Issue #5: September 10, 2026
Issue #5: September 10, 2026
Embedded Files
From the Principal
From the Principal
Dr. Jeff Wilusz
If you’ve ever asked your child to put down a screen so they can pick up a book, only to receive an eye roll that could power your home for a week, you are not alone. Balancing reading habits in a world full of notifications, apps, and AI chatbots is one of modern parenting’s most relatable challenges.
To help navigate this landscape, I’d like to share some insights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s research on reading in the tech era, along with a quick guide to how ACS Amman is supporting your children with our Generative AI (GAI) guidelines.
In the Harvard article Raising a Reader in the Digital Age, literacy experts explore how families can foster strong reading habits without declaring full-scale war on technology:
Not All Screens Are Created Equal: There is a big difference between an interactive e-book or audiobook and a chaotic game with pop-up ads. The key isn't avoiding screens entirely, but choosing tools designed to keep kids focused on meaning rather than distractions.
Conversation Is Still the Secret Sauce: Whether reading a printed book or listening to an audiobook in the car, talking with your child about the story builds vocabulary and comprehension faster than any app can.
Protecting the "Productive Struggle": AI tools can summarize a 300-page book in three seconds. While that sounds like a student's dream come true, the actual brain-building happens when children wrestle with the full text themselves. AI can supplement learning, but it cannot replace deep reading and critical thinking.
Since technology evolves rapidly, ACS Amman is committed to ensuring Generative AI (GAI) enhances learning while protecting our students:
Informed Use: You will always have visibility into the adopted GAI applications used in our classrooms, including their educational purpose and data-handling practices.
Vetting & Approval: Before any GAI tool enters a classroom, our GAI Committee thoroughly evaluates it for data privacy, security, alignment with learning goals, and safety risks.
Classroom Oversight: Teachers actively guide and monitor student GAI use within explicit assignment parameters (as outlined in our Acceptable Help Guidelines). Students only use GAI outside of school when specifically authorized by their teachers.
Responsible Use: We teach students to handle data ethically, cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism, report issues, and, crucially, verify the accuracy of AI responses (since AI can sound very confident even when it’s wrong).
Ongoing Education: We are dedicated to educating students and families on the capabilities and limits of GAI, promoting strong digital citizenship and sharpening critical thinking skills.
By working together, we can help our students stay curious readers, thoughtful tech users, and responsible digital citizens.
MAP Testing - The 9th and 10th grade students successfully completed their MAP tests last week, with an adjusted schedule that ran smoothly and without disruptions. Simultaneously, the 11th and 12th graders 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.
Yearbook Pictures - Yearbook photos will be taken the week of September 20th. More to come regarding specific days for each grade level.
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
Seniors have had an incredibly productive week taking major steps forward in their higher education journeys. During our recent FLEX sessions, we worked directly to navigate both US and UK application systems and streamline their next steps.
Key highlights from this week:
Common App & Maia Learning: Students walked through the critical process of matching their Maia Learning accounts with the Common App. We also took a deep dive into specific sections of the Common App to ensure accurate reporting.
UK Admissions & UCAS: We held an in-depth session on applying to universities in the UK via UCAS, covering everything from entry requirements to the process of requesting predicted AP scores.
1-on-1 Student & Family Support: Ms. Kurdi continues her ongoing one-on-one meetings with individual students and parents to refine college lists and offer personalized guidance.
Essay Workshops & Feedback: Seniors are actively writing and refining their personal statements and supplemental essays, partnering with both counselors and teachers for constructive feedback.
Please encourage your student to keep working on their applications, registering for relevant exams, and polishing those essays!
Social/Emotional Counseling Program
What a vibrant, dynamic week in the high school! Here are the key highlights and updates from our social-emotional and academic advising programming:
Welcome Back!
More of our ordered departure (OD) students, along with new families whose arrivals were delayed, have made their way back to ACS! Seeing these familiar and new faces filling our hallways, classrooms, and sports fields has brought so much warmth and completion to our campus.
To our newly arrived and returning families: please take a look at the Resources for Returning Families document sent to your email at the end of last week. Returning after an extended period or moving during a disrupted time is a significant transition for the entire family system. This guide contains practical strategies to help ease the shift back into local routines, school expectations, and community life.
Social-Emotional Learning: 10th Grade Focus
It was a big week for our Sophomores! In addition to beginning my 1:1 check-ins with 10th graders, I spent time in their Health classes facilitating two core lessons:
Mental Health Q&A: Answering anonymous, student-generated questions about stress, coping, and emotional well-being.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention: Talking openly about suicide awareness with 10th graders is both developmental-level appropriate and essential. Adolescence brings increasing independence, shifting peer dynamics, and academic pressure; teaching students how to recognize warning signs in themselves or peers, destigmatize help-seeking, and connect with trusted adults equips them with life-saving tools.
I was incredibly proud of our Sophomores for approaching this heavy but vital topic with maturity, respect, and deep thoughtfulness.
Academic & Career Advising: 9th Grade Launch
This week, I launched the first session in our 9th Grade Career Readiness Series: "Decoding Your Personality and Future Paths."
Students were introduced to Maia Learning—a platform they will use throughout high school for self-discovery, career planning, and eventually college applications. During the session, 9th graders completed a personality inventory that mapped their unique traits and preferences to potential career fields and work environments. It was fantastic to watch them light up as they discovered more about themselves and gained early insight into how personal characteristics shape future career satisfaction.
As always, if you or your student need extra support navigating this season, please reach out to me directly at ktouchtonleonard@acsamman.edu.jo. Wishing everyone a restful, rejuvenating weekend!
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)
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.
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!
Important Dates & Quick Links
Important Dates & Quick Links
Mark Your Calendars
Mark Your Calendars
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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