Dear ASD Families,

Across three calendar weeks the American School of Doha has opened to nearly 2300 students. Classroom communities have taken fast steps to form anew. We are in a fifth consecutive week without a reported case COVID-19, and after our brief October break we now look forward to a stretch of weeks where full attendance is the norm. As ASD accelerates student learning, and eases stresses on families, we hope to also support our collective well being.

Students continue to adjust to new ways of working in our classrooms. They run on our fields during recess, they smile and laugh together in common areas and outdoor lunch areas… and are navigating a dynamic portion of their childhood! Having all students back is joyful and rewarding and a sign of optimism for us moving through this strange time.

Importantly, ASD was approved this week to allow students to remove masks at recess, lunch, and in Physical Education classes when they are outdoors. Students will begin to have more freedom outdoors in just a few more days. We were also approved to begin 50% use of our Theatre, which MS used to advantage this week in a wonderful Community Day celebration.

In other news, huge thanks are due to MS and HS students and families for recording vaccinations with our Nursing Department...over 1000 of our students eligible for vaccination have turned in their records.

One of the distinctive aspects of the 2021-2022 school year is our plan to shape the guiding messages of our school - our Identity, Mission, Vision & Core Values - after the review and input from our ASD Community. Our foundational statements have set us apart amongst schools in Doha and beyond. We encourage you to be a part of this endeavor as we revisit and possibly rewrite our guiding statements. Please fill out this questionnaire to participate. We ask you, our ASD Community, to review our guiding messages for relevance and resonance, and to see how well they reflect the ethos and the spirit to which we collectively aspire.

We also note in this week’s Sahifa that the HS Graduation date is now set for May 27, with the hope that a traditional on-campus event will be staged for the Class of 2022.

Repeating a similar request from last school year, MOPH is again asking schools to participate voluntarily in PCR testing students across Qatar (the request comes to schools to create another data point on national health, not as any new requirement for reopening). Please see the consent form below, and if possible support this new Ministry request.

Finally, the week of October 31 to November 4 will include PACT and parent conferences (November 3 and 4, Zoom only) in each of the school’s four divisions.

As always, we thank you for your wonderful support!

Sincerely,

Steve Razidlo

Director of the American School of Doha

Booster Club Online Store

Our ASD Booster Store Online Catalog includes the store's most popular items so be ready to show your dragon spirit. The Booster Club provides positive support and assistance to the American School of Doha Athletics and Activities Program for all school divisions.

Shop Online by clicking on the link below; pick up your purchased items at school! The orders will be delivered on a weekly basis to each student and ASD staff.

Please fill out THIS form to purchase your items after you have explored the Catalog below!

Click HERE for the Booster Club catalog.