Issue #3: August 27, 2026
Issue #3: August 27, 2026
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Dr. Jeff Wilusz
Last week I supplied you all with the first three keys to a successful year. I had to do my best to fight off the parent community in order to keep the reveal for today and not let the cat out of the bag early. Here are the four remaining keys to a successful school year:
Go to the source
Coffee shop conversations have a way of twisting otherwise reasonable actions into bizarre stories of abuse. I think it’s the caffeine. A group of people talking about an absent “other” will never have the real story. It is remarkable how many times this comes to cause problems. The fourth key to a successful year is practically a corollary of the third key (which was communication) – go to the source of an issue and talk to them. You can save yourself considerable anguish and possibly resolve a problem.
Choose your attitude
You wake up every morning with choices. You decide what to wear, what to listen to, what to eat but many of us forget that we can choose our attitude also. Choose this well because your attitude is contagious. It is amazing how positive people light up a room. Get enough of these positively-minded folks together and you can create a high school. Well, a high school that you want your child to be a part of. We’ll do our best to do this and hope you’ll do the same.
Be there and be prepared
They say that 90% of success is just showing up. While I think his percentage may be off, I’m fairly certain that there is a lot of truth to the statement. School at ACS is largely experiential: you have to be here to get the benefits from it. We don’t think for a moment that learning is confined to the school walls, but the real benefits and solidifying learning does happen at school and we need your child to be here. Our school calendar is published early (and often!) so that you can plan your holidays accordingly.
Keep your sense of humor
Life and raising children is a serious business and there is nothing more serious than keeping your sense of humor. “No one gets out of here alive” is a familiar bumper sticker and while it may not raise a chuckle it reminds me to keep things in perspective. Life isn’t always funny and sometimes you need to look hard for the humor in a situation, but trust me, it’s usually there. Finding it is well worth the trouble – laughter is good for the heart and mind. It is one reason I love working with children: laughter comes naturally to them.
Seven keys to a successful school year! This list is not exhaustive, but it is a good way to help hit the ground running as we start the school year.
A Note From Ms. Black in the LC - The American Community School of Amman is a proud member of Global Online Academy (GOA), a nonprofit network of leading schools around the world. Through GOA, high school students can choose from over 60 courses that extend beyond our regular curriculum, allowing them to pursue passions, explore specialized fields, and learn alongside peers and expert teachers worldwide.
Why GOA?
GOA courses are interactive, flexible, and designed to help students develop essential skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy, and global perspective. Students may also work toward specialized certifications, which highlight their learning journeys and can strengthen college applications.
What Families Should Know
GOA courses run much like an on-campus course, requiring about 5–7 hours per week.
Students participate through a mix of independent work, group projects, and live sessions.
Regular engagement is essential; deadlines are spread throughout the week.
GOA courses earn ACS credit and appear on student transcripts.
As ACS’s GOA Site Director, I will support your student throughout their GOA experience. I coordinate course enrollment, clarify school policies, and work closely with GOA teachers to ensure students thrive. Please reach out to me if:
You have questions about the enrollment process or course fit.
Your student is experiencing challenges in a GOA course.
You’d like to know more about how GOA integrates with ACS credits and transcripts.
Key Dates for 2026–27
March: Enrollment for next school year opens
June–Aug: GOA Summer Courses
Aug-Sep: Semester 1 begins
Dec: Semester 1 ends
Jan, 2027: Semester 2 begins
May: Semester 2 ends
To learn more, I encourage you to explore GOA’s Course Catalog and Family Handbook. You can still enroll your child for the second semester for the 2026/2027 school year.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at lblack@acsamman.edu.jo.
MAP Testing - The 9th and 10th grade students will be completing their Fall MAP tests on Sunday & Wednesday, with an adjusted schedule to keep things running smoothly. Simultaneously, the 11th and 12th graders will be engaged in productive college-related activities led by Ms. Kurdi, making significant progress in their preparations for post-secondary education. Both events will be repeated again in the second semester with a similar format.
HS Weekly Update - 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, including activities, clubs, and future events.
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Touchton-Leonard
HS Couseling Office Announcements - Ms. Kurdi & Ms. Touchton-Leonard
College Counseling Program
The college application season is off to a strong start. Here is a quick update on our recent progress and what’s ahead:
Senior Class Update: We have met several times and officially launched our Common App and UCAS accounts.
Looking Ahead (Next Week): I am hosting hands-on work sessions with both seniors and juniors to guide them through essential steps in the application process.
Action Item for Families: Remind your student to check their schedule for workshop times and bring their charged laptops to our sessions.
Got a question or concern? Who can you contact?
Academic Inquiries:
Please begin by consulting your child and the subject teacher.
Regarding schedule management or academic planning, please begin by consulting the POS and then Ms. Kate (9-10) or Ms. Ruba (11-12).
Testing (SAT/AP/College Board): Reach out to Ms. Ellen Hindeleh. ehindeleh@acsamman.edu.jo
Social and Emotional Wellbeing: Ms. Kate. ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo
College and Career Guidance: Ms. Ruba. rkurdi@acsamman.edu.jo
Tawjihi Equivalence Procedures: Ms. Khuloud Hajjiri. khajjiri@acsamman.edu.jo
Social/Emotional Counseling Program
What a wonderful week! Having a welcome mid-week pause on Tuesday to observe the Prophet’s Birthday gave us all a nice breath of fresh air and a chance to recharge mid-stream.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our 9th graders this week during our 1:1 Minute Meetings. Getting to learn about how they view themselves as learners and hearing their personal and academic goals for the year has been a absolute highlight for me.
Looking ahead, next week brings fall MAP testing for our 9th and 10th-grade students. As a friendly reminder to both students and parents, MAP tests are simply designed to capture a brief snapshot of where you are right now in your learning journey—they are not something to stress over or cram for!
The absolute best ways to prepare are simple:
Prioritize rest: Get a full, solid night of sleep before testing days.
Fuel up: Eat a good breakfast so your brain is ready to engage.
Stay present: Take your time, bring your best focus, and do your personal best.
Enjoy a peaceful, restful weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus on Sunday!
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
2026-2027 SAT Dates
Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Mr. Mo Hourani)
Athletics/Activities Announcements: (Mr. Mo Hourani)
PowerSchool sign-ups open on Tuesday, August 11, it will remain open till August 27 - Sign up early to secure your spot and know your schedule for the season.
Activities Schedules
All schedules for all sports and activities, as well as updates will be posted on the Activities Calendar — your go-to spot for the most current schedule information
Activities & Tryouts Begin
The week of Sunday, August 30: U14 Soccer (Boys & Girls), U14 Volleyball (Boys & Girls), Boys Soccer (U18 & U16).
After-School Exploration Program (AEP) Fall 2026 Registration
Welcome to our new AEP sign-up platform. Please read through the details below before registering.
Afterschool Exploration Program Description:
The Exploration Program (former ASA program) runs for 8 sessions, about an hour each week. Students get a chance to try new experiences in a fun, low-commitment setting. Unlike the Deep Dive Afterschool Activities, Exploration does not include multiple weekly practices or a culminating event.
Key dates
Registration opens: August 30 - 3PM
Registration closes: September 6 - 4PM
Placements shared: September 9
Program begins: week of September 13
Program ends: November 12
Before you register
Full list of offerings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SATYvl7JqBHrhUwtFdb78EwUJWqOhR4xdu3cpuLYnTk/edit?usp=sharing (a PowerSchool sign-up link is included at the top of the doc)
Sign up directly on PowerSchool: https://psforms.acsamman.edu.jo/aep
AEP calendar: https://activities.acsamman.edu.jo/aeps-clubs
How placement works
Please select three activity choices when registering, in all divisions. Placement counts differ by division: ES students are placed in up to two activities, while MS and HS students are guaranteed at least one, to leave room for sports and Deep Dive commitments. If your child only wants one activity, list it as all three choices.
A note on the new platform
The sign-up platform only shows what's available for your child's grade level, not the full list of offerings. For MS and HS, if your child is already signed up for sports or other activities, please cross-check their schedule before registering to avoid conflicts.
Bus riders during activities
ES buses depart at 4:15 pm sharp.
MS/HS buses depart at 4:45 pm sharp.
Students will not be on their regular morning/afternoon bus. Assignments change daily based on how many students ride the AEP buses.
Changing placements
You can change placements yourself up until the September 6 deadline, after which they lock. If you need a change after that, email us and we'll accommodate it if space is available.
Spots are limited and some activities fill quickly, so we recommend registering early. Placements are confirmed once registration closes, and you'll receive your child's schedule on September 9.
ACS Activities Program: 2026–2027
You can visit the Activities Page on the ACS Activities website, which will always have the most up-to-date details as things evolve. The InfoBoard offers a great starting point, while the website reflects ongoing updates throughout the year.
Let’s make 2026–2027 our best year yet. Bring your energy, your commitment, and your Scorpion pride!
After-School Exploration Program Dates
Important Dates & Quick Links
Important Dates & Quick Links
Mark Your Calendars
Mark Your Calendars
August 28 - Back to School Picnic
August 30 - HS Fall MAP Testing - Day 1
September 2 - HS Fall MAP Testing - Day 2
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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