SHARKThe American International School of Rotterdam

From the Director

Dear Parents,! ! ! ! !

First, I'd like to thank Mr. Zeilstra and Mr. Brown for organizing an excellent Sports Awards dinner and event on Wednesday. Particular thanks, however, go to the tireless Mrs. Lancaster and her team of parent helpers for bringing in food for the event and decorating the tables so attractively. The event was very well attended and demonstrated once again how important these activities are in the life of the school. 

Forthcoming events are (please check other notes for precise details and times):

• Monday, 5 Dec: Sinterklaas arrives in school• Wednesday, 7 Dec: Teacher Professional Development/Half Day• Thursday, 8 Dec: PTSA Tree Lighting Ceremony and Elementary School Winter Performance (7.00pm)• Friday, 9 Dec: High School Exams and IB Diploma Mocks begin• Tuesday, 13 Dec: 7.00pm - Board Meeting• Thursday, 15 Dec: 12.30pm - 1.30pm Middle School Music Showcase; 6.00pm - Elementary School Play: "The Little

Prince"• Friday, 16 Dec: Semester and second quarter end

Finally, please see the following note from the Counselor, Sharice Welch, concerning recent academic successes in the school. In one of my roles, I am delighted to be able to add my congratulations to both boys mentioned:

"Recognition of Outstanding Achievement

 The fall semester of senior year can be a busy time for some students as they prepare for the application phase of the college admission process. Two of our seniors have been readying their applications for early admission to colleges and universities in the United States and United Kingdom. We congratulate Stephen Markham on his perfect score of 800 on his Chemistry SAT Subject Test. The SAT Subject Tests measure studentsʼ knowledge and skills in particular subject areas.  These tests can be important in university admissions – even at schools that donʼt require them for admissions. At very selective schools, which do require them, performance on these tests can be crucial for admission. Stephen has also done exceptionally well with near perfect scores on tests in Math and US History. We congratulate Alexander Gamble on his strong score of 2220 on the SAT Reasoning Test.  The SAT Reasoning Test is an entrance exam for students seeking admission to colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.  The test includes sections in critical reading, math, and writing. A perfect score on the test is 2400.  Again, we commend Alexander for his exceptional performance.Alexander is also to be commended on earning an admission interview to the University of Cambridge.  Cambridge is a highly selective and world-renowned university. Due to the level of competition in the applicant pool, interviews are not offered to all applicants.  Alexander has been invited to interview next week and we wish him well."

Have a great weekend,Graham Gamble

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SHARKThe American International School of Rotterdam

From the Elementary Principal

Dear Parents,

First of all a very big Thank you to the PTSA and Tjeerd for the wonderful Thanksgiving Lunch. It was very well organized – thanks to Shelley Moseley and her great team of volunteer parents. The food was excellent – Thank you to Tjeerd for all his hard word work in making this a very special lunch for everybody.

Up-coming events:• December 5 – Sinterklaas will visit the school. Hopefully he will arrive at the school at 1:15. The students,

thanks to Mr. Temminck and Ms. Dini Benard, will provide a short program of song and dance for him. • December 8 – Tree Lighting Ceremony and Seasonal Program. 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.• December 15 – Elementary Play – The Little Prince. This event will take place in the school Gym, starting

at 7:00 p.m.

On Thursday, 17 teachers from International Schools joined us here at AISR for the EAL job-alike. It was a very successful day – the teachers had the opportunity to talk about their programs and share possible resources. The visitors were very complimentary of the EAL program we offer at AISR – several of them would like to come back and spend more time with the teachers in the classroom. A big Thank you to the EAL team for making this a very worthwhile event.

As I mentioned before, Sinterklaas will visit AISR on Monday. Here is some information for those of you who are new to the country or if you just want a reminder of the story behind this popular Dutch tradition.

http://sinterklaasjournaal.ntr.nl/

Saturday November 12 Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrived in the Netherlands.This event was broadcasted on t.v. The weeks after Sinterklaas and his helpers, Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters) will appear at lots of other places.For our school Sinterklaas has planned a visit on Monday, December 5 at 1:00 p.m.

For those of you who are new to this country, Sinterklaas may be a bit confusing.He is not Santa on his sleigh. They are related in a way, and they both come with nice presents in wintertime, but Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet have their own tradition in the low countries.

When the weather is bleak and the wind howls, they come to see how we are doing. They love to reward those of us who have tried hard to do the good things. They like to make fun of things that didnʼt go too well. They love to write about us in verses. They are one of the old settled traditions of Holland.

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SHARKThe American International School of Rotterdam

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Sinterklaas has been around since the 4th century and his helpers joined him on his journey through the ages. He has become a t.v. celebrity during the last 5 decades and of course the tradition has changed as we have. The essence of the tradition, how ever, still stands: In wintertime it is nice to share good moments around the fireplace. It is nice to give presents, as well as to receive them. And the chocolate and gingerbread delicacies, who doesnʼt like them?

Schoenzetten is a tradition that may confuse our children here. Lots of Dutch children start setting their shoe by the heater, or by the door as soon as Sinterklaas has arrived in Holland. They put their shoe, sing a Sinterklaas song and leave a carrot, or something else for the horse with it. The next day they hope to find a candy or small present in it. They may also find a note telling them they didnʼt clean up their toys! Any way, some kids will come to school showing off their present, while other kids didnʼt get anything. Please be aware of this.

For the 5th of December we will put up a show for Sinterklaas.We will start as soon as everyone is sitting comfortably in the gym around 1:15And will end the show at 2:15.

PreK 1 and 2 will perform the Dutch song In Holland staat een huis.KG will perform the standard of Kleine Zwarte Piet, a story about a little helper who got lost.1st (AISR/JSR) grade will recite some poems Sint moet naar de Kapper and Zou ik een Pietje mogen zijn? and Kijk ik heb vijf Pietjes op mijn hand.2nd(AISR/JSR) grade will do the dance Linker been Rechter been.3rd(AISR/JSR) Schimmel is ziek van Annie M.G. Schmidt4th(AISR/JSR) grade will sing Sint maakt zich zorgen!5th(AISR/JSR) grade and 6th (JSR) grade will do a song and dance De Zwarte Pieten Beat.

Sinterklaas will say a few words to us and after the show we will sing goodbye song Dag Sinterklaasje.

Have a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing you next Thursday.

Sincerely,Anne-Marie Blitz

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