AISA Express
School
Vol. 1, No. 1
Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year!
Principal’s Welcome
Photos by Mr. Bassem Kandil
Dear AISA Students,
I
t is my pleasure to welcome AISA
students to the 2010/11 school year.
We have worked very hard to have a
great start to the term and given the
comments I am hearing from our students,
it was worth it.
Our building is in good shape, our student
body is the largest it has ever been and we
are offering more programs and activities
for students than ever before.
With our 77 different nationalities repre-
sented at the school, we all have an out-
standing opportunity to learn about the
shrinking world that we live in.
In my Welcome Back Address this year, I
challenged each student to reflect on their
commitment to improvement and to chal-
lenge themselves to have a year of
growth. It is clear that we have created
the framework for you to do this…now it
is up to you. Have a great year!
Mr. Robert Godley
Secondary School Principal
AISA’s New Courses
By Fatima Al-Khazraji (Grade 12)
This year, AISA has introduced five new elective courses
to its prospectus. The new course are:
* Choral
* Pre-calculus
* Creative Writing/Public Speaking
* Publications
* Language and Learning Support Center
Page 2
Pakistan Support
Page 2
American International
in Abu Dhabi
October 2010
Director’s Welcome
Views of AISA
Dear AISA Students,
I
t is my pleasure to welcome you to the
new school year. To returning students, I
say ‗Welcome back‘, and if you are new,
then ‗Welcome to AISA – you have
made an excellent choice.‘
This year, school has started later than usual,
so you have had a very long summer vacation.
I hope that you all had a great time and en-
joyed visiting your families. While you were
relaxing, the AISA team was working hard, so
you have come back to a school which was
painted inside and out. Many bathrooms have
been refurbished; lots of new computers and
smartboards have been installed. I can also say
that after talking about it for many years, con-
struction of the swimming pool is beginning
today (the 26th)!
AISA continues to be a truly international
school, with an international student body
which, at the same time, respects the local
UAE culture. I believe that we are unique, and
I am very proud to be the AISA Director. Our
students are cheerful and positive while being
serious about learning. It‘s a great place to be -
let‘s make it another great year!
Mr. Gareth Jones
Director
Long-Awaited Pools Headline AISA Improvements
By Rana Alsaadi (Grade 11)
Have you noticed the re-painted building of the school? It‘s a
fresh start for AISA this 2010-2011 school year.
The staff has made considerable efforts to improve the school in
order to welcome back the students. Director Mr. Gareth Jones,
Secondary School Principal Mr. Robert Godley and Facilities
|Manager Mr. Riyadh Davids gave the AISA Express the inside
scoop on the new improvements and future projects at AISA.
After two years of planning, "the construction of the two swim-
ming pools will begin next week and finish towards the end of
the year," Mr. Davids said. The construction of the swimming
pools will take place behind the new gym and adjacent to the
Kindergarten building, he said. School administration declined
to give a cost or name the architect. Page 4
College Visits Volleyball Schedule
Page 3 Page 4
 Page 2 AISA EXPRESS

AISA Supports Pakistan in Wake of Floods

By Paula Fronda (Grade 12)
Floods in Pakistan have destroyed 1 million homes, and have left 21
million injured or homeless, according to news reports.
While the disaster may seem like a world away, for some staff and stu-
dents it hits home. Social Studies teacher Mr. Faraz Mirza, who is part
Pakistani, is leading a school campaign to donate food, clothes and
money to the UAE Red Cross, he wrote in an e-mail appeal to school
staff.
―This horrific disaster has killed up to two thousand people already and
continues to shatter people‘s livelihoods and homes daily,‖ he wrote.
―Pakistan is under floodwater the size of ENGLAND: The chaos and
destruction is worse than Haiti and the 2004 Tsunami disasters com- Millions need aid in Pakistan.
bined!‖ Courtesy TheAustralian.com.au
So far Mr. Mirza has collected dozens of bags, and will continue col-
lecting throughout the year.
―The response has been very humbling,‖ he said in an interview. ―My father‘s family is from Peshawar, where the flood-
ing is some of the worst. Later in the year I‘ll be visiting the region, to see where the aid is actually having an impact.‖
Additionally, Ms. Leanne Fleming is starting a long-term project to support Paki-
stan for her International Baccalaureate (IB) students who participate in the Creativ-
ity, Action, Service (CAS) program for community service. The major program
would be a 30-Hour Famine held in the Old Gym in mid-October, though it is
awaiting approval from the school administration.
―As a teacher, one of my goals is to promote awareness and international minded-
ness,‖ she said. ―I want to be working with many students, not just within CAS but
with the rest if the student body.‖
AISA Express also reviewed a proposal for a charity campaign by Sharifah Al-
Hinai (Grade 12), tentatively called the ―Give to Get Campaign.‖ Her year-long
Pakistan Flood Map. proposal campaign would involve orphan awareness and donating to organizations
Courtesy U.S. Dept. of State including the Red Crescent, Dubai Cares and Doctors Without Borders. *

AISA Express is written

and produced by the
Publications Course for
New Courses at AISA
Grades 11-12.
The description of the new courses are as follow:
Supervisors:
Mr. Stephen Baron Choral: This choral music class is open to anyone who is interested in singing and
Mr. Bassem Kandil learning more about music. It is mainly about learning to listen before singing, focus on
unison of sound and harmony, Practice vocal exercises, Engage in breathing exercises
Staff Reporters: and working together as a team.
Hanaa Al-Ameri
Mona Al-Braik Pre-calculus: Pre-Calculus is an elective mathematics course available for students who
Sharifah Al-Hinai have completed Algebra II. This course is for students who have satisfactorily passed
Fatima Al-Khazraji Algebra II and would like an introductory Calculus course.
Maitha Al-Mansoori
Oshba Al-Murar Creative Writing/Public Speaking: The Creative Writing part of this course focuses on
Shaikha Al-Qassimi developing innovative and creative writing as well as critical thinking skills. Students
Alyaziah Al Hamed explore the elements of the short story, novel and various styles of poetry. The Public
Rawdha Al Mansouri Speaking part of this course aims to promote good speech habits and develop criteria for
Shaikha Al Meraikhi judging speeches and speakers. It focuses on developing ease in public delivery of dif-
Farah Al Suwaidi ferent kinds of speeches, both formal and informal
Hanna Alhassen
Rana Alsaadi Publications: This course will focus on creating content for the school‘s three main
Menatallah El-Abd publications: The Yearbook, the School Newspaper and the written content for the
Amellia Fox school‘s website. This course requires students with strong photographic, writing and
Paula Fronda graphic design skills.
Shamma Khouri
Farida Nassar Language and Learning Support Center: The Language and Learning Support center
Aria Pavlic provides educational intervention to students identified as needing extra support in their
Tanya Tarazi academic course work. The goal of the program is to allow students with minor to mod-
Jessica van der Walt erate special learning or language needs to achieve meaningful success at AISA. *
 Volume No. 1, Issue No,. 1 Page 3

Colleges are Coming: October 2010 List

For 11th and 12th grade students, all college visits must be signed up in advance.
All 11th grade students please see Ms. Merrell to get signed up in advance.

04 October – Regents College (UK), 1:30 pm, Room TBD

06 October – American Colleges Overseas Mini Fair, 12 pm, Library

10 October – Boston University, 11 am; Room TBD

11 October – European International College in Abu Dhabi, 12 pm, Room TBD

University of Pennsylvania
12 October – Claremont McKenna College, 10:30 am, Room TBD Courtesy slashfilm.com

14 October – Florida Institute of Technology, 9:30 am, Room TBD

14 October – Brock University, 1:30 pm, Room TBD

18 October – University of Pennsylvania, 11:30 am, Room TBD

25 October – University of the Arts (London), meeting at 10:30, Room TBD

26 October – United Kingdom College Fair, 1:30 pm, Gym

27 October – USA College Fair, 1:30 pm, Gym

Regents College / Courtesy internexus.to

Students Support School Improvements, Split on Pools by Ameilia Fox (Grade 11)

There are a number of physical improvements to the

school this year — the biggest being the construction of Though some students like Xenia Williams (Grade 10)
two pools, expected to be finished by the end of the year, said she did not see many changes, Evan Carstens (Grade
according to Facilities Manager Mr. Riyadh Davids. 12) liked the improvements.

There will be a large and small pool — the small one for ―You can clearly see that AISA has put effort into the
swimming learners, the large one for secondary students. maintenance to appeal to all of us,‖ he said.

A handful of students interviewed had mixed responses
about the pool. Mariam Nabulsi (Grade ??) said, ―People
are going to be excited once it finishes first, but it will re-
quire a lot of cleaning. It will get messy over the months,
making it not so much of a hot spot.
Additional improvements include: adding navy blue cur-
tains, repainting classrooms, and refurbishing bathrooms,
according to Mr. Davids.
Despite these improvements, some students felt that the
school could do more to build community. Students sug-
gested beginning Spanish classes with Grade 9, making
lunch co-ed, and having more electives and field trips.
Evan thinks promoting school sports would help. ―I would
like to see more school spirit! If our school has no spirit,
what‘s the use of winning games or playing sports?‖ *

Pakistan’s Plight Courtesy ToonPool.com

 School: Pools to “finish towards the end of the year” Page 4

Archtiect’s rendering of the large pool, scheduled to be finished by 2011. (Courtesy Mr. Riyadh Davids.)

The pools will only be available for use during school hours, Mr. Davids said. The learner's pool is expected to be 5 meters
wide by 6 meters long, while the bigger pool has five lanes and is 25 meters long.
To help fund the construction of the pools, the school‘s fees have increased by five percent. Mr. Jones said, ―The increase was
also needed to raise teachers' salaries, buy new items, and improve facilities."
Despite a brief trial as a gender integrated secondary school in the 2006-2007 school year, Mr. Godley said that the school
will remain segregated for now, following the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Education‘s wishes.
Additional improvements include a new paint job, new curtains, and cleaner classrooms and bathrooms. "This year we are
pushing forward to insure clean classrooms and a better maintenance program,‖ said Mr. Davids.
But if you check the bathrooms, you will see an important element missing -- mirrors. Mr. Davids said the mirrors will be
coming soon. Regardless of the new improvements, the food served in the canteen will remain the same. "The Ministry of
Health decides what to serve in the canteen and for now the school hasn't heard of any changes," said Mr. Davids.
Mr. Jones hopes for further improvements: "Hopefully, the school will eventually build new classrooms and a library special-
ized for the elementary students.‖ *

Volleyball Schedule
by Tanya Tarazi

Sunday, September 26 Varsity Boys/Girls Practice 3-4 Old Gym

JV Boys/Girls Practice 3-4 New Gym
Under 14 Boys/Girls at AS Dubai Leave 1 PM
Monday, September 27 Varsity Boys Practice 4-5 New Gym
Varsity Girls vs. ANS at AISA 3:15 Old Gym
JV Boys/Girls at AS Dubai Leave 1 PM

Tuesday, September 28 Varsity Girls/Boys Practice 3-4 Old Gym

JV Boys/Girls vs. Gems Dubai at AISA 4 PM
Under 14 Boys/Girls Practice 3-4 New Gym
Wednesday, September 29 Varsity Girls/Boys Practice 3-4 New Gym
JV and Under 14- No Practice
OPEN HOUSE-OLD GYM
Thursday, September 30 Varsity Teams at ACS Tournament 3:30
JV Girls/Boys Practice 3-4 Old Gym
Under 14 Boys/Girls Practice 3-4 New Gym
Friday, October 1 Varsity Teams at ACS Tournament 8-4PM
Under 14 at –UASD, 10 AM
-DAA, 1 PM
Upcoming Events ECC Varsity VBall at UAS Dubai October 22
ECC JV VBall at AISA October 29
ECC Under 14 VBall at AGG-Dubai October 30

AISA Business Address: Phone: 02-4444-333

29th Street on Airport Road Fax: 02-4444-005
P.O. Box 5992 E-mail: bkandil@aisa.sch.ae
Abu Dhabi, UAE