Issue #34: April 29, 2026

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From the Principal

Dr. Jeff Wilusz

As we head into our last three-day weekend of the school year, we find ourselves in that familiar May rhythm, simultaneously sprinting and crawling toward the finish line. This week served as a reminder that school is about so much more than just academics; it is about community, culture, and the "heart and hustle" that bring our campus to life. Recently, in conversation with my Cohort kids, we revisited the age-old debate of quantity versus quality in learning. We explored the idea of what might happen if we prioritized depth over breadth, and whether immersing ourselves deeply in a few pursuits might prove more rewarding than racing through a crowded schedule. While we didn’t arrive at a definitive answer, we recognized that a lighter schedule, though it may seem sparse, often offers far greater enrichment for both the mind and one’s sanity.

We saw this philosophy of meaningful engagement in action throughout our recent campus events. On Monday, our World Languages team (Arabic, French, and Spanish) presented a vibrant showcase of their skills and the cultural importance of their respective languages. This was followed by Tuesday’s AP Exhibition, where students granted the public access to the impressive portfolios they have spent the entire year meticulously crafting. To cap off the week, our seniors are "locking in" tonight! From dusk till dawn, the Class of 2026 will be on campus playing games and enjoying one of their final opportunities to simply be together. These landmark memories wouldn’t exist without the dedication of Ms. Sulieman, Ms. Kamal, Ms. Abi Faris, Mr. McCoy, Ms. Mackenzie, Ms. Iman, and the many staff members who worked behind the scenes. As the year draws to a close, it is a perfect time to reflect and perhaps nudge our students toward the daily and long-term pursuits that genuinely foster growth and fulfillment.

Attendance During AP Exams - AP attendance Procedures will be shared with students early next week and we wanted to ensure you all got to see what the expectations were communicated out to students. Please note, students will have a supervised space to be in the event that they choose to stay at school throughout the duration of the regular day:

You are allowed time out of class to prepare for AP exams. This preparation needs to take place off of campus. You may not leave class and remain on campus.

For morning exams

You can take your study leave the day before the test starting at 11:40 (Tuesday at 11:35)

1 - Go to the class you were scheduled to go to and inform them that you have a test the next day and you will be taking AP study leave.

2 - Check out with the HS office

For afternoon exams

You can take your study leave the morning before your test. You need to be at school in time to take your exam. Please check in the HS office when you arrive.

Seniors last day of school is May 14, so the following pertains to 11th and 10th grade students

Attending AP classes after the AP exam weeks are completed:

Work in AP classes will stop after the date of the AP Exam. These will become study hall periods.
You will be able to leave school if your AP class(es) take place at the end of the day. To do this you will need to go to your AP class and get a blue pass from the teacher. This will allow you to leave campus. (Teachers will enter APT into PowerSchool for any student they hand a pass to)
- If you have two AP classes back to back you can leave at the start of the first one.
- If you have a study hall adjacent to an AP class you do not have to attend study hall
- You may leave at lunch if your AP class is after lunch
- On Tuesdays, depending on our schedule you may leave at the following times: 11:20 (Adjacent to SH) or 1:15.
- If your day starts with an AP class you may arrive at the start of your first non-AP class. When you arrive at school please check in at the HS or Counseling Office.

Spring Concert - ACS Families are cordially invited to an evening of music and talent at our annual Spring Music Concert.

Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Venue: ACS Theatre
Admission: Free

Performances are an essential part of the learning process in the Performing Arts. By attending, you are not only enjoying a wonderful evening of music but also providing our students with an authentic performance experience and a supportive audience. We look forward to celebrating their hard work and artistry with you!

ACS Book Talks - The Learning Commons invites you to watch the following:

HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Touchton-Leonard

College Counseling Program

Juniors

A big thank you to all the parents who joined us for our session on Canadian applications! It was wonderful to see you and engage with your thoughtful questions.

As we continue to map out the road ahead, we have two destination-specific sessions remaining. If your student is considering the US, UK, or Europe, please join us via the links below:

US applications: Sunday, May 3th at 4pm https://meet.google.com/rrq-jpsz-yje

UK & Europe applications: Tuesday, May 5th at 4pm https://meet.google.com/tec-rpbh-wsn

Personalized Planning - While these sessions cover the broad regional requirements, the best way to dive into your student's unique journey is through individual parent meetings. I encourage you to schedule a time with me so we can develop a personalized plan tailored to your junior’s specific goals.

Seniors

For the Class of 2026, the finish line is in sight. While many are busy making their final enrollment decisions, others are eagerly awaiting those last few notifications. Seniors started filling out their College Counseling Check-Out Forms, which are due by May7th. With only a few weeks left in their high school careers, we want them to be mindful and reflective. We are incredibly proud of our graduates’ hard work and can’t wait to celebrate their successes!

All students and parents are reminded that they are always welcome to schedule counselor meetings. Grades 9&10 parents with Ms. Kate (ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo) and Grades 11&12 with Ms. Kurdi (rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo)

Social/Emotional Counseling Program

Counselor’s Corner: Navigating Transitions and the Final Stretch

As we wrap up this short final week of April, the reality of the end of the school year is beginning to set in. It is a time of mixed emotions: the intensity of final exams, the excitement of upcoming milestones, and the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye.

Finishing Strong: AP Exams

For many of our students, the academic "sprint" begins next week with the start of AP Exams. We know how much effort has gone into preparing for these assessments, especially given the disruptions of this semester. We encourage all students to prioritize rest and consistent routines this weekend so they can head into exams—or their remote testing environments—feeling focused and capable.

Honoring Every Transition

At this point in the year, every grade level is looking toward the "next step." Whether it is the move from 8th to 9th grade, the transition into the senior year, or the life-changing leap from graduation to university, change is in the air.

We are particularly mindful of those in our community who are transitioning to new schools or relocating over the summer. We know that for our students who are currently evacuated, the prospect of moving on without a traditional, in-person goodbye is incredibly difficult. To support this:

Evacuated Families Session: The counseling team will be hosting a dedicated virtual session for our evacuated students and families who are transitioning to new schools next year. This will be a space to process this unique "long-distance" closure and find ways to say meaningful goodbyes to their peers and teachers in Amman.

A Community Without Borders

While our campus in Amman remains busy, the absence of our students still abroad is felt daily. You remain an integral part of the ACS fabric. As the workload increases and the year winds down, we urge all students—on campus and remote—to stay anchored in our community.

Finishing the year "strong" doesn't just mean getting the grades; it means taking care of your mental health and checking in on your friends. Let's make these final weeks count by supporting one another through the exams and the many transitions ahead.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at: ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo

Our HS Counseling Team

- Ms. Ruba Kurdi: College Counselor rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo
- Ms. Kate Touchton-Leonard ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo
- Ms. Ellen Hindeleh: Administrative Assistant ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on the acceptances that are continuing to roll in! We are so proud of your achievements and know that you will be stars wherever you go!

Upcoming 2025-26 SAT Dates

Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Mr. Mo Hourani)

SAISA Football Champions!

Our ACS Scorpions Boys Football team are SAISA Champions! The boys defeated the four-time defending champions TAISM in a thrilling semifinal (3–2) before claiming the title against ASB, home school, in the final (3–1). Leading scorer Dajani netted four goals across both matches, with captain Yaghnam adding two crucial finishes- including the championship-clinching corner from Hashem. The team also earned 6 S-pins for outstanding sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

A special moment was shared for senior Tareq Anabtawi, who received a ceremonial start in the Championship game in recognition of his contributions to the program.

We are so proud of our Scorpions!

ACS Activities & Athletic Awards Celebration RSVP - We are excited to celebrate our student athletes and activity participants at the ACS Activities & Athletic Awards Celebration on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 5:00–7:00 PM in the ACS Theater & Quad Area.

Please complete the RSVP form below by Thursday, May 7 at 3:00 PM - RSVP FORM LINK

A few important notes

Activities Participants and Athletes - Attendance is mandatory
One submission per family, please
Tickets are free!
Tickets are required for entry and will be available for pick-up from the Activites Office on Monday, May 11
There will be many raffle prizes!!

We look forward to a wonderful evening honoring our Scopions

For more information, reach out to the Activities Office at mhourani@acsamman.edu.jo.

ACS Activities Program: 2025–2026 - Stay up to date with all athletics, arts, and activities information by visiting our ACS Activities Website Here

HS Bus Riders Reminder - If you need to use the late bus but are not on the late bus roster, complete the form before 12:00 PM the same day.

Late Bus Sign-Up Form. - The late bus departs at 4:45 PM. Students not registered will not be accommodated.

Important Dates & Quick Links

Mark Your Calendars

May 4-15 - AP Exams
May 11 - Spring Concert (5:00 - 6:00 PM)
May 13 - Activities & Athletic Awards Celebration (5:00 - 7:00 PM)

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.
Please find the HS PS Tutorial recording to give you a quick guide to help you navigate PowerSchool and generate some fruitful conversations at home.

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