ESTING MORE THAN JUST THE ODDS - American School of Paris

SCHOOL NEWSFrom the Head's Desk...Dear ASP Community,Though the end ofthe winter break wasaccompanied by frigidweather, that didn’t appearto dampen the spirits ofhundreds of students whowere delighted to re-join theirfriends at ASP on January 6.And it didn’t take any of usvery long to get back into therhythm of school life.Much has happenedduring January. The UpperSchool students braced fortheir first semester examswhich were administered inthe gymnasium during severaldays. Grades were then eagerlyawaited. Now many studentsare turning their attention toBye Bye Birdie, the musicalwhich will be performed onFebruary 12, 13 and 14.Also, numerous activitieshave taken place or are in theplanning stage. For example,the Upper School held aCareers Day which was wellattended. We are indeed deeplygrateful to the 23 speakerswho gave time to our studentsand acquainted them with therealities of various professionsand the opportunitiesavailable. Such informationfrom practitioners isinvaluable. Several of thosewho made presentations hadno previous experience withour school, and their feedbackwas very positive. Manythanks to all!Professional developmentis a critical element at ASP.Without it, even the best ofschools will suffer. MiddleSchool social studies teacherDavid Lynn has beeninstrumental in the planningof the 23 rd Annual Conferenceof The European Leaguefor Middle Level Education(ELMLE) which is a well❝Professionaldevelopment is acritical element atASP. Without it,even the best ofschools will suffer.respectedorganization inthe international schoolworld. The event is beingheld in Paris on January29-31. ASP is the host school,and educators throughoutEurope, and beyond, will bein attendance. We are verypleased that many of ourown staff will participate. Inaddition, January 30 is anin-service day for all staff.The Lower School faculty andstaff will again be workingwith Ms. Emily Smith fromColumbia University Teacher’sCollege Reader’s and Writer’sWorkshop Program. Thisyear she will be emphasizingreading strategies withteachers from K-1 throughGrade 5, as well as with EALand French teachers.The ASP Board of Trustees,administration and facultyand staff have been busywith a number of new ad hoccommittees. The Admissionsand Marketing Committeehas been exploring waysto bolster and increaseour student enrollment,particularly in light of thecurrent global financialcrisis. It is a very activeASP pays tributeOn January 13, 2009, the Board of Trustees, ASPadministration, faculty, parents, representativesfrom other schools, organizations and the USEmbassy gathered at the Hotel Crillon to paytribute to Ambassador Craig Stapleton as hecompleted his term of service in France.Craig Stapleton has actively supported andbelieved in education throughout his life. AsAmbassador of the United States, he has broughttogether a community here in Paris of not justAmericans living abroad, but people who sharecommon goals, who want very much to be a partof where they live and make a difference.Ambassador Stapleton has been an exceptionaladvocate of youth, education and serviceconstantly building bridges between America andcommittee and Craig Vezina,US counselor, is chairing it.An environment committeehas been established and willwork to promote increasedenvironmental awareness andcoordinate ASP efforts.The committee, whichincludes Middle and UpperSchool students and ischaired by US science teacherAnne Bayley, will alsoconsider tracking majorenvironmental indicators.In addition, acommunications task force isabout to hold its first meeting.In short, there are “many ironsin the fire!”Finally, I want to thankall of you for your supportthroughout 2008 and totell you how much we lookforward to receiving it in 2009.Best wishes,Jack Davis, Ph.D.Head of Schoolthe local community.During the devastating floods in Prague (wherehe served as Ambassador from 2001-2004),he mobilized the international community andpersonally went out into the city, helping toclean up, gaining the respect, appreciation andgoodwill of everyone. Here in France, his busyschedule has included many initiatives andevents involving children and education, fromthe recent reception honoring French high schoolparticipants in the Embassy Youth AmbassadorProgram, to opening his residence to studentsfrom Montreuil, and visiting schools such as theAcademy in Versailles devoted to occupationaltraining. He and his wife Debbie have invitedthe community to the residence on so many2 - The Aspect - February 2009