The American School Foundation of Guadalajara, A.C. www.asfg.mx ASFG Community December 2012

Nuestra obligación es informarte, la tuya enterarte. Por favor lee tus correos y ayúdanos a salvar árboles. ASFG GREEN

Investing in Our Student’s Educationby Ander Lozano Zurita, HS Student

Education is the single most important tool to prepare younger generations for the future; it helps them become more complete human beings and succeed in life. Without scholarships or financial aid, many leaders of tomorrow might never be able to realize their goals, and all that potential would be wasted. For these reasons, both the public and the private sectors have been pouring more money into scholarship funds, as they know that investing in our students is the most profitable and beneficial way to contribute to the future.

ASFG has developed its own organization to help ASFG students financially by granting scholarships each year. Through numerous fundraisers and generous donations, the Educational Scholarship Foundation (ESF) has been able to aid a number of students.

By contributing to the ESF project, you can be part of the development of a future scientist, architect, lawyer – or something else that we can’t yet imagine. There is so much we can do in a lifetime that will transcend our days on this planet. Helping form a more educated and prepared generation is definitely worthwhile.

Post Graduate Education is a Community Service at ASFG by Sheree Nuncio, Special Programs

One of the most often heard comments from the students in our international master’s degree program at ASFG, sponsored by Framingham State University, is the wonderful camaraderie generated among the classmates from the different sections of ASFG and different bilingual schools in Guadalajara. Our class is currently made up of students representing all four

sections at ASFG and the ASFG Language Institute as well as four bilingual schools in the city and an ASFG alumnus. In the past, we have been host to students from Canada, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, and Guatemala as well as sending our students to Nicaragua, Aruba, Korea, Monterrey, and Mexico City. The international nature of our program welcomes educators from anywhere in the world and we are always happy to open our doors to bilingual teachers from local schools who are in search of a post graduate degree in international education. The richness of classroom

experience that has resulted from reaching out to these different communities has been invaluable to the learning process.

Ayúdanos a ayudarAsociación de ex alumnos del ASFG

Los alumnos y ex alumnos del ASFG han estado muy activos en los diferentes concursos de ciencias a nivel nacional e internacional. En Novo Hamburgo, Brasil estuvieron participando Juan Carlos Sanabria y Santiago Peña, dos ex alumnos, que mientras estudiaban en el ASFG ganaron el 1er lugar nacional en Expo Ciencias en la ciudad de México. Representando al ASGF participaron seis equipos en Expo Ciencias 2012 en Puebla, de donde trajeron muy orgullosos tres primeros lugares y un tercer lugar a nivel nacional, además de la acreditación para ir al Verano de Ciencias en Rusia. Todos ellos fueron a sus respectivas competencias apoyados en parte por la Asociación de ex alumnos. Las inscripciones o el hospedaje se consiguieron con los donativos que la asociación recibe, de la venta de bebidas en los diferentes eventos del colegio y con las generosas aportaciones que las familias del ASFG realizan durante el proceso de reinscripciones.

¡MUCHAS GRACIAS! a todos los que han contribuido para que la Asociación de ex alumnos del ASFG pueda apoyar el desarrollo académico de nuestros alumnos. Seniors Deliver a High School

Survival Seminar for 9th Grade Students in Mentoringby Leo Díaz, High School Counselor

Seniors delivered a high school survival seminar to the ninth grade to share their personal and social experiences as well as the skills and attitudes that a serious college preparatory school like ASFG expects from students over four years. The ninth graders enjoyed meeting and learning from the seniors and having time to ask questions. The seniors encouraged the ninth graders to become involved in the life of the high school and delivered fundamental pieces of advice to not only "survive" high school but to make the most of it and accomplish the goals, dreams and aspirations that students choose to pursue.

The feedback on the seminar was positive. Mr. Derek Chase said, "This was a great opportunity for the seniors to

serve their younger peers and exercise positive leadership as well as an opportunity for meaningful community building in the high school." One of the ninth graders commented: "I really liked having the opportunity to ask questions and doubts that I had about exams, and classes and teachers. I liked how they explained how the AP classes are because I am interested in them."

The mentoring program will continue to promote peer counseling and the coming together of generations at ASFG.Thank you, Seniors!!!

Earthbox Mexico Comes To ASFGby Tina Carstensen, EC Principal

Arugula, broccoli, carrot, eggplant, lettuce, and spinach! These are vegetables that early childhood students planted recently in Earthboxes. Through this process our students have been learning about patience, responsibility, tenderness, nutrition, and cuisine!

Earthboxes are a gardening solution for urban settings or small spaces. They are built for sustainability, using less fertilizer and a third less water than conventional gardening projects. Representatives from Earthbox Mexico have been supportive of our school’s interests and efforts at gardening with students. They have trained our teachers, visited us to check on how the plants were growing, and attended ASFG community events such as Family Day and our recent conference on The Pedagogy of Food.

Our school’s elementary and middle school sections also have Earthbox projects planned for this school year. As part of early childhood’s service learning, we sponsored an Earthbox project with Don Bosco’s preschool who are now growing vegetables for their school community.

When asked what they have learned about growing plants with the Earthboxes, our students responded:

At first the plants were tiny and now they are bigger. – Laia, nursery student

I like eating plants we grew. – Julieta, kinder student

The sun and the water makes the plants grow.– Maria, kinder student

Students Modeling Community When No One is Lookingby Mary Anne O'Connor, Academic Support Services Teacher/Coordinator Elementary.

Community is like good manners or one’s character, it is what we do when no one is watching. It is easy to play the skeptic and say that there are few signs of community here on campus when we are aware of the altercations that occur in classrooms or outside during any given day. However, during one ordinary day, I did see community happening without any overt reminders to be ‘in communion’ withone another.

I witnessed students from Latin, Caucasian, and Asian backgrounds playing basketball without a referee and figuring out the rules together. I saw a male teacher encouraging middle school boys to join in a game that was made up of girls in order to promote unity among them. I heard a polite thank you given to a cafeteria worker by a young gentleman from high school. I heard words of consolation from one elementary school student to another who had fallen and hurt her knee. I heard another boy asking permission to use a friend’s crayon when he could just do easily have taken it without the other knowing. Not accounts of international diplomacy and accord, but definitely that of building community and communion among us!

Being Part of a Communityby Bill Cotter, 7th grade Team Leader

What does it mean to be part of a community? The word community is a strong word, because it identifies the group we choose to be with and the values we share. The ASFG community is made up of students, teachers, and parents who commit themselves to a task, pull together to help each other, and celebrate success.

Recently I witnessed these values in action when thirteen middle school students

competed in the Codigo Ciencias Science Fair. This fair exemplified how the ASFG community came together to support each other in being successful.

The success of our students relied on the support of Fernando Guzman, who spent hours guiding our students when they had questions. In addition, our students worked together on their own time to create successful projects. Finally, the parents of our students came together and helped by driving students around to work together on their projects, and spending their weekend supporting ASFG students at the fair. It was truly a team effort, and one that exemplified the community at ASFG. We are a community that is committed to excellence as well as to supporting each other and our students on the path to success.

At the time of printing Everard Van Zoelen, a seventh grade student won first place nationally in the Science Fair in Puebla.

Printed on Recycled Paper Impreso en Papel Reciclado ASFG GREEN

Blankets to the childrenby Roberta Leano Fregoso, 2-20 Student

I’d like to tell you that I felt so happy to be able to give 50 blankets to the children of ONI (Organismo de nutrición infantil, A.C.). I asked my mother if we could donate them because I wanted to help the children and keep them warm. I think that they will be very happy and warm this winter. I’m glad we all can help many children less fortunate than us. Let’s keep on helping them all year long! I’m very proud of my school that cares so much about children who don't have very much. I thank the American School and my family for teaching me these values.

International Family Day 2012por Alejandro Garza, Director Atlético

En un hermoso y espectacular día del mes de septiembre se llevó a cabo nuestro International Family Day 2012, donde contamos con la asistencia de 1644 personas y la participación de representantes de 23 nacionalidades en el desfile de banderas. En esta ocasión, los países que desfilaron fueron: Alemania, Argentina, Bélgica, Canadá, Colombia, Corea del sur, Cuba, España, Francia, Gran Bretaña, Holanda, Honduras, Italia, Japón, Nicaragua, Noruega, Portugal, Rusia, Suecia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Estados Unidos de América y México. Además de los tradicionales stands de comida, eventos especiales y actividades deportivas, ESF tuvo la idea fabulosa de traer una granja donde nuestros pequeños alumnos interactuaron con los animalitos.

El departamento de Educación Física y Deportes agradece a todas las personas que colaboraron para que este magno evento fuera ¡todo un éxito!

Día de Muertos - una tradición viva en el ASFGPor Norma Guinto, Directora del Programa Mexicano

Las costumbres y tradiciones forman parte de la identidad de una comunidad. El ASFG es una comunidad que día con día crea una nueva cultura que nace de la interacción de personas de diferentes países que conviven en nuestra escuela en un marco de respeto y tolerancia, valorando la riqueza que nos aporta la diversidad que representa cada uno de sus miembros.

Como mexicanos, nos enorgullece aportar a esta comunidad internacional una de nuestras tradiciones más emblemáticas: El Día de Muertos, cuyo altar adornado con las fragantes flores de cempasúchil, el papel picado y las calaveras, estuvo dedicado al gran cómico mexicano Mario Moreno Cantinflas y fue realizado por las maestras y alumnos de la sección de primaria.

Composting: ASFG's Commitmentby Juliet Evans, ASFG Green committee

Nature is the ultimate recycler. It finds a way to take advantage of anything organic; leaving no waste, no pollution.In an attempt to imitate nature by putting our organic waste to good use, ASFG is going to start composting on campus. Food waste from cafeterias such as fruit and vegetable peelings will be mixed to the correct proportions with garden waste to initiate the composting process.

The project will begin in January 2013, starting small at first as staff and students learn about the process together. Students already have some experience with composting from seeing the worm-composting in Mr. Nacho’s science class. The new compost heap will be located in a corner of the green area behind elementary so that teachers and students can have easy access in order to observe and learn from the process. We hope that in just a few months the first compost will be ready to use on the pre-first classroom gardens, improving the quality and water retention properties of the soil.

About 50% of all household waste is organic. By composting our food and garden waste, we drastically reduce the amount sent to Guadalajara’s landfills, as well as producing rich, new soil that improves the health of our plants, our surroundings, and ultimately our whole community.

La alegría de ser parte de nuestra comunidadpor Carolina Díaz, maestra de maternal

Ser maestra de los alumnos más pequeños de toda la comunidad ASFG es un privilegio. Mi principal objetivo es que los niños amen su colegio, que encuentren el gusto por aprender y el gusto por venir todos los días; es una satisfacción que se ve reflejada en sonrisas, carcajadas y abrazos.

Los niños de maternal nos recuerdan la importancia de sorprendernos por las cosas más pequeñas de la vida y que los adultos olvidamos o vemos tan comunes. Son seres únicos, aprendiendo de todo lo que les rodea a través de sus sentidos; quieren descubrir el mundo, experimentar, bailar, disfrutar la misma canción mil veces como si fuera la primera vez que la

escuchan, crear y sentir. Durante esta primera experiencia dentro de nuestra comunidad escolar, aprenden a cuidarse a sí mismos, a cuidar a los que nos rodean, cuidar nuestro planeta y forman sus primeras relaciones de amistad.

Es gratificante ver sus caras llenas de satisfacción al tener un logro o al escuchar lo que sienten y piensan, pues son pequeñas personas aprendiendo a amar su colegio.

“¡Mira la sombra, me persigue y se hace grande!” Allegra, 3 años

“Nos encontramos una mariposa… y está hermosa, porque tiene puntitos negros.” Pablo, 3 años.

Programa de FCDpor Brenda Glez, MS/HS Counselor

El pasado mes de octubre, el ASFG le dio la bienvenida nuevamente a FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency), organización que año con año trabaja con nuestros estudiantes de escuela media y preparatoria, personal del colegio y padres de familia, en nuestro programa de prevención contra el uso de alcohol, tabaco y otras drogas.

El uso y abuso del alcohol es uno de los temas más urgentes con los adolescentes del ASFG y en la comunidad. Durante su visita, FCD nos proporciona la más reciente información científica sobre la prevención y nos ayuda a reforzar las estrategias que, como colegio, tenemos y hemos encontrado útiles, para ayudar a mantener seguros a sus hijos. Como lo es el Acuerdo de Comunidad sobre lineamientos y supervisión de fiestas que ofrecemos desde hace cuatro años.

Fue una semana muy enriquecedora en la cual toda la comunidad aprendimos y compartimos. Diversas y muy interesantes conversaciones sobre prevención y salud fueron iniciadas; ¡los invitamos a continuar aprovechando este gran programa y a continuar esas conversaciones en casa!

Muchas gracias por sumarse a nuestros esfuerzos.

Empty Bowlsby Chris Peterson, MS Art Teacher

Have you heard of Empty Bowls yet? We hope so. It’s our opportunity to make a difference and contribute to ending hunger locally. How does this happen? Students, parents, artists, and interested community members donate their time and talent to the production of one-of-a-kind, hand-made ceramic bowls. Once the bowls are finished they are displayed and sold at a community-wide event – an art exhibit of ceramic bowls where delicious soup is also served. But be careful – don’t put soup in the hand-made bowl you just purchased!

The name Empty Bowls is a reminder that far too many children, adults and seniors do not have food to fill their own bowls. The bowls themselves symbolize this fact.

On a personal level, my wife and I have seen first-hand the positive impact Empty Bowls can have. At the American School of Tegucigalpa Honduras, we found tremendous support for the event. The money raised supported three day-care centers that were founded on the progressive principle of breaking the cycle of poverty by supporting working mothers.

The wheels are turning here at ASFG. Excitement is building. We have the talent. And we have the heart. We are committed community contributors that know how to make a difference. To learn more, please ask us questions. You can also visit the Empty Bowls website: www.emptybowls.net.

Art Fest 2012por Rosa María Colín de Julián, Coordinadora General del Art Fest

Art Fest… un lugar… donde exponer, compartir, aprender, y adquirir arte: arte joven, arte amateur, arte profesional, arte

valioso, arte costoso, arte para la casa, arte para la vida, arte.

Una experiencia… para la imaginación, la creatividad, el asombro y para descubrir, poco a poco, la magia del lenguaje silencioso que, con formas y colores, habla del espíritu, al espíritu.

Una explosión… de entusiasmo contagioso, colaboración, concurrencia y participación en un proyecto conjunto de la comunidad ASFG, que lo ha hecho posible desde hace 24 años.

Art Fest… Sucede en dos días, pero deja una experiencia colorida que llena al espíritu de fiesta y alegría.

Making Tough Choicesby Julie Villand, Instructional Programs Director

To balance ethical development with academic rigor, the school’s staff needs to build trusting relationships. This means that cynical attitudes must be put aside in order to allow for deep, meaningful learning experiences.Thirteen ASFG members did just that when we recently participated in a two-day training session from Global Ethics. We studied our school’s moral awareness by defining the values promoted by ASFG, and then by identifying, analyzing, debating, and resolving dilemmas. By using “right versus right” dilemmas, we could debate concepts such as “truth vs. loyalty,” “individual vs. community,” “short-term vs. long-term,” and “justice vs. mercy.”

We also practiced how to clearly communicate our thought processes in order to resolve a dilemma. Resolution required us to choose which side was closest to being right by asking specific questions such as: Do we choose the side that produces the greatest good for the greatest number? Do we do to others what we would like them to do to us? Do we implement a rule that we want everyone to follow? By taking deliberate actions to define our school’s moral compass, ASFG is better equipped to have supportive relationships with all school members, promote a culture of open feedback, allow for authentic student input, and affect the type of learning that is needed for a rapidly transforming world.