Dear ASD Families,

On Sunday of this past week Mr. Omer Al-Naama, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs, visited ASD, meeting with school community leaders and touring the ASD campus. Mr. Al-Naama was complimentary regarding ASD’s school programs, our campus, and our COVID-19 protocols. He spoke of his belief that in the very near term Qatar will more fully reopen schools. All of us remain hopeful that a significant announcement will be released soon, and that our ability to reopen further will be clarified soon.

With seven rotations of A/B days, the routines of school are well begun. Learners are beginning to experience formative and summative assessments of learning, and faculty and staff are gaining face to face impressions of learner skills and interests. Teachers have also started the necessary work of reviewing and sometimes condensing units of instruction to promote a greater focus on the essential standards with a subject or discipline. Our review of what will be taught and how students will demonstrate learning is ongoing, as is our review of the A/B model and how well it serves learner needs.

One of the adjustments ASD is making while we wait for attendance limits to be expanded is the full reopening of Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten classes happening in the next two weeks. Reopening these grades to five days per week schooling is a solid first step toward normalcy and we are excited our youngest learners will soon be with us every day.

In another forward step, vaccinated athletes returned to ASD for tryouts and the beginning of after school practices this week. We aim for the resumption of interscholastic sports in Doha and in the MESAC conference this year, most likely starting with international competitions in our winter season. Theatrical and musical performances are also targeted to resume this fall, and it’s exciting to note that two casts have been formed for the fall play (right now following our A/B schedules). We are committed to reestablishing the rich set of activities -- sports, clubs, events, etc. which make school more fun and extend our ability to meet our mission.

Should major reopening moves be made by Ministry officials, we will share additional communication (ex. parent Zoom) as quickly as possible.

Following last year’s similar MOPH request, ASD will again participate in PCR testing for all of our school faculty and staff next week. MOPH has also declared its intention to PCR test students across the country -- in the ongoing fight against the virus -- and we will share more information once testing dates and consent formats are formalized.

The ASD Board held its first board meeting in August, and welcomed both new and returning elected members to the board. Please click HERE to view the latest update from ASD Board Chair Mr. Tom Mc Hale.

Lastly, as the weather begins to change, we like to remind parents that ASD will continue to wait until temperatures are back below 40 degrees Celcius before moving recess, breaks, and lunch outdoors. Thank you, parents, for your wonderful support!

Sincerely,

Steve Razidlo

Director of the American School of Doha