Volume 11, Issue 2-08/09 - September 2008
MICA (P) 160/08/2008
A Singapore American School community service publication
NewsFlash H
op
ng o L a-
Take Off SAS Receives 6-Year Term of Accreditation Pg. 6
a nd
Sh o o
on their own
Annual General Meeting and Board Elections Pg. 7
-F
Show
Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Pg. 12
ly
Content Page
Garth Sheldon Chairman of the Board
Joseph Anderson Chairman Curriculum
Bob Comstock Board Member
Devin Kimble Chairman Facilities
Bart Broadman Vice Chairman of the Board Chairman Finance
Kirk Hulse Chairman Trust
Rudolph Muller Board Member
Regulars
5 14 16 17 -
SAS PTA President Letter Calendar Highlights Booster Club News SACAC Sports
3 6 7 8 10 11 12 15 18 19 -
SAS Highlights Hop-A-Long and Shoo-Fly SAS Receives 6-Year Term of Accreditation Annual General Meeting and Board Elections Taiwan Immersion Trip Albums of Heritage SAS Senior Featured on Power 98’s Acoustic Lounge 4th Annual Solo and Ensemble Music Festival Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Eagle Court of Honor Apne Aap Homecoming September 26, 2008
NEWSFLASH is published monthly by the Communications Office of the Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to the parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg Editor: Beth Gribbon Staff Editor: Junia Baker Layout Design: Joey Lew
We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School
Bon Park Chairman Advancement
Sheila Wang Board Member
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Marybeth Shay Board Member
Catherine Poyen Zemans Board Member
October NewsFlash Deadline: September 22, 2008 Publication Date: October 13, 2008 November NewsFlash Deadline: October 20, 2008 Publication Date: November 10, 2008 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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Hop-A-Long and Shoo-Fly (literally) take off on their own show
he fantastical characters of Hop-A-Long and Shoo-Fly were created in 1997 by Primary School Principal David Hoss. Over the years, Hop-A-Long and his mischievous sidekick, Shoo-Fly, performed by Deputy Principal Ken Schunk, have delivered educational content, curriculum and light-hearted entertainment to SAS students and teachers. The Hop-A-Long and ShooFly puppet-show characters primarily perform at student and faculty assemblies, but to the delight of the Primary School students, sometimes the characters “come alive,” walking the halls of the school and visiting classrooms. As Hop-A-Long and Shoo-Fly became increasingly popular, additional supporting characters and educational content have been included, and “Hop-A-Long’s Schoolhouse” was born at SAS. Now the shows at school assemblies not only include Principal Hoss and Deputy Principal Schunk, but also Wendy Liddell, primary science teacher, as “Ms. Wendy, the Science Lady” and Kirk Palmer, primary library media specialist, as “Mr. Bookman, the Librarian.” To offer this to an audience outside SAS and to make it available for families to use at home, the show was put to film in 2008, and its format was expanded to instill
environmental awareness, global responsibility and a culture of character for all children. Through a combination of literature, vocabulary, science, music, movement and laughter, the HopA-Long’s Schoolhouse DVD takes children on a “fabtacular” journey to explore the world around them, reminding everyone to be good caretakers of the planet and to always “keep laughing and learning!”
Several other members of the SAS faculty and administration are authors. You can find out more about the authors and their books on the SAS website. Go to the parent home page under “Quick Links” to find the teacher author link.
As well as producing this educational children’s program, Hoss has coauthored two children’s books, which are featured in different episodes of Hop-ALong’s Schoolhouse. These two books, Manny the Monarch and For Pete’s Sake are eco-friendly stories about helping children become good caretakers of the planet. These books and the DVD will be available at the upcoming PTA Book Fair in November. Principal Hoss would be pleased to autograph your copy. If you can’t wait for the Book Fair, Hop-A-Long’s Schoolhouse DVDs are available through the PTA Sales office. A portion of the sale of each DVD is donated to the PTA. Alternatively you can visit www. hop-a-long.com to learn more about Hop-A-Long’s Schoolhouse and its cast of characters.
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
SAS PTA
President’s Letter Dear SAS parents, I hope you and your family have enjoyed settling into the new school year. By now, I’ve had the opportunity to welcome a good number of new families to SAS, and have enjoyed meeting many of you at the PTA Newcomer Coffees and at our Welcome Back Coffee and General Meeting. Many of us also have attended Back-to-School Nights and have enjoyed meeting teachers and getting insight into the classroom environments and routines of our children.
Sales
Each Back-to-School Night highlights the important role that teachers play in the education of our children and their development as well-rounded individuals. A child’s successful school year depends in part on a successful partnership between parents and teachers. One of our goals at the PTA is to support programs that facilitate and enhance this very important working relationship. Participation in the monthly Division Coffees is one way to help advance the homeschool partnership. News pertinent to the division will be shared, and parents will have opportunities to engage division administrators and faculty on issues of interest. Parents will also be able to raise questions and participate in discussions by grade level. Representatives from the PTA attend these coffees to meet parents and provide information about upcoming events that the PTA is sponsoring. PTA division representatives welcome any questions. Please do not hesitate to contact your division representative whenever you need assistance. PTA Division Representatives High School Middle School Intermediate School Primary School Early Childhood Center
Kim Hamby Usha Sivaskandan Kristi Rothenberger Kim Johnson Min Baglieri Leonie Cohen Mirjam Sultan
casahamby@gmail.com usha_sivaskandan@hotmail.com krothenberger@yahoo.com johnsonbkc@aol.com mbaglieri@yahoo.com leoniecohen@mac.com sultanssingapore@yahoo.com.sg
You are also welcome to email or call any PTA board member for assistance. Our contact information is listed on http://pta.sas.edu.sg/ and in your complimentary copy of the PTA Wall Calendar, which was sent home with your youngest child. If you have not received your calendar, please stop by Central Administration and pick one up at the reception desk. This school year has gotten off to a terrific start, and the PTA looks forward to working with you to help shape a positive school experience for all of our children. Mae Anderson PTA President mae.anderson@mac.com
SAS Cardigan Sweater Available in youth sizes XS – XXL $30.00 each PTA Sales Office PTA Sales Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
SAS Receives Six-Year Term of Accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges By Mark R. Boyer, Assistant Superintendent for Learning
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In June 2008, members of the commission for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) reviewed and affirmed the recommendation of the SAS WASC visiting team for a six-year term of accreditation for the Singapore American School and praised the “stellar aspects of the school.”
“Dr. John Sugiyama, co-
chair for the SAS WASC visiting team, commented that in his 35-year association with WASC, the Singapore American School was one of the best reviews of his career.”
“The 500+ members of the school community who reviewed school-wide surveys from all stakeholders and conducted detailed data analysis on their review of diverse aspects of the school demonstrated a deep collaborative commitment for the learning of each student.”
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Six years is the maximum term granted and is recognition that a school is providing a quality education for its students. Schools in the United States and internationally do not necessarily pursue external review and accreditation, but SAS believes this is an important part of its accountability and professional feedback processes.
themes, which then resulted in the development of the school’s 2008-2013 strategic plan. In short, this was a significant “grassroots effort” that included building agreements for a coherent, focused and desired school future. The Board of Governors has formally approved the school’s strategic plan, and this school year is the launch of this new plan.
When the 10-member WASC visiting team conducted its fiveday review at SAS last April, its report confirmed that the self-study and proposed five-year strategic plan (based on recommended areas for improvement) were direct matches to its observations and recommendations. Along with recommendations, it is common practice for a visiting team to provide 10-20 commendations (statements) of excellence.The team noted 50 areas of commendation regarding the excellence of the Singapore American School as an educational institution! Dr. John Sugiyama, co-chair for the SAS WASC visiting team, commented that in his 35-year association with WASC, the Singapore American School was one of the best reviews of his career.
The SAS WASC visiting team report and the 2008-2013 strategic plan are posted on the SAS website. In the words of educator Rick DuFour, “The very essence of a learning community is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student.” The 500+ members of the school community who reviewed the school-wide surveys from all stakeholders and conducted detailed data analysis on their review of diverse aspects of the school demonstrated a deep collaborative commitment for the learning of each student. The work was consistently diligent and professional.
The Singapore American School 2007-2008 WASC self-study (internal) process involved 90 teams consisting of 500+ faculty, support staff, administrators, parents, students and board members. Collaborative teams synthesized the input into major
Congratulations and thanks to all who participated in this process to support our ultimate beneficiaries – our students. As part of our WASC accreditation the Singapore American School is accountable for filing a progress report with the WASC commission each year and also participating in a mid-term review (2010-2011) with visiting members from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Annual General Meeting and Board Elections To All Members of The American School Trust Limited and Those Eligible to Join the Trust: The Annual General Meeting of The American School Trust Limited will be held on Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00pm in High School Room H301. The agenda for the AGM includes (1) the presentation of the audited accounts of the Singapore American School for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008; (2) the appointment of auditors for the year 2008/2009; (3) a report from the Superintendent; and (4) the election of four candidates to fill seats on the Board of Governors for three-year terms. The board election, item 4 on the agenda, often generates some questions from members of the Trust, which the following paragraphs are meant to address: There are typically two ways that interested parents join the SAS Board. The first, and most common, is by appointment. Parents register interest to serve on the board and then are invited to attend a series of “get to know you (and us)” discussions. When a board seat becomes open (typically after someone moves or their children graduate), the board makes an appointment from the list of interested parties. If you are interested in being considered for appointment to a future opening on the board, please contact any current board member or Margaret Yeo in the Central Administration office. The second way to join the board is to run in the annual election. Any Trust member who wishes to stand for election to the board must file with SAS Board Secretary Margaret Yeo a written statement of his or her intention to stand for election, supported by the signatures of 30 Trust members. Candidates may also submit to Margaret biographical data and a photograph for use in the October edition of NewsFlash. Margaret can be reached by telephone at 6360-6314; she will be pleased to answer any questions on the electoral process. The deadline for submission of these materials is Tuesday, October 7. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Trust provide that employees of the school and their spouses are not eligible to serve on the board. In order to be a board member or to vote at the Annual General Meeting of the Trust for candidates standing for election to the Board of Governors, you must be a member of the Trust. If you have not yet joined the Trust or if you are unsure whether you are already a member, please contact Margaret Yeo at Margaret@sas.edu.sg or call 6360-6314 for assistance. Sincerely, Garth Sheldon Chairman, Board of Governors
Kirk Hulse Chairman, Trust Committee of the Board of Governors
Correction The following individuals were omitted from or incorrectly acknowledged in the 2007-08 SAS Education Foundation donations list published in the August issue of NewsFlash: Tiger Circle (S$10,000-S$19,999) recognition • Yoon Suck & Suzie Nam • Ee Lim & Sofina Wee Orchid Circle ($1,000-$4,999) recognition • Mavis Khoo-Oei • Iwan Sarjono & Ingrid Prasatya Traveler’s Palm Circle (S$100-S$999) recognition • Vimal & Priti Chandaria • Nicolas A. Laveris • Suraj Kalra & Anita Kapur • Harjive & Diya Oberoi • Ajai & Abha Kaul • Bhaskar & Hemagini Pant • Ashok & Garima Lalwani • Deepak & Pratima Sharma
• • •
Tiri & Susan Shaw Doug & Shannon Thurman Rajeev & Shailaja Vaidya
We are so very grateful for the generosity of these SAS families and alumni and apologize for omitting their names from the list published in the August issue of NewsFlash. 2007-08 SAS Education Foundation donations will be recognized again in the December issue of the SAS alumni publication, Journeys. Should there be any other errors or omissions please bring them to our attention. Contact Heather in the Development office at 6360-6329. SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Taiwan Immersion Trip By Min Kyong Kim, Grade 7
our senses as we visited countless temples, old streets in Taiwan, the three local schools, museums and many other tourist places. From visits to a tea plantation
T
o everyone, summer draws an illusion of going to Hollywood or lying on the beach among placid and tranquil waves. For many, spending summer in Taiwan does not sound too thrilling. However, that is a bad preconception. The exaggerated summer in Hollywood is just as stimulating in Taiwan.
Within a period of 10 days, 16 peers (including the teachers) gathered at Changi Airport. Everyone bustled with excitement. The trip, led by two Chinese teachers, Vivian Lin and Jessie Brown, was a journey in the sparks in life and education. SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Traveling from Taipei, Toucheng, Sansia, and Wulai, everybody was overwhelmed and fascinated by whatever was taught and experienced. Visiting Toucheng Farm the first day was a total naturalistic experience. Baking sweet potatoes under stones was especially unique. Gazing everywhere with curiosity, we walked up and down a whole pathway of forests. The sensation of the green plants was a refreshing touch against the moist air. Throughout our journeys, the pungent incense smell awakened
“The Taiwan immersion trip this year was an uplifting way to learn Chinese and its extraordinary, eccentric culture.” factory to breathtaking views of memorials, we recorded our memorable moments and looked back at each day. To me, it seemed each day was remarkable. We returned to Singapore drenched with new thoughts swarming our minds, tired from our adventures. Our special night in Taiwan focused the essence of this immersion trip. After a sumptuous dinner we stepped inside the bus and drove to Taipei 101. Once there, we flipped
Before arriving in Singapore, in the plane, I busily wrote my thoughts about this immersion trip to Taiwan. Contemplating and imagining, all my reflections blended relishingly with the excitement of getting back to my home sweet home. My heart thudded loudly into my ears and the plane soon thwacked against the ground, rumbling noisily. Suddenly, I realized the fun had vanished into thin air. I missed it ever so much; I felt a pang of regret. I wanted to stay longer and inspect the sheer beauty of Taiwan’s culture. The Taiwan immersion trip this year was an uplifting way to learn Chinese and its extraordinary, eccentric culture. I have experienced a world of stark ethnicity, and I consider myself lucky to have been given the opportunity to travel and learn.
The Singapore American School maintains standard business and operating insurance coverage, including liability, fire/flood damage, theft and other typical business risks. SAS does not provide heath or medical coverage for students or for theft or loss of personal property. (SAS does provide accident coverage for school sponsored trips, such as Interim Semester. The cost of this is included in the trip expense.) Parents are responsible for providing normal medical and accident insurance for the well-being of their children. The school’s insurance does not cover personal items. SAS discourages students from bringing valuable items onto campus and provides lockers for older students to safeguard their belongings. Parents may consider obtaining their own coverage if they have concerns. Families in need of medical, accident or theft coverage for themselves or their children have a number of choices in Singapore. You might consult with your employer for a recommendation. The school obtains its accident coverage for trips through Newstate Stenhouse (www. newstate.com.sg). Newstate Stenhouse offers a variety of health, medical, theft and accident policies. The local representative is Alex Tan who can be reached at: Direct: 6398-5994 Mobile: 9025-8778 Email: alex@newstate.com.ag
SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
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Lastly, we made our way up the steep stairs to the top of Taipei 101. The cold, shivering wind slapped against our faces as we trudged slowly, flabbergasted by the sheer beauty of the poignant sight. There, we had an instant view of all of Taiwan. Lights from buildings flickered on and off, the traffic lights and cars were barely bigger than tiny ants and the whole scenery of the city left us aghast
and dumbfounded. We lingered there a long time, listening to our tour guide’s detailed explanations. Stricken with astonishment at what we heard and saw, we reluctantly sauntered down the stairs, not willing to leave.
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our heads back and stared at the tall building – so tall we couldn’t see the top of it. We zoomed up to the 95th floor in no more than a minute in high-speed elevators. With hotel-like luxurious carpets and lounges, the 101-floored building was more than a tall tower. Everyone emphatically declared that they lost their ability to speak after a glimpse of the tower. Spending the longest time there, we headed up to where the wind damper was located, which is a critical safety feature of the tower. Flashing cameras and an increasingly loud group of people crowded around it as if a celebrity had appeared.
Personal Accident Insurance
Albums of Heritage By Amit Parekh, HS student
of Jaipur alone represent nothing in particular, yet as a whole the city is an architectural marvel, one of the first planned cities in the world. As we went around the city, we discovered several buildings that best illustrated the deteriorating nature of the city. We then photographed these sites and created our “then and now” comparisons. We put them on display in several schools and an art gallery to show the people of Jaipur what was happening to their city.
“Thousands of mansions, temples and workplaces, many hundreds of years old, have been erased.”
Shoor Singh ki Haveli: Now
Shoor Singh ki Haveli: Then
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n many poor countries, primary heritage sites (Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Giza, etc.) have been well preserved. However, many secondary but architecturally and historically significant buildings are unprotected and are often destroyed or repurposed for urban use by inhabitants who know no better. Thousands of mansions, temples and workplaces, many hundreds of years old, have been erased. “Albums of Heritage” focuses on these secondary heritage sites. During the summer of 2007, a group of friends and I started Albums of Heritage in the city of
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SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Jaipur, often referred to as “The Pink City.” Albums of Heritage is a project that revolves around raising awareness of the deterioration of secondary heritage sites across the world. In Jaipur our goal was to produce a series of “then and now” comparisons. The “now” image is simply a photograph of the building in its current decrepit condition. These images were then given to professional architects/ painters who were commissioned to render a comparative “then” image of the building in the past. The reason we chose Jaipur as our first site is that the buildings
The goal of the project however, is not solely about making albums; rather, we want to spread awareness of the drastic problems facing these secondary heritage sites. The reason that so many other restorative efforts have failed is that residents of a city rarely if ever take an active interest in trying to stop the loss of cultural and architectural heritage. Albums of Heritage hopes to raise awareness of the problems in such a manner that the people of the cities are galvanized into action as we feel that this is the only way to ensure that the heritage of those cities will be preserved. At the moment we are in our final stages of editing and publishing our first album and have also created a website – www.albumsofheritage. com. Please take some time to visit our website.
SAS Senior Featured on Power 98’s Acoustic Lounge By Nanette Devens, HS Choir Director
SAS senior Priscilla Chan was featured on the very popular Acoustic Lounge, a weekly program on POWER 98FM, on Saturday, August 16. Acoustic Lounge is a forum to highlight aspiring or established local musicians. Priscilla sent in an audition CD containing both cover and original works and was selected to perform for an hour segment of the show. Along with her accompanists, Adam, Casey
and Nur, she performed favorites “Free Falling,” “No One” and “Game of Love” as well as her originals “Butterfly” and “Sailor.” Of the experience, Priscilla says “This is my first big break. My mom and sister encouraged me try this. I’ve been writing my own stuff for four years, and it was surreal to perform them on the radio. I really enjoyed the studio experience and meeting all the DJs, who were
incredibly encouraging.” Priscilla is an active and accomplished member of the SAS High School music department. She is a three year member of SAS Singers and is a lead in the upcoming musical production of Seussical the Musical. She is also a very good student and a member of student council. Congratulations Priscilla!
4th Annual Solo and Ensemble Music Festival By Brian White, MS Band Director
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n Saturday, October 25 the SAS music department will host its fourth annual Solo and Ensemble Music Festival. During the festival, students will perform a solo or ensemble piece in front of a qualified adjudicator. Students will then receive comments from the judge and a rating of the performance. This type of festival is hosted in every state in the United States and helps students become familiar with solo and small ensemble literature. We offer this festival at SAS as part of our commitment “to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience” SAS musicians who are currently enrolled in middle and high school music classes will receive applications from their teachers if they are going to perform at the festival. Musicians in the student community who are not currently enrolled in a band, strings or choir class may also apply to perform and receive feedback on their
progress. Please contact Brian White at bwhite@sas.edu.sg if you would like to sign up for this festival.* Music performed at the festival must be of serious nature (no pop or rock music is allowed). Also, all students will need approval from their music teachers or private
instructors to perform at the festival. There are a limited number of spots in each adjudication room so please contact Mr. White as soon as possible. *We will have adjudicators for all strings, band, choir and piano musicians but not for drum-set or guitar. SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
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Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) By School Psychologists Jeff Devens, PhD & Bill Hanagan, NCSP
early schooling experiences, interactions with siblings and peers, cultural experiences, particular habits or interests, sleep patterns, eating habits and unique medical issues.
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side from general parenting queries, the school psychologists have had more questions from the community regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than any other mental health issue.
and concentration (ADHD Predominately Inattentive Type), problems with hyperactivity and impulsivity (ADHD Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type) and problems in both areas (ADHD Combined Type).
ADHD is one of the most common childhood behavioral disorders and affects 3-7% of the school age population. Essentially, ADHD is characterized by a grouping of symptoms that include inattentiveness, distractibility, impulsiveness and hyperactivity to a degree that is considered inappropriate for the developmental level and age of the child. A five-year-old described as “always on the go, easily distracted, off-task and inattentive” does not necessarily have ADHD; however, a 14-yearold displaying similar symptoms may be suspect. While the above characteristics may, at times, be true of your child, they do not in themselves constitute ADHD.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Children diagnosed with ADHD typically first exhibit symptoms during the preschool or early elementary school years. There are three subtypes of ADHD: problems with inattention
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SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
There is no single “test” for ADHD. Because it is manifested in a number of different ways in different settings, it’s important that those different settings be investigated. Typically, when determining if a child has ADHD, school psychologists will investigate the following areas: 1) Medical examination: Meeting with a physician is a good first step to rule in or out biological or physiological factors that may be attributed to a child’s ADHD-like symptoms. However, it is essential that school personnel be actively involved in all phases of assessment, treatment and follow-up. 2) Meeting with parents to discuss the child’s developmental history, including pregnancy, developmental milestones,
3) Review of academic records: School psychologists look for consistencies in report cards, particularly teachers’ comments that reflect ADHD issues (i.e., not working to potential, appearing to drift off, being easily distracted, difficulty in staying focused). Have interventions been implemented? If so, what were the outcomes? 4) Rating Scales: In order to understand how current ADHD behavior is manifested, school psychologists often ask parents, teachers and sometimes even students to fill out rating scales, which are designed to measure various features of ADHD behavior. These scales provide specific, real-time data regarding functioning. 5) Psychological-Educational Assessment: Although there is no specific assessment profile associated with ADHD, a psychological-educational assessment is important to rule out or in other conditions. Children with significant processing difficulties or emotional conditions can often present similarly to those with ADHD. Second, students who have ADHD are more at risk for other learning or behavioral issues so it is important to have a complete picture of the challenges the child faces. Lastly, there is a great deal of qualitative information that can be gained from a student’s performance on psychological and educational testing.
6) Clinical Measures: At SAS school psychologists use diagnostic tools that assess aspects of behavior that are associated with ADHD. Some of these assessments involve performing specific tasks and answering questions, while others involve the use of computer based programs. These assessments measure a student’s rate of inattentiveness, impulsiveness, working memory and capacity to plan and screen out distraction. These assessments also aid in the understanding how selfregulation difficulties manifest relative to the average population of similar age and gender. 7) Observations: One of the most important ways for school psychologists to understand a child’s level of attention difficulties is through classroom observation, which includes recording the frequency of onand off-task behavior; noting teacher styles, expectations and consequences and their impact on a child’s attention; and observing how the child’s behavior differs from peers. We recommend a process where several avenues are thoroughly investigated before a formal diagnosis or trial use of stimulant medication. Once the information has been compiled and a diagnosis has been made, recommendations are made to parents and teachers regarding strategies to address ADHD symptoms. There is a great deal that can be done through home and school collaboration to address behavior associated with ADHD. Many students are helped substantially by making adjustments in the school and home environment in ways that make the symptoms of ADHD less problematic. In some cases a referral for consultation with a physician or a psychiatrist is made. It is important to note that school psychologists generally
do not make formal statements such as, “The child should be on medication.” Rather, school psychologists offer the information they have compiled to medical professionals who use this as part of their diagnosis. What Behavioral Interventions are Effective in Treatment of ADHD? While students with ADHD have some common problems, the group is fairly heterogeneous. Therefore, when developing an intervention plan, it is best to identify specific behavior problems rather than focusing on ADHD symptoms. It is also important to identify alternative behavior that can replace the problem behavior. By keeping both the specific problem and alternative behavior in mind, the unacceptable behavior (what you don’t want a student to do) and the acceptable behavior (what you do want the student to do) will be clear. There are many ways in which the classroom and home setting expectations can be changed to enable a child with ADHD to be more successful and productive. They could involve modifications, such as preferential seating, scheduling tasks for optimal production, use of non-verbal cues, offering choices, providing structured formats and allowing productive physical movement. There are several variations of behavior modification plans (sometimes referred to as contingency management systems) that can also be helpful in managing symptoms. However, it is important to remember that behavioral modification plans need to be applied consistently, be target specific and measureable behavior(s) and avoid negative consequences when possible. Also, depending on the age of the child, it is often most effective to include the child in the process of determining target behaviors and
reinforcement schedules. What Are Stimulant Medications and How Do They Work? Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall, appear to have the effect of “normalizing” biochemistry in the portions of the brain that are involved with ADHD symptoms. Specifically, they are designed to enhance nerve-to-nerve communication by making more neurotransmitters available to boost the signals between neurons. A colleague of mine likens this to moving the dial on a radio station in order to receive better reception. The term “stimulant” can be a bit misleading when applied to ADHD medication. Typically, when we think of stimulants we think of medication that keeps us awake and aroused; however, the low to moderate doses used to treat ADHD actually allow most people to be more attentive, less distractible and less active. What about Alternative, Nontraditional Treatments? In general, empirical research does not support the effectiveness of these interventions for the treatment of ADHD. These treatments include biofeedback, diet restrictions, nutritional supplements, massage and relaxation training, but they have not received the same level of scientific scrutiny as medication and behavioral interventions. Until more conclusive evidence is available, parents interested in alternative treatments should consider the lack of evidence that alternative interventions are effective, the cost, the potential benefits and risks and the potential consequence of delaying the use of more traditional scientifically supported methods. If you have further questions regarding ADHD contact one of the three school psychologists at SAS. SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
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Calendar Highlights
September 2008
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm
15 16 17 19 20
IS Parent Coffee on ITBS 8:15am – 9:15am MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (MS Library) HS College & Careers Day 8:00am HS Booster Club Meeting 10:00am (H301) HS Class Polo Dress Day School Holiday (No School) ACSIS Soccer Tournament 8:00am – 1:00pm (UWC) International Coastal Clean-up 8:00am – 1:00pm (Sungei Buloh) 22-23 HS Alternate Dress Day 22-23 Grades 9-11 Individual Yearbook Portraits 8:10am – 3:00pm 22-26 Homecoming Week 23 Super 7’s U-16 Boys Soccer Tournament 4:45pm (Stadium)
24 Alternate Dress Day Senior Class Picture 8:10am (on front steps) 24-26 MS Photo Days 25 ACSIS Cross Country Meet 4:00pm – 6:00pm (Campus/Fields) 26 Homecoming Football Game 6:30pm (Stadium) Booster Bake Sale MS Dance Technique Show 3:00pm – 6:00pm 29-30 SACAC Registration 8:00am – 4:00pm (SACAC Office) Tabitha Sale 30 HS Instrument Concert 7:00pm (Auditorium)
* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm
HARI RAYA PUASA HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL) HS Choir/Dance 3/Art Performance 7:00pm Tabitha Sale SACAC Registration 8:00am – 4:00pm (SACAC Office) 3 1st Quarter Ends PS UN Day 9:15am – 10:00am (HS Gym) 4 SACAC Registration 9:00am – 12:00pm (SACAC Office) SAT & Subject Test 4-12 FALL BREAK (NO SCHOOL)
1 2 2-3
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SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
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October 2008
SACAC Asia Bowl Football in Korea 2nd Quarter Begins Vision Screening for Grades K–5 HS Interim Semester Parents Information Evening 7:00pm (HS Gym) 14-15 Parent-Teacher Conferences for Preschool–Grade 5 No School for Preschool–Grade 5 15 HS Early Dismissal 12:15pm HS Class Polo Dress Day HS PSAT/PLAN Testing
Eagle Court of Honor
By Brenda Korn, Publicity Chair, Troop 07
On June 1, 2008 Matthew Bardon, Benjamin Parent and Michael Andrew of BSA Troop 07 received their Eagle Scout rank, scouting’s highest honor.
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n Sunday, June 1, 2008, not one but three scouts from BSA Troop 07 received scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Scoutmaster Scott Weber and Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Hartberger presented the awards. Michael
Andrew
began
his
scouting experience in Singapore in 1996 as a Tiger Cub. Advancing to Webelos he earned his Arrow of Light and became a member of the Troop in 2001. His leadership service project involved renovating dormitory rooms at the Jamiyah Children’s Home and included directing scouts, parents and residents to clean and paint over 2,000 square feet of walls and ceilings, replace draperies and wall fans and add colorful, framed posters to the children’s rooms.
stop his momentum to achieve!
Matthew Bardon began scouting as a Cub Scout in Geneva, Switzerland, earning his Arrow of Light in 2001. His family then moved to Mercer Island in Washington, where he was involved in numerous outdoor activities as part of Troop 647. For his Eagle leadership project, Matthew led his troop in rebuilding a large section of eroded trail in Pioneer Park, Mercer Island’s largest wooded park. Matthew’s recent move to Singapore didn’t
These three boys have shown tremendous perseverance and have overcome many challenges. They serve as wonderful role models for the other scouts of the Troop. Congratulations!
Ben Parent began scouting in 1998 as a youngster in Canada where he was a Beaver Scout. Ben relocated to Singapore about three years ago and joined Troop 07. Here he completed his Eagle Scout project at Riding for the Disabled. He led a team of friends, neighbors and troop members in painting arena poles, building new pole storage racks and constructing new steps for mounting horses.
If you are interested in becoming a member of BSA Troop 07, please email us at registrar@bsa. startingpoints.org or come to one of our meetings – held Tuesdays at 6:15pm at the SAS High School, room H301.
High School Sports Physical Examination Information
Every high school student participating in a school sponsored interscholastic sport must assume the responsibility for submitting an updated physical examination form to the High School Nurse’s office annually. This physical examination must be completed before the sports season begins. Second season sports (basketball, rugby, touch-rugby, swimming, tennis) physicals are due before October 22. Third season sports (badminton, softball, track & field and JV tennis) physicals are due before February 11. Coaches will not allow an athlete to attend practices or competition if the form is not returned to the Nurse’s office by October 22 for second season teams and February 11 for third season teams. The physical form may be picked up from the HS Nurse or downloaded from the website at http://pseagle.sas.edu.sg/nurseelem/pdf/nurseOffice_MedicalExam.pdf.
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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 parents’ email addresses. The weekly What’s Happening at SAS will also be posted on the website at http://www.sas.edu.sg.
Where are the “pink sheets”? Trading Post is now published exclusively on the SAS website This school year the Trading Post will be published online to minimize the use of paper. To find Trading Post, go to “School Publications” on the main menu of the SAS website, www.sas.edu.sg. The August Trading Post will be online by Monday, August 4. We welcome your feedback. Write to communications@sas.edu.sg.
2008-2009 Vehicle Permits A current 2008-2009 Vehicle Permit is required to drive a car onto the SAS campus. Permits are available at all division offices and Central Administration and must be collected in person. This year the vehicle IU ID must be noted on the application. Plan to get your permit the next time you are at school. 20072008 permits will no longer be valid after September 15 and should be returned when collecting the new permit.
oaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkddSsdsoaidoiodsjddddsadsajdajdssss0ajsssjlddddddddddddddd Main Gate Closure Thursday, September 25, 4:00pm – 6:00pm Student safety precaution: No vehicles on campus during ACSIS Cross Country Meet On Thursday, September 25, SAS will host the Third Annual ACSIS Cross Country Meet. Over 200 runners, ages 12–18, from the Australian School, Overseas Family School, Tanglin Trust School, United World College and SAS will be participating. The under 14 girls/boys and the under 18 girls will run a 3.2K course; the under 18 boys will run a 5K course. These two courses will span the entire campus and will use the driveways beginning in front of the ECC, all the way up to the end of the Primary School. The main gate and all driveways on campus will be closed to all vehicular traffic 4:00pm - 6:00pm on September 25. The back (west) gate ONLY will be open for cars to enter and exit. Security officers will direct all vehicles to and from the HS basement car park. If you plan to leave campus at that time, kindly park in the HS basement car park to facilitate a smooth and safe exit. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in helping to keep our students safe.
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Apne Aap
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By Esha Sondhi, Grade 12 student
his summer, I spent a few weeks volunteering at the Apne Aap Women’s Collective, an NGO that rehabilitates commercial sex workers in the redlight area of Mumbai and works with their young daughters (“sparrows”) to break the cycle of prostitution. At Apne Aap, sparrows enjoy counseling and vocational training in writing, karate, typing, dance, film-making and needlepoint. On my first day, the girls got over their initial shyness and chatted freely with me, excitedly discussing the script they were preparing on domestic violence that would be broadcast on national radio. During tutoring sessions I worked a lot with Sarita, 14, on her English homework. Although fluent in Marathi and Hindi, the students struggle with English. Sarita had to learn simple verbs and their tenses, but she was too afraid to ask her teacher what words like “catch” meant. We went over the list, and about an hour later she understood everything. Another day, we analyzed a poem. I had trouble explaining complex terms in Hindi, so describing a metaphor for climbing a rope turned into charades, with other tutors and students trying to guess my meaning! In their free time, many girls talked to me about their plans to go to college and study science or business. Kanika had an internship with a photographer and planned to work while at university. Manju Vyas, the founder Apne Aap, proudly shared more success stories. Many beneficiaries were married and employed, and two had even been selected to work at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai. One girl who wanted to be a brothel owner now plans on becoming a counselor like her mentors at Apne Aap. I asked Ashika Pohoomul, the
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SAS NewsFlash – September 2008
Counseling session at Apne Asp.
Tutoring session at Apne Aap.
sponsorship coordinator, if the girls faced discrimination. She mentioned that prostitutes are treated with tremendous social stigma in Indian society, and this stigma is transferred to their families and aides. Apne Aap is currently unable to rent a new center as landlords are afraid of being associated with an “undesirable” sector of society. Additionally, the police do not offer much protection from harassment, as numerous officers have been known to frequent the district themselves. Understandably, privacy is Apne Aap’s biggest concern – the identities of the
sparrows are protected at the school and in the workplace, and real names have not been used in this story. Despite the obstacles it faces, Apne Aap offers girls who would otherwise be forced into prostitution a new lease on life. H.A.R.T. India, a high school club at SAS that I am part of, hopes to raise awareness and funds for Apne Aap. We will host toy and book drives, are looking to procure used laptops to donate and will run a pen-pal program to help improve the girls’ English. To learn more about Apne Aap, please visit www.apneaap.info.
On Friday, September 26, the High School Student Council will again be bringing to SAS a Homecoming Game that will unite the entire SAS Community for an evening of fun and entertainment. After last year’s January basketball game that saw a packed gym watch the Varsity Boys defeat the ISKL team, this year we’ll be shifting to the stadium field where SACAC football teams will face off. We’d like to invite the entire SAS community to save the date and start planning for a night that will showcase something for everyone. In addition to the game, we’ll be opening up the north fields for a variety of sports and activities that will appeal to children of all ages. Students can circulate through a host of student-run kickball, soccer, flag football, tag, jump-rope and frisbee. At the half-time show, we’ll be announcing the Homecoming King and Queen, as well as having a Punt-Pass-Kick competition where participants could be chosen to join an SAS alumni and a football player in punting and throwing a football the length of the field, then attempting to kick a field goal. The winning trio will walk home with $500. We’ll also have a race-off for Primary School and Intermediate School students to see who is the fastest in the 100-yard dash. The football game will be the culmination of a week of activities and dress days for the High School, which will see the classes battle it out to win bragging rights for the most spirited class. Starting Wednesday, September 17, ticket orders will be sent home with students in the Primary, Intermediate and Middle School. In addition, tickets can be purchased at the High School Booster Booth. So whether you want to cheer on the football players, play a host of sports under the lights, enjoy some stadium food with your friends or just indulge in the energy of the evening, the Homecoming Game promises to have something for everyone. By Sajan Shah, HS Student Council President
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SAS NewsFlash – September 2008