From the Director

Dear AISL Community,
Spirit Week
This week saw a highly spirited campus led by the secondary students with some of our primary students joining in too. We dressed in our PJs, as twins, characters or memes, in formal attire and tomorrow is ‘anything but a bag’ day, which should be interesting. It has been fun and has lifted spirits. Thank you to the Secondary Student Council. We look forward to more in the new year, which can include the whole school.
Update on COVID
To date, AISL has been very fortunate in that there has not been any on-campus transmissions of COVID this semester. This is due to the proactive behaviors of our entire community, which has been most impressive. However, yesterday, a teacher discovered a family member had tested positive and immediately was tested by Nurse Jennifer. The test was positive, prompting a quick response via our school's protocol, resulting in 77 rapid antigen tests given yesterday, all of which were negative. Today, another teacher tested positive and so those students taught by that teacher, as well as some teachers were tested, and all were negative. We continue to do our best in this fluidity.
For anyone who missed it, here is the COVID Update regarding travel over the break and the start of semester 2.
Something to Consider
Just over two years ago, the first case of Covid-19 was identified. As of a year ago there were 65,169,904 cases worldwide.  And now there are 262,178,403 recorded. We must maintain our vigilance to the best of our ability.
Leopard's Choir Virtual Concert is this evening at 5.30 pm. Enjoy. Like the band performance last week, it will be uplifting!
Driving Carefully on Campus
We have noticed a few drivers going faster than the 15 mph speed limit at pick up and drop off. There are many foot passengers in the same area at the same time, so please be extra vigilant to drive slowly and over the speed bumps. Thank you for this.
Closure Campus over the Break
For one week from 27-31 December, the campus will be completely closed. This is to allow for maintenance work on campus.
Last day of School 2021
Next Friday, 17 December, is the last day of school and we will celebrate with a whole school assembly at 11.15 am. The link will be in the Leopard’s Tale next Thursday. School is out for everyone at noon on this day.

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For you to Consider
See It Through
When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!

BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST

Wishing everyone a wonderful and peaceful weekend ahead of the final week of the first semester.
With kind regards,
Dr. Oli Tooher-Hancock
Director
American International School of Lusaka