From the Director

 Looking ahead to the First Day of School in August! 
 
The first day of school for the 2021-22 School Year will be Monday, 9 August. It is also a busy week for Zambia with national elections scheduled for Thursday, 12 August.  While vaccinations have begun in Zambia, COVID-19 remains an unpredictable variable that can still affect campus operations in August. 
 
AISL’s current plans assume no campus closure due to the election (except 12 August, which is a public holiday) and no significant, negative change to the COVID-19 cases.  Therefore, we plan to open using Learning Path 1 (on-campus learning). Learning Path 3 (asynchronous distance learning) will be available for a limited time for families who need it.  Please communicate directly with the principals to discuss Learning Path 3.   If either the COVID-19 or election situation requires that we close our campus, we will pivot to Learning Path 2 (synchronous distance learning) for as short a time as possible. We will remain in close contact with health and security experts across the school holiday to monitor both the COVID-19 and election situations and will notify you of any changes to these plans. 
 
Since we cannot predict the COVID-19 situation in August, we plan to start the school year with the same health and safety protocols in place.  Masking, distancing and post-travel quarantines will remain in effect.  Therefore, if you will be traveling internationally during the school break and wish to have your child begin the school year on campus, please remember to allow time to follow our quarantine requirements. Although they are reviewed regularly, our current post-international travel quarantine rules are below.  If there are any changes, we will be sure to announce them as soon as possible. 
 
Post-international travel quarantine requirements (the day you arrive in Zambia is considered Day 1):

For families with any unvaccinated members:

• Quarantine for ten days and come to campus on Day 11without the need for testing. This would require arriving on 30 July or earlier in order for your child to come on campus on 9 August without testing. 

OR

• Quarantine for seven days and get a PCR or rapid test on Days 3-5. If that result is negative, then share the result with nurse Jennifer and return to campus on Day 8. This would require arriving in Zambia on 2 August or earlier in order for your child to come on campus on 9 August.
  

For families where all members are fully vaccinated (two weeks after the final dose):

• Get a PCR or rapid test on Days 3-5 and return once negative result has been shared with nurse Jennifer.

What I am excited about this week!

Invitational Pentathlon! We are excited to be offering an invitational track and field tournament on Friday. Our students will be competing against Martin House, LICS, and Musikili.  Many thanks to the Activities Team for the hard work required to offer these opportunities in a healthy and safe way.
 
Next PTA Quiz Night on 26 May! Please join us for the next PTA Quiz Night at 18:30 on 26 May at the Palm Pavilion.  Entry is K5o per team member with up to four people per team. Teams may bring their own food and drink.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, space is limited and advance sign-up is required. Please sign up here and be sure to enter the names of each team member plus your team name.
 
The AISL Referral Discount! We are now enrolling new students for the 2021-22 school year. If you know somebody who is looking for a world-class international education delivered by the most highly qualified teachers in the finest facilities in Zambia, please connect them with our admissions team (admissions@aislusaka.org). And don’t forget that you may be eligible for our referral discount of up to $1000 per student that you refer to AISL. We have had several families benefit from this program. You can learn more here.