2009 Fall-Winter Globetrotter

Fall 2009

The Newsletter of Atlanta International School

Globetrotter

In This Issue

AIS Teams Kick Fall Off to a Great Start

2

First in Math Adds Up To Success

By Mark McDaniel, Athletics Coordinator and Courtney Fowler, Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications

3

Worldfest 2009

7

News from the

Yearbook Committee

8

AIS Annual Fund

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 acquisition within an openminded, 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.

Atlanta International School’s 2009 fall sports season was one marked by accomplishments for both players and teams.

The varsity volleyball team, under the leadership of senior captains Tatiana Manidis and Lucie Pages, finished the season with an 18-10 record and a spot at the A/AA state tournament. This is the second year in a row – and the second year in the school’s history – that the team has qualified for the state tournament.

“The team held their own against league foes Wesleyan, Blessed Trinity and Holy Innocents, who were ranked first, second and seventh in the state in what is by far the strongest league in Georgia A/AA volleyball,” said Coach Gregg Albright. “Despite a tough loss to Holy Innocents in regionals, the girls have established themselves as contenders on an elite level for the second season in a row. All of their hard work in the off season and this fall has paid off, and the accolades that have come their way are well-deserved. I couldn’t be prouder of their commitment, spirit and effort.”

Junior Gisel Ferandel got the most kills on the team with 196, while Manidis got the most digs with 142. Junior Stazi Owen led the team in aces (44) and assists (202), earning a spot on the All-Area team as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player award. Sophomore Alice Morrison’s effort and growth as a player helped her win the Most Improved Award, while Coach’s Awards went to Sam Grayman and Tatiana Manidis for their positive attitudes and non-stop efforts.

The Middle School boys A soccer team was also a force to be reckoned with this season, with an offense that scored 54 times in 11 games. Eighth-grader MVP Aigbekan Nosegbe led the team with 11 goals, while seventh-grader Matias Ferandel scored 10 goals, and Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

1

AIS Teams Kick Fall Off to a Great Start continued eighth-grader Lucas Fischer found the net nine times. Team captain and MVP, eighth-grader Reilly Proctor, led the team’s defense to finish the season with five shutouts, allowing only 15 goals. AIS’s record of 8-2-1, going undefeated in league play, put the team in first place for the regular season. Their 6-0 victory in the second round of the playoffs helped earn them a spot in the championship game of the Metro Atlanta Soccer League against the reigning champions, Sutton Middle School, who the team had upset 5-4 in the regular season. This was the fourth time the teams met up in the championship in the last seven years.

“I am proud of our kids. They did a good job.” Coach Kourosh Doulkhani said.

“Sutton is a physical team and their kids are much bigger. We have to be pleased with our efforts.”

Seventh-grade student Tomas Perez was awarded Most Improved. The Coach’s Award, given to the athlete whose attitude, commitment and spirit make the team better, went to eighth-grader Jacob Mitchell.

First in Math Adds Up To Success

By Sarah Locke, Mathematics Group Leader What is First in Math? It is an online Mathematics program (www.firstinmath.com) that helps students prepare for standardized tests and practice basic skills, offering 24-game skill sets among other games and activities. According to the website, 95% of adults cannot pass level five in the 24-game skill sets, and the program has eight levels. Five students so far have completed all eight levels: Brice Williams, Niklas Dorsch, Aaron Freedman, Luke Smith and Shea Johnson.

Why do we do First in Math? Most importantly, it is fun practice of Mathematics. The program is challenging, colorful, interesting and competitive. Students earn stickers to compete as individuals and also combine stickers for their team, grade level and school, so it both motivates them individually and cooperatively. Students can play First in Math both at home and at school, needing only to remember their password and have an Internet connection. There are many case studies on the website which show increased scores on standardized tests.

For example, a school system in Pennsylvania reported double-digit increases on standardized test scores! Here at AIS, we have seen notable increases in enthusiasm for Mathematics in general and expect to see higher scores on the ERB’s and PSAT’s. Both IB diploma Math SL and Math HL have calculator-free as well as calculator-required exams, and when our First In Math students reach the IB diploma program, they will be more comfortable on the calculator-free exams thanks to the mental Mathematics of First in Math. Also the better basic number skills have obvious transfers into all levels and branches of Mathematics.

Why else do we like First in Math? With just a few clicks teachers can check on a student’s progress in the program. When we assign FIM as homework, we can tell easily whether the kids have done their work. Also teachers can play the games themselves, speeding up their own computational skills and earning familiarity with the program… not to mention earning respect from their students when they get through eight skill sets! Parents can encourage kids to log on and practice their facts or prepare for the upcoming standardized test. The family link, which will be available later this year, even gives parents their own passwords so they can show the kids how important it is to practice.

How many stickers do we have? As of October 23, 2009 we had 153,282!

2

Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

Worldfest 2009 – A Trip Around the World (Without Leaving Buckhead)

Support AIS While You Shop

By Whitney Curtis, Development Assistant

By Jennene Cheshire-Rea, Worldfest Chair AIS students, parents and friends took a trip around the world without leaving town on October 25 at Worldfest. The popular annual event offered games, crafts and live entertainment representative of the many cultures of the Atlanta International School community, which includes parents, students and faculty from over 90 countries.

The event’s success was due in large part to all who volunteered, from the set-up team to the clean-up team and everyone in between… for preparing and serving food, organizing games and crafts and providing entertainment. Many brought decor and craft supplies from their home countries.

Atlanta International School is proud to announce new partnerships that will make it easier than ever to support the school:

Thanks to those on the core committee, who worked tirelessly for months to make all of it happen: Tracie Slosberg, Kristin Dean, Angel Reed-Anbari, Natasha Boyd, Jill Reams, Brigitte Langevin-Tache, Natalie Huyghe, Alejandra Chaverri-Dent, Geraldine Goguillon, Heather Triea, Jennifer Terwindt, Holly Johnson, and Marcelle DeCuir.

Special thanks also go to Maria Goodall of Visualiti Inc., who provided graphic design assistance with maps, logos and other graphic material as well as Verna Cleveland and Adrianne Poulard, who helped develop the flyers and invitations.

We would also like to express our appreciation to those who provided cultural support to the event by writing names in different languages and helping secure entertainment from all different regions of the world. There were a number of student groups who performed beautifully, including several of the AIS choirs (Honor, Upper School, Primary School), AIS theater group performing excerpts from “Oliver”, ALIF Middle Eastern Dance Group,Youth Ensemble of Atlanta and Cliff Valley School World Music Ensemble.

The committee would also like to acknowledge the generosity of several groups who donated their services to the event, such as the Capoeira Dance Group and The Arches Threading Lounge, who provided henna art, and a number of parents and students who sang, danced and played instruments.

On to Worldfest 2010!

Clear Clear Associations will make a donation to Atlanta International School when you sign up for Clear wireless Internet services.

Learn more at www.clearassociations.com.

Please call the Development Office at 404.841.3869 with any questions.

P

IKE NURSERIES

Pike Family Nurseries Thank you to the families who support AIS by shopping at Pike Family Nurseries! With a donation from Pike, we were able to purchase 18 new shrubs for landscaping at AIS. You can participate by bringing in a copy of your receipts as proof of purchase from Pike, and AIS will get a percentage back in the form of a credit at Pike. Please go to the “Giving While You Shop” page of the AIS website for more information.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

3

Spanish Students Immerse Themselves in Culture

By Ilse Ortega, Head of Spanish Department Like every year, several Upper School Spanish students participated in exchange programs in order to enhance and develop their language skills and learn about the culture of the countries where Spanish is spoken.

Five students this summer participated in different exchange programs developed by AIS over the years. Charlie Geddes (11th grade) ventured into the south lands of Mar de Plata, Argentina; Lucie Pages (12th grade), Mathilde Petitpré (12th grade) and Elise Duchamp (10th grade) traveled to the warm and interesting land of Malaga, Spain; and Tatiana Manidis (12th grade) traveled to another coastal and artistic destination, Barcelona, Spain.

These experiences are not only an important part of the learning process within the IB, but they also gave the students the confidence to speak and interact in Spanish. Most importantly, though, they made memories that will be forever treasured. Here are some of their thoughts:

Argentina

by Charlie Geddes, Grade 11 When I first arrived in Argentina, I couldn’t help but feel sad for all the friends I was leaving behind. I was really excited but definitely scared about what was coming up. The school I attended was Holy Trinity College, and from the beginning, all the kids there were amazingly kind and all-around fun people.

I was always included, and I got to know a lot of them really well and would recommend many of them for future exchanges. As its name indicates, Mar del Plata is situated right on the ocean, and although it was winter and we couldn’t swim, we still went to the beach.

Occasionally after school we would walk down to the beach or some stairs overlooking the beach and hang around drinking mate (a traditional South American drink served hot, similar to tea) or talking about how the soccer games the weekend before had gone. One weekend, my host family took me to a soccer game for the team that they supported, which I really enjoyed. One of the more important reasons I went on the trip was to improve my Spanish, and I think I improved immensely. When I came back to Spanish class in August, the teachers even commented on how I speak better than before I left. I would recommend this trip to the sophomores because I made a lot of friends, had a great time and really improved my Spanish.

Málaga

by Elise Duchamp, Grade 10 My Spanish teacher, Ms.Ortega, asked us one day in class if we would be interested in doing an exchange program in Spain. My hand shot up instantly, and a few months later I was off to Spain! Adapting to a new country is something that I am used to, although nothing can be compared to this incredible experience. In a short amount of time, I got to learn how to dance the Sevillanas, make paella, shop at typical markets, order the best fish, speak many Spanish expressions, and what comments to make at bullfighting spectacles. It made me live the culture and meet amazing people. I would recommend it to anyone who has been taking Spanish, even if only for a short time.

4

Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

Barcelona

by Tatiana Manidis, Grade 12 During the summer of 2009, I went to Barcelona on exchange for three weeks. I spent half the time in the city of Barcelona and the other half in Arbucies, a small town about an hour from Barcelona. Arbucies was a beautiful town, where the children had a lot of freedom and independence. Almost all of the kids had known each other their entire lives. The main attraction there, however, was ‘futbolin’, their version of fussball, which is taken very seriously. The food was quite interesting, as well as the order in which they eat. They separate their meats and vegetables, eating their vegetables first, and then getting a new plate to eat their meat. The time I spent in Barcelona I spent mainly at the Plaza Catalunya, the main shopping square, where you can find las Ramblas and most of the tourists that come to Barcelona. I am glad to have experienced a new culture.

Málaga

by Lucie Pages, Grade 12 I took the plane to Malaga on the 12th of June. For the first week, I went to school with my exchange student; it was very interesting to see how different their school was. The people were very welcoming and nice, although it was hard at first to communicate with everyone. After the last day of school, we started visiting more places during the day and going to the beach. Malaga is a gorgeous city; we visited what is called “el Centro,” the center of the city with a nice street full of stores and restaurants. There were also interesting art exhibitions in the streets. We saw the cathedral, which is popular in Malaga, and it was so beautiful, I could not stop smiling and saying: “wooow! ¡Qué bonito!” I also went to a city close to Malaga called Nerja. I visited one of the biggest caves in the world there - they have concerts in it because the acoustics are excellent. In general, I learned a lot about the culture of Spain and also learned a lot of Spanish. Now I love Malaga, where before I didn’t know anything about the city. Living in a different family for so long was hard sometimes, because they have a different way of living. They did everything so much later than what I am used to: they woke up late, ate late and went to bed late. It was very sad in the end to leave to go back to my family in France.

Málaga

by Mathilde Petitpré, Grade 12 I arrived in Malaga on the evening of June 14th, so I did not have time to visit anything or even completely realize where I was. I remember sitting in the backseat of my exchange student’s car and just staring out the window, a bit confused and very excited about the trip that was just beginning. I could not contribute much to the conversation she was having with her mother, as I only caught a few words of it at a time. I was at school for six hours taking Spanish and history classes among others. During P.E., the girls had fun teaching me traditional Spanish dancing, and I was enthusiastic about teaching them my own dance moves, which they saw as “American”. During their summer vacation, I had more time for tourist activities such as visiting the town center, the cathedral, the Picasso museum and the old Castillo built by the Arabs. We also went to a beach concert on the night of San Juan and swam in the ocean at midnight for good luck. At the end of two weeks of fun, I said goodbye to the family and left a country where I had learned to interact with people and felt like I could live in perfectly. Although the trip was short, I learned a lot from it and want to go visit again as soon as I can.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

5

Seniors Lead the Pack

By Simon Underhill, Head of Grade 12 One of the themes for the Class of 2010’s final year is that of leadership and setting the example for the rest of the school to follow. I am proud to relate that the class has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the first quarter of the school year in a number of different ways.

Our first opportunity to lead by example was in advisory in early September, when each Grade 12 advisory was paired with a 6th grade one. The seniors were there to explain the CAS program in the secondary school and to share their own experiences of the program over their years at the school. Our youngest members of the secondary school were left feeling a little less intimidated by their new home and had some friendly senior faces to wave to in the corridor next school day!

The senior class then demonstrated community principles during their field trip week. The entire class pitched in at Garden Hills Elementary School to clean up their park. Invasive weeds and plants were removed and the creek cleaned out in an industrious morning’s work. Our senior artists contributed information signs in English and Spanish to assist the community in how to maintain the site.

From here, the class split off into three groups and traveled to the Atlanta Food Bank, the Atlanta Furniture Bank and the charity Medshare. Over the afternoon, thousands of pounds of food, furniture, bedding and medical supplies were sorted and packed, ready to be sent to needy Atlanta families or to hospitals in developing countries. The good humor and dedication of the seniors were a credit to themselves and to the school.Finally, our athletic leaders in volleyball and cross-country (Tatiana, Lucie, Joanna, Chika, Marissa, Kareem and Arianna) helped set the tone for their respective teams’ successful seasons.

Over the coming months, our seniors will again show their leadership abilities in the school musical, basketball, soccer, track, MUN, CAS and the musical program. With the privileges of being a senior come important responsibilities, and I am delighted with the efforts of the Class of 2010 so far this year.

They will continue to be worthy ambassadors for our school as they move towards graduation. Congratulations on a great start to the year.

6

Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

News You Can Use from the Yearbook Committee

By Helga Collela and Serge Petitpré,Yearbook Faculty Advisors We are excited to announce that our new yearbook will be entirely in color! This is a first for AIS and has been a goal for many years.In addition to the same wonderful pages of photos, the yearbook will also contain some interesting articles on topics unique to student life at AIS. Yearbook ads will also be in full color this year. Ad pricing is $275 for a full page, $175 for a half page and $100 for a quarter page. Please contact Serge Petitpré at spetitpre@aischool.org for more information.

The yearbook committee has made the ordering process more convenient for parents and students by creating a direct link to the publisher from the parent and student portals on our new website. Just select “yearbook” on the list of choices to the left and follow directions.

The price of the book is $65, and the deadline for pre-orders is Dec 15th. Please place your orders early to assure that you will get a copy. Only 500 have been ordered for this year.

How to Order: 1. Toll free number: 1.866.750.1367 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm central time) * You will need to reference order #15391 2. Website: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?jobnumber=15391 3. Mail: Fill out flier (provided by AIS yearbook staff) and send to: Yearbook Order Center • PO Box 29 • Edwardsville, KS 66113-9029 * If you mail your order, please print Order #15391 on the flap side of the envelope Note: that a $3.50 convenience fee per order will be incurred, so please add an additional $3.50 to the total. All checks should be made payable to Herff Jones Yearbooks.

Bob le Cornichon

By Joyce O’Brien and Frederique McGirt, Primary School Teachers The students of the fourth grade French class met after school in the art room this fall to create a scarecrow for the annual Atlanta Botanical Garden’s popular “Scarecrows in the Garden” event. Focusing on recycling as part of their present Unit of Inquiry theme “Sharing the Planet,” the scarecrow was constructed mostly of trash and discarded objects. The students met several times to discuss, brainstorm, develop a design concept and eventually name the scarecrow “Bob le Cornichon” prior to its actual construction. The students used their creativity and problem-solving skills to complete the scarecrow successfully.

Bob le Cornichon was one of 75 scarecrows at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens on display through the end of August.

Student comments - Notre expérience de classe C’était dur de trouver des objets recyclés qu’on pouvait utiliser pour notre épouvantail parce qu’ils devaient absolument résister à la pluie. C’était très amusant et nous avons fait des choses ensemble que les parents ne nous laisseraient pas forcément faire à la maison!

Julianne Taché, Ella Hurworth et Alia Adler Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

7

Support the AIS Annual Fund and Enhance Your Child’s Education

By Ashley Howze, Associate Director of Development Last year’s Annual Fund at Atlanta International School proved successful by raising more than $650,000. These gifts included support from trustees, parents, grandparents, alumni, foundations, corporations and friends of AIS. Contributions underwrite all programs at our school including expenses for technology upgrades, financial aid scholarships and improvements to the classrooms.

This year, more than ever we are counting on your support. Our goal is to raise over $300,000 from AIS parents during this school year through the Annual Fund. In addition, we want to increase our parent participation compared to other local Independent Schools – we can’t be at the bottom of the participation list again. By joining our Circle of Friends, you can help us reach this goal!

Atlanta Area Independent Schools Parent Participation in Annual Fund 2008-09 100

Pace: 90%

Westminster: 75%

20

AIS: 52%

AIS

40

Westminster

Paideia: 80%

Paideia

60

Galloway

Galloway: 82%

Lovett

80

Pace

Lovett: 83%

0

The 2009/10 AIS Giving program enhances the quality of your child’s education all year.

Please make your gift today by: VISITING www.aischool.org and clicking the blue “Donate Now” button.

CALLING the Development Office at 404.841.3869. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

E-MAILING your pledge with the amount to ahowze@aischool.org. Pledges must be paid by June 30, 2010.

BRINGING your donation to the Development Office, located in the main building (using the main entrance, take a right to the end of the hallway, we are the last door on the left).

MAILING your gift or pledge to AIS, Attn. Development Office • 2890 North Fulton Drive • Atlanta, Georgia 30305 Please remember that all cash or securities contributions to AIS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Make your gift by December 31 to receive a deduction on your 2009 taxes!

8

Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

Parade of Nations Comes to AIS on UN Day

By Alain Poiraud, Head of Upper Primary Nearly 500 Primary students in grades 4K-5 participated in a ceremony on a beautiful day in October in honor of the United Nations, an organization founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being and whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world. AIS celebrates United Nations Day because we believe in raising awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion. As a community, we are committed to a profound respect for each other and our differences, and our students mark this commitment and embrace each others’ differences with our annual United Nations Day festivities.

The students worked collaboratively to represent 56 countries this year, and many courteously volunteered to help students from another country to carry either a flag or a country sign. Special thanks are in order for the gracious assistance of Grade 6 students for carrying flags and signs - a great way to “pay it forward.” Grade 5 students know that they will be expected to do it next year! Much appreciation goes to all of our Primary music teachers - Karen Peters, Mayte Simpson, Herrad Welp - for participating in the program, supported by David Tyberg from the Middle School and a few Primary musicians of our own: Arnaud Hugonie and Luz Forero (both regulars).

The observance of the spirit of UN Day festivities continued after the actual event, as Grade 2 participated in an assembly linked to their unit on “The Rights of the Children” and its central idea, “The lives of the children are influenced by how and where their families live”.

The unit includes discussion on the importance of clean water, food, housing and adequate education. The students were also treated to a remarkable first: Primary teacher David McCarney on the African drums!

2010 Spring Benefit: Passage to France

By Kathryn Banks, Special Events Coordinator Each year, over 500 members of the Atlanta International School community - friends, families, international business and community leaders who represent over 80 nations - are transported to a unique destination rich in history and culture. Guests partake in dinner, dancing and a live and silent auction, with proceeds contributing towards financial aid scholarships, faculty development programs and continued preservation of the historic campus buildings.

The 2010 Spring Benefit: Passage to France, is scheduled for April 17, 2010 and will be chaired by Lynn-Anne Huck (parent, grade 1), and chair-elect Marcelle DeCuir (parent, grade 2).

You can support the Benefit by donating an auction item. All auction items are donated by parents and friends of AIS. Your donations are needed! The AIS auction includes a variety of world-class items ranging from stays at private vacation homes to gift certificates to your favorite neighborhood restaurants and stores.

The Spring Benefit also needs corporate support. If you know of a company that would like to market to our parent community, please contact the AIS Development office.

All sponsorship levels include tickets to the event and special recognition on marketing materials. Spring Benefit is the perfect way to reach a world-class audience.

Don’t forget that select levels of 1984 Club membership include tickets to the Benefit, so joining the 1984 Club is a great way to experience the Benefit and support AIS! To donate an auction item, inquire about becoming a corporate sponsor or to volunteer, please contact Kathryn Banks, Special Events Coordinator, at 404.841.3887 or kbanks@aischool.org

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

9

AIS Sports Report Primary Student Takes a Swing at Golf

By Mark McDaniel, Athletics Coordinator This summer, AIS first grade student Joshua Bell competed on the US Kids Golf Tour for ages six and under in an eight-tournament series on golf courses around Atlanta. Joshua’s dedication to practice, enthusiasm, enjoyment of the game and natural ability enabled him to win 2009 Player of the Year for the six-and-under age group. In these eight tournaments, Joshua earned four first-place finishes and two second-place finishes. In addition, Joshua entered and won a 2009 World Qualifying tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, enabling him to participate in the 2009 US Kids Golf World Championship with 88 other six-year-olds from all over the world. This was a great experience for Joshua and puts him in a good position for 2010, as he has automatically qualified for the 2010 US Kids Golf World Championship played at Pinehurst, North Carolina and the 2010 European Championship played in Scotland.

Joshua’s father, David Bell, is AIS’s Primary, Middle School and Varsity golf coach.

Cows Last Year and College This Year!!

By Shanta Kalyanasundaram, Secondary School Teacher It is with great humility and gratitude that I would like to report the tremendous success of this year’s German Bake Sale for Bethania, spearheaded by Christiane Box and her colleagues in the German Department, as well as Urmilla Sethuraman, Esther Rosenfeld and countless others who support Bethania. Selling our cakes one piece at a time (in most cases), we raised $ 2,275! This translates in real value to the possible completion of three Bachelor’s degrees for our Bethania children.

Bethania Orphanage CAS has thrived these past five years thanks to the unwavering commitment and dedication of the AIS community.

The annual German Bake Sale and Bethania dinner fundraiser have provided great support to the Bethania children. This year, thanks to the efforts of so many people and the loving and organized presence of Christiane Box, the German Bake Sale has reached a new level of success. Christiane has been instrumental in bringing the AIS community together, not only to partake of delicious cakes and cookies, but also to encourage people to support a worthy cause.

Many thanks also go to the parents in the German program (who baked up a storm), our wonderful German program students, many ESOL students and teachers and the Bethania CAS group, who volunteered all day long. Thanks also go to our best customers, the AIS students, who put all their pocket money and appetites for sweets behind this effort… not to forget our parent purchasers, who threw all caution and diets out for that day! A very special “dankeschoen” to our colleagues in the Primary School, who helped organize the sale down to the littlest of our students.

Thank you all and everyone!

10 Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

Globetrotter’s

Grammar Guru Feeling Bad About Not Doing Good Well

By Globetrotter’s Grammar Guru “You did good,” the coach, the teacher, the principal exclaim. Emphatic and positive. A cheerleader’s stamp of approval. A verbal high-five.

What is the harm in this colloquialism? Whether it originated as a deliberate thumbing of the nose at the correct form, “you did well,” or an abbreviation for “you did good work,” how much damage can a little grammar error do?

Every adult who has worked with children and adolescents has been tempted occasionally to find favor by “speaking their language.” Worthy motivation has brought this informal American expression of praise to surprisingly overwhelming acceptance. How dare any grammar guru put a damper on this feel-good misusage!

Would you consider it a pity that the correct meaning is therefore lost? “You did good” legitimately means that you performed charitable deeds in the community. Just think: if we lose the real sense of doing good, we also might lose the disparaging term “do-gooder,” which aptly describes those who so boast about their good works that they give community service a bad name.

Would you care that a widespread reign of error contributes to the general deterioration of English usage and a decline in SAT scores? (Ah! Our anti-grammar attitude may have prompted the College Board to create the Writing Section on the SAT!) Undoubtedly, at first, the wholesale giving in to “you did good” was well-intentioned misusage, but the youngest generation has rarely, if ever, heard “you did well”; they are utterly unaware, alas. This now powerful error implicitly confuses the fledgling but battered grammar instinct within the young—and even the mature—among us who dimly recall that “adjectives modify or describe nouns and pronouns” and “adverbs modify or describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.”

This conscious error links to a second hypercorrection that now competes for “most common educated error” (see “All ‘I’s’ Are Not on ‘Me’” in Globetrotter, June 2009). Those of us with enough glimmering of grammar to know that “-ly” added to an adjective makes it an adverb are caught saying, “I feel badly about that,” when called upon to express regret.

Could this new error be a well-intentioned, but misguided stand against the “you did good” error-tide, or could it spring from a vague feeling that the loss of the called-for adverb in one place can be made up for in another where an adjective is correct?

When I hear, “I feel badly,” my eyes dart to the speaker’s hands for signs of nerve damage and numbness.

And so here’s the grammar lesson you’ve braced yourself for: this one about linking verbs—often used, often abused when modified by adverbs.

Their purpose is to provide a link to the subject of the sentence (always a noun or pronoun) describing what the subject is or is becoming, often in reference to one of the five senses. The list of linking verbs is brief: look, feel, taste, smell, sound, or seem, become, appear, prove, remain, turn, grow, stay, continue. When used as linking verbs, these are followed by adjectives, not adverbs.

She looked tired (not tiredly).

The music sounds sad (not sadly).

The child appeared happy (not happily).

The dog smelled bad (not badly, unless the dog has a cold so cannot smell well).

The casserole tastes good (not well).

No need to worry unduly about absorbing the grammatical details here. By far the most common linking-verb error occurs when the verb to feel is coupled incorrectly with the adverb badly in constructions where bad is called for (few of us would say, “I feel well about that.”) So unless you mean to say that you are losing your sense of touch, let us know you are sorry by saying “I feel bad about…” You will speak well and do good thereby.

And the next time you want to compliment a child (who probably has no idea that “you did good” is a declaration of youthful camaraderie), just say “you did well!” Scores on the writing section of the SAT might just go up!

The Globetrotter’s Grammar Guru column grapples with an “educated error” common among native English speakers. Readers are welcome to suggest topics for future columns or to catch errors in this column. Please write to “Globetrotter’s Grammar Guru,” globetrotter@aischool.org.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

11

Orca Expedition Makes Summer Break Special

By Rachel Hovington, IB Diploma Coordinator/Secondary School Teacher

The sound of Orcas surfacing to breathe can be heard over several nautical miles of clear, calm seas in the Johnstone Strait. Their majestic spray of salt water is an unsurpassed 5:00 a.m. alarm call to a sleepy, paddle-weary tent dweller. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, AIS faculty have the opportunity to apply for a summer Travel Research and Study Grant (TRSG). This summer it afforded me the amazing opportunity to study the social structure and behavior of the northern resident pods of Orca Whales off the rugged, driftwood-strewn coast of Northeastern Vancouver Island.

My journey began by sea kayaking from Telegraph Cove, a tiny port community that boasts only three year-round residents.

A short paddle through the rocky inlet that forms the cove leads into the Johnstone Strait, the northernmost stretch of water between mainland British Columbia (BC) and Vancouver Island. The Johnstone Strait is internationally renowned for its abundant wildlife and dominated by the resident pods of Orca whales who return each summer between June and October. Often misunderstood, with a tumultuous historical relationship with man, these resident pods are peaceful creatures who forage for prey no bigger than fish. Their winter location remains a mystery to scientists, but the fact that they return to the strait each year has meant that much work can be done gathering information on their interactions and habits. Up until the 1970’s, these highly intelligent Orcas were seen as fearsome, savage predators. Local fishermen and the Canadian government shot at them, going so far as installing a machine gun in the strait to keep populations down. Although that gun was never fired, whaling, shooting, air force target practice flights and captures for aquaria accounted for a saddening decline in Orca population in the later century. Ironically, it was public interest in aquaria-kept Orca that highlighted their intelligence and forced people to take a second look at them.

Orcas are not whales; instead they belong to the dolphin family. There are three types of Orcas: transient, resident and offshore.

Johnstone Strait hosts the first two types. The transients do eat mammals like sea lions, and it is said that other mammals can tell the difference between the two types of Orca. Transients hunt silently, while residents use echolocation clicks, which I was able to hear using a hydrophone lowered into the water. It was common for porpoise and dolphins to surface alongside the resident Orcas.

My first close encounter came with a small pod of large Orca termed the “A36 boys.” Male Orca have straight dorsal fins, while those of females are curved. Nicks, scratches, injuries and the pattern of their white saddle patches allow for identification. Orcas are a matriarchal society.Young males and females stay with their mother for their entire life. This A36 male pod had been waning in size, as the females had taken their young and formed new pods when the matriarch died. An unrelated female named A12, whose son had not returned to the strait after the winter, had left her own pod and was presumed to be searching the strait for her son. She swam close to me, traveling alone on several occasions. On my final day, she spent much time foraging with the A36 males. I have been monitoring her progress since my return to Atlanta, and she has begun to travel with the A36 males even more frequently.

Orca naming is complex and has evolved over time as pods change or spilt. There are sixteen resident northern pods totaling approximately 200 Orcas. Where pods have split, their dialect is very similar, and these 16 pods can subsequently be grouped into three clans.

12 Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

Orca Expedition Makes Summer Break Special continued

A Parent’s Perspective on Field Day

Although all the northern resident whales speak the same language, their dialects are different enough for males to identify other females unrelated to them. They leave their pod to breed with other females, returning to their own matriarchal pod immediately afterwards. In this way inbreeding and the survival of the species is ensured.

Camping in the fern and moss-covered back forest of Kaikash Beach was a magical experience. Sunsets and sunrises cast a fire burst of deep pink and orange over the calm waters and silhouetted Orcas traveling through the strait. Kaikash is adjacent to the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, a protected area where even researchers and sea kayakers cannot go. Here Orcas come to rub themselves on the rounded pebbly ‘rubbing beaches’ and socialize. The reserve is also home to harbor porpoise, bald eagles, sea lions, Minke whales and black bear.

Apart from man’s direct threat to Orca survival, they are most threatened by the over-fishing of salmon. For the first time this year, First Nations residents of the Broughton Archipelago are required by the government to take only certain species. Increasing numbers of motorboat-carried tourists create noise and pollution in the strait, the impact of which is yet unknown.

As top predators in the food chain, Orcas are susceptible to the bioaccumulation of organic pollutants like DDT, PCB’s and PCP’s, which are banned in Canada. The interaction of all the world’s oceans brings small amounts of these contaminants into the algae that form the base of this great food chain.

By the time tonnage of algae to support the prey of the Orcas is taken into account, this is a significant threat and may weaken Orca populations’ immune systems, making them more susceptible to disease. The good news is that, although man reduced the humpback whale population by 90% in the last two centuries, scientists I spoke to were buoyed by the recent return of a small number that can now be seen breaching in the Strait.

It was tough to leave the scientific, fishing, logging and burgeoning eco-tourism community of Vancouver Island. However, via Dr. Paul Sprong and his research team of volunteers, I can get up-to-the-minute updates on specific whale movements with blog, sound and video at www.Orca-live.net.

The Orcalive group on Facebook is also a good resource for current information. I am grateful to the TRSG grant benefactor, for I continue my link with this part of the world and hope to bring a piece of the serenity and beauty of the Orca to the students here at AIS. If you want a minimum-impact vacation with the Orcas, I recommend using North Island Kayak based in Telegraph Cove, whose location allows kayakers to put their boat in right at the Johnstone Strait.

Visit http://www.kayakbc.ca/info@kayakbc.ca or call 250.928.3114.

By Nicki Westmoreland, AIS Parent Leading up to the event, I found myself excited and happy to volunteer to help with Field Day. Upon arrival, I was a bit nervous. “Would I be able to keep up with the kids and keep them together during the event,” I wondered. As I stood waiting for the group to come out of the Primary building, I was quickly reminded by my son, Jace, that I had a role to play. As he approached me, I began to smile, and like most parents I was anxious to hear from him that he was glad I was there. The question I received eased all of my apprehension: “Where’s Mommy?” At that moment, I knew he (like all the other kids) wanted most to have Mom there to witness his athletic prowess, and I was there to facilitate. I was even further relieved to know my duties were lessened to “support” when we reached the field and Mommy was standing there waiting for us.

The components of Field Day were well organized, and all of the parents were “game face” ready for the kids.

With all of the excitement among the crowd, kids and parents alike, I was able to settle down and just enjoy the games. Being the sports fan that I am, I was quickly drawn into the activities and even a little jealous that I couldn’t fully participate. This surely wasn’t from a lack of trying, but more because my adult-sized frame was just a tiny bit too large for the kid-sized apparatuses. Darn!

Despite my disappointment, I was still excited to help the kids move between activities, and we had a great time during those transitional periods. The kids were wonderful, and I found the day to be a great way to learn more about Jace’s classmates, their parents and the administration. Being a pretty reserved person, the event helped me relax and get a better feel for how engaging and child-focused the school is. I will surely volunteer again, and I look forward to expanding my relationship with the school.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

13

Music Department “Notes”

By Ronald L. Howard, Ms. Herrad Welp and Jessica Sachsenmaier, AIS Music Department

AIS Music Department Performance Season Gets Underway On October 1, the first of five Chamber Music Society recitals occurred in the AIS Auditorium. Seven AIS students and faculty members presented a program of works from various historical eras. The second recital is set for November 24. All of the recital series programs begin at 6pm and are free to the AIS community.

The combined PS, MS and US areas of the Department of Music will present various performing ensembles over a three-night period in its annual “Sounds of the Season” concert, December 3, 8 and 10. Seven faculty/staff members will lead nine ensembles comprised of 250 AIS students in programs ranging from holiday favorites to choral masterworks to jazz band selections.

Student Honors and Faculty News Myrtil Mitanga, Grade 9, successfully won a coveted position with the 2009-2010 Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra through intensely competitive auditions recently held on the Woodruff Arts Center campus. The AYSO, a branch of the Atlanta Symphony, has 125 performers in middle and high school grades. The ensemble is conducted by Jere Flint, an ASO cellist, and presents several concerts throughout the year at Symphony Hall. This is Myrtil’s second year as a member of the AYSO. She plays third-stand cello and is one of the youngest members of the orchestra and the only representative of AIS in the group this year. Congratulations to Myrtil!

Marvin Fichtmueller, Grade 12, also was successful in a competitive audition at summer’s end, winning a position as clarinetist with the prestigious Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. The AYWS operates under the auspices of Emory University and performs a full schedule of concerts throughout the year, including an upcoming January performance at the state convention of the Georgia Music Educators Association in Savannah. Congratulations to Marvin!

Jessica Sachsenmaier, Grade 12, was recently selected to sing in a consort group at St. Bartholomew’s Church, which will join with the New Trinity Baroque in their performance of Handel’s Messiah. The consort group consists of seven members including two sopranos, three altos, a tenor and a bass. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has heralded New Trinity Baroque as “Atlanta’s most adventurous early music ensemble” and the group is recognized widely as one of the country’s leading baroque orchestras and period instrument ensembles. The group is under the leadership of noted conductor and harpsichordist Predrag Gosta. Messiah will be performed December 20 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

Ron Howard, Director of the Performance Program and Instructor of IB DP Music, was selected to present a workshop at the Georgia Independent Schools Association state convention, held on the campus of the Darlington School in Rome. His interactive workshop dealt with the challenges of performance music selection for instrumental ensembles in schools with small- to medium-sized student populations.

14 Globetrotter • Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009

AIS Celebrates Life of Maggie Baillie at Atlanta History Center

By Patty Webb,Associate Director of Admissions and Courtney Fowler, Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications Atlanta International School recently participated in the Atlanta History Center’s “Day of Dead Celebration” with an altar dedicated to Maggie Baillie, a beloved, longtime AIS faculty member who lost her battle against cancer this summer. After the event, the altar was moved to the foyer of the main building for viewing by the school community.

The “Day of the Dead,” (El Dia de los Muertos, or All Souls’ Day) is a traditional Mexican and Latin American holiday that combines indigenous beliefs and Catholic-Christian observances. It offers the opportunity to honor dead relatives and friends as well as reflect upon our heritage, ancestors and the natural cycle of life and death. The traditional altars, or “ofrendas,” are not for worshipping but for presenting love and remembrances of the departed.

Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market

December

5 2009 2-7 pm th

December 5 • 2-7 p.m.

at Atlanta International School 2890 North Fulton Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305

www.aischool.org/christmasmarket

traditional food and drink: sausages, brezel, german cookies, stollen, hot chocolate, waffles, and much more culture and entertainment: arts and crafts for children, live music performances, raffle, and a great atmosphere exclusive gifts: german lace, handmade bags, jewelry, european home goods new this year: unique photo opportunity with the real free admission

child care available

The winter season brings to mind warm evenings by a crackling fire, cold, crisp days and traditional celebrations for the holidays. Visiting this event is sure to put you in a joyous holiday mood. Whether you are there to buy handcrafted gifts or holiday decorations, savor a variety of European food and beverages, or enjoy the entertainment, you are sure to have a good time.

Volunteers Volunteers from all tracks are welcome, to sign up please send an e-mail to tijen_cirig@hotmail.com.

Vendor and Wreath Information For Vendor Information and the Vendor Registration Form, please download the 2009 Christmas Market Vendor Form. For questions, please contact Werner Richter at christmasmarket@aischool.org.

Atlanta International School Newsletter / Fall 2009 • Globetrotter

15

Parade of Nations Comes to AIS on UN Day

Globetrotter

The Globetrotter is the newsletter of Atlanta International School.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to:

Our new century needs and will be shaped

by extraordinary individuals. Meeting the

challenges and opportunities of an interdependent world will require versatile intellectual competence and uncompromising commitment. Those who thrive in and contribute to this world will have a solid sense of who they are, and respect for who others are, as individuals, as members of a group, as citizens of their nation, and as members of a global community. They will have a rigorous academic preparation and a passion to become the best they can be and to help others achieve their best. The mission of Atlanta International School is to develop such individuals.

Courtney Fowler Globetrotter Editor 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.

Visit us on the web at www.aischool.org

Mission