November 22, 2013

From the desk of your team....


This week has been one of the quietest that we had in school since the beginning of the school year.  We hope  many of you were able to enjoy it.  We all are used to sharing but the joy is all the more when we can bring smiles to the faces of really unknown people.  Parents from the Elementary School are participating in an initiative called "Giving Tree" which has been put up in the ES cafeteria.  Further information about the Giving Tree is below.  There are certain items that cant be really gift wrapped but would still warm the hearts of a lot of people.  We are sharing the email from one of the parent volunteers.  Please refer to the ES Principal Notes for information on this project.

Right after the Thanksgiving holidays we have the PTA meeting on, Tuesday, December 3rd where we showcase our ASA Team and our Theater Team.  We look forward to seeing you all at this last meeting before the Christmas Holidays. 

A Happy Thanksgiving to the community.

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Christmas Giving Tree

The PTA Elementary Grade Level Representatives, Elementary Student Council, and ASA Girl Scouts are sponsoring a Giving Tree to support 180+ students in 5 area orphanages. We are asking for the parent community to support this project and participate with our kids as we move into the holiday season and bring year 2013 to a successful and helpful close. The 5 orphanages our Giving tree will support are Home Of Hope for Boys by the World of Life Church – 49 Kids Assisi Ilam Orphanage – 24 Kids St. Joseph Social Service Center – 40 Kids Seva Samajam Girls Home – 57 Kids Mizpah orphanage – 18 Kids The Gifting tree will be set up on November 20th in the Elementary Cafeteria. 1. Children/parents can take a star off the tree and purchase a small item useful to them. We have included name, age, and gender of recipient on the stars. We are asking for new, non-perishable items only such as a water bottle, a snack box, towels and grooming kits, or toys if the child is very young. The needs are listed on each individual star. A nice gift can be purchased for around 200 Rs. 2. We would like the present to be returned wrapped and with the star attached to the gift (stars will be color coded to indicate which orphanage gift will go to). The gift drop off box will be in the Elementary Library. Thank you to Mr. Jet and the library staff for helping us set up the drop off area in the library. 3. The last day to drop off gifts will be December 11. 4. Gifts will be dropped off to the orphanages roughly between December 15-19, by Parent Gina Makawana and any other interested individuals who would like to help out. Gina will be happy to share delivery date information as time gets closer for anyone still in Chennai at this time who would like to help deliver gifts directly to the children. Please feel free to discuss using this service opportunity with your child's teacher if you would like to incorporate this into your year end celebration or as a class project. For any specific questions, please feel free to contact teacher Pam Thompson, parent Gina Makawana (gina_makawana@yahoo.com), or parent Margaret Rajan (mrprice1@yahoo.com).
Thanks everyone and we look forward to all you support on this project. Also, pls feel free to take as much stars as you want,

Each Orphanage also has items that are "needed" that they have not put into the stars into the Giving Tree. These are items that are necessary items, which were not listed on the Giving Tree. The list, per each Orphanage is listed below. If any family can assist in purchasing these items, please bring them to the ES Library. Collections for these items are being done there.

1. Seva Samajam Girls Home (56 Girls)

  An all girls home with ages from 11 yrs old to 17 yrs old

  They prefer to get school bags or any personal kits for girls (towels, grooming kit)

  The tiffin not needed because their school is near their home, so they come home to eat.

  Also asking for donations for sanitary pads and sanitary kit

 Address is 29 Casa Major Road, Egmore

 Delivery of present Dec 14 at 2:30 pm

2. Assisi Ilam Orpnage (24 kids)

  19 girls and 5 boys ages 7 yrs old to 15 yrs old

  They prefer to get water bottle, tiffin box, school bag and some toys

  Also asking for A4 paper, pens and pencils and chart papers

  Address is at 15 Nethaji Nagar, St.Thomas Mount

  Delivery of presents Dec 15 at 11 am

3. St. Joseph Social Service Center (40 kids)

 25 girls and 15 boys from ages 3 yrs old to 17

 They prefer school bag, tiffin, water bottle and toys for the little ones

 Also asking for A4 paper and sanitary kit (bath soap, toothpaste and tooth brush)

 Address is at 4/92-62 Magazine Road, St. Thomas Mount

 Delivery of presents on Dec 18 at 4 pm

4. Home of Hope for Boys by World of Life Church (49 kids)

  They prefer school bags, tiffin set, cricket bats and sweet treats

  Also asking for stationary supplies

  Address is at Mahabalipuram

  Delivery of presents Dec 15 at 5 pm

5. Mizpah Orphanage (19 kids)

   Boys and girls ages 6 yrs old to 18 yrs old

   They prefer towels, blanket, school bag and tiffin bags

   Also asking for recreational games for orphanage like board games and cricket set

   Address is after Mahabalipuram before Pondicherry

  Delivery of presents Dec 16 

November 15, 2013

From the desk of your team....

Dear Friends,

A big thank you to all the student volunteers who put on the show for the Diwali Mela, all the parents who worked behind the scenes to bring out such a fun-filled event for the community, and to the innumerable hands that came to our assistance in various ways.  It was a true display of how when we work as a team anything is possible. 

After all that hectic activity, we had a quieter week till Wednesday.  O fcourse, there is always something going on at school and we were treated to a wonderful display of theatrical talents by the MS Theater Production -- in fact, their first, and a hilarious show which even 5 and 6 year olds enjoyed.  Some parents were pleasantly surprised when their little ones did not mind the time!!!

During the Town Hall meeting on Thursday, the Head pf School gave us an insight into the Emergency drills conducted in the school regularly as well as Admissions and Recruitment process.  We would highly recommend you to refer to the HOS notes on additional information and get to know what we as parents need to do if we are on campus.  We also had the Middle School and High school student-led conferences these past two days.  The school was really very colorful this week!!  Thanksgiving is approaching very fast and if you are planning a "staycation in Chennai,"  please do refer to the Community Events of this blog for information on a special lunch. 

Until next week!!

PTA Executive Committee

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Counselor News

In the life of international schools it is that time of year when we recognize that some families will be moving on from our school community. For kids as well as moms and dads it is a transition that is both exciting, and one of challenges and fears. Please join our Elementary Counselors Ms. Geetha and Mr. George as they share a presentation specifically designed for families on the move. All parents are welcome whether you are leaving this semester or you just want to be aware of issues surrounding moving with your family.

What: Families On The Move

When: Monday 18 November 2013, 8.45am

Where: Hall of Light

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"1 Ladakh 'one heart' - 10 lenses"

I have the pleasure to invite you all to my next photo exhibition in the Hilton.

Opening is this Saturday November 16th at 11 am.

This time I am exhibiting together with 9 other photographers from around the world including India. We met during a photo trip in Ladakh organized by Traveling Lens (a Chennai based photo-organisation). You probably know some of them.

Proceeds to go to charity.

More detailed information in the attachment.

Upon showing of the invitation you will receive 10% discount in Vasco restaurant during the exhibition.

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Thanksgiving Day Celebration

Thanksgiving is a special American holiday that is traditionally spent with family and friends, thinking about and sharing the things we are thankful for. Most of us here in Chennai are away from our extended families, but we are not without a close community of friends with much to be thankful for. 

With that in mind, I am excited to offer a special time to share in a Thanksgiving Day celebration.

The Westin on Velachery Road is hosting a traditional American Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, November 28th and has agreed to provide a special offer and buffet time for members of AISC. Please plan on arriving between 12:30 and 1:00 to enjoy a welcome drink and visit with friends. We will proceed with the “Carving of the Turkey” at 1:00 pm and open the buffet at that time. This will be a ticketed event and tickets will be on sale before and after school outside the main reception Monday, November 11th through Wednesday, November 20th.

Special Buffet Offer (inclusive of all taxes):

Adult ticket including alcohol – 2200 Rs.

Adult ticket without alcohol – 1800 Rs.

Child ticket ages 6 – 12 years – 900 Rs.

Children 5 years and under are free

Please note the following are included in your ticket price:

1.              Lucky draw with gifts from the hotel including a) Free Room night stay at the Westin for 2 people b) Brunch for 2 adults and 2 kids at Seasonal Tastes c) Dinner for 2 adults and 2 kids at Seasonal Tastes d) Spa Treatments, and more

2.              Kids arts and crafts session, Sony play station, kids play zone, etc.

3.              Complimentary use of the swimming pool from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day for those that wish to come early or stay late

4.              Pre-Packaged “left-over” box including turkey meat with cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy at a very nominal price. (This is my favorite part as I LOVE Thanksgiving Day leftovers!)

Menu highlights include: Roast Turkey, Festive Corn Bread Stuffing, Yams, Fork Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Roast Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, Minted Peas, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, and the buffet will also have American regional specialties.

In addition to their white, red and sparkling wines, the beverage list includes a few Thanksgiving special beverages like Holiday Punch, Hot Buttered Rum, and a Hot Spiced Cranberry/Apple drink.

There are a limited number of tickets available, so please purchase your tickets early.

Kris Bridges

USA Country Coordinator