Friday 7 December 2012

15: Friday 7th December 2012

Primary News


Extra Curricula activities
This is the final week for session 2 of our extra curricula programme. Session 3 will begin on Monday 14th January.

UK trip 2013
Parents and children involved in the Grade 5 trip to the UK in the summer of 2013 are invited to attend a meeting in the Lecture Theatre at 6.00pm on Monday 10th December.

Santa’s Festival and Christmas Shows
The Christmas Fair and show for LP children and parents start at 16.00 on Wednesday 12th December and will finish around 18.30. We look forward to welcoming our LP families to this event in which all of our children take part. Proceeds from the fair will go towards the Primary Spring Fair Scholarship Fund which benefits ABC’s maintenance staff and their families with educational scholarships. 

Family Christmas Celebration
The primary choir and orchestra have been very busy preparing for this year’s Family Christmas Celebration. They will be performing alongside their secondary colleagues and are working very hard to make this a very special Christmas event. Tickets are on sale from primary and secondary offices for $3 (until Tuesday only - please note that there will be no tickets sold at the door). Please do buy your ticket and come along to support the children.

Christmas Parties
Lower primary parties will take place in school on Thursday and upper primary parties on Friday morning.

End of term 1
Term one finishes on Friday 14th December. Arrangements for primary children are as follows:

11am Pre-Kinder and Kinder from usual pick-up points
11am Prepa and 1st Grade from PAC pick-up point
11.30am Upper Primary

Term two begins on Monday 7th January and we look forward to welcoming all the children back to school on that day.

On behalf of all the primary school staff I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that you enjoy a restful holiday with your families.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 12th December: Christmas Shows 4pm - 6.30pm in the PAC
Friday 14th December - Last day of school

Upper Primary
Friday 14th December - Last day of school

Secondary News

We will be electing our new Tribal Chiefs on Monday and we will be selecting the new Head Students during the coming week. We will announce our choices in next week’s letter. The Head Students are chosen by a combination of votes from their peers, teachers and an interview

Thank you to all of you who came to the Partnership meeting for Grade 10 & 12 yesterday. Cal 1 Reports for Grade 7, 9 & 11 are going home today with the students. Please keep the originals, sign the photocopies and return them on Monday for our records. There is a Grade 6 & 8 Parent Partnership meeting next Tuesday at 6pm. We also have Secondary Award Assemblies next Thursday 8.40am for Grades 9-12 and 12.40pm for Grades 6-8. We will be awarding HM Roll of Honour and ROC Merit Awards. Parents are welcome to attend and should park in the Emergency Car Park.

Next Friday is the last day of term and all secondary students will leave school at 12noon so please make the necessary arrangements to pick them up on time. Students should come to school in PE uniform next Friday as we will be holding our annual Intertribal Tug Of War competition.

Thank you to all of you for your support this term and we look forward to the next term on Monday 7th January. Have a Happy and Safe Christmas Holiday.

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 7th December: Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued
Tuesday 11th December: Grades 6 and 8 Parent Partnership Meeting: Cal 1 reports will be issued.
Thursday 13th December: Awards Assemblies. ABC Family Christmas Celebration
Friday 14th December: Term One ends at 12 noon for the three week Christmas Holiday.
Monday 7th January: Term Two Starts

Friday 30 November 2012

14: Friday 30th November 2012

From the Headmaster

Coffee with the Headmaster and Board Chair.
Parents are cordially invited on Thursday 6th of December at 7:10 to 8am. In order to plan properly for parking, space and catering reasons, please let us know by Tuesday that you are coming, using this simple form.

Primary News

Last month in Primary









Next week in Primary

Monday 3rd December - UP choir, orchestra and recorders
Our UP choir and musicians will be preparing us for Christmas with a concert at the Palacio Tecleño in Santa Tecla on Monday 3rd December at 6pm. This is a new venue for us and we are very excited by it. Please come along to support the children.

Tuesday 4th December - UP choir
The pupils in the UP choir will be going to the Hogar Adalberto Guirola orphanage on Tuesday morning to present some Christmas songs to the children and to organise a small Christmas party for them.

UP reports
UP reports for Cal 1 will be sent home with the children today. We apologise for the delay with these due to some technical hitches.

Wednesday 5th December - Achievement ceremonies
Cal 1 achievement ceremonies take place today. We look forward to see invited parents there.

Friday 7th December - 1st Caceres assembly
Parents of children in 1st Caceres are welcome to come to watch their children’s assembly this morning.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 7th December: 1st Cáceres Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Wednesday 12th December: Christmas Shows 4pm - 6.30pm in the PAC

Upper Primary
Monday 3rd December: Palacio Tecleño Concert, at 6.00pm
Tuesday 4th December: CAL 1 goes home 
Wednesday 5th December: 2nd and 3rd grade Achievement Ceremony, in the PAC, at 10.00am
Wednesday 5th December: 4th and 5th grade Achievement Ceremony, in the PAC, at 12.00md
Wednesday 5th December: Santa’s Festival, from 3.30 to 6.30, ABC campus

Secondary News

We are starting to issue Cal 1 reports from next week and there are a number of Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings which are taking place (see below and the school calendar). We ask that you check your diaries and make sure you are able to attend these meetings. We will be discussing a number of issues as well as handing out reports. 

We are very concerned in school about students and their valuable items especially as more students are bringing laptops to school. We have had a laptop go missing again this week and while we are stepping up our security and vigilance we need to do all we can to ensure our students are responsible and sensible about where they put their valuable items. On many days at some point during the day a laptop is handed into the Office and then returned to the student. Please remind your son or daughter not to leave them unattended.

We completed our teambuilding activity trips last week and have been very pleased with the responses and support from parents so than you!

Next week we will be talking about tolerance and appreciating differences in school as part of our awareness of others and encouraging respect in school. Thank you to all of you who supported the Cornflour student music concert last week.

Secondary dates for your diary
Thursday 6th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Teacher Meetings: Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 7th December: Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued
Tuesday 11th December: Grades 6 and 8 Parent Partnership Meeting: Cal 1 reports issued.
Thursday 13th December: Awards Assemblies
Friday 14th December: Term 1 ends at 12 noon for the three week Christmas Holiday.

Tuesday 27 November 2012

13: Friday 23rd November 2012


From the Headmaster

Coffee with the Headmaster and Board Chair.
Parents are cordially invited on Thursday 6th of December at 7:10 to 8am. In order to plan properly for parking, space and catering reasons, please let us know that you are coming using this simple form.

Next week in Primary

Maths Relays in Upper Primary - Term 1
On Friday 16th of November we had our first Maths Relay across the whole Upper Primary. These relay games were designed for children to have fun and to be better engaged in the different material covered during our first eleven weeks of Term 1. The activity turned out to be an enjoyable experience for all students and something they will look for at the end of Term 2.

1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Grade
Incas
Aztecs
Pipiles
Mayas
4th Grade
Incas
Pipiles
Mayas
Aztecs
3rd Grade
Incas
Mayas
Aztecs
Pipiles
2nd Grade
Pipiles
Aztecs
Mayas
Incas

Independent
Last week we concluded focussing on the value Independent in Primary. At school we believe in creating independent children and it is our responsibility to prepare them for their future. Children need to become independent, self-sufficient and competent adults and in order for these skills to develop in them, they need the opportunity to take risks, practice skills and experience various situations. Please, take your time to praise your child whenever he reflects this value at home!
´The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.´ Denis Waitley

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 30th November: Prepa Vásquez Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 7th December: 1st Cáceres Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Wednesday 12th December: Christmas Shows 4pm - 6.30pm in the PAC

Upper Primary
Friday 23 - Saturday 24th November: 3rd grade camping night, in Residencial Tuscania
Wednesday 28th November: 3rd Navas assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 28th November: 5th Brenes assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Thursday 29th November: School for parents “Family communication”, at the PAC, at 7.00am & 6:00pm

Next week in Secondary

Grades 7 and 11 are on their overnight trip and will be returning at 11am on Saturday. Parents should follow the Class 2018 and Class 2014 blog for details. Grade 10 will be going on their day trip on Monday. These trips have been very successful so far and the students seem to have really enjoyed the teambuilding activities.

Cal 1 Grades are being calculated this week. Your son or daughter should know their grades in most of their subjects and please check the schedule on our Calendar for the issuing of reports. In Grade 10 and 12 these are being issued at a Parent Teacher Meeting where you can discuss progress with all teachers. In Grade 6 and 8 there are Parent Partnership Meetings which we hope all Grade 6 and Grade 8 parents will attend. Grade 7, 9 and 11 reports will be sent home with students.

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 23rd & Sat 24th November: Grade 7 overnight trip to Ecoparque Portezuelo, Juayua
Monday 26th November: Grade 10 trip to Albaclara
Thursday 29th November: Cornflour Concert 6pm
Thursday 6th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Teacher Meetings: Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 7th December: Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued
Tuesday 11th December: Grades 6 and 8 Parent Partnership Meeting: Cal 1 reports issued.
Thursday 13th December: Awards Assemblies
Friday 14th December: Term 1 ends at 12 noon for the three week Christmas Holiday.

Friday 16 November 2012

12: Friday 16th November 2012

From the Headmaster


Our bulldog mascot has a name!
The stork “delivered” our new bulldog mascot on Founders’ Day - 23rd of October - and after a competition involving hundreds of entries we were able to select the most popular name for it. Since it is a young mascot, with some growing up to do, we need to teach it the ABC values. Our vision is to create Responsible Outstanding Citizens - ROCs as we say at the ABC. So it is appropriate that “Roc” is the name of the new bulldog mascot (it is already being called “Rocky” when face-to-face). 
We are all very glad that the ABC Bulldogs have a mascot emblem to support our school activities! GO BULLDOGS! 

Next week in Primary

Week 4 Extra Curricula activities

Tuesday 20th November
7.20 Parents of children in Prepa Burrows are invited to attend their children’s assembly

Thursday 22nd November
7.15 in the PAC Jolly Phonics workshop for Kinder parents

Friday 23rd November
7.20 Prepa Lima assembly
3rd Grade Camping night at Tuscania. The arrangements for this are well underway and it all sounds very exciting!


Wednesday 28th November
9.10 3rd Navas assembly
11.55 5th Brenes assembly

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Tuesday 20th November: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Thursday 22nd November: Kinder Jolly Phonics Workshop for Parents 7.15am - 7.45am
Friday 23rd November: Prepa Lima Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 30th November: Prepa Vásquez Assembly 7.20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Friday 23 - Saturday 24th November: 3rd grade camping night, in Residencial Tuscania
Wednesday 28th November: 3rd Navas assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 28th November: 5th Brenes assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Thursday 29th November: School for parents “Family communication”, at the PAC, at 7.00am & 6:00pm

Next week in Secondary

We are in the middle of our team building trips with each Grade and we hope the students find them not only fun but also that the trip will help them discover new things about themselves and their classmates. Thank you for your support for these trips. Grade 9 are returning tomorrow morning and we have trips for Grade 8 and Grade 11 next week.

We have had fun celebrating British fortnight these past two weeks and hope your son or daughter have learned some things about Britain and especially some of the scientific heritage. 

We are still having some students not wearing the correct PE uniform and we ask for your help in ensuring your son or daughter wears the correct socks and footwear. 

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 16th & Sat 17th November: Grade 9 overnight trip to Ecoparque Portezuelo, Juayua
Monday 19th: Grade 8 trip to Albaclara
Friday 23rd: Grade 11 trip to Santa Leticia
Friday 23rd & Sat 24th November: Grade 7 overnight trip to Ecoparque Portezuelo, Juayua
Monday 26th November: Grade 10 trip to Albaclara
Thursday 6th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Teacher Meetings: Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 7th December: Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued
Tuesday 11th December: Grade 6 and Parent Partnership Meeting: Cal 1 reports issued.
Thursday 13th December: Awards Assemblies
Friday 14th December: Term 1 ends at 12 noon for the three week Christmas Holiday.

Friday 9 November 2012

11: Friday 9th November 2012

Next week in Primary

British Fortnight
British fortnight continues in the primary school with the children learning more about well known British scientists and their discoveries.

Week 3 - Extra Curricula activities

Monday 12/11/12
Teachers in Grade 1 will be giving parent workshops today which will help parents to help their children at home with their reading.

Tuesday 13/11/12 Visiting artist

On Tuesday a local artist, Anabela de Tenorio, will visit school to talk to and work with pupils from Grades 4 and 5. Anabela’s work is inspired by the tropical colours of El Salvador and her unique style is recognised throughout the world.

Wednesday 14/11/12 Spanish assemblies

9.10 3rd Grade Spanish assembly

11.55 5th Grade Spanish assembly

Thursday 15/11/12 5th Grade trip

As the exit point to the IPC unit ‘Time Tunnel’ Grade 5 will be visiting the Museo David Guzman on Thursday.

Thursday 15/11/12 PK trip to the Zoo
In Pre kinder we have been reading “Handa's Surprise” and we really enjoyed this book. We have learned a lot about the animals that are featured in this story and that’s why we have decided to go on a trip to the ZOO next Thursday. We know it is going to be an exciting adventure!

Friday 16/11/12 UP Bake Sale

Friday 16/11/12 Prepa Pashley assembly

Parents of children in Prepa Pashley are invited to come to watch their children’s assembly today.

Dates for your diary


Lower Primary
Monday 12th November: First Grade Parent’s Workshop
7:10am – 7:50am - 1st Fastiggi and 1st Caceres in the Jubilee Library Seminar Room
12:15pm – 12:55pm - 1st Quintanilla and 1st Aguirre in the Jubilee Library Seminar Room
Friday 16th November: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Tuesday 20th November: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 23rd November: Prepa Lima Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 30th November: Prepa Vásquez Assembly 7.20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Wednesday 14th November: 3rd Spanish assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 14th November: 5th Spanish assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Friday 16th November: UP British bake sale
Friday 23 - Saturday 24th November: 3rd grade camping night, in Residencial Tuscania
Wednesday 28th November: 3rd Navas assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 28th November: 5th Brenes assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Thursday 29th November: School for parents “Family communication”, at the PAC, at 7.00am & 6:00pm

 
Next week in Secondary

Grade Trips
As we discussed at the Know Your School events last month we have organised team building trips for each Grade and we ask for your support in sending your children on these trips. They will help to ensure the Grade learns how to work together and support each other better. I am pleased to say we have had a good response but we would like all children to be included as far as possible.

Grade 11 IGCSE Certificate Assembly

We will be awarding these on Tuesday next week at 1.50 pm in the PAC. All Grade 11 parents are invited. We will also be awarding HM Roll of Honour for the IGCSE exams and the top IGCSE student award.

British Fortnight continues and we will be celebrating more of the scientific history of Britain with our students. As part of British Fortnight some of our Grade 11 and 12 students will be attending a talk by Mr. Hugo Swires MP who is currently visiting El Salvador.

Cal 1 is ending over the next week and we will soon be issuing reports. Please see the calendar and the dates below.

Secondary dates for your diary
TONIGHT Friday 9th November: Guy Fawkes Night Party and Market fair
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November: PAES mocks for Grade 12 students
Tuesday 13th November: Grade 11 IGCSE Award Assembly at 1.50 pm in PAC
Thursday 15th November; Grade 6 trip to Albaclara.
Friday 16th & Sat 17th November: Grade 9 overnight trip to Ecoparque Portezuelo, Juayua
Monday 19th: Grade 8 trip to Albaclara
Friday 23rd or Friday 30th: Grade 11 trip to Santa Leticia
Friday 23rd & Sat 24th November: Grade 7 overnight trip to Ecoparque Portezuelo, Juayua
Monday 26th November: Grade 10 trip to Albaclara
Thursday 6th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Teacher Meetings: Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 7th December: Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued
Tuesday 11th December: Grade 6 and Parent Partnership Meeting: Cal 1 reports issued.
Thursday 13th December: Awards Assemblies
Friday 14th December: Term 1 ends at 12 noon for the three week Christmas Holiday.

Friday 26 October 2012

10: Friday 26th October 2012

From the Headmaster

Join us for our annual Guy Fawkes Event!
After our Half-Term holiday, we shall be issuing the family passes for our annual Guy Fawkes Event. This is held during the ABC’s British Fortnight and will have
  • Music and dance performances by our students
  • Delicious food and drinks on sale courtesy of our hard working Madres Enlace
  • The Grand Bazaar - all sorts of items for sale (still time to get your table)
  • The Spooky Cellar - the Students Council creating the most frightening (but safe) experience for our children
  • Sparklers on sale (please supervise your child)
  • And the Guy Fawkes bonfire and professional fireworks display (Polvora El Dragon).
Proceeds from the Sparklers sale and the Spooky Cellar go to Hospital Bloom.
Planned date: Friday 9th of November from 5pm.

Talk on “How to help our children manage their anxieties and preoccupations”
This talk will be held on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Hilton Princess, salon Bristol. The cost per person is $35.00 and tickets are being sold at TIN MARIN or can be requested from Fátima Archer (2268-6900) before the event. Information on the presenters and the talk below.
Dr. Storch is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the Director of the University of South Florida Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Program. Dr. Eric Storch and Dr. Caleb Lack will be speaking about the nature of anxiety in children, various contributing factors, and ways of reducing anxiety. They will focus on practical strategies that parents can use to help when their child is anxious, as well as discussing more formal therapy approaches that have been shown to work. 

Primary News

A message from the Ataco Team:
Thank you to Fernando Caballero from 3rd Navas that contributed a bike; thank you to Mrs. Garcia Prieto's 3rd grade class for their great contribution, and thank you to all Primary for their generous contributions.

Its been a busy month :

1/10/12 Children’s Day (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)

3/10/12 PK Curriculum Night (PKC, PKF, PKC, PKS)




19/10/12 1st Grade trip to the Botanical Gardens (A, B)


24/10/12 LP UN Day (PKS, PKF, PKC, PKC, KM, KF, KT, KS, PB, 1stQ, 1stF, 1stA, 1stC)


UP Crazy Head Day (A, B)

27th October - 4th November Half term. Hurray!

In the week after Half term:

British Fortnight
During British fortnight, activities and lessons will take place which help our children to better understand the British culture, history and way of life. In IPC lessons the children will be researching and learning more about famous British scientists past and present.

1st Quintanilla assembly
Parents of children in 1st Quintanilla are invited to come to join us for an assembly on Friday 9th November. We look forward to seeing you there.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Monday 12th November: 1st Grade Parent’s Workshop 7.10am
Friday 9th November: 1st Quintanilla Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 16th November: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Tuesday 20th November: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 23rd November: Prepa Lima Assembly 7.20am in the PAC
Friday 30th November: Prepa Vásquez Assembly 7.20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Wednesday 14th November: 3rd Spanish assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 14th November: 5th Spanish assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Friday 16th November: UP British bake sale
Friday 23 - Saturday 24th November: 3rd grade camping night, in the ABC Campus
Wednesday 28th November: 3rd Navas assembly, at the PAC at 9.10am
Wednesday 28th November: 5th Brenes assembly, at the PAC at 11.55am
Thursday 29th November: School for parents “Family communication”, at the PAC, at 7.00am & 6:00pm

Secondary News
 

We have started our second round of extra curricular activities and we have many interesting activities including engineering, Italian, French songs and many others. Please talk to your son or daughter about coming along. We have also been selecting our Mathcounts team and will be starting preparations for the competition next term.

We have had a busy UN Week and we ended by focusing on the Un Millenium Development goals and our contribution to achieving them both here in school and in our communities. I think we all realise their importance and how we can help.

Careers Day was very successful with lots of information about university and different careers. If your son or daughter would like more information please ask them to contact their Head of Year or Mr. Quijano.

We are looking forward to the start of British Fortnight when we come back to school on the 5th November after our half term break.

PE for Secondary students in Grades 6 to 10, between the 5th and the 23rd of November in all PE classes we will be carrying out a Basketball and Cricket Inter tribal tournament. We encourage all students to be part of this sports activities and for those teachers that would like to join us.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 5th November: 7:00am back to school
Monday 5th November: Start of British Fortnight
Friday 9th November: Guy Fawkes Night Party and Market fair

Friday 19 October 2012

9: Friday 19th October 2012


Next week in Primary


Extracurricular activities
Session 2 of our extra curricular programme begins this week. Please contact Patricia Zelaya if you are unsure which activities your child is registered for.
You can contact her at:
Mobile: 7069-5751

UN Day
Will be celebrated with costumes and a parade by the pupils in LP on Wednesday 24th October on Friday 24th October with a food fair.

UP assemblies
This week 2nd Mena and 4th Hernandez will be performing their class assemblies. Please see below for dates and times.

LP assembly
1st Fastiggi will have their class assembly at 7.20am on Friday.

Educational visits
Children in Grades 3 and 4 will be out of school on Thursday 25th October on educational visits to Tazumal and to Joya de Ceren. Both classes have been learning about El Salvador in their IPC units on Explorers and Adventurers and Treasure and these visits will really help them to put what they have learned into perspective.

1st Grade Curriculum Night
It is the turn of our first grade parents to come to join us at their curriculum night on Wednesday of this week to find out about the learning that their children are engaged in this year.

Insurance Cards
If you still don’t have your child’s insurance card, you may stop by the office to collect it. Claudia de Avilés has the cards for UP children and Rebeca Martínez has the cards for LP children

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 24th October: United Nations Day Parade for Pre-Kinder 7:30am PAC
Wednesday 24th October: United Nations Day Parade for Kinder 11:00am PAC
Wednesday 24th October: First Grade Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 26th October: First Fastiggi Assembly in the PAC 7:20am
Monday 29th October - Friday 2nd November - Half-term holiday

Upper Primary
Wednesday 24th October: 2nd Mena Assembly, in the PAC 9:10
Wednesday 24th October: 4th Hernández Assembly, in the PAC 11.55
Friday 26th October: UP United Nations Food Fair, UP Corridor at 11.25

Next week in Secondary

UN Week
This week we have started celebrating UN Week with a focus on the story of the UN and how the UN works to help all nations work together to meet global goals. Each of our year groups will continue with this next week leading up to our UN Assembly on Friday.

Half Term starts at the end of school on Friday 26th October and we reopen on Monday 5th November

Campaigns
We have a number of campaigns going at present which you may be able to help with. A group of senior students are supporting a school in Ataco with the goal of providing clean water for the kitchens. They are collecting any second hand clothes or items for a flea market later next month. If you have anything you would like to contribute please send it to school with your son or daughter.
We are also joining the Scare Hunger campaign and if you would like to donate beans, rice or dried milk please send them into school next week.

British Fortnight begins as we return and we hope all of you will come to the Guy Fawkes party and Spooky Cellar on Friday 9th November.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 22nd October: UN Week
Friday 26th October: School closes at the end of the day for Half Term week
Monday 5th November: Start of British Fortnight
Friday 9th November: Guy Fawkes Night Party

Friday 12 October 2012

8: Friday 12th October 2012

Primary News

Primary Traits and Values
On the 12th of October we remember Columbus Day. This important day has been linked this month with one of our School Values and Traits, curiosity. Did you know that Christopher Columbus watched the ships coming and going from the docks in Genoa and wondered what strange lands lay ahead? He listened to stories the sailors told and wondered if they were true. Columbus learnt about maps, navigation and sailing ships and later he lead a voyage of discovery across the ocean, hoping to land in China but instead he discovered the Americas. At school, we have been working on this value in order to encourage children who are more eager to learn, children who are inquisitive in all areas. This Friday we will be praising all those children who have shown this value in the past few weeks!
´The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.´ Albert Einstein

Next week in Primary

Extra curricula activities
Next week is the final week of our first session of extra curricula activities. Session 2 will begin on Monday 22nd October.

Parent meetings
Primary teachers continue to have parent meetings throughout this week. If for any reason you cannot make the appointment time arranged please contact us to avoid wasting our teacher’s time.

Prepa Curriculum Night
We look forward to seeing the parents of our Prepa teachers at their Curriculum Night in the PAC at 6pm on Wednesday 17th October.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 17th October: Prepa Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Wednesday 24th October: First Grade Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 26th October: First Fastiggi Assembly in the PAC 7:20am

Upper Primary
Wednesday 24th October: 2nd Mena Assembly, in the PAC 9:10
Wednesday 24th October: 4th Hernández Assembly, in the PAC 11.55
Friday 26th October: UP United Nations Food Fair, UP Corridor at 11.25

Secondary News

Grade 11 students will be in school on Saturday morning doing an empowerment activity with the Senior students and teachers. On Monday we also have an important meeting regarding the university application process for Grade 11 and Grade 12 parents. This meeting starts in the PAC at 6 pm

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Parent Partnership Meetings last week where you could meet all your son or daughter’s teachers for the coming school year. If you did not collect the school insurance certificate for your son or daughter please can you collect it from the relevant secondary office as soon as is convenient. I would also like to remind you that if your son or daughter has a medical condition or allergic reaction we ened to know about then please ensure you complete the relevant pink form so we can maintain and update accurate record. This must be done even if we already have information from previous years to ensure we are entirely up to date.

This coming week we are starting our celebrations of UN week where we will be talking about some of the global challenges of the 21st century as well as the UN Millennium Development Goals. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the school expectations regarding school uniform, including PE kit and punctuality. 

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 13th October: Grade 11 Empowerment Day
Monday 15th October: University Application for Parents of Grade 11 6pm PAC
Friday 26th October: School closes at the end of the day for Half Term week
Monday 5th November: Start of British Fortnight
Friday 9th November: Guy Fawkes Night Party

Friday 5 October 2012

7: Friday 5th October 2012

Next week in Primary


UP parent meetings
Parents who have children in the upper primary section of the school should have been invited to meet with teachers this week.

Kinder Curriculum Night
Parents who have children in our Kinder classes are invited to attend curriculum night on Wednesday this week to find out more about your child’s day at school.

1st Aguirre assembly
Children in 1st Aguirre will be performing their assembly to parents on Friday of this week. Parents are asked to use the emergency car park if attending this event.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 10th October: Kinder Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 12th October: First Aguirre Assembly in the PAC 7:20am
Wednesday 17th October: Prepa Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Wednesday 24th October: First Grade Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 26th October: First Fastiggi Assembly in the PAC 7:20am

Upper Primary
Thursday 11th October: LSU School for Parents: Self Esteem, in the PAC 7.00 & 6.00pm
Wednesday 24th October: 2nd Mena Assembly, in the PAC 9:10
Wednesday 24th October: 4th Hernández Assembly, in the PAC 11.55
Friday 26th October: UP United Nations Food Fair, UP Corridor at 11.25

Next week in Secondary

Please note the Parent Partnership Meetings for Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12 next week. We hope all parents will be able to attend these meetings where there will be some general information as well as an opportunity to meet all of the teachers of your son or daughter.

Santa Tecla 2012
We had a wonderful day of sporting activity last Saturday with the ABC Olympics. Thank you to everyone who helped with the event but especially all the students who took part. We were proud of them all for their magnificent attitude as well as their sporting performances! A big thanks also to the Grade 8 drummers and the School Orchestra for the music in the opening ceremony.

MidCal feedback
Parents of students on probation or new students should receive a brief MidCal feedback which would highlight any concerns we may have for the end of Cal. If you are a parent of a new or probationary student and have not received the feedback please contact your Head of Year.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 8th October: Grade 11 and 12 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Thursday 11th October: Grade 9 and 10 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Saturday 13th October: Grade 11 Empowerment Day
Friday 26th October: School closes at the end of the day for Half Term week
Monday 5th November: Start of British Fortnight
Friday 9th November: Guy Fawkes Night Party

Friday 28 September 2012

6: Friday 28th September 2012

From the Headmaster

Anti Dengue Campaign

Thank you to all our community who have acted to eliminate the breeding areas for mosquitoes in their homes. All students have learnt how to do this and parents are asked to help their children do the tasks set. Parents of students from PreKinder to 3rd Grade have got a simple form to report back on what was done, whilst students from 4th grade up will fill in their own form online. The ABC is required to report back to Mined regarding the measures taken and so this is being done using these simple questionnaires.


Dengue and virus-type illnesses
In common with other schools, we have had a higher number than usual of virus-type illnesses which are common at this time of year. Unfortunately, some of the symptoms of the virus-type illness and that of dengue are similar. Please DO NOT send your child to school if s/he has flu-like symptoms or a temperature, and consult your doctor. 
The Ministry of Health has the home as the First Filter for detection of suspicion of dengue and has asked schools to provide the contact information for any student with confirmed dengue.
Do not have your child return to school before s/he is well again - we are sending home too many students who have returned prematurely or are being asked by their parents to go to the school doctor when they get to school. Please note - the ABC has a first aid post with a doctor on hand for emergencies - the doctor will not prescribe medicines nor carry out a detailed diagnosis, but merely send home any ill student.

Primary News

Welcome back to school - First day photographs
(PKCarPKCacPKFPKSKTKSKFP1st)

UP Civic assemblies
(1, 2, 3)


18th September LP Children’s Parade - Independence Day
(PKF, PKCar, KF, KS)

21st September Peace One day and the McLay Fun Run
(P, PKCac, PKS, KT, UP, LP)


Next week in Primary

International Primary Curriculum
A trainer and advisor from the IPC will be in the primary school all this week to work alongside our teachers. She will identify what we are doing well and will help us to think about how we can make the IPC experience for the children even better.

Children’s Day - Monday 1st October
Children in Key Stage 1 will be celebrating Children’s Day with a visit from Fransortes and UP pupils will be having a crazy hair day and entertainment organised by the 5th Grade Madres Enlace.

5th Truscott assembly - October 3rd
Children in 5th Truscott have been working hard on their assembly. Our first UP class assembly of the year. We look forward to welcoming their parents to school to watch.

Pre Kinder Curriculum Night - October 3rd
Pre Kinder parents are welcome to come along to their curriculum night where they will find out more about how their children spend their days in school.

Inset Day - October 5th
Teachers will be having an in service training day on Friday 5th October. The school is closed for children.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 3rd October: Pre-Kinder Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 5th October: School closed for staff INSET
Wednesday 9th October: Kinder Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 12th October: First Aguirre Assembly at the PAC 7:20am
Wednesday 17th October: Prepa Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Friday 19th October: First Cáceres Assembly at the PAC 7:20am
Wednesday 24th October: First Grade Curriculum Night in the PAC 6:00pm
Wednesday 24th October: UN Day celebrations
Friday 26th October: First Fastiggi Assembly at the PAC 7:20am

Upper Primary
Monday 1st October: UP Crazy Head Day
Wednesday 3rd October: 3rd Padilla Assembly, in the PAC 9:10am
Wednesday 3rd October: 5th Truscott Assembly, in the PAC 11.55am
Friday 5th October: School closed for staff INSET
Thursday 11th October: LSU School for Parents: Self Esteem, in the PAC 7.00 & 6.00pm
Wednesday 24th October: 2nd Mena Assembly, in the PAC 9:10
Wednesday 24th October: 4th Hernández Assembly, in the PAC 11.55
Friday 26th October: UP United Nations Food Fair, UP Corridor at 11.25

Secondary News

SANTA TECLA 2012
We are holding our ABC Olympics on Saturday and we have invited the German, French and American schools to join us. There will be athletics, swimming and cycling. The event starts at 7.30 on saturday morning. if your son or daughter is participating please ensure they arrive at school before 7.30 in their tribal P.E. kit. Parents of participants and nonparticipants as well as non participating students are welcome to spectate.

Know Your school: Grade 6, 7 and 8 are NEXT WEEK
On Tuesday all Grade 6 parents and on Thursday all Grade 7 and Grade 8 parents are invited to the PAC at 5.30 pm for the Know Your School Parent Partnership meetings. We need all Parents to attend and you will have the chance to meet all the teachers of your son or daughter as well as hear about the new school year.

Inset Day - October 5th
Teachers will be having an in service training day on Friday 5th October. The school is closed for all students and we reopen as usual on Monday 8th October.

Missing Laptop
Unfortunately we had a laptop go missing from a grade 10 student in school last week. It is a Macbook Pro. If your son or daughter has a Macbook Pro can you please check they have not picked up the wrong one by mistake and if they know anything about the missing laptop please let us know.






Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 29th September: ABC Olympic Event
Tuesday 2nd October: Grade 6 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Thursday 4th October: Grade 7 and 8 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Friday 5th October: School closed for staff INSET
Monday 8th October: Grade 11 and 12 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Thursday 11th October: Grade 9 and 10 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Saturday 13th October: Grade 11 Empowerment Day

Friday 21 September 2012

5: Friday 21st September 2012

From the Headmaster


Dengue - let us do our part in helping to eradicate areas where mosquitoes breed
We are contributing to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education’s plans to eradicate the areas where mosquitoes (zancudos) can breed. 
At school we are doing an especially careful examination, cleaning and fumigation of the whole campus this weekend.
On Monday we will be working with our students to teach them about the problem and how all can help. Afterwards, they will be taking action, with your help, in your home, so as to identify and eliminate such breeding areas.
In the meantime, here are links with information:

Dengue - what to look for if your child is ill
In common with other schools, we have had a higher number than usual of virus-type illnesses. From an absence rate of 6.5% in the Secondary School this has now dropped to our normal rate of around 3%. Unfortunately, some of the symptoms of the virus-type illness and that of dengue are similar. However, please DO NOT send your child to school if s/he has flu-like symptoms and consult your doctor. The Ministry of Health has the home as the First Filter for detection of suspicion of dengue.
Please note - the ABC has a first aid post with a doctor on hand for emergencies - the doctor will not prescribe medicines nor carry out a detailed diagnosis, but merely send home any ill student.

Next week in Primary

Roald Dahl Day
Monday 24th September is Roald Dahl Day and children throughout Primary will be finding out more about this famous children’s author and reading or listening to some of his wonderful stories. If you have Roald Dahl books or DVD’s at home this would be a great day to sit and enjoy them with your children.

Workshops for parents
Next week in UP we will be having workshops for parents to help them to help their children with reading. These workshops will be held in the classrooms and will be between 7.15 and 7.45.am.Please see below for detail about days. Parents must use the emergency car park please!

Values and Traits
For the past few weeks in Upper Primary we have been working with the Value:Responsible. On Friday the 21st of September, we will reward students who have demonstrated this value in school. At the ABC we would like to develop responsible children, able to take care of their duties; children who understand and accept consequences for their actions and try to correct their mistakes. At home please continue developing this value and congratulate your child every time he shows how important this is in the action he takes.
The price of greatness is responsibility. - Winston Churchill

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 28th September: Crocodiles from Prepa Burrows and Giraffes from Prepa Lima Spanish Assembly 7.20am at the PAC. 

Upper Primary
Monday 24th September: UP Civic Monday
Friday 21st September: McLay Fun Run
Tuesday 25th September: 5th grade Parent Workshop in the classroom from 7.15am - 7.45
Wednesday 26th September: Spanish Assembly “Independence”
Wednesday 26th September: 3rd grade Parent Workshop in the classroom from 7.15am - 7.45
Thursday 27th September: 2nd grade Parent Workshop in the classroom from 7.15am - 7.45
Friday 28th September: 4th grade Parent Workshop in the classroom from 7.15am - 7.45

Next week in Secondary

SANTA TECLA 2012
We are celebrating the Olympic year on Saturday with SANTA TECLA 2012. There will be competitors from other international schools competing with our students. Our Opening Ceremony starts at 7.30 am and we hope many of you will come along and support this Olympic style event.

Today we celebrated Peace One Day and I want to say a big thank you to the Student Council for all the work they have done spreading the word of peace. They organised an excellent assembly this afternoon to help our younger students reflect on the meaning of peace in their lives.

Caps in PE
As you will be aware young people risk serious health issues later in their lives if they get sunburn and during school PE lessons they are out in the sun. We require them to wear a cap to protect their faces and you might also want to send suncream for them to apply. A cap however is a required item. We suggest you send one into school so they can keep it in their lockers.

Taking care of valuable items
Please do all you can to remind your son or daughter to be vigilant with their possessions. They have a locker to place items ain and should do so. They must not leave them unattended in corridors or outside their lockers.

Lates
We have some students in Saturday detention this week because they have had 5 lates since the start of term. Please make sure your son or daughter is arriving at school on time. We need to help them learn the importance of punctuality!

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 22nd September: International Award introductory trip
Thursday 27th September: Grade 7 History trip
Friday 28th September; Grade 8 History trip
Saturday 29th September: ABC Olympic Event
Tuesday 2nd October: Grade 6 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Thursday 4th October: Grade 7 and 8 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Friday 5th October: School closed for staff INSET
Monday 8th October: Grade 11 and 12 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Thursday 11th October: Grade 9 and 10 Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings
Saturday 13th October: Grade 11 Empowerment Day