Dr. Jeff Wilusz
Good Afternoon
The week has been busy with individual-scheduling conferences, planning, and looking towards the future. We appreciate your part in these conversations, as many of our students have gone over their plans with you prior to meeting with us, and it has made a massive difference. As a reminder, the following dates are set for our course selections:
February 3rd @ 8:00 a.m. - 11th Graders
February 5th @ 8:00 a.m. - 10th Graders
February 4th @ 11:00 a.m. - 9th Graders
NESA Winter ETI
This past weekend, a batch of High School Teachers attended the NESA Winter Educators Institute to continue engaging in conversations about grading/reporting/assessment design. The team worked with Tom Schimmer to explore "Standards-Based Learning in Action: Moving from Theory to Practice," with a focus on "Competency Learning." These sessions help our school as we continue to refine our own practices and allow us to see how we can continue to provide a system that is based on educational research of best practice, while also focusing on improving learning.
Compassion Summit
Another year, another successful Compassion Summit was hosted by ACS and the Compassion Club. This event brought together students from various regions and with diverse backgrounds. I want to express my gratitude to HS participants Diala, Sally, Jason, Iman, Shex, Chris, and Jennifer and a special acknowledgment to Mo for their exceptional efforts in making this event a success.
The Compassion Club's commitment to creating opportunities for our students to develop valuable skills aligns perfectly with our goal of nurturing global citizens. The event not only provided a platform for our students to engage in meaningful activities but also contributed to their personal and academic growth.
It's crucial to recognize that the impact of these events extends far beyond the immediate experience. The skills our students acquire during such gatherings will undoubtedly benefit not only their personal development but also their respective communities in the long run.
We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team in the Compassion Club, and I want to thank each member for their tireless efforts.
Thank you to those parents who were able to join us on Tuesday for the Course Selection Parent Meeting. Students have been busy considering the plethora of course options available to them next year. All students in grades nine through eleven have received information about the course selection process and students in grades nine and ten drafted their 4 year plans during Flex. Over the next few weeks, students are encouraged to talk with their parents and teachers about recommendations regarding courses for next year, as well as thoroughly review the Program of Studies. Additionally, students have been invited for individual meetings with an administrator or counselor to review their course selections and ask questions; Students have been busy considering the plethora of course options available to them next year. All students in grades nine through eleven have received information about the course selection process and students in grades nine and ten drafted their 4 year plans during Flex. Over the next few weeks, students are encouraged to talk with their parents and teachers about recommendations regarding courses for next year, as well as thoroughly review the Program of Studies. Additionally, students have been invited for individual meetings with an administrator or counselor to review their course selections and ask questions; students in grade 9 will meet with Mr Wilusz, students in grade 10 will meet with Ms Collings, and students in grade 11 will meet with Ms Kurdi. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, or to have a discussion regarding your student’s course choices.
Seniors who are US citizens are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA. Lots of online videos and resources are available to guide students and parents through the process.
You’re encouraged to visit our College Counseling website where some highlights are:
* Scholarships and Competitions
* In a Nutshell
Got more college questions? Ask Ms. Kurdi directly (rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo), or schedule a meeting by emailing Ms. Ellen (ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo).
Our HS Counseling Team is:
Ms. Ruba Kurdi: College Counselor rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo
Ms. Christine Collings: HS Counselor ccollings@acsamman.edu.jo
Ms. Ellen Hindeleh: Administrative Assistant ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo
Our seniors are proud and excited as their college offers and acceptances continue to roll in. And we couldn’t be more proud! Go Class of 2025!!
Here are the dates and registration deadlines for the upcoming SAT test for those who are planning on taking the tests. Please note that there is no late registration.
SAT registration link: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/international
School Code: 54202
ACS Amman is the testing center and will not show up in the drop-down list. You must enter our code, 54202, in order to select our school as a testing center.
Athletics and Activities website- This is our central hub for athletics and activities information
NEW Calendar!!! https://sites.google.com/acsamman.edu.jo/activities/calendars
SAISA Invitational Tennis
Will be traveling to Chennai, India next week for the Tennis Championships. This past week, they showed their cards which were full of “Aces” as they had a friendly with AAC sister school King’s Academy.
Busing
If your HS child receives ACS busing transportation, they are also eligible for the HS Activities late bus which departs @ 4:45 pm. Please see the Athletics and Activities page for more information.
Medical
Be sure to update your child’s medical information with the Health Office (Nurse Hiyam) and in PowerSchool.
SAISA Opportunity
Join us for Chroma of Culture in Nepal—just a few spots left! Experience an unforgettable adventure while staying at the Hyatt in Kathmandu. Complete the interest form now to secure your place!
Jan 30 - Report Cards Posted @ 4:00 p.m.
Feb 4-7 - Grade 5-12 Production: Matilda
Feb 6-8 - SAISA Invitational - Tennis (Chennai)
Feb 9-13 - Yearbook Makeup Photos
Feb 13-15 - SAISA Boys Basketball / SAISA Track & Field / SAISA Girls Soccer
The HS Weekly Update is sent out to students each weekend and updated daily. Feel free to bookmark the link so that you can see what is going on in the HS from the students' perspective.
Help Navigating PowerSchool - The How to View Grades from Parent Portal is a quick reference to help guide you through the intricacies of PowerSchool. As always, if you notice something “off” or have questions, please reach out to teachers after speaking through it with your child(ren) and they can help.
HS Learning Series - The HS Learning Series folder contains each session that we conduct throughout the school year. Please feel free to access it at your convenience. We will also keep the feedback form live so that you can provide us with information on what you would like to learn/see at upcoming sessions.
Please find the HS PS Tutorial 24/25 recording to give you a quick guide to help you navigate PowerSchool and generate some fruitful conversations at home.