Monday, June 3, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Our last weekly post of the school year, and what a school year it has been. I am grateful to be a member of a learning community with such positive and engaged parents, such as yourselves. Parents and educators here at ACS are truly making a special and powerful difference for your children!

There are just a few announcements for the final 3 days of school, and some notes for next year:

End of Year Art & Music Shows: Tuesday, June 4

                8:30-9:45 - Upper Elementary Show
                10:40-11:55 - Lower Elementary Show

Grade 5 Graduation in the Theater on Wednesday, June 5 from 8:30-10:30 am followed by a reception by the fountains afterward. Grade 5 students have roughly 10 invitations that they can use for attendees to the graduation, and this includes siblings and family members in the school. 

Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 5 - 12:00 pm dismissal for all students

Report Cards sent home during the afternoon of Wednesday, June 5

Class Placement Assignments will be sent to parents on Friday, July 26

Returning Family Orientation will be on Wednesday, August 7th from 8:30-9:30 am: In this event, we will talk about new offerings, transportation options to and from school, ECAs, lunch services, and students will have an opportunity to meet their new teachers! We hope to see you there!

The First Day of School for KG5-G5 is Thursday, August 8th: Students should arrive before 8:15 am for their first day of school! They will be dismissed at 3:15 pm. KG3/4 will have Parent Meetings that day, before a 2-day Staggered Start and the first full day of school on Tuesday, August 13th.

I wish you all, and your families, a wonderful, healthy, safe, and meaningful summer break. We are looking forward to welcoming you all back in August!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, May 27, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Happy Monday! It was wonderful to see so many community members at our talent shows on Friday. What a joy it was to see and hear our students sharing their passions with us all! 

We have 6. more days of school after today and are very much in the thick of all the work to end the year on a good note. Teachers are working tirelessly on report cards and finishing assessments and projects. We have a few notices to share with you below:

Reminder: No School this Thursday, May 30th (Corpus Christi Day)

End of Year Art & Music Shows: Tuesday, June 4

                8:30-9:45 - Upper Elementary Show
                10:40-11:55 - Lower Elementary Show

Grade 5 Graduation in the Theater on Wednesday, June 5 from 8:30-10:30 am

Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 5 - Dismissal at 12:00 pm for all Students

Report Cards sent home during the afternoon of Wednesday, June 5

Class Placement Assignments will be sent to parents on Friday, July 26

Thanks for reading, I wish you a lovely week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, May 20, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Talent Show Week is Here: We have Dress Rehearsals and the big shows this week, and we are so excited. Here is the schedule:

    May 21, 2024: 3:30-5:30 pm - Lower Elementary School Dress Rehearsal (KG4-G2)

    May 23, 2024: 3:30-5:30 pm - Upper Elementary School Dress Rehearsal (G3 to 5)

    May 24, 2024: 10:40-12:40 pm - Lower Elementary School Talent Show (KG4 to G2)
                             5:30-7:30 pm - Upper Elementary School Talent Show (G3 to 5)

For dress rehearsals, we are asking the one performance group representative parent to be in attendance and help with getting the group ready and on stage.

For the shows, Lower Elementary parents of performers are invited to attend. The entire elementary school will be in the theater, so space is limited. For the evening show for Upper Elementary, all are welcome. There is no charge to enter or tickets required.

Vision Testing for KG5-G5 Students: Our elementary students in KG5 through Grade 5 will have their vision tested in the next 2 weeks. Should there be any concerns about vision, a letter will be sent home to parents encouraging a visit to an ophthalmologist. KG3 and KG4 will not be tested unless a teacher has a specific concern about a student's vision.

A Reminder: No School Next Thursday, May 30th - Corpus Christi Day

Thanks for reading! Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, May 13, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

It was lovely to see so many of you at our Nations Parade, as part of International Day this past Friday. I would also like to give our gratitude and thanks to the parents who helped to put on a wonderful "World Expo" Friday morning. The event was lovely and it was such a joy to see our students exploring the various activities, foods and presentations from the 10 countries present. This week is a relatively quiet week, comparatively. We have just a few events to mention:

Open House Tomorrow from 8:30-10:30 am: Please share the poster below and relevant information with anyone you know who might be interested in enrolling children here at ACS. Thank you!

Wednesday Middle School Transition Evening for Grade 5 Parents: If you are a Grade 5 parent, please join us on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:30 pm to learn about the upcoming move to Middle School. Our MS team will be there to answer questions and present about the exciting changes on the horizon for our graduating Fifth Graders!

Parent Coffee this Friday on the Elementary's New Schedule: Please join us Friday morning at 8:15 am for a Parent Coffee on Elementary's exciting new schedule! We hope to see you there!

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely week,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, May 6, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents, 

As you know, many things are happening at school right now. But we will make it through this busy time - and these events and your engagement will make it very special for our students!

End of Year Calendar: Monitor all the things happening on campus over the next 5 weeks!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNM_GmzwQltTOGtEcbQambeD0SHmuzIlIwxfpDB8q4U/edit?usp=sharing

International Day: We have over 30 countries represented in our student body, but only have 10 countries represented for International Day! Signups for parents are open and your engagement will make this day extra special! Please sign up to represent a country! Time is running out!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-u0unGQQl2-XoV1IEWFJy1d3m2-E0mfS0p1J0qmrksU/edit?usp=sharing

Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank you so much for bringing in flowers for your teachers today! It was a joy to see children coming in with such beautiful bouquets. On Wednesday, you are invited to send in a dish, drinks, or a dessert for a teacher luncheon. The event starts after dismissal - 12:45 pm and will last about an hour. Send in any food in a container with your name and child's grade level. Thank you!

Library Inventory and Closure: Our library inventory takes place at the end of each school year. We will be closing the space starting next Monday through the end of the following week (May 13-24). Please return all library books you have in your home no later than Friday. Thank you!

Open House for Prospective Families: Next Tuesday, May 14th, we'll be hosting prospective families to learn about our program and take a tour of campus. The event starts at 8:30 am and will last roughly 2 hours. Please feel free to share this info with anyone you think might be interested! Thanks!

Thanks, as always, for reading. I wish you a lovely week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, April 29, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Happy Monday! I hope you and your families enjoyed a nice weekend. I feel like my skin, clothes, plants and life are drying out a bit with the end of the rainy season. I also feel grateful for all of the support and energy you and your children bring each day. We have a lot of events happening at school, as you know, and your help is greatly appreciated in making these events special for our kids. Below, see a few reminders on upcoming events:

A Note from Our Food Service Provider: Many families are overdue in paying for their children's food service. Please note that if debts are outstanding on May 1st, your child will not be able to purchase lunch until the bill has been paid.

No School on Wednesday: Labor Day

End Of Year Calendar: For the final 8 weeks of school, you can track all school events here. Access it by copying this link into your browser:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNM_GmzwQltTOGtEcbQambeD0SHmuzIlIwxfpDB8q4U/edit?usp=sharing

Please note that this calendar is "living" and changing all the time with new events being added, so please bookmark the calendar and revisit it over the next few weeks for the most up-to-date information!

STEAM Family Fun Afternoon: This Friday, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, join us in the Elementary quad for a host of wonderful STEAM challenges, activities, food and fun. See your students creative problem solving and enjoy time with our community.

International Day: I am getting close to begging parents for their help with this event. We have only a few parents who have signed up to represent a country on this special day. Please read more here:

<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j0dUkYNSK_QsoJLFmKXCdIVBMB1LZpImPnzWh5e2_hg/edit?usp=sharing>

This will be fun! Please consider getting involved - our parents need you!

Teacher Appreciation Week: The week after next, May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week; a time to give thanks and show appreciation to all of our teachers for their hard work during the year. We are asking for parent help with 2 events:

Monday, May 6: Send your child in with a flower (just one!) for each of their teachers!

Wednesday, May 8: Send in a dish and/or come to help out with a Teacher Luncheon from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in the ES Auditorium!

As always, thank you for reading! Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, April 22, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

It was such a joy to see so many of you at our Earth Day concert on the green Friday afternoon. What a wonderful way to celebrate the new environmental initiatives ACS is adopting, and all of the learning about sustainability that our students have taken on in this year! Thank you for your support and attendance on this special day!

Talent Show Registration Reminder: The due date for registering for the talent show is this Friday! 

        Please see my original letter about the Talent Show here:         https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ATgFLCuru1Bi_-lqUXnLGcqN9riMCEYh4qOgxEFfkkM/edit?usp=sharing

Book Fair this Week: Last week we had a very successful Book Swap Fair. This week is another momentous event from Literacy Celebration Month; we are hosting Bolivian and international publishers selling the newest and hottest books. This is our first in-person book fair since at least 2007 (I hear), and parents are invited! Drop in on Thursday or Friday between 8:30 and 3:30 pm to book shop!

Book Character Parade: This Friday at 10:45 am, we will host our Book Character Parade. Students are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite book characters, and of course, parents are invited to come see! We'll open our doors at 10:40 am, and the parade should 20-30 minutes. 

A Note from Our Food Service Provider: Many families are overdue in paying for their children's food service. Please note that if debts are outstanding on May 1st, your child will not be able to purchase lunch. 

Thank you to our Early Childhood Team: During “Dia del Niño,” Classroom Representatives from our ECE program coordinated a Toy Drive, where ACS students were invited to donate a toy to less fortunate children. KG3 first got together to talk and create awareness for our students, and then KG4 and Grade 1 joined in the fun. The toys were delivered to “Casa de Esperanza” last week and a few pictures are shared below.

Thank you for reading. I wish you a lovely week,

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, April 15, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents, 

Thank you for taking the time to read my weekly letter to you all - there are so many things going on at the end of the year, and many of them will be improved with your engagement! We are actively seeking parents to participate and join us on all the fun that's coming between now and the end of school. To help you keep track of the many, many things going on at ACS, I have created an End Of Year Calendar for the final 8 weeks of school. You can access it by copying this link into your browser:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UNM_GmzwQltTOGtEcbQambeD0SHmuzIlIwxfpDB8q4U/edit?usp=sharing

Please note that this calendar is "living" and changing all the time with new events being added, so please bookmark the calendar and revisit it over the next few weeks for the most up-to-date information!

Tomorrow from 5:00 to 6:00 pm - Parent Coffee on Child Protection at ACS: In response to the very upsetting news recently from another school in La Paz, we want to present ACS's proactive and comprehensive approach to Child Protection & Safeguarding. This presentation will be given by me, both as elementary principal at ACS, and as officer of the board for the Global Safeguarding Collaborative; a non-profit child protection organization, and other members of our Child Protection Committee.

The event will be Tuesday, April 16th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and is open to ACS parents and parents from other schools. Please share with any friends who may be interested in attending. Thank you!

A Letter to Parents of Incoming KG3 and KG4 students: Please see the letter here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15dX-OHSOes_7UViM8D6r-Jol27Hbs5023GFsfZFFhCI/edit?usp=sharing

Book Swap Fair - April 18 & 19: We will host a Book Swap Fair for parents and kids this week! Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16, you can bring any books you are "done with" and exchange them for Book Swap tickets. These tickets can be exchanged for "new to you" books on Thursday and Friday. Any of your own books that are not swapped can be taken home, or donated to our libraries. This event is open for children's books you are done with, and adult books too! In any language! Send your books to the ES Auditorium in a bag, with your name or your child's name on it tomorrow or Wednesday!

This Friday is Earth Day at ACS: This Friday, we will host a day of learning about our planet in celebration of Earth Day! In the afternoon, from 2-3pm, we will also host a barefoot concert on the green, which parents are cordially invited to attend!

These are just the imminent events, but as you know there's way more in the coming weeks. You can see it all on the calendar linked at the top of this letter. Again, we are eager to see you here on campus to celebrate with us!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, April 8, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Happy Monday! There is so much going on here at school. It's all so very exciting. The weeks ahead have so many rich opportunities for your children to learn, experience, and grow. I want to just take a moment to encourage all parents to engage with us; every event we have in store has opportunities to parents to take part, observe and get involved in the ways that you can. Please read on for a long list of the events ahead:

KG3/4 Full Day Information Session - Tuesday, April 9 from 5:00-6:00 pm: Tomorrow evening, we look forward to welcoming new and returning parents to campus to learn about ACS's plan to extend the learning day for KG3 and KG4. If you or someone you know are interested in enrolling your 3- or 4-year-old, please come! We look forward to seeing you there!

Parent Coffee - Friday, April 12: Literacy Education at ACS: This Friday morning, we look forward to hosting elementary parents to talk all things related to literacy education. You will learn about ACS's innovative workshop approach to teaching reading and writing, and have an opportunity to ask questions and also learn about how you. can support your young readers and writers at home! We hope to see you!

Earth Day at ACS: On Friday, April 19th, we will host a day of learning about our planet in celebration of Earth Day! In the afternoon, from 2-3pm, we will also host a barefoot concert on the green, which parents are welcome to join!

Book Swap Fair - April 18 & 19: Next Thursday and Friday, April 18trh and 19th, we will host a Book Swap Fair for parents and kiods. Starting on Tuesday, April 16, you can bring any books you are "done with" and exchange them for tickets. These tickets can be exchanged for "new to you" books on Thursday and Friday. Any of your own books that are not swapped can be taken home, or donated to our libraries.

STEAM Family Afternoon - May 3 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm: On the first Friday in May, we will host a Family Fun Afternoon with visiting guests, unique STEAM-oriented challenges, food, drinks, and lots of fun! Save the date, this will be an opportunity not to be missed!

International Day at ACS - May 10, 2024: International Day is back, with the theme, “Our Planet, Our Home: Taking Care of Each Other." We will have a "World Expo" with countries from around the world represented by our families. If you would like to sign up to bring an activity or traditional food from your country, please visit <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-u0unGQQl2-XoV1IEWFJy1d3m2-E0mfS0p1J0qmrksU/edit?usp=sharing> Thanks - we are looking forward to celebrating International Day with you!

A lot is coming - so please know that you are cordially invited to engage with us. Your presence at events like those above means so much not just to your own kids, but to our entire community!

Thanks, I wish you a warm and windy week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, April 1, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

Happy Monday! I hope that you and your families had a wonderful week away from school. I enjoyed visiting the Uyuni Salar and Sucre - both were lovely and amazing in different ways. April is absolutely packed full of wonders here at school and today, we started to wade into all of the activities we have to look forward to! Please read on for more information:

April is Literacy Celebration Month at ACS: This entire month, we will be celebrating our love of reading and writing. We have events like book swaps and book fairs, author visits to each grade level, a door decorating contest, and way more! You can participate by sharing your love of reading and writing at home and taking part in the many open events we have available to parents. 

Talent Show: You may have seen my post in ClassDojo earlier today about our Elementary Talent Show in late May, “Cougar Cubs in Concert!” If you missed it, you can read my letter HERE or paste the following link into your browser: <https://rb.gy/tb1vq5>. Don't forget that if your child would like to perform with others at this year's talent show, you must register by Friday, April 26th!

Earth Day is Friday, April 19th at ACS: Like many of our families, our students, teachers, and school care deeply for the environment and are working to instill and develop a passionate interest and understanding of the natural world around us. On Friday, April 19th, our Green Team will be spearheading a celebration of Earth Day. There will be fun learning events throughout the day, and a concert on The Green, in front of the auditorium, from 2-3 pm, which parents are encouraged to join! We hope to see you there. Stay tuned for more information on the day's programming.

Friday, May 3 is STEAM Family Afternoon from 3:30-5:30 pm: On Friday, May 3rd, we will host a family-focused STEAM event, with guests, special challenges, food, and fun! More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

Thanks so much for reading. I wish you a productive and positive week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

 

 

 

Monday, March 18, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

The last week before "Spring" break will be a busy one! We are completing final preparations for student-led conferences, and I know that your children will amaze you with their presentation skills, critical reflections, and goals for the coming quarter. 

As a side note, I will be away from tomorrow through Friday. With Dr. Warren and several teachers, we will be attending the AMISA Educator's Conference in Asuncion, Paraguay. I will give a presentation, and Dr. Warren will give one too. Though conferences like this one, and the opportunity to present are special, I am reluctant to miss this exciting week here at school. 

Student-Led Conferences: As you know, this Friday is a special opportunity for you to join a reflective and action-oriented meeting with your child. It's important for you to know a few things about these conferences:

• Promote Independence: Allow your child to take the lead at the conference. Encourage them, and be an active listener and participant. Offer guidance and support as needed, but allow your child to take ownership of the conference. Help them set realistic goals and brainstorm strategies for improvement.
• Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement boosts their confidence and motivation to continue striving for success.
• Attend with an Open Mind: Approach the conference with an open mind and a positive attitude. 
• Focus on Growth: Emphasize the importance of growth and progress rather than just grades or outcomes. Encourage your child to learn from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.

A few more logistics about student-led conferences:

• Your child must be present. Siblings are welcome to attend or can visit our library during conferences.
• Our teachers will host several students at a time and will be present to encourage, assist, and answer brief questions. 
• These conferences are celebratory and are not the time for conversations about social, emotional or academic concerns you may have about your child. However, your teacher will be standing by, prepared to schedule meetings for you to discuss your concerns at another convenient time.
• 10-minute student-led conferences are also available for Specials (Art, Music, PE & Technology) and Spanish. There are optional, but children will be prepared for these presentations as well.

Should you have any questions about student-led conferences, please do not hesitate to contact the front office.

Thank you, as always, for reading - I wish you a bright and thought-provoking week ahead! I also wish you a lovely week of rest and relaxation next week. I look forward to seeing you all after Spring Break!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Dear Parents, 
We had a wonderful Parent Coffee this past Friday, sharing all of the new academic improvements parents can expect going into next year. I was very pleased that we had such a strong turnout and am thankful for those who could make it. This week, we have several important events to look forward to:

Puberty Q&A Session for Grade 5 Parents - Wednesday, March 13 from 5:30-6:30 pm: We will be hosting an evening session for Grade 5 parents who have questions about our upcoming puberty unit in the Elementary Auditorium. We look forward to seeing you there!

SLC Sign-Ups: Parents with more than 1 child in the Elementary School have received sign-up links to register for student-led conferences. The sign-ups for all other parents will go out next Thursday, March 14th. Thank you!

KG3 & 4 Full Day Programming is Here: One of the significant improvements to our programming that we are considering is moving KG3 & 4 to a full day. The benefits are countless, and we feel strongly that this will better serve our families and community. On the evening of April 9th, from 5-6pm, we will host a Q&A session for parents about the program. Please feel free to join us!

Additionally, we are trying to get the word out to prospective families about this opportunity. Please feel free to share the following poster with your friends in the community with children that might be candidates for our KG3 & 4 program next year!

Thank you for reading - I wish you a very peaceful and productive week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal

Monday, March 4, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

A rainy Monday makes me hope that the rainy season is nearly over. We have lots happening right now, so please check below for more information:

Friday, March 8th - Parent Coffee - Curricular Review & Looking to Next Year: Join us to learn about the exciting Curricular Review taking place in our Elementary School this semester. We are looking at a variety of subject areas, evaluating how our current curriculum and programming in each area are meeting the needs of our community, and exploring opportunities for growth and innovation! We hope to see you there!

Student-led conferences are scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2024: These conferences are valuable opportunities for families to engage in their child's learning journey and celebrate achievements together.

During these conferences, students take ownership of their progress, set goals, and showcase their achievements. Teachers have prepared them to identify challenges, express ideas clearly, and communicate effectively.

Parents will gain insight into their child's academic progress and understanding of strengths and challenges from their perspective.

Here's how you can support your child:

• Encourage independence and active participation

• Celebrate achievements to boost confidence

• Approach the conference with an open mind and positivity

• Focus on growth and learning from setbacks

A few other logistics:

• Your child must be present; please do not leave them at home. Siblings may also attend

• Teachers will be present to facilitate various student groups at a time

• For concerns, please schedule a separate meeting with the teacher

• Specials and Spanish conferences (10-minutes in length) are optional but also available

Soon, you will receive links to sign up for conferences. From March 7th through 14th, parents with more than 1 child in our ACS elementary school will be able to reserve their space. From March 14th through 21st, all elementary parents will be able to register.

April: We are so excited to share a new event at ACS - Literacy Celebration Month! The month of April will be jam-packed with fun events that promote a love of reading and writing. We have author visits, parent workshops, a book fair, a book swap, and tons of other things coming. April will be a busy month and parents are encouraged to get engaged and be part of the fun! Stay tuned for the exact days and times of these exciting events!

Friday, April 19th - Earth Day at ACS: That's right - on Friday, April 19th ACS will be coming together as a true "Green Team" to celebrate Planet Earth and raise awareness on sustainability and environmental topics. We are very excited for this day!

Thanks so much for reading! I wish you a week of sunshine or at least sunny spirits!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree

Elementary Principal

Monday, February 26, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

I hope that you had a lovely weekend - I noted that there were lots of students going to birthday parties and playdates on Friday afternoon - so perhaps parents are slightly more tired than usual after this weekend! We had a Monday Morning Meeting (MMM) with the elementary school this morning. This was our 10th of the year, and is a nice opportunity to bring our young cougars together for community building, some celebrating and some singing - we believe heartily that a school that sings together sticks together! We talked about all of the events we have to look forward to this year - many of which were announced today! You will see more information on these below:

This Week - Yearbook Photos: Please remember to check the schedule linked below for information on when your elementary child will have their yearbook photo taken. Additionally, please rest easy knowing that we will have several parents on hand to ensure that every child's hair is combed and that they don't have any food on their faces!

Friday, March 8th - Parent Coffee - Curricular Review & Looking to Next Year: Join us to learn about the exciting Curricular Review taking place in our Elementary School this semester. We are looking at a variety of subject areas, evaluating how our current curriculum and programming in each area are meeting the needs of our community, and exploring opportunities for growth and innovation! We hope to see you there!

Friday, March 22nd - Student-Led Conferences: Please save the date for this important date in the school year. We love this year as it's an opportunity for our students to reflect and share their learning progress with their biggest fans - parents! Sign-ups will start in a few weeks and more information is coming soon!

April: We are so excited to share a new event at ACS - Literacy Celebration Month! The month of April will be jam-packed with fun events that promote a love of reading and writing. We have author visits, parent workshops, a book fair, a book swap, and tons of other things coming. April will be a busy month and parents are encouraged to get engaged and be part of the fun! Stay tuned for the exact days and times of these exciting events!

Friday, April 19th - Earth Day at ACS: That's right - on Friday, April 19th ACS will be coming together as a true "Green Team" to celebrate Planet Earth and raise awareness on sustainability and environmental topics. We are very excited for this day!

Lots more is in the works and coming in May, including a family STEAM event, International Day, the Elementary Talent Show, and other end-of-year events! I'll save you the details of all these, but there's always lots happening here in our Cougar Den!

Thanks for reading and best wishes for a fun and fabulous week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree

Elementary Principal

Monday, February 19, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents, 

I hope that you had a nice weekend after the beautiful Carnaval celebration and long weekend last week. It was such a joy to see your children dancing and celebrating Bolivian culture and traditions, and to see so many of you enjoying the fun!  I enjoyed my first trip to Tarija and found the Carnaval celebration there to be beautiful, awe-inspiring, and a little wet!

We turn now to the next big events on the horizon. Please see below for all the things to look forward to in the coming weeks and months!

STEAM Family Event: On Friday, March 8th from 3:30-5:30 pm, we will host a STEAM Family event. This is a great opportunity to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math challenges with your children and ACS faculty! The event will have a variety of different events that will be extremely fun and snacks and food for all participants! More details are coming, but please save the date! We hope to see you there!

Student-Led Conferences: On Friday, March 22nd we will host students and parents for celebrations of learning. Sign-ups will be shared starting in early March. If you are unfamiliar with Student-Led Conferences, these are blocks of time when you and your children come to the classroom and your child will lead you through the learning that they have done over the past weeks and months. They will share goals, areas where they struggle, and areas where they are proud of their accomplishments; all through a celebratory lens! This is a special event in the school year, and a favorite of students, teachers, and parents alike! Watch for more information in the coming weeks!

Yearbook Photos are Coming! Next week, the week of February 26, we will have professional photographers on campus to take photographs for the yearbook. These photos will also be available for purchase - some info will be sent out soon with details on how to order. For now, you can see the day and time that your child will have their photograph taken on this schedule.  <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_L3amG2v5xJFAKhWtsjNIRkdKQDuyi5lDKHLFTtTpB8/edit?usp=sharing> 

Thanks so much for reading. I wish you a week of sunshine and smiles.

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree

Elementary Principal

Monday, February 5, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents,

We have an exciting week ahead of us here on campus, and it's ending with a 4- day weekend. I hope that following our busy Friday you are able to get away, kick back and relax, or do whatever it is that recharges you and your family!

Carnaval de Entrada this Friday:

Our students and teachers have been preparing for Friday for several weeks. They've learned about the history of their dances, and have been rehearsing together to show off their moves! Friday will be a busy day - please read on for details on what to expect.

• Dance Performances:
• Our KG3 through Grade 1 students will be in the gymnasium doing their traditional Bolivian Carnaval dances from 8:45 am until 9:45 am. Parents of these Lower Elementary students are asked to send their children into school that morning with their costumes on and their hair done! Parents will be allowed into campus starting at 8:40 am.
• Likewise, our Upper Elementary students will be in the gymnasium for their dance performances from 10:45 am until 11:45 am. Parents are allowed on campus to help with costumes and hair at 10:05 am. General admission to the gym will begin at 10:40 am. 
• Potluck:
• On Friday, all students from KG5 through Grade 5 will have recess from 12:40 until 1:05 pm. During this time, classroom parents and those parents who have signed up to help will be putting the food that's been brought in on tables in 1 of the 2 grade-level classrooms.  One classroom will host the food service, and the other classroom will host the eaters. 
• At the end of recess, all students will return and, in an orderly fashion, get their food and eat it in the other classroom. Parents will be allowed in to set up for the lunch at 12:35 pm. 
• Please note that if you are renting a Carnaval costume for your elementary student, these need to be returned on Friday, before leaving for the weekend. 

A Reminder: No school next Monday and Tuesday for Carnaval de Entrada!

Lost & Found: ACS is inundated with unclaimed clothes & other items. During your visit to campus on Feb. 9, please take a look through these items to see if your child lost anything. They will be displayed on tables near the Elementary front entrance. Please note that anything left at the end of the day will be donated to a local charity. 

Operation Smile Cookie Decorating Party - Friday, February 16th: Several passionate ACS high school students are raising money and awareness for Operación Sonrisa - a charitable organization that helps to pay for surgery for children in Bolivia with cleft palates. They are inviting all elementary students to attend a cookie decorating party next Friday to raise money and learn about the organization. The details are below - please register if your child would like to attend. Thank you for your support of these students and this cause!

Thanks so much for reading. I wish you a festive and fabulous week!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree

Elementary Principal

Monday, January 29, 2024

Dear Elementary Parents, 

Happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend. We are in full swing rehearsing for Carnaval now - we have a few activities, which I have mentioned below for the big day, Friday, February 9th! Please read on for more details:

Carnaval de Entrada at ACS: On Friday, Feb. 9 we have some real treats in store for our community. From 8:45-9:45 am, our KG3 through Grade 1 classes will be performing a series of Bolivian Dances in the gym. All parents are invited to attend! Following that, from 10:45 to 11:45 am, Grades 2 through 5 will be performing. Following the dance performances, we will host a potluck lunch for all students - please see the form sent by your child's classroom teacher to sign up to bring something! 

100th Day of School this Thursday: Please join us in celebrating the 100th day of the school year on Thursday, by reminding your elementary child to dress like an old person, or wear an item with 100 somethings (dots, stripes, etc.). Thanks!

Thank you, as always, for reading. I wish you a week of smiles and serendipity!

Sincerely,

Eric Crabtree
Elementary Principal