the link volume v issue 2

Street Address: Rua do Rio Raraga, 266, Bairro da Costa do Sol, Maputo Postal Address: Caixa Postal 2026, Maputo Email: [email protected] Telephone: +258 2149 1994 /+258 2149 3306 / +258 2149 3359, Fax: 2149 0596 Website: http://www.aism-moz.com

THE LINK VOLUME V Issue 2

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Learning by Doing

This issue of the Link is devoted largely to AISM’s Service Learning Program and some initiatives we’ve introduced this year under the direction of our new Service Learning Coordinator, Gabriel Limaverde. Service learning is not an ‘add-on’ for us, but rather it is embedded in our curriculum and provides students authentic learning experiences to:

- know and understand more about our local community – the people, the language, their culture; - understand different perspectives as a way to understand themselves; - nurture a sense of responsibility to others and to the communities in which they live.

Students in the primary school learn about service learning concepts through the PYP Units of Inquiry and planned activities on campus. In grades 6-10, students use the MYP design cycle - investigate, design, plan, create, evaluate – to manage well-structured projects with established partnerships in the local community. In grades 11 and 12, social service activities and projects are student-driven and student-initiated following the requirements of the IB Diploma CAS component. At all grade levels, reflection is an essential process for transforming experiences gained from service activities into genuine learning.

AISM staff members, students, parents and our community partners are working hand in hand to develop viable projects for shared learning and growth among all participants. If you would like to contribute to, or participate in, any of these projects, take a look at the newly-developed brochure for more information. You will find a link to this brochure in your email. For more photos and information please also visit the AISM Student Press Corps site, “Service Learning at AISM”, on Shutterfly at the following address: http://servicelearningataism.shutterfly.com/.

Mary Jo Heatherington, PhD School Director

AISM students visit Special Education School 1 (Deaf School) on their second day of Service Learning for this year.

General Meeting - Wednesday, 26 September 2012 at 18h00

AISM Board Goals Board Committees: Goals and Responsibilities

Education Program Goals

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.aism-moz.com/go.asp?idlink=509


Primary School

Welcome to the Primary School section of the newsletter.

It is here where teachers share activities that they cover

in class. Please enjoy!

INQUIRY IN ELC-S

ELC-S has been in-

quiring into; what it

looks like and feels

like to Share Re-

sources, which is one

of our lines of Inquiry

in ‘Sharing the Plan-

et.’

The children first had a discussion on the central idea: ‘We

have a responsibility to share our environment for a peaceful

world.’ Each child had his/her own perspective on what

they thought sharing the planet meant.

“When everyone is sharing and everyone is happy.”

“It means everyone is nice to their friends and no one

is fighting.”

“For everybody to live in different places and have a

peaceful time.”

“It means to share; we can share toys, food and some

fruits.”

Inquiry into sharing

resources was

dealt with a small

gardening project

where the children

were provided with

limited gardening

tools and they had

to wait for their

turn to use the tools to plant flowers and some herbs.

We are also inquiring into the concept of responsibility and

what it entails by taking care of the plants. The children are

recording the growth stages pictorially and figuring out

the time it takes for seeds to bloom into flowers and

herbs.

INQUIRY IN ELC K

Our current Unit is called ‘Sharing the planet’ and its cen-

tral idea is:

We have a responsibility to share our

environment for a peaceful world.

An inquiry into:

· Finding strategies to resolve conflict

· Choices and action that affect others

· Sharing resources

THE 5 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PYP

Concepts

There are 8 key concepts in the PYP:

Form Function

Perspective

Responsibility

Causation

Connection

Reflection

Change




Primary School

Thank you to all the new parents who attended the Families in Transition evening.

In Grade 3 we worked around the idea that each and every

one of us is different, unique and special, linked to the Trans-

disciplinary Theme Who We Are

TANIA RIBEIRO

PRIMARY COUNSELOR

Each unit of inquiry develops students understanding of at

least 2 concepts.

Attitudes

There are 10 attitudes – ask your child if they can share

them with you. Empathy and commitment are 2 – how

many more can they share?

Knowledge

This element is taught through units of inquiry and the

trans-disciplinary themes.

Skills

Research, thinking, self-management, social and communi-

cation skills are broken into sub-skills and also taught

through units of inquiry.

Action

Action is reflected through student-initiated inquiry and ac-

tivity that comes out of a unit of inquiry. It is driven by stu-

dents and supported by the classroom teacher.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN GRADE 4

With the arrival of

Mr Len at AISM this

year, scientific in-

quiry in Grade 4 has

taken a new, ex-

citing turn. Investi-

gating the function

of body systems,

how they are con-

nected and why we

need to take care of

them has really come alive as students watched the dissec-

tions of fish, cow hearts and lungs – and even a sheep’s

brain.

The acquisition of knowledge through such a hands-on

experience (and the students were encouraged to get up

close and touch the organs for themselves) has led to im-

mediate comprehension of the complexity of the human

body, its similarities to other creatures and the connec-

tions both within and between different systems. Not only

that, but it was a lot of fun too!

Have a wonderful week.

With best wishes from

Karen and the Primary Team




Secondary School

INSIGHTS@AISM

An independent management consultant and facilitator from Canada, Martina Baker-Sohn, recently spent 2 weeks on cam-

pus at AISM running various leadership development workshops from the Insights program. This is a program that helps

individuals to assess their own strengths and preferences and to recognize and accept those of others. Sessions were ini-

tially held for all faculty members and then extended to our student leadership bodies, looking at their newly-created lead-

ership model and also looking ahead to the next 6 months of events and action plans. Workshops were then held for all

grades from 7 to 12. The workshops were fun and interesting and helped students and teachers alike to better understand

themselves and each other. Martina also spent some time with administration, facilitating creative problem-solving and

planning.

ALL 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 during the regular school day. This test is a “trial run” for the SAT which is a common standardized entrance exam for universities in North America and an increasing number of Universities around the world. PSAT results will provide useful information about students’ writing, mathematics, and reading comprehension abilities. For US citizens in the 11th grade, the PSAT also serves as a qualifying test

for National Merit Scholarships.

Both 10th and 11th grade students will receive practice booklets in order to review the types of questions being used on the PSAT. Review sessions will be held to help prepare students to do their best.

For the 12th grade students, the first SAT of the year will be given at AISM on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Students must register by September 21, 2012 using the online system at www.collegeboard.com. The other SAT dates for the 2012-2013 school year are:

November 3rd – register by Oct. 4th March 9th – register by Feb 8th December 1st – register by Nov. 1st May 4th – register by April 5th January 26th – register by Dec. 29th June 1st – register by May 2nd For 12th grade students who would like to apply to Oxford or Cambridge Universities, or to apply for Medicine, Veterinary Science, or Dentistry in UK universities, the deadline is October 15, 2012. For all other courses in the UK the deadline is Jan-uary 15, 2013. The UK admissions site is: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply. Students will need to “link” their application to AISM using the “buzzword”. AISM’s UCAS Center “buzzword” is BUFFALOS. Students who would like to apply on an Early Decisions or Early Action Plan to US colleges/universities also have a dead-line of November 1st!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at [email protected]

Chelsea Dullea



http://www.collegeboard.com

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply



COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

UBUNTU is a concept whereby we define ourselves as people only through other people. In order to be all that we can be, we need all other community members to be all they

can be.

Service Learning Coordinator Gabriel Limaverde has long been involved in community-based projects in Brazil and Mozam-

bique and believes strongly in the concept of Ubuntu. Service Learning is an educational activity where participants contrib-

ute their time and services to make a positive impact on their community, their city, their country or the world. AISM stu-

dents are helping to make the world a better place through their participation in 9 worthwhile projects in and around Mapu-

to. These projects, their objectives and their needs are presented fully in the AISM COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING bro-

chure attached by a link in your email from school. Please take the time to have a look through it.

The 9 projects with whom AISM has developed connections this year are:

POLANA CANIÇO COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Providing education for 550 students from Grades 1-5, this commu-

nity school receives no government funding outside of basic training

for teachers and administrators. AISM participants have contribut-

ed by building 2 classrooms and a communal toilet, as well as by

providing training for teachers and opportunities for interaction

with students. Immediate further needs include 3 more classrooms

with basic furniture and fittings, water and electricity connections,

an administration building and 2 computers.

RAINHA DA PAZ COMMUNITY SCHOOL

This is also a community school for 225 students from Grades 1-7 that receives very little

government funding. AISM activity on this project has so far focused on improving the

school’s space, providing teacher training and promoting student interaction through in-

volvement in English language classes, computer classes, sports and games.

The school has specific needs which include 2 extra basic classrooms, toilets with a sink,

water connection, interior and exterior paint and 5 computers for teachers and training.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL #1 (Deaf School)

This is a government school for the Deaf from Grades 1-7. AISM’s involvement has fo-

cused on providing opportunities for development and interaction through art and music.

The school, however urgently needs facilities and equipment including toilets, shade/

shelter in the outdoor space, filtered water dispensers, workshop tools and, very im-

portantly, sponsors to provide year’s wages for a school-based art teacher.

Gabriel Limaverde Service Learning Coordinator




PROJECT PURPOSE

Project Purpose provides for the basic needs of women and children who are victims of

the world of prostitution and human trafficking. The project focuses on nurturing a sense

of value and self-worth. Our main focus is interacting with children and helping to im-

prove the Project Purpose Home by painting, gardening and introducing rabbits and poul-

try. This project’s immediate needs now include playground equipment, a simple struc-

ture to serve as an educational centre, educational supplies, simple classroom furniture

and basic gardening supplies and equipment.

LIVRO ABERTO

Livro Aberto is a library and literacy organization which promotes a culture of reading

amongst underprivileged Mozambican children for the purposes of education, inspira-

tion, empowerment and simple enjoyment. This very worthy project has many pressing

and specific needs : a Maputo-based library and literacy centre, a mobile library, books,

bookshelves, a photocopying machine, a printer and sponsors to pay the salaries of 10

literacy coaches for 1 year ($2,500 each).

HORIZONTE AZUL

This organization focuses on promoting the protection of children’s rights and preparing

children, mainly orphans, for a productive life. The centre provides day care for children

and young adults, teaching income-generating skills such as sewing and cooking as well as

offering various artistic, cultural and educational activities. The centre requires certain

equipment including sewing machines, sewing tables and chairs, gas stoves and kitchen

equipment , a used photocopier, 2 computers and printers for the project’s administra-

tion. It is also hoped that sponsors will come forward offering scholarships to young

adults wishing to extend their educations to college or university ($1,000 per girl per year

for tuition, material and transport).

WARETHWA ASSOCIATION

This project is an initiative sponsored by Timbila Muzimba, a well-known Mozambican

contemporary band. In teaching young adults how to build their own percussion instru-

ments from recycled materials and how to play the instruments, the association strives to

build self-esteem and enrich the lives of underprivileged youth and keep them away

from a life of risk. The association currently needs materials to build a simple structure to

use as a cultural centre, materials to build drums, and a sponsor to pay the salary of an

art educator for one year.

ALL NATIONS

All Nations operates homes that take in abandoned, orphaned and neglected children,

some of whom are infected with HIV-AIDS. The orphanage hopes to offer these children

opportunity and a future. This organization needs 50 litres of paint, 10 paint-rollers and

10 paint brushes, as well as playground toys and equipment.





MAFALALA

The Iverca and Dumba Associations in the Mafalala neighborhood aim to promote

and develop tourism, culture, sanitation and environment in Mozambique. The

focus is on creating opportunities for income-generation and for improving self-

esteem. AISM is involved largely by interacting with the children from Escola

Primária UNIDADE 23 and by helping to build, paint and become familiar with the

historic importance of Mafalala. The project needs playground equipment, toilets

and 5 computers for teachers and training.

HOWHOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?


PARTICIPATE DONATE CHAPERONE

For the past 4 years, AISM staff and parent volunteers have come together on campus to

teach English to our maintenance staff and local community members. We still need a few

volunteers for Wednesday afternoons from 16h30 to 18h.

Please contact the Service Learning Program if you would like to volunteer.

STUDENT COMMITTEES

You could change a life with a single click.

Sponsoring a child through Save

the Children provides a very special

opportunity to witness a young life

change and improve over time.

Help the “Save the Children” Service Learning project

by sponsoring a child for only $28-45 a month

through the organization.

Visit the website at http://www.savethechildren.org

and select ‘Sponsor a Child’ to learn more.

Together, we can make a difference.

AISM TEACHERS & PARENTS




Lee Clagnaz

The AISM boys and girls soccer and volleyball teams are back in action!

SOCCER

The girls’ varsity team is now 1-1 on the season. They lost to Mafalala 0-4, but defeated Escola Emmanuel 4-0. The boys’ varsity team is also 1-1 on the season with a 4-5 loss to Mafalala but a convincing win against Escola Emmanuel . The JV boys’ soccer team is 1-0-1 with a draw 4-4 against Mafalala and a 3-2 victory over Consegue.

VOLLEYBALL

Our boys’ and girls’ varsity volleyball teams played Escola Emmanuel last Friday and both teams won their match 3-0.

COMING UP ...

We have three upcoming tournaments to add to your calendars. There is a swimming and soccer trip to Waterford in Swa-

ziland the weekend of 5-7 October. Next, there is a volleyball tournament at the American International School of Johan-

nesburg the weekend of 12-14 October. Finally, we are hosting our annual volleyball and soccer tournament the weekend

of 2-4 November. Mark your calendars early!

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Our thanks go to Edgar Gumende and Talbo Lissa from our

Maintenance Staff who accompanied AISM chaperones and

students to their Service Learning project, Horizonte Azul on

Thursday last week. According to Miss Mandy, Miss Tamara

and Miss Fiona “They were absolutely brilliant in the help and

expertise that they gave to our whole group and the young

men from the project. We would not have been able to

achieve what we did today without their help! We hope that

they will be able to accompany us again on our next visit”.

TWO THUMBS UP!

Miss Debbie’s

PRIMARY ART

students have produced a re-

markable piece of work this

month. Well done all of you!




Sue Lindsay-Rea

HEALTHWISE PE Teacher, Wayne Thompson, and Nurse, Sue Lindsay-Rea have been busy with First Aid courses for the staff and Grades 6, 7 and 8. The first 2 weeks of school were

spent doing basic First Aid with the Grades 6, 7 and 8 students on how to deal with, among other things, burns, fractures and sprains, shock and bleeding.

We have run two CPR and First Aid courses for teaching staff since the start of the academic year. There are now 27 staff members with a current CPR and First Aid certificate. There will be another course in early November.

Andre Keenoy

MABUKWINI

READY FOR SOME VOLLEYBALL FUN ?!

Date: Saturday, September 22

Time: 9:30 am

Place: AISM-Volleyball court ( by the pool)

All skill levels are welcome!

You can organize your own teams!

If you have any queries please contact: Nubia (842671402);

Sara (843066582) or

Lee Clagnaz (ASIM Sport Department Director.)

NEWS

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

January 1946: writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding mem-

ber of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of

this man and his friends --- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society --- born as

a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the

Germans occupying their island --- boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of char-

acters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about

their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had

on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds

will change her forever.

(from randomhouse.com)

BOOK OF THE MONTH



tel:%28%20842671402

tel:%28843066582


Tue 25 Sep NO SCHOOL - Armed Forces Day (Moz)

Wed 26 Sep Board Meeting: General Assembly (18h00 Auditorium)

Thu 27 Sep JOMUN 2012 (27 Sep - 1 Oct Johannesburg, South Africa)

Fri 28 Sep Half day - Staff Development

October 2012

Mon 1 Oct International Week (1 - 3 Oct)

Wed 3 Oct International Parade & Feast

Thu 4 Oct NO SCHOOL - Peace Day (Moz)

Fri 5 Oct End of First Quarter

Wed 10 Oct Primary School Parent Teacher Conferences

Fri 12 Oct Community Time (07h30 - 08h00 Auditorium)

Sat 13 Oct Mid-Semester Break (13 - 21 Oct)

Mon 22 Oct Classes resume

Mon 22 Oct Arts Week (22 - 26 Oct)

Tue 23 Oct Primary School Parent Information Session (18h00)

Wed 24 Oct Secondary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (07h30 - 15h30)

Thu 25 Oct High School Movie Night (Auditorium)

Fri 26 Oct Half day - Staff Development

Fri 26 Oct SUNY Master’s Program (13h00 - 18h30 Auditorium)

Sat 27 Oct Health Awareness Day For Maintenance Staff (08h00 - 15h00 AISM)

Sat 27 Oct SUNY Master’s Program (27 & 28 Oct 08:30 - 16:30 Third Floor Library)

Mon 29 Oct SUNY Master’s Program (29 Oct - 2 Nov 14:45 - 18:30 Third Floor Library)

Wed 31 Oct PSAT

Calendar



the link volume v issue 2

Documents

service learning concepts

day of service learning

director learning

shared learning

genuine learning

aisms service learning

maputo postal address

social service activities