AUGUST 2014
E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L N E W S & E V E N T S
Elementary SRC President Hopes to Strengthen Students’ Sense of Community
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llison Lee (Grade 5) remembers what it was like being new to Asia Pacific International School. After moving to Seoul from Austin, Texas, Allison had first been homeschooled by her grandmother and then attended a public school in Korea. But neither of those choices were a perfect fit for Allison. Then her mother offered her the chance to try APIS. “I heard they have very good teachers there … and lots of kids who have stuff in common with me,” Allison said of what drew her to the school. Allison started APIS in November last year, in the middle of the school year when all her classmates already knew each other. It was uncomfortable to be the new student. All it took was one kind person, however, to make Allison feel at home. “One friend came over to talk to me,” she said. That classmate, Davis Beatty, went out of her way to welcome Allison as the new student. The two girls are still close friends. In the spring last year, when officers for Student Representative Council were being elected, Allison thought about how Davis’ friendly attitude had made school so much nicer for her. She thought about the importance of welcoming others and being a good friend at a school like APIS, where so many students come from far away and feel alone at first. Allison ran for the position of president so that she could encourage that attitude among all the students in the younger grades. “My main goal this year is getting more stronger friendships in elementary, getting [everyone] to know everyone better,” Allison said. In addition to serving on the SRC, Allison enjoys art and animals. She has several pets, including turtles, frogs and a dog, Gotsi. Elementary SRC President Allison Lee (Grade 5)
This is the first in a series of stories about the three SRC presidents and their plans and goals for the 2014-2015 school year at APIS.
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