Dragon Passport
WELCOME TO THE DRAGON DEN
Check out all the great things happening in the Den!
Family and Community
I am so happy to be entering into my 5th school year here at International Studies. As a former parent of an MLC (International) Class of 2022 graduate, I know firsthand the experiences that our families experience. I have experienced some great moments here as a parent and truly believe in the IB education that we offer. Besides my son who is entering his Junior year at UCONN, I also have a daughter who will be turning 4 in a few months.
As a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, I am here to support you and your family. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns that you may have or are experiencing. I also assist with Tech Support (password resets, PowerSchool Support), Residency (address changes), Attendance (Home Visits and chronic absenteeism), and Dragon Parent Advisory Committee.
My goal for this year is to build amazing connections with our families and students that will expand into the walls of this school. Just as much as you need us, we need you! I look forward to working with you and your family.
Please check back to see the exciting things happening inside the Den!
DRAGON DEN HAPPENINGS
18th- Early Dismissal @ 10:50AM
26th- Open House @5:30PM
27th- Band to Big E
8th - SATs (12th grade)
10th- Picture Day
14th- NO SCHOOL ~ Indigenous Peoples' Day
23rd- Early Dismissal @10:50AM
24th - PSATs (10th & 11th grade)
25th- Hispanic Heritage Celebration @5-8PM
5th- NO SCHOOL ~ Election Day!
11th- NO SCHOOL ~ Veterans' Day
21st-Family Event (stay tuned)
27th- Early Dismissal @10:50AM
28th-29th- NO SCHOOL ~ Thanksgiving Break
INTERNATIONAL OPEN HOUSE 9/26
It's that time of year as we welcome all of our Dragon Families for an evening to gather, meet staff, and gain more information about our World of Adventure!
We hope that you can join us on Thursday, September 26th.
DRAGON FAMILY DINNER BEGINS AT 5:30 Free for the entire family.
(Donations will be accepted for international travel scholarships)
Click the picture or scan the QR Code to RSVP
Open House
Thursday, Sep 26, 2024, 05:30 PM
1551 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, CT, USA
DRAGON NEWS
Dragon Spotlight
Vanessa Willis- Project Prevent
Hi Dragon Families.
I am so excited to collaborate with International this school year. I serve at International as the Project Prevent Clinician. Project Prevent offers students from eight CREC secondary schools access to brief mental health services.
Please fill free to contact the school support team with questions or concerns.
Visitors from España
International Exchange Students
For the past two weeks, the Academy of International Studies welcomed 9 high school students traveling from Spain to participate in a cultural immersion program. This program was established through a partnership with Education Travel and Culture and the Northwest International Student Exchange. The students stayed with host families throughout the greater Hartford area and attended our school for two weeks. They were partnered with AIS students in grades 10-12 to attend classes, participate in activities and engage in the school experience. This experience offered opportunities for students from the Academy of International Studies and the students visiting from Spain to connect, learn from each other, and develop lasting friendships and bonds.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAURETE PROGRAMME
What is the IB Middle Years Programme?
What makes it unique and special at International? Learn more: Introduction to MYP at AIS (slides) (Spanish version here!)
Questions? Contact MYP Theme Coach, Ms. Emily Wright at ewright@crec.org
What does it mean to be a part of the IB Diploma Programme at AIS?
Students can enter the IB Diploma Pathway or the IB Certificate Pathway. Learn more here: Introduction to DP at AIS (slides)
The International Baccalaureate provides an overview of the Diploma Programme here:
IB-DP Guide for Parents (English)/ IB-DP Guide for Parents (Spanish)
Find IB-friendly colleges and universities by using these tools:
IB Recognition and IB-DP Transfer Credit Policies
Questions? Contact DP Theme Coach, Ms. Stacey Pagliaro at spagliaro@crec.org
IB Learner of the Month
Each month at International, we focus on one of the IB Learner Profile traits, and celebrate students and teachers who exemplify them. As partners in education, we love sharing ways that you can support the development of these traits at home.
September-Inquirer
In September, our IB Learner Profile trait is Inquirer. Inquirers “nurture curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. They know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and sustain their love of learning throughout life.”
Suggestions for how you can encourage your student to be an inquirer:
Ask your student about what they are doing in their classes that makes them think.
Ask your student what they are curious about (and why!), and share your wonders with them.
Talk through your “inquiry process” as you figure something out, so that your student can “see” inquiry skills in action in the real world.
Share what you love to learn about, and how you continue to learn, with your student.
Encourage your student to become more independent through things like emailing teachers themselves, completing their homework, and organizing their materials for school.
FAMILY & SCHOOL COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
What is your preferred method of communication from school?
Making Connections
Attendance Matters
Attendance Matters ALL YEAR LONG
- The school day is from 7:30-2:05.
- Students missing school for 3 cores or more will be considered absent for the day.
- Attendance matters for all classes so if a student can only attend 1 or 2 cores for an excused reason, we highly recommend they do.
Students 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).
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 & Pick-Up
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
PICK UP: Contact the MAIN OFFICE NO LATER THAN 1:45 PM if picking up instead of your child taking the bus or if they are leaving early. The office staff requires a phone call for requests.
- Requests received after 1:45 pm are not guaranteed to be delivered based on closing of the day procedures.
- The main office lobby will be closed from 1:45-2:15 PM, with exceptions ONLY for emergencies.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Student Leadership
The new Student Leadership Coordinator, Mr. Aubrey Norris will be holding a Student Leadership Introduction meeting on September 17th. Students can register using the link below or in the flyer. Only those registered will be allowed to attend.
Questions? Contact Mr. Norris at anorris@crec.org
After-School Clubs
Starting Soon!
If a student or staff member has a club that you would like to see at the Den, stop by the main office for information. We want to bring as many clubs to AIS as possible. There will be 2 sessions of clubs: October-January and February-May.
Stay tuned for more information
DRAGON Athletics
Fall Sports have begun! 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)
Game of the Week
Girl's HS Volleyball
The Lady Dragons, have had a jam packed week of games as they took on Suffield (W), Buckeley (W) and will play Weaver on Friday 9/13! The Lady Dragons are currently 3-0!
Follow and Like CREC Athletics Facebook & Instagram for more game recaps!
Community Resources & Events
Operation Fuel- Applications Starting 9/16
Uber- September Offer
The Village Crisis Center
El Centro de Crisis del Pueblo
The Village One Med
How it works!
Tech Training for High School Students
Tech Training Girls 14-17
Make'N'Able ages 14-18
Building on the Trade Ages 18-29
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 from Principal Hernandez
- Upcoming Events
- Announcements
- School Cancellations and Delays
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