Zimplicity!

I’m happy to announce that we have received our final authorization to offer three key programs of the International Baccalaureate (IB).  We’ll be having celebrations and a more fundamental launch of this achievement in short order, but it was nice to have a mini-celebration this morning and thank our two key coordinators, Miranda Rose and Elizabeth Swanson, for their efforts driving this change, along with their administrators and amazing faculty, to add the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme to our existing Diploma Programme.  Details about schools that offer at least three out of the four available IB programs can be found by clicking on the new logo below that will appear soon on our website:IB as a framework will now be our structure for learning and pedagogy going forward.  It’s legitimately already in place and providing for wonderful learning experiences for our students of all ages.  While we will update and refine our standards and curriculum, the framework through which instruction is delivered is now guided by the practices we have adopted.  This is exciting for the students of ASW, because the scaffolding of learning will build with each successive program around key goals, linked in powerful ways to our own adopted Core Values.  Many thanks to all who have helped us this far and who continue to participate in this journey each day!!

A Sad Note

Please see the message below from Upper School Principal, Mr. Sheehan, regarding the loss of a past student who was at ASW from 2010 to 2017.  I know you join me in keeping the Seidel family in your thoughts and prayers.

For this Thanksgiving (and I know not all will celebrate this, or some may have already celebrated this), may I offer a poem of my own hand, inspired by the brilliant voices on stage and the memories of our music and themes from both our band and choir concerts recently:

Blue skies, crumpled leaves, and blustery winds
Wrapped around the cobbled bricks of buildings intertwined.

Voices fill the spaces with earnest thought
And wide eyed curiosity hanging from the moments
Strung together through themes and provocations
Day upon day, minute upon minute.

But, on this day, voices can be heard in the heart of the connected spaces drawing us to a crowded gathering.
A unison of message and mind
Reflections on a bygone era
Cautious…
Respectful…
Earnest…
A chorus that captures ten decades
In the smiling faces of musical accomplishment.

For one evening we are a single voice of memory,
Performers and Audience together.
Let the song have no ending.
Look back to look forward,
As a mirror embraces the eye.
Never forget!
Love, Learn, Live, Life
Let us be thankful and embrace our becoming!

Thanks for your indulgence and thanks to all the students and staff responsible for these concerts and their inspiration.  Wishing blessings to all of you and my thanks for all that you do each day to embrace our partnership in service to the students we share.

Additional details on Measles case:

• Some erroneously thought the affected staff member was still at school.  Of course not…
• Some thought that we had policy that requires immunization – no.  While immunizations are encouraged and recorded as part of the admissions process, parents can choose not to vaccinate on the basis of personal/religious objections.  This is consistent with law and the law in most countries.  This also applies to staff.
• We do require that all new staff present health certificates that qualify them for employment.  This is standard practice under labor law.  That same law does not allow restricting employment on the basis of vaccination, nor does it allow us to require immunization.
• Our records show only a small number of students currently lack the MMR vaccine – less than 10.  They have been contacted.
• There is much press and government advice on the recent regional Measles outbreak.  Suggest you click HERE for the recent government information on the topic.

Hope that helps!

Just some reminders about daily things that we should all be checking and making sure we help others to monitor and manage:

Parking

Reminder to follow all of our parking rules here at ASW.  You can get a complete guide at the front security desk at any time, but here are the things to remember:

• There is no parking in yellow zones throughout the parking lot.  Drivers may not leave their vehicles when waiting in a yellow zone and must be prepared to move as directed.  Yellow curbs should never be crossed by vehicles and it is strictly prohibited to park on top of or adjacent to yellow areas.
• Park properly in your spot between the provided lines.  We know that these are tight for larger vehicles and it requires care and caution to make sure we are maximizing the space being used.  We always have overflow parking outside the back entrance to the school along the entry road on both sides.
• Watch your speeds in the parking lot and keep them to a minimum for safety.  Students may emerge from between parked vehicles, so keep a watchful eye at all times.

Security & Safety

• Parents and other visitors must wear badges at all times on campus.  Please make sure it is visible to students and staff.
• Don’t forget to swipe your badge at the entrance as a walker or from your vehicle as you enter the campus.  Be sure to swipe the same badge on the way out as well.
• Make sure students are wearing reflective clothing in the winter to increase visibility.
• Make sure your contact information is updated in PowerSchool, particularly your mobile numbers for emergency communication.  You can click here to make changes after login: 

Other Items

• Please make sure you are helping to keep our cafeteria clean after hours.  After 4:30p each day, you must clean up after yourself and make sure that dishes get returned to the racks near the cafeteria cashier stations.  We all need to help make sure that garbage is cleaned up after the cafeteria has closed for the day.
• At this time of year we sometimes experience some small creatures making their way into the school from the surrounding fields and wooded areas.  As temperatures fall, they sometimes find their way into the building.  We’ve had two reports, one in a classroom and one in the cafeteria, so we have followed our protocol and have brought in our contract specialists who work to make sure we address the problem.  This happens each year when the temperatures start to fall along with the leaves outside.  Please report any sightings to our Facilities Team near the Business Office so that they can address any issues immediately.

Remember that we have a MS/HS Choir Concert next week on the 20th.  We had a wonderful Band Concert recently and they also joined us for some wonderful Pep Band style music last weekend.  Now time to have our voices take the stage next week starting at 6:00 p.m.  Please try to join us!

Finally, please consider helping PTO as a volunteer during their upcoming Book Fair!  Thanks to all who have already signed up!! A few spots are still available for helpers on each day.  Click below to sign-up for any or all of the days available:

• November 19
• November 20
• November 21

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Fall Break and are refreshed and ready for all the activities that lie ahead during one of the busiest times of the year, the span between Fall Break and the Winter Holidays.

Thank you!

I wanted to thank everyone in the broader community for their thoughts and support during a difficult time for me and my family.  I just returned to Warsaw today after helping my mother endure surgery that was necessary due to a recent fall.  Surgery went very well earlier this week and she is resting now and moving to a rehabilitation center later this week.  I’m very happy to be home with my family and community.  Helping your parents during the sunset years is often daunting and I know many who have shared similar experiences with me.  Being caretakers is at the core of family and whether we are parents caring for children or adults caring for our parents, the importance of the family bond remains the same – one of love, compassion, and support without limit.  Give everyone in your family a big hug tonight!  I know I will!

Open House

Our amazing Admissions Office is preparing for their first Open House of the school year on November 15th at 10:00 a.m.  If you know of anyone who is considering applying to join ASW, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to get to know the school and learn more about the programs that we offer.  Please encourage them to attend.  Have them contact the Admissions Department at admissions@aswarsaw.org in order to RSVP in advance.

New and Aspiring Board Member Training

A reminder to mark your calendars for the first session this year of the New and Aspiring Board Member training.  Like last year, I’ll be leading a session on School and non-profit board membership. If you have an interest in a position on the ASW board, as a leader in PTO, or if you are looking to serve on other non-profit boards in the future, this training will help provide some of the key understandings associated with good governance in a non-profit setting.  The content of this training has been expanded to also include insights into ASW specifically.  We’ll explore selected ASW Board documents and will give some insight into ASW structures and policy.  Our first session will take place as follows:

Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

If you would like to participate, you can still sign up by clicking here:

https://goo.gl/forms/jjbOVFp059k9HLcg1