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AIS Friday Flash

Friday, February 12, 2021

AIS Friday FlashFriday, February 12, 2021

Winter Weather

We hope everyone is staying safe and warm and with power! We are continuing to monitor the winter weather conditions and will continue to do so over the weekend. AIS will determine the best decision for our community's safety. If a decision is made to cancel or delay classes on Monday, we will send an email out on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Please monitor your inboxes to stay up to date and informed. Stay safe!


Happy Valentine's Day

Even though we couldn't celebrate today, we hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day this weekend with your loved ones.


MAP Testing this Week

MAP testing will begin the week of February 15th for GS-CP and middle school and the week of February 22 for CE1-CM2. Please be sure that students get a lot of rest and eat a healthy breakfast so that they are ready to do their best!


New Assistant Teacher for PS and MS!

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Genevieve Rheault to our Cycle 1 team as an additional assistant teacher who will work half-days with our PS and MS classes. Genevieve is a certified teacher and native French speaker who is passionate about working with students in Maternelle. She is no stranger to AIS, since she formerly taught in GS and has two daughters who are current students in CP and CM2. We are very excited for her to be a part of our team! Bienvenue, bienvenidos, and welcome, Ms. Genevieve!


More Black History Month Literature in the AIS Library

Each week during 2021 Black History Month, Mr. Jacques will be donating six books to the AIS Library. These texts will focus on Black history not just in the United States, but the history of the Black diaspora in nations across the globe. This week, the following titles have been donated to the AIS Library: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (ages 13-17); We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March (ages 10+); Unbound (ages 8-12); The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore (ages7-10); Before She was Harriett (ages 4-8); The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read (ages 4-8). To learn more about these texts and some of the selection criteria, visit this AIS Black History Month Literature webpage.


École des Loisirs deadline extended – Wed., 2/17/21

Please be advised that the deadline to submit École des Loisirs forms and payments has been extended until morning drop-off on Wednesday, February 17th. Please turn in your forms to staff members on duty who will submit them on your behalf. For every 10 subscriptions, EDL donates eight books to the AIS Library. Thank you to those families who have signed up and, as a result, supported these contributions to our school library!


Gala Pictures, Package Pickup, and Details

Due to the inclement weather, we delayed our planned Gala community pictures. Stay tuned for information this week about photos, the time slot to pick-up your gala wine and goodie bags, and instructions for streaming and bidding during our event! We will send an email and text message information later in the week. We can't wait.


AIS 10th Annual Gala-Sat., 2/20, 6:30 pm

We are looking forward to our upcoming virtual celebration next Saturday, 2/20, starting at 6:30 pm. Thanks to all our donors and ticket holders in advance for your participation! As noted above, be on the lookout for more information this week.


Spring Break Camp Canceled

Unfortunately, due to insufficient staffing and for the safety of our community and faculty who may travel the week before, AIS will not be able to offer any Spring Break Camp this year. We wish you all a safe two-week break.


Post Spring Break Distance Learning – March 29th through April 2nd, 2021

Please refer to the email sent today regarding the Spring Break travel guidelines for AIS. In order to allow time for our community members to complete quarantine and testing after the Spring Break holiday, AIS will operate in Distance Learning mode at all grade levels from Monday, March 29th through Friday, April 2nd. All community members are expected to be back in Austin and have started quarantine no later than Sunday, March 28th. Please use the included Quarantine and Testing Reference Sheet to help you with your planning. In order for our community to return to campus on Monday, April 5th, AIS community members who have had close contacts or who are presumed to have had close contact (e.g., through airplane travel, attending crowded events, etc.) with COVID-19 must complete quarantine and testing by no later than the following dates:

  • on or before Sunday, March 21st if you had close contact without wearing a mask (regardless of whether or not you will do testing)
  • on or before Thursday, March 25th if you were wearing a mask, are asymptomatic, and you choose not to test
  • on or before Sunday, March 28th if you were wearing a mask, are asymptomatic, and you do choose to test

Please remember that close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of another person for 15+ cumulative minutes during a 24-hour period. Test may be PCR or antigen and individuals may not return to campus before receiving test results. As a reminder, all COVID-related absences are considered excused this year.


Summer Camp at AIS-Discount Extended to 2/28/21

The discount on KidzToPros summer camps has been extended through the end of February for a $100 discount off all camps if you register by 2/28/21! KidzToPros STEM, Arts, and Sports Camps provide the perfect summer opportunity for your child to continue developing mental and physical skills while learning the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Their highly skilled staff are committed to delivering safe, fun, and enriching experiences, indoors and outdoors, all summer long!

Register at www.kidztopros.com and enter code FLY100 during checkout to receive a limited time $100 off each camp just for AIS students. Check out the flyer for additional details.


2021-2022 School Calendar

During the January 26th meeting of the school’s governing body, the Board of Directors voted to approve the 2021-2022 school calendar, which you will find published on the school’s website. Next year, the school year will begin on Wednesday, August 18th, 2021, and will end on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022.


Save the dates

Mark these important upcoming dates on your calendars.

  • 2/15-2/26 MAP Assessments
  • 2/17 École des Loisirs due
  • 2/20 10th Annual Gala
  • 3/4 Head of School Community Coffee
  • 3/12 No School/Teacher In-Service
  • 3/15-3/26 Spring Break
  • 3/29 - 4/2 Distance Learning