Singapore American School Newsflash, August 2007

Volume 10, Issue 1-07/08 - August 2007MICA (P) 195/08/2006

A Singapore American School community service publication

NewsNewsFlashFlash

Meet theBoard of Governors Pg. 8

Booster Race Night Pg. 14

2007-2008SAS UniformSales Pg. 6

SAS Open HouseSaturday August 11th

10am to 2pm

Singapore American School families are invited to attend Open House on Saturday, August 11th. Students and parents will find class lists posted and be able to visit classrooms, meet teachers and pick up schedules.

School uniforms will be available for purchase from the Booster Booth (on the second floor of the high school) and from the PTA in the Elementary Gymnasium. Vehicle Permits will be available in all school offices. Busing information will be available in the Elementary Theater. Community organizations such as SACAC, Scouts and EASA will be at SAS for Open House. Cafeterias will be open as well as Subway and Juice Zone in the high school.

Before you head home, don’t forget to visit the IS/MS Cafeteria where the PTA will be hosting an Ice Cream Social. Stop by to meet other families and enjoy ice cream compliments of the PTA.

� SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

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Are You Receiving What’s Happening at SAS?

We send all parents and guardians a weekly What’s Happening at SAS newsletter by email. If you have not been receiving the weekly email, probably we do not have your correct email ad-dress. Send us an email at [email protected] to give us your current email address. The distribution can include both parent email address-es. The weekly What’s Happening at SAS will also be posted on the website at http://www.sas.edu.sg.

We welcome input from the community associated with Singapore American School

September NewSFlaSh

Deadline: August 29, 2007Publication Date: September 17, 2007

OctOber NewSFlaSh

Deadline: September 26, 2007Publication Date: October 17, 2007

Email Community NewsInput to [email protected]

Email Trading PostInput to [email protected]

Trading Post advertising is restricted to non-commercial items only from SAS students, parents and staff

RegulaRs

3 - Superintendent’s Message

4 - Calendar Highlights

6 - Development & Alumni Relations’ Message

11 - SAS PTA President’s Letter

15 - Booster Club News

sas HigHligHts

8 - SAS Board of Governors

16 - About SACAC

17 - About EASA

18 - SAS Music Faculty involved in 2008 AMIS

Festivals

Brent MutschSuperintendent of Schools

Rhonda NorrisAsst. Superintendent

Business

David HossPrincipal

Primary School

Marian DeGrootPrincipal

Intermediate School

David NorcottPrincipal

High School

Mark BoyerAsst. Superintendent

Curriculum and Instruction

NEWSFLASH is published monthly by the Communications Office of the Singapore American School. It is distributed free of charge to parents, faculty members and organizations served by the school.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICESingapore American School

40 Woodlands Street 41Singapore 738547

Tel: 6360-6303SAS Website: http://www.sas.edu.sg

Editor: Beth GribbonStaff Editor: Junia BakerLayout Design: Joey Lew

Franke ThomasPrincipal

Middle School

�SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

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W elcome to the Singapore American School and the start of what we an-ticipate to be an excellent 2007-2008 school year. The week of August 6 will mark the return of all staff to the campus for further preparation

for a smooth and successful start to the new school year. The first student-parent-teacher event of the year is the annual SAS Open House scheduled for Saturday, August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This day is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to meet the teachers for the upcoming school year, for fami-lies to become more familiar with the campus, for the broader SAS community to reconnect following the summer holiday, for new families to be welcomed into the SAS community and begin to build the network of relationships that contribute to a positive school and community experience, and for parents to

learn more about the wide range of services and community groups that represent opportunities for support and engagement in the life of SAS.

In preparation for the beginning of the new school year, SAS will welcome 42 new faculty to the SAS com-munity of learners. Our total professional staff of 346 is 67% American, 12% Canadian, 6% New Zealand-ers, 5% Australian, 3% Singaporean, 1% from the United Kingdom and the balance from 11 other countries. The diversity of the SAS staff serves to further enrich the quality of learning experience made available to students enrolled at SAS.

We will begin the school year with approximately 3,800 students. This represents the largest beginning-of-the-year enrollment in the 52-year history of SAS and has necessitated the establishment of waiting lists at a number of grade levels. Although the creation of waiting lists represents a development that was determined only after considerable thought and discussion, the Board of Governors and administration believe that wait-ing lists are the only logical approach to the current enrollment pressures, given the commitment to not in-creasing the capacity on the existing Woodlands campus and not compromising the SAS commitment to the “Vital Few” (academic rigor, extraordinary care for the welfare of each child and professional excellence). The board and administration are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the options for addressing enrollment related issues and will keep you informed on developments in this area in the months ahead.

Beyond the day to day emphasis on promoting student learning across all curricula areas, the major initia-tives for the 2007-2008 school year will not be limited to but will include: 1) Implementation of the revised K-12 mathematics curriculum.2) Completion of the self-study, reflection and planning phases of the current accreditation process in prepa-

ration for hosting a visit of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team in April, 2008.

3) Further development and promotion of the Singapore American School Education Foundation, designed to provide financial support for the enhancement of school programs and to ensure the financial future of SAS.

4) Concluding the current analysis of potential expansion options and determining the course of action that is most appropriate for SAS.

5) Review of the current SAS mission statement and articulating an organizational vision statement, both of which will serve as lenses through which all decision making will be aligned in the future.

The commitment to educational excellence that has long been a trademark of SAS is only accomplished through a strong partnership between the home and school. We look forward to the countless opportunities that will occur throughout the upcoming school year to collaborate with students and parents in promoting the learning, growth and development that will enable each of our students to achieve his or her full poten-tial.

Brent Mutsch, Ed.D.

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. - John Dewey


August 2007

* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm

6-7 PTA Uniform Sales Pre-Sch – Grade 8 10:00am - 2:00pm (PTA Office)6-10 New Student Orientation Faculty In-Service Day8 Modern Language Assessment for New Students8-11 PTA Uniform Sales Pre-Sch – Grade 8 10:00am - 2:00pm (Elementary Gym)9 NATIONAL DAY (NO SCHOOL)11 Open House 10:00am – 2:00pm HS Orientation for Parents/Students New to SAS 9:00am – 12:00pm (Drama Theater/ Theater Studio/HS & MS Gymnasiums) PTA Ice-cream Social 10:00am – 2:00pm (IS/MS Cafeteria) New Family Welcome Pack Pick Up 10:00am – 2:00pm (PTA Office)13 1st Day of School for Grade 3 - 12 HS Opening Assembly 8:00am (HS Gymnasium) Cross-Country/Soccer/Volleyball Seasons Begin13-14 Parent Conference for Pre-Sch – Grade 2 Pre-Sch Small Group Orientation 8:00am, 10:00am & 1:00pm13-17 SACAC Registration 8:00am – 4:00pm (SACAC Office)14 PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office)15 1st Day of School for Pre-K – Grade 2 HS/MS PTA New Parent Coffee 8:30am – 10:00am (PTA Office) MS Welcome Back Assembly (Auditorium)15-16 1st Day of School for Pre-Sch16 ECC/PS/IS PTA New Parent Coffee 8:30am – 10:00am (PTA Office)17 HS Welcome Back Dance 7:00pm – 10:00pm MS Gamma Pool Party 2:00pm – 3:00pm18 SACAC Registration 9:00am – 12:00pm (HS Cafe) Fighting Fish Open Swim Try-outs 9:30am – 12:00pm (ES Pool)20 Booster Welcome Coffee 9:30am – 11:30am (H301)21 MS Classroom Without Walls Parent Night 6:00pm MS Back to School Night 7:00pm Boys Scout Registration/Parent BBQ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (H301)22 Alternate Dress Day23 IS Back to School Night 6:15pm – 8:30pm24 PTA Welcome Back Coffee/General Meeting 8:30am – 11:00am (Drama Theater)25 9:00am – 1:00pm Girl Scout Registration (OFS)28 HS Back to School Night 7:00pm (H301)29 Students Late Start 10:00am No AM Pre-School due to late start PM Pre-Sch is in session

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1 HS Choir Exchange in Singapore3 IS Parent Coffee 8:15am – 9:15am (5th Grade Grouproom, I311) MS Parent Coffee 10:00am (Drama Theater) Pre-Sch/Pre-K Parent Night Open House 6:30pm – 8:30pm3-7 EASA Registration for Session 1 4 K-Grade 2 Parent Night Open House 6:00pm – 8:30pm HS Freshmen Parenting Class 7:00pm – 9:00pm (H301)5 Grade 3 Photo Day6 Grade 4 Photo Day7 Grade 5 Photo Day8 Girl Scout Song Festival Opening Ceremony 4:00pm – 6:00pm Jazz Band Exchange in Kuala Lumpur Peer Support/Soccer Exchanges in Singapore Volleyball Exchange in Jakarta10 ECC (Pre-Sch/Pre-K) Photo Day HS PTA Coffee 10:00am (H301)10-11 HS Alternate Dress Day10-12 Grade 9-11 Individual Yearbook Portraits 8:00am – 3:00pm11 PTA Board Meeting 9:30am (PTA Office) Kindergarten Photo Day12 Alternate Dress Day Grade 1 Photo Day12-13 Grade 6A Classroom Without Walls13 Grade 2 Photo Day14 SCHOOL HOLIDAY (NO SCHOOL)

September 2007* Campus Mosquito Fogging, every Sunday 5:00pm – 7:00pm

14-16 AP Art Retreat15 Cross Country Exchange in Manila Dance Exchange in Taipei International Coastal Clean-up 7:30am – 1:00pm17 Booster Club Meeting 9:30am (H301) ECC/PS/IS Photo Make-up Day17-18 MS Photo Day18 HS Freshmen Parenting Class 7:00pm – 9:00pm (H301)18-19 Grade 6B Classroom Without Walls20-21 Grade 6C Classroom Without Walls 21 HS College & Career Day 8:00am (H301) HS College Fair 10:00am – 11:00am22 ACSIS Soccer Tournament 8:00am – 1:00pm (UWC)24 ECC Parent Coffee 8:30am – 9:45am (ECC Grouproom)26 Alternate Dress Day Students Late Start 10:00am No AM Pre-School due to late start PM Pre-Sch is in session Classroom Without Walls Grade 7/8 (Evening Departure) Interim Semester Parents Information Evening 7:00pm (Drama Theater)27-28 Grade 7/8 Classroom Without Walls28 Booster Club Race Night 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Turf Club) HS Sadie Hawkins Dance 7:00pm – 10:00pm29 Cross-Country Exchange in Bangkok

You must have a current 2007-2008 Vehicle Permit to drive your car onto the SAS campus. Permits are available at all division offices and Central Administration and must be collected in person. Plan to get your permit the next time you are at SAS. Permits may be picked up during Open House on August 11. 2006-2007 permits will no longer be valid after September 15th and should be returned to SAS.

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2007-2008 Vehicle PeRMitS

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SAS Education Foundation

T he SAS Education Foundation, launched two years ago to expand and en-hance the educational and enrichment opportunities available for students and to secure the financial future of SAS, is now on a steady course of de-

velopment. Last year’s annual fund campaign raised over S$500,000 for the foun-dation, S$400,000 of which was raised at the annual Star Appeal Dinner held in March. For the second consecutive year, the Khoo family and the Khoo Foundation underwrote the entire cost of the dinner, ensuring that all the funds donated would go directly to the SAS Education Foundation.

Riady Performing Arts Center

The Memory Garden project received additional support with the recent donation of S$4 million by the Stephen Riady family. The donation will be used to enhance the area between the theaters, creating the Riady Perform-ing Arts Center, and will include the Memory Garden which is adjacent to this area. This very generous dona-tion is the largest single donation ever received by SAS and we are so truly appreciative of the generosity of the Raidy family. Design plans will be shared with the community when they are finalized later this year

Best Foot Forward

One of the stated goals of the SAS Education Foundation is financial assistance for students who have been selected for traveling teams, competitions or honors programs outside of Singapore, but who are unable to participate due to financial hardship. To advance this initiative, in May 2007 the PTA launched the Best Foot Forward Travel Fund, a part of the foundation restricted to providing financial assistance for students to par-ticipate in traveling competitions or honors programs. In honor of Bob Gross’s contribution to SAS during his eight years as superintendent, the PTA’s founding donation of $50,000 will ensure that the Best Foot Forward Travel Fund has a solid start.

Alumni Relations

SAS alumni relations will gain additional focus and support this school year with the appointment of Lauren Thomas as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations. Joining the office of Communications and Develop-ment after several years in the SAS Admissions office, she is looking forward to supporting SAS alumni and welcomes your feedback and suggestions. Write to Lauren at [email protected].

As a part of the expanded alumni relations support, the alumni magazine, SAS Journeys, will be published twice a year (in June and December) and alumni email newsletters will be sent on a regular basis. SAS Journeys edi-tor, Junia Baker, will be seeking input for feature articles and alumni news for future issues of the magazine. Write to Junia at [email protected].

Making a donation

For more information about the SAS Education Foundation or to make a donation, please go to the SAS website www.sas.edu.sg and click on “Giving to SAS” on the main menu.

Beth GribbonDirector of Communications and Development


About the Board

T he Singapore American School Board of Governors is made up of twelve elected volunteers who serve three- year terms and sit on a minimum of two board committees. All board members are parents of current students and members of the trust. The board operates through its working committees: Facilities, Finance, Curriculum,

Trust and Executive Compensation.

Are you a member of the American School Trust?

T he American School Trust Limited is the legal entity under which the Singapore American School operates. Members of the trust participate in the governance of the school by electing twelve fellow trust members to the Board of Governors, who oversee the operation of the school.

In order to vote at the Annual General Meeting, to be held this year on October 30, and to vote for the candidates stand-ing for election to the Board of Governors, you must be a member of the trust.

To become a member of the trust, you must apply directly; membership is not automatic. However, families new to SAS are members of the trust because the Student Admissions Form now includes a section for trust application. Any parent or legal guardian of an SAS student and any employee is eligible and is encouraged to join the trust. There is no fee to join the trust.

If you have not previously joined the American School Trust, or are unsure of whether our not you are a member, please call SAS Board Secretary, Margaret Yeo, at 6360-6314 for assistance.

Board of Governors elections to be held on October 30, 2007

A s a part of the American School Trust’s Annual General Meeting, to be held this year at 7:00 p.m., October 30, trust members will elect four governors to the school’s twelve-member Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of the school and providing guidance to the school’s administration. Each governor is elected to a three-year term, and while obligated to retire after completing his or her term, a retiring governor may choose to stand for re-election. Four governors will be retiring at this year’s AGM.

Trust members who wish to serve on the board and stand for election will do so in the following manner:

Each candidate must file a written statement of his or her intention to stand for election, supported by the signatures of 30 members in good standing of the trust by October 9, 2007. Filings should be made with the Board Secretary, Margaret Yeo. Forms for this purpose are available from Margaret, who is located in the Central Administration office and can be reached at 6360-6314. Margaret will be pleased to answer any questions on the electoral process.

Candidates who would like to have biographical data and a photograph included in the school’s October monthly news-letter will also need to submit this material to Margaret by Tuesday, October 9.

Board of Governors

More information about the SAS Board of Governors is available on the SAS website at http://www.sas.edu.sg/board/index.html


Meet the Board

Garth SheldonChairman of the Board

Bob ComstockChairman Facilities

William BallVice Chairman of the Board

Carl StockingChairman Finance

Sheila WangChairman Curriculum

Joseph AndersonBoard Member

Kirk HulseBoard Member

Bon Soon KooBoard Member

Tom LintonBoard Member

Maya RollBoard Member

Devin KimbleBoard Member

Bart BroadmanChairman Trust

Board Member since 1999Term ending 2008 Board Chairman

Member, Executive Compensation Committee Member, Facilities Committee

Member, Trust Committee

Board Member since 2006Term ending 2007

Vice Chairman, 2007/08Member, Curriculum

Committee Member, Facilities Committee Member, Executive Compensation Committee


Chairman, Facilities Committee Member, Curriculum Committee

Board Member since 2003 Term ending 2009

Chairman, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee

Member, Executive Committee Member, Executive Compensation Committee


Member, Facilities Committee Member, Trust Committee


Chairman, Trust Committee Member, Finance Committee


Chairman, Curriculum Committee Member, Finance Committee


Member, Curriculum CommitteeMember, Finance Committee


Member, Curriculum Committee Member, Facilities Committee


Member, Finance Committee Member, Trust Committee





10 SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

PTA DirecToryUpdate family information in August

each year the PTA publishes a directory of SAS families for the convenience of our school com-munity. Using address, telephone and email information from the admissions student records, the directory is published and distributed to all SAS families during the first quarter.

At the beginning of the school year, SAS will be asking for updated information for all SAS families (address, e-mail, and phone number). Kindly revise and return the Family Information Form, distrib-uted at Open House and the first week of school, as soon as possible. The updated information will be provided to the PTA at the end of August for the directory. changes made after the end of August will not be reflected in the directory.

if you do not want your family’s contact information included in the PTA directory, please notify the PTA directly by email at [email protected] or by fax at 6363-6452. The request to exclude informa-tion from the directory must be made annually. Because of the volunteer nature of the PTA requests to exclude family information from the PTA Directory can not be tracked from year to year.

A SAS family directory is also available on the SAS website. A user ID and password, required to access the directory, will be emailed to your family early in the school year. The online directory is updated regularly, based on the most current contact information in our student records database.

11SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

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PtA President’s letter

Welcome from PTA

M y name is Susan Fay, and as the President of the Singapore American School PTA, I would like to welcome you to this new school year. This is my third year as president of the PTA, and I am looking forward to another exciting year at

SAS.

To those of you returning to SAS, I would like to welcome you back after your summer vacation. We all look forward to catching up with friends and meeting our new members of the SAS community.

For those who have just joined us at SAS, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our community. By having your child or children enrolled at SAS, you are automatically a member of PTA. During my time here in Singapore, I have participated on a number of committees and attended many of the functions held at SAS and strongly encourage you to become involved with organizations supporting the Singapore American School, such as the PTA, Boosters and Arts Council. Participation in these organizations is a great way to become involved and meet many of the great people here in Singapore and to become involved with your child’s education.

Over the past several years we have seen dramatic changes in the school campus and we all should feel proud of the facilities that are available for our children. But the physical assets of SAS are only a small portion of the strength of our community. We look to you and your family to help us build the personal strength that SAS provides to our school and families.

To get everyone back together and get the new school year started, I would like to invite you to attend the PTA Ice Cream Social during the SAS Open House on Saturday the 11th of August from 10 am-2 pm in the Intermedi-ate/Middle School Cafeteria. This event will be a great time to catch up with friends and to meet new members of our SAS family.

If you are new to SAS please stop by the PTA Offi ce, located on the fi rst fl oor of the Intermediate School half moon addition, during Open House to pick up your Welcome Packet and meet some PTA Board members. We will be on hand to answer questions or just say hello. Included in your packet is last year’s SAS PTA Directory along with Wel-come Committee contact information.

We will be holding Divisional New Parent Welcome Coffees the fi rst week of school. This offers you the opportunity to meet other new parents and get to know the school and PTA better in a smaller setting. Please check this Newsfl ash or posters around school for dates and times.

I would also like to invite all of you to the PTA Welcome Back Coffee/General Meeting, which will be held at 8:30 am – 11:00 am on Friday the 24th of August in the Drama Theater. This will be a great opportunity to fi nd out more about the plans for this school year, and to fi nd ways to participate in activities around SAS.

During the fi rst few weeks of school you’ll see many members of the PTA Board and Welcome Committee around campus wearing badges. Please feel free to stop any of us to introduce yourself or ask questions. You can also contact us at [email protected] or call any member of the Board or Welcome Committee. Their information can be found in the PTA section of the school website.

I look forward to seeing you around campus as we begin another year here at SAS.

Susan FayPTA President

Welcomes You!

Open House &Ice Cream Social

Newcomer Coffeesat the SAS PTA Offi ce

A great way to meet other new parents and “old timers” too. Tours of the school will be available at the end of each session.

ECC & Primary SchoolThursday, August 16 • 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Intermediate SchoolThursday, August 16 • 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Middle SchoolWednesday, August 15 • 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

High SchoolWednesday, August 15 • 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

PTA Kick-Off2007 / 2008Friday, August 24 • 8:30 - 11 a.m.at the Drama Theater

Come to the PTA’s Welcome Back Coffee & General Meeting to learn about PTA events throughout the year and fi nd out how you can get involved.

This is a good opportu-nity to meet with other parents, new and old.

Saturday. August 11 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Intermediate / Middle School Cafeteria

You are invited to join us for the SAS PTA Ice Cream Social. Meet the teachers in their class-rooms, then eat free sundaes and popsicles!

The SAS PTA Offi ce will be open. New families can pick up a Welcome Packet and fi nd out more about the PTA.

Questions?For more information please visit our PTA website at:

www.pta.sas.edu.sgor email:

[email protected]

We’d love to hear from you!

1� SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

1�SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

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Welcome to a new year!

Things are already bustling on campus, and from Au-gust 20, I would like ALL PARENTS to know they are welcome to stop by the Booster Booth to browse around.In addition to selling high school uniforms and school sup-plies, we also sell cards, books, totes, towels, t-shirts, photo frames, sweat shirts and stadium cushions -- and there are always new items. The booth is near the high school office. Come by and pick up that special gift or maybe buy a little something SAS!

To High School Parents -- Welcome to the Booster CLUB!

As a high school parent, you are a member of the Booster Club, which provides our school and our students with a great deal of support. We support high school students by donating funds for fine art activities and IASAS bags to our athletes and delegates, as well as interim and senior scholarships; we provide shirts for traveling teams, coaches and peer support; we honor Honor Roll students, and fund awards given to athletes, Math Club students and the students voted most spirited. Our team moms, arts moms, booth moms and committee moms are all volunteers who help keep things together!

We are able to raise funds in several ways, including sales at the booth of a large variety of items, and this semester we will host two adult social events to which ALL PARENTS are welcome – Off to the Races on Friday, September 28 and our Holiday Jewel Luncheon on Thursday, November 29. Please plan on joining us for these fun-filled events.

Our Welcome Meeting is Monday, August 20 at 9:30 am in room H301. All high school parents are welcome. Come and meet other parents and see how you can help! For more information please contact: [email protected] or write to me directly at: [email protected].

Hope to meet you soon.

Booster President’s letter

The HS Booster Booth will be open in August selling HS uniforms and supplies.* August 8, 10 and 11 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the HS Booster Booth.* Starting Monday, August 13 the HS Booster Booth will be open Mon – Fri from 7:45 am – 3:15 pm.* Tuesday, August 28 is HS Back to School Night. The Booster Booth will be open for sales during the

evening.

BooSteR Booth SAleS

Booster Club’s Welcome Coffee is Monday August 20 at 9:30 am in Room H-301. Please come to meet other high school parents and find out about Boosters!

BooSteR WelcoMe coffee

Mark Friday September 28 down on your calendar for Booster’s first event of the year – Race Night at the Turf Club! All are invited to join. Buy tickets early since there is limited availability. Ticket sales begin in August.

BooSteR RAce NiGht

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S ession One is launching soon!!! Program flyers and registration forms will be sent home on August 31 in backpack mail for EASA and EASA Language. Registra-tion dates for Session One are September 3 to 7, 2007. Programs and registration

forms are available on the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa/ or contact the EASA office at 6360-6283.

About EASA at SAS

Elementary After School Activities (EASA) Elementary students at SAS can choose from a wide range of organized after school activities. EASA classes have been designed to enhance and extend the student’s learn-ing experience in music, performing arts, arts & crafts, computers & technology, mind stretch and recreation. Classes are taught by dedicated and professional teachers – many of whom are SAS faculty. EASA flyers and registration forms are sent home with el-ementary students by backpack mail at the beginning of each session.

EASA Language – Ni Hao! Bonjour! Hola! Learning a second language can be fun and enriching!

The Singapore American School brings you another en-richment opportunity for your children through the EASA Language Program. Classes will be available in Manda-rin, French and Spanish. This program provides an op-portunity for your child to experience learning a second language in an activity-based curriculum. Students will be engaged in activities that are rich in visual cues and focus on developing communicative enjoyment and confidence. The program has been designed as a continuous three ses-sion curriculum and students are encouraged to participate for the entire three sessions to get maximum benefit from the program.

• 3 Sessions running from September to May• Classes on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays• 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm• Grade appropriate levels: o Level A for KG - Grade 2 o Level B for Grade 3 - 5• Professional and experienced teachers

eASA and eASA language Program – Registration September 3 to September 7, 2007 –

Program Information and Upcoming Registration

Registration for Session One of EASA Language closes on September 7, 2007. Class sizes are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa/ or contact the EASA office at 6360-6283.

Adult Community EducationThe EASA office sponsors and manages classes for the SAS adult community. SAS parents, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Classes and fees vary from session to session based on type of activity and length of session. All classes are held at SAS after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and are taught by professional and experienced teachers. EASA is offering classes in Mandarin, conversational ESOL, PowerPoint, Basic Computer Skills, First Aid and Cooking. Information and registration forms are sent to SAS families by email and through the SAS What’s Happening weekly email newsletter.

Need More InformationFor information about EASA programs and registration visit the EASA website at www.sas.edu.sg/easa or call the EASA office at 6360-6283 or email [email protected].


SAS Music faculty involved in 2008 AMiS festivals By Rebecca Davidson, Middle School Band

P ractice the audition music. Make a recording. Drop it in the mail. Wait for an invitation. The steps to getting invited to attend an AMIS festival as a student participant are straightforward. But how does one become the featured Guest Conductor of such an esteemed event? Four SAS Music Faculty

found out first hand.

The Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) sponsors a variety of music festivals annually that are especially designed to benefit students in international schools. Across Europe and Asia, schools take turns hosting festivals for band, strings, and choir students in middle school and high school. Students who pass the audition spend two to three days in rigorous rehearsals working with a guest conductor to prepare and present a culminating concert. Each year, the Singapore American School is well represented at AMIS festivals around the world. Students from SAS band, choir and strings divisions consistently receive invita-tions to participate in the festivals.

But the 2007-2008 school year is especially exciting for SAS because three of our music faculty have been chosen as AMIS Guest Conductors and one will assume a position on the AMIS Executive Committee. Pat Brown (MS Choir) had a taste of what’s to come when she hosted the AMIS Middle School Choir festival here at SAS last April. No doubt, having an understanding of the behind the scenes workings of the festival will make her an especially effective Guest Conductor in Aberdeen, Scotland next spring.

While chaperoning the SAS Middle School Band delegates at last year’s fes-tival in Paris, France, Brian White (MS Band) decided to audition for the con-ductor’s role and was thrilled to be of-fered the position. He is excited about his upcoming experience as the director for AMIS Middle School Band in Beijing, China next January.

Stephen Bonnette (HS Strings) will be the featured conductor for the Middle School Strings festival in Brussels, Belgium in February. He had the chance to work briefly with last year’s Junior honor orchestra and it has whetted his appetite for the upcoming festival.

After appearing as the featured conductor of the Middle School Strings Festival in Vienna, Austria in March, 2006, Darrell Townshend (MS Strings) is serving a two-year term as a member of the AMIS Executive Committee through July 2009. Darrell will be involved with scheduling, long term planning and writing and modifying festival policy. A considerable amount of capital is needed to make the AMIS festivals happen, and another part of his job will be raising funds for a charitable trust that has been set in place to ensure the future of the festivals.

What an honor for the Singapore American School to be represented around the world not only by our hard working music students, but by our dedicated faculty who are excellent models of what it means to be lifelong learners who continually seize opportunities and pursue excellence at their art.

1�SAS NewsFlash – August 2007

IS Foyer/OfficeIS Classroom AssignmentsB

MS Foyer/OfficeMS Homebase AssignmentsF

Room M109MS Athletics & ActivitiesG

C

MS/IS CafeteriaPTA Ice Cream SocialE

PS Foyer/OfficePS Classroom AssignmentsA

High School 2nd Floor CafeteriaSubway & Juice ZoneL

On Campus ParkingP

Vehicle Pass/Decal - Available at PS/IS/MS/HS/Central Admin officeV

HS Athletics & Activities Office - HS S100DI

HS Foyer/OfficeHS Homebase AssignmentsJ

Drama Theater (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)HS New Student & Parent OrientationH

ECC Foyer/OfficeECC Classroom AssignmentsM

High School LibraryLim’s Uniform Sales - HS StudentsN

Elementary GymAmerican AssociationAmerican Chamber of CommerceAmerican ClubAmerican Womens’ AssociationANZA SoccerBoostersBoy ScoutsCaring for CambodiaCub ScoutsElementary After School Activities (EASA)Girl ScoutsLim’s Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS StudentsNavy LeaguePTA Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS StudentsSACACSavitar TennisSingapore American NewspaperSingapore International FoundationTabithaUS Embassy - US Voter RegistrationYoung Life

Booster BoothBooster Uniform Sales - HS StudentsK

Elementary TheaterBus InformationD

MS Waterfall

SwimmingPools

SwimmingPool

MS & HS Performing Arts MS & HS

Athletics

ClimbingWall

Athletics

RunningTrack &Statidum

Field

High School

ECC

Middle School

Intermediate School

Primary School

ElementaryGym

MS/ISCafeteria

EC D

VV

VJN

L P

P

P

P

P

P

P

V

H

B

VF G

A

KM

BoosterBooth

BasementParking

PTA Office

Admissions Office

SAS Main Gate

MS School Pedestrian Gate

HDB Parking Lot

I

P P

SAS Open House 2007

Blk 426A

Saturday August 11, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

During Open House only the front gate will be open for vehicular access. Parking will be available in front of the Primary School and Intermediate School, in the Elementary covered Car Park and the High School Basement Car Park and along the Middle School and High School driveway. In the event that parking space is not available on campus, a “Car Park Full Sign” will be displayed at the Front Gate. Additional parking is available at the HDB Car Park at Block 426A. The most direct access to the school is via the Middle School pedestrian gate. If parking in the HDB Car Park, please display hourly parking coupons and park in the white spaces.

SAS OPEN HOUSE 2007

Questions? Please send email to [email protected] or call 6360-6330

SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL

ICE CREAM SOCIALCompliments of PTA

IS/MS Cafeteria

ELEMENTARY GYM

American AssociationAmerican Chamber of Commerce

American ClubAmerican Womens’ Association

ANZA SoccerBoosters

Boy ScoutsCaring for Cambodia

Cub ScoutsElementary After School Activities (EASA)

Girl ScoutsLim’s Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students

Navy LeaguePTA Uniform Sales - PS/IS/MS Students

SACACSavitar Tennis

Singapore American NewspaperSingapore International Foundation

TabithaUS Embassy - US Voter Registration

Young Life

SALES/UNIFORM

Booster Booth - HS Lobby(Grades 9 -12)

PTA Sales - Elementary Gym(Preschool - grade 8)

BUS OFFICE

Bus Information

PTA OFFICE

New Family Welcome Packets

CLASSROOM/HOMEBASE

ECC - ECC Foyer/OfficePS - PS Foyer/OfficeIS - IS Foyer/Office

MS - MS Foyer/OfficeHS - HS Foyer/Office

FOOD & DRINKS

HS CafeIS/MS Cafe

Subway - HS Cafe 2nd FloorJuice Zone - HS Cafe 2nd Floor

VEHICLE PASS/DECAL

PS OFFICE IS OFFICEMS OFFICE HS OFFICE

Central Administration Office

HS NEW STUDENT & PARENTORIENTATION

Drama Theater (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

ATHLETICS & ACTIVITES

MS - Room M109HS - Room S100D

Saturday August 11, 200710:00 am - 2:00 pm

Singapore American School Newsflash, August 2007

Documents

Transcript of Singapore American School Newsflash, August 2007