Dr. Jeff Wilusz
Good Afternoon
Since August, our high school staff has been actively engaged in refining our assessment practices to better support student learning. One of the key elements of this work has been the development of assessment maps for each course—an intentional process that ensures students have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning over the course of the semester.
As Tom Shimmer emphasizes in his research on assessment design, “assessment is not an event but a process,” meaning that students benefit most when they receive ongoing opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. This aligns with our commitment to providing a learning environment where assessments are not just a measure of what students know at a single point in time, but a tool for growth and development.
Additionally, Shimmer reinforces the importance of planning assessments with purpose, stating that “assessment mapping ensures clarity for both teachers and students, helping to align expectations and create a pathway for success.” By carefully mapping out assessments, our teachers have designed learning experiences that not only evaluate progress but also guide students toward deeper understanding and mastery of key competencies.
At the heart of this work is our belief that strong assessment practices promote learning—and it is learning, not just grades, that leads to the development of transferable skills essential for success beyond high school. We appreciate your ongoing support as we continue to refine our practices in service of our students.
HS Learning Series - Adjustment
Due to the Ramadan schedule, we will be posting a screencast of our next HS Learning Series (Accurate Interpretation) that will be made available on March 24th. Please feel free to view at your convenience.
The Student Council is looking for performers for the Cultural Carnival April 15th This is a wonderful performance opportunity for you (and your friends) to celebrate diversity through the performing arts! Please see the flyer and scan the QR code for more information.
Juniors have started the process of requesting recommendations from their teachers this week. The college application process is full of details, and we will all work together to complete tasks one by one according to a tried and tested timeline. Last week, juniors took a close look at creating a balanced college list, and in the coming weeks, they will be in smaller groups that look at factors that affect their decisions according to different destinations and programs. Keep up the great work, juniors!
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
All parents are invited to attend when we have university representatives visiting us!
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
Session 3 ASA’s and Athletics
Commitments for SAISA Travel Due March 16th
ASA’s start March 10- May 8th
SAISA Boys Soccer (Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays)
SAISA Badminton (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday)
SAISA Girls Basketball (Start date Feb. 24th continuation. If you want to start, please see Mr. Chip before Monday so we can add you) Mon, Tues, Wed
AAC Track and Field (open in PowerSchool: Start date March 17th)
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.
Mar 15 - Service Saturday
Mar 20 - HS Community Iftar
Mar 24 - HS Learning Series - Accurate Interpretation
Mar 28 - Apr 5 - Eid/Spring Break
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.