ASSISTANT HEAD/UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR AP/IB News from ...

Friday, June 8, 2012ASSISTANT HEAD/UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR- Aaron Hubbard, ahubbard@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8285With the school year quickly coming to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for contributing to anotherhighly successful year. For those of you who will not be returning next year, I wish you great happiness as you move on to otheradventures. For those of you returning, I very much look forward to seeing you again in August and remind you to check the UpperSchool portion of the website for summer reading lists and other details.Remember that exams started today and carry on next week through Wednesday. There will be no school for Upper School studentson Thursday, June 14th, with Friday being a half day for exam returns, awards assembly and locker clean out. Please rememberthat books and uniforms need to be returned before transcripts can be prepared.Again, my very best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday.AP/IB News from the Academic Dean- Brian Brazeau, bbrazeau@asparis.fr, 01 4112 8271May 2013 IB and AP ExaminationsA portion of next year‟s IB and AP examinations will be held during our Spring Break. These examination calendars are establishedby the respective examining bodies, and we have no control over the dates chosen. I have posted the 2013 examinationschedules on the ASP Upper School IB and AP webpage to help in your planning. Please note that we will only beholding these exams on the officially-scheduled dates, and cannot make any exceptions.2012 IB/AP Examination ResultsIssuance of results:APAP results are sent to the address indicated by students during their first AP examination. These results are generally releasedin the first two weeks of July. Please retain your AP number in the event that you need to order more copies of the results.These orders are placed directly with the College Board (www.collegeboard.org).IBIB results will be available to families through a secure website on July 6. I have sent out individual pin codes to the principale-mail address listed on Powerschool. If you did not receive an e-mail, please contact me at bbrazeau@asparis.fr.For the issuance of official IB diplomas and certificates, which are sent directly to me, please have your child complete anaddress label located on Mona Stewart‟s desk. I will forward the documents when I receive them in September.Extended Essays 2013Extended Essay Students (2013 IB Candidates)Please remember that a 2000-draft or subject-specific equivalent was due on June 4. If for any reason you were unable tomeet this deadline, you must see Mr. Brazeau.Any student who has not met with Mr. Chioni or Mr. Brazeau concerning research and academic honesty for the ExtendedEssay should schedule an individual appointment between now and the end of school.Group IV Science Projects for 2013 IB Diploma Candidates :There will be a mandatory all-day session for Group IV projects on Saturday, September 8. All 12 th -grade IB science studentsmust attend, as the Group IV project is an integral part of the IB Diploma. Teachers will provide times and details as thedate approaches.BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND RESTFUL SUMMER BREAK!

COLLEGE COUNSELORSLaura VINCENS, lvincens@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8287,Mary Jean LOWE, mjlowe@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8657Class of 2012On the eve of graduation, we would like to once again congratulate this fine group of students on their many accomplishments,both inside the classroom and beyond. It has been a pleasure getting to know each and every one of them, and anhonor to work with them and their families. We are fully confident that this class will embrace the many opportunities that layin wait as well as rise to meet the inevitable challenges. We wish them the very best.Class of 2013: SUMMER TIPSYour go-to resource this summer for a broad range of questions related to the college admissions process is the CollegeOrientation Handbook, which you can access online on the US website under College Guidance and Admissions.Campus VisitsIf you are planning to visit universities in the USA and Canada this summer or attend Open Days at UK institutions, you willfind general information on visiting colleges starting on page 22. Please check US university websites, as you are often requiredto pre-book admissions information sessions online. Similarly, consult the Institution Guide on the UCAS website(www.ucas.com) or check individual UK university websites to learn about attending Open Days sessions.Campus InterviewsNot all universities grant or even encourage campus interviews. Interviews with admissions staff are most likely to be held atsmaller schools. Please consult the respective school websites for details and procedures. Be aware that many of these interviewsare informational rather than evaluative and are a good chance for you to learn more about an institution as well asdemonstrating the seriousness of your interest.Know your Application Tools: The Common Application and UCASUse the summer months to start exploring the Common Application (www.commonapp.org). The application will go live on 1August. Students can review essay options, start brainstorming ideas and even begin writing. There is also a power point presentationon the US Website under College Guidance & Admissions entitled, „The College Essay‟, with clear advice about craftingthis important piece of the application. Students applying to the UK should be visiting the UCAS website (www.ucas.com)to research courses, explore the „Apply‟ section and work on personal statements.Heads UP for Sept 7 Activities DayWe will be working on Sept 7 with seniors to assist them in the “nuts and bolts” of the application process to the various systems,as well as providing support for their essays and personal statements. Please refrain from creating UCAS accounts untilyou receive authorization from us.Standardized TestingIf you will need to submit TOEFL scores, go ahead and schedule your test and take it (www.toefl.org).The next SAT & SATII testing date: October 6REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 28 (please register early).The next ACT testing date: October 27 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 21It is important that students planning to take standardized tests in the fall continue to review and prepare for these tests.Online prep courses are a good option as well as self-study, private tutors and organized courses. Please note that BESPOKEwill be offering:October 13/14: Intensive 2-day ACT Prep course for students who have already taken the test or done significant prep work.The course will focus especially on the Science (and perhaps Reading) section. More information regarding registration will beavailable in September and on our website.BESPOKE is also offering Mock Exams and developing a thorough ACT vs. SAT diagnostic test. Details to follow.PLEASE see below a PLANNING TOOL to assist you in scheduling exams during the 2012/13 academic year, particularly inthe busy fall season.

2012/13 Standardized Testing CalendarPlanning AidTEST DATE REGISTRATION DEA- CONFLICTS/EVENTS TO NOTESAT & SAT IIs Oct 6 Aug 28 Sports AwayUS Drama Oct 18-20PSAT Oct 20 Sports HomeACT withWritingOct 27 Sep 21 1st Sat of ToussaintBreakSAT & SAT IIs Nov 3 Sep 25Last Sat of ToussaintBreakSAT & SAT IIs Dec 1 Oct 23 Sports AwayPAMUN Dec 8-9US Concert Dec 5ACT with Writing Dec 08 Nov 22013 2013 2013 2013 2013SAT & SATIIs Jan 26 TBA Sports HomeUS Musical 2/28-3/2ACTWITHOUT WRITING Feb 9 Jan 11 Basketball AwayACT with Writing April 13 Mar 8 Sports HomeSAT & SAT IIs May 4 TBASpring Break &IB/AP examsSAT & SAT IIs June 1 TBAACT with Writing June 8 May 3 Saturday beforeSemEXWe wish everyone a well-deserved relaxing and restorative summer break. We look forward to welcoming our US familiesback to school in August and working closely with the Class of 2013 as the college application season begins once again.US Liaison Team 2012-2013Congratulations to the US Liaison Team for the next school year, 2012-2013, as follows:- Head Liaison: Thuan Mai- 9th Grade: Carol Olsen & Kristen Burd- 10th Grade: Erum Lodhi & Deb Tancredi- 11th Grade: Nasreen Badruddin & Lisa Onuscheck- 12th Grade: Alison Viehbacher & Kristin Sterling

9th & 11th GRADE COUNSELORCraig VEZINA, cvezina@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8286With final exams beginning and the school year drawing to a close, I wanted to say how much I appreciated working with the9th and 11th graders and their families this year. A big thank you to everyone in the community who has contributed timeand energy this year to make the school a better place for our students to learn and to grow. I wish you all the best for thesummer vacation. August will be here soon enough, but summer is a chance to re-fresh and to relax; it is also a great opportunityto pursue old interests, explore new ones, discover great books and go out and get some exercise!For those families leaving ASP, I hope that you will look back on your time here with fondness and that you will always rememberthat you have friends in Paris...A year of GAPS…As many of you know, this year saw a new approach to the old 9 th grade advisory system – GAPS – that was co-led by thefaculty mentor, guidance counselor and peer mentors in a spirit of shared ownership and collaboration. While improving theprogram will remain an important goal, I have to say that this year‟s pilot program was a great success mostly because ofthe commitment, service and leadership of our student mentors. So, I want to send a huge “shout out”/ thank you to CarolineJahr, Martha Mai, Jose de Alencar, Allie Miller, Erlend Bjorkland, Hannah Wicklund, Sabrine Keane, Guillermo Sosa, LilyRivkin, Chase Guthrie, Caterina Dacey, Alex Viehbacher and Guillaume Judis. An extra level of appreciation is due to our peermentoring “coach,” Jessamy Holland, and to five seniors who were among the original pioneers of this program when it wasfirst conceived two years ago: Anna Bradley-Webb, Martina Belloni, Jules Healey, Nicole Pick and Liz Surprennant. You willbe greatly missed next year but know that the legacy of your experience, time and energy will be felt for years to come inGAPS…Applications for 2012-2013 Peer MentorsNow in its second year, the peer mentoring component has added tremendous value to the 9 th grade GAPS program. Someof the most socially intelligent, caring and admired upper classmen have taken on this very important role as teaching assistants,trusted advocates and role models. In short, the peer mentor- Participates in planning and implementation of GAPS activities- Helps provide feedback and encouragement to students, both formally and informally- Shares experiences with younger students and encourages them in their personalized goals- Proactively engages students in meaningful discussion both in and out of the classroomTo help support peer mentors in this role, we meet weekly with the peer mentoring coach outside of class to develop importantskills, (i.e., active listening, facilitating group discussions, etc..) plan successive lessons and share feedback on theprogram. In other words, peer mentors are major stakeholders in the curriculum as well.Interested in applying ? Please visit the GAPS Poodle page (http://poodle.asparis.fr/poodle/course/view.php?id=569) todownload the application or see Mr. Vezina in the guidance office.Matthew du AIME, mduaime@asparis.fr10 th & 12 th Grade COUNSELOR01 4112 8298Summer readingWhen students think of summer reading, they think of required summer reading for English class. But there is also summerreading which you choose to do for yourself. The iPad, Kindle and other digital devices have opened up new flexibility andease of access in choosing what you read over the summer.In an age of short attention span media, reading is still the best way to develop intellectual depth and commune with greatminds of the past and present. So…at the start of the summer, it is time to think about your mental diet. What type ofbrain/thought food do you fancy?In an international school such as ASP there is a lot of turn-over. Many of you will be leaving Paris and ASP in June. Myvery best wishes go out to you as you move on to new chapters in your lives. To those coming back to ASP, I look forward toseeing you at the end of August. Here is wishing everyone a safe and stimulating summer.ORIENTATION DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:The PFA Welcome Committee needs volunteers to help with the New Family Orientation Day on Monday, August 27th,2012.Please come and help welcome the new families to ASP. We needs lots of volunteers to help the day run as smoothlyas possible. If you are able to help, please contact Michele Biggins at biggimr@yahoo.com.

From the UPPER SCHOOL LIBRARYMario Chioini, M.L.I.S., mchioini@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8297As the end of the year is fast approaching, please take notice of the following:The Upper School Library will be closed on the following dates:. June 14; June 27-July 4; July 16-July 23. August 2-3; August 9-10; August 14-21Summer Check OutReturning students will be able to check out materials over the summer. However, we require that you leave a deposit thatwill be given back to you when you return the materials on or before September 3 rd (see below). We prefer that you leave acheck instead of money.Per item:. Paperback: 15 €. Hardback: 25 €. DVD: 10 €. CD: 10 €. Playaway audiobook: 50 €American Library in ParisThe regular borrowing procedures apply for the ALP membership card over the summer. The card must be returned to uswithin two days and you are responsible for returning all materials to ALP directly by the return date they will indicate.If you have any questions or to verify that we are open, please call 01 41 12 82 97 or send us an e-mailto uslibrary@asparis.fr.

SPORTS NEWSHan Hoegen, hhoegen@asparis.fr; 01 4112 8294Wednesday night, June 13 th , we will celebrate our sports year with a reception and awards ceremony and announce ourMost Improved and Most Valuable athletes as well as the Sportsmanship, Academic and Athletes of the Year 2011-2012.We will recognize our athletes and everyone who has been involved in making the sports program at ASP another successfulyear.I would like to thank all the athletes and the coaches.A special thanks to our Sports Boosters under the leadership of two presidents this year, Marie Sandman and Irma Almazanand the other officers Kim Hodenfield, Mara Harrington, Rhona Aksoy, Yvette Haddock and Lori Piper.Their help and support, as always, has been tremendous, whether with concessions, logo wear, housing athletes, cheeringon the Rebels, etc. MERCI!As always a more than huge thank you to my assistant Cathy McLaury.I wish you all a wonderful summer holiday and all the best to the families who are leaving ASP!ASP ID BADGESIn order to prepare 2012-2013 badges for families returning this fall, Reception personnel would appreciate allbadges used this year being returned as soon as possible. New badges for will be made during the summerperiod and will be available for pick-up at Reception on your first visit to ASP in the fall.