Friday 25 September 2015

6: Friday 25th September 2015

From the Director 

This school year is already in full swing and the various aspects of the life of the school can be seen all around us. It may seem premature but we are already looking forward to the school year 2016/17 with parents already applying for places in Pre-Kinder next year. If you, a relative or a member of our wider community has a child who will become four years old in the academic year 2016/17 then you need to talk to Estefania Chacon about the application process. We only have a limited number of places. The link to Admissions is on our website. www.abc.edu.sv/admissions

I would like to reiterate my appeal at the Know Your School evenings that parents do not comment about other children, spread rumours or make accusations on Whatsapp or other social media. It is a very unfortunate situation when parents are making inappropriate comments about each other, other students or school. We are clear that as a community that works together we need to talk to each other honestly and openly and not spread gossip or hearsay.

It has been a great week in school but I particularly want to congratulate the U12 boys basketball team for their recent successes including a great performance last Friday evening, when they won the Juegos Estudantiles in Santa Tecla in an amazing, sporting event. Many parents attended the game and I was delighted with their support and behaviour. In my opinion supporters attend to support and cheer their own team but not to abuse or cheer the failing of the other team. Our supporters did this brilliantly and I am proud of our sporting attitude as a community. You can see a picture of the winning team with some of their supporters, including me, on the Newsblog. Sara Suster tells me this team has improved and developed so well over the last few years - so congratulations to everyone involved for producing a confident and successful team in line with our ABC values. Great leadership and great team players!

We have recently introduced early morning swimming at school for Grade 3 to Grade 12. You can see more details on the ABC Newsblog and we are hoping more children will come along and swim for up to an hour before school. It’s a great way to start the day and to get fit in line with the 100 days of sporting activity currently being promoted in school.

If you are interested in your son or daughter from Grade 7 to 11 participating in the Dale Carnegie leadership course which is being offered in school from next month at a subsidised rate then please contact Mrs. Caceres at school as soon as possible as spaces are limited. 

In school at this time we are promoting our value of reflection and I would ask that you also do this at home. It means we try to think about things carefully, learning from mistakes but also working out how to do things differently in order to change things for the better. Reflection develops an attitude which leads to progress and development.

As you are probably aware the school has made a link with Save the Children to help our young people appreciate they can make a difference in our world. Save the Children is a child centred organisation which seeks to protect children’s lives and rights. This is in line with our school philosophy to promote the wellbeing and education of young people in an increasingly complicated world. Our link with Save the Children coincides with the opening of the UN Assembly in New York today to discuss the seventeen new Sustainable Development Goals which have recently been announced (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/summit). Save the Children are helping us prioritise how we as a community can help with some of these goals in our country. They are organising a big event at school called the race for survival in October to help focus on supporting post natal care and reducing the number of teenage pregnancies. Save the Children will be opening their campaign at a Press Conference at school next Wednesday.

My final reminder for this week is that we do offer breakfast at school from 6.30 am to help ensure children have breakfast before they start school. 

Primary News

Dear Parents and Carers,

The week started well with all students from Pre-k to 4th grade running their socks off for the McLay fun run. Every students did their best and we were very proud of them. The money raised will be used to buy sports equipment for a local school. Unfortunately the 5th Grade run had to be cancelled due to the heavy rain making the ground unsafe to run on. We plan to reschedule 5th Grade as soon as possible.

Monday was also Peace One Day and the students had the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the day and to think about those affected by violence. As always our students responded very well and I have seen some beautiful poems and pictures expressing the students thoughts.

On Monday 28th September we are having our special Independence Day assembly in school. This is the culmination of a week of extra activities organised by our Spanish Team to help our students reflect on our local culture and our recent history, including preparing, cooking and eating corn and a very exciting story teller. The assembly will include traditional dancing and music and all students are invited to wear National Costume on that day. If you don’t have a traditional costume the students can wear blue and white instead, but please make sure all clothes are suitable for active school life - no beach wear or sports shorts or shirts.

From Ana Cabrera our Spanish team leader.

September is a very important month for El Salvador, and at the ABC we have been celebrating it. Children in Primary have been learning about our country. During this week we focused on learning about traditional games, typical food, national costumes and the history of our independence.

We’ve had a lot of fun playing like our parents and grandparents did a long time ago and now we know how much fun this is. We played jacks, yo-yo, hide the ring, Chanchabalancha, Doña Ana, La vibora de la mar and so many others games. On Tuesday we had a special visitor. His name was Chambita and he told us all about how El Salvador and other Central American countries became independent from Spain. We also learnt that corn is one of the main sources of food in El Salvador. We enjoyed making “Elotes Locos” and some grades made “Pupusas” as well.

On Monday 28th September we will have a special assembly. Children will march to the auditorium wearing white and blue or their national costume. We have also invited the band from Colegio Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer who will play for us and help us celebrate. It has been a very busy month, full of fun activities and I can say children have enjoyed their learning.

PLEASE NOTE that as from this Monday onwards Upper Primary students who have not been collected by 2.15 pm will be taken to Pass Club, unless they are happy with a responsible older sibling. Parents should then park sensibly and go to the Pass Club situated in the Jubilee Library to pick their children up.

On Tuesday it is the Pre-Kinder curriculum night. It is a chance for parents to understand more about child development and the curriculum and what they can expect from their children’s time in Pre-Kinder. Last year it was really informative so please make sure you do come along.

On Thursday 1st October Lower Primary are celebrating Children’s Day with an entertainer and a special note that their parents wrote earlier and sent into school for them. The children really appreciate this and it makes them very happy to hear how special they are to their family. Upper Primary will be having a non-uniform day where students are allowed to come into school in their own clothes. Please ensure your children are dressed suitably for school activities and are not wearing beachwear or beach shoes. Our Madres Enlace will be arranging some refreshments at lunchtime.

Please note upcoming assemblies and events below and don’t forget to check out the school calendar online.

Best wishes for a great week ahead.

Sharon Short
Head of Primary

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
September
Tuesday 29th September: Pre-Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
October
Thursday 1st October Lower Primary celebrate children’s day.
Friday 2nd October: First Aguirre Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 6th October: Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Thursday 8th October: Prepa Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 9th October: First Padilla Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 13th October: First Grade Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 16th October: Prepa Taylor Spanish Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 23rd October: First Sullivan Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 30th October: First Rivera Assembly 7:30am PAC

Upper Primary
September
Wednesday 30th September: 2nd Brooke class assembly
October
Thursday 1st: Children’s Day - Non-uniform day
Friday 2nd: 5th grade McLay Fun run, parque Bicentenario
Parent and Student conferences begin week beginning Monday 5th October
Wednesday 7th: 5th grade Spanish Assembly
Friday 9th: Primary extra-curricular classes 1st session finishes
Monday 12th: Primary extra-curricular classes 2nd session begins
Wednesday 14th: 5th Guzman Assembly at 9.20 and 12.15 PAC
Wednesday 21st: 4th Linares Assembly at 9.20 and 12.15 PAC
Monday 26th - Friday 30th: UN Week
Friday 30th: UN food fairWednesday 28th: 3rd Pattenden Assembly at 9.20 and 12.15 PAC

Secondary News

Grade 8 Social Event - Wednesday 23rd of September
Much fun was had by all after school on Wednesday with the Grade 8 Social - please see the Grade 8 Blog for more pictures and details. Luckily the rain stayed away for the event!

Thank you to everybody that made this event such a success - teachers, team sports, parents and, of course, the Grade 8 students.


StuCo elections
After recent elections I am pleased to announce that the Student Council (StuCo) Representatives for 2015-2016 are:

I look forward to working closely with the StuCo this academic year.

Let your voice be heard” StuCo

Peace One Day - 21st of September
On Monday we had assemblies in recognition of Peace One Day. Since then the StuCo have been selling ribbons all week long as part of their initiative of ‘Paying it Forward’ - students/teachers buy a blue ribbon for $1 and give it to somebody as an act of kindness acknowledging that that person has had a positive impact on them or is important to them. 

The awful rain on Friday meant that we postponed the production of the Peace One Day 2015 mural (by the entrance to the Auditorium). The painting of the mural, weather permitting, will now take place on Monday.

Thank you to the StuCo for all their hard work this week.

Grade 6 Know Your School Evening - Thursday 1st October
Next week we have the Grade 6 Know Your School Evening. The evening will start at 5.30pm with a presentation to parents in the PAC. The Grade 6 theme is internet safety. After the presentation there is the opportunity to discuss how your child has settled in and their progress so far with each of their subject teachers in the Auditorium. 

This week (on Tuesday 22nd of September) we had the Grade 10 & 12 Know Your School Evening. Thank you to all the parents and students that attended.

Tattoos
I believe that we have a responsibility to protect our students from making choices that they might later regret. At a young age impulsive decisions are common. When it comes to tattoos, many teenagers do not appreciate the health risks and the enormous commitment. It is also important to be mindful that tattoos themselves may have negative connotations in a society, especially here in El Salvador, and to future employers. Should the topic of tattoos arise please have a conversation with your child about all the implications of getting a tattoo. The matter has been raised by a number of concerned parents recently - having heard that students have had or are considering getting a tattoo (please note that no reputable tattoo parlour will tattoo a person under the age of 18 - in line with the law in El Salvador). I am totally in support of personal rights, self-expression and giving people choices, but the reality is that many people who get a tattoo are too young to make a decision they may later regret.

100 Healthy Days
Events have continued this week as part of our ‘100 Healthy Days’ campaign. This week we have had the 100 Skip Challenge (Thursday - organised by Mrs Bradburn), Mr Tupling’s Basketball Challenge (Friday) and Dance for the Fun of it with Ms Castellanos (Friday).

During the w/c Monday 28th September we will be giving away ABC water bottles from the Secondary School Office at break and lunch time as part of our efforts to encourage students to drink sufficient water during the school day, and we have recently installed a couple of cold water dispensers at the end of the field by the Cafeteria. 

And finally…School Uniform
The weather has turned unpleasant at the moment (and looks set to be so for at least 10 days) and this has led to students wearing non-uniform jumpers/tops to and around school. Please be reminded that any jumpers/tops worn in school need to be school uniform (tops that are linked to an ABC trip or activity are allowed). As advertised in the ABC Weekly last week, we currently have school pullovers on sale at reduced prices.

All the best,

Stephen Spicer
Head of Secondary

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 28th September: Theatre Festival Week begins 
Thursday 1st October: Grade 6 Know Your School meetings - 5:30pm PAC
Saturday 3rd October: Dale Carnegie course starts
Monday 5th October: Grade 9 & 11 Know Your School meetings - 5:30pm PAC
Saturday 10th October - Empowerment Day for Class 2017 (Grade 11)
Wednesday 14th October - Thursday 15th October: PAES exams for Class 2016 
Thursday 15th October: Grade 7 & 8 Know Your School meetings - 5:30pm PAC
Monday 19th - Friday 23rd October - Astronomy Week
Thursday 22nd October - Careers Day for Class 2017 and University Fair for Grade 9-12
Friday 23rd October - ABC Founder’s Day
Saturday 24th October - Save the Children Run Event
Mondary 26th October - UN Week
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th November: HALF TERM HOLIDAY
Monday 9th November - British Fortnight begins
Saturday 14th November - Mathscounts Internal ABC competition
Friday 20th November - Guy Fawkes party and Christmas Fair
Monday 23rd November - Recycling Week

Friday 18 September 2015

5: Friday 18th September 2015

From the Director 

I hope you enjoyed the extended Independence Day weekend with your children. We have had many parents telling us they enjoyed having the bridge between the weekend and Independence day. It was nice to welcome everyone back on Wednesday. On Wednesday Mr. Spicer and I had breakfast at school. We now have a range of foods available. You can see a picture of our breakfast on the ABC news blog http://abcnews-blog.blogspot.com/ which also includes details of our menu. We are open to other suggestions if you would like us to extend our menu. 

ABC Jumpers or Pullovers are going to be on sale at reduced prices in the school shop from Monday, to encourage students to wear the correct uniform to school. Prices will be $10 for smaller sizes and $12 for larger sizes. We encourage you to buy these items before the colder weather returns. We also intend introducing some ABC sweat shirts in due course but at considerably higher prices. These pullovers are excellent value!

Who will you make peace with?
On Monday people around the world will be celebrating Peace One Day (P1D). The ABC has been celebrating Peace One Day for almost ten years now and we recognise our participation as part of a worldwide campaign for peace. P1D asks us to make peace and reject violence in our own lives as well as encouraging people and armed groups to seek reconciliation. The question that P1D asks us individually is to make peace with someone on Monday. Make peace with someone in your family, encourage your son or daughter to make peace with someone at school who they have not been friends with. Within our community and our families we can all reflect on the way we can encourage ourselves and our children to make peace with someone on Monday! You can see more details of the UN backed P1D on the following link http://www.peaceoneday.org/

This week we have started focusing on our new value of reflection and we are helping our children think about ways of learning from their experiences. Reflection includes being willing to recognise your own mistakes as well as thinking carefully before you speak!

Our car parks remain busy but we know we can make access smoother if parents do not arrive early blocking the roads near school. Thank you to those of you who have delayed your arrival. If we work together we can make these pick ups much easier.

I look forward to seeing Grade 10 and 12 parents next week at the Know Your School meeting.

Primary News

Dear Parents and Carers,

After an initial washout the Colour Run took place on Thursday with many students from Upper Primary taking part. It was a very exciting event for the students and also a very messy one! However the students really enjoyed it and all the money raised was for a good cause. Thank you to all the prefect team who helped organise the event.

Monday is Peace One Day, a world wide recognition of the hope for world peace. In this country where some lives are devastated by violence this is a particularly poignant day and we will be celebrating it in various ways in school. Please discuss this important day at home too.

The Primary school students will all be taking part in the McLay fun run this week. Pre-K to Grade 4 on Monday and Grade 5 on Friday at the Bicentennial Park. There is a donation of one dollar to participate and all students should come in PE kit on the day of their race.

Our Lower Primary Curriculum nights start soon with the Pre-Kinder team making a very informative presentation explaining how our Early Years curriculum works on Tuesday 29th September. I really enjoyed this event last year and recommend all parents come along for an update.

October the 1st is Children’s Day and Lower Primary celebrate this with a special card from parents to their children. Please don’t forget to write this and make sure your card to your child is in school well in advance.

This was a short week and I hope you enjoyed your long weekend and independence celebrations.

Very best wishes,

Sharon Short,
Head of Primary

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
September
Monday 21st: Peace One Day
Monday 21st: McLay Fun Run - Field
Friday 25th: Spanish assembly - PAC
Tuesday 29th: Pre-Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
October
Thursday 1st October Lower Primary celebrate children’s day.
Friday 2nd: First Aguirre Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 6th: Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Thursday 8th: Prepa Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 9th: First Padilla Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 13th: First Grade Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 16th: Prepa Taylor Spanish Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 23rd: First Sullivan Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 30th: First Rivera Assembly 7:30am PAC

Upper Primary
September
Monday 21st: Peace One Day
Monday 21st: McLay Fun Run -Grades 2 to 4
Wednesday 23rd: 3rd Mena class assembly
Friday 25th: McLay fun run for 5th Grade at Bicentennial Park
Wednesday 30th:2nd Brooke class assembly
October
Parent and Student conferences begin week beginning 5th October

Secondary News

Peace One Day - Monday 21st September
This year in recognition of Peace One Day the Student Council Team has a new campaign: PAYING IT FORWARD. The philosophy of Paying It Forward is that through acts of kindness among friends and strangers, we all foster a more caring community. For this reason, from Monday 21st of September to Friday 25th of September the Student Council team will be selling ribbons with the objective that they are to be given to recognise a friend, or a stranger, that has made someone else feel special or done something that has impacted their life in a positive way. This campaign aims to promote unity among students, which is why if a student receives a ribbon, and they already happen to have one, we encourage them to pass it on to someone who they recognise who doesn’t yet have one.

The ribbons will cost $1 and then on Friday 25th of September students will be able to come to school in jeans and a white-shirt, or a previous Peace One Day t-shirt, and they can paint their hand on the Student Council’s Peace One Day mural during lunch time.

Fundación Corazón del Padre - Message from James Rombout, Head of Grade 9
This Sunday I am participating in the YOAMOES 21km race at Lago de Coatepeque (see FB link below) to help raise funds for Fundación Corazón del Padre which is on the way to becoming a sustainable children's centre located in Quezaltepeque (see link below). The centre will eventually provide 84 orphaned and abandoned children with families that care for their holistic needs. If you want to sponsor me and help to significantly improve the lives of adults and children in the local community please send your contribution via Roxana Hall in the Secondary School Office. Thanks in advance for your support.



Know Your School Meetings are coming up - please put the dates in your diary!
Over the next month there are the following ’Know Your School’ Meetings:
  • Grade 10 and 12 - Tuesday 22nd September 
  • Grade 6 - Thursday 1st October 
  • Grade 9 and 11 - Monday 5th October 
  • Grade 7 and 8 - Thursday 15th October
These evenings start at 5.30pm with a presentation to parents in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). After the presentation there is the opportunity to discuss how your child has settled in and their progress so far with each of their subject teachers in the Auditorium. This year we are asking children from Grades 9 to 12 to be present at the parent teacher talks in the Auditorium. Grade 9 to 12 students should wait in the Canteen whilst parents attend the opening presentation in the PAC.

Part of each presentation in the PAC will address a theme particularly relevant to the age group. For Grade 10 and 12 we will be looking at the demands of this academic year as students approach the examinations in May/June 2016, the next stage of education to follow and how parents can support their child at this critical time. 

The Grade 6 theme is internet safety. We will examine some of the potential dangers and what we can do together to encourage children to be safe and make sensible choices.

The theme for Grade 9 and 11 is transition. Students in these grades are embarking on their examination years (Grade 9 IGCSE and Grade 11 IB) and we want to stress the skills required, including being an independent and reflective learner. At this stage in their education we want to encourage students to be fully responsible for their own learning and to strive to achieve their full potential.

Finally, for Grades 7 and 8 we exploring staying safe. This is an age when children start to become more independent and explore the world around them. The implications of making the wrong poor choices at this age, and older, are more significant.

Parents and school working together in the best interest of the child in mind will have a greater impact than if they work alone. Clearly both parents and teachers have an important role to play in a child’s education, and in providing a consistent message. The roles are different, but complementary. That is why these evenings are important in the ABC calendar and why we ask all parents to attend both parts of the evening. 

Colour Run - Thursday 17th September
The heavy rains and postponement of the Colour Run (from Wednesday 16th) did not dampen spirits and the event went off with great enthusiasm, colour and sound. What an amazing event. Well done to everyone who participated and a huge thank you to the prefect team, organisers and sponsors for making this happen. 



Dale Carnegie Course
Following information shown by many parents we have organised a subsidised Dale Carnegie course for ABC students, starting on Saturday 3rd October in the afternoon. The cost will be $452 (including IVA) and the programme will last for seven weeks with sessions lasting three and a half hours. Sessions will be run by the Dale Carnegie team. We only have 20 places available and are offering them to ABC students from Grade 7 to Grade 11, we will ensure a mix of students from across these grades. If this course proves successful and popular we will be offering a similar course again in the new year. In order to apply for a place on this course please send the name of your son or daughter to Natalia Caceres (nataliacaceres@abc-net.edu.sv) by Friday 25th September. We will then send you further details of the course and a contact at Dale Carnegie to sign up. We will deal with requests in the order in which they arrive at school.

College & University Event - Thursday 24th September
Next week, we are hosting the largest USA university tour that comes to El Salvador; 31 institutions and Education USA. Parents and students from Grades 9 to 12 are invited to attend and we have also invited other schools from the area. 

It is particularly important for Grade 11 and 12 students to participate due to the proximity of their higher education plans. Students in these grades will have a choice of different workshops led by the university representatives from 1.30pm to 2.00pm and then they are required to attend the fair in the Auditorium from 2.00pm to 3.00pm. The fair will continue until 3.30pm should students want to stay. 

All the best,

Stephen Spicer
Head of Secondary

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 21st to Friday 25th September - Peace One Day Week
Tuesday 22nd September: Grade 10 & 12 Know Your School meetings, 5:30pm PAC
Thursday 24th September: College & University Event - from 1:30pm Auditorium
Monday 28th September - Friday 2nd October - Theatre Festival Week 
Thursday 1st October: Grade 6 Know Your School meetings - 5:30 PAC
Saturday 3rd October: Dale Carnegie course starts
Monday 5th October: Grade 9 & 11 Know Your School meetings - 5:30pm PAC
Saturday 10th October - Empowerment Day for Class 2017 (Grade 11)
Wednesday 14th - Thursday 15th October: PAES exams for Class 2016 
Thursday 15th October: Grade 7 & 8 Know Your School meetings - 5:30pm PAC
Monday 19th - Friday 23rd October - Astronomy Week
Thursday 22nd October - Careers Day for Class 2017 and University Fair for Grades 9 and 12
Friday 23rd October - Founder’s Day
Saturday 24th October - Save the Children Run Event
Mondary 26th October - UN Week
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th November: HALF TERM HOLIDAY
Monday 9th November - British Fortnight starts
Saturday 14th November - Mathscounts Internal ABC competition
Friday 20th November - Guy Fawkes party
Monday 23rd November - Recycling Week

Friday 11 September 2015

4: Friday 11th September 2015

From the Director 

The school will be closed on Monday so all ABC staff can enjoy a moment of reflection on El Salvador’s 194th year of independence. I choose my words carefully because reflection is very important. It often leads us to see things different and more profoundly as well as providing the opportunity to learn from past events. This is true for our students as they grow and learn but it is also true for a community and for our country as we celebrate next week. I hope you all have a good celebration and look forward to seeing you back in school on Wednesday.

It has been a pleasure to meet so many parents at the Primary Back to school nights and to witness the high expectations we all have for the coming school year. I know that by working together and through our combined efforts the year which has just started will prove successful.

I would like to remind you that car park drop offs are much easier and quicker before 6.45 am in both car parks, especially in the top car park, with the extra traffic going to the French school from approximately 6.45 am. thank you to many of you who are now arriving nearer the collection times as we are seeing less traffic waiting outside school prior to pick up times.

We have had an interesting teacher training INSET day today working on a range of issues to ensure we continue to provide a high quality education across the school. It is always good to see the commitment and energy of our staff at these events.

Primary News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to all those parents who attended the Upper Primary back to school nights. It is so important that we are all able to meet together at these events. The feedback we had was very positive and all the parents seemed to enjoy the opportunity to meet up with other parents from the class. Thank you to the Madres Enlace who did a lovely job with the refreshments outside each classroom.

5th Hayward did a very entertaining assembly for us this week. They really had an eye for comedy and the younger students in the audience were in stitches. They brought together many of our values but especially open-minded and demonstrated a lot of creativity. We are giving Upper Primary the chance to perform twice as such a lot of work goes into the assemblies it is a shame to only have one performance.

4th Truscott have their assembly on Wednesday and car parking will be in the old emergency parking area so please enter from the main entrance and not the admin entrance.

Peace One Day is on the 21st of September. It is a day of nonviolence and the goal is to achieve world peace one day at a time. We will be using the day in school to reflect on who we can ‘make peace’ with and would ask you to do the same at home. Please see the website for more information. www.peaceoneday.org/

If you arrive late for school, please do not bring your children to the classroom. They should be left with Claudia Avilés so that lessons are not unduly disrupted.

A reminder that the Colour Run will be taking place on Wednesday. Those students who have bought a pack to take part should also bring old clothes and some goggles or eye protection.

On the 21st of September we have the McLay Fun Run for all Grades except 5th Grade. Please ensure the students come in PE kit and bring a dollar to take part. The 5th Grade will be going to the Bicentennial Park for their cross country run. The funds raised are used to buy sports equipment for local public schools.

From the calendar I would like to highlight the Pre-K curriculum night on Tuesday 26th September. If you have a child in Pre-K please do try to attend and please be on time for 6pm. so we can start promptly.

Wishing you all a happy and restful long weekend.

Sharon Short
Head of Primary

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
September
Monday 14th: school closed - public holiday
Tuesday 15th: school closed - public holiday
Monday 21st: Peace One Day
Monday 21st: McLay Fun Run
Friday 25th: Spanish assembly - PAC
Tuesday 29th: Pre-Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
October
Thursday 1st October Lower Primary celebrate children’s day.
Friday 2nd: First Aguirre Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 6th: Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Thursday 8th: Prepa Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 9th: First Padilla Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 13th: First Grade Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 16th: Prepa Taylor Spanish Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 23rd: First Sullivan Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 30th: First Rivera Assembly 7:30am PAC

Upper Primary
September
Monday 14th September school closed - public holiday
Tuesday 15th September school closed - public holiday
Wednesday 16th September the Colour Run
Wednesday 16th September 4th Truscott class assembly
Monday 21st: Peace One Day
Monday 21st: McLay Fun Run -Grades 2 to 4
Wednesday 23rd September. 3rd Mena class assembly.
Friday 25th September McLay fun run for 5th Grade at Bicentennial Park
Wednesday 30th September 2nd Brooke class assembly
October
Parent and Student conferences begin week beginning 5th October

Secondary News

Colour Run - Wednesday 16th of September 
Sales for the Colour Run have gone well (the last day for paying for entrance was Wednesday 9th of September). Secondary students that have paid to take part will receive their Colour Run pack (including Colour Run t-shirt and ‘pixie powder’) during Registration on Wednesday 16th and may come into school in non-uniform on that day (changing into their Colour Run t-shirt when they receive it). Although the ‘pixie powder’ is safe and completely natural, participating students are advised to wear glasses (sunglasses, goggles) for the event. 


Independence Day Celebrations - Thursday 10th of September
There is more power in unity than division.” Emanuel Cleaver 

Unity is this year’s Independence Day theme and in our Independence Day assembly we explored the strength that comes with unity and how unity is necessary for El Salvador, and other countries, to tackle critical issues. 

Students were encouraged to make an effort to get on with each other and to do what they can to unite those around them. The need to resolve divisions and conflict, in order reap the benefits of unity, was also stressed.

You don't get unity by ignoring the questions that have to be faced” Jay Weatherill

As well as messages on unity, students and teachers were treated to musical and dance performances.


After the assembly students and staff enjoyed Salvadorean food, music and other entertainment. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.



Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event such a success.

Warm regards,

Stephen Spicer
Head of Secondary

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 11th September: INSET DAY for teachers - school closed
Monday 14th September: HOLIDAY - school closed
Tuesday 15th September: Independence Day HOLIDAY - school closed
Wednesday 16th September: Colour Run event
Tuesday 22nd September: Grade 10 & 12 Know Your School meetings
Thursday 1st October: Grade 6 Know Your School meetings
Monday 5th October: Grade 9 & 11 Know Your School meetings
Thursday 15th October: Grade 7 & 8 Know Your School meetings
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th November: HALF TERM HOLIDAY

Friday 4 September 2015

3: Friday 4th September 2015

From the Director 


We started our “Welcome Back to School” nights this week and they continue next week and during the coming month. Our community is based on positive partnerships and as parents we expect you to attend these meetings so we can ensure we are all working together in the best interests of our students. 

We are celebrating Civic Month in various ways throughout school helping students across the school understand the importance of the nation where we are living and growing up. Please note that we are closed next Friday for a staff training day and then we reopen after Independence day on Wednesday 16th September which will also mark the colour run taking place for students who have purchased a colour run kit at 2.30 pm. All funds are going to local charities. More details can be seen in each of the two separate sections of the newsletter below. 

Please note we are now offering some breakfast options before school through the Canteen:
  • Baked plantain (4 slices) $0.60
  • Cereal with milk $2.00
  • Croissant with scrambled/sunny side up egg $1.50
  • Croissant with black beans and cheese $1.50
  • Croissant with ham and cheese $1.15
  • Omelette (one egg with vegetables, ham or cheese) $0.60
  • Pancakes (2) $1.00
  • Pupusas beans/cheese $0.50
  • Refried beans (per portion) $0.60
  • Yogurt with granola $1.00
  • Waffles with honey or Nutella $1.00
Note: The Canteen will extend the menu subject to sufficient requests.

Last week the Madres Enlace had their first meeting of the year and the School Management Team addressed them. It was great to see all the new volunteers for this key role in school and we want to do all we can to help them represent any issues that the parent community has. In terms of your individual child it is essential you contact school directly but if you have a question or suggestion for school please do not hesitate to ask your Madre Enlace. Please remember though it is not appropriate to communicate via social networking about any school concerns. If you have a query about school please either speak to the teacher or your Madre Enlace. 

Save the Children have been working in school specifically with the classes of 2019 and 2023 this week. They are helping us prepare our student community to play a larger role helping the plight of young children in our country.

Car Park Information and Advice
Thank you very much for the response to our requests last week for appropriate use of our tarjetas to get access to the pick ups. Can I please remind you that Primary cards cannot be used for preferential access up to and around 1.50 pm. After 2pm when all cars have access there are no priorities given to holders of any primary passes.

The French School has reopened and with their starting time of 7.30 their traffic makes the entrance to our top car park more complicated. We advise you try to arrive before 6.45 am if you want a quick morning drop off in that car park.

In the afternoon the Admin Car Park is relatively quiet at 1.50 pm so if you have a Primary 1-5 pass you can get relatively easy access to the campus at this time if you ask your child to go to the top car park. We are continuing to monitor car parks to try to find optimum solutions and avoid wasting your time in queues. I would like to repeat my request that you do not arrive earlier than the advertised times to avoid congestion in the area which ultimately causes more problems later in that pick up session.

Primary News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to those of you who came to our Lower Primary ‘welcome back to school’ nights. I hope you enjoyed meeting your children’s teachers again and spending some time in the classrooms. The Upper Primary ‘welcome back to school’ nights will be this coming week. Please see the dates and times below or on the school calendar link on the school website. There will be some refreshments and an opportunity to meet teachers and fellow parents. It is important for all of us to get to know each other.

Please ensure children with long hair have it securely tied back for the whole day, not hanging forward over their face.

5th Hayward start off this years assemblies on Wednesday the 9th of September. The assembly is full of the students own ideas and work so should be very interesting! Please see the calendar note there are two repeated presentations to increase options for parents and family to attend. 

I have seen some very healthy lunch boxes this week, with wholemeal bread or rice, fruit and vegetables, pieces of chicken or other meat. I am delighted with this and just wanted to say ‘well done’ to those of you who are making this effort.

This week the Dentist came to grade 3 to give an important presentation about teeth and healthy eating as part of their IPC unit. t is important we keep our children’s teeth healthy with regular check ups as I am sure most of you know. The Dentist really enjoyed her visit and will be visiting the school again.

On the 10th of September the Upper Primary students are invited over to visit the Secondary Independence Day festivities at 11.30 am. There will be food stalls (including traditional foods) and local crafts for sale. The students have permission to bring a small amount of money in a named envelope or container on that day to purchase items or food. Students are responsible for looking after their own money.

We also have the ABC Colour Run event straight after the Independence Day long weekend on the 16th September. It promises to be an extravaganza of sound and colour! The students who would like to take part are buying Colour Run packs for $10 from the secondary school prefects. The pack includes a t-shirt, bags of coloured powder paint and other small items. Although the powder paint is completely non-toxic students are advised to wear goggles/eye protection for this event. I would also recommend they bring in old clothes to change into before taking part. This fun event is to raise money for local charities.

The Primary School has decided to take part in some art research that is being carried out by the Arts and Development Lab, Brooklyn College, CUNY relating to Culture and Art. Over the next few weeks parents will receive an email inviting them to enrol their child or children in the research project. Please keep an eye open for this. The students will do a small drawing activity in school that will then be uploaded.

Phew! There has been quite a lot to share this week.

I hope you have a great weekend and a lovely week ahead.

Best wishes,

Sharon Short 
Head of Primary

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
September
Monday 7th: Pre-Kinder extracurricular activities start
Friday 11th: School closed for a teacher training day
Monday 14th: school closed 
Tuesday 15th: school closed - public holiday
Wednesday 16th: The Colour Run
Monday 21st: Peace One Day
Monday 21st: McLay Fun Run
Tuesday 29th: Pre-Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
October
Thursday 1st October Lower Primary celebrate children’s day.
Friday 2nd: First Aguirre Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 6th: Kinder Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Thursday 8th: Prepa Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 9th: First Padilla Assembly 7:30am PAC
Tuesday 13th: First Grade Curriculum Night 6:00pm PAC
Friday 16th: Prepa Taylor Spanish Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 23rd: First Sullivan Assembly 7:30am PAC
Friday 30th: First Rivera Assembly 7:30am PAC

Upper Primary
Monday 7th September: grades 2 and 3 Back to school Night
Wednesday 9th September: Grades 4 and 5 Back to school Night
Wednesday 9th September: 5th Hayward class assembly
Thursday 10th September: UP students to visit secondary Independence celebrations at lunchtime.
Friday 11th September: School closed for a teacher training day
Monday 14th September: school closed 
Tuesday 15th September: school closed - public holiday
Wednesday 16th September: the Colour Run
Wednesday 16th September: 4th Truscott class assembly
Monday 21st September: Peace One Day
Monday 21st September: McLay Fun Run -Grades 2 to 4
Wednesday 23rd September: 3rd Mena class assembly.
Friday 25th September: McLay fun run for 5th Grade at Bicentennial Park
Wednesday 30th September 2nd Brooke class assembly

Secondary News

Civic Month


Our Civic Month celebrations have started with a special presentation on the topic of Unity as a dear value in Salvadoran culture and history from September 2nd through 10th, with each of our year groups. The presentation is being delivered by the Spanish Department, and head students. This series of discussions and reflections will culminate with our Independence Day Ceremony for the Secondary School, which will take place on Thursday, September 10th in the Auditorium from 11:15 am - 12:15 pm, and followed by a traditional food festival with private vendors, live Salvadoran music, and traditional games, such as, capirucho, trompo, and many more, from 12:20 - 2:30 pm. Students may leave at their regular scheduled time, if they do not have other school activities. 

Parents are invited to visit our Salvadoran Arts and Crafts stands in front of the LRC from Monday, September 7th through 10th. We are motivated to promote Salvadoran artisans, and for our students to appreciate the creativity and entrepreneurship of the Salvadoran people. 

Eric Quijano
National School Director

100 Healthy Days
Wednesday 9th of September sees the start of the Secondary School’s ‘100 Healthy Days’ (culminating in the last day of term – Friday 18th of December). ‘100 Healthy Days’ is our attempt to try to encourage our students to be more active and healthy. The simple message is even small daily activities can build healthy habits.

During the ‘100 Healthy Days’ we will be providing students with a number of ways to make a healthy difference to their routines. Below are two events that are coming up very soon.

During the week of the launch we have Tribalfest. Organised by the Grade 11 Business Studies students, this will provide multiple opportunities for students to be active and have fun in doing so. The programme for Tribalfest is as follows:

Students interested in representing their tribe, and competing in these events, have until Monday 7th September (by 6.55am) to register (details are in the students’ daily Vista). We also want spectators to come along and support their tribe.

In the following week we have the Colour Run. This event has been organised by the Prefect team. Open to Upper Primary and Secondary School students, this promises to be a very energetic, fun and colourful event. The Colour Run costs $10 which buys entrance, a Colour Run t-shirt and ‘pixie powder’. 


A proportion of the money collected will go to support local charities. Students need to come to the Secondary School Office at break or lunch time to pay to participate. The Colour Run is being sponsored by Powerade, Gatorade, Agua Cristal, Bodytek Fitness Center, Dreamland and Vanilla Spoon. A big thank you to these organisations for their support. 

More details to follow in later ABC Weeklies of opportunities for students at school to be healthy and active as part of the ‘100 Healthy Days’ initiative.

As a family you can help your son or daughter be more active. Here are some tips to help you help your young people ease into exercise and stay motivated so that they can feel the benefits.

1. Little, but often is a good start. Children not used to exercising may only be willing to tolerate a little physical activity before wanting to give up. So start with small steps, such as a 10 minute walk every day, or even every other day, after school. Keep a record of the time they spend being active, the minutes will soon add up and the total will boost their motivation.

2. Be a role model. Setting a good example will motivate your child.

3. Limit sedentary pastimes like watching tv and playing computer games. Here is an interesting BBC article on the benefits (in terms of better I/GCSE results) of students spending less time watching TV or being in front of a computer - http://www.bbc.com/news/education-34139196

4. Encourage your child to participate in sports and if your child does not like competitive sports, suggest a sport such as cycling or running.

5. But, it’s not just about sports. Being active is not just about participating in a sport, it includes many other things such as hiking, dance, martial arts or drama. Encourage your child to pursue a healthy interest. Perhaps not the most ‘fun’ activity, but regular chores inside and outside the house are also a way for your son/daughter to be active on a routine basis (as well as teaching a child to be responsible). 

Remember we have an extensive extra-curricular programme at the ABC, sporting and non-sporting. Please encourage your child to sign up and widen their interests.

6. Try to make being active fun

A combination of small success, with praise and encouragement, will motivate your child to continue being active. Good luck.

Kind regards,

Stephen Spicer
Head of Secondary

Secondary dates for your diary
Thursday 10th September: Secondary Independence Day celebration for students
Friday 11th September: INSET DAY for teachers - school closed
Monday 14th September: HOLIDAY - school closed
Tuesday 15th September: Independence Day HOLIDAY - school closed
Wednesday 16th September: Colour Run event
Tuesday 22nd September: Grade 10 & 12 Know Your School meetings
Thursday 1st October: Grade 6 Know Your School meetings
Monday 5th October: Grade 9 & 11 Know Your School meetings
Thursday 15th October: Grade 7 & 8 Know Your School meetings
Monday 2nd - Friday 6th November: HALF TERM HOLIDAYS