Dear Students and Parents,

Here we are quickly approaching the month of October! We have our Fall break coming up (starting Tue, Oct 12) as well as the end of our first academic quarter (Wed, Oct 27). We also have some exciting news to share: ALL students are welcome to return to campus starting this Sunday, October 3! It has been a long time coming, and we are very excited to see everyone back together. As you might expect, there will be a few changes in place as we begin next week.

We will move away from our current hybrid schedule (day A/B) and return to our regular 4-day schedule (shown below, without PACT-day timings):

Next week will look like this:

• Sunday, October 3 will be a Day 1 - blocks 1, 2, 3, 4

• Monday, October 4 will be a Day 2 - blocks 5, 6, 7, 8

• Tuesday, October 5 will be a Day 3 - blocks 4, 2, 3, 1 - PACT Schedule

• Wednesday, October 6 will be a Day 4 - blocks 8, 6, 7, 5

• Thursday, October 7 will be a Day 1 - blocks 1, 2, 3, 4

It is understood that with all students back on campus, class sizes will increase (back to classes of 22 students). We will maintain a physical distance of 1 meter between students (as per ministry guidelines) and we will continue to ask students to wear masks while at school (according to ministry guidelines) except while eating or drinking.

For lunch, we ask that students continue to eat lunch in their classrooms for now (our Dining Hall and Coffee Beanery will not be open to students just yet). As the weather improves, we will also be able to have students eat outside. Students will eat with their current advisory groups, and then be able to go to a number of break locations: gym, courtyard, grade-level commons, library, and fields).

Synchronous Zoom Teaching

We will no longer provide synchronous Zoom sessions for students. Students who are not able to be present on campus are expected to visit their class Teneen page to check for assignments and materials. Students who are unable to attend campus should be in direct contact with their teachers about any work requirements.

Vaccination Status Check

The Ministry directive states that to access campus:

1. Unvaccinated students who are eligible for the vaccine (12 years and older) must conduct a weekly rapid test or a PCR test approved by the MoPH.

2. Students who have recovered from COVID-19 should provide evidence of this

3. Students 12 years and older must be “Fully vaccinated”. This is defined as having received both shots, with at least two weeks having passed since the second shot.

During the first week of full reopening, students must be able to provide their negative test documentation, their evidence of having had COVID-19, or proof of vaccination (if not already submitted to the school) by Tuesday, October 5th at 8am, in order to access campus.

If your child is 12 or older, and you haven’t already submitted your proof of vaccination (and are vaccinated), please fill in the following form: (Click HERE to submit).

We appreciate there is much information within this email and thank you for your patience in reading it. Please know that we will do our utmost to ensure your children remain safe on their full return to school and that their experience is both positive and rewarding. We are immensely excited to have all our students return to campus and make our community truly whole again!

Have a great week everyone!

MAP Testing in the Middle School

Earlier this week, Middle School students took their first MAP tests in reading and math. Reports will be sent home shortly, once we are able to close the testing window school-wide. From a parent’s point of view, it’s helpful to know what your children’s MAP score means and what can you do to support them in their learning. One suggestion is to use this information to engage in goal setting. The MAP report will outline your child’s score range, growth, and percentile range, and also breaks down individual test performance into sub-areas.

Freedom from Chemical Dependency: Counselors Visit

Last week, MS and HS students were visited by counselors from the Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) group. FCD Prevention Works (www.fcd.org), a part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, is a leading international nonprofit provider of school-based substance abuse prevention services. Since 1976, this non-profit organization has taught over a million students of all ages. Their mission is to:

• Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years

• Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices

• Teach students and adults how to recognize the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately

• Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs

• Promote awareness of drug addiction, including alcoholism, as a progressive, chronic and often fatal disease

• Provide educational communities with the guidance and training necessary to implement comprehensive, effective approaches to substance abuse prevention

As part of their visit, they also held a parent presentation to share up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends, as well as how to identify early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond. Please find attached here a link to their presentation HERE (passcode is “XXXXXSX”).

Additional resources:

· Parenting for Prevention Factsheet (for parents)

· The Social Norms Perspective for Parents

· Top Questions Parents ask FCD

Personal Safety Lessons in the Middle School

Part of our school’s mission includes a focus on the personal development of all our students, which is only possible when all students feel safe and secure. In an effort to better support our students, our school will be engaging in a research-based Child-Protection program, designed specifically for international school students.

This program will include age-appropriate information about personal safety as well as child maltreatment. These lessons are a core element of ASD’s plan to protect the rights and safety of each and every student in our community. Lessons will be led by our Middle School Designated Leads (Counselors) and will be taught during the weeks of October 18-21 and November 22-28, 2021.

In each grade, the following key concepts and skills will be addressed:

1. IDENTIFY! - Students will learn how to identify safe and unsafe situations.

2. ACCESS! - Students will learn how to access support structures.

3. ACT! - Students will learn how to act to stay safe.

4. VALUE! - Students will learn how to value themselves and others.

Your child will receive a range of “Home Connection” activities to be completed with you following these lessons. Students are more likely to use and apply the information they have learned when they have multiple opportunities to practice and talk about it with parents and family. You play an essential role in helping your child know how to stay safe!

We will be having a Parent Information Session on Sunday, October 17 at 8:30 am (Zoom link). At this time, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the program, view the curriculum materials, and ask questions. For more information, please contact Tracy Murphy, Director of Student Support Services, at tracy.murphy@asd.edu.qa.

Haas Hansen Award & Application

The award recognizes Middle School students (Grades 6-8) at NESA member schools who model the character traits we value most in our students: consistency, persistence, a willingness to take risks, acceptance of other cultures/points of view and a genuine interest in and commitment to the welfare of others. The award is not meant to recognize academic, athletic or artistic talent or achievement, though applicants may excel in any or all of these areas. Four awards of $1000 USD are awarded to four deserving students. Over the years, ASD has had many students apply, and on a number of occasions, we have had students receive awards of recognition. We hope to continue this tradition!

Please see your grade-level counselor if decide to apply so that they can guide you through the process. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE LINK BELOW:

· Haas Hansen Application