Issue #9: October 10, 2024
Issue #9: October 10, 2024
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Dr. Jeff Wilusz
Good Afternoon
The initial feedback we received from the parents/teachers was overwhelmingly positive and we thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. While the next set of PTC’s aren’t until February, we strongly encourage you to keep the lines of communication open and periodically check in with teachers so that you have a better understanding for where your son/daughter stands in their learning.
Grades 9-11 PSAT Testing - ACS will once again provide the opportunity for students in grades 9-11 to take the PSAT on October 29. This test allows students to get an idea of where they stand in a variety of subject areas and acts as great practice for future standardized tests.
NGO Fair - The NGO Fair is an annual event dedicated to fostering connections and empowering students to embark on their Service Learning journeys. The fair brings together a diverse range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community partners from various fields, providing students with the unique opportunity to explore and engage with causes that resonate with their passions and values. We will be hosting 12-14 NGOs and community partners on October 29th to present to our students and teachers.
SPOOKTACULAR! - OPEN CALL for PERFORMERS - The following message was pushed out to students this week. If you have a son/daughter who would be interested, please give them a little nudge for us!:
Do you enjoy practicing and participating in the arts? Do you enjoy dancing with your friends, playing music, or acting in drama skits? Do you like to tell jokes, read poetry, or enjoy singing your favorite Karaoke songs? Do you like to create visual art in front of an audience? Mr. Kennedy (Mr.K) and the Spooktacular team have an opportunity for you (and your friends) to perform for our Nov. 2nd Spooktacular! ALL AGES AND ALL STYLES ARE WELCOME TO AUDITION!
Performances can be almost anything. Get creative, let go of your fear, and let your light shine. We want you to help us make the best Spooktacular ACS has ever seen!
Any interested students, please email Mr. K or come to room 38 next to the theater for more information.
HS Assessment Week - We wanted to inform you about some changes regarding the end-of-semester school week at the high school based on valuable feedback from both our students and teachers.
This year, the high school will be implementing an assessment week during the final week of classes. During this time, students will have school from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Tuesday). The focus will primarily be on end-of-unit assessments for two classes each day.
We believe this system provides a more focused and productive environment for our students as they wrap up the academic semester.
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Collings
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Collings
It was a pleasure seeing so many of you at Parent/ Teacher Conferences. Students by and large have been working hard, managing their time, and extending themselves with extra-curricular activities. We hope that during this well-deserved break, students can get some rest and relaxation, and connect with their families and friends. Have a wonderful break!
All seniors’ families are reminded to submit the CSS profile to US universities that require it for financial aid. Also, the following came into Ms.Kurdi’s inbox from UC San Diego and is a good reminder for all US citizens regarding their applications: “The Department of Education has delayed the release of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to December 1, 2024. This delay provides extra time for students to gather necessary documents and ensure a smooth application process once the form becomes available. Students and families are encouraged to prepare early. Mixed-status families, in particular, should consider starting the process to obtain their FSA-ID now, as it is required to complete the FAFSA.”
Juniors will do some college-related activities in the second half of October as they approach the more intense college application prep in the second semester. Juniors’ parents will also be invited to the first of a series of presentations at the beginning of November - the first will be general, with more targeted sessions in the second semester. More information to follow after the holiday!
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
Congratulations, Class of 2025! The acceptances are already coming in! Woohooo!!
We hosted two virtual visits this week: one with Savannah College of Art and Design addressing Creative Careers, and the other with Ecole Polytechnique in Paris to address their English taught programs. We also hosted an in person visit from the University of Greenwich and University of Brighton in the UK. These sessions can be really helpful to students as they approach university applications in general, so we press upon our high school students to take advantage of these great opportunities and to connect directly with universities. Ms. Kurdi also met with all seniors, and all families should’ve received an email from their student with an update on their college application process so far.
University Visits
University Visits
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/Activities Announcements: (Jacob “Chip” Nielsen)
Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Jacob “Chip” Nielsen)
Athletics and Activities website- This is our central hub for athletics and activities information
Upcoming
Thursday, October 3rd U14 Boys Football/Soccer
NES (A) at ACS (A) @ 4pm
NES (B) at ACS (B) @ 5pm
Saturday, October 5th
U18 Girls Volleyball ICS at ACS @ 12pm
U14 Girls and Boys Volleyball ICS at ACS @ 2pm (split court)
U14 Girls Football/Soccer ACS at ABS @ 12:30pm
U14 Boys Football/Soccer ACS at ABS @ 12:30pm (Both A and B teams)
Monday, October 7th U18 Volleyball
U18 Boys: ACS at MIS @ 5pm
U18 Girls: MIS at ACS @ 5pm
Thursday, October 10th- There are no athletics or afterschool activities due to Parent-Teacher Conferences
Busing
If your HS child receives ACS busing transportation, they are also eligible for the HS Activities late bus which departs @ 4:45pm. 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.
Important Dates & Quick Links
Important Dates & Quick Links
Mark Your Calendars
Mark Your Calendars
Oct. 11-19 - Fall Break
Oct 24-26 - SAISA Season 1
Oct 29 - Online PSAT (9-11)
Senior Cap/Gown Yearbook Photos
NGO Fair
Quick Links
Quick Links
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.
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