Issue #9: October 9, 2025
Issue #9: October 9, 2025
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Dr. Jeff Wilusz
This week’s WGO places a strong focus on Mid-Semester Progress Reports (October 14) and Parent-Teacher Conferences (October 16). These moments are designed to strengthen communication between home and school, helping families gain a deeper understanding of their child’s learning journey. While conferences are a wonderful opportunity for that dialogue, meaningful conversations don’t need to be limited to a single day, as we encourage reaching out to your child’s teachers anytime you want to learn more about their progress.
In that spirit, I’d like to share a paraphrased reflection from Alfie Kohn’s The Schools Our Children Deserve, which feels especially relevant as you begin seeing updates in PowerSchool, Google Classroom, and your child’s workbooks.
The next time your child shows you a grade on a test, project, or paper, imagine — just for a moment — that the grade itself is the most important thing on the page. (Spoiler: it’s not, but stay with me.) Ask your child which of the following they feel best explains that result:
Effort – Did they prepare thoughtfully and work hard?
Ability – Was this a reflection of their natural strengths or talents?
Luck – Did the questions or task happen to align with what they reviewed?
Difficulty – Was this assignment relatively easy, and did many others perform well too?
These four explanations often capture how students interpret their success or struggle. When they earn a high grade, they might point to effort, ability, or luck. When they don’t, they might say the task was too hard, unfair, or that they simply “aren’t good at” that subject.
Most educators hope students connect achievement to effort, the belief that learning comes from preparation, persistence, and hard work. This mindset reflects what Carol Dweck calls a growth mindset, emphasizing that ability is developed through learning rather than fixed at birth.
The challenge arises when the grade becomes the focus instead of the learning. As Kohn notes, “The more emphasis teachers put on getting good grades, avoiding mistakes, and keeping up with others, the more students attribute poor performance to lack of ability.” When students see grades as proof of being “smart” or “not smart,” confidence and motivation can quickly erode.
At its core, education is about growth, not grades. What students believe about their own learning capacity shapes how they approach challenges and opportunities. As parents and educators, we share the responsibility of keeping attention on understanding, curiosity, and improvement, not just numbers or letters on a screen.
So next time your child brings home a test or project, go beyond the grade. Ask about what they learned, what surprised them, and what they’d like to try differently next time. That’s where the real growth begins.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences
We invite you to participate in the Fall 2025 Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 16. There are no classes for students on this date.
Please understand that the PowerSchool sign-up process applies only to Elementary homeroom, Learning Support, Counselor, and Arabic conferences.
In High School, we encourage your child to join you during PTC, as this is a great opportunity to assist them in taking responsibility for their own learning.
High School parents do not need to meet with Cohort advisors.
Ms. Ashley Hayes and Ms. Diala Kamal will not be available during PTC.
Ms. Serena Mackenzie will be available until 2:00 pm.
The following crossover teachers will be in the Sting Zone with MS - see MS information for break times.
Jason Kennedy
Claudia Pike
Riley Battaglia
Allison Bailey
Frida Abi Fares
Teachers will be rotating for breaks. Please see the table below
For any questions, please contact Ms. Iman
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Touchton-Leonard
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Touchton-Leonard
College Counseling Program
It’s been a busy and exciting week in College Counseling! I met with all seniors as a group, and each student sent an update email home summarizing their college application progress. Parents who haven’t received an update are encouraged to check in with their student.
This week, we were pleased to host visits from Fordham University and Suffolk University, as well as an informative session on the University of California system, presented by representatives from UC Davis and Foothill and De Anza Colleges. Our seniors are working diligently to prepare early applications ahead of the October 15 and November 1 deadlines.
Next week, we look forward to welcoming representatives from Stony Brook University, Purdue University, Temple University, and The George Washington University. In addition, the Senior Associate Director from the University of Chicago will present on the topic of Selective, Holistic Admission in the U.S.
All parents and high school students are invited — and highly encouraged — to attend these sessions!
Another gentle reminder: US citizens and their families are reminded to complete the FAFSA.
Got more college questions? Ask Ms. Kurdi directly (rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo), or schedule a meeting by emailing Ms. Ellen (ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo).
Social/Emotional Counseling Program
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, October 16th.
As we prepare for Parent–Teacher Conferences, we want to highlight that mental health is just as important as academic achievement in shaping your child’s success. High school years bring unique challenges—balancing academics, friendships, activities, and planning for the future. When students feel emotionally supported, they are better able to focus, learn, and thrive.
Conferences are a great opportunity to talk not only about grades, but also about your child’s overall well-being. Please know that our teachers and counselors are here to partner with you in supporting both the academic and emotional needs of your student.
I will be on campus - in my office - all day on the 16th. My office is located on the first floor, across from the main high school office (on the hallway with all the college and university flags). You can drop by to discuss your child and/or set up an appointment to talk by emailing me (see email address below).
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
Upcoming Visits
Upcoming 2025-26 SAT Dates
SAT registration link
Note: ACS Amman is the testing center and will not appear in the drop-down list. You must enter our code, 54202, to select our school as a testing center.
Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Mr. Mo Hourani)
Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Mr. Mo Hourani)
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! - 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 will go live this coming Sunday!
Details below:
Basketball
Tryouts:
U 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
Track & Field
Tryouts:
Start on November 2
Meets:
AAC U16 & U18: January 22–24 (Plan B: February 5–7)
SAISA Track & Field: February 5–7
Gear to have ready:
Running shoes (well-fitted, broken in before tryouts)
Lightweight athletic wear for practice and competition
Water bottle and sunscreen
Spikes (optional, depending on events)
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! 🦂
SAISA Girls Volleyball is Coming to ACS!
We are proud to announce that ACS Amman will host the SAISA Girls Volleyball Tournament from October 30 – November 1, 2025. This is a very special moment for our school community as we welcome student-athletes and coaches from across the SAISA region right here on our campus.
Why This Matters
Hosting SAISA gives our girls’ team the home-court advantage and the chance to play in front of their friends, family, and teachers.
It’s also an opportunity for our entire community to show what Scorpion Pride is all about—hospitality, spirit, and sportsmanship.
How You Can Be Involved
Come Cheer: Pack the stands, wear your ACS gear, and bring the energy to every game.
Volunteer: Opportunities will be available to help welcome and support visiting teams.
Spread the Word: Encourage family and friends to attend and make it a weekend of celebration.
Next Steps
Tournament schedules and volunteer sign-up details will be shared soon.
Look out for updates on how you can help us create a warm and spirited ACS welcome for all visiting teams.
Let’s fill the gym with energy and make this a weekend to remember.
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.
Important Dates & Quick Links
Important Dates & Quick Links
Mark Your Calendars
Mark Your Calendars
October 16 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
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.
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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