College Counseling Program

Seniors are getting ready for the next set of deadlines, such as the UC and CalState deadlines at the end of the month. Also, those applying to the UK are advised to submit their UCAS application by the first week of December due to the timing of our Christmas break and the UCAS deadline. Students applying to Europe and Canada are reminded to submit all their applications now and continue to monitor their portals. We hope all seniors complete the majority of their application work before the Christmas holiday, so that they can have a relaxing break before their last semester of high school. 

Another gentle reminder: US citizens and their families are reminded to complete the FAFSA.

Social/Emotional Counseling Program

Supporting 10th Graders & PSAT Results

Supporting Our 10th Graders in November

As we move deeper into the semester, many 10th graders begin to feel the mid-year stretch. November often brings a mix of academic pressure and emotional fatigue. Students are juggling heavier coursework, upcoming exams, and long-term projects as well as thinking ahead to 11th-grade course selection and AP exams. At the same time, the social landscape can feel complicated - friend groups shift, motivation dips, and balancing school, activities, and rest becomes more challenging. 

For parents, this can be a confusing time. Your once-eager student may seem more withdrawn or reactive. This is normal - 10th grade is a period of growing independence and self-definition. Encouraging consistent routines, open conversations (without judgment), and small breaks from academic stress can go a long way. 

Ultimately, 10th grade is about building habits, not perfection. This is a season for growth, curiosity, and self-awareness - key components for success both in and beyond the classroom. 

PSAT Results

Students with College Board accounts should now be able to access their PSAT results. Students who do not have College Board accounts can email me (ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo) or come by my office and I can share their results with them. 

It is important to remember that the PSAT is a practice tool, not a high-stakes exam. The scores can help students identify their academic strengths and areas to strengthen before the SAT or other standardized assessments. Rather than focusing on the overall score, families are encouraged to look at the subscores and skill breakdowns, which offer valuable insight into reading comprehension, grammar and math reasoning skills. Ms. Ruba Kurdi and I are available to help students interpret their score reports and use the data to guide goal-setting and study plans for the coming year. 

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

ACS Activities Program: 2025–2026

Stay up to date with all athletics, arts, and activities information by visiting our ACS Activities Website Here

Season II: Time to Gear Up! Power School Sign-ups are Open

Season II is almost here, and it’s time for our Scorpions to get ready for Basketball and Track & Field. These sports are a big part of the ACS experience, and we want to make sure every student-athlete is prepared to step onto the court or track with confidence.

Sign-ups are live on Power School - Schedule is Available on the Activities Website.

Details below

Basketball, Tennis, Local Swimming Meet, U18 Girls Football & Track & Field

Tryouts

• U18 Girls Football start on the week of October 26, 2025

• All other sports, U14, U16, U18 Boys & Girls → Week of November 16

Tournaments

• AAC U18: January 18–22

• AAC U16: January 29–31

• SAISA Boys Basketball: February 5–7

• SAISA Girls Basketball: April 24–26

• SAISA Tennis: January 22-24

• AAC U16 & U18 Meets: January 22–24 (Plan B: February 5–7)

• SAISA Track & Field: February 5–7

How Parents Can Support

• • • Double-check that your child has the right shoes and ACS gear ready.

    • Encourage balanced routines with good sleep, hydration, and nutrition.

    • Mark your calendars for tournament weeks and travel dates.

    • Look out for follow-up emails with detailed packing lists and parent meeting dates.

We can’t wait to see our Scorpions compete and grow this season—thank you for helping them gear up for success!

Go Scorpions! 🦂

Go Scorpions! 

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.