Volume 12, Issue 9-09/10 - June 2010
NewsFlash MICA (P) 154/08/2009
A Singapore American School community service publication
Laptops to be required in high school Pages 24-25
School-wide art show Pages 26-27
Important dates in August Page 28
NewsFlash
June 2010 Volume 12, Issue 9-09/10
NewsFlash
BRENT MUTSCH
Superintendent of Schools
MARK BOYER
Asst. Superintendent for Learning
DAVID HOSS Principal Primary School
Marian Graham Principal Intermediate School
12 - 16
PTA
20 - 21
Booster Club
4
Farewells
11
Dive-a-thon
6
Le Grand Concours
17
After-school activities
7
CFC & SAS
18
The Dining Room
8
Chinese language survey results
19
Reflections of an alumna
9
22
Walk-a-thon
SAS at the races
10
Swim-a-thon
Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS?
Rhonda Norris Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources
Devin Pratt Principal Middle School
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. We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School
William Scarborough
Director of Finance and Business Operations
David Norcott Principal High School
NEWSFLASH is published monthly by the Communications Office of the Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to the parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg
2
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
Editor: Beth Gribbon Staff Editor: Junia Baker Layout: Alfi Dino Photography: Karen Cortezano August NewsFlash
Deadline: July 1, 2010 Publication Date: August 2, 2010
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
Email Community News
Input to communications@sas.edu.sg
Wide open spaces
by Jeff Devens, Ph.D./School Psychologist
Imagine coming upon a home with no doors and the windows removed. Placed in the yard is a sign that reads “Open.” “What on Earth is the homeowner thinking?” you mutter to yourself. “Anyone could enter or exit the house, carrying out or bringing in anything. Squatters could take up residence, or the house could be completely ransacked!” The owner is nowhere to be found; instead you are greeted by a child who is 12 or 13 years of age. She informs you that she has been given free rein of the house and that her parents never visit. “Oh, sometimes they call to see what I am up to, but they never stop in and check, so I can pretty much tell them anything.” She is not even sure they know about the missing windows and doors, but being a teen she reasons, “They would not have left me here if they thought I was in any sort of danger.” She spends much of her time meeting and greeting the various visitors who enter the house, some invited, others inviting themselves. It seems odd that parents would allow their child to live in a place such as this, yet this is what happens when we provide kids with computers for personal use without helping them understand the implications, responsibility and accountability for their use. In the course of the past year I have had a number of parent talks regarding their child’s personal computer use, usually to the detriment of family/academic functioning. Knowing that we are steadily moving toward laptop mobility in both the middle and high school divisions, I would like to offer some suggestions to parents about framing conversations with kids prior to purchasing a computer for their personal use. If you have already purchased a computer for your child’s use and are finding it’s turning your world and theirs into a frustrating experience, it’s not too late to reboot the system. Below are several suggestions that may prove useful in framing discussions around this topic. 1. Make it clear from the initial conversation that the computer belongs to YOU. You are the owner of it and not them (even if they have purchased a computer with their own money this does not mean they have “free” rein online). If they want to use your computer or continue to use their’s, some conditions will be attached. If they fail to agree, purchase a sturdy pencil and paper. Let your children’s teachers know that they are not yet at a point in life where they can be responsible with their personal computer use and for the time being, they will be using paper and pencil or the family computer under your supervision. I say this matter-of-factly but in reality this is of fundamental importance. If kids don’t understand that cyberspace has boundaries, they will wander aimlessly throughout its halls. 2. Purchase and download monitoring software on the computer. A few recommendations for monitor software include Safeeyes, Spectorpro, Spy Agent, I am Big Brother. 3. Inform your children that you have placed monitoring software on the computer and that in order for them to use the computer, they need to agree to being monitored while online. Again, if they disagree with this or think of this as invasion of their privacy, the option remains for them to use paper and pencil. This is not about being overly harsh or punitive; rather it’s about being proactive. Trying to do this after the fact can be a frustrating experience for teens because it seems like liberties are being taken away. However, it doesn’t have to be this way if proactive measures are taken prior to purchasing a computer. Having said the above, monitoring software should not be used as some sort of voyeuristic tool. Rather, it’s about helping them demonstrate age appropriate responsibility and increasing their online independence. 4. Allow certain hours for them to be on the Internet doing school related work and certain hours where no access will be possible. For example, if you are a family that eats dinner at 6:00 each night, you can schedule the router on the computer to be off from 6:00-7:00 each night. No more “almost done” or “I’m right in the middle of a quest;” it’s game over! You can also schedule access to the Internet to be off at night, ensuring they are not surfing, but instead sleeping, providing they don’t have their phones in their rooms, another potentially big hassle. 5. If conflict ensues regarding school work being completed, defiant behavior persists while online or excessive gaming occurs, the message they are communicating is that they need your guidance in the form of restricting access to certain sites. 6. If need be, help them understand that you will also be restricting access to certain sites during the school week (i.e., social networking and gaming sites) and that they may gain access to these sites based on how they manage their time. Computers and the Internet are wonderful tools for accessing and conveying information; however, without your guidance kids will be enticed and pulled in directions that may lead them down paths that you, and they, never intended. The Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment to the Board of Jonathan Auerbach, effective June 4, 2010. Jonathan will take the seat of Kirk Hulse who will be stepping down from the Board upon the graduation of his son, Mitch. The Board wishes to extend its deep appreciation to Kirk who has served for four years with dedication and distinction. Jonathan is the managing partner for Southeast Asia of McKinsey & Company. He and his wife, Jessika, a writer, are the parents of four daughters at SAS. SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
3
With much gratitude for their years with SAS By Brent Mutsch, Superintendent of Schools “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
A
s we move toward the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year, we will soon face the unwelcome task of saying “goodbye” to a number of faculty, staff and administrators. Three members of the administrative team will be concluding the current phase of their careers in June, thus creating a void that will not easily be filled. They are Beth Gribbon, Director of Communications and Development, Rhonda Norris, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Dave Norcott, High School Principal.
Beth Gribbon, Director of Communications and Development Beth Gribbon has worn a variety of hats during her tenure at SAS. She has first and foremost been a parent of two daughters who are successful SAS alumni. As a parent, Beth demonstrated her abiding commitment to SAS by finding ways in which she could be of service to the school. She was actively engaged in the PTA, serving as president of the organization. In addition, Beth served as a member of the Board of Governors, assuming the leadership role as chairman when called upon by her peers. In her current role, Beth has primary responsibility for providing leadership and coordination for the ever-challenging role of communications. Although communications is frequently identified as one of the areas that needs improvement in many organizations, under Beth’s capable and dedicated leadership, communications has consistently been identified as a strength of SAS in both the annual parent survey and the internal survey of faculty and staff. Beth brings to her day to day professional responsibilities the unique ability to balance what is “newsworthy” with the importance of providing accurate information in a timely manner to a range of audiences within the SAS community. In addition to providing excellent leadership in communications, Beth has been at the epicenter of the development work that has emerged as a priority of the school in recent years. Beth has worked closely with the Board of Governors to facilitate their understanding of the increasingly important role that development plays in international schools. Beth has been instrumental in developing the SAS alumni network and building on the relationships that have been forged by their shared experiences at SAS. She has also been actively engaged in planning and coordinating the successful Star Appeal Dinner. Beth’s contributions to SAS are immeasurable over a period of nearly two decades. Whether in the role of parent, PTA member, Board Governor or employee, her abiding commitment has been to improve the quality of the learning experiences provided to students at SAS. Thank you Beth, for many years of dedicated service and for the positive impact your efforts have had on the lives of so many students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and community members!
Rhonda Norris, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Rhonda Norris is concluding a tenure at SAS that began in August 2001. She joined SAS as the Director of Finance and Business Operations and later assumed the expanded role of Assistant Superintendent to include both business leadership responsibilities and a range of other professional duties that enabled her to successfully and effectively work across the four divisions. During Rhonda’s tenure at SAS, she was instrumental in providing outstanding leadership to a wide variety of areas of the school’s operation. She was an integral member of the leadership team that worked closely with the Board of Governors during the design and construction of the new high school. The construction of the high school provided SAS with the subsequent ability to increase the number of students successfully served and to expand the educational program. During Rhonda’s tenure, enrollment at SAS increased from 2,832 at the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year to the current enrollment of 3,865. In August 2008, Rhonda assumed the newly created role of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Her leadership in this strategic role has been exem-
plary. During the past two years, Rhonda has introduced and engineered procedures and processes that have enabled SAS to significantly improve the quality of human resource administration. To work but once with Rhonda is to know that one is in the presence of a dedicated, caring and extremely competent professional. She has earned the respect and admiration of those who have had the good fortune to work with her over the years. As Rhonda departs to join the leadership team of the Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan, we acknowledge her dedication, commitment and professionalism. Thank you, Rhonda for the positive impact you have had in the lives of so many members of the faculty, staff and broader SAS community.
Dave Norcott, High School Principal Dave Norcott joined the high school administrative team as a deputy principal in 2002 and was appointed high school principal in 2006. Prior to beginning the search for Dave’s replacement, I visited with a number of students to gain further insights into their perspective on what qualities were important in a new principal. These students reflected on the qualities possessed by Dave Norcott. They felt the new principal must have genuine interest in their welfare. This interest is in part reflected by providing leadership to the development of the high school program and ensuring that students have access to the learning experiences that will prepare them well for successful transition to college and university. Students credited Dave Norcott for being actively engaged in the ongoing development of the high school program of studies. Dave is recognized for continuously reviewing current course options and working collaboratively with faculty and counselors to develop learning options of interest and relevance to students. Students want a principal who is highly visible and demonstrates an interest in what is taking place on a day-to-day basis in school. Dave is recognized for his support of students and their involvement in the wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that accompanies the academic program at SAS. Students believe that Dave is willing to listen to them on matters of importance and is prepared to make changes for the improvement of the high school in response to rational and compelling arguments. Dave has sustained great enthusiasm for his daily work with high school students, faculty and staff over the past eight years. He has dedicated himself to creating a school environment and culture that challenges students to do and be their best while also supporting and nurturing their growth and development. As Dave assumes the role of Upper School Head at the International School of Amsterdam in the fall, we salute his abiding dedication and commitment to providing the high school with leadership that has been focused on continuous improvement.
Le Grand concours
By Christina Popowski, High School teacher
During the week prior to Spring Break, high school students in French 1 to 4 competed in the 75th annual Le Grand Concours (National French Contest). Le Grand Concours is a 60 minute exam designed, written, financed and disseminated by the American Association of Teachers of French. Its purpose is to stimulate further interest in the teaching and learning of French and to identify and reward achievement on the part of both students and teachers. The majority of the questions on the exam evaluate a student’s reading and listening comprehension and about a third of the questions evaluate a student’s knowledge of French grammar mechanics. Just over 70,000 high school students in the United States and at international schools in Singapore (SAS), England, Tunisia, Israel, Senegal, Malaysia, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands competed in this year’s contest. Teachers at SAS and they were pleased to learn that the scores of 23 SAS students were among the top 10 scores in each level. French teachers Christina Popowski and Laurence Patrick were also pleased to learn that about a third of the students in French 1 and French 3 scored at or above the average score on their respective exams; while 87% of the French 2 and 90 % of the French 4 students scored at or above the average score. The participating students and their teachers are to be congratulated for their achievement. Because the National French Contest is an external assessment tool used to see how well students score amongst their peers, one can definitely say that the high scores reflect well on the schools and French programs from which they come. Here at SAS, the 23 students who scored among the “top 10” will be recognized with a certificate of achievement, a medal and a small but special prize. En français, bien sûr!
SAS students whose scores were among the top 10 Level 1:
Out of 18,142 competing students, Annika Hvide placed 7th and Liam Dupreez was 8th.
Level 2:
Out of 19,009 competing students, Laken Sylvander was 5th, Sadhana Bala, Calvin Kertadjaja, Kristen Skill and Angela Wang were 7th, Karen Routhier was 9th, and Matthew Mikrut and Marietta Tanudisastro were 10th.
Level 3:
Out of 15,926 competing students, Anbita Siregar and Stanzin Namgyal were 7th, Andrew Milne, Jane Petty and Vincent Wu were 9th, and Sasha Kingsley and Kerry Remson were 10th.
Level 4:
Out of 10,828 competing students, Kyle Forgeron was 3rd, Lucca Allevato was 4th, Rebecca Kreutter was 7th, Sarah Thieneman and Kevin Lancon were 9th, and Katherina Feng was 10th.
6
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
PS teacher partners with CFC to publish children’s book by Kaye Bach When PS teacher Shabari Karumbaya (Ms. K) signed on for her first volunteer teacher training trip to the CFC schools in November 2008, she never dreamed it would also present her first opportunity to be an internationally published children’s author. Savy’s New Lesson, launched in Singapore in April, is a colorful picture book that tells the story of a young Cambodian boy, who learns about the importance of good tooth brushing habits by observing his big brother lose a day of work at the temples of Angkor because of a debilitating toothache.
Charming illustrations by CFC graduate and artist Pen Rithy set the stage for this engaging story, which conveys a universal health and hygiene lesson to children at the CFC schools and beyond.
For the past two years, CFC’s volunteer teacher training teams have focused on lessons that address important health and hygiene topics. Savy’s New Lesson also slots into a larger teacher training goal of introducing CFC teachers to the concept of teaching literature. While CFC’s teachers recognize the value of this effective teaching strategy, it can be difficult to implement. There is a profound dearth of children’s literature in Cambodia, nearly all of which was destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period.
The inspiration for Ms. K’s story struck as she was waiting to renew her passport one evening at the Indian Embassy. She jotted her ideas down on the back of a restaurant bill. CFC Superintendant of Schools Ung Savy was the inspiration for her main character. “The only thing I knew was that I wanted Savy to be in the story because I met him in Siem Reap, and his story was so inspirational.” Savy’s New Lesson has been published in both Khmer and English and is being sold in Singapore and Cambodia. Copies of the book can be purchased for $10 through Ann Wilhoit , anne@wilhoitfamily.com. All proceeds from sales benefit CFC schools. CFC would like to thank Ms. K for her important contribution to positive change in the lives of Cambodian children. As CFC founder Jamie Amelio says, “If we all give a little, a child in poverty can learn a lot.”
CFC High School Service Trip to Siem Reap By Harry Fischer, CFC High School Club President Five students, a teacher and a parent participated in the Caring for Cambodia Club’s first ever trip to Cambodia. This visit had a distinctly different feel from previous service trips, which usually revolved around house building and manual labor. Although we still brought bags of clothes for donation and painted classroom desks for a few hours, a large part of our time was spent interacting with the students of the Kong Much School, joining them in a variety of sports as well as engaging with them in art and reading activities. Starting off the day by serving the children breakfast, we soon moved to the volleyball court. We believed that we would be able to teach the students a thing or two about the sport, but funnily enough we were the ones being coached, such was their level of skill! It was very special for us to meet the children for whom we have worked so hard over the past year. Their faces will continue to live on in our memories as we strive to help brighten the future of Cambodia. SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
7
Chinese Language Parent Survey Results by Mark R. Boyer, Assistant Superintendent for Learning
This spring’s Chinese Language Parent Survey was completed by 680 parents. It focused on Chinese language and did not include responses from parents who have children in Spanish, French and Japanese. In terms of parent demographics: •
Percentage by division: 9% ECC, 42% PS, 41% IS, 34% MS, 23% HS.
•
Nearly half have had a child at SAS for only 1-2 years.
•
Anticipated duration of enrollment for upcoming years: 25% 1-2 more years, 42% 3-5 more years, 21% 6-10 more years, and 12% 10+ more years.
•
77% anticipate that their children will continue learning Chinese when they transition to another country.
•
50% of children entering SAS had no prior instruction in Chinese.
•
35% indicated that they pursue additional outside of school support for their children’s learning of Chinese. In disaggregating the data, this population tends to be families who have been at SAS for 6+ years.
•
20% indicated that Chinese is spoken in the home.
•
22% indicated that their children are enrolled in a heritage level K-8 Chinese language class or a High School level 5 or Advanced Placement class.
Trends and Interpretations: •
88% agreed that attaining a high level of proficiency in Chinese is important for their children’s future. This may signal a transition from a language and culture exploratory approach to more of a language proficiency approach. Comments about language proficiency frequently referenced priority for communicating in a variety of authentic real-life situations. • Approximately 25% will be at SAS for 1-4 years (considering length of current stay + anticipated future duration), which means that programs need to be responsive to students who will be entering and exiting at all grade levels. • The data suggest that families are choosing to stay at SAS for longer durations than demographics showed previously, and therefore continuity of learning and progression are potentially enhanced. • In disaggregating the data, parents who plan to have their children at SAS for 6+ years tend to have the highest level of interest in Chinese language learning and are also most likely to provide additional out-of-school language support. • Of the various options to support increased language proficiency, the highest percentage as 1st choice was for Chinese language to be offered five times a week during the school day in grades K-5. It was noted that grade 6 is also marginal for sufficient time, whereas grades 7-12 have sufficient time within block schedules. • In review of parent comments, 40% were related to implications for more time, 32% were related to quality of teaching and the program, 15% were related to diverse recommendations, 13% indicated no need for change, 12% indicated consideration for other languages and 4% were related to after school options.
8
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
While modern language increased nearly 20% in parent satisfaction this year over the previous school year, there is still recognition that the complexities of quality language learning need to be addressed. In moving forward, the survey perceptual data will be referenced in relationship to student learning data, program data and demographic data to develop short-term and long-term plans for improved language learning. Through the leadership of Dr. Susan Zhang, Director of Chinese Language, starting at SAS in August 2010, there will be opportunities to implement clear, consistent and coherent plans for improvement and follow up for the overall program. It is anticipated that several areas of development related classroom practice (suggested by parents) will be addressed quickly in the first semester of the 2010-2011 school year. It is also anticipated that the school’s recent alliance with the Singapore Center for Chinese Language will provide a strong base of support related to pedagogy that best supports second language learners and also identifies the research base on “best practices.”
SAS at the races
Once again, our team at the J.P Morgan Corporate Challenge on May 6 made us all proud. To all of this year’s participants, thanks for a great night. Whether you walked, jogged or ran, it was an exciting event. We hope to see the Singapore American School well represented again next year. Congratulations to everyone! A few noteworthy SAS finishers from a field of over 11,000 participants:
Men’s Rankings: 20th Troy Blacklaws 23rd Ian Coppell 34th Mark Forgeron 43rd Andrew Hallam
WOMen’s Rankings: 13th Katherine Hallam 19th Sue Nesbitt 28th Jeneane Paxson
Swimming for charity
By Alexandra Beukers, grade 4 What do you get when you combine 260 enthusiastic fourth graders, hot weather, a 25-meter swimming pool and three worthy causes? The answer is the annual “Earn to Give” fourth-grade swim-a-thon. From April 19-27, fourth graders swam for three unique charities: the Adventist Rehabilitation Center (ARC), the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) and the Society For Each Other. In the weeks leading up to the swim-a-thon, students contacted their friends, family members and neighbors to sponsor their swims. Each afternoon for a week, two classes shared the pool to swim. Twenty-two kids suited up and stood shivering on both sides of the pool, waiting for the cue to jump in. “I’m really excited about making money for charities, but I’m really scared about swimming!” said Robert Law, a student from Mr. Scott’s class. On the blow of a whistle, the students jumped in and swam the lanes for 15 frenzied minutes. It was a mad dash to the end of the pool – arms and legs in peoples’ faces, water crashing down like thunder and encouraging shouts from teachers. Students knew that each stroke would somehow help make lives better for the people and animals at the charities. I received an email from Helen Buckland, the director of SOS. “I would like to send a huge thank you to all the pupils at the Singapore American School who took part in the swim-a-thon to support SOS,” she said, and then explained that she was going to use the money to plant trees in the damaged parts of the orangutans’ habitat, as well as to run conservation classes for Sumatran schools. ARC is an organization that helps motivate stroke victims to exercise, and the Society For Each Other is a charity that helps to educate needy children in Nepal. The president of the Society For Each Other, Jaya Rajibhandari, wrote that 20-36 children are helped by SAS each year. He also said that he “would like to thank the teachers and students that are working so hard for children in need.” The fourth-graders are proud to report that they raised a total of $25,000 for these charities. As this year draws to a close, students remember fun times with friends, lessons learned and the importance of helping those in need. One week in April did all three.
10
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
PADI’s Project AWARE
By Matt Rees, grade 10 Photos by Jessica Schult, grade 10
Benevolence is a character trait that should be acknowledged as often as possible. People can be quite reluctant when it comes to supporting small charitable organizations; however, a wise man once told a story of an elderly man throwing starfish into the ocean because he knew that they couldn’t breathe on land. When a younger man asked him why he was going to so much trouble, when he couldn’t possibly make a difference because there were so many starfish. The elderly man simply replied, as he was throwing another starfish in, “I made a difference for that one.” At SAS there are numerous opportunities for students to give back. I can personally say that seeing the joyous look on the faces of an impoverished family receiving their new home is the most gratifying experience one can have. Just as a team of students can build a house for people in need, they can also save the homes of myriad fish residing in the world’s coral. SAS students, parents and teachers — in partnership with a PADI-run reef preservation organization called Project AWARE — recently acted on an opportunity to do their part in saving the ocean’s life forms by holding a dive-a-thon. PADI’s Project AWARE is about preserving the ocean’s inhabitants. They educate divers about the risks that climate change poses and the risks of human interactions with the reefs. They also take part in reef clean-ups. Project AWARE is doing what it can to preserve the reefs because scientists say 19 percent of the world’s reefs are already dead. The idea behind the Dive-a-Thon is that at all times at least four divers are under the water for an hour, meaning that after their hour is up four new divers relieve them. Starting at 8 pm on Thursday, April 28 and lasting until 8 pm the next day, we successfully held at least four people under the water for the full time – 96 diving hours! Project AWARE Dive-a-Thon was held at the high school swimming pool. Being around three and a half meters deep, the pool had the potential to be ridiculously boring. However, with the hard work and determination to make this an enjoyable event, the Dive Club team created activities to do under water, including an obstacle course and tic-tac-toe. Much to our pleasure, the hard work paid off. We would like to extend our immense gratification to our benefactors and all participants for making the event a success. A special thanks goes to the Schult family and Linda Clarke for staying for the full 24 hours and providing food. The Dive Club will be hosting another Dive-a-Thon next year and would love for more of the SAS community to come out and do their part.
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
11
PTA Appreciation Tea
O
n May 10, the PTA held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Tea and Annual General Meeting at the home of Dan Shields, Deputy Chief of Missions, U.S. Embassy. This year’s event was well attended by over 150 PTA members, SAS administrators and faculty. At the tea, the PTA made some exciting presentations to the school.
At the end of each school year, the excess funds in the PTA account (after all outstanding invoices are paid and start-up money is set aside for the following year) are donated to the school in the form of Fund Spending. The administration in coordination with the principals determines which equipment and programs they would like PTA to fund. They also prioritize and give supporting rationale for each request. A committee of PTA volunteers and faculty representatives considers all the requests and recommends how the available funds should be allocated. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many volunteers and through the generous support of the SAS community at PTA fundraising events, the PTA was in the fortunate position of being able to grant over $338,000 divisional and school-wide Fund Spending requests. At the Tea, the SAS Principals were called in turn to the podium by VP Shelby Pazos to receive the list of items that students and teachers in their divisions will enjoy next year, courtesy of PTA.
PTA Executive Committee PTA Executive Committee 2010-2011, L to R: Arathi Nilakantan-Vice President, Shelby Pazos- Parliamentarian, Mae AndersonPresident, Judy Byun-Treasurer, Becky Moseley-Secretary
HS Library Book Collections:
$16,000
HS LCD Projectors:
$11,100
After all the approved Fund Spending items were distributed to the divisions, the PTA was still able to donate more funds to SAS. The PTA Board met and voted on May 4 to approve additional donations to the SAS Foundation, which were also presented at the tea:
HS 3 Digital Presenters
$3,000
K -12 Visiting Artists Program
$15,000
MS Uniforms and Equipment
$25,000
Visiting Authors School wide
$43,650
MS 6 Digital Presenters
$6,000
Author in Residence MS
$30,000
IS Outdoor Classroom
$9,920
Dance Artist in Residence MS/HS
$20,000
IS Glass Kiln & Cutter
$1,500
Theatre Artist in Residence MS/HS
$20,000
IS Classroom Library
$15,000
Writers Perspective for HS
$20,000
IS 35 Digital Presenters
$35,000
PS PE & Equip
$4,170
PS Perceptual Motor Program Materials
$4,180
PS Classroom Shelving Book Collection
$4,320
PS Local Theatre Participation
$20,250
PS 26 Digital Presenters
$26,000
Here is just a sampling of some of those items donated at divisional levels:
The PTA enjoyed a record year in fund raising, and an additional $8,693.00 left over from last year’s Fund Spending was used to bring award-winning Cambodian author to SAS in December. As a result, the grand total in funds raised by the PTA during this school year and donated for use in the 2009/2010 school year amounted to $338,783. This amount was presented in the form of a ceremonial check to Superintendent Brent Mutsch, who thanked the PTA and remarked on the exceptional community of giving that exists at SAS and particularly in the PTA. He heartily thanked all PTA Volunteers for their exceptional efforts. After the monetary presentations, PTA President Mae Anderson, bade a fond farewell on behalf of the membership to a muchrespected member of the administration and a good friend, Assistant Superintendant of Human Recourses Rhonda Norris. Rhonda was thanked for her highly valued service to SAS and given a token of appreciation and remembrance from the PTA. Mae also bade farewell to another dear friend, High School Principal Dave Norcott, and he was thanked for his highly valued service to SAS and given a token of remembrance from the PTA. The PTA warmly thanks all volunteers and members of the SAS community for their kind support and participation in the many PTA events throughout the school year, which have enabled PTA to contribute so meaningfully to SAS. The PTA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable summer and looks forward to another successful year this fall.
PTA PRESIDENT’S LETTER The 2009-2010 school year represented another strong effort in fund raising by the PTA. We presented SAS with a total of $338,783 in support of school programs. This amount set a new record for PTA Fund Spending and reflects hundreds of volunteer hours invested by PTA members during the course of this school year. In addition to the PTA Fund Spending program, we also provided over $74,000 to the High School community services clubs from proceeds raised at the PTA’s Annual Pumpkin Sale and from the participation of various High School clubs at Food Fest and County Fair. We also provided $8,000 for HS Interim Semester Scholarships and $30,000 to PTA Senior Scholarships. Early in the school year, each SAS family received a school calendar and directory published with PTA funds. We also provided each graduating senior with a gift, gave each staff member a gift on Staff Appreciation Day, sponsored an Ice Cream Social at Open House and paid for advertisements in the Islander and Prism. This year we also gave $5,800 toward the publication of the MS Tiger Tales and over $4,400 to grade 8 for its year-end Sentosa Island excursion. The PTA sponsored class parties and year-end picnics in the Primary and Intermediate Divisions and donated books to the school libraries to commemorate births, adoptions and other events in our community through its Celebration Books program. While fund raising is an important aspect of the PTA’s mission, its events also provide an opportunity to work closely with the SAS administration, faculty and staff. During the course of volunteering for the PTA or attending its many events, parents have opportunities to engage with other members of the SAS community and to provide important support to the educational mission of the school. We consider the PTA’s focus on community building just as important as the fund raising activities. As with the end of every school year, we unfortunately have to say goodbye to many of you as you move on to new opportunities. For those of you who are leaving us, we thank you for all the support that you have given to the PTA and the school. We wish you the best of luck in your return home or to wherever you may be heading. For those of you leaving for the summer who will be back in August, please enjoy a restful and safe summer break. We look forward to seeing you back refreshed and ready to start the new school year!
Mae Anderson, PTA President mae.anderson@mac.com
14
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
PTA STAFF APPRECIATION DAY 2010 Staff Appreciation Day was great! It was another successful PTA event. A big THANK YOU goes to all parents, volunteers and everyone who donated food, services, money and time. You made a lot of people happy. A special thanks to all PTA division representatives for having done a wonderful job. - Erma Huston, PTA Hospitality Chair
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
15
The PTA SALES TEAM is currently seeking Volunteers for the 2010-2011 School Year, Orientation & Open House Flexible days and hours… Work odd- or even-numbered days or a consistent one-day-a-week… Great way to meet other parents & students… Be involved in your child’s school day & meet him or her for lunch… Join the SAS PTA Sales Team!!! Contact Kimberly Bitting kkbitting@msn.com
Soccer and Volleyball Summer Camps at SAS Coached by experienced SAS coaches - $120 can fee includes a sports shoe bag SAS Volleyball Summer Camp 2010 is open to SAS students entering grades 6-12. Held in the HS Gym, Tuesday, August 10 - Friday, August 13. Contact Head Coach Kim Criens kcriens@sas.edu.sg for more information. SAS Soccer Summer Camp 2010 camp is open to SAS students entering grades 7-12. Held at the SAS Stadium Fields, Tuesday, August 10 - Friday, August 13. Contact Tico Oms at toms@sas.edu.sg, Mark Forgeron at mforgeron@sas.edu.sg, or Geoff Rodocker at grodocker@sas.edu.sg. Join us for the fun, to improve your skills, to meet new friends, or to get ready for the season!
HS Sports Physical Examination Every high school student participating in a school sponsored interscholastic sport must submit an updated physical examination form to the High School Nurse’s office annually. The physical form may be picked up from the HS Nurse or downloaded from the website: http://pseagle.sas.edu.sg/nurseelem/pdf/nurseOffice_MedicalExam.pdf. All students interested in participating in first season sports (cross country, JV tennis, soccer and volleyball) must have a physical examination completed and turned in before Monday, August 30. Physical examination forms for second season sports (basketball, rugby, touch-rugby, swimming, tennis) are due before October 19 and before February 2 for third season sports (badminton, softball, and track & field). Coaches will not allow an athlete to attend practices or competitions until the physical exam form is turned in.
16
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
Elementary after-school activities By Vanessa Hardinge, EASA Coordinator
A child’s education does not take place only in the classroom. We all know that children also learn a great deal at home, on the playground and on the school campus in general. One way to enhance your child’s school experience is through after school activities such as the ones offered by the SAS Elementary After School Activities Department (EASA). Our program of comprehensive after school activities provides students, parents and faculty with opportunities to teach and learn new skills in a relaxed environment. It also gives students opportunities to work and build friendships with peers from other classrooms and grade levels. EASA also provides elementary-level students with a chance to explore different subjects. They may choose from a wide menu of activities, including recreation, martial arts, performing arts, arts and crafts, computers and technology,
Mind Stretch, competitive sports and music. EASA registrations take place three times a year, and each term is an average of eight weeks.
12 Boys won a bronze competing with middle school students from other international schools. What an accomplishment!
EASA’s success in delivering a safe and exciting program to SAS students stems from employing a competent team of SAS classroom teachers, instructional aides, reputable outside organizations and classified staff members. EASA also hires buses from the SAS bus company and administers an after school transportation service for EASA Primary School students.
EASA is also focusing on developing a comprehensive performance based drama program, culminating in a fully costumed drama performance.
In addition, EASA now offers competitive sports. Primary and Intermediate students have the opportunity to play soccer and represent SAS in the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACISIS) league. The SAS Under 10 Boys and Under 12 Girls won the tournament last February and the Under
Overall, the main goal of EASA is to ensure that students have fun while improving their skills. The strategy to achieve this goal is to offer a quality program with a low adult-child ratio. In EASA classes students receive personal attention and are able to be involved in activities that are exciting, meaningful and age-appropriate. For more information about EASA’s 2010-11 school year calendar and registration dates, please go to www.sas.edu. sg/easa
Insurance Coverage The school maintains commercial insurance coverage for customary risks, including comprehensive liability, loss of school-owned property and fire insurance. The school does not maintain medical or accident insurance for students, parents or guests or for theft or loss of personal property, such as laptops and mobile phones. Parents are encouraged to arrange such insurance with one of the many carriers in Singapore. SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
17
The Dining Room
With one of the biggest Theater Arts III classes ever, 14 students, picking the appropriate play for the May production was a challenging task, especially because we wanted a play with sufficient roles for each student to have reasonable stage time. Finally, we picked the heartwarming and thought-provoking The Dining Room. The Dining Room, by A.R. Gurney, consists of several seemingly unrelated scenes with one thing in common – they all take place in the same dining room. The play evolves around several storylines that explore the relationships between a variety of characters, including a rebellious teenager, a lonely old lady, an elegant aunt and two women involved in affairs. From sad moments to funny moments to heartwarming moments, the scenes portray the daily goings-on of WASPS (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) from different decades, exploring the dying tradition of the families who dine in the room and growing ideals concerned with materialism and “progress.” The play evolved from a shambles with missed cues and forgotten lines to a wonderful production that will never be forgotten. Everybody played an integral part in the play, and each has grown so much in acting skills. We give a special thanks to our departing seniors and wish them much luck in
18
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
By Zoe Fong, grade 11
their future endeavors: Ben Adickes, Hayden Marushi, Nina Miller, Heather Morris, Max Robertson and Ken Sweigert. Of course, the theater students were not the only vital ones in this fantastic production. Tracy Meyer should be mentioned for her amazing skills as a director and for her acting advice. Others without whom we could not have staged the production are theater coordinator Paula Silverman – who lined up all our tech help and stage managed the show – and stagecraft teacher Paul Koebnick, whose students helped create our beautiful dining room set. Because their names were inadvertently omitted from our program, we’d also like to acknowledge the invaluable work of four dedicated stagecraft students. Thank you, Eleanor Barz, Ellie Rava, Dan Moore and Jesse Scarborough. It was great working with you! We were also fortunate to have the assistance of Leo Lei and Lucy Luo, who worked props (and everything else!) and created the fabulous lighting effects. We hope the audience had just as much fun watching The Dining Room as we had staging and performing it We raise a toast to theater students, crew and our audiences – as Max Robertson put it in the last scene, “To all of us!”
Reflections on my visit to SAS
Return, as any seasoned expat knows, is a complex endeavor. On the one hand, there is the joy of reabsorbing the sights, sounds and smells you have missed for so long. During my three days at SAS, I relished the fragrance and spice of Mr. Ho’s Szechuan chicken, the steamy heat outside the classrooms, the familiar sea of white polo shirts and blue shorts, and the eager voices of students in the hallway. This is inevitably accompanied by a pang of longing for what has disappeared—my best friends from SAS, for example, who are now scattered across the globe and the Mandarin language that once sprang so easily to my lips. Trips to old homes remind you of how you and they have changed: SAS has a gorgeous new theater and a renovated high school; I have a new identity as an American journalist in Berlin. But, as I learned after three days of leading Third Culture Kid-themed writing workshops, nobody understands the rapture and rub of return and leavetaking better than SAS students. In astonishingly eloquent student poetry and through heartfelt discussions, I heard the TCK highly mobile lifestyle celebrated and thoughtfully examined. One eleventh grader portrayed, in crystalline detail, the rush of relief he feels
in his yearly return to Mexico. Like any good writer, he “showed” rather than “told”: in depicting the smells and sounds of his family home, the rest of the class was transported to a place that is obviously still living in him despite the miles separating him from his passport country. In talks with sixth graders, we discussed various ways to cope with leaving homes behind. Today’s students are much more adept with technology than I was at their age, and one group animatedly shouted out ways they keep in touch with old friends, through Skype, Facebook, email, you name it. One student, however, sounding much older than his eleven-odd years, commented that he found it much better to simply “move on with his life” rather than try to maintain ties to old homes. Another student described how she has filled a shoebox with objects she cherishes from all of her old homes. The longing TCKs experience for their old homes can hurt, but it also signifies the richness of their experiences there. What’s more, as I have discovered from my own experience as a fiction writer and a journalist, and as the truly impressive writing of the students confirmed, such a background is incredibly powerful writing material. A talk with parents
By Brittani Sonnenberg (Class of 99)
one evening and an after-school discussion with SAS teachers also reminded me of what a rich, supportive network there is for TCKs at SAS, complete with teachers who also grew up as TCKs. I am incredibly grateful to the SAS Foundation, the Office of Learning, the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Office of Communications and Development for my time at SAS. It was wonderful to have the chance to work with such talented students. I think the moment that I treasure most was when a room of sixth graders broke into spontaneous applause after hearing another student’s poem describing his feeling of loss after leaving California. They clapped because the poem was beautiful, but they also clapped because they knew exactly what their classmate meant, and I believe that hearing it made us all feel a little less alone. After my three days at SAS, my greatest hope is that I’ve given students a new confidence in their abilities to reconnect to old homes and the courage to confront complicated feelings through creative expression. Being a third culture kid is ultimately a gift that, despite its challenges, gives us access to travel beyond borders closed to many others and to grow from these experiences, both as writers and as people.
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
19
Booster Club
After a four year break the Booster Club brought back the Home Tour for the 13th time. On Friday May 7, on a gorgeous sunny day, over 100 people had the pleasure of touring four uniquely different black and white homes. Besides the chance to see inside of the black and whites, everyone learned some history of the neighborhoods in which they resided and their personal history. We were fortunate to have the home owners offer their own perspectives. Each home offered a tasting of international cuisine, which gave us all a chance to mingle and leisurely admire the surroundings. It is not often that we are afforded the opportunity to see inside these historic homes. The appeal from the outside is unmatched with the inside. Not only was the design and layout of each house unique, but each was decorated individually, reflecting the style of the residents. Many have collected items throughout their travels and display them in their homes. Others are very creative artists, and their homes are their showcases.
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
Special thanks go to: Our Sponsors: Yeap Transport Pte Ltd for providing the bus service Asian Tigers KC Dat for bus giveaways Expat Living Magazine for bus giveaways
Home Hostesses: Sandy Chadwick, Daywen Chu, Janice Chumakov, Connie Harless, Julie Jackson, Leslie Lancaster, Lata Marsh, Jo McNaughton, Mika Parekh, Sandi Remson, Shelley Shaffer.
Booster Club
Cuisine By: Singaporean: Mae Anderson and her mother Veronica Yo Thai: Erma Huston British: Cheryl van Tilburg Indian: Arathi Nilakantan
Booster Club
Bus Hostesses: Jodi Hicks, Dianne McManigal, Lauren Petty, and Kristi Rothenberger
Last, a huge thank you to the families who so generously opened their homes:
Thank you from the Booster Executive Commit-
tee.
Look for the recipe for Cheryl’s very popular punch in the upcoming Booster cookbook!
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
The Barge/Hedegus Family The Chaudhry Family The Fiebrich/Hoss Family The Zulkoski Family
! Booster Club ! OOK E B S K A PLE UR COO N O I O T TEN FILL UP .sg/ T A R O du YOU HELP T er.sas.e UR //boost O Y : D http NEE Dead E W line e xten
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
Contribute your favorite recipes to
ded u
ntil
June
30!
The easiest way to submit your recipe is to go to the Booster website and click on the link for the cookbook. You can even cut and paste your ingredients and instructions!
What could be easier!
Otherwise kindly complete the Recipe Form available on the website or in the HS Office and either 1. Email to: Boostercookbook@yahoo.com.sg or 2. Leave a hard copy at the HS Office, attention: Janice Chumakov, SAS Booster Club Cookbook
All proceeds from the sale of the SAS Booster Club Cookbook will benefit High Schoolers.
If you or your business would like to sponsor all or part of the printing of this cookbook, please contact Janice for more details at Boostercookbook@yahoo.com.sg or 97806105. Dear 3Q Honor Roll Students and parents,
We would like to enlist your assistance to ensure that the students of SAS have the best opportunities to explore and pursue their dreams and aspirations. This is the second year for the SAS Eagles Booster Club Mentor for a Day program. The program is designed to ignite high school students’ curiosity about possible career opportunities as well as raise money to fund extra-budgetary needs of the high school.
If you are interested in being a Mentor for a Day, please contact Janice Chumakov at mentorforaday2@yahoo.com.sg or 97806105.
Booster Club
Booster Club
Booster Club
We are still looking for mentors – We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about their careers and who are interested in imparting this passion to a new generation. As a mentor you would agree to guide a high school student (age 13-18) for a day, allowing him or her to shadow you as you perform heart surgery, develop an ad campaign, oversee a construction project, create a work of art, design a building, decorate a cake or whatever it is you do! To enable students equal opportunites to enjoy the mentoring, we will auction the mentorships off at a private SAS parent social. The prospective date for this auction is September 2010. All monies raised go to the high school in many forms that benefit all students. The student would then schedule the Mentor Day, at the convenience of the mentor, within the 2010-2011 school year.
Booster Club
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP SHAPE A STUDENT’S FUTURE?
Booster Club
Students, congratulations again on your academic achievements. We hope you enjoyed the luncheon provided last week by the Booster Club and your parents. Our appreciation to parents of 9th, 10th and 11th grade students for providing the extras that make the luncheon so enjoyable. Thanks to our many committee members – it’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve with you this year. Students, we wish you continued success in 4Q. To our seniors, congratulations on graduation and wishes for success at university! Dianne, Lauren, & Shelley, Booster Club Honor Roll Luncheon Committee Chairs
2nd Grade has a New Way to Walk! By Pearl Morris and Sarah Farris on behalf of the grade two team at SAS
All grade 2 students put on their walking shoes and celebrated the fourth annual Second Grade WalkA-Thon on Friday, April 23. Students walked around the High School track from 8-9:30 am in “Hope” of raising awareness for Kampung Kids in Indonesia and our adopted elephant “Hope,” living in Thailand. The monies raised will help support underprivileged school children in Jakarta (www.kampungkids.org) and orphaned elephants in Chiang Mai (www.elephantnaturefoundation.org). This community service project was hosted by all the second grade teachers and parent volunteers as well as Principal David Hoss and Vice Principal Ken Schunk. Many younger siblings of the students were also in attendance. The students ran, hopped, skipped and walked with friends, parents and teachers to make a difference. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, a bigger parent turn-out or happier students. They had so much fun walking the track with friends and family that this year it was dubbed “The Talk-A-Thon!” Thank you to everyone who put on their walking shoes and helped to create the success of our Grade Two Walk-A-Thon. A big thank you also goes to the SAS Foundation for contributing $2,000.00 in matching funds! This is the fourth year the SAS Foundation has donated matching funds for our community service project, and students, parents and faculty can’t thank it enough for its continued support and generosity. We definitely found a new way to walk that CAN make a difference!
22
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
School Uniform Sales
August 12-14, 9 am to 3 pm – Orientation and Open House High School (grades 9-12) TOPS and PE UNIFORMS – Booster Booth (second floor of the HS) Preschool through Grade 8 TOPS and PE UNIFORMS – Elementary Gym BOTTOMS: Lim Meng Keng Department Store will sell pants, shorts, skirts and skorts for all students – Elementary Theater
First week of school – August 16-20 TOPS and PE UNIFORMS Starting Monday, August 16, Preschool-Grade 8 uniform tops and PE uniforms will be sold at the PTA Office, 9am-2:30pm. HS uniform tops and PE uniforms will be sold in the Booster Booth, 7:45am-3:15pm. BOTTOMS: Lim Meng Keng Department Store will sell pants, shorts, skirts and skorts for all students – August 16-20, 9am - 2:30pm in the PTA Office. After these dates, bottoms may be ordered through the PTA or purchased at Lim Meng Keng Department Story in Holland Village. Uniform bottoms may also be purchased online through Land’s End. Read more about SAS uniform guidelines on the website. Go to “SAS Uniform Guidelines” under “Quick Links” on the SAS homepage www.sas.edu.sg. Payment for uniforms is by cash or Singapore bank checks only, unless to Lim Meng Keng, which also accepts credit cards and Nets.
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
23
High School Laptop Requirement The Singapore American School believes technology plays a vital and increasing role in learning. High School students and faculty have Wi–Fi access throughout the HS campus to enhance learning. Mobile technology is available to all students and staff whenever and wherever needed. Integrated wireless technology promotes an individual’s success in using technology as a lifelong learning tool. Technology provides new learning and teaching opportunities. SAS students are “digital natives,” preparing for college and learning beyond college. A wireless laptop community leads to greater technology independence and responsibility. From a learning and teaching viewpoint, the engaged learning initiative further supports differentiated learning. Communication, expression, collaboration and technology skills are more easily facilitated. In terms of the day to day operations of the school, the Wi–Fi network increases access to information, allows increased support and training and reduces our use of paper resources. Through standardized computer and network configurations, we bring a wider array of curriculum resources into our classrooms.
The Program
From the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year, the SAS High School will require that students in grades 9-12 to own a laptop computer.
Purchasing a Laptop
Laptops may be purchased through the school’s partner, Lenovo. The machines come at a substantial discount and have four year, on-site warranties. Contact Elizabeth Hong at Tivo Technologies Pte, elizabeth@tivo-tech.com, tel: 6288 3858, or visit the SAS–Lenovo Service Center (H308) to place an order.
Laptop Specifications
If students already have a laptop or purchase a qualifying laptop through an alternate vendor, it must be configured to run Windows via software emulation (using VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop, for example). Additionally, student laptops are required to have Office 2007, or newer, installed (minimum: Home & Student Edition). Apple laptops must have at least MS Office 2008, and users may find it easier if they have the Windows version installed. Other curriculum support software may be provided at no additional cost depending on the student’s class needs (examples include Geometer’s Sketchpad, Graphical Analysis, Autograph).It is also recommended that students have image editing software. (Adobe Photoshop elements, CS4, Picasa).
Minimum Hardware Specifications
• 2.0 GHz processor • 2 GB RAM (Recommended: 4 GB RAM) • 160 GB Hard Drive • Optical Drive (CD and DVD reader/writer) • System able to run recent Windows Operating System • Recommended: built-in web cam Note: Netbooks are NOT recommended as they do not have sufficient processing power, speed or storage.
Terms and Conditions
All students must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and the guidelines specified in the Student Handbook. Use of the laptop on school premises is only permitted after registration and configuration with the Tech Help Center (H307K).
Care and Maintenance:
The laptop is the property and responsibility of the student. In the event of loss, theft, or damage – whether on or off school grounds – students are solely responsible for repairs and/or replacement. To assist students with any hardware or software issues, full-time tech support is available on campus from in the Tech Help Center (H307K). Lenovo warranty issues are handled by the SAS-Lenovo Service Center (H308). The IT Department does not provide technical support for Internet access and connectivity issues in the student’s home.
Terms and Conditions
All students must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and the guidelines specified in the Student Handbook. Use of the laptop on school premises is only permitted after registration and configuration with the Tech Help Center (H307K).
24
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
Care and Maintenance:
The laptop is the property and responsibility of the student. In the event of loss, theft, or damage – whether on or off school grounds – students are solely responsible for repairs and/or replacement. To assist students with any hardware or software issues, full-time tech support is available on campus from in the Tech Help Center (H307K). Lenovo warranty issues are handled by the SASLenovo Service Center (H308). The IT Department does not provide technical support for Internet access and connectivity issues in the student’s home.
File Storage and Backing Up:
Students are responsible for managing the back-up and maintenance of computer files, folders and documents on laptops. The school is not responsible for any loss of data.
Sound:
Audio must be muted at all times unless teacher permission is granted. Students are responsible for providing printing: If necessary, students may print in black and white on the wireless printers in the HS Library and the Tech Help Center.
Laptop “Dress Code”:
Inappropriate media may not be used as a screensaver/desktop backgrounds or attached to laptop accessories, including display of weapons, pornography, inappropriate language, alcohol, drug, gang-related or hate symbols or pictures.
Training:
All students are required to complete the Laptop Orientation Course in Blackboard in their first semester at SAS.
Transport and Storage of Laptops:
SAS recommends that all students purchase protective cases/foam sleeves for their laptops and that they be carried in a closed/ zipped backpack or shoulder bag. When not in use in class, laptop should be in student lockers.
Loaning or Borrowing Laptops:
Students should NOT loan or borrow laptops from one another or share passwords or user names.
Personal Software:
All applications installed on laptops must be legally obtained. Music and games may not be downloaded or streamed over the SAS network.
Internet Safety:
The school filters Internet traffic, and on request or suspicion, may monitor network activity. Off-campus, it is the responsibility of students and parents/guardians to decide what software or sites may be accessed. The school is not liable for what students do on the Internet at home and does not provide monitoring software.
Batteries and Charging:
Batteries should be fully charged on laptops overnight. A spare, charged battery is also recommended. With two batteries, students should be able to get through a full day of classes without requiring access to wired power. Sufficient access to wired power is, however, provided in most instructional spaces in the school.
Failure to Comply with the Agreement:
The use of school IT resources and services, including access to the Internet, is a privilege, not a right. Acceptable Use Policy and the terms and conditions outlined in this guide will result in one or more of the following: • Network access may be blocked; • Disciplinary action by the High School administration and/or Superintendent of Schools; • Possible recommendation for expulsion from the school; • Notification to the appropriate legal authorities for possible prosecution; • The user being held responsible for damages to IT equipment, networks and hardware or software systems resulting from deliberate or willful acts of vandalism.
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
25
Thinking Outside the Crayon Box
Ar t by Primary & Intermediate Students
Music by the Treblemakers
26
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
MS Ar t Show
HS Ar t Show
SAS NewsFlash – June 2010
27
SAS Open House Saturday, August 14 9 am to 1pm First WEEK OF School Singapore American School families are invited to attend Open House on Saturday, August 14. 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 in the High School, from the PTA in the Elementary Gymnasium and from Lim’s Department Store in the back of the Elementary Theater. Vehicle registration and buses information will be available. Lenovo will provide product information and sales. Community organizations, such as SACAC, Scouts and EASA, will be in attendance. Cafeterias and other food outlets will be open, and the PTA will host an Ice Cream Social in the IS/MS Cafeteria. Complete details will be published in the August NewsFlash.
Saturday, August 14 Open House 9 am-1pm
Monday, August 16 First Day of School for Grades 3 – 12
Monday/Tuesday, August 16-17
Orientation for ECC and Primary School. Teachers will contact parents the week of August 9 regarding orientation times.
Wednesday, August 18
First day for Pre-K – grade 2
Wednesday/Thursday, August 18, 19 Preschool students attend with their parents
Friday, August 20
All preschool students attend school
Address : 40 Woodlands Street 41, Singapore 738547 Tel: 6363 3403 Fax: 6363 3408 Email : sasinfo@sas.edu.sg Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg