We, as a generation, have struggled through the most difficult times in education. As a parent and an educator, I have painfully watched my son, Kenshin, struggle through remote learning, social distancing, loss of school activities, and a host of other irregularities. I often find myself wondering how the pandemic will affect my son. Will my son’s math, for example, be on par? I’m not alone in worrying. The Pew Research Centre, for example, identified that 65% of the parents they surveyed were concerned about their children falling behind. Other polls report even higher levels of concern, citing 9 out of 10 parents worried about their children’s academics. While some caveats come with this data (it was based on US public schools) it’s fairly safe to say this is a global concern. Like other parents, my worry has also led me to attempt to “fill the gap” with extra studying and more work outside of school hours….
When Life Gives Us Lemons, We Make Lemonade
Yesterday we had the first PTO Book Club meeting of the school year, a very special one. In June the book was chosen, orders were taken, everything was under control as it should be. Back to school in August, orders were placed with our local vendor only to learn that the title was unavailable. Second choice also unavailable. Third choice, same. Last resort had to be Amazon and several orders were placed only to be cancelled afterwards followed by all kinds of excuses. Time was passing by and still no book for our September encounter. Andrea, our PageTurners Coordinator, then goes to the library and checks out the first book with as many copies available as we needed: Life of Pi, a beautifully written tale of hope and the innate human ability to overcome adversities. And it couldn’t have been better and more appropriate. The discussion was meaningful, deep and full of different colours, coming together from such a diverse group of people. With our tummies full and souls replenished, we left our encounter longing for more….
Education of the Heart
Starting in 1st grade and until I finished my studies at the Russian Embassy School in 2017, one of my favorite activities around the Christmas holidays was the Christmas Charity Bazaar we organized at school. During that one Friday during the year, all of the students would bring baked goods and interesting things for their grades to sell, the parents would organize challenges and games, and the teachers would teach us – the young salesmen – how to work with money and customers. The Charity Bazaar was the administration’s way to not only unite the school community and bring joy to the student body, but to also allow some of the sick children in Sofia to experience the magic of Christmas. Just in one day, we would raise money to support the children at the emergency department at Pirogov and would turn toys into the joyful laughter and smiles of the patients. …
Building a Community of Wellness
When someone scrapes their knee, breaks a bone, or catches a cold, it is easy to offer support and sympathy because there is something tangible for us to see. However, it becomes harder when what requires care and compassion is something invisible. There are things that one may be going through inside that even a close friend or a family member may not realize. This illustration by Hazel Mead shows a class of children and the different things on their mind entering the classroom. Some are simple kid wonderings and others are bigger issues they are trying to sort through. Today (10 Sept.) is World Suicide Prevention Day, which is one of many annual reminders on why it is important to support mental wellness. How can we support mental wellness as an AAS community? …
5 Ways You Can Give Your Child the Gift of Lifelong Learning
AAS approaches learning differently. Learning at AAS focuses on building habits and providing opportunities for deep understanding that will last a lifetime; this is the reason so many families choose this school over the many other options that are out there. What our children experience at this school is incredible, but ensuring they receive the lifelong gift of learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when the same values for learning which are taught at school (as Elementary School Learning Norms) are reinforced at home. Below you will find the 5 Learning Norms which are posted in every one of our elementary classrooms along with ways you can reinforce them at home….
Welcome to the New School Year
The days leading up to the first day of school are some of the most exciting and nerve wracking days for everyone. Students are excited for the new school year and all of the fun they hope to have in class, in activities and athletics, and with friends new and old. Parents are amazed that their child/ren is/are another year older and taking on new responsibilities. School staff are frantically working to be ready for their new students and the new year ahead–they never actually feel “ready.” When the first day arrives and progresses, the nerves go away and we are all left with a feeling of excitement. It is now early Friday morning: the first day when we will have all students back on campus. I am nothing but excited…for today and the year ahead. It has been wonderful to see the students and parents returning to AAS over the past two days. Most of my conversations go the same way: first I am asked about my summer; then I am asked if we will be on campus for in-person learning all year. To the first question, I respond that it was a splendid summer. No trip to America this year. Just a lot of sunny and relaxing time in Bulgaria and Greece. To the second question, I say that I don’t know if we will be on campus for in-person learning all year, but I sure hope so (and I usually knock on wood–my head). …
On Traditions – Old and New
We have a tradition in our home: on the last day of school, the kids can have anything they want for breakfast. Because of this tradition, I owe apologies to our kids’ teachers through the years. There have been many last days of school when our kids have arrived for the emotional and exciting day pumped full of ice cream and other such foods. Today, our kids had chocolate milkshakes and waffles. Traditions can be a lot of fun, and they can help ease the stress of transitions (see my June 4 Weekly Howl blurb for more about transitions). Over the past year, many of the traditional events at AAS have been missed. However, this spring has been full of traditional events and new events to mark the end of the year. Last week we had the HS Benefit Gig, which was exceptional and set a very high bar for future Gigs. This week alone, we have had the 5th and 8th grade Moving Up ceremonies, the Awards and Recognition Assemblies, the Farewell Assemblies, and more. …
On Learning Outside of the Classroom
When I reflect on my time at AAS, I look back upon the quality of teacher instruction, engagement from students within the classroom, and relationships developed to enhance and strengthen the AAS community. However, as we all know there are many aspects to learning that provide opportunities for new skills, challenges and interests to be explored, discovered, and enjoyed. Despite the current restrictions placed upon us all, a degree of normality is definitely returning. I look at the eager faces of Middle and High school students as they wait expectantly to be transported to Sofia beach and it truly fills my heart with joy as they attempt new activities and forge new relationships….
A Letter From the PTO President
Dear AAS Community, My involvement with the PTO began in 2012 when my now 20-year-old son moved from ES to MS, my daughter was still in 3rd grade. I didn’t know too much about the international school education system at AAS, nor did I know much about the PTO. But I knew that I wanted to be actively involved with my kids’ education and understand more about school life at AAS, so I would be able to help them more. But after three years serving the PTO only as a volunteer, they offered my nomination for the PTO President position, and it was at this time that I thought ‘Why not?’ It was a personal challenge to go to a deeper level of involvement. I never imagined that I would take on a role to serve and represent hundreds of parents and teachers. I am honored all these years to be able to lead such a great team of parents and interact with all these amazing people that we call teachers….
Reflections at the End of the Schoolyear
In my first year of teaching–I taught a grade 4 class in Bonn, Germany–I remember being astonished at how the school year seemed to speed up after the spring break. Each year since, I try to prepare myself for the busy and exciting spring as another school year comes to a close, but I am never successful. Again this year, I find myself caught up in the hyper-drive vacuum of May and June. This time of the year is the busiest, the most exciting, and the most emotional. It is the busiest because we are planning for next year while at the same time doing everything that comes with the end of a school year. It is the most exciting because of all of the special events and celebrations that mark the end of another school year. From graduation and moving up ceremonies, to classroom celebrations, to many different transitions, there is a lot going on. At the same time, outside of school there are barbecues, picnics in the park, and other social events. …
What’s Next for the AAS Class of 2021?
This afternoon, a look-alike group of 33 emerging adults, all draped in royal blue and capped with tasseled mortarboards, will gather in the Rila Theater for the 2021 AAS commencement ceremony. Today we celebrate their collective achievement of completing 12 years of school and graduating from AAS. Soon after the ceremony, though, they’ll shed their grad attire, leave campus (many never to return), and head off on their individual paths. What’s next for the AAS Class of 2021? Most will go immediately to university. The top destination continues to be the United Kingdom, with seven AAS grads moving there for their studies….
Let’s Take a Walk Around Elementary School
Join Dr. Horne for a quick tour through the Elementary School to see all the great learning your children are producing….
