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 It's Christmas in the Library - our new books have arrived!!!!Come in to be the first one to check out one of the more than 400 new books we have on the secondary side of the library. Also, please come see Mr. Lunyunge or Ms. Kim for an explanation of how students can access our amazing, new digital collection of ebooks on Sora Overdrive - very useful for reading over long breaks when bringing physical books with you is cumbersome or too weighty. Welcome to the LibraryThe library is pleased to open its doors to students and parents from:
7:00 until 16:00 Monday through Thursday 7:00 until 14:00 on Friday We are also open the first and third Saturday of every month from 9:00 until 12:00 (unless that falls on a public holiday). Our next weekend hours will be on Saturday September 16 and Saturday, October 5. Parents can create a parent account to check out up to 10 books at a time for a 2-week period.  Since joining the American International School of Lusaka (AISL) in the 2021-2022 school year, Mr. Wells has become a cornerstone of the school’s vibrant educational community. His role as a teacher of the IB Diploma Program History class and 10th-grade Individuals and Societies (I&S) reflects his deep passion for education and his commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment. Mr Wells’s journey into teaching was unconventional. Although he contemplated a teaching career during high school, he initially pursued other paths. His work in Côte d'Ivoire, where he taught skiing to students, sparked a realization: he was repeatedly drawn to roles that involved working with young people and imparting knowledge. This insight led him to pursue a teaching certification despite already holding a degree in history. His diverse experiences across different educational settings have significantly shaped his approach to teaching. What Mr. Wells values most about his time at AISL is the strong sense of community. He appreciates the supportive network of colleagues and the engaged student body. “We have such a great staff and student body in our community,” he notes. He deeply enjoys and values this collaborative and inclusive environment at AISL. Mr. Wells finds the community feel at AISL essential. He relishes being part of a school where everyone is involved and invested in creating a positive and enriching environment. This collective spirit is a significant reason why he looks forward to coming to work each day. Teaching, Mr. Wells acknowledges, is a profession where the impact of one’s work is not always immediately apparent. Unlike other fields where results are more instant, the effects of teaching can take time to manifest. However, he finds immense satisfaction when former students share how his classes have inspired their thinking or influenced their lives. These instances validate his dedication to teaching and are seen as the highest compliment. Despite the challenges of not always seeing immediate results, Mr. Wells remains committed to his role. The knowledge that his work can make a difference in students’ lives, even if the impact is realized years later, keeps him motivated. As the CAS (Creative Activity Services) Coordinator, Mr. Wells is focused on strengthening community engagement at AISL. He is dedicated to developing meaningful, needs-based projects involving students and staff. His vision is to create a sense of ongoing activity and involvement that resonates within and beyond the classroom. By fostering a more engaged and service-oriented community, Mr. Wells aims to leverage the school’s unique position and resources to benefit those in need. Outside the classroom, Mr. Wells enjoys a variety of activities that keep him active and engaged. He loves mountain biking, hiking, camping, and travelling. These interests reflect his appreciation for the outdoors, reminiscent of his home state of Colorado. He values the laid-back nature of Zambia, which contrasts with other parts of Africa he has lived in, and he feels grateful for the kindness and hospitality of the Zambian people. Mr. Wells looks up to many people, including his wife, colleagues, and historical figures like Steven Biko and Desmond Tutu. Their actions and contributions serve as a source of inspiration for him. He also acknowledges a desire to have been more involved in global movements during high school, such as the anti-apartheid movement, reflecting a wish to have been more proactive in addressing injustices. As a teacher, Mr. Wells is committed to continual learning and growth. He believes in adapting his teaching methods to meet the evolving needs of his students. “I don’t want to be the teacher who pulls out the same lesson year after year,” he says. His dedication to improvement highlights his commitment to providing his students with the best possible educational experience. Looking to the future, Mr Wells has some exciting aspirations, such as skydiving and riding in a hot air balloon—experiences he has yet to pursue but eagerly anticipates. By: Rayna  ISSEA Track and Field getting some hill repeat training in.  Friday 13th September LISL U14 & U19 Volleyball Tournament at Baobab Saturday 14th September ISAZ U13 & U19 Tennis Invitational at Rhodes Park School Saturday 14th September Chess friendly V Indian School A selection of photos from ASA offering this week Dear Primary School Families,
I trust this message finds you all well. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the parents who attended the Introduction to MAP Growth Assessment parent information session on Tuesday morning. For those who were unable to join us, you can view the slides that were shared during the session to help you gain a better understanding of the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments. MAP testing is administered twice a year for all students in Grades 3 through 5, covering the areas of reading, language usage, and mathematics. Our beginning-of-the-year testing window will commence on Monday, 23 September. More detailed information will be shared with parents of students in Grades 3 through 5 by your child’s homeroom teacher. Additionally, I would like to invite you to our upcoming Principal’s Parent Coffee event, scheduled for Wednesday, 18 September, from 7:30 to 8:30 am in the Pavilion. This will be a great opportunity to build connections, explore your beliefs about education, and understand what topics you’d like to learn more about regarding teaching and learning in the primary school this year. I will also share a proposal for new arrival and dismissal procedures and facilitate an open forum to address your questions. We hope for a strong turnout to further nurture parent partnerships and ensure that your voices are heard. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and an even more fulfilling week ahead! Kind regards, Joe Buscemi Primary School Principal  Thank you to all parents who came to this session with Kim and Ingrid the Personal Project Coordinators. Here are the slides from the session. You may want to explore the Libguide (password aisls2024) which is an invaluable resource for students. Should you have further questions, please direct them to Kim [email protected] or Ingrid [email protected].
Save the Date: There is an MYP orientation session on Tuesday 24th September. We would love to see you at this interactive session.  This August marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Mrs. Mapstone as she joined
the team at AISL. Specializing in mathematics, Mrs. Mapstone brings more than two decades of teaching experience and a deep-seated passion for fostering a love of math in her students. Her journey to becoming an educator is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Initially, Mrs. Mapstone had sworn off a career in teaching, despite growing up in a family of educators. Her parents’ profession, while admirable, had fueled her determination to chart a different path. During her college years, Mrs. Mapstone pursued a career in nursing, drawn to the sciences and math as part of her training. However, her exceptional performance in math contrasted sharply with her struggles in science. This discrepancy, coupled with a newfound appreciation for working with children, led her to reconsider her career options. The turning point came when Mrs. Mapstone realized that her true passion lay not behind a desk but in the classroom. Her decision to pivot from nursing to teaching was driven by her desire to engage with students and make a meaningful impact on their lives. Fast forward 20 years, and Mrs. Mapstone is still deeply committed to education, now embracing the dynamic environment at AISL. One of the aspects Mrs. Mapstone enjoys most about her current role is the rich diversity of students at AISL. She appreciates the kindness and acceptance that characterize the school community. The outdoor spaces available for teaching also allow her to employ innovative and flexible teaching methods, which she finds both refreshing and effective. The support from administration in experimenting with different teaching styles further enhances her experience, enabling her to tailor her approach to best suit her students. The most rewarding part of Mrs. Mapstone's job is the opportunity to build relationships with her students. For her, success in teaching goes beyond academic achievement; it’s about helping students understand more about themselves. If she can guide a student to a deeper self-awareness, regardless of their grasp of math, she feels she has fulfilled her role. Rayna Activities have settled into a pattern with students engaged and making progress. Friday 13th 2.00PM - 4.00PM U14 , U16 , U19 Girls and Boys Volleyball hosted by Baobab Saturday 14th 8.00AM onwards U14 and U16 Tennis at Rhodes Park Below are the upcoming IZAZ and ISSEA events 
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