Singapore American School Newsflash, February 2008

Volume 10, Issue 6-07/08 - February 2008

MICA (P) 183/08/2007

A Singapore American School community service publication

NewsFlash E

arly next school year, the performing arts programs at SAS will have a new venue for showcasing student work. The area between the Drama Theater and the Auditorium will be enhanced to create an additional performing venue and reception area. In addition, a Memory Garden to honor significant milestones in the history of the school will be added in the green space behind the theaters.

The Memory Garden will extend the area for hosting receptions, shows and performances, expanding the use of that area beyond the current lobby. It will be a welcoming and special destination for alumni (all the past, present and future students, faculty and parents) when they visit SAS. The creation of this wonderful new space to showcase the performing arts at SAS is possible due to the generosity of an SAS parent, Stephen Riady.

His donation of $4 million to the Singapore American School Education Foundation will be used to underwrite the cost of the project.

At the Winter Collage concert in December, Superintendent Brent Mutsch thanked Riady for his support of the performing arts program through his very generous donation. The center will make a difference in the life of the school for many years.

Mesage from SAS Superintendent of Schools Pg. 4

School Improvement at SAS Pg. 6

Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea Pg. 12

Content Page

Regulars 3 - Calendar Highlights 10 - Booster Club News 11 - SAS PTA President Letter SAS Highlights

Garth Sheldon Chairman of the Board

Bart Broadman Vice Chairman of the Board Chairman Trust

Bob Comstock Chairman Facilities

Carl Stocking Chairman Finance

Sheila Wang Chairman Curriculum

Devin Kimble Board Member

Joseph Anderson Board Member

Kirk Hulse Board Member

4 - Message from Superintendent of Schools 5 - When being the “BEST” doesn’t add up 6 - School Improvement at SAS 9 - The Community Library Welcomes

Freedom from Chemical Dependence 12 - Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea 14 - 7th Grade Day Out: Scrooge and Vivo City 18 - Leadership Discussion with

Superintendent Mutsch 20 - Inspired in Cebu 22 - Kids Helping kids 23 - Middle Schoolers Earn Praise

- PTA County Fair T-Shirt & Poster Deisgn

Contest

NEWSFLASH is published monthly by the Communications Office of the Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to the parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Singapore American School 40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547 Tel: 6360-6303 SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg Editor: Beth Gribbon Staff Editor: Junia Baker Layout Design: Joey Lew

We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School

Tom Linton Board Member

Bon Soon Koo Board Member

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

Maya Roll Board Member

Marybeth Shay Board Member

March NewsFlash Deadline: February 27, 2008 Publication Date: March 17, 2008 April NewsFlash Deadline: April 2, 2008 Publication Date: April 21, 2008 Email Community News Input to bgribbon@sas.edu.sg Email Trading Post Input to trade@sas.edu.sg Trading Post advertising is restricted to non-commercial items only from SAS students, parents and staff

9-17 HS Interim Semester 11 ECC Parent Coffee 8:30am (ECC Grouproom)

MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (M301) 12 PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office) 13 Alternate Dress Day 14 Holiday Alternate Dress Day 15 MS Parent/Teacher Conferences

(No School for MS Students) 16 SACAC Fighting Fish Invitational Swim Meet

PTA Gala Wine Dinner 6:30pm (Regent Hotel) 18 Booster Club Meeting 9:30am (H301) 20 Financial Aid for Non-US Citizens

– HS Junior Parents 7:00pm (H301) 21 Second Season Sports Awards Night 7:00pm

(Auditorium/Drama Theater/Theater Studio/S204)

March 2008 1

3-7

3

4

5

6-8

February 2008

23 PTA County Fair 10:45am – 4:00pm

(Auxillary/HS/MS Gyms/Playfield) 25-26 HS Cultural Convention Art/Music Preview

3:15pm – 6:00pm (Drama Theater) 27-28 HS Interim Semester Presentation Night

7:15pm – 8:15pm 27 Alternate Dress Day 29 Faculty In-Service Day - WASC Preparation

(No School for Students)

SEAMC Math Competition in Kuala Lumpur

HS Peace Concert 6:00pm – 11:00pm

(Stadium)

Calendar Highlights

* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm

* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby 8:00am-2:00pm (MS Gym) Star Appeal Dinner 7:00pm (Goodwood Park Hotel) Girls Softball Exchange in Kuala Lumpur Track Exchanges in Bangkok & Manila SEAMC Math Competition in Kuala Lumpur FCD Week EASA Registration for Session 3 (Apr 1-May 22) Visiting Author/Illustrator/Cartoonist Jon Agee IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Grouproom, I311) MS/HS/PTA Coffee with FCD 10:00am (M301) 8th Grade Parents Information Night 7:00pm (Drama Theater) Cultural Convention Dance/Drama/Piano Preview 3:15pm – 6:00pm (Auditorium) College Search for Special Learning Needs/Frieda Dietrich 7:00pm (H301) IASAS Art/Music in Bangkok IASAS Dance/Drama/Debate/Forensics in Manila

8 ACSIS Track & Field 8:00am – 2:00pm

(Meet at SAS, Hosted by Tanglin) 10-12 Asian Film Festival 3:15pm (H301) 11 PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office) 12 Alternate Dress Day

Students’ Late Start 10:00am

No PM Pre-School, AM Pre-School and Pre-K

are in Session; AM Pre-School will be

10:00am - 1:30pm

MS Musical Guys and Dolls Jr.

7:00pm – 9:00pm (Drama Theater) 13 MS Musical Guys and Dolls Jr.

3:30pm – 6:00pm (Drama Theater) 13-15 SIMUN in Singapore (French School) 14-16 BEIMUN in Beijing 15 Badminton/Softball Exchanges in Singapore

Track Exchange in Kuala Lumpur

AP Art Show 7:00pm (American Club)

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

ls Sc ho o M SA es S sag Su e pe fr ri om nt en de

nt

of

and administration. Although SAS is one of the largest international schools in the world, there is a continuing emphasis on successfully addressing the educational needs of each of the students who walk on the Woodlands campus.

“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.”

- Helen Keller

In late November, 36 members of the Singapore American School community, including students, parents, faculty, staff and administration, collaborated during a two-day retreat to review the SAS mission statement and to develop a vision statement. The group began by deconstructing the mission that has guided SAS for the past nine years and determining that the mission continued to have value in articulating the core purpose of SAS. The group then developed a vision statement. At a December meeting, the SAS Board of Governors validated the following mission and vision statements.

Mission: The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective.

When looking at the mission statement, there are at least four elements to be highlighted.

1) The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience. Consistent with SAS’s commitment to providing extraordinary care for the welfare of each child, the mission specifically identifies that each student is the focus of the efforts of the faculty, staff

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

2) The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective.

Exemplary is defined as “worthy of being an example.” SAS is deeply committed to providing students with an American educational experience that is the benchmark against which other schools compare both their programs and performances.

3) The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective.

SAS regularly reviews, revises and develops curricula on the basis of what are considered to be “best practices” by American professional organizations. SAS remains deeply committed to providing students with American based educational experiences.

4) The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective.

Our location in Singapore, the composition of our students, parents, faculty, staff and administration and the recognition that the world is becoming increasingly interdependent demand that SAS provides an educational experience that reflects an international perspective.

Vision: The Singapore American School inspires a passion for learning, encourages emotional and intellectual vitality, and empowers students with the confidence and

courage to contribute to the global community and to achieve their dreams.

The vision articulates the future that SAS has set for itself as an organization.

Once again this statement can be deconstructed to accentuate three key elements.

1) The Singapore American School inspires a passion for learning, encourages emotional and intellectual vitality, and empowers students with the confidence and courage to contribute to the global community and to achieve their dreams. The greatest gift that any school can collaborate with parents to impart to its students is a love for learning. Just as we learn to read so that we can read to learn, inspiring a passion for learning establishes the foundation on which a lifetime of learning and further development can occur.

2) The Singapore American School inspires a passion for learning, encourages emotional and intellectual vitality, and empowers students with the confidence and courage to contribute to the global community and to achieve their dreams.

Encouraging students to develop vitality for both matters of the heart (emotional) and of the mind (intellectual) will enable them to have deeper life experiences.

3) The Singapore American School inspires a passion for learning, encourages emotional and intellectual vitality, and empowers students with the confidence and courage to contribute to the global community and to achieve their dreams. At the core of the vision of SAS is the articulation of the preferred future for each of our students. SAS is deeply committed to empowering students to develop the confidence and courage that are necessary for them to make quality contributions

to the broader global community while also successfully bringing their aspirations to reality.

In the weeks and months ahead, the mission and vision will serve as the

lens through which both individual and school-wide decisions will be aligned.

The work of the mission/vision team has contributed to the entire school beginning to develop greater clarity of purpose and focus. This is most

visibly represented by the recent development of a five-year strategic plan that sustains a focus on learning.

This combination of sight and vision will assist SAS in becoming a more exemplary school.

When being the “BEST” doesn’t add up

By Jeff Devens, PhD/School Psychologist

U

sing a statistical formula that leaves room for much debate, Newsweek compiles a yearly listing of the top one hundred public schools across the United States. The formula used to define “best” is simple: Divide the number of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests a school gives by the number of seniors who graduate in June. For example, 500 AP exams administered to a school with a graduating class of 300 would have a ratio of 1.66. Tests that are taken by all students are counted, not just seniors. Schools that have achieved a ratio of at least 1.00, meaning they have as many tests in a given year as graduates, are put on the Newsweek website, and the 100 high schools with the highest ratios are named in the magazine. That’s it. Simple, neat, easy to understand… and highly misleading!

It matters not how well an individual student performed on an exam, but rather how many exams were given divided by the graduating student body. Jay Mathews, the architect of this mathematical model, supports this formula, noting that AP courses

“give average students a chance to experience the trauma of heavy college reading lists and long, analytical college exams.” However, as Michael Winerip of the New York Times noted, “Using a rating system that rewards quantity without measuring quality produces some truly bizarre results.”

the 35th “best” school of the 18,790 high schools rated in 2007. Not a “bad” score, but does it really mean anything? For the record, in 2007 a total of 458 SAS students completed 1,104 exams. Ninety-two percent of the scores were 3 or higher and 75 percent of the scores were 4 or 5.

Take for example, Foshay Learning Center in Los Angeles. In 2006 it was ranked the 414th “best” high school, with a ratio of 1.88 AP tests per graduating senior. Lexington High in Boston was ranked No. 441, with a ratio of 1.83. For Newsweek, it does not matter that 83 percent of the Foshay AP scores were 2 or below on a scale of 1-5, while at Lexington, 91 percent of the scores were 3s, 4s or 5s.

The more we attempt to distill “best” down to specific courses, grade point averages, SAT results or even college acceptances, the more potential there is to define the experience in ways that don’t capture the essence of the totality of an educational experience.

I am not suggesting that such measures don’t play a part in evaluating a quality educational experience, but when viewed in isolation from a more holistic approach to what it means to receive an exemplary education, the propensity for abuse and exploitation increases.

Newsweek does not include scores by private schools; however, I suspect that many private schools would be reluctant to report such figures given the problematic nature of using a single variable to measure the quality of learning and instruction. At SAS we offer 28 AP courses (of a possible 38).

Many schools would be fortunate to have 10 AP courses for their students to choose from; however, these classes in and of themselves do not make for “best” education. Without highly competent and dedicated educators, academic resources, motivated students and a supportive parent community, no amount of AP courses will make for a “best” educational experience. With a graduating class of 241 seniors in 2007, SAS had a ratio of 4.58 AP tests per graduating senior (1104 exams/241 seniors), making it

At SAS our aim as is to combine Academic Rigor, Professional Excellence and Extraordinary Care for the Welfare of Each Child. It is our belief that these three operational imperatives, when woven together, significantly contribute to an exemplary educational experience. We recognize that the Vital Few leave much room for ongoing healthy discourse and debate regarding what constitutes a quality education, and perhaps this is as it should be.

Being the “best” is more than a number.

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

School Improvement at Singapore American School Mark Boyer, Assistant Superintendent for Learning

S

ince spring 2007, the Singapore American School has been involved in a comprehensive self-study process to upgrade several areas of educational operations, to identify and reinforce areas of strength and to determine areas for growth and continuous improvement.

This self-study process has been in conjunction with the school’s upcoming accreditation review with the Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC).

WASC serves as the regional school accreditation agency for the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS) as well as schools in California, Hawaii and the Pacific. Although accreditation is not required, SAS pursues the school accreditation process for the following reasons: 1. The school accreditation process provides opportunity for an entire school community to rigorously examine the overall quality of its educational programs through specific criteria and areas of inquiry;

Outcomes of the SAS WASC SelfStudy

3. SAS is committed to continuous improvement;

Process In the spring of 2007, all parents, faculty and middle school and high school students were provided the opportunity to respond to a school climate survey that contained the criteria questions recognized by WASC. Those extensive responses served as community-wide feedback on the status of programs and approaches for team reviews.

4. School accreditation through WASC serves as a recognized and legitimate source for “consumer confidence” in the quality of a school’s programs and opportunities for students.

Ninety teams involving 500+ faculty, support staff, administrators, parents, students and board members have been directly involved in the WASC SelfStudy process for 2007-2008. Team responses to WASC criteria questions

2. SAS welcomes an external review process to confirm and/ or add recommendations to its own self-study findings;

On April 7-10, a 10-member team of educators from Southeast Asia and California will conduct extensive interviews with various groups of people, as well as pursue classroom observations of teaching and learning throughout all divisions. The focus of the accreditation team’s work will be to check for the validity of the school’s self-study process and findings and to provide any additional recommendations or insights to further advance the overall quality of education at SAS. The WASC visiting team will also make a recommendation on the term of accreditation renewal for SAS, which can range from zero to six years. The WASC office in California and a panel of reviewers make final determination on the term of accreditation, and this is generally announced in June. Annual updates on progress are submitted to WASC for ongoing review.

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

required review of various sources of evidence, which led to data analysis and identification of areas of strength and areas for growth.

This process has offered different team perspectives on the needs, interests and values of the SAS community, which have provided opportunities to identify important themes and motifs for division and school-wide attention. This has allowed the school to move to a series of agreements and understandings on significant areas for further growth and development within and across divisions.

The SAS WASC Self-Study has accomplished the parameters required by WASC: a. The involvement and collaboration of stakeholders in the self-study. b. The clarification of the school’s purpose and the expected school-wide learning results. c. The assessment of the actual student program and its impact on student learning with respect to the criteria and the expected school-wide learning results. d. The development of a schoolwide action plan that integrates subject area/program and support plans to address identified growth needs. e. The development and implementation of an accountability system for monitoring the accomplishment

School Improvement at Singapore American School (cont’d)

of the action plan.

SAS Report Specific areas of strength and areas for growth have been identified at classroom and school-wide levels, which provide clear areas for celebration and further development.

Two books have been assembled to accurately represent the various findings. Book One is the school’s main report, which synthesizes and summarizes division and schoolwide findings. Book One provides relevant and insightful information in the following areas: • • • • • • • • •

WASC process and involvement School and community profile School’s purpose and expected school-wide learning results Organization for student learning Curriculum and instruction Student personal and academic growth Resource management School-wide action plan Appendix of school information and data

Book Two provides documentation of all team findings (90 teams representing all division level subject areas, service areas, stakeholder groups and centralized area departments) related to Areas of Strength and Areas for Growth.

Focus on Learning Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Brent Mutsch, a 36-member team of students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators and board members convened for two full days in November 2007 to develop and confirm the Singapore American School’s “Focus on Learning.” Through this process, the Mission was revised, the Vision was developed and other parts of the

Focus on Learning were reaffirmed.

Vision: The Singapore American School inspires a passion for learning, encourages emotional and intellectual vitality, and empowers students with the confidence and courage to contribute to the global community and to achieve their dreams.

Vital Few: Academic Rigor, Professional Excellence, and Extraordinary Care for the Welfare of Each Child are the three operational imperatives that guide the Singapore American School’s efforts and resources in achieving excellence as a world class leader in education.

Desired Student Learning Outcomes: The school’s curriculum and the Desired Student Learning Outcomes (i.e., Exemplary Character with Ability to Work Independently and Collaboratively, Critical and Creative Thinkers, Engaged and Responsible Citizens, Effective Communicators) serve as the direction and substance for the school’s academic programs.

Core Values: The Institute of Global Ethics has identified five values (i.e., Compassion, Honesty, Fairness, Responsibility, Respect) as recognized core values of cultures throughout the world. These values are the basis for the Singapore American School’s approach to Character Education and serve as the foundation for all relationships among students, staff, faculty, administrators and parents.

Mission: The Singapore American School is committed to providing each student an exemplary American educational experience with an international perspective.

SAS Strategic Plans Because of the long-range and systemic planning of an exemplary school that is committed to focused

continuous improvement, five-year strategic plans have been developed in the following areas: • • • • • • • • • • •

Mission and Vision Student Learning Finance Development/Advancement Communications Alumni Relations Human Resources Technology Board Governance Woodlands Campus Expansion

The intent of these strategic plans is to provide direction and coherence for the various functions of the school. Annual review and refinement of the strategic plans will be pursued to best respond to the needs and life of the school.

Based on the strategic plans, annual goals will be established.

Six Main Areas for Follow-Up Based on the SAS WASC SelfStudy: 1. Develop a school community (i.e., students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, board) that understands the direction and vision of the school and is unified and collaborative in its focus and support for student learning as it relates to academic excellence, as well as for the social, emotional and physical well-being of the student.

2. Clarify the use and assessment of cross-curricular expectations in subject areas (i.e., Desired Student Learning Outcomes, Core Values, Information Literacy Standards, Technology Standards, Communication Skills – writing, presenting).

3. Determine the types of data that will be used to show:

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

School Improvement at Singapore American School (cont’d)

 Continuous improvement on division and school levels,  Progress of the school’s Strategic Plan,  Benchmarking with other exemplary schools in the world.

Student Learning Objective of Strategic Plan The Student Learning objective of the five-year Strategic Plan embeds the Six Critical Areas for Follow-Up into the future development of the school.

The Student Learning objective also provides support for the following:

4. Enhance high standards of consistent classroom practice within curriculum unit development, instruction, assessment and resources to ensure that each student is “appropriately challenged” (differentiated instruction).

1. Maintain the six-year curriculum cycle of renewal (moved from five-year cycle to six-year cycle in 2006) with development of school curriculum and classroom units/assessments and adoption of meaningful classroom resources.

5. Clarify the student expectations, assessments and data that will be commonly used in subject areas (horizontally and vertically) to show student progress.

6. Establish organizational direction and coherence as they relate to the various functions of the school (i.e., Mission and Vision, Student Learning, Finance, Development/Advancement, Communications, Alumni Relations, Human Resources, Technology, Board Governance, Woodlands Campus, Expansion) to support student learning.

2. 2008-2009: study how global issues are supported through the curricular and extra-curricular programs of the school and make recommendations on any areas for possible improvement.

3. 2008-2009: explore possibilities of an external learning audit to establish focused principles and guidance for high levels of learning for all students.

4. Further enhance collaborative learning within teams, divisions and throughout the school with a focus on student learning and results.

5. Develop a five-year phase-in plan for purposeful integration of technology for teaching and learning.

Book One of SAS WASC SelfStudy Report The main report of the SAS selfstudy, which includes the five-year Strategic Plan, has been posted on the SAS website. We make this report available to our entire school community in the spirit of transparency and collaboration.

Thanks are extended to the 500+ faculty, staff, parents, students, board members and administrators who directly contributed to the 2007-2008 school improvement process. Thanks are also extended to all our extraordinary faculty, staff, parents, students, board members and administrators who generously give of their time, expertise and support to help SAS continue to grow as an exciting and purposeful place for student learning.

As SAS continues to celebrate areas of strength and pursue areas for further growth, the words of John H. Schaar seem particularly appropriate: “The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”

oaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkddSsdsoaidoiodsjddddsadsajdajdlksajdkasjdasjdkldjsajssjld 2008/2009 Budget Presentation The SAS Board of Governors views the development of an annual budget of revenue and expenditures as one of its most important jobs. The budget process begins in the fall and culminates in April in an open meeting with parents and faculty to review the proposed budget, after which the Board gives its final consideration and adopts the budget at the end of April. You are invited to attend the special open meeting when Board members and administrators will present next year’s proposed budget for discussion at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 (this date is a change from the published April 8th date) in room H301 on the 3rd floor of the High School.

A summary of the 2008/2009 budget with proposed revenues and expenditures will be distributed via e-mail and posted on the website on during the first full week of April prior to the open meeting.

oaisjkjkjkjkjkjkjkddSsdsoaidoiodsjddddsadsajdajdlksajdkasjdasjdkldjsajssjld SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

The Community Library Welcomes Freedom from Chemical Dependence

By Mary Gruman, co-chair of the SAS Community Library

P

arents are invited to attend an SAS Speaker Series event on March 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the Drama Theater. Our guest speakers from FCD Educational Services in Boston, Massachusetts will talk about how communities, schools and families can work together to create a healthy climate for teenage life. FCD has served schools around the world for the past 30 years and will be returning for their second year at SAS. The organization bases its approach on core beliefs: o Substance abuse prevention in schools is not a program, it is a climate. o Prevention should be approached from a health perspective.

Drug education is not a one-time inoculation; it must be long-term, ongoing and responsive to the changing cognitive, emotional, and social world of the growing child. Children and adolescents are most likely to make responsible choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use when they are: o o o o o

Presented with accurate information Respected and heard Given clear, consistent expectations for behavior Exposed to positive role models Rewarded for choosing to live drug-free

FCD representatives will also be meeting with high school and middle school students, faculty and administrators during the March visit.

Reservations are not required but please email communitylibrary@sas.edu.sg if you know will be coming so we can plan refreshments and adequate seating.

The Speaker Series is sponsored by the SAS Community Library and is funded by the SAS Education Foundation.

The library is a resource for everyone in the SAS family, offering a collection of books and magazines on topics as varied as coping with illness and grief to understanding self-esteem. The library, located within the Middle School Library in a quiet, private corner, has grown steadily with the introduction of school sponsored book groups and workshops. It is also home to a lovely collection of art which is rotated about every 8 weeks.

Please visit the Community Library when you are next on campus. We welcome your suggestions for Book Groups or Speaker Series events. Kindly email communitylibrary@sas.edu.sg to share your ideas.

To find out more about FDC go to their website www.fcd.org .

Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS? We send all parents and guardians a weekly What’s Happening at SAS newsletter by email.

If you have not been receiving the weekly email, probably we do not have your correct email address. Send us an email at communications@sas.edu.sg to give us your current email address. The distribution can include both parents’ email addresses. The weekly What’s Happening at SAS will also be posted on the website at http://www.sas.edu.sg.

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

Parents, Second semester has begun smoothly because of the continued help of our dedicated booster moms. Thank you all.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say welcome to our new families at SAS and to invite ALL high school parents – those new to Singapore and those who have been here, to become part of our parent community. Booster Club is looking for new ideas for our booth and would welcome your thoughts. We are eager to have new volunteers help out at events like the PTA County Fair or our free popcorn day, and our sports teams and fine art activities are always in need of varied help. Please contact me if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Have a great 2008!

Janine Byrne jjbyrne@mac.com Booster Club President

Booster Booth Hours Booster Booth Hours Mon Mon— —Fri 7:45 am Fri 7:45 am— —3:15 pm 3:15 pm Super Clearance Sale in February on select merchandise! select merchandise!

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

L

et me start this month’s note with wishes for a Happy New Year and hope that everyone had a relaxing and joyful holiday break. Let me also say Gong Xi Fa Cai to those who celebrate the Chinese New Year, including those of us who celebrate while living here in Singapore. One of the many benefits of living overseas is the opportunity to learn and experience the holiday traditions of other cultures.

The American School PTA directly supports the celebration of American holiday parties during the school year, while supporting and encouraging others to share in the celebrations of their cultures.

SAS PTA

PTA President’s Letter

On January 25, we held our mid-year “Newcomer Coffee” in the PTA Office. If you are new to SAS, we hope that you were able to join us to find out more about the SAS PTA and to continue to increase your connections within the SAS community. If you were unable to attend the Newcomer Coffee, please be sure to stop by the PTA Sales window during sales hours and pick up your PTA “Welcome Packet.” You will receive a complimentary copy of the SAS PTA Directory, an SAS wall calendar and some information about the PTA. With a school as large as SAS, it is sometimes easy to feel lost in the crowd. If you have a question that we can potentially help answer, please contact anyone on the PTA Board or Welcoming Committee, and we will do our best to help you find an answer. We are always here to assist in any way we can and to hopefully help you adjust to your new community. Our contact information is listed in the PTA section of the SAS website at http://www.sas.edu.sg.

By the time this NewsFlash is distributed, we will be counting the hours until our annual “Gala Wine Dinner,” which will be on February 16 at the Regent Hotel. Shelby Pazos and her dedicated team worked diligently to put on a fabulous evening. I would like to thank Shelby for her efforts in arranging this event, along with Phil DeFord who supported us with his wine expertise.

We now turn our efforts to the PTA’s largest annual fundraiser and the single event in which the entire school comes together to enjoy a day of fun for the whole family. Get ready to enjoy an old fashioned American tradition, County Fair, to be held on Saturday, February 23. It is the one family day that you should not miss.

Preparations for this day began in September. We promise you a fun filled day with food, games, rides, vendor booths, entertainment, a used book sale, silent auction and much more. For those of you who want the double benefit of cleaning out some book space in your home and helping the PTA, it is not too late to donate your used books. Our goal is to have over 15,000 books at the Fair. If you have books to donate, you can drop them off at the PTA Office anytime.

As with any large event, we always need volunteers to make the day a success. We can use help in preparing decorations and setting up for the Fair. If you have an hour or two that you can spare on the day of the Fair, we need volunteers to sell tickets, help run a game booth, sell used books or keep cool and get a workout by selling cold drinks. There are many other opportunities, and we would greatly appreciate your help. Please contact Erma Huston at e.huston@pacific.net.sg, our County Fair Chairperson, and she will be more than happy to find somewhere for you to volunteer.

February is an unusually busy month for the PTA as we hold two major fundraisers. We hope to see most of you at one or both of these events. As mentioned earlier, SAS is a big school and we want to do our best to include everyone and make them feel welcome within the SAS community. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Susan Fay PTA President

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

11

Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea

By Katherine Dunn and Samantha Menendez

M

rs. Taylor, the fourth grade counselor, challenged us to complete an Act of Kindness during the December holidays. Samantha Perez Menendez decided to start a fund toward the purchase of a custom-made wheelchair for SAS 4th grader, Chelsea Fairclough. Chelsea was in the hospital at the time due to an extended illness. It all started on December 11. Samantha, her friends and classmates created a fund called Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea and sold candy canes decorated as reindeer. The beginning goal was to raise $100. Nearly the entire 4th grade was involved in making hundreds of candy cane reindeer. After school, students would drop in to the IS cafeteria and help make more reindeer for the next day of sales. There were at least 50 to 60 kids working on the candy cane reindeer, every day for one week. Since it was near Christmas, the reindeer candy canes were a big hit! The end of the collection was December 19. The grand total was an incredible amount – over $2,500!

Below are some comments from grade 4 students and a teacher: Katherine Dunn: “I think it was a great thing to do, and it inspired many people to help and create their own funds to help Chelsea as well as the Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea fund, which has been a great help to her.”

Samantha, creator of the fund: “When my friends and I started it, it was really small, but it became much bigger with all the help we got, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends and classmates.”

Carson Tucker: “I felt that it was a creative way to start Christmas and also include a chain of kindness for Chelsea.”

Mrs. Koncki: “I think that the Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea was a great display of a caring community of children working together to make a difference in a child’s life. And I was impressed by the compassion and dedication of the SAS student.”

Jun Kee Hong: “I think it went great and it was a great idea to help Chelsea get her wheelchair.”

Michaella Coughlin: “I liked it and I think Chelsea feels much better, and it was fun to help out.”

Leo Vic Agnew: “It was fun and helpful for Chelsea too.”

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

Would you like to know how we made them?

Supplies: • Brown/Black Pipe Cleaners • Googly Eyes • Pom-Poms • Candy Cane • Glue Candy Cane Reindeer: 1. Twist a brown/black pipe cleaner around the top curve of the candy cane, and curve the rest of it to look like antlers.

2. Put one good-sized dab of glue on the end of the curve, and attach a red or black pom-pom to make the nose.

3. Put another dab of glue near the antlers and place two googly eyes, to make the eyes of the reindeer.

You’ve just created a Candy Cane wish for Chelsea!

We would like to thank everyone who helped with this fund, including Mr. L’Heureux, Mrs. DeGroot and Mrs. Taylor. Special thanks to Hanna Chuang, Katie Spengler, Mrs. Chuang and Mrs. Spengler for their help every day after school and during sales, all the other third, fourth and fifth graders who created, sold and bought the reindeer, and lastly, but not least, Mrs. Koncki’s 4th grade class.

These people were all a great help, and we applaud their effort and the success of the Candy Cane Wishes for Chelsea Fund.

To Chelsea – We wish you all the best and hope to see you back in school very soon!

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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7th Grade Day Out: Scrooge and Vivo City

By Celine Kwon, 7th grade RLA student

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n November 27, 336 seventh graders and chaperones boarded buses and left for the DBS Arts Centre to watch Scrooge, a memorable musical that celebrated the end of a great semester. The theater bustled with impatient students eager to watch the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Christmas Carol, which students had been working on in class and modifying scripts to make their own versions. Most students were thrilled about the trip, but for some students it was even more fascinating because it was their very first theatrical experience.

As the theater doors opened, students hastily entered and were seated by home base. Everyone laughed and enjoyed Scrooge’s hilarious “bah-humbug” and all the exhilarating action, catchy songs and captivating characters. Teachers asked students to focus on the characters’ roles in order to apply some of the acting qualities to the skits that we would be presenting in December.

The musical was an hour and forty-five minutes long, but the teachers were very impressed with the overall behavior of the students, including their appropriate responses to the fun, interactive questions by the cast during the show.

After the excitement of the performance, we drove over to the colossal Vivo City mall to collect data for a math scavenger hunt and to have lunch. The math teachers assigned students to groups, which collected their tools (pencils, worksheets and tape measures) from the teachers and set off to work. Students measured places and objects, such as shop sizes, escalator lengths and playground tube circumferences and diameters. In addition to measuring the escalator, students also timed how long it took to go down in order to calculate rate. The scavenger hunt required them to sketch diagrams of shop shapes so that they could use them in a geometry unit during second semester.

Students also had to count and sum up the number of shops and eating places on each level. The girls found data in fashion stores, such as Forever 21 and Rip Curl, while the boys were able to check out Adidas and Nike.

Students hustled to chow down lunch and finish their scavenger hunts! Some students savored fat, juicy, tender burgers at Carl’s Jr. and Burger King. Others selected luscious, healthier choices at chic and modern cafes or restaurants. They also indulged in deserts at Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s or sipped refreshing frappuccinos at Starbucks.

The whole trip was very successful, especially because it was so different from the typical field trips to zoos and museums. All the students really enjoyed the experience and hope that there will be many more field trips like this in the future! Thank you to all the chaperones and teachers who organized such a memorable Christmas event for the 7th grade!

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

y Make My Day. hool Kids, The They

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By Sanuja Bose, Grade 8

Rea lly D

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M

r. Franke Thomas, principal of the Middle School, will complete his third and final year at the Singapore American School on June 6, 2008.

Mr. Thomas, who held the position of vice principal for two years and is currently Middle School principal, will be moving to Aberdeen, Scotland, where he will be a principal once again.

When you were a child, did you ever imagine becoming a principal?

No. When I was a young child, I liked insects, dirt, marbles and running in the woods. We lived in Los Angeles, but we had these fields right next to our house, and I would do the things that little boys do. When I thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wanted to be an eagle. And then, my mom said that I couldn’t be an eagle. [Laughs] But I never thought about being a teacher or a principal until I started working at schools. I taught for 20 years in the classroom in high school, and then I decided, “Gosh, I think I would like to be a principal.” And so, for the last 11 years, I’ve been a principal, and I absolutely love it. I love the kids.

If you could have any job in the world right now, would you choose to be a principal or do something else?

I would choose to be the principal of a middle school because I like middle school kids; they just make my day.

They really do. They’re a big part of my day but I don’t get to work with them nearly as much as I would like to.

Is SAS your first international school?

No, I worked in South Africa in the 1990s.

Is being principal for an international school different from other schools?

Yes and no. A big school is a big school, and kids are kids. Most international schools are small, but I’ve been principal of a school in the States that I think had 840 kids. We have 900 here. I had another one with 740, and another one with just 200. So I’ve been to large schools and a small school, and I prefer a little bit of both. In my next job, I’ll be in a small school.

What is it you like about being a principal?

I think that, as principal, I’m kind of old now, but I’ve been doing this for 31 years, so I understand kids. As an older principal, you understand kids, and you can understand and help them get along. And I think that’s really important. You probably know that I don’t like to sit behind my desk. I’d rather be out there talking with the kids. So, that part I like, but also as principal, you can effect more change at a school, and you can do it faster.

What will you miss most about the Singapore American School?

This eighth grade class. If they were here since sixth grade, I’ve been with them all three years. I’ll miss that.

I won’t miss the school, the structure itself, but I’ll miss the kids, and I’ll miss the teachers. Because they’re a good bunch of folks, they really are. But it’s time for me to move on.

We’ll miss you.

And I will miss this school, I will. Aberdeen will be my last post, and after that I’m going to go back to the farm, and I’ll start raising chickens! [Laughs] SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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Middle School Junior Honor Orchestra Success

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ine candidates and three alternate delegates were chosen from Middle School to represent SAS at the Junior International Honor Orchestra in Belgium from February 21-23. The sixth grade was especially fortunate this year, with four of nine successful candidates (including a co-leader) drawn from this grade level.

The candidates represent all grade levels and violin, viola and cello.

The students will now need to learn the orchestral music to be fully prepared for first rehearsal.

Leadership positions were awarded to sixth grader Yoo Shin Jang (associate concertmaster) and seventh grader Yoon Ku Kang (leader – 2nd violin). Students who were selected include violinists Lillian Fu, Yoo Shin Jang, Yoon Ku Kang, Min Young Kim, Deepti Varathan and Winston Yoo. Violist Geena Chu is joined by cellists Lena

Jung and Lauren Jung. We are hoping that vacancy positions will open for alternate cellist Matthew McDermott and violinists Joo Yeon Oh and Surya Giri.

Knowledge Master Open 2007-08

By Bill Rives

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AS is going into “Knowledge Bowl” in a big way! We are fielding 4 teams: grade 5, grade 6, Middle School (grades 7 and 8) and High School (grades 9 to 12). Since there is a separate “Junior High” competition for Grade 9, we are considering forming this team also.

Worldwide, 3,000 schools and nearly 50,000 students compete. “No mere trivia contest,” Knowledge Master Open places emphasis on versatility, speed and teamwork. Questions draw from history, current events, geography, language, math and science, “all the makings of a complete education.” Knowledge, comprehension, application and analysis are required.

2007 competition held in early December. Sycamore School of Indianapolis, Indiana, placed first.

The High School team, coached

by Bill Rives, finished second in the (admittedly small) international division and in the top 15% overall in the fall contest. Bergen County Academies of Hackensack, New Jersey, won the event.

The grade 5 team, coached by Susan Shaw, will compete in March.The grade 6 team, coached by Jim Haas, competed on January 23 and results will be in shortly.

Sakshi Agarwal, Spencer Anderson, Ishan Gupta, D.J. Hartman, Alex Kim, Helen Knight, Allen Koh, Alex Kua, Connor Liu, Jane Park, Sam Park, Akilesh Pant, Amit Parekh, Abhay Puri, Daksha Rajagopalan, Chris Seet, Victor Seet, Sajan Shah, Ravi Shanmugam, Richie Skill, Nihal Varkey, Vysak Venkateswaran and Vania Zhao formed the HS team.

The Middle School team (grades 7&8) coached by new teacher Ezra Alexander, finished second in the international division and in the top 10% overall in the fall

The next competition is scheduled for April 2008. Can we narrow the gap between us and the likes of Sycamore School and Bergen Academies? Stay posted...

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

Grade 6 KMO Team January 2008

Grade 7 KMO Team Dec 2007

HS KMO Team Dec 2007

To educate and serve…

By Vysak Venkateswaran, Treasurer, Peace Initiative is our primary goal to educate as many underprivileged children as possible with the funds that we raise.

Through education comes self-worth, awareness of life’s opportunities and the ability to take advantage of these alternatives. For many of the children we support, such a chance at education is the counterweight to a life of poverty, hardship and death.

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cudding clouds wheeled over the fertile ground as sheets of rain fell, blotting out the road leading to the school. I noticed no stoic Gurkhas guarding the portal or security checks at the front post. There were no clock towers or manicured gardens, palm tress or vanity road signs. Situated in the middle of the lush agricultural south of Andhra Pradesh, the Malka Children’s Foundation needs no such adornments to emphasize its worth. The way it educates its students says it all.

This was a new experience for me, visiting a school I helped build and support. It was a change, and yet as deeply satisfying as I had expected it to be. Being at the point of action rather than behind the lines is always a refreshing experience. It was in such a way that I discovered the truth of what I do and achieve in Peace Initiative, the High School’s most prominent human rights club. Peace Initiative was founded ten years ago as a satellite of the world’s most prominent human rights organization, Amnesty International. Since Amnesty is not permitted to operate in Singapore, we became Peace Initiative, signifying our unique approach to human rights problems from the very beginning.

We believe, as do all of you devoted parents, that a complete education is a cardinal requirement for success in life. It is for this reason that it

Yet education doesn’t stop at underprivileged children: the second aim of Peace Initiative is to raise awareness at SAS about human rights and their protection, and violation, around the world. We accomplish this through monthly speaker’s corners on critical topics, where students can voice opinions freely in open debate.

Next month the topic will be the U.S. presidential election. This year we held a Human Rights Week at the High School, where there were organized speeches and presentations on human rights, and live music played to large student audiences. The crowning event of the first semester was a slideshow presentation for the entire High School, focusing on “Walls and Borders.” Peace Initiative wishes to tackle human rights issues from all perspectives, for this is the only way in which rights violations can be resolved.

charities. Every year 100% of the profits; usually above S$12,000, are sent to beneficiaries whom we talk with, write to and visit often, as I did with the Malka Children’s Foundation this Christmas.

From Vietnam to Mumbai, Chennai to Africa, Peace Initiative’s work transcends boundaries and barriers, leaving a legacy of lives changed and minds enlightened. As students at the largest and richest international school in the world, we are privileged to enjoy a level of education unimaginable by most first world standards, never mind third world nations. As our parents and guardians you hold a vital stake in the priceless experience that is education, and with your help, Peace Initiative can bring this experience to those who are not as fortunate as we are.

If you are interested in sponsoring or would like to learn more about Peace Initiative and Peace Concert, please email our sponsor, Dr. Roopa Dewan (rdewan@sas.edu.sg). We’ll send you a brochure and other details.

Please contact us before the day of the concert on February 29.

To support these projects and events at SAS and beyond, Peace Initiative stages a Peace Concert every academic year, where local and international bands play for charity to hundreds of students from SAS and other schools in Singapore. Over the last ten years the Peace Concert has become one of the primary events in the local music scene and has helped many aspiring artists gain fame and experience. Of course the core of the Peace Concert is the proceeds, which we divide and send to our more than ten global SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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Leadership Discussion with Superintendent Mutsch

By Diane Laurent, Cub Scout Den Leader

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hat does it take to be a great leader? To fulfill one of their Cub Scout Bear badge requirements, seven boys from Bear Den 2 met with SAS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brent Mutsch to discuss his views on effective leadership.

The meeting began outside the Admissions Office, where Dr. Mutsch took a few minutes to examine the model of the SAS campus with the Scouts. Dr. Mutsch explained that the model is a useful tool for the Admissions Department as it helps to give prospective new families a “bird’s eye view” of the extensive SAS campus. No one was surprised to learn that an average walking tour of the campus takes one hour to complete!

The Scouts easily identified the Central Administration office with its unmistakable concave façade as well as the Intermediate School where they spend the majority of their school day.

In Dr. Mutsch’s office, the meeting continued with a historical perspective on school leadership. Dr. Mutsch is the twelfth school head in the school’s 50-year history.

Originally called Head Master, in later years the title was changed to Superintendent of Schools. The school began 52 years ago in a house with about 100 students and 10 teachers. A black and white photo of the first SAS building hangs outside Dr. Mutsch’s office. Today, the school has grown to a student enrollment of over 3,800 and a teaching staff of 325!

Dr. Mutsch shared his belief that the five SAS core values of honesty, compassion, fairness, respect and responsibility play an important part in a successful leader’s approach to his job responsibilities. He explained that a good leader does not make decisions alone but must consider the input of many people in the school community, among them the Board of Governors, parents, teachers and students. In Dr. Mutsch’s opinion, the biggest challenge one faces as a leader is getting the support of the community. Without it, Dr. Mutsch feels it is very difficult to be effective. Finally, Dr. Mutsch cautioned the Scouts that leaders sometimes need to make unpopular decisions, but that a true leader should always do the right thing for everyone.

Thanks to Dr. Mutsch for sharing his insights on leadership with a few of our community’s future leaders!

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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Inspired in Cebu

By Ahilya Kaul, HS Student Photos by David Norcott, HS Principal

Y

ou step outside to view attractive palm trees and a tantalizing white-sand beach with crystal clear turquoise waters. A short distance north along the sizzling beach is a charming dirt road veering off the stinging sand, where you hear children’s musical laughter and foreign chatter. Soon, you are submerged in swarms of chirping kids as you enter the rusty metal gates of the Maravilla Elementary School. It has one central field, with a few decrepit shacks surrounding it; these shacks include classrooms, a highly basic teacher’s room and a sunlit library building, made possible through contributions from past SAS Superintendent Bob Gross and SAS families.

Upon arrival, the children will sing a welcome song. Quickly following their kind greeting, the children will lead you by the hand to the crumbling brown shack belonging to their grade. The students will eagerly scramble to their seats, shrieking with amusement at the sight of SAS students in uniform.

All day, you will be in the company of children who own nothing but wide grins and the clothes on their backs. Your job description includes entertaining them, teaching them, getting out of your comfort zone, giving frequent hi-5s, interviewing the children, singing to them and reading to them.

Later that evening as the sun is setting on this paradise island, you may sit sipping a Sparkle, your toes skimming the surface of the grainy warm sand under your table and write in your diary of the exhilarating experience of teaching the children. You will surely mention the immense amount of respect you received from each adorable student and the thrill of having 396 chubby faces gazing in awe at you, learning from you and being captivated by your every word.

With Valentine’s Day coming up and the theme of love “in the air” in our minds and in our hearts, we all remember the ones we love and the ones who inspire us to love. The surreal experience described above is one that I have been fortunate to have for the last three years. It is the Wish for Kids service trip in Cebu, Philippines. Last November, seventeen high school students and seven teachers and parents traveled to Cebu to spend Thanksgiving with the beautiful children of the Maravilla Elementary School. Every year since 2003, the high school community service club, Wish for Kids, established by Nanette Ruhter, and co-sponsored by Stacey Jensen and Joseph Thomas, has benefited these underprivileged first to sixth grade students. Middle School seventh graders and their teachers have been significant contributors to the happiness of these children.

Since adopting the literacy project in 2004, they have raised scholarships, sponsoring the education of 396

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

students for two years, provided more than 2,000 picture books which are now housed in the library and donated a 26-inch TV, an appliance which is a rarity in barrio Maravilla.

The SAS students who have the fortunate opportunity to travel to Cebu have the freedom as “teachers” to create their own “lesson guides,” including light-hearted lessons on anything, from reviewing the ABCs through song to identifying countries on a world map for the prize of a comical keychain! We all learn how bright they are, despite a lack of resources and English-speaking teachers. More importantly, we all agree that they are the happiest children in the world, and their love for one another, love for learning and love for us is absolutely inspiring. Junior Priyanka Arya says, “It’s amazing how much the children love to learn – they eagerly pay attention to everything we teach them and try to put their knowledge into practice immediately.

During breaks, many students prefer to remain in their classrooms and practice their reading or writing. You can tell they really value their education, and it is so rewarding to be able to give them the opportunity to better their education.” Priscilla Chan, also a junior, says “These students literally only have the clothes on their backs, but I’ve never met more happy people. It makes me reflect on my own life, because although I have everything, I’m often dissatisfied and wanting more.” The Patterson family, also impacted by the students’ infectious joy, say “Being able to share the happiness those children have despite the few material objects they have made this trip one of the best and most rewarding trips we’ve ever gone on.”

The club members collect and assemble books, clothing, toiletries, educational supplies, toys, etc. and organize them into “care packages,” which we present to the families of Cebu. We also sponsored a dental care mission with the cooperation of the EARCOS two years ago.

While we are in Cebu, it is also tradition to hold a performance in which our students participate, singing or dancing pieces we teach them. Another fun day we organize is one where we buy the kids ice cream, and plan rotations where our students enjoy activities ranging from learning the Macarena and Salsa in the rain to making friendship bracelets. It is always action nonstop!

What touches us most about being in the presence of the children of Cebu is their thirst for knowledge and persistent energy and enthusiasm. Seeing their attitude in school, it is hard to see that they live in one-room houses with virtually no possessions. These unglamorous yet beautiful children teach us to love and be thankful for whatever we have. Junior Emily Brotman says, “I never have been able to see the difference community service makes until I got involved in this project.”

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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Kids Helping Kids!

Second Grade Community Service Project

SAS Scholarship Recipients 2007

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he Singapore American School is proud to be a sponsor of Yayasan Kampung Kids in Jakarta, Indonesia. Last year our grade two team decided to raise scholarship money and heighten the awareness of this organization through a Walk-A-Thon on our campus. It was a huge success and we were proud to be able to contribute a whopping $20,877.10! This enabled us to send 81 underprivileged children to school for one year. In December, Barbara Osterhout and Sarah Farris, two second grade teachers, traveled to Jakarta and visited with Julia Sitepu, the director of Kampung Kids and some of the children and parents. It was a wonderful, heart-warming experience. All those smiles and happy faces were captured in the many photos we snapped. Come rain or shine, second grade teachers, children and parents will soon be putting on their walking shoes for the 2nd Annual Grade Two Walk-A-Thon on April 11. Our SAS second graders continue to walk in the right direction!

Ms. Julia Sitepu, KK’s Administrator Mrs. Osterhout and Ms. Farris with some scholarship recipients

Hugs...

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

Smiles...

Middle Schoolers Earn Praise

By Kaye Bach

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AS seventh graders Cherry Veoun-Amelio and Rathana PenAmelio returned to their hometown of Siem Reap, Cambodia during the winter break to spend time with their Cambodian families. While there, both girls also provided invaluable assistance at Caring for Cambodia’s (CFC) Amelio School – of which they are both graduates.

SAS teachers Kaye Bach and Pat Liew traveled to the Amelio School in early January to provide a week of professional development for a group of CFC kindergarten teachers. Their trip would only have been half as successful without the help of Cherry and Rathana as English to Khmer translators. With their support, the training sessions were a shining success.

Cherry and Rathana have been a part of the SAS community since the start of the 2006–2007 school year. Both girls came to Singapore with limited English, and yet just 18 months later, they were able to play a key role in providing translation during the teacher training sessions. Their job was not restricted to translation either. The girls’ talents for storytelling and singing were in much demand by the kindergarten children. Cherry and Rathana were welcomed into the classrooms each day by eager students and teachers. They provided a beautiful bridge that was necessary to engage SAS trainers, Cambodian teachers and students alike.

Ung Savy, Superintendant of CFC schools, was delighted to welcome Cherry and Rathana back to the Amelio School, as they were able to support him in his role as translator as well. To many at the Amelio School, it was a special joy to watch these two senior students return from Singapore to their home school as volunteers.

SAS teacher trainers would like to acknowledge and thank Cherry and Rathana for their valuable input and commitment to their home community.

Thirty-three contestants submitted entries to the County Fair T-shirt Design and Poster Competition last September. Artwork had to be based on the theme: “Island Hopping at the SAS PTA County Fair.” Choosing a winner proved to be a challenge as there were many talented artists in the pool of contestants. The County Fair 2008 T-Shirt design winner is 8th grade student, Klaudia Ser (pictured in the photo). The four County Fair poster winners are Jane Li - Grade 2, Izak Arwan - Grade 3, Marnfah Kanjanavanit - Grade 8 and Jennifer Name - Grade 8. Three faculty members served as judges: Doug Neihart (HS), Jeff Koltutsky (MS) and Ed Sheerin (IS). The County Fair Committee is very appreciative of the judges’ efforts, and would like to congratulate the winners. A warm thank you goes out to all who took part in the competition. All entries will be displayed along the hallway between the Middle & High School Gyms during the County Fair.

SAS NewsFlash – February 2008

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SAS NewsFlash – February 2008