Volume 10, Issue 1-07/08 - August 2007
MICA (P) 195/08/2006
A Singapore American School community service publication
NewsFlash SAS Open House Saturday August 11th 10am to 2pm
Singapore American School families are invited to attend Open House on Saturday, August 11th. Students and parents will find class lists posted and be able to visit classrooms, meet teachers and pick up schedules. School uniforms will be available for purchase from the Booster Booth (on the second floor of the high school) and from the PTA in the Elementary Gymnasium. Vehicle Permits will be available in all school offices. Busing information will be available in the Elementary Theater. Community organizations such as SACAC, Scouts and EASA will be at SAS for Open House. Cafeterias will be open as well as Subway and Juice Zone in the high school. Before you head home, don’t forget to visit the IS/MS Cafeteria where the PTA will be hosting an Ice Cream Social. Stop by to meet other families and enjoy ice cream compliments of the PTA.
Meet the Board of Governors Pg. 8
Booster Race Night Pg. 14
2007-2008 SAS Uniform Sales
Pg. 6
Content Page
Regulars 3 - Superintendent’s Message Brent Mutsch Superintendent of Schools
4 - Calendar Highlights 6 - Development & Alumni Relations’ Message 11 - SAS PTA President’s Letter 15 - Booster Club News
SAS Highlights 8 - SAS Board of Governors Mark Boyer Asst. Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction
Rhonda Norris Asst. Superintendent Business
16 - About SACAC 17 - About EASA 18 - SAS Music Faculty involved in 2008 AMIS
David Hoss Principal Primary School
Marian DeGroot Principal Intermediate School
Franke Thomas 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 parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg Editor: Beth Gribbon Staff Editor: Junia Baker Layout Design: Joey Lew
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Festivals
Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS? We send all parents and guardians a 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 September NewsFlash Deadline: August 29, 2007 Publication Date: September 17, 2007 October NewsFlash Deadline: September 26, 2007 Publication Date: October 17, 2007 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
Message from the Superintendent of Singapore American School
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. - John Dewey
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elcome to the Singapore American School and the start of what we anticipate to be an excellent 2007-2008 school year. The week of August 6 will mark the return of all staff to the campus for further preparation for a smooth and successful start to the new school year. The first student-parentteacher event of the year is the annual SAS Open House scheduled for Saturday, August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This day is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to meet the teachers for the upcoming school year, for families to become more familiar with the campus, for the broader SAS community to reconnect following the summer holiday, for new families to be welcomed into the SAS community and begin to build the network of relationships that contribute to a positive school and community experience, and for parents to learn more about the wide range of services and community groups that represent opportunities for support and engagement in the life of SAS. In preparation for the beginning of the new school year, SAS will welcome 42 new faculty to the SAS community of learners. Our total professional staff of 346 is 67% American, 12% Canadian, 6% New Zealanders, 5% Australian, 3% Singaporean, 1% from the United Kingdom and the balance from 11 other countries. The diversity of the SAS staff serves to further enrich the quality of learning experience made available to students enrolled at SAS. We will begin the school year with approximately 3,800 students. This represents the largest beginning-ofthe-year enrollment in the 52-year history of SAS and has necessitated the establishment of waiting lists at a number of grade levels. Although the creation of waiting lists represents a development that was determined only after considerable thought and discussion, the Board of Governors and administration believe that waiting lists are the only logical approach to the current enrollment pressures, given the commitment to not increasing the capacity on the existing Woodlands campus and not compromising the SAS commitment to the “Vital Few� (academic rigor, extraordinary care for the welfare of each child and professional excellence). The board and administration are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the options for addressing enrollment related issues and will keep you informed on developments in this area in the months ahead. Beyond the day to day emphasis on promoting student learning across all curricula areas, the major initiatives for the 2007-2008 school year will not be limited to but will include: 1) Implementation of the revised K-12 mathematics curriculum. 2) Completion of the self-study, reflection and planning phases of the current accreditation process in preparation for hosting a visit of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team in April, 2008. 3) Further development and promotion of the Singapore American School Education Foundation, designed to provide financial support for the enhancement of school programs and to ensure the financial future of SAS. 4) Concluding the current analysis of potential expansion options and determining the course of action that is most appropriate for SAS. 5) Review of the current SAS mission statement and articulating an organizational vision statement, both of which will serve as lenses through which all decision making will be aligned in the future. The commitment to educational excellence that has long been a trademark of SAS is only accomplished through a strong partnership between the home and school. We look forward to the countless opportunities that will occur throughout the upcoming school year to collaborate with students and parents in promoting the learning, growth and development that will enable each of our students to achieve his or her full potential. Brent Mutsch, Ed.D.
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Calendar Highlights
August 2007 6-7 6-10 8 8-11 9 11 13 13-14 13-17 14 15 15-16 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29
PTA Uniform Sales Pre-Sch – Grade 8 10:00am - 2:00pm (PTA Office) New Student Orientation Faculty In-Service Day Modern Language Assessment for New Students PTA Uniform Sales Pre-Sch – Grade 8 10:00am - 2:00pm (Elementary Gym) NATIONAL DAY (NO SCHOOL) Open House 10:00am – 2:00pm HS Orientation for Parents/Students New to SAS 9:00am – 12:00pm (Drama Theater/ Theater Studio/HS & MS Gymnasiums) PTA Ice-cream Social 10:00am – 2:00pm (IS/MS Cafeteria) New Family Welcome Pack Pick Up 10:00am – 2:00pm (PTA Office) 1st Day of School for Grade 3 - 12 HS Opening Assembly 8:00am (HS Gymnasium) Cross-Country/Soccer/Volleyball Seasons Begin Parent Conference for Pre-Sch – Grade 2 Pre-Sch Small Group Orientation 8:00am, 10:00am & 1:00pm SACAC Registration 8:00am – 4:00pm (SACAC Office) PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office) 1st Day of School for Pre-K – Grade 2 HS/MS PTA New Parent Coffee 8:30am – 10:00am (PTA Office) MS Welcome Back Assembly (Auditorium) 1st Day of School for Pre-Sch ECC/PS/IS PTA New Parent Coffee 8:30am – 10:00am (PTA Office) HS Welcome Back Dance 7:00pm – 10:00pm MS Gamma Pool Party 2:00pm – 3:00pm SACAC Registration 9:00am – 12:00pm (HS Cafe) Fighting Fish Open Swim Try-outs 9:30am – 12:00pm (ES Pool) Booster Welcome Coffee 9:30am – 11:30am (H301) MS Classroom Without Walls Parent Night 6:00pm MS Back to School Night 7:00pm Boys Scout Registration/Parent BBQ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (H301) Alternate Dress Day IS Back to School Night 6:15pm – 8:30pm PTA Welcome Back Coffee/General Meeting 8:30am – 11:00am (Drama Theater) 9:00am – 1:00pm Girl Scout Registration (OFS) HS Back to School Night 7:00pm (H301) Students Late Start 10:00am No AM Pre-School due to late start PM Pre-Sch is in session
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
1 3 3-7 4 5 6 7 8 10 10-11 10-12 11 12 12-13 13 14
HS Choir Exchange in Singapore IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Grouproom, I311) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (Drama Theater) Pre-Sch/Pre-K Parent Night Open House 6:30pm – 8:30pm EASA Registration for Session 1 K-Grade 2 Parent Night Open House 6:00pm – 8:30pm HS Freshmen Parenting Class 7:00pm – 9:00pm (H301) Grade 3 Photo Day Grade 4 Photo Day Grade 5 Photo Day Girl Scout Song Festival Opening Ceremony 4:00pm – 6:00pm Jazz Band Exchange in Kuala Lumpur Peer Support/Soccer Exchanges in Singapore Volleyball Exchange in Jakarta ECC (Pre-Sch/Pre-K) Photo Day HS PTA Coffee 10:00am (H301) HS Alternate Dress Day Grade 9-11 Individual Yearbook Portraits 8:00am – 3:00pm PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office) Kindergarten Photo Day Alternate Dress Day Grade 1 Photo Day Grade 6A Classroom Without Walls Grade 2 Photo Day SCHOOL HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)
14-16 15 17 17-18 18 18-19 20-21 21 22 24 26 27-28 28 29
September 2007
AP Art Retreat Cross Country Exchange in Manila Dance Exchange in Taipei International Coastal Clean-up 7:30am – 1:00pm Booster Club Meeting 9:30am (H301) ECC/PS/IS Photo Make-up Day MS Photo Day HS Freshmen Parenting Class 7:00pm – 9:00pm (H301) Grade 6B Classroom Without Walls Grade 6C Classroom Without Walls HS College & Career Day 8:00am (H301) HS College Fair 10:00am – 11:00am ACSIS Soccer Tournament 8:00am – 1:00pm (UWC) ECC Parent Coffee 8:30am – 9:45am (ECC Grouproom) Alternate Dress Day Students Late Start 10:00am No AM Pre-School due to late start PM Pre-Sch is in session Classroom Without Walls Grade 7/8 (Evening Departure) Interim Semester Parents Information Evening 7:00pm (Drama Theater) Grade 7/8 Classroom Without Walls Booster Club Race Night 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Turf Club) HS Sadie Hawkins Dance 7:00pm – 10:00pm Cross-Country Exchange in Bangkok
Calendar Highlights
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm
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2007-2008 Vehicle Permits You must have a current 2007-2008 Vehicle Permit to drive your car onto the SAS campus. Permits are available at all division offices and Central Administration and must be collected in person. Plan to get your permit the next time you are at SAS. Permits may be picked up during Open House on August 11. 2006-2007 permits will no longer be valid after September 15th and should be returned to SAS.
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SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Development and Alumni Relations
SAS Education Foundation
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he SAS Education Foundation, launched two years ago to expand and enhance the educational and enrichment opportunities available for students and to secure the financial future of SAS, is now on a steady course of development. Last year’s annual fund campaign raised over S$500,000 for the foundation, S$400,000 of which was raised at the annual Star Appeal Dinner held in March. For the second consecutive year, the Khoo family and the Khoo Foundation underwrote the entire cost of the dinner, ensuring that all the funds donated would go directly to the SAS Education Foundation. Riady Performing Arts Center The Memory Garden project received additional support with the recent donation of S$4 million by the Stephen Riady family. The donation will be used to enhance the area between the theaters, creating the Riady Performing Arts Center, and will include the Memory Garden which is adjacent to this area. This very generous donation is the largest single donation ever received by SAS and we are so truly appreciative of the generosity of the Raidy family. Design plans will be shared with the community when they are finalized later this year Best Foot Forward One of the stated goals of the SAS Education Foundation is financial assistance for students who have been selected for traveling teams, competitions or honors programs outside of Singapore, but who are unable to participate due to financial hardship. To advance this initiative, in May 2007 the PTA launched the Best Foot Forward Travel Fund, a part of the foundation restricted to providing financial assistance for students to participate in traveling competitions or honors programs. In honor of Bob Gross’s contribution to SAS during his eight years as superintendent, the PTA’s founding donation of $50,000 will ensure that the Best Foot Forward Travel Fund has a solid start. Alumni Relations SAS alumni relations will gain additional focus and support this school year with the appointment of Lauren Thomas as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations. Joining the office of Communications and Development after several years in the SAS Admissions office, she is looking forward to supporting SAS alumni and welcomes your feedback and suggestions. Write to Lauren at alumni@sas.edu.sg. As a part of the expanded alumni relations support, the alumni magazine, SAS Journeys, will be published twice a year (in June and December) and alumni email newsletters will be sent on a regular basis. SAS Journeys editor, Junia Baker, will be seeking input for feature articles and alumni news for future issues of the magazine. Write to Junia at journeys@sas.edu.sg. Making a donation For more information about the SAS Education Foundation or to make a donation, please go to the SAS website www.sas.edu.sg and click on “Giving to SAS” on the main menu. Beth Gribbon Director of Communications and Development
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Board of Governors About the Board
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he Singapore American School Board of Governors is made up of twelve elected volunteers who serve threeyear terms and sit on a minimum of two board committees. All board members are parents of current students and members of the trust. The board operates through its working committees: Facilities, Finance, Curriculum, Trust and Executive Compensation.
Are you a member of the American School Trust?
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he American School Trust Limited is the legal entity under which the Singapore American School operates. Members of the trust participate in the governance of the school by electing twelve fellow trust members to the Board of Governors, who oversee the operation of the school.
In order to vote at the Annual General Meeting, to be held this year on October 30, and to vote for the candidates standing for election to the Board of Governors, you must be a member of the trust. To become a member of the trust, you must apply directly; membership is not automatic. However, families new to SAS are members of the trust because the Student Admissions Form now includes a section for trust application. Any parent or legal guardian of an SAS student and any employee is eligible and is encouraged to join the trust. There is no fee to join the trust. If you have not previously joined the American School Trust, or are unsure of whether our not you are a member, please call SAS Board Secretary, Margaret Yeo, at 6360-6314 for assistance.
Board of Governors elections to be held on October 30, 2007
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s a part of the American School Trust’s Annual General Meeting, to be held this year at 7:00 p.m., October 30, trust members will elect four governors to the school’s twelve-member Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of the school and providing guidance to the school’s administration. Each governor is elected to a three-year term, and while obligated to retire after completing his or her term, a retiring governor may choose to stand for re-election. Four governors will be retiring at this year’s AGM. Trust members who wish to serve on the board and stand for election will do so in the following manner: Each candidate must file a written statement of his or her intention to stand for election, supported by the signatures of 30 members in good standing of the trust by October 9, 2007. Filings should be made with the Board Secretary, Margaret Yeo. Forms for this purpose are available from Margaret, who is located in the Central Administration office and can be reached at 6360-6314. Margaret will be pleased to answer any questions on the electoral process. Candidates who would like to have biographical data and a photograph included in the school’s October monthly newsletter will also need to submit this material to Margaret by Tuesday, October 9.
More information about the SAS Board of Governors is available on the SAS website at http://www.sas.edu.sg/board/index.html
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Meet the Board
Garth Sheldon Chairman of the Board
William Ball Vice Chairman of the Board
Bob Comstock Chairman Facilities
Board Member since 1999 Board Member since 2006 Board Member since 2002 Term ending 2008 Term ending 2007 Term ending 2008 Board Chairman Vice Chairman, 2007/08 Chairman, Facilities Member, Executive Compensation Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Curriculum Committee Committee Member, Facilities Committee Committee Member, Facilities Committee Member, Trust Committee Member, Executive Compensation Committee
Sheila Wang Chairman Curriculum
Carl Stocking Chairman Finance
Bart Broadman Chairman Trust
Board Member since 2003 Term ending 2009 Chairman, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee Member, Executive Committee Member, Executive Compensation Committee
Board Member since 2005 Term ending 2009 Chairman, Trust Committee Member, Finance Committee
Board Member since 2004 Term ending 2007 Chairman, Curriculum Committee Member, Finance Committee
Joseph Anderson Board Member
Kirk Hulse Board Member
Devin Kimble Board Member
Board Member since 2007 Term ending 2008 Member, Facilities Committee Member, Trust Committee
Board Member since 2006 Term ending 2007 Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Finance Committee
Board Member since 2007 Term ending 2007 Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Facilities Committee
Bon Soon Koo Board Member
Tom Linton Board Member
Board Member since 2007 Term ending 2009 Member, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee
Board Member since 2005 Term ending 2009 Member, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee
Maya Roll Board Member
Board Member since 2003 Term ending 2008 Member, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
PTA Directory Update family information in August Each year the PTA publishes a directory of SAS families for the convenience of our school community. Using address, telephone and email information from the admissions student records, the directory is published and distributed to all SAS families during the first quarter. At the beginning of the school year, SAS will be asking for updated information for all SAS families (address, e-mail, and phone number). Kindly revise and return the Family Information Form, distributed at Open House and the first week of school, as soon as possible. The updated information will be provided to the PTA at the end of August for the directory. Changes made after the end of August will not be reflected in the directory. If you do not want your family’s contact information included in the PTA directory, please notify the PTA directly by email at pta@sas.edu.sg or by fax at 6363-6452. The request to exclude information from the directory must be made annually. Because of the volunteer nature of the PTA requests to exclude family information from the PTA Directory can not be tracked from year to year. A SAS family directory is also available on the SAS website. A user ID and password, required to access the directory, will be emailed to your family early in the school year. The online directory is updated regularly, based on the most current contact information in our student records database.
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SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
SAS PTA
PtA President’s letter Welcome from PTA
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y name is Susan Fay, and as the President of the Singapore American School PTA, I would like to welcome you to this new school year. This is my third year as president of the PTA, and I am looking forward to another exciting year at
To those of you returning to SAS, I would like to welcome you back after your summer vacation. We all look forward to catching up with friends and meeting our new members of the SAS community. For those who have just joined us at SAS, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our community. By having your child or children enrolled at SAS, you are automatically a member of PTA. During my time here in Singapore, I have participated on a number of committees and attended many of the functions held at SAS and strongly encourage you to become involved with organizations supporting the Singapore American School, such as the PTA, Boosters and Arts Council. Participation in these organizations is a great way to become involved and meet many of the great people here in Singapore and to become involved with your child’s education. Over the past several years we have seen dramatic changes in the school campus and we all should feel proud of the facilities that are available for our children. But the physical assets of SAS are only a small portion of the strength of our community. We look to you and your family to help us build the personal strength that SAS provides to our school and families. To get everyone back together and get the new school year started, I would like to invite you to attend the PTA Ice Cream Social during the SAS Open House on Saturday the 11th of August from 10 am-2 pm in the Intermediate/Middle School Cafeteria. This event will be a great time to catch up with friends and to meet new members of our SAS family. If you are new to SAS please stop by the PTA Office, located on the first floor of the Intermediate School half moon addition, during Open House to pick up your Welcome Packet and meet some PTA Board members. We will be on hand to answer questions or just say hello. Included in your packet is last year’s SAS PTA Directory along with Welcome Committee contact information. We will be holding Divisional New Parent Welcome Coffees the first week of school. This offers you the opportunity to meet other new parents and get to know the school and PTA better in a smaller setting. Please check this Newsflash or posters around school for dates and times. I would also like to invite all of you to the PTA Welcome Back Coffee/General Meeting, which will be held at 8:30 am – 11:00 am on Friday the 24th of August in the Drama Theater. This will be a great opportunity to find out more about the plans for this school year, and to find ways to participate in activities around SAS. During the first few weeks of school you’ll see many members of the PTA Board and Welcome Committee around campus wearing badges. Please feel free to stop any of us to introduce yourself or ask questions. You can also contact us at PTA@sas.edu.sg or call any member of the Board or Welcome Committee. Their information can be found in the PTA section of the school website. I look forward to seeing you around campus as we begin another year here at SAS. Susan Fay PTA President
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
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Open House & Ice Cream Social
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Newcomer Coffees at the SAS PTA Office A great way to meet other new parents and “old timers” too. Tours of the school will be available at the end of each session.
Saturday. August 11 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Intermediate / Middle School Cafeteria You are invited to join us for the SAS PTA Ice Cream Social. Meet the teachers in their classrooms, then eat free sundaes and popsicles! The SAS PTA Office will be open. New families can pick up a Welcome Packet and find out more about the PTA.
PTA Kick-Off 2007 / 2008 Friday, August 24 • 8:30 - 11 a.m.
at the Drama Theater Come to the PTA’s Welcome Back Coffee & General Meeting to learn about PTA events throughout the year and find out how you can get involved. This is a good opportunity to meet with other parents, new and old.
ECC & Primary School
Thursday, August 16 • 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Intermediate School
Thursday, August 16 • 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Middle School
Wednesday, August 15 • 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
High School
Wednesday, August 15 • 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Questions? For more information please visit our PTA website at:
www.pta.sas.edu.sg or email:
pta@sas.edu.sg We’d love to hear from you!
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SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
Booster Club
Booster President’s Letter Welcome to a new year! Things are already bustling on campus, and from August 20, I would like ALL PARENTS to know they are welcome to stop by the Booster Booth to browse around. In addition to selling high school uniforms and school supplies, we also sell cards, books, totes, towels, t-shirts, photo frames, sweat shirts and stadium cushions -- and there are always new items. The booth is near the high school office. Come by and pick up that special gift or maybe buy a little something SAS! To High School Parents -- Welcome to the Booster CLUB! As a high school parent, you are a member of the Booster Club, which provides our school and our students with a great deal of support. We support high school students by donating funds for fine art activities and IASAS bags to our athletes and delegates, as well as interim and senior scholarships; we provide shirts for traveling teams, coaches and peer support; we honor Honor Roll students, and fund awards given to athletes, Math Club students and the students voted most spirited. Our team moms, arts moms, booth moms and committee moms are all volunteers who help keep things together! We are able to raise funds in several ways, including sales at the booth of a large variety of items, and this semester we will host two adult social events to which ALL PARENTS are welcome – Off to the Races on Friday, September 28 and our Holiday Jewel Luncheon on Thursday, November 29. Please plan on joining us for these fun-filled events. Our Welcome Meeting is Monday, August 20 at 9:30 am in room H301. All high school parents are welcome. Come and meet other parents and see how you can help! For more information please contact: sasboosters@yahoo.com or write to me directly at: janine_byrne@hotmail.com. Hope to meet you soon.
Booster Club Announcements
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SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
EASA and EASA Language Program – Registration September 3 to September 7, 2007 – Program Information and Upcoming Registration
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ession One is launching soon!!! Program flyers and registration forms will be sent home on August 31 in backpack mail for EASA and EASA Language. Registration dates for Session One are September 3 to 7, 2007. Programs and registration forms are available on the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa/ or contact the EASA office at 6360-6283. About EASA at SAS Elementary After School Activities (EASA) Elementary students at SAS can choose from a wide range of organized after school activities. EASA classes have been designed to enhance and extend the student’s learning experience in music, performing arts, arts & crafts, computers & technology, mind stretch and recreation. Classes are taught by dedicated and professional teachers – many of whom are SAS faculty. EASA flyers and registration forms are sent home with elementary students by backpack mail at the beginning of each session. EASA Language – Ni Hao! Bonjour! Hola! Learning a second language can be fun and enriching! The Singapore American School brings you another enrichment opportunity for your children through the EASA Language Program. Classes will be available in Mandarin, French and Spanish. This program provides an opportunity for your child to experience learning a second language in an activity-based curriculum. Students will be engaged in activities that are rich in visual cues and focus on developing communicative enjoyment and confidence. The program has been designed as a continuous three session curriculum and students are encouraged to participate for the entire three sessions to get maximum benefit from the program. • • • • •
3 Sessions running from September to May Classes on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Grade appropriate levels: o Level A for KG - Grade 2 o Level B for Grade 3 - 5 Professional and experienced teachers
Registration for Session One of EASA Language closes on September 7, 2007. Class sizes are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa/ or contact the EASA office at 6360-6283. Adult Community Education The EASA office sponsors and manages classes for the SAS adult community. SAS parents, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Classes and fees vary from session to session based on type of activity and length of session. All classes are held at SAS after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and are taught by professional and experienced teachers. EASA is offering classes in Mandarin, conversational ESOL, PowerPoint, Basic Computer Skills, First Aid and Cooking. Information and registration forms are sent to SAS families by email and through the SAS What’s Happening weekly email newsletter. Need More Information For information about EASA programs and registration visit the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa or call the EASA office at 6360-6283 or email vcrocker@sas.edu.sg.
SAS Music Faculty Involved in 2008 AMIS Festivals By Rebecca Davidson, Middle School Band
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ractice the audition music. Make a recording. Drop it in the mail. Wait for an invitation. The steps to getting invited to attend an AMIS festival as a student participant are straightforward. But how does one become the featured Guest Conductor of such an esteemed event? Four SAS Music Faculty found out first hand. The Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) sponsors a variety of music festivals annually that are especially designed to benefit students in international schools. Across Europe and Asia, schools take turns hosting festivals for band, strings, and choir students in middle school and high school. Students who pass the audition spend two to three days in rigorous rehearsals working with a guest conductor to prepare and present a culminating concert. Each year, the Singapore American School is well represented at AMIS festivals around the world. Students from SAS band, choir and strings divisions consistently receive invitations to participate in the festivals. But the 2007-2008 school year is especially exciting for SAS because three of our music faculty have been chosen as AMIS Guest Conductors and one will assume a position on the AMIS Executive Committee. Pat Brown (MS Choir) had a taste of what’s to come when she hosted the AMIS Middle School Choir festival here at SAS last April. No doubt, having an understanding of the behind the scenes workings of the festival will make her an especially effective Guest Conductor in Aberdeen, Scotland next spring. While chaperoning the SAS Middle School Band delegates at last year’s festival in Paris, France, Brian White (MS Band) decided to audition for the conductor’s role and was thrilled to be offered the position. He is excited about his upcoming experience as the director for AMIS Middle School Band in Beijing, China next January. Stephen Bonnette (HS Strings) will be the featured conductor for the Middle School Strings festival in Brussels, Belgium in February. He had the chance to work briefly with last year’s Junior honor orchestra and it has whetted his appetite for the upcoming festival. After appearing as the featured conductor of the Middle School Strings Festival in Vienna, Austria in March, 2006, Darrell Townshend (MS Strings) is serving a two-year term as a member of the AMIS Executive Committee through July 2009. Darrell will be involved with scheduling, long term planning and writing and modifying festival policy. A considerable amount of capital is needed to make the AMIS festivals happen, and another part of his job will be raising funds for a charitable trust that has been set in place to ensure the future of the festivals. What an honor for the Singapore American School to be represented around the world not only by our hard working music students, but by our dedicated faculty who are excellent models of what it means to be lifelong learners who continually seize opportunities and pursue excellence at their art.
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SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
SAS Open House 2007
Athletics Climbing Wall
Saturday August 11, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
MS Waterfall
MS & HS Performing Arts
MS & HS Athletics
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Swimming Pools
Elementary Gym
MS/IS Cafeteria
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Primary School
Running Track & Statidum Field
Swimming Pool
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PTA Office
Booster Booth
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MS School Pedestrian Gate Blk 426A
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SAS Main Gate
P
HDB Parking Lot
During Open House only the front gate will be open for vehicular access. Parking will be available in front of the Primary School and Intermediate School, in the Elementary covered Car Park and the High School Basement Car Park and along the Middle School and High School driveway. In the event that parking space is not available on campus, a “Car Park Full Sign” will be displayed at the Front Gate. Additional parking is available at the HDB Car Park at Block 426A. The most direct access to the school is via the Middle School pedestrian gate. If parking in the HDB Car Park, please display hourly parking coupons and park in the white spaces.
D
Elementary Theater
IS Foyer/Office
E
MS/IS Cafeteria
Elementary Gym
F
MS Foyer/Office
G
Room M109
H
Drama Theater (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
I
HS Athletics & Activities Office - HS S100D
J
HS Foyer/Office
K
Booster Booth
L
High School 2nd Floor Cafeteria
M
ECC Foyer/Office
N
High School Library
A
PS Foyer/Office
B C
PS Classroom Assignments IS Classroom Assignments American Association American Chamber of Commerce American Club American Womens’ Association ANZA Soccer Boosters Boy Scouts Caring for Cambodia Cub Scouts Elementary After School Activities (EASA) Girl Scouts Lim’s Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students Navy League PTA Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students SACAC Savitar Tennis Singapore American Newspaper Singapore International Foundation Tabitha US Embassy - US Voter Registration Young Life
Bus Information
PTA Ice Cream Social MS Homebase Assignments MS Athletics & Activities HS New Student & Parent Orientation
HS Homebase Assignments Booster Uniform Sales - HS Students Subway & Juice Zone
ECC Classroom Assignments Lim’s Uniform Sales - HS Students
P
On Campus Parking
V
Vehicle Pass/Decal - Available at PS/IS/MS/HS/Central Admin office
SAS NewsFlash – August 2007
19
SAS OPEN HOUSE 2007 Saturday August 11, 2007 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL ELEMENTARY GYM
BUS OFFICE
American Association American Chamber of Commerce American Club American Womens’ Association ANZA Soccer Boosters Boy Scouts Caring for Cambodia Cub Scouts Elementary After School Activities (EASA) Girl Scouts Lim’s Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students Navy League PTA Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students SACAC Savitar Tennis Singapore American Newspaper Singapore International Foundation Tabitha US Embassy - US Voter Registration Young Life
Bus Information
HS NEW STUDENT & PARENT ORIENTATION Drama Theater (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
PTA OFFICE New Family Welcome Packets
CLASSROOM/HOMEBASE ECC - ECC Foyer/Office PS - PS Foyer/Office IS - IS Foyer/Office MS - MS Foyer/Office HS - HS Foyer/Office
FOOD & DRINKS HS Cafe IS/MS Cafe Subway - HS Cafe 2nd Floor Juice Zone - HS Cafe 2nd Floor
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITES MS - Room M109 HS - Room S100D
ICE CREAM SOCIAL Compliments of PTA IS/MS Cafeteria
SALES/UNIFORM Booster Booth - HS Lobby (Grades 9 -12)
VEHICLE PASS/DECAL
PTA Sales - Elementary Gym (Preschool - grade 8)
PS OFFICE IS OFFICE MS OFFICE HS OFFICE Central Administration Office
Questions? Please send email to communications@sas.edu.sg or call 6360-6330