Issue #9: October 8, 2026

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From the Principal

Ms. Ruth Poulsen

Dear Elementary Parents,

Today is “Day of Play” in our elementary school! We value play because we know that play is not a break from academic learning, it is the foundation of that learning. As highlighted in the article "The Most Important Subject Your Child Will Study This Year" by Mia Sundstrom from the National Institute for Play, free play is not just a break or a reward for finishing work. Rather, play is the learning itself, acting as the natural curriculum through which children build the cognitive and emotional foundations needed to thrive.

When children engage in active, independent play, such as building block towers, inventing playground games, or creating imaginative stories, their brains are hard at work. Neuroscience shows that play lights up neural pathways, helping kids develop essential executive function skills like critical thinking, emotional regulation, resilience, and collaboration. Every time children negotiate game rules or troubleshoot a collapsed structure, they practice the exact problem solving skills they need in the classroom.

Just like we do here at school by providing a Day of Play, field trips, and three recesses per day, you can support your child’s growth at home by protecting time for unstructured play after school. By giving them space to explore, create, and imagine without a rigid agenda, you are feeding the engine of their brain development and fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Warm regards,

Ruth Poulsen

Important Dates & Quick Links

Mark Your Calendars!

Spooktacular - October 9
Sign-ups for Parent Teacher Conferences Close - October 11, 12:00pm
Parent Teacher Conferences - October 15, 8:00am - 6:00pm

Quick Links

Parent Teacher Conferences

Dear ACS Families,

We invite you to participate in the Fall 2026 Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 15. 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.

ES Information

Our Fall Conferences are student goal setting conferences. ES Students are expected to attend conferences with their parents.
For Conference Manager support please contact Ms. Farhan
For PowerSchool support please contact Ms. Khuloud
Conferences with elementary classroom teachers, elementary counselors, elementary learning support teachers and Arabic teachers are by appointment only; parents/guardians must book through the Conference Manager which opens for sign-ups on Saturday, September 26th at 12:00 pm and closes on Sunday, October 11th at 12:00 pm. Click here for instructions.
Ms. Lindsey Cayer (Music for EYP, KG and G1), Mr Harry Westall (Music for G2, G3, G4 and G5) and Ms. Dana Kayyali (Art for EYP, K, G1, G3 and G5) will be available in their classrooms for walk-in conferences.
Ms. Heba Khoury (Art for G2 and G4) will be available in The Sting Zone for walk-in conferences.
The PE teachers will be available in the ES LC breakout rooms for walk-in conferences.
You're invited to stop by the ES office before or after your conferences to have a coffee or tea with Ms. Ruth Poulsen, our new ES Principal.
All teachers have scheduled breaks. The specialist teachers’ breaks are when classroom teachers are meeting with families. To help you plan your time effectively, please note the following break times: