director@ans.edu.ni / www.ans.edu.ni - August 13^th, 2008

The American-Nicaraguan School

Cooperation, Participation, Respect

ANS school uniforms are available at the following stores: La Casa del Uniforme (Colegio Teresiano 15 mts. East), Tricotextil (Metrocentro), Nicatex (across from Colegio Pedagogico), and Tatami Shop (Enitel Central 300 mts. South, right-hand side).

= During the preparation days last week, the Elementary

School faculty and staff came up with our theme for the year. This year's theme is: PRIDE (Promote the Respect of Individual Differences in Everyone). This theme will guide our efforts as we work towards a very successful year for students, parents, teachers, and staff.

= We are in the process of developing a phone tree to be

used in case of major emergencies. If there have been any changes in your emergency contact information and/or your personal phone number, please inform the Elementary Office as soon as possible.

= Items that need to be delivered to students during the

school day must be dropped off at the Elementary School Office.

= The Middle School Coordinator, Mr. Rodolfo

Narvaez, met with the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students in the Ossi Room on Monday to give them a warm welcome back to school and general orientation about the new school year.

= The Middle School web page has been updated.

On this page, students and parents have access to general information about each grade level: events, teachers, teacher email, and much more.

= We remind middle school parents that at dis-

missal they must pick up their kids at the designated area in order to avoid any interruption or distraction in the classrooms.

= After-School Help Sessions are being offered

every Tuesday and Thursday, from 2:10 until 2:45 pm. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these sessions to obtain more personalized attention.

= Parents and students are reminded to check the

grade-specific assessment calendars which can be accessed from the ANS website. All major assessments (those accounting for 10% or more of the quarter grade) appear there. The assessment calendars provide a critical tool for managing time and studying effectively.

= High School students interested in joining a

community service group should check the daily bulletin or drop by the High School Office to check on the various opportunities available and to find out which faculty sponsor is assigned to each group. Providing service to the local community is one of the cornerstones of the ANS Mission.

= The deadline for students to drop AP classes is

on Friday, August 15. After this date, students will be locked into their schedules.

= Our students can’t wait until Monday, August 25, when

the Extracurricular Athletic program starts. The deadline to register is Friday, August 15. Forms are available in all offices and can also be downloaded from our webpage.

= We remind parents and students that for PE classes we

will continue enforcing the uniform policy, which means that students are deducted points and are not permitted to participate when they don’t bring the official PE T-shirt,  green shorts or green sweat pants, and athletic footwear.

= The new ANS Covered Athletic Area (CAA) was inau-

gurated last Friday. MS and HS students are already using it and enjoying one of the best sports facilities in the country. To reduce your children’s risk of having knee or ankle injuries, the playing surface has been covered with a synthetic material that needs special care. For that reason all the students MUST WEAR GYM SHOES with soles that don’t leave marks on the floor. Please call 278-0029 ext. 17 or e-mail oortiz@ans.edu.ni if you have any questions.

= Representatives from Cesar Ritz Colleges were

on campus today visiting with our interested Seniors.

= Would your Senior son or daughter like to repre-

sent ANS as a Student Ambassador? Representatives from 30 U.S. universities will be visiting our campus September 23; two Senior Ambassadors are needed to assist each university representative. Please ask your son or daughter to research the schools and sign up in Student Services if they are interested. The list of universities may be found posted around the campus as well as in the Student Services Office.

ANS BOARD ELECTIONS

Attached is the second notice on elections for the ANS Board and Vote Counting Committee. Those interested in running as candidates for vacancies must apply by no later than 2:30 pm, Monday, August 18, 2008. Elections will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008.

ANS communicates with parents and students via e-mail. It is vital that we keep your address up-to-date. Please e-mail technology@ans.edu.ni with your child/children’s name, grade level/s and e-mail address where you wish to receive school information. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Library staff wants to welcome you to a new school year. We would also like to invite you to come by the Library and take advantage of our resources. The Library opens Monday through Thursday, from 6:50 am to 3:30 pm, and on Fridays, from 6:50 am to 2:25 pm. We are here to assist you with any questions or suggestions you might have. We hope to see you soon!  

The PTO Board members congratulate the School and its new Director, Mr. Stan Key, for the grand inauguration of the Covered Athletic Area and sincerely thank all parents whose support at various events made possible the donation of US$11,000 for the audio system in this new facility.