2/<strong>School</strong> news▼ ▼▼(continued from page 1)ward a world free <strong>of</strong> multiple sclerosis. MS stopspeople from moving. We exist to make sure itdoesn’t.”In just 24-hours <strong>Missy</strong> rallied support from herfriends for their own WalkMS <strong>Paris</strong> complete withwristbands made by her daughter, 6-year-oldLily.And <strong>Missy</strong> raised more than $6,000 for the NationalMS Society to add to her New York team’stotal <strong>of</strong> $45,000.As 11,000 people marched in Manhattan, <strong>Missy</strong>proudly led her new <strong>ASP</strong> team in <strong>Paris</strong>.After the walk, <strong>Missy</strong> said: “Thanks to everyonefor their support and kindness today. I have hada smile on my face all day at the thought <strong>of</strong> thewonderful effort you all made this morning. I trulyfeel we did something worthwhile, and special. Icould not have done it without the efforts <strong>of</strong> eachand every one <strong>of</strong> you. I thank you from thebottom <strong>of</strong> my heart. We have truly made animpact - our voices were heard - and if we canjust raise a little awareness for this great cause,we have done something special.” lWatch the CNN report:http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2010/04/18/church.paris.ms.walk.cnnFind out more about the National MSSociety and their work:www.nationalmssociety.orgFrom the Head<strong>ASP</strong> Curriculum StandardsRecently, a parent advanced the question“Which list <strong>of</strong> standards guidescurriculum at the <strong>American</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Paris</strong>?” It was a fair question and onethat deserves a thoughtful answer.Promoting instructional standardshave long been the cornerstone foraccrediting agencies. Countries withcentralized educational policies have developed their own set<strong>of</strong> standards. In recent years, individual states (USA) and evencurriculum organizations have taken on the same initiative. Tobe expected, questions soon surfaced as to whose standardsshould be the “accepted” standards?Recent media reports in the United States cited the NationalGovernors Association and the Council <strong>of</strong> Chief State <strong>School</strong>Officers involvement in wanting to promote a common set <strong>of</strong>instructional standards that would flow across all states. Thisis the report that attracted the <strong>ASP</strong> parent.In the Upper <strong>School</strong> Advance Placement and InternationalBaccalaureate programs, the instructional standards mustbe aligned to enable students to be successful on externalexaminations. In Lower <strong>School</strong>, Middle <strong>School</strong> and inselected 9 th and 10 grade courses there is use <strong>of</strong> curriculumstandards taken from Project AERO (<strong>American</strong> EducationReaches Out). In mathematics, the instructional standardsused are supported by the National Council <strong>of</strong> the Teachers <strong>of</strong>Mathematics (NCTM). Both sets <strong>of</strong> standards are the “best-<strong>of</strong>the-best”<strong>of</strong> existing state standards.Project AERO is recent and strongly promoted in overseasschools. Its origins are with the Council for Basic Education’sStandards for Excellence. These standards are consistent withIB preparation.<strong>ASP</strong> teachers document curriculum and instruction usingAtlas Rubicon, located on the Poodle website. One click onthe subject title and the standard being used is identified.Teachers refer to Atlas Rubicon to monitor sequential activityand for updating assessment criteria. For any parent askingthe question, the on-going documented work by <strong>ASP</strong> teachersand administrators can quickly provide an answer to thatquestion.Other April Notes <strong>of</strong> Interestl Speaking <strong>of</strong> standards, <strong>ASP</strong> was honored and privilegedto have on campus Robert Hass, Poet Laureate 1995-1997. Hass was an invited presenter for the Visiting WritersWorkshop. This is the eighth year for this significant event.The school is indebted to one <strong>of</strong> the <strong>ASP</strong> alumnus forsponsorship <strong>of</strong> this annual event.Robert Hass started his day at an early morning assembly withUpper <strong>School</strong> students. He then did a question and answersession with writing students and the editors <strong>of</strong> the schoolliterary magazine, “Ink.” The day ended with a wonderfulevening <strong>of</strong> poetry reading at the US Embassy hosted byAmbassador Charles Rifkin and Susan Tolson. Over 170parents, school patrons, teachers, staff and student attendedthis gala event (see page 4).l On another front, the 2009-10 school year started with justifiableconcern about the spreading H1N1 virus and the impact it wasgoing to have on the school. An emergencyresponse plan was drafted. There was closemonitoring <strong>of</strong> events associated with H1N1, bothlocally and internationally.None <strong>of</strong> the dire predictions took place. Thispast week, <strong>ASP</strong>’s H1N1 Emergency ResponseCommittee <strong>of</strong>ficially disbanded. The comfortablesilver lining is that <strong>ASP</strong> stood ready to quicklyrespond to the emergency and that a plan was inplace to guide necessary actions.l Larry Love, the appointed Director <strong>of</strong> InformationTechnology was on campus April 7-9 meeting withteachers, administrators and staff. Kathy Miner,appointed Middle <strong>School</strong> Director made a similarvisit May 3-7. Michael McNiell has been appointedDirector <strong>of</strong> Advancement and will be at <strong>ASP</strong> theweek <strong>of</strong> May 31 (see opposite).The April school calendar ended with a welcomtwo week holiday break. Mini weekend holidayscontinue throughout the month <strong>of</strong> May, during aperiod <strong>of</strong> crowded schedule for IB testing and forLower <strong>School</strong> extended field trips. Suddenly, it willbe June and the 2009/10 <strong>School</strong> Year will havecome to an abrupt end.Daryle D RussellHead <strong>of</strong> <strong>School</strong>Advancing <strong>ASP</strong>We are pleased to announce that Dr MichaelMcNeill has accepted the Director <strong>of</strong>Advancement appointment effectiveAugust 1, 2010.Michael McNeill is currently Director <strong>of</strong> Development at theKent Denver <strong>School</strong> in Englewood, Colorado where he hasled several multi-million dollar capital campaigns. Duringhis Kent Denver tenure, he has increased the annual fundeach year as well as improved participation <strong>of</strong> Alumni,current families, faculty and staff. He has redesigned andaligned all <strong>of</strong> the schools publications and communicationtools. In addition to his development responsibilities atKent Denver, Michael teaches a French or Latin class each year.Michael McNeill is fluent in French and has already embraced the French culture.He holds Doctor <strong>of</strong> Philosophy in French Literature and Master <strong>of</strong> Arts degree inFrench Literature both from Princeton University and a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts degree,Magna Cum Laude, from Colgate University. Michael was Fulbright Teaching Scholarat the Lycee Montesquieu in Bordeaux in 1988/99. Since then, he has led manystudent trips to France.Advancement involves more than fundraising. Communication, marketing andcommunity building are also critical areas <strong>of</strong> advancing any institution. The search fora Director <strong>of</strong> Advancement who could best support and serve <strong>ASP</strong> in this importantarea was an extensive and exciting one. Over 45 applications were received fromall over the world. A screening committee including ourselves, Trustees, parents andstaff thoroughly reviewed and researched these applicants over the last months. Lastweek, the three top candidates were invited to <strong>ASP</strong> to have the opportunity to meetwith the various school constituencies and be formally interviewed by Mark Ulfers,administration, Trustees, faculty, staff and parents.Michael McNeill’s qualities and attributes are simply outstanding. Please join me inextending a warm school community to him. Thank you to all the members <strong>of</strong> thescreening committee and the interview teams who dedicated so much time andenergy to ensure the success <strong>of</strong> this search.Daryle D RussellHead <strong>of</strong> <strong>School</strong>Elisabeth SeeleyPresident, Board <strong>of</strong> TrusteesThe Aspect - April 2010 The Aspect - April 2010