council and working at upcoming SAS athletic competitions should contact High School Athletic/Activities Directors, Mimi Molchan and Brian Combes.

Japanese Sports Day

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By Eric Schreiber, High School Japanese Teacher chreiber-Sensei’s Japanese classes recently had the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Japanese Sports Day. Every October, every Japanese school age child celebrates the anniversary of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics with a full day of sporting events highlighting fitness and team building. SchreiberSensei’s classes practiced their JapaSimu-Sumo Wrestling nese style cheering, showed their human centipede prowess, and strutted their stuff in simu-sumo wrestling. In the spirit of international exchange, Mademoiselle Popowski’s 2nd and 4th period French III classes joined the Japanese III students. In addition to taking the photos pictured here, Mademoiselle Popowski taught us all the art of boules, a French version of lawn bowling.

Playing Boules

Human Centipede Racing SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

HS Sports

25th Annual IASAS First Season Tournaments This article includes excerpts from the October 26, 2006 issue of The Eye High School Students, Michelle Lee, Barbara Lodwick, Sam Lloyd and Megan Anderson and SAS Parent, Noeline Keiser, contributed to this article Girls’ volleyball comes from behind to win gold The boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams were victorious at the 25th annual IASAS volleyball tournament. New formats, new coaches and new players contributed to the success of the SAS girls’ volleyball team, and the boys won their seventh straight gold medal. The new format including round-robin play, a playoff division, semi-finals and championship games, accommodated the teams’ ‘off’ day, and allowed for a range of wins and losses during the three day tournament.

“The format seemed to be implemented to allow a larger range of teams to be able to make it into the finals, and not the same top-dog year after year. Everyone knows that team is SAS, but the format actually worked to their favor,” a JIS athletics council officer said.

The Eagles failed to win any of the morning games on the first day of play, including a 2-1 opening game defeat to a strong TAS team. After that, the Eagles faced the ISKL Panthers, a team that posed no real threat to the Eagles during the pre-IASAS weekend, to lose three sets to zero.

The third game of the day was against the ISM Bearcats, a team with the same win-loss record of 0-2 for the round robin. The Bearcats took the first set, but the Eagles turned it around to win the match two games to one.

Girls JV Volleyball

Girls Varsity Volleyball

The Eagles faired better in the second day of play, playing a well fought match against the host Jakarta Dragons, losing 2-1, but winning a well-deserved three-set match against the Bangkok Panthers.

Despite their win against SAS, the Jakarta Dragons ended up out of the running first and second place and the Eagles were set to play the Taipei Tigers the morning of the last day of the tournament. The Eagles were victorious in a 3-2 upset against a previously first seeded TAS team and moved to the championship round. ISKL, the winners of the second semi-final game that morning against ISB, were the team to beat for the championship. Winning the championship round with a score of 3-0, the Eagles girls’ volleyball team brought home the gold.

Boys JV Volleyball

Boys Varsity Volleyball

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

7th straight gold for the boys’ volleyball team Pride. Pressing. Passing. That was the motto that led the SAS boys’ volleyball team to their seventh straight IASAS championship victory. Led by a team of six seniors, the Eagles were prepared to dominate the court. Two losses to ISKL at the exchange in KL were the only things that worried the boys as they entered the IASAS tournament.

The boys sailed through their round robin games on the first day of the tournament, beating ISB, ISM, TAS, and JIS with ease. The challenge came during their morning game against ISKL on the second day of play. The Eagles lost the game winning one set, but losing two. With the new tournament format, the boys were now seeded second going into the single elimination round. The Eagles

Cross Country – Both teams bring home the gold Girls Cross Country A sound like an angry belch resounded across the JIS track as black smoke began spewing from a chimney right outside the school. Heads turned to see the smog mingling with the haze and pollution already in the air, and expressions of consternation broke out; the IASAS girls’ crosscountry race was to begin in just over 15 minutes.

Yet through haze and heat, both boys’ and girls’ Cross Country teams brought back IASAS gold for SAS this year, the third year in a row for both Boys Cross Country teams. Junior Renuka Agarwal, co-captain and last year’s IASAS champion, came in fourth place this year. While she said that a marshal misdirected her at one point in the race, she did not attribute her placement solely to that incident. Renuka also cited the role of unanticipated competition.

HS Sports

played TAS in the semi-finals, beating them in three sets. With the easy morning game behind them, the Eagles took the afternoon off and relaxed, focusing on their upcoming championship game against ISKL. The Eagles fought hard and with a 3-1 win against ISKL, brought home the gold for the 7th year running.

“I didn’t run as well as I did last year,” she said. “You can’t take back the race so you’ve just got to move on.”

Will Seimer of ISKL and Amelia Clark of JIS placed first in the boys and girls respectively, both exactly 30 seconds ahead of the second place runners. Third through seventh place runners all finished in the following 30 seconds for the boys and 15 seconds for the girls.

Co-captain senior Warren Ho, who placed fifth overall and first for the SAS boys’ IASAS team of seven, said that the Jakarta haze was little, if any, obstacle to the runners. Instead, like Agarwal, he said that stiff competition required more effort to overcome. He attributed SAS’s victory to hard workouts from the coaches and a solid, dependable team.

Girls JV Soccer

Eagle girls’ soccer team successfully defends their number one spot Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams went to the 25th annual IASAS soccer tournament, held on October 4-6 at the International School of Bangkok (ISB), as defending champions and they were both the team to beat. The Eagle girls were victorious for the fourth year in a row without conceding a single goal during the entire tournament.

The boys made it to the championship game but lost by two goals to the host school ISB.

There was no stopping the Eagle girls as they swept through their competition in the qualifying round. They went to championship game with high hopes, not anticipating the tremendous effort the Panther girls would devote to the final game. The girls’ championship game was the epitome of intense competition. Both the Eagles and the Panthers had equal control of the ball and both teams had close attempts at goals. When the final whistle blew, Girls Varsity Soccer the score was 0-0. IASAS rules stipulate that teams play 14 minutes of sudden death overtime when this situation occurs. If the score remains deadlocked, a penalty shootout takes place. Sophomore striker Erin Morris saved the day for SAS and scored in overtime, winning the gold for the SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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HS Sports

Eagles once again. When Morris scored the crucial goal, the SAS girls piled on top of one another with joy and relief.

Eagle boys’ soccer team finishes second The boys’ soccer team had a great season with lots of heart-stopping moments during their games. Despite injuries sustained by some, the boys gave maximum effort in their games and played well as a team.

Boys JV Soccer

Early in the season, the team participated in the inaugural ACSIS (Athletics Conference of Singapore International Schools) Soccer Tournament hosted by United World College. Playing against the Australian School, Tanglin Trust School, United World College and Overseas Family School, the team won every game and, consequently, the tournament.

Boys Varsity Soccer The boys’ IASAS games proved to be tougher competition because the boys’ teams were more evenly matched than the girls’. The Eagle boys won all of their games in the round robin with the exception of a 0-1 loss against Jakarta International School (JIS). Exhausted by the heat and playing 2 games a day, they managed to defeat ISB in the semi-finals and advance to the finals. The Eagle boys had the comfort of knowing that they had already beaten the Panthers the day before, but the Panthers had a significant asset: the home crowd. Despite being the stronger team going into the finals and being the returning IASAS champions, the team lost to the host team, ISB. In the end, the team was happy to celebrate their silver medals and the fact that three of their team-mates were named to the all-tournament team: Kristofer Keiser, Lee Sang Hoon and Marcus Bech.

VOLLEYBALL Boys Girls 1. SAS 1. SAS 2. ISKL 2. ISKL 3. JIS 3. TAS 4. ISB 4. ISB 5. TAS 5. JIS 6. ISM 6. ISM Final SAS 3-1 ISKL

Final SAS 3-0 ISKL

Record 6-1-0

Record 4-4-0

All-Tournament: Adam Schwarz Clay Crawford Ian Gillis

SOCCER

All-Tournament: Alex Boothe Barbara Lodwick Cat Ward

1. ISKL - William Siemer 2. ISKL - Tom Boyd 3. TAS - Joseph Liu 4. ISM - Hisashi Yoshida 5. SAS - Warren Ho 6. SAS - Sam Lloyd 7. SAS - Evan Shawler

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Girls 1. SAS 2. ISB 3. ISM 4. TAS 5. JIS 6. ISKL

Final ISB 2-0 SAS

Final SAS 1-0 ISB

Record 4-1-1

CROSS COUNTRY Boys

Boys 1. ISB 2. SAS 3. JIS 4. ISKL 5. ISM 6. TAS

Girls 1. JIS - Amelia Cark 2. JIS - Brianna Florida 3. ISM - Patricia Limacacco 4. SAS - Renuka Agarwal 5. ISM - Morika Ohmura 6. SAS - Jaime Shah 7. SAS - Devin Hardee

All-Tournament: Kris Kieser Marcus Beck Sang-Hoon Lee

Record 6-0-0 All-Tournament: Alex Shaulis Erin Miller Kacey Whitaker Natalie Favati

The Eagles Revisit the Big Apple

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t 4:00am, CNN’s cheery newscaster updated the weather: drizzle and 11 degrees Celsius. I had been awake for an hour but realized the futility of trying to sleep, so I turned on the TV for an update. Lauren Mehrbach had said that Sunday’s weather would be better than Saturday’s, but she’s a better runner and teacher than a forecaster. So it was that we found ourselves at 7:45am in the lobby of the Barclay Hotel in New York with 6 other SAS teachers, readying ourselves to run on a cold, October morning.

JP Morgan Chase, a leading global financial services firm, has sponsored running races - strangely, always the distance of 5.6km - for 30 years. In the last three years Singapore has been added to the list of international cities holding qualifying races, which list includes Frankfurt, London, Sydney and Johannesburg, among others. Each respective city stages its own corporate race and sends its best three teams (men’s, women’s and mixed) to New York’s top corporate challenge championship race.

SAS Mixed Team: Mark Forgeron, Cary Greegor, Andrew Hallam and Katherine Hallam

SAS Ladies Team: Wendy Liddell, Lauren Mehrbach, Becky Green and Audrey Forgeron

Faculty Sports

By Katherine Hallam, Middle School Teacher

Last April, Singapore American School’s talent was deep, due largely to the school’s efforts to make the run open to all, irrespective of ability. Ninety-nine SAS faculty and staff walked, jogged, ran and sprinted their way to the finish line amidst ten thousand registered runners at Singapore’s qualifying race. Times were then compared with those of other competing corporations, and two SAS teams made the cut: a mixed team (Andrew Hallam, Mark Forgeron, Cary Greegor and Katherine Hallam), and a women’s team (Becky Green, Lauren Mehrbach, Wendy Liddell and Audrey Forgeron). Together with the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force (men’s champions), we represented Singapore in New York City.

In an effort to promote and support health and wellness, the Booster Club, spearheaded by Marie Small and Michelle Brunoehler, generously donated snazzy red, white and blue uniforms to the team.

The road to NYC wasn’t easy. Conflicting personal and professional obligations meant that a couple of our original, qualifying team members, Ian Coppell and Annika Ferrell, couldn’t compete, but there was plenty of depth with the runners who replaced them.

Starting amidst some of the world’s fastest runners, we raced down Park Avenue. The highest point in this race’s elevation came at the one mile mark of this metropolitan blitz. The South Africans proved their mettle, eclipsing 4:19 for the first mile. A world class pack soon followed, trailed by Singapore’s top four Gurkhas, running beneath the checkpoint in 4:55. Andrew Hallam crested the small, steep incline in 5:11 and in the next 2.4 miles, set a milestone of his own - catching and passing all but one of Singapore’s flying Gurkhas, to finish 29th overall.

Mark Forgeron, Cary Greegor and Katherine Hallam each bettered their timed performances from April, allowing Singapore American School’s team to place 9th in the mixed division. Becky Green, Lauren Mehrbach, Audrey Forgeron and Wendy Liddell pushed their team to an impressive 19th place in the highly competitive women’s division.

Sadly, SAS may have a reduced number of entries in 2007 as the race may be moved from April to July, when the majority of faculty members are on vacation. But we hope to see more than 100 SAS participants when the race resumes its regular schedule in April 2008.

Once again, we’d like to thank the Booster Club for the uniforms, Ian Coppell for his organizational efforts and the administrative team at SAS for supporting our efforts.

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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MS Sports Boys 14 & Under Select Soccer

Grade 6 Girls Select Soccer

Middle School Intramurals

By Chip Miller, Middle School Teacher

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his year’s middle school intramural season has once again seen an increase in participation as the first quarter activities: select and intramural volleyball, select soccer, swim and the Climbing Club had over 300 students take part!

The volleyball program, under the guidance of Mark and Audrey Forgeron, grew once again as the intramural volleyball days saw both gyms filled with players of every skill level. Because of the large turnout, an extra session was added for Bonnie Book and her thirty sixthgrade girls! The boys’ and girls’ select teams also continued to develop their skills and team play, with this year’s teams winning more matches against the local schools than ever before.

The select soccer season was held this quarter as well.

The Boys’ 12 & Under and 14 & Under teams played well in the International Schools League, and they are currently preparing for the season ending Seven-ASide tournaments in November. The girls’ select soccer season saw the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade teams combine for fifteen wins and only two losses against a number of Singapore’s international schools.

Boys 12 & Under Select Soccer

Girls 14 & Under Select Soccer

The Climbing Club continues to be a popular activity, and the swimmers’ fun swim days drew a small but enthusiastic group!

The second quarter has begun, offering new activities including intramural basketball, table tennis, floor hockey (7th/8th grade), and ultimate Frisbee, while the rock climbers and select volleyballers continue to meet once a week.

The second semester will offer badminton, girls’ touch rugby, boys’ tackle rugby, cross country, select basketball, dodgeball, intramural boys’ and girls’ soccer, track and field, intramural volleyball, swim and the Climbing Club.

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Grade 7 Girls Select Soccer

By Diane Laurent, SAS Parent

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n October 7th and 8th, 26 boys from SAS participated in the third South Asia Boys Nankyu (Japanese Baseball League) Baseball Championship at Turf City. This regional event is an exciting opportunity for boys from eight countries to foster international friendships through high-level competitive baseball. The tournament comprises 20 teams in two age groups (under -12 and under-10) and is co-organized by Mr. Sunny Sultan, President of the Baseball Club of Singapore (BCS) and MacPherson Primary School. This year Mr. Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Sports Council, as well as Mr. Jim Small, Vice President of Major League Baseball Asia, attended the two-day event.

The tournament began with the pageantry of an opening ceremony that included the customary parade of athletes by nation.

Then it was time to “Play Ball!’

Running home from 3rd base

Community Sports

South Asia Boys Nankyu Baseball Championship 2006

SAS Boys on MacPhearson Under 12 team: Jared Broadman, Kyushik Nam, and Matt Thomas

SAS boys participated in the tournament in three ways. First, a team comprised of SAS’ers called the Singapore Stars, managed by its coaches Steve Blume and Tom McCabe participated in the under-12 division. A tough division with twelve teams participating, the boys did very well, finishing two and two.

Pin exchange between Singapore Sluggers (under 10’s) and Garuda, Indonesia

Two Under 10 teams together: Alabang, Philippines and Singapore Sluggers

Second, SAS fielded an under-10 team named the Singapore Sluggers under the tutelage of Bart Broadman and Dave Thomas. The Sluggers put their best “arms” forward and finished third in their division, just behind the Baseball Club of Singapore and Alabang, Philippines. This is the highest-ever finish for the teams comprised of boys from SAS. Well done!

Finally, and in some ways most interesting, were two mixed teams.

MacPhearson Primary School in Singapore fielded two partial teams of Nepalese boys. In order to round out the team with enough players, five boys from SAS (Under 12 - Matthew Thomas, Kyushik Nam, and Jared Broadman; Under 10 – Logan Chaudhry, Michael Blume) agreed to join the teams for the weekend. While the mixed teams had limited success on the field, it was a great opportunity for boys from different cultures to play together as a team.

Off the field, the weekend included a cultural exchange and dinner at MacPhearson Primary School. Each team entertained the audience with performances of national dances, the playing of local instruments, and singing. The SAS players treated the group to a fun rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Singapore Sluggers Under 10’s: Left to right: Sean Barnes, Connor Barnes, Bart West, Matt Heiken, Grant Thomas, Jack Laurent, Connor Clark, Zack Chaudhry, Austin Edwards, and Nathaniel Edds

Baseball was born in America, but now it belongs to the world.

Events like the South Asia Boys Nankyu Championship are important steps in the game’s global growth. The SAS players walked away from the tournament with very fond memories, new friendships, and a renewed passion for the game of baseball.

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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HS Art

AP Art Retreat: Telunas Beach

By Kat Patterson, High School Student

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right sunny skies, a beautiful beach, the ocean lapping up against the sand. Sitting in a hammock rocking back and forth with the breeze blowing gently, making the hot weather pleasant. The palm trees in the distance swaying and little crabs scuttle across the sand.

Sounds like a postcard from paradise, right? Just a few weekends ago, Ms. Harvey’s AP Art students were on a small motor boat slowly making their way through the haze to the secluded Telunas Beach in Indonesia. After multiple boat rides, the students ate dinner and went skipping along to the pier to find their bunks. Before long, they gathered again on the main dock for a moonlight drawing session.

One of the chaperones held perfectly still for almost an hour while the students discovered how hard it is to draw in the dark, focusing on where the light hit rather than relying on shadow. After the session, the group made their way to the beach for cartwheels and tag and to play with the scampering little crabs.

The next morning everyone awoke to a breezy, hazy, but still beautiful day. After a fabulous breakfast, the students took a boat into the mangroves for a jungle hike. Many students oooohhhed and ahhed as they passed one of many snakes hanging in a tree on the journey that day. Equipped with water bottles, sketchbooks and gummy worms, the students began the six mile hike while getting survival tips along the way. Termites, a good source of protein, were tasted by many in the group. Tastes like chicken? Nope, miraculously like… wood. Luckily the hike brought the students to a beautiful waterfall where they were given the opportunity to swim in the tea colored, vegetation tinted waters. It was a great opportunity to sit back and draw or shoot photos for future artistic works.

The afternoon was occupied by figure and individual drawing sessions back at Telunas. Students scattered about the beach, the docks and porches with sketchbooks, sheets of colored paper, pastels, charcoal and paint among other materials, eagerly fixing their memories to paper. That evening, an enormous bonfire on the beach lined with torches was lit and the day was made complete with s’mores. It’s not a retreat without s’mores! A very serious Pictionary tournament followed. Do not ask Ms. Harvey which team won. Even though it was a full day, the students asked for another moonlight draw.

The last morning was shocking to everyone. The haze had completely cleared leaving a clear view of Telunas at daybreak. The last session of the retreat was a long and complicated one. Students were required to create a drawing that encapsulated the experience for them. The popular hammocks, fellow students, the over-the-water building structure, the hotplate that made the delicious morning omelets, the junk food pile and the muddy shoe from the hike were among the subjects. One student found a quiet spot on the beach to work and was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t notice the tide had come in until her bag floated past.

After last minute photo opportunities and chasing hordes of crabs on the beach one more time, students sadly packed up their bags and art supplies and headed back to Singapore. Telunas, while a short weekend, was a fabulous trip. Many students not only had a chance to create some great pieces for their AP portfolios and take great photos for future works, but also obtained much needed rest and relaxation. All of the participants came back to SAS eager to continue their work.

Telunas was a great success this year and I know all students including me can’t wait to do it again.

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

SAS PTA

Pumpkin Patch

By Stephanie Guilfoyle, SAS Parent

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ontinuing a tradition that began many years ago, SAS students of all ages excitedly awaited the “Great Pumpkin Shipment” signaling the arrival of the fall season in tropical Singapore. Again this year APL, a generous supporter of SAS PTA for many years, purchased and shipped a 40 foot container of American pumpkins, gourds and decorative corn to SAS. With the help of APL employees, high school students and other SAS volunteers, the entire container of pumpkins was unloaded, cleaned and placed in the PTA Office in anticipation of a week of activities centered on the Pumpkin Patch!

Mr. Matthew Steuer’s Pre-school class at Pumpkin Patch

High School students representing HS social service clubs worked unloading and cleaning pumpkins

The Kindergarten group room was transformed into the Pumpkin Patch by a dedicated group of talented SAS parents.

For several days, Primary School classes (Preschool – 2nd Grade) arrived at the Primary School students at the Pumpkin Patch with Bob Pumpkin Patch where Gross, SAS Superintendent and APL sponsors Ted Fordney, they were treated to a Mrs. Chonticha Lutt, Waldo Basilla, Victor Cheah and Mrs. delightful interactive Laddawan Widdows story-telling session led by volunteers from Centre Stage. After these sessions, each child picked mini-pumpkins, gourds, and decorative corn to take home. In addition, teachers selected a larger class pumpkin. To complete the event, students enjoyed a pumpkin sugar cookie courtesy of the PTA. The week culminated with the Pumpkin Sale at the Middle School fountain area. Saturday morning saw another group of high school students and volunteers arrive at 7 a.m. to carry all of the pumpkins for sale from the PTA Office to the sales area.

The Pumpkin Sale proceeds are donated to the SAS High School Community Service Clubs, which work with a number of Singapore charities.

Representing sponsor APL, Mr. Brian Lutt watches as his wife Conticha cuts the ribbon to open the PTA Pumpkin Sale. They are joined by their children Derek and Nanticha.

Many thanks go to the PTA parent volunteers, Centre Stage, high school student volunteers and especially to APL, who helped make this year’s Pumpkin Patch a huge success.

isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdajdlksajdkasjdasjdklsajdjsald PTA Directory The PTA Directories have been mailed to all SAS families. If you have not received your directory please stop by to see Jennifer Chia in the Central Administration office, and she will hand you a complimentary copy. Additional copies may be purchased at the PTA Sales Office and Booster Booth for $12.00. Having a 2nd PTA Directory in your car really comes in handy! A note of thanks to Amy Chou for designing the cover of the directory, Ron Ng from the IT Office for gathering all the information and reformatting the directory and Jacki Dixon for soliciting our advertisers and pulling it all together.

isoaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkdsdsdsoaidoiodsjdsajdsajdajdlksajdkasjdasjdklsajdjsald SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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SAS PTA

PTA President Letter “Ride the Adventure - Read”

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he PTA Annual Book Fair will be held on November 20th to 22nd, from 9:00 a.m.

– 4:00 p.m. daily in the Elementary Gym. Over 10,000 books will be available for purchase with titles ranging from picture books for the littlest ones to adult self-help books. There will be something for everyone and parents are welcome to come by any time. Children in the Primary and Intermediate School will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair with their class, and schedules will be coming home soon. You are welcome to join your child during their visit or volunteer to work at that time. Middle and High School students are encouraged to visit the Fair during their breaks.

One of PTA’s ongoing activities in support of the availability of books is our “Celebration Books” program. The PTA Celebration Books program provides an opportunity to recognize a special person, occasion or achievement by making a book donation to a school library. Each book donated will have a nameplate inside the book to identify the person or event being honored and the name of the donor. The person honored will receive a certificate indicating the donation made in their name. This is a wonderful way to help grow the resources for our students in our libraries and to create an everlasting memory here at SAS. For information on how to donate a book please contact one of our Celebration Book chairs, Val Broadman at valvwb@ singnet.com.sg or Jay Vasudevan at books@jacaranda-press.com.

Additionally, when the PTA learns of an adoption, birth or death within our SAS community, the PTA makes a book donation to one of the school libraries. These books will also have a nameplate inside the book to honor the person or event. As the success of this program depends on word of mouth, please contact us if you know of someone for whom a donation can be made.

If you have a child in the Primary, Intermediate, or Middle School you recently received an order form for Scholastic Books. A very dedicated group of volunteers spent hours placing orders, and upon arrival of the books from the States will be sorting them, and delivering them to your child. This program brings back childhood memories of the excitement I felt on the day my own Scholastic Books arrived and how excited I was to take them home to show my mom and then run up to my room to start reading. It is a wonderful program that offers the PTA the opportunity to build classroom libraries through teacher points which are accumulated and then returned to the teachers in the form of classroom books. Thanks to everyone who supported this program.

I also want to remind everyone of the Community Library which opened its doors to the SAS community on April 1, 2005. The library is not run by the PTA, but deserves mentioning because it is a resource for all of us on issues we face with growing families. The library’s collection of books is ready for lending, and anyone from the SAS community, including parents and faculty, is welcome to visit and spend some time in the library. Once you find books you would like to borrow, kindly check them out at the Middle School Library circulation desk. Your feedback is welcomed as the book collection will expand in response to suggestions from the community. The library exists to support the efforts of our whole community as we raise our children. The collection includes titles related to family values, physical fitness, special needs, grief, alcoholism, addictions as well as many other topics. The Community Library can be found to your immediate right as you enter the MS library.

Happy reading!

Susan Fay PTA President 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, 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.

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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he PTA office was awash in giant baskets overflowing with all manner of treats and temptations during the lead up to Food Fest. Many classes outdid themselves in their efforts to collect items for their theme baskets. The basket themes ran the gamut from BBQ, Crayola, Movies, Music, Lego, Magic, Travel, and more. There was definitely something for everyone. Kudos to the team of moms who spent two days sorting through the piles of donated items, arranging them into beautifully wrapped baskets. Thanks also to all who have generously contributed to the theme baskets, an annual tradition that many in the SAS community look forward to.

SAS PTA

A Bounty of Baskets for the PTA Food Fest Theme Basket Raffle

Interim Semester – PTA Scholarships

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he PTA funded scholarships again this year to help high school students take full advantage of the educational opportunities available at SAS through the Interim Semester program. Two full course scholarships were sponsored by the PTA for the February 2007 Interim Semester. This year’s PTA scholarship recipients were Tiffany Cheng and Jong Eun (Ellen) Lee. Both students will travel to New Zealand during Interim Semester. Tiffany Cheng will participate in the Rocks and Rivers course and Ellen Lee will be going on the Milford Trek.

PTA Vice President, Lindsey Iacavino and PTA Interim Semester Scholarship recipients, Jong Eun (Ellen) Lee and Tiffany Cheng

The Booster Club also sponsored Interim Semester scholarships this year. The recipients were highlighted in the October issue of Newsflash. The PTA and the Booster Club congratulate all the scholarship recipients on a job well done and wish them an exciting and educational experience!

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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Booster Booster Bake Sale December 1, 9:30am in the high school cafe (both levels) Japanese foods and sweet goodies 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 9:00am.

Questions on bake sale donations: Anne Stocking 9062-4788 or carlanne@pacific.net.sg

Booster Calendar of Events TBooster Meeting November 20 at 9:30am in H301 TBooster will have a table of merchandise available at the Santa Claus Swim Meet November 25 (9:00am to 5:00pm) and November 26 (9:00am to Noon), behind HS pool under the white tent TBooster Bake Sale on December 1 TBooster Popcorn Day on December 8 TBooster Gift Wrapping December 4-8 & December 11-14 TBooster Home Tour on December 7 TBooster Honor Roll Lunch on January 29

Questions on Japanese food: Atsuko Kikui kikuisg@singnet.com.sg Student Designed Gift Wrap Get your Christmas presents wrapped at the Booster Booth for $3 a package(oversized extra cost). Expert wrappers will be available at the Booster Booth from December 4-8 from 7:45am to 3:15pm and December 11-14 from 7:45am to 12:30pm.

Booster donates IASAS Bags for First Season Sports participants representing SAS in soccer, volleyball and crosscountry.

A Big Thank you was made by the athletes to the Booster Club for these great bags.

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Happenings

In addition to all the special gifts that have been designed with you in mind, the Booster Booth sells books written by our esteemed faculty encompassing a wide variety of subjects.

We have books that are great gifts for our young SAS students, including Gecko Song by former teachers Sandra Clay and Sunanda Widel, and the set of books Let’s Sing Mandarin by Mandarin teacher Huali Xiong. New on our shelves is Kooroo Boy, a novel about a young man growing up in South Africa, written by one of our newest staff members, Troy Blacklaws. Eagle in the Lion City, written by longtime teacher and SAS alumnus Jim Baker about the influence of Americans in Singapore, is a must read for everyone in our community.

Singapore’s Eagles, another book by Baker, commissioned by SAS to commemorate our school’s 50th Anniversary, is a wonderful look at our school’s past, and is a book every SAS family should own.

Finally, the recently released book The Strategist by retired teacher Bob Dodge about the life and times of Thomas Schelling, winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics, is also now available.

There is a book for everyone – stop by and pick up a few!

Jewelry and Candle items for Sale at Home Tour

SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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Mrs. Hess’s singing carol - 4th grade class

Mrs. Huisman’s singing carol - 1st grade class

Boosters Home Tour

By Michelle Brunoehler, Many student groups have volunteered to help with this year’s Booster Club Home Tour. The elementary music classes will perform at the homes and the high school students involved in studio art, ceramics and woodshop have offered contributions as well.

The Home Tour is in the Woodlands this year, so various SAS choirs have been invited to perform. Mrs. Hess’s 3rd and 4th grade classes, Ms. Pepple’s and Mrs. Huisman’s Treble Makers, Mrs. Huisman’s 1st grade class, Miss. Solverson’s 2nd grade class and Ms. Pepple’s 3rd grade class will sing carols and Mrs. Cain’s recorder class will also perform.

Ms. Harvey’s high school art students have once again provided the artwork for the Home Tour Poster and Home Tour Program cover.

This year’s winning sketch was done in colored pencil by Carissa Teng. Additionally, four other students’ sketches were selected to be displayed inside the Home Tour Program: GT Moon, Kathryn Tinker, Calin Brown and Winnie Tan. The Home Tour committee was so impressed by the students’ art work that two designs have been incorporated into wrapping paper and three designs into Christmas computer paper. Ashley Lau and Calli Scheidt created the wrapping paper designs and Andres Pazos, Jennifer Ho and Brit Hvide created the Christmas computer paper designs. Both the wrapping paper and computer paper will be offered for sale at the Home Tour and in the Booster Booth.

Mrs. Hess’s singing carol - 3rd grade class

Mrs. Cain’s recorder class

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SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

Miss. Solverson’s singing carol - 2nd grade class

Student Helpers Booster Club President Ceramic students Aubrey Doyle, Gabby Loscalzo, Kacey Whitaker, Aditi Basu and Anna Downs donated their time after school to make ceramic candy canes and dog bone ornaments which will be sold at the Home Tour.

In addition to ceramics, Mr. Devine’s woodshop students’ first group project this school year involved cutting out wooden snowmen forms which were then painted by the Booster design committee. The snowmen will also be sold at the Home Tour.

Mr. Devine’s woodshop students

The format of the Home Tour Program has been created with assistance from yearbook student Caitlin Hale. The Booster Club is grateful to all the students lending their talents to the Home Tour.

Ms. Pepple’s singing carol - 3rd grade class

Ms. Pepple’s and Mrs. Huisman’s Treble Makers SAS NewsFlash – November 2006

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