from our headmaster - american community school …€¦ · from our headmaster volume 2; issue 1;...
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From Our Headmaster
Volume 2; Issue 1; March 12, 2014
A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L AT B E I R U T
ACS Welcomes You
Important We need your photo and a short introductory paragraph for our next issue.
Please note that entry is not granted to Lebanon to passports showing Israeli visas or stamps. If this ap-plies to you, please get a new passport immediately.
First paycheck will be available on last working day of September.
Arrival date at Beirut should be around August 18 - 19, 2014.
Keep this issue! You will be met by someone from the welcoming committee and your principal in the greeting area after you pick up your baggage and go through customs. Our pictures are in the issue.
Karim Abu Haydar
Welcome to our first issue of the welcoming committee newsletter. In these newsletters, we will try to answer
most of your questions, at least those that might apply to all of you. For individual concerns please contact
your “buddy.” The school will be providing you with his/her name soon.
I have had the opportunity and pleasure either to meet almost all our new faculty
over Skype or in person during the hiring process this year, and I am very excited
about this group. You are literally joining us from all over the world. You include
some relative newcomers to teaching as well as some highly experienced veterans,
and at least two of you have professional singing backgrounds. I am delighted that
you are bringing your talents to ACS Beirut and I know that our students and our
community will greatly benefit from your presence here.
It is spring in Beirut. The flowers and trees are blooming, the sun is shining, and we
are all eagerly anticipating your arrival in August. Enjoy spring wherever you are,
have a glorious summer, and I look forward to a great year ahead for all of you.
Hamilton Clark
Welcome , I am the new Deputy Headmaster, Karim Abu-Haydar. I have
been at ACS since 2005, serving as the Middle School principal for nine
years. Prior to coming to ACS, I was the head of a small independent
N -12 school in Broumana, Lebanon. Before that, I was an Elementary prin-
cipal in Edmonds Washington and I taught special needs in Seattle WA
and New York City. I enjoy hiking, skiing, playing tennis, golf and just being
outdoors.
Karim
From Our Deputy Headmaster
Hello to everyone joining the ACS community this summer and I hope you are look-
ing forward to the road ahead. I am eagerly anticipating getting started as the
new high school principal and working with an outstanding group of teachers and
students next year. Beirut will be my third international post, having worked in Cai-
ro and Abu Dhabi for the past nine years. I am lucky to have a wonderful family
joining me as well; Kim, who will teach PE in the elementary school, and our daugh-
ters (both under 2) Reagan & Katelyn. We call Las Vegas home so if you happen to
be visiting "Sin City" this summer, let us know.
Robert
Meet Your Principal
Robert Evans - HS Principal
Phil Wendel - MS Principal
Sawsan Yaseen - EY Principal
ACS Welcomes You
Greetings from Portland, Oregon. My family and I were overseas for 14 years
before returning to the US almost 4 years ago so that our daughter, Katie, could
finish high school in the US before starting college. Prior to returning to Portland,
we lived in New Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Jakarta - and are very excited to
now be returning to the NESA region. My husband, Donn, will accompany me, with
his work in private business frequently taking him to Africa. Our dog, Schooner,
will keep me company when Donn is away.
Looking forward to this new adventure and to meeting everyone in August.
Diann
Welcome to the Early Years Division at ACS! You’ll be a great addition to a team
whose members are very professional, dynamic and passionate about children and
their learning, and I trust that you are, too. Together we will embark on a learning
journey as we dialogue and communicate to build relationships with children, parents
and colleagues. This journey will be joyful as it reflects the Early Years vision,
“Nothing without Joy” for everyone. I look forward to meeting you in August!
Sawsan
Welcome to ACS! I am excited to have you join our middle school faculty this year. You
are joining a vibrant, dedicated group of middle school educators who are student-
focused and have a deep understanding and appreciation for the many development
challenges the middle school child experiences. The Middle School is a warm, caring and
challenging place for our students. As such, students feel safe here and generally like
coming to school.
I have been at ACS four years and have loved every minute of it! Life in Beirut is
amazing! My hope is that you will have the same type of experience. This is such a fas-
cinating and exciting journey you are about to begin-I am so happy to be a part of it.
Phil
Diann Osterlund - ES Principal
When you arrive in Beirut you will receive a shipping allowance which will vary in
amount depending on your status (single, family, etc.). This is the only money you will
receive before pay day in September, which will be on the last working day of the
month. You are entitled to ask for an advance in salary from the Business Office.
Shipping allowances do not go very far. Beirut can be an expensive city and get-
ting your apartment set up, getting cleaning products, groceries and other essentials
you need when moving into a new home, and just general living for the almost two
months without a pay was very expensive. As of last year, most singles need around
$1500 USD in addition to their shipping allowance to get through until their first
pay day. In Lebanon both USD and Lebanese pounds are accepted in all places
and I would suggest making sure you have enough cash with you when you arrive to
help you get by until the end of September.
Finances & Your First Pay Check
Travel Arrangements
As you all already know, I will be handling your
travel arrangements along with my assistant Nour
Abou Hamdan. This is a kind reminder of what I
already wrote you in my welcome email letter.
Travel arrangements:
To facilitate your transition, kindly advise us of
your departure city (home city) and specify
airport name so I may reserve and book your
flight to Beirut.
Reservation guidelines:
Arrival date at Beirut should be around August 18 - 19, 2014. Keep in mind that orientation begins August 20,
2014.
I will advise your flight information and will arrange for a member of our welcoming committee to meet you at
the airport.
If you will be traveling with a spouse/dependent I will need a copy of their passport.
If you are traveling with a pet, let me know ASAP so I can choose an airline that is pet friendly.
ACS Welcomes You
YOUR SHIPPING AL-
LOWANCE WILL BE
THE ONLY MONEY
YOU WILL RECEIVE
BEFORE PAY DAY.
YOU WILL RECEIVE
YOUR FIRST
PAYCHECK ON THE
LAST WORKING DAY
OF SEPTEMBER.
Raouche or Pigeon Rock
Shipping
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING YOUR BELONGINGS WITH YOU ON THE AIRPLANE AS EXTRA LUG-
GAGE. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE AIRLINE IN REGARDS TO LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE BEFORE DEPARTURE.
DO NOT INCLUDE CDs, DVDs OR PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS IN YOUR SHIPMENT. IN-
CLUDE SUCH ITEMS IN YOUR TRAVEL LUGGAGE.
I recommend that you bring your belongings with you on the airplane as extra luggage. Please check with the
airline in regards to luggage allowance before departure. However, if you must ship your belongings, I recom-
mend the following shipping companies:
CIEL, please contact Mr. Fadi Marchi, Tel: 00961- 4- 522149 Cell: 00961-3-687450 [email protected]
COMPASS LOGISTICS, please contact Mr. Mario Nassif, Cell: 00961-3-355152 [email protected]
CARGO MASTER LINE, please contact Jack Abou Zeid, Tel: 00961-1-561000 [email protected]
NATIONAL SHIPPING CO, please contact Mirielle Sfeir, Tel: 00961-1-560986 Ext: 314
LEVANTINE, please contact Mr. Waele Daher, Tel: 00961-1-368170. [email protected]
BCC (Beirut Cargo Center), please contact Jad Daccache, Tel: 00961-1-482211 Ext: 118
BIM (Beirut International Movers), please contact Georgette Bejjani, at 00961-1-495500 Ext: 107
Whether you ship with the above mentioned company or any other shipping agency, I urge you to insist on a
written quotation / invoice describing clearly the services and related charges you are getting, this is the best
way to avoid surprises later.
Do not include in your shipment CDs / DVDs / Video tapes, prescription or over the counter drugs. Include such
items in your travel luggage. Please note that a door-to-door service does not include Lebanese custom duties
charges if any.
Clearing a shipment through Lebanese Customs could take up to three weeks from the time it arrives to Beirut.
You have to be present in Beirut for the shipment to clear; the shipping/clearing agent will need your passport
to do the job. I recommend you ship your belongings three weeks before your departure if you are shipping by
air, eight weeks before departure if you are shipping by sea, so it may arrive to Beirut around the same time
you do. In any case, consult with your shipping agent on when to ship and ask him questions about custom duties
(based on your packing list he should be able to tell you what is subject to custom duties and what is not and
give you an approximate figure of your custom bill and your total bill for shipping and clearing charges. (From
past experience, custom duties on personal effects were not significant, but it all depends on what you are
bringing in).
ACS Welcomes You
ACS Welcomes You
Your Mail
Whenever you are settled in Lebanon, you may forward
your mail to either of the following addresses, as it is
not advisable to have it delivered to your flat.
American Community School at Beirut
PO Box 11- 8129
Riad el-Solh, Beirut, 1107-2260 Lebanon
This will get delivered to our PO Box which we empty
2 to 3 times a week OR to the school's post office station:
American Community School at Beirut,
67 Nigeria Street, Jal al-Bahr, Ras Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon 2035-8003
You may use the ACS NY office address for important mail
such as bank statements, financial statements etc. Only small
(5"x 9”) light weight (up to 2 oz) envelops are forwarded
weekly via courier to Beirut. Bulk mail, parcels, catalogues;
pamphlets etc. will not be forwarded.
American Community School
3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 8th floor
New York, New York 10017
Kaak Seller on the Corniche
Early 20th Century Beirut house: These are
disappearing.
Dear new hires,
I wanted you to see one of the initiatives we are working on at ACS. Next week we
will launch a literacy campaign, “Get Caught Reading.” We are trying to get eve-
ryone in school reading more and to get everyone here to focus on improving their
vocabulary, their reading, writing, and speaking skills. We have a lot of great ac-
tivities planned, but know that many of you have experience in this area as well,
and look forward to having you contribute your thoughts as we move forward with
the campaign. Please let me know if you have ideas for us at this juncture. All the
best.
Our Literacy Campaign-Please see letter attached to this e-mail
Cell Phones
Before you leave the airport, you need to register any cell
phone you bring into the country. There is no charge but your
SIM card will not work if your phone isn't registered. Within
any six month period, you are allowed to bring up to three
phones into the country.
The following forms and information are needed:
A colored copy of your passport, valid for 16 months from the date of arrival to
Lebanon, clearly showing passport number, picture, name and with one blank page
available for visa stamp(s).
Colored copy of the highest university degree attained.
Mother’s and father’s name.
There is no need for medical tests in advance. They are completed after your arri-
val to Beirut with the assistance the School Nurse & The Expat/Ministry Affairs Co-
ordinator.
Photos will be taken after your arrival to Beirut with the assistance of The Expat/
Ministry Affairs Coordinator.
Other legal documents will be provided by the school.
After entering Lebanon on a work visa, it is very important to know that the process
of granting the work and residence permit will take between 8 to 10 weeks. During
this time the person involved cannot make travel plans to leave the country.
Your passport and all other original documents will be attached to the application
and submitted and retained by the security office for a period of time.
Upon your arrival to Beirut airport, please go to the Visa desk and present a copy of the
visa sent to you along with your passport and ascertain a work visa is stamped on your
passport. The work visa stamp fee is approximately US$ 35 and must be paid in cash.
School personnel are not allowed beyond the greeting area of the airport but a school rep-
resentative will await your arrival outside of the baggage pick-up area and will verify that
a work visa stamp is complete on your passport. Please look for a sign that reads ACS and
your name on it.
During orientation you will be reimbursed the $35 for your work visa. Bring your passport to
me in the business office.
Pre-Work Visa/Work permit/residency requirements for staff
Additional Information
Visa/residency requirements for accompanying dependents
The additional visa/residency requirements for accompanying dependents and nonworking wives are as
follows:
Original marriage certificate.
In addition to some other nationalities, a free tourist visa is offered upon arrival at Beirut Airport to the
following: Americans, British, Canadian, and Europeans.
As an accompanying person, the nonworking wife and/or dependent will apply for the yearly residency
upon granting the residency to the guarantor husband/father.
Dependents and non-working wives also have to go to the security office.
ACS Welcomes You
The process of
granting the work
and residence
permit will take
between 8 to 10
weeks.
During this time
your passport will
be retained by
the security office;
it will not be in
your possession.
Do not make trav-
el plans to leave
the country during
this period of
time.
Make sure the
visa is a work
visa and not a
tourist visa and
have $35 dol-
lars in cash
ready at the
Visa desk.
ACS Welcomes You
Starting at the beginning of each New Year, the Welcoming Committee starts to meet to plan for your arri-
val in Beirut and at ACS. We want to make sure your transition to living and working in Lebanon is a won-
derful experience. I’m pleased to introduce to you the 2014 Welcoming Committee Members. We are also
anxious to meet all of you too! If you could e-mail a photo and a blurb about yourself by the 1st of April (for
our next newsletter) it would be appreciated. You can e-mail them to [email protected].
Meet Your ACS Welcoming Committee
Karim
I am Karim Abu-Haydar and would like to welcome you to ACS at Beirut. Beirut and
Lebanon has a great deal to offer. I enjoy attending the various locally developed
theater productions, and a variety of music performances such as the El-Bustan and
Beit-El-Dine concert series. The outdoors is another wonderful outlet when in Lebanon.
Nada
My name is Nada Aoun; I’m from Lebanon. I am the Expat/Ministry Affaires/ Per-
sonnel Coordinator at ACS. I have worked at ACS since 1984 handling several
jobs including visas, work and residence permit for all foreign hire and their de-
pendents. Commitment towards my job and colleagues is my priority. I enjoy sight-
seeing and have visited several countries but I have never seen a country like Leb-
anon. This country combines endless opportunities of fun, beach, nature and out-
door activities and an unforgettable time awaits you.
Jocelyne
My name is Jocelyne Diab Bitar, I am Lebanese & I am the Human Resources Coordinator. I
will be facilitating your transition to Beirut. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Rania
My name is Rania El Chaar, I hail from Tampa, Florida. I have been at ACS for 4 years now
as a homeroom teacher in the Elementary division. For the first three years I taught 2nd
grade, this year I am teaching 3rd grade. It has been a true joy and pleasure working with
colleagues that are very talented and diverse. Lebanon is a country that is full of culture and
life. There is never a dull moment...
ACS Welcomes You
Hello and Welcome to ACS and to Beirut, both wonderful places in which we hope you will
feel at home quickly. We are so happy you are joining us as each of you brings something
valuable and unique to ACS.
To make your life a success, it is important to embrace all that is here in this incredible city;
history, culture, music, great food of every description, languages, opportunities for
exercise and exploration of Beirut and Lebanon from the sea to the mountains. And at
school, please get to know your colleagues who represent a fantastic array of talent and
experience and are wonderfully warm and generous people you will be happy to call
friends soon.
We are all here to help your transition, whether this is your first time abroad or not. Please ask anyone on the
WC or in your division or building for his or her best advice and assistance. We are stronger together than
individually, so please think of yourself as a member of a team that functions best when we work together.
Welcome!
Ceci
Nada
I’m the upper school nurse (MS and HS) and I’ve been at ACS for 19 years. I coor-
dinate the First Aid class for HS students and integrate them into the school disas-
ter team. I was born in Beirut and enjoy everything we do in this country with its
weather and atmosphere. I love to travel and I plan lots of trips inside and out-
side Lebanon throughout the year for ACS community members and friends. We
visited Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Jordan and many
more. I am a very pet friendly person and I have Klu (Himalayan cat) and fish
too. I love art and have my own designs of hand-made masks, mosaic pieces and frames. I am excited to be
with this group and to welcome you into our ACS family.
Haitham
Marhaba, I'm Haitham Marroush and I'm on the IT Team (Networks and Support
Specialist). I've been at ACS for 14 years now.
I'm Lebanese, from Beirut, and lived in the ACS neighborhood for 23 years and
am looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you the interesting history,
culture and happenings in Beirut.
Rebecca
My name is Becky Naughton and this is my first international teaching job, and
the end of my first year at ACS. I teach high school history, grade 11 IB and
grade 10 World History. I also coach volleyball and track. My husband is Ryan,
and he is the athletic director here at ACS. We originally came from Chicago.
Beirut has been great for hiking and also for being a vegetarian, along with
running along the corniche. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
ACS Welcomes You
Talar
My name is Talar Partiyan, I have been at ACS for 12 years, and I am the
science facilitator in the Middle School. I am a mother of 2 boys, grade 4
and grade 8. I love motorcycles and I am the director of the Lebanon Harley
Owners Group Chapter (H.O.G. ®).
Andrea
My name is Andrea Norman and I am the Head Librarian. Most of the time, you will find
me in the Upper School (6-12) Library. I come from Vermont and have worked overseas
for 22 years which has allowed me to see many places. I love to travel, garden and
explore Lebanon. I love it here! The people are open, friendly and they want to share
their country. I have often been invited in for coffee as I tour small towns. The neighbor-
hoods are just that neighborhoods and you feel as if you belong. I hope you will love it
as much as I do. Welcome!
Julianne
Marhaba and Aloha~ My name is Julianne Ostrosky, the Performing Arts and
Music teacher for Grade 2-5. I arrived from Hawai’i 2 years ago and absolutely
LOVE Lebanon!!! Coming from what many people call ‘Paradise” and the other
side of the planet (literally, Hawa’i is 12 hours behind!) I have found my own
paradise here at ACS. My joys are singing and playing jazz, the dances of the
African Diaspora and Hawaii, communing with the natural environment, and
hanging out with my wonderful friends that I’ve made here in Lebanon. Be sure to
come and join me and my dance cru for Faculty, Staff and Friends Zumba class after school…. We make fit-
ness fun!!! And if you love friendly, resilient people and delicious food~ you are going to love it here as well.
A hui hou~ Until we meet ;)
Tom
My name is Tom Pederson and I have been a HS math teacher at ACS since 2005. I have
teaching in overseas schools for 24 years. My favorite things here are my Lebanese col-
leagues, hikes and drives in the mountains, and hummus. Minnesota is my home in the
States.
David
I’m Dr. David Warren and I’m the current deputy headmaster at ACS. I’ve worked in
schools in California, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. I have actually been a “newcomer” at
ACS twice, having worked here from 1996 to 2000, and again from 2006 to the present.
I love the hospitality of the Lebanese people and love spending my weekends in a village
in an olive growing area in North Lebanon.
ACS Welcomes You
Jesse
Hello! I’m Jesse, the Atelierista (Artist-in-Residence) here at ACS. Born in Adana, Tur-
key, and raised throughout Europe and nearly every region of the United States, I
feel more at home on transportation than anywhere else. Before Beirut I lived in
Hong Kong, where I helped start up an Art and Design University's abroad campus. I
am inspired and driven by art in all its forms, and I have a hilariously similar-looking
ruby Cavalier spaniel named Eli. I love road trips, dancing, mo-town, and playing
cards. Welcome to Beirut. You’re going to love it here!
CATS
To give you a clear picture of Lebanon, we have to include a
picture of a cat. This particular cat, BB, belongs to the school and
yes she has been spayed and has all her shots.
Cats are everywhere. We hope you like them; if not they will most
likely stay away from you. If you are like many of the teachers
who have made Beirut their home, you may end up owning a
Beiruti cat or two. They are very good at getting adopted. Some
of our favorite Beiruti cats are Kousa, Nestar, Phoebe, Cafouli and
Jazz. I am sure we missed many.
Zeina
My name is Zeina Yammouni and I‘m from Lebanon. I have been at ACS for 6 years and
I’m the Facilities and Operations Administrative Assistant. My favorite thing is to jog along
the Cornishe. Looking forward to see you and welcome you into our ACS.