ASP - American School of Paris

2/ School newsLooking IntotheCrystal Ball(continued from page 1)It is best to lead, not to be led.Being controlled by events– thewhims and follies of humanexistence, phenomenon or thequirks of nature places a school inthe realm of luck, fate or chance.Not the place to be. It misses what I believeto be the holy grail of teaching and learning–that of intentionally giving young peoplethe skills that predict they will be highlyadaptable to galloping technology and everchangingexpectations. It has beensaid that the present informs thefuture. If you agree with theabove sentiment– sincewe cannot see into thefuture– then what weknow now within andabout ASP formsthe springboardfor inventing ourpreferred futureas a school.What we know todayabout our ASP lendsforesight.I am convinced that we will be theschool that helps our students develop theskills and knowledge to get to the futurebefore anyone else. When you considertoday’s achievement of our students– andthe excellence of our teachers– the future isrealized in the present tense. As we look intowhat we do very well, we also learn of whatwe must improve and change.The authorsof our futuresLike the history of thespace program, includingexcursions on the surfaceof Mars, it is the geniusof human inventionthat provides ablueprint for what can be. Our future is yetto be made, and for our learners, it will beexactly as we make it.The American School of Paris isembarking on inventing our future with thebelief that strategic planners are the truefuturists, especially in education.Our best bet for making predictionsabout the future learning needs of ourchildren, is to apply a disciplined approachto setting into motion the best in teachingand learning– then to measure progress onhow well we’re doing. Our intent is to setstrategy against our loftiest aspirations forour ASP young people.Take a look at the diagram on thenext page to review the strategic planningprocess we are using at ASP in the comingweeks and months.We are first gathering our school’sconstituency groups for Future Search

School news /3Seminars– an experience where we gatherto define common themes on programexcellence and imperatives for improvingour school.Join in - We can'tdo this aloneWe are using the month of Octoberand early November to collect data fromour community. Then we willgather members ofour communitywho represent a microcosm of our ASPcommunity for three solid days to draft ourschool’s strategic plan. We will be workingwith educational strategic planner, Dr.Howard Feddema from the CambridgeGroup.Please email me (mulfers@asparis.fr)to join the Future Search Seminar and/or indicate your interest to serve on thestrategic planning design team.Baseball great Satchel Paige was quotedas saying, “Don’t look back.Something may begaining on you.”We needn’t worry. We’re about to engagein a planning process at ASP where we willensure our deepest convictions and clarityof purpose, provide the vision to choosea course of action, then concentrate ourfull attention on specific goals, wherewe measure results in real time, withthe single most important outcome ourinspired learners who confidently greettheir future.We need “We” to prevail because thefuture is all around us. . Join in. We can’tdo this alone.All Good WishesMark E. Ulfers, Head of SchoolP.S. Take a look at our three minute videoon how you can get involved:www.asparis.org/strategicplanningThe Aspect - June 2010The A

4/ School newsAmerican School of ParisStrategic Planning ProcessASP FutureSearchSeminarDevelop“Vital Signs”Data BookSTEP ONEBoard and Administration: September 25, 2010(COMPLETED)Faculty and Staff: October 1, 2010 (COMPLETED)Students: November 3, 2010(3:45-6:15-in time for late bus)Parents: TWO SESSIONS:October 19, 2010 (9:30-12:30) in the PACNovember 3, 2010 (19:00-21:30) in US Cafeteria(provided for working parents too!)STEP TWOProvide the PlanningTeam the Future Searchseminar report,student learning data, critical issuesand financial stability markers.SelectPlanningTeamConductthe First PlanningSessionSTEP THREEIdentify and invite a cross-section of the ASP community,ensuring participants as a group representa cultural and grade level microcosmof the school.Key stakeholders must include faculty, staff, students,parents, board members andalumni– consideration shouldbe given to including opinion leaders/championsfor the school within the wider Paris region.STEP FOURPlanning Team Meets: November 8,9,10, 2010• Review/Revise ASP Belief Statements• Review/Revise ASP Mission Statement• Conduct Internal and External Analysis• Review/Analyze Competition• Define Critical Issues• Define Key Improvement Objectives• Define 5-7 Strategy StatementsThe Aspect - October 2010CommunicateDRAFT Strategic Planto ConstituentsSTEP FIVEThe work of the planning team is communicatedfirst to the board of trustees, then across the schoolcommunity, seeking commentary on content andthus engaging all stakeholders in strategic thinkingfor the future of ASP. Feedback is reviewed duringthe second planning session in the spring of 2011.November - December, 2010

School news /5DevelopAction PlansSTEP SIXFaculty, staff, students, board membersand parents (including both planning teamand Future Search seminar participants)develop action plans and cost/benefit analysisfor each strategy.January - April, 2011ConductSecondPlanning SessionSTEP SEVENThe Planning Team meets: May 5-6, 2011• Achieve agreement on action plans• Review feedback from community on DRAFT strategicplan• Affirm beliefs, mission, objectives, strategies andparameters• Define first-year implementation stepsBoard Approvalof Five-YearStrategic PlanSTEP EIGHTThe ASP Board of Trustees review the workof the planning team, seek any neededclarifications, review first-year budget and approveaccountability process to ensure successfulimplementation.June, 2011Organize forImplementationof Strategic PlanSTEP NINEAdministration develops the first-year school improvementplan for the 2011-2012 school year. Each administrative teammember is assigned as a champion for specific action plansto be implemented during the school year. Each memberof the administrative team invites faculty, staff, students andparents to work on implementation team. Each administrator,to ensure successful implementation of strategic intent, setsperformance goals.June - August 2011Review ProgressSTEP TENProgress reports are provided to the board oftrustees at each monthly meeting. Updatesare provided to all school constituents throughASPect and other publications.Update theStrategic PlanAnnuallyThe plan is not etched in stone, but rathermust be flexible to changing times andconditions. The planning team transitions tothe School Improvement Steering Committeewith the charge of providing quality control forimplementation success, ongoing internal andexternal analysis and setting the agenda forthe next year’s implementation of action plans.The Aspect - October 2010

6/asp lifeBienvenue!The entire ASP community joined together tocelebrate the start of a new school year whichbrings so much promise for change.More than 500 people enjoyed our BienvenueCocktail, this year in the sumptuous setting ofthe historic Marshall Center on the Place de laConcorde in the heart of the capital.It was an opportunity to both welcome and get to knowASP’s new Head of School, Mark E. Ulfers and thePresident of the Board of Trustees, Elisabeth Seeley,as well as a chance to toast our faculty and staff as weembark on the 10-11 school year.And of course, it was also a chance to catch up withold friends and make some new ones with a glass ofchampagne and enjoy the talented ASP String Ensemble.Joining the excitement was ASP Parent and honoredguest, the US Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin whogave a wonderfully inspiring speech:‘‘ASP was founded in 1946 at a time whena growing international community was comingto Paris in aftermath of the Second World Warto build a better future.Some parents of ASP’s first students likely worked here in this very room onthe implementation of the Marshall Plan.Today’s ASP community is made up of the proud descendants of thattradition, heirs of the long friendship between France and the United States.And like them, you embody the vision of a world in which, working together,we can realize the future that none of us can achieve alone.More importantly, you pass these values on to future generations, educatingtoday the leaders of tomorrow.As the American Ambassador to France, I take this task to heart. That’s whyI will do everything I can to sustain and strengthen the close relationshipexisting between your school and the Embassy. And as the father of twoASP students, I want you to know how grateful my wife Susan and I are tothe entire school for giving our children such a life-changing experience.Believe me, discussions around our dinner table are a little different thanwhat they used to be back in Los Angeles.Their eyes, like those of all their classmates, have been opened to newpossibilities thanks to the vision of the School’s leadership, the qualityand commitment of the faculty, the dedication of the entire staff, theunconditional support of the parents, and the rich diversity of the studentbody.Here, I want to note the crucial role played by the Board of Trustees andsingle out its President, Lis Seeley, who’sdone so much to ensure the future ofASP.With Mark Ulfers, our new Head ofschool, this future is in good hands. Markbrings a wealth of experience to ASP; along career, the majority of it overseas,as a dedicated teacher, school leader,and community service organizer. Forsupport, Mark will also be able to counton the new Director of Advancement – who has made tonight’s receptionpossible – Michael McNeill. Thank you, Michael.So, on behalf of the entire Embassy, represented by close to 60 studentsat the school this year, I would like to thank each and every one of you formaking ASP a world-class educational institution.I’ll conclude with President Obama, who said in his landmark Cairo speech:“All of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currencyof the 21st century.”This principle has guided ASP since its inception.Because where others see a world faced by difficult and complexchallenges, this school has always seen a world full of opportunities.That’s why you’ve made the education of our children your priority. Andthat’s why the Embassy will continue to be the partner of ASP as it adapts tothe challenges of 21st-Century education.Thank you all for coming et bonne soirée à tous. ”The Aspect - October 2010

ASP life /7From the BoardDear ASP Community,On behalf of the Board of Trustees,welcome to the start of the newschool year. We are delighted towelcome so many new familiesand welcome back those of youreturning. A warm welcome as wellto Kathy Miner, Larry Love, Michael McNeill and thenew faculty and staff who have joined us this year. Weare very happy to welcome our new Head of School,Mark Ulfers.At our first Board meeting of the year, the Administrationand Head of School introduced the key themes included in the School ImprovementPlan (SIP) for 2010-11. Progress on the implementation of the plan will be reviewed anddiscussed on an ongoing basis with the Head of School, Administration and Board.Included in the SIP is the development of a 5-year strategic plan. This plan will serve as ablue print for a preferred future for ASP based on a revitalized and aligned mission for theschool.At our all day retreat on September 25, the Trustees and Administration spent a largepart of the time focused on a ‘Future Search Seminar’, reaching consensus on the mostimportant areas we collectively feel need to be addressed in the coming 5 years.This month, the same seminar will be conducted with faculty, staff, parents and students.The data collected in those seminars will serve as the basis of the preferred future forASP. We rely on your involvement and contribution to these seminars and look veryforward to a strategic planning process that is inclusive, comprehensive and achievable.(For a detailed report from Head of School Mark E. Ulfers see p. 2-5)The Board is very pleased to welcome several new Trustees to our team. The trusteecommittee recommended Eric Olsen, Claire Staniforth and Mark Taplin for considerationby the Board. All three were elected at our recent retreat for three year terms effectiveimmediately.Eric Olsen is currently Group Executive Vice President for Lafarge, responsible forOrganization and Human Resources. He has vast experience in Finance and is a BoardMember of the American Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Carol have two childrenat ASP.Claire Staniforth has a background in Psychology and Education. Claire has workedextensively in the field assessment and diagnosis of children with developmentaldisorders. She served on the Board of the two international schools in Europe andinvolved in the Strategic Planning at both. Claire and her husband, David, have one sonat ASP.Mark Taplin is currently Deputy Chief of Mission for the United States Embassy. For thelast two years he was the Public Diplomacy Fellow at George Washington University.Before that he served as DCM in Romania where he also was Board Chair of theAmerican International School of Bucharest. Mark and his wife, Kathleen, have threechildren at ASP, one in each division of the school.It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Bienvenue at the Marshall Center earlierthis month. We look forward to working together to design the preferred future for ASPand thank you all for your ongoing support, energy and thoughts.All the best,Elisabeth SeeleyPresident of the ASP Board of Trustees 10-11board@asparis.frThe Aspect - October 2010

8/start of schoolWelcome toASP was delighted to welcome back returning familiesand welcome new families at the start of the year.And thanks to our ladybug army of ASP parentvolunteers, who make our extensive welcome programpossible, everyone started the year with a smile andtheir many questions answered.From the slightly nerve-wracking Testing Day through the deliciousOrientation Family BBQ and the Upper School WelcomePicnic to the kaleidoscope of the Community ConnectionsFair, the Living Skills seminars and our New ParentCocktail, ASP makes every effort to ensure all ourfamilies find friends as soon as their feet land!Thanks to the countless army of volunteers but specialthanks go to US Testing Day organizer Ursula Siemen,our Orientation Day team leader, Catherine Sinegal, ourCommunity Connections Fair organizer Amanda Nageleand to Darla Pape who headed the team bringing you theLiving Skills seminars.And last but by no means least, a special thanks toHSBC Garches for their generous support for this year’sWelcome Program.The Aspect - October 2010

start of school /9ASP!The Aspect - October 2010

10/school newsSinging HeartsThe start of the year for MiddleSchool sets out amidst ropes,harnesses, sails, tents andabove all team spirit!All three grades began their10-11 school year with aweek-long Outward Bound adventureeither in Savoie (Grade 6) or in the UK’sLake District (Grades 7 & 8) to get to knoweach other, to understand the importanceof teamwork and to stretch their comfortzones in confidence and security. As oneMiddle Schooler said: “By the end of theweek no on was ‘the new kid’”. In addition,the time in the stunning French and Englishcountryside serves as a rich resource for allthe students to pull from through the year invarious curriculum modules.And with the sun still on their skin and windstill in their hair, seventh grade broughtthe Lake District into the language artsclassroom, penning poems inspired byWilliam Wordsworth or trying their hand at ahaiku. Enjoy the results!The TunnelsBy Len PickI entered frightened as could be,When all at once there was no light,I could not see anything in front of me,Scared but could not fight,Stuck inside this never ending pit,And only wanting to quit.Continuous as a flame burningWhose light shines into the nightIt keeps twisting and turningWith no end in sightI get more and more scaredThen suddenly, I am repaired.The WallBy Paul WillemsThe weight on our handsArms straight upSpotters ready when everWe work togetherEyes gawking upEncouragement shouting outStruggling faces everywhereWe work togetherPushing from the bottomPulling from the topAll you in the middleWe work togetherGrasping to reach the topKicking your legs to helpYou get heaved over the edgeYou feel the power that helpedI see an opening up aheadAnd hear the screams of gleeRushing ahead wanting already to have fledAll we hoped for was to be freeAnd to feel a nice soft breezeTo escape this horrible misery.The Aspect - October 2010

school news /11and Haikus!Hill dayBy Kaan CankatClimbing up the hillStrenuous pain on our backsFrom the heavy bagsAt last in gloryWe reach the top of the hillSheep baaing close byThe beautiful viewSitting down having our lunchWriting in our booksMy Heart SingsBy Madison HaddockThe freshness of the airthe brisk breezethe bright shining sunbring happiness to me.The steep rocky slopesthe windy peakthe challenge of the mountainbring happiness to me.The colors of naturethe beautiful surroundings, old and newthe trees and flowers abloombring happiness to meThe blue of the lakethe coolness of the waterthe glassy surfaceand bring happiness to me.these memories will never leave me,And my heart singsThe Aspect - October 2010

12/advancing ASPLights, Camera, Action!Plans get underway for our 2011 ASP Gala.Get out your agendasand mark them now forthe Bollywood Gala - ACelebration to Benefit ASP!The date is Saturday, March19, 2011 and it will be a night to remember.ASP is setting the scene for a celebrationthat will bring together all the membersof the ASP community to highlight its 65 thanniversary and celebrate the educationalexcellence that benefits all our children.Come and experience the glamour andenergy of Bollywood!We will be drawing inspiration from the 2010-2011 Namaste France Festival, the 15-monthlongcelebration of the friendship between Indiaand France.Music, dance, delicately spiced cuisine, plusunique auction items benefiting the school, willall be part of this exciting event. With a fabulousParis venue as our backdrop, plus the vibrantcolors, sounds, and exotic fragrances of India,we’re planning a spectacular evening which youwon’t want to miss!The planning process for this Gala began last spring, butkicked off in earnest on September 28 th . A team of over 50parents, working with the support of the board of trusteesand key school staff is already hard at work to get the criticalpieces in place. Committeeshave been formed to tackleevery aspect of the event --location, decor, entertainment,communications, auction --providing a great opportunityfor volunteers to contributetheir special talents to thiscommunitywide effort,get to know each otherbetter, and have fun in theprocess. We have plansfor a spectacular venue,exciting entertainment, anddelicious food. Now allwe need is YOU to helpmake this Gala a oncein a school year (if notonce in a lifetime!) event.Stay tuned for details ontickets, auction offerings,and ways to get involvedin the fun.If you want to get involved inplanning for the Gala, contact Advancement Director MichaelMcNeil: mmcneill@asparis.frTo learn more about Namaste France, visit:http://www.namaste-france.com/The Aspect - October 2010

arts news /13Where I'm FromThis poem, which poignantly describes theASP experience, was written by formerstudent Christina White. She wrote it atthe beginning of her first year at college, inSeptember 2007 after graduatingfrom ASP and sent it to Assistant Head of Schooland Upper School Director Aaron Hubbard whoin turn shared it with the faculty.With Christina’s permission, Upper SchoolCeramics Teacher Jim Denison and the Artsteam transcribed the poem into ceramicletters. The letters were made over the courseof several semesters by students in Middleand Upper School ceramic classes as well asUpper School sculpture and studio art classes.Students were assigned individual words andgiven free artistic reign when making anddecorating their letters: the only stipulationbeing that the words be spelled correctly!And so now Christina’s poem is shared with theentire ASP community on display in The Cubeand through The ASPect.Paris, the elegant city that is sprinkled with old women in furcoats whose perfume consumes the air as you pass by them.Where friendly old men smoke their cigars over freshly brewedcoffee, in their local cafe, watching the world pass by.Where I’m from, everyday is a symphony of many languageswhich are perfectly harmonized in a single hallway. Respect fordifferences is mandatory and diversity is invited.Where I’m from, wars, as old as time, do not rattle friendships.Where I’m from, minds are opened and stereotypes are broken.Where I’m from, the most common language is Franglais.Where I’m from is called the third culture. Where expats fromall over the world join to create cross-cultural bonds. Now thatthat chapter of my life is closed I find assurance in having friendsacross the globe that have been transformed just as I have. Wewill all share Paris, which is so much more than an amazing citybut a life changing experienceBy Christina White, Class of ‘07The Aspect - October 2010

14/special featureMeetingMark...An Interview with Mark E. Ulfers, our New Head of Schoolby ASP Senior Sietse Goffardl Welcome to ASP! Firstly, how are youand your family settling into your life inParis?Life is good, and we’re settling in very well!My wife Wendy and I began moving intoour new home in June, and that has beengoing smoothly. Our two children, Adamand Lara, no longer live at home but aredefinitely very enthusiastic about us beingin Paris. Adam is 28 and is in business inSan Francisco. Lara, is 25 and a cancerresearcher in Denver, Colorado.l Do you have any pets coming with youto Paris as well?No pets. I would really like to have adog someday, but living in Paris, we’reprobably better waiting. We have a cabinin Colorado, up in the mountains at about8,500ft, and I suppose if we retire to aplace like that then we would have plenty ofspace for pets.l Could you tell us about yourchildhood? Where did you grow up?What type of student were you?I grew up in the very heart of the USA, inthe state of Iowa. I lived in a little city calledCedar Rapids and can only describe it asa pretty ideal childhood in which I rode mybike to school and had a lot of good friends,many of whom I am still in contact with.At school, I like to think I was pretty diligent.I took my studies seriously and was anHonor Roll student. My main interest wasThe Aspect - October 2010life sciences, so I took my first universitydegree in a combination of biology andbotany. Later, I took a second degreein literacy learning, specifically reading,writing, and speaking with youngerstudents. I then took my Masters Degreein educational leadership at Iowa StateUniversity with graduate work at UCLA andthe University of Colorado.l At what point did you becomeinterested in school education andadministration?I had known a long time that I wanted tobe a teacher, and I’m proud to say that.I spent many vacations during myformative years teaching at a boy’s campin northern Wisconsin and it was there that‘‘That is whatI hope for anybody- that they can tapinto their interest,passion andexpertise.I realized how interested I was in teachingas a career. It was more than an interest; itbecame a passion. Actually, I thought I waseven pretty good at it!That is what I hope for anybody – thatthey can tap their interest, passion,and expertise. It was a truly importantexperience for me. I had some exceptionalmentors who introduced me to tremendousteaching opportunities. From there, havingtaught younger students as well as APBiology, I went on to administration. I feltthat I could hopefully bring a bit more reasonand goodness to education through takingon some leadership roles.l Where did you work and live beforecoming to Paris?I started teaching in the US. I took my firstrole as principal in a rural school in Iowa,where I also served as curriculum director,bus driver, and instructional leader! It wasterrific training, and I really experiencedschools from every direction. I then led alarge school in Colorado before moving onto Singapore – my first overseas post. Atthe Singapore American School, I was theLower and Middle School Head with about1400 students. From there, I went on toopen up the first American school on theisland of Cyprus. Next, I moved to Taiwanand became the Head of School for 12years at the Taipei American School, where▼ ▼▼

15Mark with his family: (from left to right) Adam, Lara,Mark and WendyThe Aspect - October 2010

16/ special featureboth of my children graduated. Afterwards,I served as Head of School for five yearsat the Frankfurt International School beforecoming here. I feel very fortunate to bejoining the ASP community. When I firstcame to meet the Board of Trustees here,I was captivated, not only by the people atASP but also by the school’s tremendousstrengths as well as its possibilities for thefuture.l Wow! You’ve certainly had a veryinternational career. Do you speak a lotof languages?I learned some German. However, mystrongest foreign language is Mandarin,having spent so much time in Taiwan.Right now I’m working on my French – infact, my wife and I just participated in amonth-long French immersion course.l Now that you are truly beginning tojoin ASP’s community and getting afeel for what our school is like, what areyour first impressions? How does ASPcompare to, for instance, FIS?That’s a good question! There are actuallya lot of likenesses, especially the strongsense of internationalism that pervades bothschools. I think ASP does an exceptional jobof welcoming new people. There is clearlya great sense of community. I’ve reallyenjoyed getting to know our faculty. Equallyimportantly, I am very impressed at howopen and welcoming our students are. I’mvery interested in knowing all of them, and Iam doing more than just talking about that.In fact, I moved my office from Building 7right into the very heart and mix of studentlife. All of us in the office are noting thatwe’ve had many more visitors than everbefore. I’m absolutely thrilled by that!My job as Head of School is to know ourcommunity intimately. I want to ensure thatthere is a strong student voice, not onlyabout the current state of the school butalso about where we want our school togo in the days, months, and years ahead.I’m really hopeful that in building positiverelationships with our young people, we willreally hear from them what they need fortheir learning and their futures.l How about your hobbies andpastimes? If you were a student at ASP,what extracurricular activities wouldyou take part in?I’m really glad you asked me that. I lovephotography, especially black-and-whitephotography. I also read a lot, particularly‘‘We are a schoolthat has so manypossibilities, so whatwe need to do now iscommit ourselves to abright future.biographies – I’ve read almost everythingthat has been written on Harry S. Truman,who was a unique man for his time. Iam very interested in history in general,particularly the 20 th century, and rightnow, I’m reading a book on the history ofVietnam.I am also very committed to getting myselfinvolved in service projects. In the pastfive years I’ve been working on a serviceproject in the Kalahari Desert, in thenorthern part of South Africa, with studentsat FIS. Students work together to actuallyteach children in the Kalahari subjectslike math, English, and science. We’vespent a lot of time working on this project,from building schools to actually teachingto help these young people matriculateonto universities. For me, it has been alife-changing project, especially in buildingauthentic relationships with the students Iwork with.l Do you think we could do a similarproject at our school?I am certainly interested in getting involvedin service projects. I have already met witha group of Upper School students who areinterested in getting involved in the Kalahariexperience. It’s something I am keenlyinterested in, and I already have a lot ofrelationships built in South Africa around thisproject. In addition, I am a huge believer inwhat it could mean to our students at ASP.l Here’s a tough one: Could you describeyourself in one phrase?I am committed to continuous improvement.I think that is what it’s all about. Let’s keeplearning! Let’s keep getting better! Everyonecan push themselves to get better. I like thenotion of continuous improvement and domy best to practice that as well.l What are you most excited or mostcurious about this year at ASP?We are a school that has so manypossibilities, so what we need to do now iscommit ourselves towards planning a brightfuture. What blueprint can we establish forthe future of our school?We know we need to work on facilitiesdevelopment. We know we must alwayscontinue to work on developing a 21 stcentury curriculum. We know we shouldinvestigate ways to integrate technologymeaningfully. Let’s capture all of that in along-term, strategic plan. Let’s write thatmission for our school so when somebodyreads it, they say, “I want to be part of that. Iwant to be there and contribute towards therealization of that mission.”I think we have that opportunity this year.I’m very excited about engaging the ASPcommunity in that mission. Let’s raisethe level of discourse about all of thepossibilities for this school’s future. Let’s geteverybody talking about what it will take toget there! nThe Aspect - October 2010

school news /17Discovering ParisAlmost as soon as school started, our students wereout in Paris for a living learning experience!Before August had ended, the 6th graders took astroll in Paris to experience Parisian life: they tookthe metro, practiced their French skills to buy lunchand a postcard, used their writing skills to write their address,worked on their observation skills to fill out their question booklet,while developing their orientation skills to find their way in theLatin Quarter.Some discovered for the first time how Parisians live, whileothers enjoyed little French treats from the local bakeries.The students were split in their advisory groups during the tour,helping and learning from each other. Finally, they all met for apicnic lunch in the “Jardins du Luxembourg.” Bienvenue à Paris!The Aspect - October 2010

18/Sport NewsSports FilledYearby Han HoegenWelcome to ASP toall new families andwelcome back toreturning families. Weare looking forwardto another successfulsports filled year!We have had our first away and homeweekends for the Varsity and Junior Varsityteams, as well as local competitions withMarymount and the British School of Paris atthe Middle School level. The Lower Schoolprogram has kicked off with record numbers.Throughout the season all student athletesat each level will improve their skills andlearn to understand the importance of whatit means to be part of a team involvingcommitment, effort and sportsmanship.After our first two Varsity and JV weekendswe have had various results.The Girls Varsity volleyball team after comingup from division two, seems strong again thisyear and remains undefeated.With the ISST boys soccer hosted by ASP,it is good to know that our Varsity team hasshown some strong performances already.The cross country team has had some top3 finishes by Jordan Burgess, Noah Olsenand Michael Carden in the JV races. AnnaBradley-Webb and Olivier Torchiana bothfinished 3 rd in Varsity races plus KarsonPape was victorious in our first home meet inthe Varsity girls race!A good start of the season therefore and weare looking forward to a lot more!I would like to take this opportunity at thestart of the year to recognize and thankour key supporters. We have a very activeSports Boosters organization and thesuccess of the program relies on the help ofthe parents. If you have supported any of theteams on our home weekend you most likelyhave visited our concessions and know whatI am talking about! ASP parent Darla Papehas taken on the role of Boosters Presidentthis year to lead this very active group!And probably the most important personfor the sports program is Cathy McLaury,my assistant and backbone of the athleticdepartment.And looking forward we have an excitingyear ahead for the entire school to getinvolved with!Two of the main events for the sportsprogram this year are the ISST (InternationalSchool Sports Tournament) Boys Division1 Soccer Championship (November 10-13, 2010) and the ISST Girls Division 1Basketball Championship (9-12 March 2011)hosted by ASP.The ISST organization, founded forty fouryears ago, hosts tournaments within Europeand each one is attended by twelve of theFall Coaching StaffBoys Varsity SoccerBoys JV SoccerGirls Varsity SoccerGirls JV SoccerBoys & Girls Middle School SoccerBoys & Girls Lower School SoccerBoys Varsity VolleyballBoys JV VolleyballGirls Varsity VolleyballGirls JV VolleyballBoys & Girls MS VolleyballVarsity, JV & MS Cross CountryPhysical Training Centrelargest American/ International schools inEurope.For the ISST Soccer we will be hosting 165athletes and for the ISST Basketball 110athletes.Throughout the year we will be hostingathletes from visiting schools, just like ourathletes will be hosted by the schools wetravel to and we are looking forward toyour support.All information about the sports programcan be found on the ASP websitewww.asparis.org/athleticsIf you have any questions please don’thesitate to contact Cathy McLaury orme: cmclaury@asparis.fr or hhoegen@asparis.frAnd most of all, I hope to see yousupporting the ASP Rebels at our homeand/or away competitions!!Han Hoegen, Athletic DirectorChris EwingRadek KosiorDave SteadFrancois MaysAndrea Neubauer & Rebecca RankinBarbara Hoegen, Gunther Oyola & Rebecca RankinSylvain HervieuxKeith HolmanVirginia SteadJessamy Holland & Cathy McLauryKeith HolmanCraig Vezina, David Lynn, Gema Abril, Han Hoegen & Elli GildnesParnell BatailleThe Aspect - October June 2010 2010

Sport News /9The The Aspect Aspect - October - June 2010

20/school newsBefore and after!The summer months were busy at ASP with several majorcampus projects undertaken to dramatically improvefacilities at school.Alongside the usual painting and cleaning inside,the grounds outside also had a boost with planters,pruning and landscaping. In Lower School the Foyer has a newwooden parquet floor with a soft seated area making it a morewelcoming space for use by students, teachers and parentsalike.But the headline projects which Facilities Director Mike Breenand his team saw through to completion was the €1MillionScience Labs renovation and the Performing Arts Centerrefurbishment.Two months and scores of workers made the transformationpossible; 356 seats (including 4 wheelcahir access spaces) andwall to wall re-carpeting in our PAC. Four new labs completed tofinish our state-of-the-art suite of seven science labs.Thanks go to Mike Breen and architect Axel Cornet with teachersGillian Lynch, Laura Schupack, Anne Bayley, Joseph Scanlon andFaye Hutchinson for leading the transformation and to all the teachersand staff who were invested and involved in making the changespossible.The Aspect - October 2010

school news/21InternationalASP was proud to host The AMIS Middle SchoolHonor Boys’ Choir Festival this month welcoming85 talented singers from 15 international schools.The boys were all selected after rigorous auditionsand came together to rehearse a program rangingfrom pop, blues and rock through classical music to the worldpremiere of a piece especially composed for the festival, Nenniby Lynn Hutchison.The boys were directed by the festival conductor, Adam Hartfrom the Amercian School of Dubai and were accompanied byKeith Montgomery from the American School in London.The festival was organized by the Association for Music inInternational Schools of which our own music teacher, HalHalvorsen is a founding board member. Thanks go to busyteam of volunteers from Friends of the Arts and all the ASPfamilies who housed our talented guests.honors!The Aspect - October 2010

22/school newsComing soon to acomputer near you...ASP is delightedto announce theimminent launch ofa new website thathas been designedand built in consultation with ourstudents, parents, teachers andadministrators.The 1300 pages are beingfinalized and the new sitewill go live when schoolstarts back after theToussaint vacation.All the popular functionsof the current websitewill remain but you willimmediately notice acleaner, brighter andfresher face to thewebsite – remaining atour www.asparis.orgaddress.In addition there will be a new interactivevirtual tour with 360 degree photos from15 locations in school and at the click ofa button pages will translate into French.This will be an ongoing process withmore than 60 pages ready for the launchand the commitment to roll out the entirewebsite during the year.The website is ASP’s window on theworld with almost one million page viewsby 360,000 visitors from people in 191A Very Special PartnershipBy ASP Librarian Mario ChioiniASP is delighted to announce thegrowth of our special partnership withThe American Library in Paris.Thanks to this partnership, we areable to expand our services and offerstudents a wide range of resourcesfor their reading pleasure andresearch needs.I hope you will all take advantage ofthe program and here is how with astep-by-step guide.1. You must come to the Upper SchoolLibrary to borrow an American Libraryin Paris membership card. We’ll giveyou a copy of their borrowing policyat the same time. You have 2 daysto use the membership card beforereturning it to ASP.2. Take the membership card alongwith your ASP’s photo ID card to theAmerican Library in Paris.3. Return the membership card to theUpper School Library within 2 days ofhaving checked it out.4. Return all borrowed materials bythe date due directly to the AmericanLibrary in Paris, not to ASP.IMPORTANT NOTES:You can only use 1 membership cardper person NOT the whole family.different countrieslast year. Morethan 30% of thosevisitors are newto ASP and lastmonth alone15,000 peoplevisited 100,000pages fromour websitespending an averagetime of 4 minutes on oursite at each visit.For many of our familiesit is an important firstintroduction to theschool and to our currentcommunity it provides acrucial communicationslink to everyday life.Information andcomments from both our end-of-yearparent satisfaction survey and a newparents survey fed into the design processwhich started in May and is nearingcompletion.Watch this space: www.asparis.org!You must have both cards with you(membership and ASP’s photo ID) oryou will not be allowed to enter.You are responsible for returningmaterials to The American Library inParis in the same condition in whichthey were borrowed, as well as anylate fees accrued on materials notreturned by the due date.Visit the library’s website for detailsand directions:http://www.americanlibraryinparis.orgFor further information, pleasecontact Mario Chioini at uslibrary@asparis.frThe Aspect - October 2010

school news/23Screaming andASP started the year in style with our firstvisiting author arriving on campus in just thesecond week back after the summer break!And what an opener! Teen fiction authorMichael Grant spent the day with studentsworking in small groups and gave a presentation toMiddle School and the older Lower School grades in thePAC.Fifth grade teacher Barbara Hoegen said: “Like ourstudents he went to Lower School in a French school inParis. Students were fascinated to hear how he came upwith ideas, characters, setting etc for his books.”Michael Grant was born in California and traveledextensively during his child both across the States inFrance, Italy and the Azores. He said: “I spent most ofmy life being a lazy screw-up before finally deciding tobe a writer. Because my wife, (K.A. Applegate) told me Ihad to grow up and get a career!”Since then, Michael and his wife have written more than150 books, including the hit series Animorphs, Goneand The Magnificent 12.He told students: “I wrote Gone to creep you out and TheMagnificent 12 to make you laugh. Some screaming andsome laughing.”Laughing!The Aspect - October 2010

In next month'sASPect...N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0The powerof Art for life…ASP is honored to welcome a veryspecial guest – Helga WeissováHosková - an 82-year-old artistwho was imprisoned in a Naziconcentration camp - Terezin- from the age of 12, but foundescape and survival throughher own art and a community ofextraordinary artists. She bringsher story and experience to ASPthis month and on the eveningof October 21, before the UpperSchool Fall Concert at 19:30,parents are invited to come andbenefit from Helga’s presence,from 18:00-19:00.If you cannot join us on October21, enjoy a full report from hervisit with our students and to enjoythe Cube exhibition of art in nextmonth’s ASPect.The children thatchanged our lives…For three wonderful days ASP was lucky enough to enjoythe exceptional youngsters from the African Children’s Choir.Enjoy the full report and picture special from their workshops,concerts and football (!) in next month’s ASPect.The Aspect - October 2010ASP gets to grips withGirls Studies…A two-day visit from renowned author and UCLA scholarElline Lipkin gave our community plenty to think about whenshe visited ASP to discuss key issues of empowerment,gender expectations, body image, and media impact from heracclaimed work, Girls’ Studies. Find out what the studentsdiscovered in next month’s ASPect.