MICA (P)107/09/2010
A Singapore American School community service publication
June 2011 Volume 13, Issue 8-10/11
SAS: A School of Place By Brent Mutsch, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
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e began the 2010-11 school year in eager anticipation of the first day of school. On June 2, the year will officially come to a close for our students with another eagerly anticipated event, high school commencement. We will gather as a community to celebrate the academic and cocurricular achievements of each of the 267 seniors who make up the Class of 2011. Three members of the class have been part of our school community since joining preschool 15 years ago. Over the past 15 years students have joined this class every year, including 16 seniors who joined in the fall of 2010. Just as the successes, challenges and opportunities of the past nine months have defined the current school year,
the collective educational experiences that make up the past 15 years have shaped the academic careers of our seniors. As unique and different as these experiences have been, I’ve discovered in recent conversations with a number of upcoming graduates a strand that binds us together as a community. Regardless of the amount of time they have been at SAS, students speak with clarity in recognizing and acknowledging that our school has made a positive difference in their lives and has shaped how they see both the world and themselves. In recent years, I’ve found this perspective to hold true as well for many other students, parents, faculty and staff who have been members of the SAS community at one Continued on page 3
Editor’s Note
My Top 10 List By Tamara Black Assoc. Dir. of Communications
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his time last year, my family and I were packing up our house as we prepared to embark upon a journey to the other side of the world. We felt ready for the changes in climate (goodbye perfect SoCal weather), transportation (commuting to school in our own car would turn into sharing a standing-room-only bus) and dining opportunities (hawker center, anyone?) What we weren’t expecting, however, was how quickly our family would become part of the school community. Simply put, I love being at SAS. As I reflect upon the first year of what I hope will be a long tenure, I thought I would share my: Top 10 Reasons Why I Love SAS 10. With more than 50 nationalities represented among the student body, we embrace and celebrate diversity. 9. Mr. Ho’s donuts. That’s all I’ll say about that. 8. My daughter is receiving a top notch American education while developing an international perspective. She understands and cares about global issues like never before. 7. SAS is focused on learning for everyone from students to teachers and staff to parents. 6. The opportunity to live and travel in this part of the world is amazing. On a recent trip to Bali, I even had the good fortune to have a monkey climb on my shoulder! (That is an omen of good luck, right?)
Important Dates for 2011-12 Aug 13 Aug 15 Jan 9 Jun 5 Jun 5
SAS Open House First Day of School Late Start Day for Students Classes begin at 10:00am Last Day for Students Dismissal at 11:30am Last Day for Faculty
Holidays & School Vacations Aug 30 Oct 26–28 Nov 6–7 Nov 24–25 Dec 17–Jan 8 Jan 23–24 Mar 24–Apr 1 Apr 6 May 1 May 6
Hari Raya Puasa Deepavali, Fall Break Hari Raya Haji Thanksgiving Winter Break, Christmas, New Year Chinese New Year Spring Break Good Friday Labor Day Vesak Day
NewsFlash is published monthly during the academic year except September and January by the communications office of Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to the parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school. We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School. Editor: Tamara Black, Associate Director of Communications Layout Design: Alfi Dino Photography: Karen Cortezano
5. Even though SAS is the largest single-campus international school in the world, we care about each and every student. And the students know it.
Contacts
4. I get to work with the best of the best. Where does SAS find all of these remarkable folks?
General Inquiries and Comments communications@sas.edu.sg
3. I no longer need to wear socks because the PTA and Booster Club just keep knockin’ ‘em off. 2. I have the best job in the world. I get to tell the stories of the amazing people who make up our school community. And my number one reason for why I love SAS: 1. When I arrived at Changi Airport last July and found Dr. Mutsch waiting right outside customs to greet new faculty, staff and their families, I realized that I hadn’t just accepted a new job. I had joined a community.
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NewsFlash SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL
NewsFlash Submissions Tamara Black, tblack@sas.edu.sg
Deadline for NewsFlash submissions is the first of the month prior to the proposed month of publication.
Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41, Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 www.sas.edu.sg NewsFlash is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Continued from front cover
time or another. SAS is a school of place created by the intersection of our lives with one another, and we are each shaped by the very nature of this interaction. As life is a journey and not a destination, we take great pride in knowing that SAS has played an important role in preparing our seniors to successfully take their next steps beyond the SAS experience. The high school counseling team has worked throughout the year with students and parents to identify and seek admission to colleges and universities that would best serve their aspirations and passions. From August 2010 to April 2011, our high school counseling department hosted 250 colleges and universities representing the United States as well as Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Each year about 75% of SAS graduates matriculate to colleges in the United States. In the Class of 2011 there are 18 graduates who will complete Singapore National Service before beginning university. To date, the Class of 2011 also has students who have made commitments to attend colleges in Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom. The counseling department has coordinated the submission of 1,350 applications and anticipates that approximately 1,500 applications will ultimately be submitted on behalf of members of the Class of 2011. This equates to approximately 5.5 applications per student. The most popular colleges for this year’s class are Columbia University, Duke University, New York University, Northwestern University, University of California at Los Angeles, and University of Michigan. Four or more members of the graduating class will be matriculating to each of these institutions. For those of you whose journeys will take you beyond the SAS campus at the conclusion of this year, we bid you a fond farewell. I encourage you to join our alumni community so that we may stay in touch and share in
Dr. Mutsch speaks at the recent Star Appeal Gala 2011.
your future successes and so that you also may share in the continuing successes of SAS. For those of you who will rejoin us for 2011-12, we look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the fall for another outstanding year focused on learning and filled with rich and meaningful experiences for our students. Looking toward the first day of classes on August 15, we anticipate a record high percentage of students returning to Singapore American School and subsequently a record high enrollment. We believe this is due in large part to the fact that at SAS we take the best of an American education and use it as a lens through which to develop students who see themselves as global citizens. We come together as a school community with a purpose of providing an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective to each of our students. We are fortunate to share in successfully accomplishing this mission with each of you. May the summer provide for a wonderful break and the opportunity to renew before coming back together for a successful 2011-12 school year.
Quick Start Guide
Open House 2011-12 Singapore American School families are invited to our annual Open House on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Class lists will be posted and you will be able to visit classrooms, meet teachers and pick up schedules. School uniforms will be available for purchase during Open House. PTA will offer white polo shirts and PE uniforms for students from Preschool through Grade 8, and the Booster Club will offer the same items for Grades 9-12. Lim’s Department Store will be on campus to sell uniform bottoms for all grades.
2011-12
Watch your email at the beginning of August for more information and a digital copy of our Quick Start Guide to 2011-12. If you need to update your email address, please complete the online form at http://sas4.me/changeofaddress.
www.sas.edu.sg
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PTA By Mae Anderson PTA President
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his letter is my final NewsFlash communication as PTA President, and represents an opportunity to reflect upon eight years of service on the PTA Executive Board, the last three as President. In the spirit of leadership renewal, I will be turning the PTA over to a very capable team that will carry our work forward. As I prepare to move on to new challenges, I have had the chance over the closing months of the school year to think about the role that the PTA and its volunteers play in helping to weave the fabric of the special community that is the Singapore American School. To be involved in the PTA is to work day in and day out with dedicated parents who give freely of themselves to make the school a welcoming, closely knit environment. PTA service has meant getting to know many of the hard-working staff members who take such great care of the school’s beautiful facility and are at the ready to move furniture, lift heavy boxes, and meet the demanding logistical needs which come with most PTA events. The SAS administration, from friendly and helpful receptionists and secretaries to the Superintendent and his leadership team, are always accessible and at the ready to help assure the success of PTA projects. Service in the
PTA has also meant getting to know many of our faculty members, each of whom is dedicated each day to shaping the future by teaching our children. People tend to think of SAS as a venerable institution that will soon celebrate its 60th anniversary, and that has grown in parallel with the dynamic, young country of which it is a part. When looking back on my time in the PTA, I realize that SAS is in fact the sum total of the many small kindnesses extended on our campus each day. Its character is the product of the hours of individual, anonymous and sustained effort made by committed adults, be they parents, faculty or staff, in helping our children get a good start in life. I feel privileged to have played a small part in the continuous effort to make our school a better place. No matter how many hours worked or ideas and resources that may have been contributed, many PTA volunteers look back on their service and find that they have gotten more out of the experience than they have put in. I feel much the same way as I prepare to hand off to a new PTA leadership team. The commitment of SAS to helping each child reach his or her potential is renewed each morning when the school opens its doors. As a volunteer in our community, I am proud of the work the PTA has done in helping SAS achieve its mission. Mae Anderson PTA President mae.anderson@mac.com
PTA Staff Appreciation Day 2011
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taff Appreciaton Day on April 26 was a great day for all and 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 and Grade Level Head Parents for having done such a wonderful job.
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NewsFlash SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL
PTA After the fund spending items are approved for the divisional requests, PTA will be able to donate more funds to SAS for its school wide requests which are: n K-12 Visiting Artists n ECC–Grade 5 Visual Artist in Residence n K-12 Visiting Authors n MS/HS Theater Artist in Residence n MS/HS Dance Artist in Residence PTA President Mae Anderson (third from left) presents a check for S$300,000 to SAS administrators.
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n May 10, the PTA held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Tea and Annual General Meeting at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador David Adelman and Mrs. Caroline Adelman. This year’s event was well attended with more than 125 PTA members, SAS administrators and faculty enjoying the event. The PTA made some exciting presentations to the school on that day. At the end of each school year, after outstanding invoices are paid and start-up money is set aside for the following year, excess funds in the PTA account are donated to the school for equipment and programs to benefit students through fund spending. The administration and principals determine the equipment and programs that they would like for the PTA to fund. They also prioritize and give supporting rationale for each request to the Fund Spending committee. This committee of PTA volunteers and faculty representatives considers the requests and recommends how the available funds should be allocated. These recommendations are then ratified by the PTA board. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many volunteers and through the generous support of the SAS community at PTA events, the PTA
is in the fortunate position once again of granting more than S$300,000 worth of divisional and school wide fund spending requests. Due to scheduling challenges, the PTA board met on May 24, after the Volunteer Appreciation Tea, to ratify the fund spending requests. A ceremonial cheque of S$300,000 was presented to the school administration confirming the minimum commitment of the PTA toward fund spending requests. Some of the items requested by the school at divisional levels include: n PS Classroom Library n PS Local Theatre Participation n IS Classroom Library n IS Counseling Library n IS Classroom Activity Corners & Lunch Bunch Equipment n IS Field Trips n MS Athletic Activity Display Screen n MS Graphing Equipment n HS E-Resources n HS Technology Equipment
n MS Author in Residence n HS Writers Perspective When Dr. Brent Mutsch, SAS Superintendent, was presented the ceremonial check, he thanked the PTA and the volunteers for their exceptional efforts. He also thanked the SAS community for coming together at every event and activity. PTA President Mae Anderson thanked the volunteers for their time and effort, and the administration for their support. She also thanked Ambassador David Adelman and Mrs. Caroline Adelman for hosting the Volunteer Appreciation Tea at their beautiful home. The new slate of PTA officers for the 2011-12 school year were presented by Shelby Pazos, PTA Parliamentarian. The officers are: President, Arathi Nilkantan; Vice President, Becky Moseley; Treasurer, Paula Hollister; Secretary, Diane Laurant; and Parliamentarian, Mae Anderson. The PTA thanks all the volunteers and members of the SAS community for their kind support and participation in PTA events throughout the school year that have enabled PTA to contribute so meaningfully to SAS. The PTA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable summer and looks forward to another successful school year. www.sas.edu.sg
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Eye on India PTA Gala Dinner Dance 2011 By Deb Christian, Event Co-Chair Photos by Alex Zink and Annie Hamby
The SAS PTA held its annual Gala Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 19 at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore Hotel. A cocktail reception opened the evening with guests enjoying sparkling wine and a deliciously refreshing cocktail, The Tiger’s Eye, courtesy of Rubicon Reserve Wines, and India Pale Ale, generously donated by Brewerks. The silent auction portion of the event featured many exciting items including jewelry, antiques, furniture, dining and spa vouchers, home décor, travel and sports packages and artwork. The Feathers of Fortune lucky draws and the Taj Treasures raffle gave everyone additional chances to bring home fabulous prizes. Following the cocktail reception and silent auction, the attendees proceeded into the dining room where they were greeted by beautifully decorated tables topped with jeweltoned saris and colorful Moroccan glass lanterns glittering with candlelight. A traditional four course Indian dinner prepared by Chefs Anthony and Suraj was enhanced by four different wines, each carefully chosen by Scott Hamilton of Rubicon Reserve Wines to compliment the spicy flavors of the cuisine. During dinner, the always charming Shukor from Eastern Carpets entertained the crowd both as auctioneer and as Master of Ceremonies. Shukor auctioned several carpets from Eastern Carpets, always a popular element of the Gala. Susan Devins, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Vice President for Sales and Marketing in the Asia Pacific region, gave an exciting pictorial view into
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NewsFlash SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL
what one lucky couple would be enjoying courtesy of the Four Seasons Resort in Mauritius. The unlimited golf package enticed several men to compete for the chance to take their wives on this romantic getaway for two. Damon Choy, representing Harley Davidson Singapore, revved up a bike in the doorway to the ballroom and the unmistakable Harley rumble stirred the crowd into bidding on a weekend bike rental package for two people. One Degree North started playing immediately following dessert and had everyone on their feet within minutes. The fact that the dance floor was still packed with people at 12:30am when the lights went on attests to the fact that Carmine, Ben, Steve and Brian have a way with music. The end came much too quickly to this magical Indian evening. Our guests were quite generous and the PTA was successful in raising funds that will be used for programs, enhancements and scholarships for our children at SAS. Kim Rowe and I wish to thank all members of the Gala committee for their tireless work and commitment to making the event the great success that it was. We also wish to extend a sincere thanks to all our sponsors and especially to Eastern Carpets, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, MENU Group, Rubicon Reserve Wines and Santa Fe Relocation Services, without whom this evening would not have been possible.
BOOSTER CLUB By Susan Fay Booster Club President
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s I write my last NewsFlash article after six years I’m overcome with so many emotions. Our family has been a part of the SAS community for nine years, and as of June 2nd both of our children will be proud SAS graduates. It has been a privilege and honor to have served both as the President of the PTA for three years and then as the Booster President for the past three years. I know many people think that giving so much of your free time is a waste, but I feel I have received so much more in return. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of a school that shows so much respect for its volunteers. The support I have always felt from everyone from the Superintendent to the cleaning crew has made the jobs I have held a pleasure. Our school is blessed with volunteers and paid teachers and staff who love the school as I do and give so much of themselves every day. I have been teased at times by those who say I must live on campus. I’ve sometimes wondered if that meant
I had been around too long. I always told myself that I would only volunteer as long as I still enjoyed what I was doing. I have to say I have never reached a point at SAS where I felt I was done and it was no longer enjoyable. I can never say thank you in this limited space to all of the people I would like to because there are too many and I would invariably forget someone. Let me just say that to all those I have worked with in the past nine years I greatly appreciate your support and friendship. I will miss SAS and the wonderful people that make it such a special place. Ken and I will remain in Singapore for a few more years so I hope to run into people from time to time and I will always carry a special place in my heart for SAS. As I move on to a new phase of my life as an “empty nester,” I wish all the best to the volunteers of the PTA and the Booster Club who I know will carry on and continue to build the community in the true SAS spirit. Susan Fay Booster Club President
Booster Home Tour Bus Hostesses Coordinator: Michele Goulding Julie O’Connell, Finola Brophy, Gillian Campbell, Susan Chapman, Shelley Shafer, Mika Parihk Home Hostesses
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he Booster Home Tour was held Friday, May 6th with the theme being Tea Around the Globe. More than 90 ladies joined us in visiting a wide variety of beautiful homes. The Booster Volunteers worked hard to bring a global variety of tea and refreshments so the participants could enjoy their tour through Singapore’s past and into the exciting future. Special thanks to: Our Sponsors n Yeap Transport Pte Ltd for providing bus service n Asian Tigers KC Dat for bus giveaways n Expat Living Magazine for the magazines and voucher
Elizabeth Issenberg, Kirsten Sansom, Nora Creech, Kim Rowe, Debbie Schachenman, Cathy Thomas, Agnese, Pike, Jane Sperling, Terri Fischer, Annette Long, Susan Fay, Kim Hamby, Janice Chumakov, Mary Conklin, Sandi Remson Global Tea n Irish: Therese Ross n New Orleans: Deb Christian, Becky Moseley n Chinese: Alice Shyu n Indian: Vidya Sambamurthy, Arathi Nilakanta And a huge Thank You to the four families who so generously offered their homes. n The Brandon Family n The Edds Family
n Sally Greene Jewelry
n The Hayes Family
n Taylor B Designs for silver fruit take-away gift
n The Shaulis Family
www.sas.edu.sg
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STAR APPEAL 2011 Developing Leaders and Global Citizens
Thank you for your support of the SAS Foundation through Star Appeal 2011 and other fund raising endeavors. Together, our contributions build rich and meaningful learning experiences for our students.