Dragon Passport
WELCOME TO THE DRAGON DEN
Check out all the great things happening in the Den!
There are some great family events in our Community Resources and Events Section! Check them out!
Stay informed! Text YES to 67587
With the uncertainty of school closures, text messaging is the easiest and fastest way for the school to communicate with you. Receive text messages from the school for immediate access to what is going on!
- Important messages
- Upcoming Events
- Announcements
- School Cancellations and Delays
DRAGON DEN HAPPENINGS
November
27th- Early Dismissal @10:50AM
28th-29th- NO SCHOOL ~ Thanksgiving Break
December
2nd- Start of Winter Sports
6th- IB learner Celebration @12:30PM
- MS Winter Dance @6-9PM
12th- Early Dismissal @10:50AM ~ Parent Teacher Conferences
- Music Winter Concert @6PM
13th- Early Dismissal @10:50AM
- Giving Tree Donations Due
16th-19th - Giving Tree Pick-ups
20th- Early Dismissal @ 10:50AM
23rd-31st- NO SCHOOL ~ Winter Break
January
6th- NO SCHOOL ~ Three King's Day
10th- Family Bingo & Potluck @6:30PM
20th- NO SCHOOL ~ MLK JR. Day
27th- Start of Quarter 3
MS Winter Wonderland Dance
Tickets are required
Music Dept Winter Concert
Parent Teacher Conferences
Have you signed up for Parent-Teacher conferences that are happening on December 11th and 12th. We encourage you to meet with your student's teachers and learn about all of the great things that they are doing here at AIS. To sign up for conferences please go to:
School Pictures are Ready!
View and order at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
· CREC ACAD FOR INTL STUDIES 6 12
· Event Code: FE297924
DRAGON NEWS
What's Happening around the Den!
HOCO 24
Pep Rally 24
Pep Rally is an annual tradition where the high schoolers get together to show some class spirit!! It's always a hour of high energy, lots of noise and a bunch of fun!!!!
This year the grades were very competitive and ended in a 4 way tie! To break the tie, a question "in what year was the school founded?" was asked. The grade who answered 1st won!!!!!
Congratulations Class of 2025!!!!!!
Spirit Week 24
From dressing like our favorite characters to reppin' our favorite decades, the Dragons know how to have some fun!!!!
Band to AISE
Some of the 7th and 8th grade band members went to Academy of International Studies Elementary to teach they 2nd and 4th graders about our African Drums. We had an amazing time working with the students and seeing some familiar faces!
Men of Color Leadership Group
The transition from a Boy to a Man today is challenging. Our boys must learn, understand, and manage many issues and transitions. International Men’s Group will address critical issues that young men face during this time, such as ethics, decision-making, wellness, fatherhood 101, employment/careers, time management, cooperation and conflict, diversity, relationships and self-esteem.
The International Men’s Group: “Empowering Todays Leaders” was formed. This group represents a targeted effort to engage teen boys in discussions and activities that reinforce character, leadership and positive behavior both in school and in the community. The goal is to teach and promote responsibility, positive behavior and develop character and positive relationships.
With the help of 3 amazing male leaders in our build, Mr. Levar Mitchell (Social Worker), Mr. Aubrey Norris (Student Leadership) and Mr. Keith Davis (Peace Center), they have started a group that we see taking over the Den! We are so proud of the work they are already putting forth.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURETE PROGRAMME
IB Learner of the Month
Each month at International, we focus on one of the IB Learner Profile traits, and celebrate scholars and teachers who exemplify them. As partners in education, we love sharing ways that you can support the development of these traits at home.
MYB
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) has been designed as a coherent and comprehensive curriculum framework that provides academic challenge and develops the life skills of students from the ages of 11 to 16. These years are a critical period in the development of young people.
Success in school is closely related to personal, social and emotional well-being. At a time when students are establishing their identity and building their self-esteem, the MYP can motivate students and help them to achieve success in school and in life beyond the classroom. The programme allows students to build on their personal strengths and to embrace challenges in subjects in which they might not excel.
The MYP offers students opportunities to develop their potential, to explore their own learning preferences, to take appropriate risks, and to reflect on, and develop, a strong sense of personal identity.
DP
All DP courses have an Internal Assessment (IA) component. The Internal Assessment is a crucial component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It is an evaluation method designed to assess students' understanding, application, and critical thinking skills within specific subjects.
Here are some key points about the IB Internal Assessment:
Subject-specific: Each IB subject has its own unique Internal Assessment requirements and guidelines. The assessments are designed to reflect the objectives and content of the respective subjects.
Teacher-assessed: The IA is assessed by the students' teachers rather than external examiners. However, there are often external moderation processes to ensure consistency and fairness across different schools and teachers.
Varied formats: Internal Assessments can take various forms, depending on the subject. For example, it might involve a research project, a laboratory experiment, a written essay, a language portfolio, or a performance in the arts.
Time management: Students are usually given a specific amount of time to complete their Internal Assessment. This process encourages effective time management and the development of independent research and study skills.
Authentic assessment: The IA is designed to be an authentic assessment of students' abilities to apply what they have learned in class to real-world scenarios. It emphasizes practical application and critical thinking.
Originality and creativity: Depending on the subject, students may have the opportunity to showcase their originality and creativity in the Internal Assessment. This allows for personalized exploration and expression within the framework of the subject.
Feedback and improvement: The IA process often involves feedback from teachers, allowing students to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This formative feedback can be valuable for their ongoing learning and development.
Families can support their children during the Internal Assessment process by staying informed about the specific requirements of each subject, encouraging good time management, and providing a conducive environment for research and study. It's also important to understand that the IA is a significant part of the overall assessment in IB courses and is used to calculate the overall IB final grades.
December- Communicator
This month, International’s featured IB Learner Profile trait is Communicator. As communicators, we express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
How can you encourage effective communication outside of school? Here are a few ideas!
In conversations with your student:
practice both speaking and active listening
ask “why?” and “why do you think that?”
Encourage them to be as clear and as thorough as they can be in their assignments
Point out the power of language when you see or hear it (in the news, TV shows/movies, books, etc)
PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Have you signed up for Parent Teacher Conferences
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Attendance Matters ALL YEAR LONG
- The school day is from 7:30-2:05.
- Scholars missing school for 3 cores or more will be considered absent for the day.
- Attendance matters for all classes so if a scholar can only attend 1 or 2 cores for an excused reason, we highly recommend they do.
Scholars absent more than 10% of the school year (18 days) are considered CHRONICALLY ABSENT by the State. The first 9 absences are excused with parent communication to the school. Ten and over will require specific documentation for reasons listed in the handbook (located on our website).
High School Scholars: Loss of credit for a class can occur after 12 absences (Half Year Courses) or 24 absences (Full Year Courses). Please contact your Counselor to discuss how credit can be recovered.
Please remind your child of the importance of waking up early and being in school daily. If you need support and resources please contact Ms. Gibson at sgibson@crec.org or their school counselor (listed below).
PARENT DROP OFF & PICKUP INFO
DROP OFF:
Families must ENTER FROM the BLUE HILLS AVE ENTRANCE. The Woodland Ave entrance is for buses only from 7:15-7:45 AM and 1:45-2:30 PM
PLEASE DO NOT PASS BUSES
EARLY PICK UP:
If you are picking up your scholar early, please be at the school no later than 1:30PM. Visitors will not be allowed in the building after 1:30PM to ensure the safety of our scholars.
- Doctor's appts during the day: If you are coming to pick up your scholar early, no need to call, please just come into the main office and sign your scholar out. We will call him/her from class upon your arrival!
PICKUP AFTER DISMISSAL:
If you anticipate that you will be picking up your scholar after 2:15PM, PLEASE let us know. We are finding that scholars are being picked up well after school has dismissed. As a reminder, we do not have after school care, and ALL scholars MUST be picked up no later than 3:00PM. And no later than 11AM on early release days.
CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION:
- Contact the Main office before 12:30PM, this will give amble time to our Office staff to get the message to your scholar.
The main office lobby will be closed from 1:45-2:15 PM, with exceptions ONLY for emergencies.
BUS PASSES
If your child is taking an alternative bus home, please contact CREC TRANSPORTATION at 860-524-4077. They will then give the school permission to allow the scholar on the requested bus.
Please provide Transportation with the following information by 11AM.
- Bus number
- Bus Route Stop and Town
- Parent name and phone number
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Student Leadership
Congratulations to all of our 2024-2025 Elected Leaders from our Elections.
We are wrapping up the interviews for our open positions and once all positions are filled we will announce in our next Passport!
After-School Clubs
Starting soon!
After-school activities will begin on December 3rd!
If you signed up for a bus, you should have received bus information. We ask that all parent pick up be at the student entrance as the main area of the school will be closed.
Cars should refrain from entering the bus pick-up area.
DRAGON Athletics
Winter Sports officially begin on December 2nd!
Click the picture to access Final Forms, Full Schedules and More.
If you have sport questions or concerns please email:
Mr. Norris (High School), Mr. Martin (Middle School)
As a reminder:
Students are NOT allowed to stay after school for sporting events. They must leave the premises and return with an adult.
Basketball Tickets!
Tickets will be electronic! All attendees MUST have a ticket to enter ALL home games buy purchasing on GOFAN!
More information will be coming soon!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS
Meet our International Dragons Mental Health Staff
Magic Lights @ Rentschler Field
Tree-mendous Holiday Event in Enfield
Santa @ Parkville Market Place
Bloomfield Public Library Ugly Sweater
Mobile Mammograms @ Windsor Town Hall
Torchlight Parade in Windsor
Pictures with the Grinch
Donations for homeless families welcomed
Operation Fuel- Applications Starting 9/16
New Britain Youth Group
The Village Crisis Center
El Centro de Crisis del Pueblo
The Village One Med
How it works!
CONTACTS
Reporting an absence: email AIS ATTENDANCE or 860-242-7834
School Counselors:
Ms. Taylor Clarke- Grade 6 A-L and Grade 8
Ms. Tania Thibault- Grade 6 M-Z and Grade 7
Mr. Mark Field - A-L Grades 9-12
Ms. Monika Chudy - M-Z Grades 9-12
Administration
Mr. Ben Simon - Middle School Dean of Students
Mrs. Eleisha LeMay - Middle School Assistant Principal
Ms. Raynette Holmes - High School Dean of Students
Mr. Tom Craig - High School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Yesenia Hernandez - Principal