High School
September 2, 2021
From the High School Principal's Desk
Dear High School Community,
It was a busy week in the High School as students settled into their classes, renewed old friendships and forged new ones. As you know, we are incredibly proud of our student’ academic performance over the past years; academic excellence is one of the key pillars that make our division great. Another key pillar is the social responsibility we engender in our students. This week was an inspirational example of how incredible our students are in their caring, empathetic attitudes to others less fortunate. On Monday, the US Embassy collected an array of much needed supplies for the Afghan refugees currently in our host country. These supplies have been donated by our High School community after a call for support by our students. We hope to continue these collections over the coming weeks and months. We thank all those involved, the US Embassy, our wonderful parents, and, of course, our students. Here are some photos of the collection.
COVID-19 Updates
We had a COVID-19 positive case reported to us last weekend. We immediately informed all students and faculty involved that they would need to quarantine until the MoPH organized testing. The testing occurred on Sunday from 4:30 pm onwards. All vaccinated faculty and students who tested negative were allowed to return to school immediately. Certainly an incentive to get vaccinated.
We reiterate our plea to parents not to send their children to school if they exhibit symptoms related to COVID-19. Please err on the side of caution and take them to be tested.
AP Updates
It has been an exciting beginning to the school year! With the add/drop “window” set to close at the end of this second week of school, we have seen many students change their schedules as they clarify their learning goals for the year. I am happy to report that the AP Program here at ASD is in robust health, and we currently have all-time high enrollment numbers with 297 AP students registered to sit 586 total exams. We are very grateful to our AP teachers who have hit the ground running while remaining flexible and compassionate as they have welcomed new students to their courses. We look forward to helping our AP students settle into their new routines and encourage them to self-advocate and reach out for help if they have any struggles. If you have any questions about our AP Courses or the AP Capstone Diploma program, please contact our AP Coordinator at: joshua.giddens@asd.edu.qa
IBDP Diploma Updates
Our IB Diploma Juniors and Seniors have begun the year positively. Some of our Seniors will begin the early university application process and, as such, will be receiving their first official sets of Predicted Grades by October 10. The purpose of these grades will be to support students in their applications as well as support students in understanding what their progress in the programme has been to date. Students will be supported if they are underperforming to ensure we offer early intervention in semester 1. If you have any questions or you would like additional information please do not hesitate to contact the IB Coordinator, Ms. Katrina Charles at katrina.charles@asd.edu.qa
Junior/Senior Committee
Our Junior/Senior Committee for 2021/2022 would like to invite Junior and Senior parents to join our first official meeting of the year! This Zoom will give parents a chance to find out what the committee has planned for this school year.
The meeting will be via Zoom on Wednesday, September 8 at 11:00 am . Here’s the link. See you there!
Key Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, September 15: Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 22: Curriculum Night
Thursday, October 7: Parent Advisory Forum
Details of these meetings will be shared with you closer to the dates.
Teneen Communication from the High School to Parents
Please remember that we update Teneen with news items and share the Sahifa each Thursday. Teachers also communicate with parents via PowerSchool and email.
Weekly/Monthly Calendar
Our day rotation schedule can be found here. Please note it will be updated as per directions from the Ministry of Health when necessary.
Teaching and Learning Moment
Students in AP Biology this week conducted a lab that focused on classification. This was their first Hybrid lab- one in which students in the class moved from station to station where they physically observed preserved (and living) specimens, while their Zoom partner(s) traveled with them through the computer. Students in class acted as the hands of the lab while students on Zoom asked questions and aided in researching the various questions. Together they formed a team, attempting to determine what Domain, Kingdom, and Phylum various life forms fit into based on physical evidence seen in the samples. Next class, students will switch roles, allowing those who were in Zoom to be the active lab member, moving, again with their partner, from station to station.
Student feedback after the lab:
"I really liked how we (me and my partner) were both able to benefit from the class resources even though I was at home, we were able to communicate well through zoom and exchange information to complete the assignment."
and
"The hybrid lab was something very different from what I have done before. I think my partner and I worked well with talking and collaborating and having thoughtful discussions about our answers. It did help enhance my learning as I got to hear my partner's point of view."
Service Updates
In our desire to ensure our parent community has more access to Learning Service information, we have provided access for parents on the “Learning Service” tab on the HS Office Teneen page. The same information is available on the HS Student Teneen Page for students. Supplementary information can also be accessed on our Learning Service Libguide. The link will be shared once it is fully updated.
This week, I’d like to share a huge celebration with our school community. As some of you might know, ASD collaborates with a partner school in Arusha, Tanzania called the St. Pius School. This is a secular school that provides education for children on the outskirts of Arusha.
Prior to the Pandemic, this was the site of one of ASD’s Service Learning Trips where students have the opportunity to assist in the construction of the school’s expansion and lead a summer camp type enrichment program for the St. Pius Students. The ASD PTA has also generously funded one ASD teacher to travel to Tanzania to provide teacher training on topics requested by teachers at St. Pius as one of their charitable donations. This has been done yearly since 2016 and we thank the ASD PTA for their continued support! The St. Pius Educational Scholarship Club also supports scholarships that allow St. Pius Community members to continue their education to the postsecondary level. To date, two students have benefited from this program. During the pandemic, they have also made educational videos for the St. Pius students to support math and science teaching. This club is also specifically devoted to promoting UN SDG 4 - Quality Education at ASD.
One other part of this project that has been percolating in the background is the development of a micro-loan fund to allow community members to start small businesses. This has been supported by Girl Up, National Honor Society, EFFECT Club and St. Pius Educational Scholarship Club. Last July, our Service Coordinator Mr. Chi Shang had a chance to visit Adelina Alex, the first recipient of the scholarship fund and now the proud owner of the first business supported by our microloans. While at the “Adela Stationery and Internet Shop”, we were also able to Zoom with Sara Lowe (ASD Class of 2017), the founder of the St. Pius Project and Annika Toivonen (ASD Class of 2021) who expanded the St. Pius Project to what it is today. The recording of that brief call that captures the work and spirit of the hundreds of students over the years that have all worked to make this happen is posted below.
Zoom_Call (1).mp4Last week, we shared ASD’s Service Graduation requirements with you. This video summarizing the graduation requirements was created by members of our Service Executive and will be shared with our Grade 9 and 10 students when we roll out our virtual service job fair. A few important upcoming dates that will help get students started on their service journeys are here:
Sunday, September 12: Students will receive in their email a link to this year’s virtual job fair. Each Service Club at ASD has created a slide that describes the group’s goals and aims, expectations, and digital signup for the first informational meeting.
Thursday, September 23: This is the last day to sign up for a club’s informational meeting. Meetings should occur shortly thereafter. If a student does not hear from a club, they should reach out to the email on the slide. This is important as there are hundreds of signups going on at the same time so it is important that students are proactive in pursuing their commitments.
For questions about service or CAS at ASD, please contact Mr. Shang at cshang@asd.edu.qa.
Counseling
Add/Drop
All requests are being made through a google form using ASD student emails. The period started on August 23 and will close at 3:00 pm on Monday, September 6. Students were informed about the following when making any add/drop requests:
1. Students must follow your schedule unless otherwise notified.
2. If a change takes place, it will come into effect the next school day.
3. Counselors cannot honor schedule changes that request certain blocks or certain teachers.
4. Just because a student submits a change request, it does not mean we will be able to make the change. We have to look at class numbers, the number of students in the class on day A or Day B and we need to make sure there is space.
Senior College Night
Save the Date! The Senior College Night will be on Monday, September 20! More information will be coming soon!
Resources
We encourage students and parents to check out the HS counseling Teneen page within the Main HS Office as it has lots of resources available for students and parents.
Have a great weekend,
Michael Roberts
High School Principal
What's on HS
Updated Every Friday in Teneen!
Be sure to visit our HS Teneen page, for up-to-date information.
What's On HS
Sun, Sep 5
MS/HS Day 1B
Mon, Sep 6
MS/HS Day 2A
Tue, Sep 7
MS/HS Day 2B
PACT Tuesday, school dismissal at 12:30 pm
Wed, Sep 8
MS/HS Day 1A
Jr/Sr Committee Meeting 11:00 am, via Zoom
Thu, Sep 9
MS/HS Day 1B
Check out our section on Teaching and Learning
ASD School Pictures
ASD All School Main Poster V2.pdfMessage from ASD Nursing
Greetings From ASD Nursing,
A Reminder About Sickness
This serves as a friendly reminder to please be mindful to keep your children home when they are exhibiting ANY of the following symptoms:
Fever
A severe headache
Body aches
Cough
Nasal congestion or a runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue coupled with any of the above symptoms
If students are absent, teachers will inquire about why. It is imperative if sickness is the reason that this is reported. Please be mindful that if illness is reported teachers will then report it to Nursing and an email will come from the Head Nurse, Carmen Jones. This email will explain that in order for the student to return medical clearance with a diagnosis OR a negative COVID-19 test is needed for students to return to school. If clarification or assistance is needed contact information is in the email. Being fully vaccinated will not be a replacement for medical clearance after reported illness.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Do you have a fully vaccinated student? If so you should fill out this form for each fully vaccinated student in your household that attends ASD. This helps us to get information to families, work with MoPH, and allow your student to participate more fully in school activities. Make sure to have your student’s vaccination documentation ready when doing this form because it is required to upload.
In the upcoming weeks updates are being made to the Nursing Sahifa page and all information will be available there for reference.
Have A Good Weekend!
ASD Nurses
A Message from ASD Bus Services
ASD Bus Service has been operating for a full week. Please check your email for updated schedules and monitor contact details.
As of now, bus registration is full. New applications will be placed on the waitlist.
A Message from the Director of Teaching & Learning
Last Spring, ASD reached out to the community for feedback about how and where ASD should focus its energy for school-wide goals following the learning from the ACE Accreditation Internal Reflection process (May 25 - Community Workshop). Over 300 participants (students, teachers, leaders, parents and even a Board member) were present and involved in learning more about potential goals ASD might move forward with. Click HERE to read more...
From our School Community
QATAR LITTLE LEAGUE is a developmental league that offers baseball, softball and Challenger programs for boys and girls ages 4-18 throughout Qatar. Players of all skill levels and abilities are welcome. No experience necessary!
Online Registration is NOW Open for our upcoming season
NEW THIS YEAR
A FREE LEARN TO PLAY BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL CAMP
September 17 and 18
More information about our program is available at our website: QatarLittleLeague.com
Commonly Asked Questions
When does the season start?
Sunday, September 26, 2021, but there will be an optional Knock the Dust Off Camp for registered members Friday and Saturday, September 24 and 25, 2021. The season will run through the end of February.
What are the Age Divisions and how much does it cost?
Where do we play?
We will start playing out at the Doha Sports Park in Lusail. Our hope is that the ASD Baseball field will be available to us sometime during our season, however, the Doha Sports Complex is our current plan.
What is the time Commitment?
With the exception of Tee-Ball and Challengers who practice and play on Friday mornings, all other divisions have one weeknight practice and at least one game on Friday OR Saturday.
What equipment do I need?
QLL provides helmets, bats, catcher gear, a uniform top and cap. Players will need a glove, athletic shoes, baseball pants, or athletic pants, and boys must have an athletic cup. Due to Covid 19 protocols, we highly encourage batting gloves and will expect a mask to be worn when not on the field.
Where can I find out more information and Register?
Visit our website qatarlittleleague.com to register for the season and the two camps. Also, follow us on Facebook QatarLittleLeague & Instagram: Qatarlittleleague. You can e-mail us at qll@asd.edu.qa or qatarlittleleague@gmail.com with any additional questions.
Would you like to know a little more about the Junior Senior Committee and how we support our Grade 11 and 12 students? Please join us for an informational Zoom meeting and learn how you can be involved on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 11:00 am using the link below. Hope to see you there!
Zoom link HERE
Meeting ID: 812 5280 6226
Passcode: rKHz43
The ASD Booster Club welcomes all our DRAGON families to the new school year!
Be safe. Be kind. Be active. Let’s go DRAGONS!
Our ASD Booster Store Online Catalog is back! It 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.
The PTA wishes to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning families, we look forward to meeting with you soon! Each year, the PTA publishes an Information Guide with some useful information about ASD and more information about the PTA. Please click HERE to check it out!