College Counseling Program

It’s been a busy and productive week in the Counseling office as application season ramps up!

Seniors

• 1-on-1 Meetings: The second round of individual meetings with Ms. Kurdi has officially begun. Students should check their schedules and come prepared to refine their university lists and discuss next steps.

• Flex Sessions: We hosted two targeted workshops this week covering ApplyUSA and ApplyUK, breaking down processes, applications, and key deadlines.

• University Visits: We had the pleasure of hosting University College Dublin this week. As always, our students engaged brilliantly and asked thoughtful questions.

Looking Ahead to Next Week - We have a packed schedule of visiting university representatives coming up next week. A friendly reminder that parents are always welcome to join these sessions alongside their students. Check the counseling calendar for the full lineup of visiting institutions and times!

Social/Emotional Counseling Program

It was another meaningful and productive week in the high school as we continue building momentum into the fall semester. Here are this week’s key updates from the counseling office:

Community Growth & Warm Welcomes

We were thrilled to welcome a few more new students to the high school campus this week! Changing schools mid-term is never easy, but our new arrivals are doing a fantastic job finding their rhythm, adjusting to new routines, and settling into class. Thank you to our returning students for continuing to show warmth, inclusion, and true ACS spirit as our community grows.

10th Grade Social-Emotional Learning: Suicide Awareness & Prevention

This week, I facilitated an annual and vital lesson with our 10th graders focused on suicide awareness and prevention. Because this is a heavy topic, parents often ask why we cover this material now. The reasons are grounded in research and adolescent development:

• • Myth-Busting Safety: Research consistently shows that talking openly about suicide does not "put the idea in someone's head" or increase risk. Instead, open dialogue breaks down stigma and creates a safe pathway for seeking help.

  • National & Global Realities: Suicide remains the third leading cause of death among young adults aged 15–24, making early education and preventative tools essential.

  • Peer Dynamics: Adolescents experiencing emotional distress or crisis are far more likely to confide in a peer before reaching out to an adult.

During our session, we covered:

• • Common myths vs. facts surrounding mental health and crisis.

  • Key risk factors and warning signs that a friend or peer might be struggling.

  • Actionable strategies on how to respond if a friend indicates they are in crisis, emphasizing how to connect them with a trusted adult immediately.

I was deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness, maturity, and focus our Sophomores brought to this presentation. If parents would like to review the presentation materials used in class, please feel free to reach out to me directly, and I would be happy to share them with you.

9th Grade Academic & Career Advising

Continuing our 9th Grade Career Readiness Series, I met with our Freshmen to dive deeper into their Maia Learning personality inventories. Grounded in Myers-Briggs personality theory, these sessions help students connect their unique personal traits, preferences, and communication styles to potential career pathways and work environments. It is always inspiring to watch students gain self-awareness and begin connecting who they are today with what they might love doing tomorrow.

Looking Ahead: A Well-Deserved Long Weekend

With a 3-day weekend right around the corner, I hope all of our students and families take full advantage of this extra time to rest, step away from screens, and enjoy quality connection with loved ones. Have a restful, rejuvenating long weekend!

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

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.

After-School Exploration Program Dates

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!

Scorpion Athletics Weekly: Upcoming Friendly Fixtures

It’s going to be an action-packed week for our Scorpions as our soccer and volleyball teams take the court and field for a full lineup of friendly matches! Mark your calendars and come out to show your support.

Monday, September 21

• Away @ King’s Academy

  • 5:30 PM – U16 Boys Soccer (Team A)

  • 5:30 PM – U16 Boys Soccer (Team B)

  • 6:30 PM – U19 Boys Soccer

  • 6:30 PM – U19 Girls Soccer

• Home @ ACS

  • 5:30 PM – U19 Girls Volleyball

  • 6:30 PM – U19 Boys Volleyball

Tuesday, September 22

• Home @ ACS

  • 5:00 PM – U16 Boys Soccer vs. ICS

Saturday, September 26

• Away @ ICS

  • 11:30 AM – U19 Boys Volleyball

  • 11:30 AM – U19 Girls Volleyball

Go Scorpions!