2008 Fall Globetrotter

September 2008

The Newsletter of Atlanta International School

Globetrotter

In This Issue

New Art, Science and Design Center

4

AIS hosts awardwinning author

to Support Interdisciplinary Learning

5

CIS accreditation

6

What is CAS?

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Chilean musician visits AIS

Atlanta International School (AIS) offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) to all its students from four-year-old kindergarten through grade 12. By delivering a rigorous academic program combined with world-class standards in language acquistion within an open-minded, intercultural environment, AIS prepares its students to succeed in a globally connected world.

For more information, please contact us at 404.841.3840 or visit us online at www.aischool.org.

News Nouvelles Noticias Nachrichten

By Robert Brindley, Headmaster In the months and years to come, Atlanta International School will further dedicate itself to the ideal of an exemplary education for each and every one of our students, so that they thrive in tomorrow’s world. Rapidly changing technology and globalization are transforming academic disciplines. Distinctions among traditional topics and subject matters are blurring. Cultural orientation is complex and multi-faceted. Conditions today call for flexibility, subject connectivity and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Our students’ success is dependent on our ability to recruit talented teachers by supporting them with extraordinary resources. Student learning is significantly enhanced when the curriculum is focused on laboratory skills, hands-on learning and instructional technology.

We need to provide teachers with the tools so that they can execute their skills. For our students, the opportunities and goals of tomorrow will not be met by relying on the means of the past.

Essential in our commitment to prepare individuals to thrive in and contribute to the world is an up-to-date art, science and design technology program, as identified in our current Strategic Plan. Elements of such a program include outstanding faculty, opportunities for faculty and students to interact with professional practitioners and appropriate equipment and facilities.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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Thinking Inside and Outside the Box Our innovative curriculum breaks down the barriers between traditional academic subjects and encourages students to transfer knowledge from one discipline to another. Students develop creative and innovative skills, seeing patterns and forms. We must create an educational environment that acknowledges the individual nature of the learning process and promotes freedom of expression within a supportive environment.

It is not just about what we learn today, but about learning how to think in order to be able to acquire new knowledge tomorrow, while making far-reaching connections across disciplines. This way of teaching and thinking makes students lifelong learners and enables them to reach beyond students taught in a traditional learning environment.

Rendering of new Art, Science and Design Center

It Is All About Making Connections The teaching and learning focus is to ensure that students make decisions, initiate ideas and understand the design progression.

Teaching by design means you set a context in which students seek knowledge and, therefore, become more involved in the learning process. The design challenge or assignment allows students to learn the important, universal basics of scientific discovery and how to use ideas in combination with other disciplines in a more natural context.

Purpose built laboratories, design and art studios and classrooms will allow faculty to undertake projects that they would have been unable to achieve before and fully explore a more contemporary curriculum. The Art, Science and Design Center (ASD) resource will allow students to explore more complex variables and variances in the practical domain; to accomplish more sophisticated assignments; and to converse with a greater depth of understanding.

By having common faculty areas for different subject areas, teachers are much more likely to collaborate and present subjects in an interdisciplinary way, as required by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. For example, if students were to study the action of a pendulum, design technology teachers may be involved in how the information is recorded and presented, science might focus on the concepts of mass, inertia and acceleration under gravity, and art may be involved in the creation of the pendulum bob itself. Different students learn in different ways, and by presenting the same subject from a variety of perspectives, it is much more likely that every student in the classroom will more fully understand the underlying concepts involved.

The ASD will include a 1500ft² space for constructing machines, as part of our involvement in the FIRST robotics competition, two 1100ft² laboratories for both physics and chemistry, as well as three 1200ft² biology labs and a lower-level greenhouse with direct outside access. A senior project lab will be located on the second floor, providing a dedicated space where these IB Diploma students can conduct experiments over extended periods of time. All labs will have a high level of technological complexity to facilitate the learning process; for example, SmartBoards, video projection systems, low-voltage and wireless capabilities.

The entire third floor will be dedicated to art and design, which will serve as a vehicle to foster creativity and making curricular connections. Unlike our current facilities, art classes will be held in an airy, open loft space with windows providing abundant natural light. In these studios, we will have the space necessary to construct large-scale projects and work with a variety of media. An accompanying media laboratory will feature powerful hardware and advanced programming capabilities, helping our students to develop Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills and other forms of technical expertise How Will the ASD Meet Student Needs?

Students need to process information; distinguish between what is reliable and what is not.Students need to manage this information, understand it, shape it and then express and communicate it in a variety of forms. The ASD will foster connections. The center will increase curriculum exposure by increasing contact time in science – more options and courses, by introducing Design Technology programs, by integrating the ‘design cycle’ into other parts of the curriculum, particularly art, and by focusing on core topics, such as environmentalism.

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Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008

In short, the ASD will

Annual Fund

• define the importance of Art, Science and Design Technology to the AIS community established through the strategic planning process;

While you consider your gift to the See Beyond campaign, don’t forget to make a donation to the Annual Fund, which supports the ongoing needs of AIS to recruit and retain talented faculty, provide scholarships for deserving students, enhance academic programs, upgrade technology in the classrooms and keep the facilities up to date.

• be designed to meet the challenges of present and future curriculum needs; • focus on a program of study that builds links between the traditional disciplines of Art, Design Technology and Science; develops practical, concrete projects that extend the students knowledge through the design cycle; housed in a building which embodies the values of form, light, inter-connectedness, images, design, motion, the world at large, and energy; • house fully designed multi-functional, studios, galleries and laboratories with the integration of technology, hard-wired, into the building; • meet updated energy, environment and safety codes necessary for a building of the future.

After we build this new facility, science, art and design will be widely recognized to be among Atlanta International School’s many strengths—demonstrating how much we value these subjects as key components of our well-rounded IB curriculum.

The Art, Science and Design Center will be a Key Differentiator for AIS! We need your help to make it happen. Please consider making a gift to See Beyond:The Campaign for Atlanta International School when you are asked later this fall.

AIS Sports Report

By Mark McDaniel, Administrative Coodrinator for PE and Athletics

Cross Country The AIS cross country team is training hard and preparing for a series of races: the highly competitive Aubrae Gundersion, Wesleyan, and St. Francis races. A typical training day is a quick run to a local park, where they perform 20 minutes of drills and warm-up exercises, then either do long runs, track work, hill repeats, or practice on some cross country courses. AIS X-C athletes are looking very strong and should have great performances at these upcoming meets.

MS Volleyball A The girls have won three games in a row to the start of the season. They all work very hard and have great support for each other in all of the games.

The MS girls lost in the third game of their third match in a nail biter. They were a few points away from a three-way tie for first place.

Coach Hibbert was proud of their efforts and looks forward to a rematch next year.

The JV Girls have had an up and down season. They have played hard and taken large leads, but struggled in games to finish. In the tournament, the girls dominated. They played up to their potential and took two out of three matches. Their only loss came to undefeated Mt. Paran.

The varsity volleyball team came into the tournament winning 11 out of 12 matches. They wanted to capitalize on this momentum and bring home the trophy. The girls beat Galloway, Fellowship Christian and Whitefield, earning first place honors.

Congratulations to all teams! Your hard work, sportsmanship and team work made us all very proud!

MS AVolleball Team Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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AIS Hosts Award-Winning Author

By Gordana Goudie, Media and Communciations Manager Atlanta International School hosted a presentation by Thomas L. Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the New York Times and best-selling author, this September.

Friedman discussed his groundbreaking new book, “Hot, Flat and Crowded, Why we Need a Green Revolution – and how it can renew America” and explained why America needs an ambitious national strategy not only to address challenges presented by global warming, rapid population growth, and the rise of middle classes all over the world but also to make America healthier, more innovative, more productive and more secure. To a packed auditorium of business and community leaders, students, parents and faculty, Friedman outlined how global challenges present opportunities for America to contribute to healing the earth and in renewing itself as a nation, at the same time.

Friedman’s bestseller, “The World is Flat” enabled millions of readers see globalization in a new way. As a leader in global education, AIS invited Friedman to speak to its constituents because he offers a forward-thinking view of global issues that is relevant to its own mission to prepare students to succeed in a globally connected world.

Thomas L. Friedman with Robert Brindley, AIS headmaster, and Gerry Hull, AIS trustee.

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Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008

AIS aims to develop internationally minded students who have a profound understanding of the world and their place in it, who become active participants in a global environment, and who strive to make a difference in their local and global communities. Friedman’s appearance at the school exposed students, and the school community as a whole, to a new perspective on global issues, demonstrating how an international education extends beyond the classroom. In an open-minded environment, students are taught to think critically, to question and to address important issues no matter how difficult or contentious they may be. The result of this approach to learning was evident after the presentation when upper school students posed their insightful questions and demonstrated their skill at confidently participating in discussions on issues of global significance.

In an ever competitive marketplace, AIS is uniquely preparing students to become leaders in the challenging, interconnected new world that Friedman so aptly describes in his recent works. Friedman’s presentation at Atlanta International School was one of the author’s first appearances since the release of his new book.

Thomas L. Friedman addressing a packed auditorium of AIS community members

AIS Prepares for CIS Accreditation

By Dal Sohi, Head of Curriculum and Professional Development Over the next 18 months, AIS will be undertaking a self-study as part of the Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation process. Although we are currently accredited

by CIS, we are required to undergo the entire process every 10 years. CIS recognizes that schools change tremendously over the course of a decade and it is essential to reflect on areas of strength and areas in need of improvement. For parents new to our school, CIS should not be confused with the International Baccalaureate (IB) as they are two separate bodies.

CIS is a non-profit organization comprising more than 500 schools and 400 colleges/ universities around the world. It has experience with K-12 education in more than 100 countries with a focus on helping member schools to achieve and deliver high standards in international education. For more information about the Council of International Schools, you can visit www.cois.org.

The Accreditation process at AIS began in August with our submission of a preliminary report to CIS. John Heard, a CIS accreditation officer, visited our school and met with teachers, parents, students, administrators, and Board representatives. Mr. Heard also reviewed a variety of school documents, which we had submitted as evidence of our progress in the following areas: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

German Student Seeks Host Family Fourteen-year-old student would like to spend a few months at AIS during the 2009/10 school year as a guest student and live with an American family. He is currently at a grammar school close to Munich and has been studying English for four years, and French for three years. He comes from a family with three children and is an active ice hockey player. His parents are quite aware that some reimbursement may be necessary. Please contact cbox@aischool.org for more information.

Philosophy and Objectives Curriculum Governance and Management Staff Student Support Services Resources Student & Community Life

The school has established a Steering Committee to oversee the Accreditation process and to guide the various committees. The members of the Steering Committee are Dal Sohi (Chair), Linda Doulkhani, Simone Becker, Chris Thomas, Robert Shaw-Smith, Kathryn Turman, and Patrick Hurworth.

During the next 18 months, we will embark on a Self-Study, which will evaluate our effectiveness in the seven areas mentioned above. Teachers, parents, students, Board Trustees, and other members of the school community will be involved where appropriate.

Ultimately, our success in the Accreditation process depends on the participation and support of all stakeholders at the school. We hope that this process will support our process of continuous improvement and as we continue to be a world leader in international education.

AIS to Host German Rap Concert AIS will be hosting a German rap concert and workshop for all students who are learning German in Atlanta and surrounding areas on November 17.

For more information, please contact jmartinez@aischool.org

Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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CAS Groups at AIS

What is CAS?

ACFB: Atlanta Community Food Bank

By Darren Rollins, CAS Coordinator and Faculty Member

AIS: Apprendiendo Ingles Solido

It is our desire and responsibility at AIS to make sure that the students understand ethical issues and act responsibly in society. “Responsibility”, in my opinion, refers to intellectual curiosity, empathy and behavioral actions that move society toward peaceful resolutions. In short, we want students to be balanced, fulfilled and open-minded people who know their surroundings, understand cultural differences that exist in their immediate world, and also develop an ability to apply this knowledge to a larger international paradigm. This is a tall order considering we also want them to master languages, humanities, sciences, math and arts.

AIS Slam: Poetry/Spoken Word AIS Tutors: Subject Tutorial Assistant Athletic Trainers: Sports medicine & helping athletic trainer Bethania: Orphanage in India BurmAid: Aid & awareness for the people of Burma Chess Club: Strategy, logic, game competitions EDIN: Eating Disorders Information Network Environment Club: Environmental awareness & action Forum: Politics & current events discussion Habitat for Humanity: Home construction ISAL: International Students Against Landmines MECRO: Middle Eastern Children Relief Organization Mock Trial: Model trial/debate team ProNino: Fundraising for Latin American children RAISE: Religious awareness & enlightenment Reader’s Corner: Critiquing foreign language books Recycling: Recycling & awareness SJC: Simple Joy of Cooking Sevillanes: Flamenco dancing SAO: Student Athletic Organization SOS: Awareness & fundraising for El Sitio, El Salvador Sports Reporter: Weekly AIS sports interest column

In order to achieve such results, AIS has embraced the idea of CAS as it is explained by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. The Diploma Program puts CAS in the center of the IB experience. The three branches of the program are: Creativity: arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking.

Action: physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic

work elsewhere in the Diploma Programme.

Service: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.

The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

IBO Creativity, action, service guide Such a program challenges the individual while helping him or her maintain a balanced and healthy approach to the normal stress of academics. It is both discovery and self awareness that requires planning, concrete action, reflection, and adjustment.

Students particpates in different activities that enhance their knowledge of their local community as well as themselves. CAS requirements for the students vary by grade and increase as the students move from middle school toward graduation. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 need to complete a total of 30 CAS hours each year with a minimum of 5 hours in each of the above-mentioned categories. Students in grades 9 and 10 are required to complete sixty hours per year with a minimum of ten hours in each of the three categories.

Diploma students in grades 11 and 12 have to complete 150 total CAS hours for graduation.

By graduation, students are expected to have: • increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth • undertaken new challenges • planned and initiated activities • worked collaboratively with others • shown perseverance and commitment in their activities • engaged with issues of global importance • considered the ethical implications of their actions • developed new skills (-IBO Creativity, action, service guide) The CAS program at AIS is a reflection of our rich community and diverse interests.

We have created a wonderful, continually evolving list of opportunities for our students.

Student Council: Student body government The Nomad: Newspaper TOFU: Orphanage in Thailand Yearbook: School memory publication ZOA: Awareness & fundraising, Zambian orphanage Students can also earn CAS hours through certain extra curricular activities.

Students explore their options for earning CAS hours at the annual CAS fair in September 6

Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008

“…we shared moments

so charged that neither pen nor camera could recreate them…”

ProNiño 2008: CAS Group Makes Eye-Opening Trip to Honduras

By Hannah Shore, Student AIS teaches us to look beyond boundaries to share experiences and relationships, a concept which I literally faced during a trip to the Honduras this summer. After months of preparation, our CAS group finally faced the children who call the ProNiño orphanage and drug rehabilitation center home, and there we stood, laughing nervously amongst ourselves. We suddenly found ourselves asking: What do we say to them? How will we communicate with our shaky Spanish? What is expected of me in this situation? We proceeded with introductions.

Fortunately, there was little time for formalities; there was lots of work to be done. There couldn’t have been a better setting to knead us all together than against the buzzing backdrop of chopping, digging, sanding, and painting. Broken, often improvised tools in hand and dressed for the job, we worked side-by-side with the boys of ProNiño to carry our projects. The need for any kind of ice-breaker melted away as AIS students and the ProNiño boys shared tools, skills, and a common goal. After a couple of days, we blended into one team, and before long the boys started sharing their stories with us. The first story that was shared with me came from Kevin Caballero, who we are all convinced should be the next president of Honduras. In a quiet moment in the shade, I asked him about the large, untidy scar on his right wrist that goes in on one side and out the other. He said, “I was robbing an American woman when a man she was with attacked me with a knife.” I suddenly felt like a child. I asked, “Why?” “I was hungry, and I was high on a lot of different drugs… The drugs made me do a lot of bad things,” he answered. My reaction must have been one of half sadness and half astonishment because he added, taking hold of my hands, “But I’m different now. I’m a new man. Every day I’m working to make myself better.” Even if I were fluent in Spanish, I wouldn’t have found the words to respond; all I could do was give him a very, very tight hug. It was the first of many incredible stories, from many incredible young men.

We began the trip as two neatly separated groups, and ended it as what I can only compare to a rubber-band ball, stretching ourselves and connecting with each other in all directions, holding each other incredibly close. Together, we planted crops that have now been harvested, eaten, and preserved in the commercial pantry we built; through these efforts we shared moments so charged that neither pen nor camera could recreate them accurately. I think of Kevin and the others several times a day, and I hope that now, when you hear about ProNiño, you will think of them, too. Our team is eagerly anticipating our return to Honduras this June to build on last summer’s projects and relationships, and to lay the foundations of this summer’s new ones.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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Another Fantastic Year Ahead for Bethania

By Rana El-Nahas, Student The Bethania Orphanage CAS group is off to a great start this year with its new members and volunteers from grades 9 through 12. Thank you to all those who signed up; we have had a fantastic response so far. With the school year already rolling, we have a few events you should note. Mrs. Box’s German bake sale was held on October 20. Our annual fundraiser originally to be held on Friday, November 7, 2008 has now been on Friday, March 6, 2009. We really look forward to seeing you at our events!

James Brindley, our very first Bethania volunteer continues to promote awareness of Bethania. He recently by phone interviewed Mrs. Shanta Kalyanasundaram about the orphanage for a radio broadcast show in Brisbane, Australia!

Books and educational materials become the new additions to Bethania Orphanage.

Recent graduate, Jenna Sanborn accompanied by friend, Louise Ellinor Darner, will be heading off to Bethania in October; we wish them the best of luck. Our appreciation also goes out to Anusha Sthanunathan and her mother for setting up a library at Bethania this past summer, as well as to Justine Mulliez and Cassie Huntley.

Thanks to everyone’s support throughout the years, the second phase of the building is nearly complete, and Ramya is our first girl from Bethania to head off to college. She is looking forward to achieving her B.Sc in Computer Science!

Bethania children enjoy the new library, donated by AIS’s Sthanunathan family.

Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our annual fundraiser!

Music Department “Notes”

By Ronald L. Howard, David Tyberg, Leona Greenlaw and Herrad Welp, faculty The AIS Music Department is pleased to announce its 2008-2009 season of recital and concert performances, all free and all open to the public. The AIS Chamber Players recital series opened the year on October 7 with a recital in the Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. Other recitals (all open to any member of the AIS community – whether students, parents, faculty, staff, or alumni) will occur on November 12, February 5, March 2, April 15, and May 21. Major concerts featuring the large concert ensembles (MS and US Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras) are set for December 9 and 11, February 24, April 7, and May 12.

The department welcomes new faculty this year. Leona Greenlaw has been appointed as Director of Chorus for the Middle School and Upper School. Ms. Greenlaw comes to AIS from the St. Louis area. Truly an educator with international experience, Ms. Greenlaw held prior posts in schools in Manila, Jakarta, Fukuoka, Angola, and Morocco. A graduate of Occidental College and Washington University, Ms. Greenlaw is the mother of twin sons who are both opera singers with extensive European experience, and her daughter is a violinist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Mr. David Tyberg, recently appointed as Director of Strings for AIS in both the Middle School and Upper School, is a professional double bass and electric bass performer, engaging in frequent local and regional performances with his group, The Extraordinary Contraptions, as well as other freelance jazz work. Mr. Tyberg will also be seen frequently around the AIS environs as staff substitute teacher this year. He has worked previously with the Dekalb County Schools and is an avid bicyclist and board games authority.

New music department faculty members, David Tyberg and Leona Greenlaw.

Fun and Learning at AIS Camps

By Katharina Meredith, After School Programs Manger Thank you for joining us this summer at AIS! We are proud to say that the majority of our campers came from AIS or were referred by an AIS parent. Summer camp is still a growing part of this school, and we were very excited about last camp’s offerings.

AIS’s signature Language Camp was, as always, a great success. Kaleidoscope day camp had a variety of new, themed activities featuring circus camp, culinary camp, literary camp, green earth week, fitness camp, movie making camp, soap box camp and party week. Stardust, Chess, Basketball, and Volleyball all contributed to the large range of program offerings.

Parent Portal Combats Email Reception Problems

By Jillie Herron, IT Manager Spam is an ever increasing problem that anyone using email has experienced. To combat spam, organizations use spam filtering software to catch suspicious messages and either delete them completely or place them in a junkmail folder. With the dramatic increase in spam over the past couple of years, spam filtering has also become much more aggressive. In fact, it is now acceptable for spam filters to block some legitimate messages as long as they are capturing the bulk of spam.

As a result, some messages originating from Atlanta International School sent to parents as mass emails may be flagged as spam and supressed from being delivered to your inbox. Unfortunately, AIS has no control over spam filtering employed on other mail servers.

Realizing that this problem would only continue to grow, we implemented a means by which to capture messages sent to parents via distribution lists. All mass emails sent to parents (Headmaster’s Bulletin, PO bulletin etc.) are captured in the Veracross Parent Portal and retained for historical reference. You can view these messages by logging into the Parent Portal and clicking on “Household Messages”.

This is Atlanta International School’s long-term solution to the electronic communications issue. We strongly encourage parents to regularly log in to the Parent Portal to make sure that you are up-to-date on email communications.

Campers enjoyed a variety of experiences during the action-packed AIS summer camps Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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Amigos’ Música & Café Evening Fills Auditorium with Song & Laughter

By Laurel Ann-Dooley, AIS parent It was an evening that bore witness to the beauty that diversity can produce, a celebration of Pan-American musical traditions in the relaxed and folksy atmosphere of an international coffeehouse.

The Amigos Club’s recent presentation of Chilean singer Laura Fuentes in “Música & Café,” filled the AIS auditorium with song, laughter and sweet desserts, as the acclaimed vocalist shared her unique Latin urban blend, accompanied by Spanish violinist, Raquel Paraíso.

The two women, and the groups with which they play, are living examples of the diversity of Latin American cultures. The two became acquainted when they both played for the group Sotavento, which includes musicians from Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico and the United States.

Laura Fuentes and Raquel Paraíso share the limelight with eager AIS musicians.

Ms. Fuentes later formed Calicanto, which is less a group than a forever-morphing musical project, with musicians of various Latin backgrounds coming and going in a constantly changing combination of artists. The idea behind Calicanto was to create a dynamic merger of musical traditions, one that highlights the individuality of each while using the universality of music to bring people together.

Ms. Fuentes comes by her drive to unite through music naturally. Born in Chile to North American parents, she developed a love of folk music watching her father, a doctoral student in agrarian reform, sing and play his guitar. “He was the one at every party with the guitar,” she remembers, smiling. “Those years in Chile [the late ‘60s and early ‘70s] were a time of much political activity and a very colorful, very artistic time.”

That all ended on Sept. 11, 1973, when the existing government was overthrown by the military. “Anyone who had anything to do with the previous government was in danger,” she says. As her father’s university research was partially funded by the former regime, “we had to leave very quickly.”

They returned to the U.S., Ms. Fuentes went on to study music at the University of Wisconsin, where she met artists from other Latin American countries and began to play and tour with them. She ultimately recorded four CDs as lead vocalist with Sotavento.

But she never forgot her Chilean roots – or the creative exuberance she witnessed as a child – and in 1997, she returned to her birthplace. “I had to see if what I remembered was real or just a fantasy,” she says.

She apparently found the answer; Santiago has been her home ever since. With Atlanta the last stop on her 2008 fall tour, she and Ms. Paraíso spent three days with AIS students and faculty, culminating in the Friday night concert. By the looks of the drum-beating, flute-playing, singing and dancing children, the visit was a hit.

Chilean Musician Takes Students on Extraordinary Musical Journey

By Ilse Ortega, Faculty Member In September, students in the Spanish department throughout the school had the opportunity to enjoy early Latin American music from different regions.

Chilean singer, Laura Fuentes, delighted our students with her voice and her calm but passionate way of educating about Latin American music’s origins.

Fuentes guided our students through sikus, kenas and chaj-chajs; through indigenous, African and Spanish roots; through strings, winds and percussion and, most importantly, nurtured our students’ intercultural understanding through an extraordinary musical journey.

Laura Fuentes & Raquel Paraíso teach AIS students in the Spanish track about Latin American music.

On behalf of the Spanish Department, we want to express our gratitude to our Amigos for this ethnomusical enrichment.

10 Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008

A Day in the Life of AIS

Students from 4K thorugh grade 12 were all smiles for the start of school on August 20.

German-track students remain true to tradition and bring their “Schultüten,” filled with school supplies, toys and treats, to class on their first day of school.

The Augsburger Puppenkiste, German puppeteers, performed for students and visited classrooms in the German track during their visit to AIS in October.

Students, parents and faculty gathered in the auditorium for the Moon Festival, an Asian mid autumn celebration during which friends and families gather to eat moon cake, drink tea and reconnect with each other as they enjoy the beauty of the full moon. At the event, the AIS community learned about the tradition while sampling an array of

To wrap up their Unit of Inquiry, Children of theWorld, grade 2 students raised funds to support children in Afghanistan by selling drinks and snacks to primary school students during snack time.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / September 2008 • Globetrotter

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An Eye On The Universe: A Travel Study and Reasearch Grant Story

By Frédérique McGirt, Faculty Member It was with great excitement that I received, in February, the Travel Study and Research Grant funds to spend a week during the summer of 2008 at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence in the South of France. I stayed with 16 teachers at the Center for National Scientific Research and saw the 1.93m lens telescope where Swiss astronomers discovered the first exoplanet in 1995. I was able to manipulate the 83cm lens telescope and move the dome to look at wonderful nebulae, stars and planets. Around 4:30 a.m., we were really lucky to even see the Boattini comet in the second week of July.

Before this trip, I had basic knowledge in astronomy, and I am extremely appreciative to have had the opportunity to meet three wonderful teachers and researchers who shared their expertise, patience and passion for this science. We really had a full week; observing at night and having theory courses during the day. I came back to AIS in August with new eyes and refreshed knowledge, which will certainly benefit my students since they are studying the solar system and the universe in grade 4. And last but not least, I will be ready with my class to take part in the 2009 science activities. This next year, the “Year of the Astronomy,” declared by UNESCO, will offer world-wide astronomy activities to commemorate Galileo’s first observations.

This was really one of many wonderful and inspiring gifts that the Travel Study and Research Grant funds offer to teachers each year. As educators, we are passing our knowledge onto our students. Therefore, these gifts will not only benefit ourselves but our entire student community

Atlanta International School

2890 North Fulton Drive •Atlanta, GA 30305 USA

Globetrotter The Globetrotter is the newsletter of Atlanta International School.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: Gordana Goudie Media & Communications Manager Atlanta International School 2890 North Fulton Drive Atlanta, GA 30305 404.841.3879 globetrotter@aischool.org Submissions may be edited for length or content prior to publishing.

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