From the Director

What I am excited about this week…
 
Great Distance Learning Opportunities! Although I would much rather have all the students on campus right now, our students are doing some great work in the Distance Learning Program. Here are some examples: 

• The Primary Years Programme Exhibition (PYPx)  was staged online yesterday. Rather than touring stations in the Pavilion as usual, viewers could go online to learn about all the interesting projects that the Grade 5 students have been working on. The PYP Exhibition is a self-directed research project that serves at the culmination of the IB’s Primary Years Programme.
• The IB Diploma Programme Visual Arts Exhibition, entitled The Show Must Go On, will be hosted online. This annual exhibition is one of the premier arts events of the AISL calendar. Thanks to Laurey Nevers and Terry Maguire, you can join our scholar-artists for the Online Exhibition Opening on 7 May at 17:00. You will be able to view our students’ artwork and even ask them questions through online video meetings. You will not want to miss this great opportunity to see our senior students’ brilliant artwork.
• The ASA coaches have created a series of training videos so that students can keep their skills sharp for when we get back into our ISSSEA, ISAZ, and LISL events.
• Our Grade 6 students are using Flipgrid to exchange book recommendations.
• The library has arranged for Secondary School students to access many audiobooks and e-books. Also, for those of you who are in Lusaka, don’t forget that the library has begun circulating books again.

You can read more about all of these exciting events and initiatives later in this newsletter.
 
Expanded Number of Synchronous Sessions! According to the survey feedback we received, many parents wanted more synchronous sessions. Both our school divisions responded with an expanded range of small-group and whole-class sessions. You can learn more about these changes below.
 
Return of the Parent Club! Parenting during COVID-19 is extremely difficult. We are all working hard to manage our own shift to remote work while supporting our children’s engagement with distance learning. When combined with the uncertainties of the future, it’s no wonder that stress levels are high! Please consider joining our Parent Club to share ideas and get support from Noa Mor, Stephanie Sawchuk, and your fellow parents. The next meetings are today at 18:00 and on 14 and 28 May.