Weekly Update from the Secondary School

Dear parents, 
It has been almost seventeen weeks since we welcomed back students to the AISL campus and we continue to have a safe and engaging learning environment for all students. 
It is a cliche to say that the end of the year is a time for reflection. Really reflection is an activity that should be a regular part of any period of activity. That being said, the end of the calendar year does provide us a convenient, albeit arbitrary, point in time to orient ourselves around our experiences over the past twelve months. 
I started the year 2020 in Chiang Mai Thailand, eating Khao Soi and hearing vague rumblings of an outbreak just north of Thailand in Wuhan. One year on, and that localized outbreak has killed 1.6 million people and changed something about almost everything;  and I find myself at a new school, in a new position, in a new country, and in a new continent. Reflection is definitely on the menu for my Festive Break. 
So, as we go on Festive Break, and say a welcome farewell to 2020, I will pick the low hanging fruit and encourage all of us to take some time and think about how we faced the challenges of the past twelve months. Has it revealed your best self? Your worst? Both? What do our reactions say about how we face adversity? 
Food for thought as we move into what I expect to be a magnificent 2021. 
Have a great weekend!


From the Community: LAWS APPEALS FOR CHRISTMAS FOSTER HOMES
Lusaka Animal Welfare Society is appealing to people to open up their hearts and homes and foster a pet this Christmas.

LAWS can assist with food, bedding and cover all medical items needed  for the foster stay, giving the animals a chance to enjoy some extra TLC over the festive period.

LAWS so far this year has rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed over 400 animals in need. They would love to see all their residents warm and loved this Christmas.

Fostering an animal in need is an  extremely rewarding and an ideal option for those who would like to own a pet but are unable to do so due to work or family commitments. 

Taking a pet into your home for the Christmas period will not only help the animal  find their forever home, it will also make space for another animal in need to be rescued.
LAWS advises anyone thinking of getting a pet this Christmas to remember that owning an animal is a long term commitment. 

LAWS is extremely thankful to all its staff, sponsors, supporters and volunteers who helped to make 2020 such a successful year. With plans for shelter renovations now In place
2021 looks to be an exciting year for the ever expanding charity.

For more information on fostering a dog for the Christmas period or donating to our shelter renovations appeal please call or whatsapp +26096 6242776 or simply visit the shelter behind Levy Junction Mall any day between 10-16.

Last Day of the Semester Schedule: Friday 18 December
7:30-8:15 am - D block
8:20-9:05 am - A block
9:10-9:55 am - B block
10-10:15 am - Break
10:20-11:05 am - C block
11:15 am-12:00 pm All-School Assembly
Please collect your child at 12:00 pm on the last day of school.

Communication
We know that this can be a time filled with uncertainties, so please understand that our highest priority is the health and well-being of your children.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at rodum@aislusaka.org and sseiler@aislusaka.org. 
Kind regards,
Dr. Rick Odum, Secondary Principal
Dr. Sheila Seiler, Secondary Assistant Principal

MYP - Learning in Grade 7 Language and Literature
Students in Grade 7 Language and Literature explored metaphors as a frontloading learning experience for the next unit in January. They read Ted Hughes’ ‘My Sister Jane’ where the poet compares his sister to a crow. 

Grade 7 students chose a sibling, parent, cousin, or friend and thought about their characteristics. Then they researched to explore characteristics of birds, animals and insects. They chose a bird, animal or insect that they felt most apt for their person and painted to explore similarities while listening to music. Finally they reasoned with evidence for their metaphor. 

Despite the apparent simplicity of this learning experience, students used a variety of thinking moves identified by Harvard’s Project Zero!

• Looking closely at things, describing them, noticing details, or detecting patterns.
• Building our own explanations, theories, hypotheses, or interpretations.
• Reasoning with evidence and supporting our ideas with facts and reasons.
• Making connections between different things, to the world, or to our own lives.
• Looking at things from different perspectives and points of view to see things in a new way.
• Digging deeply into a topic to uncover mysteries, complexities, and challenges.
• Organizing and pulling together ideas, information, notes, and experiences to make sense of them.
• Reading, listening, or getting new information about the topic we are studying.
• Identify the central or core ideas, forming conclusions, or capturing the essence of things

If you are interested, an analysis of ‘My Sister Jane’ can be seen here