AISA Insider
The Quarterly Newsletter for Parents
Calendar
Feb. 13-14 -- Prophet’s Birthday (No School)
Feb. 17 -- Secondary School Report Cards
Feb. 22 -- Talent Show
Mar. 30 -- Elementary School Report Cards
Apr. 7 -- Q3 Ends
Mid-April: Aladdin (Elementary School)
Apr. 14 -- Sec Report Cards
Apr. 22 -- Spring Break
Sports News
Spring Sports: U11 Soccer, Badminton, Softball,
Track and Field
Mar. 9-13 MS Festival MES-Cairo
Mar. 9-13 JV Basketball UAS-Kuwait
Mar. 16-20 Varsity Basketball TAISM-Muscat
Apr. 13-17 Badminton ANS-Abu Dhab
MS & HS Performers Give ‘TLC’ to
Standing-Room Only Crowd
by Hana Al-Ameri (Grade 11)
(Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.)
Dozens of talented middle school and high school students
have had or will have the opportunity to sing, play music and
dance at the Tunes, Lyrics and Choirs (TLC) night on January
19 and the upcoming AISA's Got Talent showcase on Febru-
ary 22.
Standing-room-only TLC performances in the afternoon
and evening in the Drama Room ranged from piano solos to
vocal solos to guitar solos. High school performers included
the middle school and high school choirs, junior Gregory
Brown on guitar, and seniors Peter Boulos on piano and
Philippe Trottier on electric guitar. Middle school performers
included Maya Yang (Grade 8), Michelle Pyo (Grade 6), Me-
linda Knowling (Grade 7) and Mathilde Bienseant (Grade 7).
“TLC is suppose to be a play on 'tender loving care' -- if
“There are no silver bullets in education. But writing -- par-
ticularly nonfiction writing -- is about as close as you can get
to a single strategy that has significant and positive effects in
nearly every other area of the curriculum.”
-Douglas Reeves, “The Write Way.” American School Board
Journal, November 2010 (Vol. 197, No. 11, p. 46-47)
AISA Parent Group: Helping Home-School Communication
by Gareth Jones, AISA Director
Throughout its 15 year history, AISA has struggled with the
challenge of getting parents involved in the school and main-
taining effective communications between the home and the
school. About five years ago, a Parent Support Group was set
up to offer support to the school, but unfortunately this never
grew beyond a small group of dedicated hard workers.
We have now set up a new AISA Parent Group (APG)
which has started to meet. Initially this group is made up of
one representative from each grade. You should have received
an email from your child’s grade representative (if you didn’t,
it means we have an incorrect email address for you!). The
group will be developing with the aim of finding one repre-
sentative from each class in the elementary school and one
from each homeroom or advisory group in secondary.
The initial aim of the group is to act as an effective chan-
nel of communication between the school and home. If we
Helping Orphan Students on World Challenge
Community Service Trip to Nepal
your soul needs some TLC come to an AISA TLC concert,”
said Ms. Van Rensburg. She added that she hopes “to provide
a platform for students to gain performing experience and
teachers and parents to get some 'soul food.'”
Senior Serene Harb, in her second year of high school choir,
was excited to participate in Music Night. "There are many
talented students and this was an opportunity for us to show
it,” she said.
Following last year's successful Coffee House performance
night, this year's Talent Show is is scheduled to include a
variety of performances ranging from dance, to music to
comedy, according to Ms. Van Rensburg.
Since many students have signed up to be in it, there may
be auditions, she said. “The winner of the talent show will
get the title 'AISA’s Most Talented Student' and maybe some
other mystery goodies,” she said.
Volume 1, Issue 2
Quarter Two (February 2011)
have an incorrect email address for you, you will receive a
note from the school asking you to send the current, correct
address. We will also be setting up a ‘telephone tree’ which
will allow us to contact every family quickly in the case of an
emergency. Please cooperate with the school by providing the
up-to-date information and please think about being part of
our telephone tree.
The second aim is to create opportunities for parents to be
actively involved in the school. You might want to come and
speak at careers day. You might want to help with a theatre
production, or international night. You might want to offer
support to a new AISA family who are the same nationality as
you. There are many possibilities. Once again, please contact
your grade representative to let her/him know how you would
like to be involved.
Let’s all work together to make the APG a living part of
AISA life!
by Oshba Al-Murar (Grade 12)
(Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.)
In November, six students and a teacher went on a two-
week community service trip to Nepal to learn about a differ-
ent culture, hike the Annapurna Mountains and volunteer with
a boarding school for orphans.
Mr. Deschamps led juniors Janeeta Abbasi, Joumana As-
four, Claudia Oswald, Delia Smith, Dorien Van Heerden and
Kevin Van Hoogstraten on the trip, co-sponsored by World
Challenge, a school expeditions company.
World Challenge offers “an unrivaled range of expedition
programmers focused 100 percent on the education of young
people, stretching comfort zones and expanding minds out-
side the classroom,” according to their website.
Mr. Deschamps said the two favorite things he liked about
Nepal were the “amazing food and the most amazing, selfless
people.” Each student had a duty, such as transportation, ac-
commodation, food and budget.
During the trip, they hiked to the Buddhist Swayambhunath
Temple, better known as the “Monkey Temple,” because
monkeys overran the trees around the temple.
They also visited Kathmandu's Durbar Square, a collection
of ancient temples and palaces from the 12th-18th centuries.
“It’s like stepping back in time a 1000 years,” said Mr. Des-
champs.
At the Nagajuna Modern Boarding School, AISA students
did lots of programs with the more than 100 school students,
such as helping to teach, make arts and crafts and buying
basic materials the school needed including sports equipment,
medical care and musical instruments.
“The experience was motivating and very influential, espe-
cially when we saw the way they lived and how happy they
were with a simple soccer ball,” Asfour said.
The IB1-CAS students are planning to raise awareness
and money to help the school build a new building on the
outskirts of Pokhara, Nepal. Van Heerden is planning a photo
essay-exhibition and may have a table at the International
Night. For more information, visit www.thenagajunatrust.org.
 2 Entertainment AISA Insider:
Q2 2011
Boys Varsity Soccer Team Wins ISAC Cup on Home Turf
MS Students Roughing It
and Loving It at Camp

by Rana Alsaadi (Grade 11)
(Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.)
Middle school students and teachers enjoyed a variety of
outdoor activities at the annual Middle School Ourdoor Acad-
emy, a trip to the Sharjah desert, in mid-December.
Mr. McGrady, a middle school art teacher, organized the
camp with Ecoventure, a Dubai-based company that runs
outdoor activities for students. “I went to a camping trip
by Aria Pavlic (Grade 11)
(Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.)
Cheered on by the home crowd, the AISA Boys Varsity
Soccer team clinched the nearly-canceled ISAC Cup, an an-
nual round-robin tournament held at AISA on January 13-14.
The AISA Girls Varsity Soccer team finished with a respect-
able 2-1 record.
The tournament was scheduled to have five teams, but the
two Omani teams, the American-British Academy (ABA) and
The American International School in Muscat (TASIM), had
difficulty getting a visa to travel to Abu Dhabi, according to
AISA Athletic Director Mr. Synoground. However, he was
able to invite Dubai's Universal American School (UAS),
Qatar Academy in Doha, and Abu Dhabi's Raha International
School as replacements.
The AISA Boys opened the tournament by beating Qatar
Academy 2-0, and finished the rugged tournament with three
wins – and one red card, received by senior Chris Kuijken.
Left-Midfielder Karim Abu Eicha (Grade 12) said, “It was
rough, but we still won every game and kept our home field
clean from defeat.”
Though some players were disappointed that they were not
able to play the scheduled teams, Coach Mangan said, “I'm
proud of the boys coming out undefeated and looking forward
to seeing them play in the ECC.”
The AISA Girls (including this reporter) won both games
against Qatar Academy, but lost to UAS. Captain Danielle
Cobrand (Grade 11) said, "It was good practice for our team,
but we didn’t meet the high expectations.”
Hundreds of AISA students cheered on the teams during
a pep rally and throughout the day. “The games were really
exciting and intense,” said onlooker Samantha Kettle (Grade
11). “You could feel the crowd getting really into it and
cheering them on.”
Both AISA varsity teams qualify for the ECC, which will be
held at UAS in Dubai on February 12.

F1 Night Revs Up the Fun: Races and DJs Raise AED 2K

growing up as a kid and I wanted to share the experience with
the students,” he said.
Two camping trips were held, one for the girls and one
for the boys, according to Ms. Spegele, the girls’ assistant
principal. The girls went on December 14 and came back on
December 16, while the boys went on December 16 and came
back on December 18.
The trip did not run in the previous school year but has run
for at least two years at the school. Mr. McGrady said about
half the middle school (more than 100 students) paid AED
1,425 to attend. “The purpose of the camp was to expose
everyone to outdoor challenges and to build leadership and
community spirit,” Ms. Spegele said.
On the first day of the camp, students took part in rock
climbing, sand boarding, an obstacle course, and created a
fire to roast marshmallows. On the second day of the trip,
students kayaked, canoed, and raft built. “I loved it,” said Ms.
Spegele. “I participated in almost every activity I could and
all of the teachers did as well.”
Ms. Schwartz supervised the girls’ camp. “I enjoyed the
experience and the girls’ had fun,” she said. Dina Hammoud
(Grade 8) was one of those girls. “My favorite part of the
camping trip was kayaking!” she said. “At first, it was chal-
lenging but I after I did it, I felt confident. The instructors
were really good. They taught me how to kayak and were
always there for me.”
Mr. McGrady is hoping for more students to attend the
camping trip next year. In the meantime, he is planning a
kayaking trip to Abu Dhabi's Mangroves in mid-February.
“A smashing success,” said Mr. Thomas, one of the event’s
organizers.
There was a live band and two DJs, including seniors Salem
Al Neiami and Kamau Baaqi. Races included the egg race
and tricycle race with prizes such as Ferrari caps.
The idea of an F1 night came from the student leaders who
wanted to link the school with the Abu Dhabi community
outside of school, student leaders said. The Formula 1 races
occurred from November 12-14.
With the slogan of “Bring Your Wheels,” F1 Night was an
active, exciting event with rollerbladers, skateboarders and
students playing Xbox racing video games. Proceeds will
help fund future student council events, student leaders said.
Many students and teachers enjoyed the popcorn, French fries
by Maitha Al Mansouri (Grade 11) and cupcakes.
(Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.) Ms. Levi, another event organizer, said, “Once you start
The first-ever Formula 1 Night, a school celebration of the something, it can never go anywhere but up.”
F1 races at the Yas Marina Circuit, had more than 80 attend-
ees who raised more than AED 2,000 for the Student Council
on November 4.
Twenty-five high School students attended the amazing World Peace Orchestra’s final rehearsal at Emir-
ates Palace before their Middle East debut. The musicians’ discipline was a great example to our students.
Also at the Emirates Palace, 75 AISA family members and staff attended the enriching Young People’s
Concert conducted by the famous Daniel Barenboim! -Ms. Van Rensburg

Middle School Updates: War and Pieces:

Karate Kid, F1 Tour, Kayaking
by Mr. McGrady
Middle School Movie Night
On January 20, more than 60 middle
school students gathered in the school
gym to watch “Karate Kid.” The movie
night was hosted by the Middle School
Leadership team and was a Co-ed event
where students were able to relax and
hang out with friends before the begin-
ning of exams.
AISA School Bus Spotted Driving on
Yas Marina Circuit
You didn’t have to turn your head too
fast to catch AISA students travelling
the F1 Yas Marina Circuit as students
were given the chance to travel by
school bus on the world famous track.
Drama, Music Performances
The Grade Seven class was taking
special notes on this event as Quarter by Aria Pavlic (Grade 11)
3 brings the beginning of their F1 in (Reprinted from The Express student newspaper.)
Schools program where they will work On November 10, dozens of high school Drama and Choir
together to develop their own F1 team, students performed in “War and Pieces.” The first half was
and design their very own F1 car! the comedic play “The Hysterical History of the Trojan War,”
and the second half were musical performances.
AISA Students Kayaking Mangroves Drama instructor Mr. Gallichan, who previously directed
Middle School students will take to a series of one-act plays at AISA last spring, said: “It was a
their kayaks as they paddle their way pleasure to work with the seniors, they're enthusiastic and
through the local Abu Dhabi man- talented. They have set a high standard for years to come.”
groves. The trip will be around 2 hours He hopes to make the performing arts a major part of life at
in length and allow students the chance AISA. Art Teacher Ms. Pegg led set design.
to develop their kayaking ability as well Choir Teachers Ms. Van Rensburg and Mr. Chris Lamar
as inform students about the fragile worked with the students who performed solo vocal and
mangrove eco system. The upcoming musical pieces, and the play's Greek chorus. The High School
trips are on February 15-17. choir sang The Beatles' “Revolution” and The White Stripes'
“Seven Nation Army.”
 AISA Insider:
Q2 2011 News 3

More than 200 University New Website, PSAT Scores Show

Applications Processed
College Open Day on Feb. 21
by Ms. Merrell, HS Guidance Counselor
This year the counseling office has processed
over 200 university applications to seven countries
including the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Lebanon,
the UAE and the Netherlands. More upcoming
include Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Spain,
and more throughout the UAE. Seniors are excited
about their plans to come.
Several universities visited AISA recently:
Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai, Thinking
Oasis of Emirates College of Technology and Abu
Dhabi University.
On February 21, AISA will host a College Open
Day for six UAE universities: University of Water-
loo-Dubai; New York Technical Institute (NYTI)-
Dubai; Murdoch University; IE University-Dubai;
European International College -Abu Dhabi;
Herriot-Watt University-Dubai.
Juniors will have another opportunity to join the
SAT exam preparation program, with one session
per week for 8 weeks, in time for the May SAT.
In early March, there will be another AISA Col-
lege Night for juniors, who are about to start their
university application process. They should use
summer to visit schools and make plans.
Graduation is June 7 at Emirates Palace. We look
forward to seeing you at this special event!
AISA on Par With U.S. Schools
Website
On January 18th, 2011 AISA launched a new AISA has received a report outlining the PSAT
website. The site was created to improve commu- performance as a school in comparison to all other
nication with current members of our community, schools that have students taking the test (mostly
offer information to potential newcomers and to schools based in the United States). In each area,
represent AISA’s commitment to being a leader in our scores lined up exactly with US norms which
international education in the UAE. If you have means that the performance of students at AISA is
any feedback or suggestions regarding the new in line with a typical US school.
website, please give us a call or send us an email as
we are working to make the site useful and easy to Given the fact that AISA has a large number of
navigate. English language learners, these scores are a strong
sign that we are making good progress. With our
PSAT Scores continued commitment to engaging instruction,
This year, AISA’s 10th and 11th grade students literacy development and data use, AISA is well
took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test poised to continue making strong progress and
(PSAT) which is a test designed by the College performing well on standardized measures of as-
Board in the USA. The PSAT measures, critical sessment.
reading skills, math problem-solving skills and
writing skills. The most common reasons for tak- -Robert Godley, Secondary School Principal
ing the PSAT are to:
1. Help prepare for the SAT.
2. Receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses
on skills necessary for college study.
3. See how individual performance on an admis-
sions test might compare with that of others apply-
ing to college.

IB-1 Mix It Up Lunch

The Middle School Mix It Up lunch was held on November 9th. The event promoted positive, social and
As first year IB students move into second semes- cultural tolerance. Students were paired up to discover common interests, worked as a team to accom-
ter, things will really pick up. plish a physical challenge, such as the three legged race. These activities promoted new friendships and
On February 16th, students will be attending an broke down misunderstandings that lead to conflict. The event was a success; new friendships were made
Extended Essay Workshop provided by Ms. Leann and the students enjoyed themselves. -Ms. Mercado
Fleming. This workshop will give students the
information and foundation necessary to undertake
their Extended Essay research.
IB Program Notes
Second Quarter is upon us and IB Parents and students have many items on the agenda! Current IB 1
This is an important aspect of the IB Diploma parents and parents of students in 9th/10th Grade interested in the IB Programme are invited to join us for
Programme and students should be diligent about coffee to learn more about the IB Programme and AISA. The meetings and dates are:
their topics and their time management for the es-
say.
Students will also be receiving AISA’s internal
deadlines soon. It is critical that students stay on
top of all of their assignments to reduce their stress
and to meet all IB requirements for the diploma.
But don’t worry; your teachers and coordinator
are here to help you organize your time. You just
have to let us know!

IB-2
Second year IB students have just completed
their Mock Exams. These exams are to give the
students a chance to practice for their May exams
and are used to factor Third Quarter Predicted
Grades. Although this time can be stressful, our
students did well.
Many final deadlines are on the horizon as the
2011 Students are reaching the end of the Pro-
gramme. By the end of the Second Quarter most
Internal Assessment will be completed and sent to
examiners all over the world.
Good luck to our seniors and congratulations for
getting through Mocks!
Final IB Exams commence Tuesday, May 3rd.
You can view the schedule at:
http://www.ibo.org/documentlibrary/examination-
schedules/index.cfm
 4 Metropolitan
Students Crack Case of the
Middle School ‘Murderer’
by Tanya Tarazi (Grade 11)
(Reprinted from The Express student news-
paper.)
Eighth grade students mourned the “death”
of two more teachers after the “AISA As-
sassin” struck for the third year in a row,
however; they had fun investigating the
“double-murder” for this science project in
early January.
Mr. Mirza and Ms. Holloway were “mur-
dered” on January 9-10, with crime scenes in
music room closet and the old gym. To find
evidence left behind by the “killers,” students
used analytical skills by interviewing with
teachers and forming forensic labs by com-
paring evidence such as hair, footprints, finger
prints and mysterious powder.
“‘Murder in Our Midst’ engages students in
an interactive unit that is fun and interesting,”
said Ms. Rasmussen
The killer first struck on Sunday when Ms.
Holloway, the middle school secretary, found
Mr. Mirza hanged from his scarf beside a
chair in the old gym.
The next day at 7:05 am, Ms. Van Rens-
burg found Ms. Holloway – the only witness
to Mr. Mirza's “death” – lying on the floor,
eyes open with brown foam coming from her
mouth.
The “victims” said they enjoyed seeing
the reaction of the students towards their
“deaths.” Both Ms. Holloway and Mr. Mirza,
apparently resurrected, claimed students were
in tears and shocked. “
I always wanted to be the star of a show,”
Mr. Mirza said later. “So what better way to
be center of attention than to be the murder
victim?”
Students said they enjoyed examining the
crime. Yara Hashim said, “It was a fun project
that left us responsible for figuring everything
IB-CAS Students Building Community
Junior Dance Crew One of Dozens of Projects
by Ms. Fleming
The International Baccalaureate Com-
munity, Action and Service (CAS) students
are involved in more than a dozen projects
to build community within and beyond the
school.
"These students are a core of active com-
munity service members in the school," said
Ms. Fleming, who teaches and advises the
more than [number] students.
Their biggest project has been the 30-Hour
Famine, a charity fast-sleepover held in No-
vember, which raised more than AED 30,000
for Pakistan in the wake of destruction from
massive floods.
Many CAS students went on the World
Challenge: Nepal and Close Up: Washington
D.C. community service trips.
out on our own and it was fun investigating programs for students and teachers to partici-
the teacher’s deaths.”
Students concluded that Mr. McGrady was on the Close Up trip when he was in high
the alleged “murderer.” When The Express
pressed Mr. McGrady for a comment, he
admitted to embezzling school money to start “Using the nation’s capital as a living
a rival middle school camp.
“If you've got to knock two people off,
you've got to knock two people off,” he said with walls face as students get a 'close up'
without remorse.
Students are also involved in a handful of
school clubs, including Model UN, Manga
Club (to draw the Japanese comics), Eco
Club (to help the environment) and the inter-
national Junior Dance Crew.
Many volunteered at the War and Pieces
high school performance night in November,
the upcoming elementary school production
of "Aladdin" and coached elementary school
sports. They also plan on participating at
events such as the Talent Show, AISA Fest,
AISA Bazaar, Pakistan Festival and Interna-
tional Night.
Outside of school, students have volun-
teered for the NYU bookstore, participated
in workshops on how to save dolphins and
the upcoming Terry Fox Run charity 5K for
cancer research.
Juniors and Seniors Get ‘Close Up’
Civics Lesson in Washington D.C.
by Hanna Al-Hassen (Grade 12)
(Reprinted from The Express newspaper.)
For the past three years, Mr. LeBlanc
has taken a group of juniors and seniors on
Close Up, a six-day civic education trip to
Washington D.C. In December, Mr. LeBlanc
and Ms. Fleming led nearly 20 students on
tours of the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln and
Jefferson Memorials and several museums;
watched Senate bills pass and met govern-
ment officials.
“It’s a good organization and trip espe-
cially because we’re in an American school
and curriculum, so the students can learn a
lot about the U.S.,” said Mr. LeBlanc.
Founded in 1971, Close Up provides
pate simultaneously. Mr. LeBlanc also went
school in 1985, and saw President Reagan’s
inauguration.
classroom, this renowned program far tran-
scends the physical boundaries that schools
experience with democracy in action,” ac-
cording to the organization's website.
Eco Club Proposes Bottled Water Ban
by Alyazia Al-Hamed (Grade 11)
(Reprinted from The Express student news-
paper.)
Eco Club, a new school club founded last
month by teachers Mrs. Al Jenabi and Mrs.
Madden, helps students discuss environ-
mental issues and find ways to improve our
lifestyle.
The club meets every other week in Room
108, and has about a dozen members, led by
co-presidents Rana Alsaadi (Grade 11), and
Khalid Al Mubarak (Grade 11).
The club's biggest idea is to eliminate plas-
tic bottled water in the canteen, instead
distributing reusable thermoses to students.
As a result the school could eliminate its
waste products, which helps sustain our
environment, club members said.
AISA Insider:
Q2 2011
AISA students also met and learned with
students from all around the United States,
including Washington, New Jersey, Texas,
Ohio and Oregon, according to junior Aisha
Al-Hajeri.
According to Close Up surveys, nearly
all teachers reported that they returned to
school re-energized with new ways to inspire
their students, and nearly all students better
understand their roles as citizens.
Mr. LeBlanc said, “It's really gratifying
when I get to see the students learn and get
a lot out of it.” One of these students was
senior Ayesha Al-Braiki. “It was a life-
changing experience,” she said. “I loved
meeting new people and learning about a
new place. It was a trip full of awesome-ness
and I would so do I again!”
Students also met Moon Yousif Sulfab, a
government official who works for Senate
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and a
member of the Congressional Muslim Staff
Association.
“I was really happy and honored to have
met you and met with your students,” he
wrote to Mr. Blanc in an e-mail after the trip.
“They are the future of the Arab world, and
one would hope that they will succeed where
previous generations had failed.”
Mrs. Fairbarn is also leading her Grade 11
Environmental Science class in conducting a
green school audit, to calculate the school's
water usage and find more efficient ways it
could be used.
“The club really gives us a chance to show
school spirit, and at the same time, do some-
thing good to the environment we live in,”
said Sharon Albuquerque (Grade 12), the
club's communications officer.
Club members have also discussed camels
that die in the desert due to human litter, and
ways to improve sanitation.
“If we start taking care of our environment
now, we could promote a healthy environ-
ment for our future generations,” said Ms.
Madden.