Friday 13 December 2013

16: Friday 13th December 2013

From the Headmaster


Calling all Exabrits!
With just one week remaining it is opportune to remind Exabrit parents whose child will be applying for a PreKinder place, that their child will have priority on the testing and entrance list into PreKinder, provided their complete application is received before the end of this calendar year. We do have some applications that have been made shortly after the birth of their child! It is never too soon to try to ensure that your child has the best education.

Christmas Fair a GREAT Success
Thank you to all who contributed in making the ABC Christmas Fair a wonderful event. It was enjoyed by all and many worked to ensure that it was a success. Thank you.

Primary News

Cell phones in Upper Primary.
Our policy toward cell phones will change when we start school again in January. Smart phones will no longer be allowed to be brought in by Primary students. This means any phone able to access the internet. The only phones allowed in school will be the most basic handsets, available from all network providers, that can only be used by children to text and call parents after 1:30pm. These phones will still need to be handed in at the UP office each day and collected at the end of each day. Any smart phones bought in by students will be kept in the UP Office and only released to parents. This change in policy reflects our concerns, that we have already shared on our blogs and in a recent School for Parents, about the unfiltered content available to children on these devices. We appreciate your support in keeping your children safe and with this important change in policy. It should also be noted that no other electronic items should be brought into school by children, for example, Ipads and Ipods. 

Christmas Shows and Christmas Fair
We look forward to welcoming all children and parents to the primary Christmas fair and LP Christmas shows on Wednesday 18th December. Children in LP will all take part in brief Christmas performances (please see the schedule below) whilst UP teachers and assistants organise a Christmas fair in the LP playground which takes place simultaneously. 

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am - no Play Room

Upper Primary
Wednesday 18th December: UP Christmas fair
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11.30am - no Pass Club

Secondary News

Christmas Fair
We had a fantastic Christmas Fair yesterday and want to thank all the community for their contribution to a special evening. It was a pleasure to see staff, students and parents all cooperating and working together. Many of our community projects and charities were able to raise funds which will help in our attempts to support the ongoing millennium development goals that we are contributing towards as 2015 approaches.

Parent Partnership and Reports
On Tuesday we have a Parent Partnership Meeting for Grade 6,7 and 8 parents. We have some important issues to discuss as well as handing out Cal 1 reports. We hope to see you there.

Awards Assemblies are coming next week - YOU are invited - please see the dates and times below. We will be awarding ROC Merits as well as the HM Roll of Honour! HoY have details published on their class blogs.

The Last week of Term
This is an important week for us and we will be working through until break time on Friday when we will have our traditional tug of war and Christmas assembly. Please ensure your son or daughter is here all week as usual. Attendance and participation in our community activities are both really important to us.

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 7 Music and Awards Assembly 1.30 pm PAC
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6,7 and 8 parent Partnership meeting 6pm PAC. Cal 1 reports issued for Grade 6,7 and 8.
Thursday 19th December: Grade 10 and 11 Awards assembly 10.45 am PAC
Thursday 19th December: Grade 6 and 8 Awards assembly 12.15 pm PAC
Thursday 19th December: Grade 9 and 12 Awards assembly 1.15 pm PAC
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued. 
Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 6 December 2013

15: Friday 6th December 2013

From the Headmaster

Special Festive Season dates for your diary
  • Musical Evening - Palacio Tecleño - 6pm Wednesday 11th of December
  • ABC Christmas Fair (Grand Christmas Bazaar, inauguration of the Cafeteria building, music, Spooky Attic, food, games and fireworks - entrance ticket has already been sent home for this event) - 5pm to 9pm Thursday 12th of December
  • Lower Primary Christmas Shows and Fair (for Lower Primary children and their families) - 4:30pm to 6pm Wednesday 18th of December
  • A Christmas Celebration (an evening of songs, readings, dance and food - advance ticket needed for this event) - 6pm to 7:30pm in the PAC Thursday 19th December

Be Hydrated!
We know that keeping hydrated is good for learning. At school we provide potable water in drinking fountains which have a multi-filtration system. These are serviced regularly and tested. The latest tests have come back from FUSADES with the result which complies with the norm NSO 13.07.01:08 (drinkable water - good for human consumption). Let’s keep healthy and hydrated!

Primary News

"Hour of Code" is a campaign to promote computer science education in schools, and is supported by several big names including Apple, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. We will be having our Computer Science Education week to mark the Hour of Code from 9th December to 15th December. Students will learn the basics of coding in their ICT lessons, using a program called Scratch. As maths is closely tied to computer science, children will also learn how to program robots called bee-bots and roamers to navigate different maps. It is set to be a very exciting and worthwhile week for the children, as coding is fast becoming a core skill in the workplace. 

Palacio Tecleño Concert - Wednesday 11th December 6:00 PM
This concert involves students from the extracurricular musical groups (Boys Choir, Girls Choir, Recorder Ensemble and Strings), bringing the beauty of music to the community of Santa Tecla; performing in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city just near the famous Paseo el Carmen. Entrance is free and all ABC Community is welcome to come and join our primary musicians!

ABC CHRISTMAS FAIR - Thursday 12th December 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The traditional Christmas Fair this year is celebrating the inauguration of the new building near the Auditorium, and our Upper Primary musicians are taking part in this celebration. The Boys Choir, Girls Choir, Recorder Ensemble and Strings will be performing a selection of songs from around the world and some Christmas music. Entrance is free and all ABC Community is welcome to come and join this great activity. 

International Primary Curriculum
If you are interested in the IPC and how the curriculum works both in our school and schools around the world you will enjoy looking at the latest version of the IPC magazine - Eye on the World.
https://www.greatlearning.com/docs/uploads/doc_repository/Eye_On_The_World_issue_10.pdf

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am - no Play Room

Upper Primary
Wednesday 18th December: UP Christmas fair
Friday 20th December: Last day of school 

Secondary News

Cal 1
Cal 1 is ending across the secondary school this week and we will be issuing progress reports over the next two weeks. Please take this opportunity to talk to your son or daughter and reflect on their start to the school year. It is important to think about the coming Cal and ways to help your son or daughter think about furthering their understanding and learning.

Internet Comments
We are still asking parents to be alert to social network accounts that your son or daughter may have. We are especially concerned about ask.com which exposes children to ridiculous anonymous comments and encourages them to like comments which they would otherwise not be part of. Please be vigilant and ensure your son or daughter are using appropriate language on line.

Hour of Code
We will be celebrating basic programming with our Hour of Code next week in school. Ask your son or daughter about it and encourage them to follow up at home as there is so much they can do if they are interested in programming.

Anti Discrimination Month
December is anti discrimination month and we have been celebrating this at school. In particular we have been talking about gender discrimination and helping girls realise that they have the same options as boys in terms of their careers. We have also been looking at the example of Anne Frank and her response to the racism she experienced during the Second World War. As a teenage girl she is an example to us all.

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo returning at 11.30am
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Thursday 12th December: ABC Christmas Fair from 5 to 9pm
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued. Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 29 November 2013

14: Friday 29th November 2013

From the Headmaster

Progress report on the construction work at school
Thank you for the patience shown by our school community during the construction of the Cafeteria building. Here is some information about this and other projects:
  • We expect to receive the Cafeteria building from the builders Lopez-Hurtado Ingenieros-Arquitectos, on Monday. They have done a tremendous job and our community will be able to view the building during the Christmas Fair on Thursday 12th of December.
  • The two refurbished science laboratories are in full use in the Secondary school.
  • The two French classrooms are well settled in to the “Auditorium Tower”.
  • The building of four spaces for classrooms in the LRC will be carried out during the Christmas break.
  • Many of the Drama and Dance classes will now be given in “The Studio”, the new multipurpose space of the Cafeteria building.
  • The PE and Team Sports staff will be moving into their new offices very soon - these are spacious and are central to the sports facilities at the ABC, providing better supervision.
  • The Facilities Subcommittee of the Board has been working on the plans for improvement of the Maintenance area, the emergency car park and the access to this via our own main entrance. The process does take time since the school follows all requirements from the various authorising bodies very carefully.
  • The construction projects have generated quite a bit of re-usable materials which we are storing in the emergency car park area - apologies for the unsightly area but we want to recycle as much as possible.

Influenza vaccination - second and final call!
The ABC has offered the influenza vaccination with the help of the unit in Santa Tecla, the last time being in May 2012. This year we are informed that there are no influenza vaccinations available through the Ministry of Health, so we have obtained an alternative source. The cost of this is $14 including IVA.

If you wish your child to be vaccinated, please register your interest HERE so that you can receive a permission form - this form will be sent with your child for your signature.

Primary News

UP Achievement Assemblies
Next week we will be holding our first achievement assemblies of the school year. In these assemblies will will be celebrating the achievements of our children in UP who have made a significant effort in different areas of the curriculum in order to achieve their best. We are also identifying those children who are learning to persist, even when the work is challenging. To be resilient, bounce back if you get something wrong or find something tricky and keep trying. To learn from their mistakes - mistakes are a great way of learning, don’t give up! Try, try and try again. ( Thank you to 1st Monks for emphasising this point in therir assembly this morning!)

We will be celebrating the academic achievement of those children who have attained a high Cal grade this Cal but also awarding our ROCs. Children that have been identified by staff as being excellent role models for their peers in all areas of school life and the responsible and outstanding citizens of the future. 

By invitation only:
Grades 2 and 3 09.10am Wednesday 4th December
Grades 4 and 5 11.55am Wednesday 4th December

Independence
Helping our children to develop independence is one of the most important things that we do in the primary school. All primary aged children should be able to come into school by themselves carrying their own bags, even if they are going camping! Please help us to help your children develop this very important life skill, leave them at the school gates. We will look after them. Thank you.

Christmas Grams
Christmas Grams will be sold to help the Spring Scholarship recipients. They cost $2.00 and starts Monday December 2nd. They will be sold in the Jubilee Library.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 6th December: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am - no Play Room

Upper Primary
Wednesday 4th December: CAL 1 Achievement Assembly, 2nd and 3rd grade 9.10 in the PAC
Wednesday 4th December: CAL 1 Achievement Assembly, 4th and 5th grade 11.55 in the PAC
Wednesday 18th December: UP Christmas fair
Friday 20th December: Last day of school 

Secondary News

Healthy Meals
The building housing the new Cafeteria will be inaugurated at the Christmas Fair on Thursday 12th December. The Student Council is asking students in school for ideas for healthy meals and we hope to see many more children eating healthy hot meals at school.

Parent Partnership
We have very important pre mock Parent Teacher Meetings next Thursday for Grade 10 and Grade 12. Please make sure you are there to discuss ideas for preparing for the forthcoming mock exams

Next week is HIV/AIDS Awareness week and as part of the week we want to help our students understand two issues. The importance not to discriminate against people because they are HIV positive and secondly for our older students that they understand how to remain HIV negative. 

Grade 8 (Class 2018) and Grade 9 (Class 2017) have Prefect led Empowerment Events on Saturday 7th December. Grade 8 will be from 8-10 and and Grade 9 from 10.30 -12.30. Please ensure your son or daughter arrives early. We suggest 7.45 for Grade 8 and 10.15 for Grade 9.

Peace One Day
Last week the Student Council donated $400 from the money they raised through Peace One Day to Sana mi Corazon who work with unwell children. Members of the Executive can be seen handing over their donation in this photograph

Secondary dates for your diary
Thursday 5th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings. Cal 1 reports issued.
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Thursday 12th December: ABC Christmas Fair from 5 to 9pm
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued

Friday 22 November 2013

13: Friday 22nd November 2013

From the Headmaster

“Obras en la Panamericana”: Communication #5 (Friday 22nd November, 2013)
Please note the following and the special arrangement for drop off of Secondary students:
  • There is no access to the Panamericana from the SISA parallel road - this has now been closed off by Fovial.
  • For the time being, there is access from “El Trebol” on a contra-flow system on the Panamericana to 17th Avenue. We are told that the access to 19th Avenue (the ABC and LF road) will be closed during the weekend.
  • The “ventana” between Biggest and Burger King will be closed over the weekend, we are informed.
  • All vehicles entering along Avenida El Boqueron and the SISA parallel road have to leave the same way they came.
Special drop-off arrangement for the Main Entrance of the ABC ONLY.
The ABC will provide additional security and traffic personnel so as to allow Secondary students to be dropped off just before the ABC Main Entrance, SHOULD THE PARENT WISH. We still recommend driving into school and dropping off as usual. 
  • This applies to Secondary students ONLY - no younger student to accompany them.
  • Secondary students may walk in from the drop-off point between SISA and the ABC Main Entrance, crossing at the entrance and walking along the path to the ABC field.
  • Liceo Frances students may walk through to the Admin exit gate and straight into their Primary school entrance.
  • ONLY available at the peak hours of 6:30 am to 7:00 am.
  • The vehicle will do a u-turn at the space in front of the Main Entrance under the direction of the traffic personnel.

Influenza vaccination
The ABC has offered the influenza vaccination with the help of the unit in Santa Tecla, the last time being in May 2012. This year we are informed that there are no influenza vaccinations available through the Ministry of Health, so we have obtained an alternative source. The cost of this is $14 including IVA.

If you wish your child to be vaccinated, please register your interest HERE so that you can receive a permission form - this form will be sent with your child for your signature.

Primary News

Maths Workshops
UP maths workshops held last were were well attended as can be seen from the figures below and, I hope, valuable for those parents who were able to come along.

2nd Grade - 52% parents
3rd Grade - 35% parents
4th Grade - 30% parents
5th Grade - 29% parents

Please remember that we value the support of our 5th Grade parents equally as much as those in Grade 2!

Web Influence - School for Parents
Another well attended event with around 109 parents present who represented 89 children from Grades 1 - 5. Thank you to those parents who attended this really important presentation. From the feedback I have seen and heard I know that you found it really practical and useful. We will continue to work with you on the sharing of information and responsibility for the digital safety and literacy of children in our school.

Kinder Parents are invited to join us in the PAC on Tuesday 26th November
7:10am - 8:00am
Jolly Phonics - How to help your child at home
The Kinder teachers will present ideas to explain phonics and to help you support your child during this early stage in learning to read.

The workshop will take approximately 40 minutes with 10 more minutes afterwards for questions.

Space Explorers
Next week the 4th grade children as part of the IPC UNIT: Space Explorers will be finding out the size of the Sun. To do this they are going to create their own pinhole viewer. As a take-home task they will repeat the experiment using the Moon.

School for Parents – Lower Primary
Speaker: Flavia de Escobar
27th November, 7:10am in the PAC
"Development of independence during the early stages"
  • How to promote independence in early childhood?
  • Overprotection vs independence, one of the characteristics of the current generation.
  • Is there relationship between encouraging independence and the development of self-esteem?
  • What is the role of parents in the development of independence?

5th Grade camping
On Thursday 28th November, Grade 5 will be attending their annual camp at Portezuelo Park, Juayua. After the success of last year´s camp, 97 children, about 15 parents and 8 teachers will camp for two nights and undertake two intensive days of Environmental Education and team-building activities. The children are really excited by it already and we can not wait to get the show on the road.


On another note, Grade 5 will be holding their Moving People IPC Unit Exit Point in the Lecture Theatre. We have invited a Historian to talk about Migrations in Central America, there will be a talk about the Pilgrim Fathers and Thanksgiving and various parents will be talking about their experiences of migrations within their families. If any parents from other grades have similar experiences to share, then we would love to hear from you. Please contact iantruscott@abc-net.edu.sv if you would like to be involved in this interesting event.


Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 29th November: Prepa Monks Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 6th December: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am

Upper Primary
Wednesday 27th November: CAL 1 Goes Home
Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th: 5th grade Camping

Secondary News

Special drop-off arrangement for the Main Entrance of the ABC ONLY.
The ABC will provide additional security and traffic personnel so as to allow Secondary students to be dropped off just before the ABC Main Entrance, SHOULD THE PARENT WISH. We still recommend driving into school and dropping off as usual. 
  • This applies to Secondary students ONLY - no younger student to accompany them.
  • Secondary students may walk in from the drop-off point between SISA and the ABC Main Entrance, crossing at the entrance and walking along the path to the ABC field.
  • Liceo Frances students may walk through to the Admin exit gate and straight into their Primary school entrance.
  • ONLY available at the peak hours of 6:30 am to 7:00 am.
  • The vehicle will do a u-turn at the space in front of the Main Entrance under the direction of the traffic personnel.

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 23rd November: International award Bronze trip
Thursday 5th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings. Cal 1 reports issued.
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued

Friday 15 November 2013

12: Friday 15th November 2013

From the Headmaster


“Obras en la Panamericana”: Communication #4 (Friday 15th November, 2013)
Thank you for keeping up to date with the information about the works on the Panamericana carriageway. You will know that the reality is often different to the dates provided to us, but they serve as a guide to what is happening. The project engineer tells us that there are two reasons for this: firstly, it depends upon what they find with large holes and leaks being the main hold up; secondly, they are working very much on a trial-and-error basis, changing routes and dates to try to improve the traffic flow.

Closure: the moment of the closure of the Panamericana in front of the ABC is very close. The project engineer informs us that this is likely from Wednesday 20th of November or shortly after. This will mean that all access by car to the Liceo Frances and the Administration Entrance of the ABC will be via the Plaza Merliot traffic lights, 17th avenue, Calle El Carmen, and then 19th avenue. The Main Entrance of the ABC can be accessed via Calle El Boqueron and the road parallel to the Panamericana that goes by SISA. Note that these routes are for arriving AND leaving. The engineer informs us that they will NOT be able to leave the “ventana” between Biggest and Burger King open once they start work in front of the ABC.

We shall observe the development of this final closure and we have some contingency plans that we may activate, but please consider your route to the schools carefully and be alert to changes. The ABC Facebook page is used for any urgent traffic announcements: www.facebook.com/academiabritanicacuscatleca

Important Date Change
Please note that the ABC Christmas Fair will take place on Thursday 12th of December in order to accommodate events at the Liceo Frances (and thus avoid heavy traffic problems).

Would you like to order a table to sell things at the Christmas Bazaar in the Auditorium? Contact Marta Vásquez <martavasquez@abc-net.edu.sv> or Lucila Gonzalez <lucilagonzalez@abc-net.edu.sv>.

Primary News

School for Parents - Web Influence - Wednesday 20th November - 7am in the PAC
Parents who have children in Grades 1 to 5 are invited to come along to a special School for Parents to learn more about keeping their children safe online. Digital technology is as important in your children’s lives as reading and writing and it is vital that we all understand how to keep children as safe in the digital world as we do in the real world. A team of ABC staff including Chris Hall the Deputy Head of UP, LSU staff, Will Fastiggi our ICT coordinator and Fernando Montes the school’s Systems Manager will talk you through and give practical advice to help you to ensure your children’s online safety. Parent’s are welcome to bring their own digital devices if they would like some help from our ICT technicians to set up web filters to help them to control and supervise their children’s online activity.


Maths relays
Maths is a challenging area for children and requires their understanding of maths concepts, processes and skills. One of the most important things we can do to make maths learning successful is to make it fun and meaningful for the children. The more meaningful the activity is the more likely it is that children will grasp and understand the different mathematical concepts. Next week in Upper Primary we will be having our Maths relays which, through exercise and excitement, help our children to practice and reinforce some of the areas studied in maths during CAL 1. Maths relays are done in Tribes which adds a healthy element of competition! Please ask your children about this activity and encourage them share their learning with you.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 22nd November: Prepa Cáceres Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 29th November: Prepa Monks Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 6th December: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am

Upper Primary
Thursday 14th - Friday 15th: 3rd Grade camping
Wednesday 20th November: 2nd Mena Assembly, 9.10am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: 5th Linares Assembly, 11.55am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: School for UP parents. At 7.10 am in the PAC
Wednesday 27th November: CAL 1 Goes Home
Thursday 28th- Saturday 30th: 5th grade Camping

Secondary News

British Fortnight
We continue with British Fortnight next week and we are asking all our students to think about events which happened in British history. There are 21 dates - 10 of them we have announced with short clues so far and the rest will be issued through Vista next week. You might see how you can do on the ones we have so far, feel free to discuss them with your son or daughter.

A significant event in 1066 
A battle in 1805
Sporting success in 1966 
Started in 1914
Caught in 1605
Battle in 1485 
Began in 1953 and still going strong!
Abolished in 1833
Signed in 1215 
Won in the skies in 1941

Grade 10 Day trip to Cardedeu leaves on Thursday at 7am

Thank you to all the parents who have supported the class trips over the last few weeks. On the whole they have been excellent in terms of building group relationships and teamwork.

Grade 6-8 ABC Internal Mathcounts takes place on Tuesday at 2 pm to help choose our teams for the forthcoming Central American competition.

Grade 6 and 7 have Prefect led Empowerment events tomorrow (Saturday), Grade 6 should be at school at 7.45 and Grade 7 at 10.15. Please check the class blogs for more details.

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 15th November: Grade 9 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 16th November: Grade 6 and Grade 7 Empowerment Morning
Tuesday 19th November: ABC Internal Mathcounts
Thursday 21st November: Grade 10 Day trip to Cardedeu
Saturday 23rd November: International award Bronze trip
Thursday 5th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings. Cal 1 reports issued.
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued

Friday 8 November 2013

11: Friday 8th November 2013

From the Headmaster

Important Date Change
Please note that the ABC Christmas Fair will take place on Thursday 12th of December in order to accommodate events at the Liceo Frances (and thus avoid heavy traffic problems).

Would you like to order a table to sell things at the Christmas Bazaar in the Auditorium? Contact Marta Vasquez <martavasquez@abc-net.edu.sv> or Lucila Gonzalez <lucilagonzalez@abc-net.edu.sv>.

Primary News

Remembrance Day 
On Monday 11th November and Tuesday 12th November we will be having assemblies for the children to talk to them about Remembrance Day.The poppy is a symbol which is used on Remembrance Day to help people to remember those who die or are injured fighting for their countries. We will be selling poppy stickers in school on Monday next week and would ask you please to send 50 cents with your child to buy a sticker. All money raised will be donated to Hospital Bloom. Please talk to your children about what they have learned after next week’s assemblies too.

UP maths workshops
We look forward to welcoming parents to our maths workshops next week. Our teachers will be helping you to learn how best to help your children with their maths at home. All workshops will begin at 7.10am and we would ask you please to use the emergency car park so that our teaching staff are not delayed from getting to their classrooms. Please see below for dates applicable to your children.

3rd Grade camping night
Children in 3rd Grade will be away from school on their camping adventure on Thursday and Friday next week. Their teachers have very cleverly tied this trip in to their IPC entry point for a unit on Festivals so I am sure that they will have a wonderful and educational time. Grade 1 children and teaching staff will join the Grade 3 team on Friday as they too are learning about Celebrations so they will have a joint entry point. It sounds like Great Learning, Great Teaching and Great Fun!

School for Parents
Thank you to all 5th Grade parents who attended this weeks School for Parents about drugs awareness. 52% of children in Grade 5 were represented there by one or both parents

5th Brenes 16 
5th Truscott 23 
5th Linares 27 
5th Molina 16

We look forward to welcoming as many parents as possible from Grades 2 to 5 to our next School for Parents, Web influence. This will take place on Wednesday 20th November at 7am. We will cover a range of current issues related to technology and the safety of your children. As well as information we will be giving you practical advice on how to keep your family safe. Please make space in your diary for this important event. 

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 22th November: Prepa Cáceres Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 29th November: Prepa Monks Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 6th December: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am

Upper Primary
Monday 11th November: Maths workshop for parents of 5th Grade
Tuesday 12th November: Maths workshop for parents of 3rd Grade
Thursday 14th November: Maths workshop for parents of 2nd Grade
Friday 15th November: Maths workshop for parents of 4th Grade
Thursday 14th - Friday 15th: 3rd Grade camping
Wednesday 20th November: 2nd Mena Assembly, 9.10am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: 5th Linares Assembly, 11.55am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: School for UP parents. At 7.10 am in the PAC
Wednesday 27th November: CAL 1 Goes Home
Thursday 28th- Saturday 30th: 5th grade Camping

Secondary News

We start British Fortnight next week and will be celebrating various aspects of life in Britain. On Monday we are celebrating Remembrance Day as it is the anniversary of the end of the First World War on 11th November 1918. Please send your son or daughter with a dollar to buy a poppy. We will be selling them and donating funds used to our charity of the month, Hospital Bloom.

We will also be supporting the Movember campaign which since 2004 has become very active in Britain whereby men are sponsored to grow moustaches with the aim of raising awareness of men’s health issues specifically prostrate and testicular cancer. The campaign encourages men to adopt healthier lifestyles and to have regular health checks. We will be allowing our older boys to participate.

On Thursday we will be celebrating Book Day with Grade 9-12 who are welcome to come to school dressed as a book character or in jeans and a T shirt but ready to answer questions about a book they have chosen!

Grade 8 and Grade 9 are on their class trips next week. 
Grade 8 go to Cardedeu on Thursday for a day trip and Grade 9 are going on an overnight trip to Portezuelo on Friday. we want these to be the whole class so we can work on class dynamics and relationships and we hope all students will attend.

The University of British Columbia is visiting the ABC on Tuesday at 2 pm in the PAC. This meeting is open to all students and their parents who are possibly interested in studying in Canada and especially at UBC. On Thursday Franklin College from Switzerland will be visiting also at 2 pm in the PAC

On Saturday 16th we have Empowerment Mornings. Grade 6 will be from 8 am to 10 am and Grade 7 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. These events will be run by the ABC prefect team with teacher supervision. Please ensure your son or daughter arrives in time!

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 8th November: Grade 7 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Monday 11th November: British Fortnight
Thursday 14th November: Grade 8 Day trip to Cardedeu
Friday 15th November: Grade 9 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 16th November: Grade 6 and Grade 7 Empowerment Morning
Thursday 21st November: Grade 10 Day trip to Cardedeu
Saturday 23rd November: International award Bronze trip
Thursday 5th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings. Cal 1 reports issued.
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued

Friday 1 November 2013

10: Friday 1st November 2013

From the Headmaster

“Obras en la Panamericana”: Communication #3 (Friday 1st November, 2013)
There has been an improved traffic flow at drop-off and pick-up times around the schools. The Liceo Frances has been on vacation this week and this has eased the pressure somewhat. Additionally, the closure of the Panamericana up to the “El Trebol” petrol station has reduced the non-school traffic making it much easier to travel on Calle El Carmen and 17th avenue.

Training: the traffic staff have been trained by the PNC. With two days of theory and practice in the classroom and on the streets, the traffic staff of the ABC and the Liceo Frances have undergone a thorough course in order to standardise the way we deal with traffic around our schools.

Latest information that we have from the project engineers:
On Monday 4th of November (or shortly after) the Panamericana will be closed from El Trebol up to Finca El Carmen. This means that there will be no access to the ABC or the Liceo Frances coming along the Panamericana from San Salvador. It will still be possible to use some u-turns coming along the Panamericana in the opposite direction. Please use the access provided by avenida El Boqueron and the SISA slip road. It will still be possible to travel along the Panamericana in front of the ABC.
Coffee with the Headmaster and Board Chair 
Parents are cordially invited on THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER at 7:10 to 8am. In order to plan properly for parking, space and catering reasons, please let us know by Tuesday 5th of November that you are coming, using this simple form.

Date for your diary - Friday 13th December
Due to construction work, we are unable to have our usual Guy Fawkes event. However, we shall be having a Grand Christmas Fair on Friday 13th December. In addition to delicious food and drink by our Madres Enlace, fireworks, entertainment, the bazaar in the auditorium and a special Friday 13th Student Council event, we shall be inaugurating the new Cafeteria building. Don’t miss this great ABC community event.

Primary News

UP Maths Workshops
Maths workshops for parents will be taking place in Upper Primary on the week of the 11th of November, all Grades will be covering basic operations in response to all the requests from the parents survey.

These workshops aim to help parents understand how children learn different strategies to solve basic operations. Please feel welcome to participate. Check the school calendar for days and times for each grade!

Next Friday 8th November 3rd Grade will host a Salvadoran Bake sale for all children in UP. A letter of invitation, including menu, went out this week. Choices can be guaranteed by sending money before Wednesday and children will be able to pay on the day also.

On Wednesday 6th November at 7.10am at the PAC we will have a Escuela para Padres specifically for you called: “30 most frequently asked questions that parents have about addictions”, which is mandatory for both parents because it is necessary to prepare for and facilitate greater dialogue at home between the students and their parents. This session will be presented by Lic. Jaime Zablah, external consultant of this school, who has extensive knowledge on the subject. Our 5th grade teachers, learning assistants and Learning Support Unit staff will attend this session, they will be the ones in charge of developing the subject together with the teachers.

On Wednesday 20th November at 7am we will be hosting a School for Parents, entitled Web Influence. We will cover a range of current issues related to technology and the safety of your children. As well as information we will be giving you practical advice on how to keep your family safe. Please make space in your diary for this important event. 

We would like to remind you that your child's attendance directly affects their academic performance. Whilst we understand that there will be certain occasions when it will be necessary for children to be absent, we expect parents to make every reasonable effort to make appointments after the school day has finished. We do not expect children to be absent for family events or celebrations as these should also be scheduled appropriately. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support with this.

Please support our, “If you love me, keep me safe campaign”. In this week’s assembly as many as 50 children indicated they had travelled to school not wearing a seatbelt. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%. The decision should be simple!

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 8th November: 1st Aguirre Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 22th November: Prepa Cáceres Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 29th November: Prepa Monks Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 6th December: Prepa Pashley Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 13th December: LP Reports go home
Wednesday 18th December: LP Christmas shows
Friday 20th December: Last day of school - children leave at 11am

Upper Primary
Wednesday 6th November: School for parents, 5th grade. At 7.10 am in the PAC
Wednesday 6th November: 2nd grade Spanish Assembly, 9.10 am in the PAC
Wednesday 6th November: 5th grade Spanish Assembly, 11.55 am in the PAC
Friday 8th November: UP Salvadorian Bake Sale
Monday 11th November: Maths workshop for parents of 5th Grade
Tuesday 12th November: Maths workshop for parents of 3rd Grade
Thursday 14th November: Maths workshop for parents of 2nd Grade
Friday 15th November: Maths workshop for parents of 4th Grade
Thursday 14th - Friday 15th: 3rd Grade camping
Wednesday 20th November: 2nd Mena Assembly, 9.10am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: 5th Linares Assembly, 11.55am in the PAC
Wednesday 20th November: School for UP parents. At 7.10 am in the PAC
Wednesday 27th November: CAL 1 Goes Home
Thursday 28th- Saturday 30th: 5th grade Camping

Secondary News

International Award Trip
The Silver award trip is not taking place this weekend for a variety of reasons. This will now take place later this term.

Book Week
Next week we will be celebrating books in our Book Week. This will include a Book non uniform day on Wednesday for Grade 6-8 to coincide with their Book Week assembly. We are asking students to dress simply in non uniform or as a character from a book but they must also bring something with them which relates to the book they have chosen - either an item or a quote from the book. At the assembly we will be sharing book reviews. We would also like to invite any parents who would like to join us to share a book they have read to contact Mr. keslake. It will of course need to be suitable for the ages. 

Wednesday 6th November: Grade 6-8 Book assembly at 10 am
Thursday 14th November: Grade 9-12 Book assembly at 10.45 am

Secondary Trips
The first of our Class trips go out next week. Grade 6 are going to Cardedeu, Lake Coatepeque on Thursday. They will be leaving at 7 am and returning at 4pm. We would like to request that you please arrange to collect them as soon as they return to school. We will try to keep you posted of any changes to timings on the day of they occur. Grade 7 are going on an overnight trip to Portezuelo, Juayua - leaving 7.00 am on Friday and returning 11.00 am Saturday. Please note full details of these activities are on the relevant Classblogs. The aim of these trips is to promote class unity and we really hope that all students will be able to attend.

University Visits next week
Universidad Anahuac, Mexico is visiting on Monday at 2 pm in the LRC and Michigan State University and Hope College, Michigan will be visiting at 2 pm on Tuesday in the PAC. Parents are welcome to come along with their son or daughter.

Mobile Phones before and during school hours
Please note students are not permitted to have their mobile phones turned on before school or during school hours. If they need to make a call during school hours they are allowed to make a call from the school office.

Handball intertribal events are taking place next week 

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 4th November: Book week
Wednesday 6th November: Knowledge Bowl tournament
Thursday 7th November: Grade 6 Day trip to Cardedeu
Friday 8th November: Grade 7 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Monday 11th November: British Fortnight
Thursday 14th November: Grade 8 Day trip to Cardedeu
Friday 15th November: Grade 9 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 16th November: Grade 6 and Grade 7 Empowerment Morning
Thursday 21st November: Grade 10 Day trip to Cardedeu
Saturday 23rd November: International award Bronze trip
Thursday 5th December: Grade 10 and 12 Parent Partnership and Parent Teacher meetings. Cal 1 reports issued.
Friday 6th December: Grade 11 Overnight trip to Portezuelo
Saturday 7th December: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Empowerment morning
Friday 13th December: International Award Silver trip
Tuesday 17th December: Grade 6 and 8 parent Partnership meeting. Cal 1 reports issued
Friday 20th December: Last day of term. Grade 7, 9 and 11 Cal 1 reports issued

Friday 18 October 2013

9: Friday 18th October 2013

Primary News

Mobile phones
We would really prefer it if upper primary children did not bring mobile phones to school. There are landline phones in all secretaries offices if the children need to contact you in an emergency. If your child must, for some reason, have a phone in school please supply them with a really basic Nokia or similar, there is no reason for primary aged children to need a smart phone as they hand their phones in to the office before school and collect them again at 1.30pm. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Half term
It has been a busy few weeks and children and staff alike are ready for their half term holiday. We would like to thank all of those parents who attended our Back to School and Curriculum Nights in the past few weeks; the attendance at these functions has been most impressive.

After the half term break we will be busy with parents workshops,camping trips, special days and, of course, getting ready for Christmas and we look forward to welcoming parents into school for these events too. Please check the calendar regularly to make sure you are up to date with events, it’s a busy school.

Please encourage your children to read in both English and Spanish over the short holiday and also ensure that they have plenty of time to play - both indoors and outside. Enjoy your time with them.

We look forward to welcoming the children back in school on Monday 28th October.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Monday 21st - Friday 25th October: Half term break
Friday 1st November: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 8th November: 1st Aguirre Assembly 7:20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Monday 21st – Friday 25th: Half Term Break
Wednesday 30th October: UP “Dia de la raza” Assembly 

Secondary News

Honesty
In the past week we have had a couple of incidents where students have not been honest, either in telling lies, copying work from other students or copying work from the internet. We place a big importance on honesty at the ABC within our trait of being ethical as well as being responsible. As a school we react strongly when we encounter dishonesty and we work hard to encourage honesty in all aspects of our students’ lives.

UN Week
We have been celebrating UN Week this week and have been focusing on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and how we as a community can make a contribution. On Friday we asked all students to nominate their top MDG and we will be making contributions from their T shirt day to community projects working on those MDGs in El Salvador. We want to play our part in helping El Salvador meet these important targets by 2015.

Careers Day
We want to say a big thank you to all Exabrits, university representatives and parents who contributed to Class 2015 Careers Day last week.

Ask.fm
We have been concerned that some of our students have been downloading a social media app called ask.fm whereby they can be asked any question anonymously by other people. It seems to us this is potentially very dangerous and could lead to exploitation. The site has been linked with teenage depression and certainly offers strangers an opportunity to stalk our students. Please have a look and check if your son or daughter has downloaded it. You may find the link below interesting:

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 18th October: End of first half term
Monday 28th October: Back to school
Friday 1st November: International Award (Silver) Expedition

Friday 11 October 2013

8: Friday 11th October 2013


Primary News


Curriculum Nights
This week saw parents from Kinder and Prepa attend their respective Curriculum Nights. We’d like to thank everyone who made the effort to be here at school with us despite the heavy traffic and road restrictions.
Next Wednesday 16th will be the turn of First Grade. We look forward to seeing everyone at 7pm in the PAC.

No Pens Wednesday
On Wednesday Upper Primary children participated in, ‘No Pens Wednesday’. Together with pupils from over 2,000 schools across the UK we put down our pens for this international speaking and listening event. No Pens Day Wednesday encourages schools to focus on language by spending one day focused on learning through speaking and listening instead of writing. Spend some time speaking and listening at home- ask your child what they learned on Wednesday!

Parent/teacher meetings
Thank you to all parents who made the time to attend a Parents Meeting with your child’s teacher this week and last.

Next week
We look forward to welcoming back the parents of 2nd Guzmán and 4th Quintanilla for next weeks assemblies.

On Friday we will celebrate UN Day with our Food Fair.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Wednesday 16th October: 1st Grade Curriculum Night 7:00pm in the PAC
Friday 18th October: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 18th October: Pre-Kinder UN Day Parade 8:30am in the PAC
Friday 18th October: Kinder UN Day Parade 9:30am in the PAC
Monday 21st - Friday 25th October: Half term break
Friday 8th November: 1st Aguirre Assembly 7:20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Wednesday 16th October: 2nd Guzman Assembly, 9:10am in the PAC
Wednesday 16th October: 4th Quintanilla Assembly, 11:55am in the PAC
Friday 18th October: UP United Nations Food Fair
Monday 21st – Friday 25th: Half Term Break
Wednesday 30th October: UP “Dia de la raza” Assembly

Secondary News

Know Your School Sessions
We completed our Know Your School meetings this week and it was a pleasure to see so many parents attending. We want to repeat our simple message of the importance of us all working together in partnership and ensuring our lines of communication remain open

Internet Safety
As we mentioned at the various Know Your School meetings we are interested in ensuring our students behave within our ABC expectations when they are on line. We hope you will support these initiatives and help your son or daughter make smart choices. As part of this we would ask that you be vigilant with your son or daughter and their use of their mobile phones. We ask that you keep yourself informed of the apps and social networks they are using and sharing. You will find the links on our Class blogs useful. Here is the one from Class 2018 http://abcict3.wikispaces.com/Parents+Internet+Safety+Night

UN Week
We will continue working on the United Nations and our contributions to the Millennium Development Goals next week. It is an opportunity to reflect on global issues and their relevance to our communities.

Empowerment Day Class 2015 is tomorrow and will be led by the School Prefect Team. Students should be at school at 8 am.

Class 2015 Careers Day is on Thursday and will be followed by a University Fair in the Auditorium

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 12th October: Class 2015 Empowerment Day
Monday 14th October: Start of UN Week
Thursday 17th October: Grade 11 Careers Day and University Fair
Friday 18th October: End of first half term
Monday 28th October: Back to school
Friday 1st November: International Award (Silver) Expedition

Friday 4 October 2013

7: Friday 4th October 2013

From the Headmaster



Coffee with the Headmaster and Board Chair (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - APOLOGIES FOR THIS)
Parents are cordially invited on Wednesday 9th of October THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER at 7:10 to 8am. In order to plan properly for parking, space and catering reasons, please let us know by Tuesday 5th of November that you are coming, using this simple form.

Primary News

Kinder and Prepa Curriculum nights
Next week we have our Kinder and Prepa curriculum nights and look forward to welcoming parents from these grades to attend and discover more about the curriculum that the school offers their children and the learning that is taking place.

The Kinder Curriculum night will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 8th October.

The Prepa Curriculum night will take place at 7pm on Thursday 10th October.

Parent/teacher meetings
Teachers in both lower and upper primary will be continuing to make appointments to meet with parents next week.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Tuesday 8th October: Kinder Curriculum Night 7:00pm in the PAC
Thursday 10th October: Prepa Curriculum Night 7:00pm in the PAC
Friday 11th October: 1st Vásquez Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Wednesday 16th October: 1st Grade Curriculum Night 7:00pm in the PAC
Friday 18th October: Prepa Burrows Assembly 7:20am in the PAC
Friday 18th October: UN Day
Monday 21st - Friday 25th October: Half term break
Friday 8th November: 1st Aguirre Assembly 7:20am in the PAC

Upper Primary
Tuesday 1st October: UP crazy hair day
Wednesday 2nd October: UP School for parents, at the PAC, from 7:00 to 8:30am
Wednesday 2nd October: 3rd Garcia Prieto Assembly, 9:10am in the PAC
Wednesday 2nd October: 5th Molina Assembly, 11:55am in the PAC
Wednesday 16th October: 2nd Guzman Assembly, 9:10am in the PAC
Wednesday 16th October: 4th Quintanilla Assembly, 11:55am in the PAC
Friday 18th October: UP United Nations Food Fair
Monday 21st – Friday 25th: Half Term Break
Wednesday 30th October: UP “Dia de la raza” Assembly 

Secondary News

The Class 2014 have their PAES Exam on Wednesday at
Colegio Fátima
4a Calle Oriente, # 4 - 4, Santa Tecla
(Between PNC and Del Sur, next to San Antonio church

Students must be there by 7 am to register, and the test will start 7:30 - 8 am until 12 noon. (note: Parents must take your son/daughter directly to Colegio Fatima, and pick them up from there at 12 noon.)

They must dress in the daily uniform and bring: Scientific calculator non-graphic, pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, sharpener, bottle of water, and photo identification. 

We will give your son/daughter the student NIE (número de identificación estudiantil) next week, and they must bring it to the test.

Please remember that students are not allowed to use cell phones in school except from the School Office either at break or lunch time or in an emergency at other times. Please do not text or phone them at school during school hours. If you need to send a message it can be done easily through Roxana or Marielos.

Thank you to all of you who have attended the Know Your School and Parent Teacher meetings this week. The attendance which we are recording was excellent. These meetings have been important in establishing the spirit of Parent Partnership at school. We have further meetings next week for Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12. Please make sure you sign in when you arrive and please note these meetings are starting at 6.30 pm due to the traffic problems caused by the road closures. More news on the Class blogs.

In preparation for UN Week which starts the week after next we are asking for short personal contributions from people who have lived in other countries around the world to write up a short piece about that country. If you are interested in sharing information about a country you have lived in, please contact Roxana Hall and we will ask you to fill in a short Google form which will ask for three special or interesting pieces of information about the country, and an interesting experience you had while living in that country. Please get involved!

In our assembly with Grade 9-12 this week we talked about enthusiasm and motivation. We know how important it is for our students to be well motivated and we need to do all we can to ensure they continue to be enthusiastic and hard working at school. In many respects the most important thing we want to do at school is to encourage our students to always try their best and to believe they can be successful and we would like you to support his message at home. 

University visits next week: Texas Christian and Oglethorpe University from Atlanta will be visiting the ABC next Tuesday. Please check the school calendar for details.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 7th October: Grade 11/12 Know Your School & Parent Teacher Meeting 6.30 pm PAC
Wednesday 9th October: Grade 9/10 Know Your School & Parent Teacher Meeting 6.30 pm PAC. Class 2014 PAES Exam
Friday 12th October: Class 2015 Empowerment Day
Monday 14th October: Start of UN Week
Thursday 17th October: Grade 11 Careers Day
Friday 18th October: End of first half term
Friday 1st November: International Award (Silver) Expedition