Secondary Accolades for Quarter 1

​When did I get to the age when I felt the need to comment on how quickly time has gone by?  I am in complete awe that tomorrow will be the end of the first quarter of the school year.  Where in the world did it go?  It seems like yesterday that all of the students were just arriving back on campus after break.  However, when I look back on the list of things accomplished, it is remarkable that we are still standing. 
 
Already this year, the Secondary school has accomplished 48 events, excluding all athletics and ASAs, in 46 instructional days…let that sink in…WOW!  What an incredibly busy place.
 
Some of the highlights from the first semester include:

• Secondary Open House Evening – The open house evening is always a great way to greet the newest families as well as our returning ones.  There was a great turnout this year as parents became acquainted with their child’s teachers and courses.
• Community and Service Days (CSD) – In August, service groups’ student leaders presented their projects to the student body to recruit members to their cause.  After time dedicated to planning, the first CSD of the year, on 27 September, was a massive success.
• Parent Morning Presentations – Members of the Secondary faculty have been busy communicating with parents on Tuesday mornings on the topics of the college application process, introduction to the MYP, introduction to the DP, child protection, the multilingual program, personal and social education, understanding MAP results, and the ASA program.
• Explore Zambia – One of the highlights of the year is always the Explore Zambia trips taken by our MYP students.  These provide four days and three nights of incredible “real world” learning and connection to our beautiful host country.
• Social Events – We have had a multitude of social events for students across Middle and High Schools including coffee houses, movie nights, suppers, and BINGO
• MAP – Each September we have our Grades 6-10 students partake in the NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP).  Once again AISL tops the USA, International, and AISA averages across grade levels and subject areas.
• Zambia Day – Tomorrow we will end the first quarter on a high note.  Zambia Day features and exciting line up of activities and performances that highlight the bright spots of this wonderful country. 

 
Most importantly, while all of this happened, we continued to deliver a world-class education and achieve our mission of ensuring that our students thrive.  We are truly fortunate to have such a talented, dedicated faculty caring for our kids.
 
I hope everyone has a well-deserved, much needed break.  I am looking forward to more excitement and action in the second quarter.
 
Ty Smeins
Secondary Principal

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