director@ans.edu.ni / www.ans.edu.ni

August 27^th, 2008

The American Nicaraguan School

Cooperation, Participation, Respect

= We remind parents that Open House is Thursday September

4th  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. We encourage all parents to attend and learn about the ANS community, mission and beliefs. One of our goals this year is to enhance communication between home and school.

= Parents, please take note that all after school activities are

cancelled TODAY, Wednesday 27^th due to Staff Development.

= During today’s professional development day elementary

teachers will participate in different workshops related to two instructional initiatives. One of the workshops will focus on our literacy program. This workshop will be presented by Mrs. Clarisa Leal our Reading Coach. The other workshop will be presented by representatives from Pearson Education. It will train the teachers on our new handwriting program.

= Please check the Elementary School web page for the latest

updates and information. You will find site updates and new pictures there.

= The Elementary Parent–Student Handbook was given out to

students this past Friday, August 22. If you have not received a copy or need any clarification on the Handbook, please contact the elementary office to 278–5013 or elementary@ans.edu.ni. Make sure you return the signature page to your child’s teacher no later than August 29.

= We encourage Middle School parents to visit their

children’s teachers during Open House which will be held on September 4. This is a great opportunity not only to meet them in person, but also to learn about specifics of each class.

= Sixth grade students participated in a discussion ses-

sion about bullying with Ms. Morales, our Middle School Counselor, where emphasis was made on CPR: Cooperation, Participation, and Respect.

= The 8^th grade Spanish teacher, Ms. Myriam Rojo,

participated in the V Symposium on Nicaraguan Language and Literature, which took place on Thursday and Friday of last week at UNAN Managua. She presented in the area of Teaching Language and Literature. Congratulations!

= Eight students are preparing to attend the AASCA

Leadership Conference in Antigua, Guatemala. This annual event provides participants with opportunities to consider ways to take on greater leadership in their schools and in their communities.

= Today, ANS teachers are participating in profes-

sional development activities designed to improve the quality of instruction at the American Nicaraguan School. ANS is committed to continuous improvement and its professional development program is an important part of that commitment.

= On August 29, Secondary students will vote for their

grade level representatives. These elected officers work to organize grade level community service projects and also plan activities to bolster school spirit. Class elections are an important part of the ANS mission’s commitment to democratic values.

= We remind parents that after school practices are cancelled

for today due to Staff Development. They resume tomorrow.

= For today’s Staff Development, the whole PE staff, which

also includes after-school coaches, will receive a workshop on “Prevention, management and treatment of the most frequent injures in athletes.” We are confident that this information will  be of great benefit to our students and teachers. Dr. Angel Montenegro Mallona will be the presenter at the conference.

= On Thursday, September 4, during the Open House, parents

will be able to reach the PE teachers at our fantastic New Athletic Covered Area (CAA). We invite everyone to come down and see the area where our children receive their PE classes. A slide show of the building sequence of the CAA (18 months of work, 120 slides) will be displayed.

= We are very proud to share with the community that student

participation in PE classes is practically 100%. We thank parents for the constant support. Students who, for one reason or another, don’t bring the PE uniform for PE class are also actively involved by walking around the playing area. This way the number of “sitting” students during PE classes has dramatically decreased.

= Many ANS students have chosen to study in Taiwan. They

are enrolled in engineering, business, and language programs. Jorge Bonilla, Class of 2007, returned to campus Friday, August 22^nd to share his experiences. He spoke with Ms. Jun’s Chinese class as well as interested seniors.Ms. Su Jin Chang ’04, currently studying at the University of British Columbia, Canada, shared her experiences with interested seniors Monday afternoon, August 25^th.

= October 4 is the first SAT Exam for the Class of 2009.

Please make sure your senior son or daughter registers by the September 9 deadline.

= UNIVERSITY VISITS:

September 1^st: Mr. Ruben Medina from the University of Notre Dame -7:00-8:30pm

September 1^st: Ms. Fatma Elfaghi from Loyola University-New Orleans

September 5^th: Tecnologico de Monterrey – Mexico

For further information, please contact Mrs. Vaughan 278-0029 x41 or rsmithvaughan@ans.edu.ni.

= The 2008 CIS Tour will be on campus September 23. Rep-

resentatives from 30 U.S. Universities will be in our new GYM from 1:30–3 pm to speak with interested students and their parents.  Many of these admission representatives will present workshops from 3:30–4 pm. To attend one of the following sessions, students and their parents are encouraged to sign up in Student Services at 278-0028 ext 41 or    rsmithvaughan@ans.edu.ni: 1-3 pm Seniors and their parents; 1:30-3 pm Juniors and their parents; 2-3 pm ANS Community and Nicaraguan Community and their parents; 3:30-4 pm attend one of these workshops: “9^th-11^th Grade How to Prepare for U.S. Universities, ” “The University Essay,” “The Admissions Selection Process,” “Athletic Scholarships in the U.S. University System.”

ANS BOARD ELECTIONS

Attached please find information on the candidates and a description of the voting procedures. Elections will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008.

= The Weekly Bulletin is posted on the ANS webpage   

(http://www.ans.edu.ni) before noon every Wednesday and 750  copies are distributed at dismissal time. If you wish to receive the Weekly Bulletin via e-mail, please send request to technology@ans.edu.ni.

= Yearbook pictures for 2008-09 will be taken the week of

September 1^st. A flyer with  additional information and photo packages prices has been sent home. It is also available on ANS webpage or at the Cashiers Office. The schedule is as follows: Grades K3-K5 & 2, September 1; Grades 3-6, September 2; Grades 7-10, September 3; Grade 11, September 4; Grade 1, September 5. Seniors are also scheduled on September 5, Senior boys from 7:30 to 9 am, and Senior Girls from 3 to 5 pm. Boys need a white collar shirt and tie to go underneath the graduation gown. Girls, a cap and gown will be provided.