ARE YOU THE PARENT OF A SENIOR? MONDAY, April 16 - If you are the parent of a Senior, you may find that your son or daughter does not plan to come to school on this day. Annually our Seniors work with us to plan an unofficial traditional “Senior Skip Day.” Except for Seniors who have specific curricular responsibilities (such as IB Art) we will not expect seniors to come to school, and will not contact home to see where they are. If you would like for your child to come to school late or leave early on that day, please send a note as usual. There are NO school sponsored events for Seniors on that day, and we will not be calling home about senior absences.
On Wednesday I sent home via email a memo to all Senior parents reviewing the approved study days for Seniors taking AP, IB, and general course final assessments in the next weeks. I also reviewed these dates with all Seniors at a short class meeting on Wednesday.
SPRING PARENT/STUDENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES – April 12 & 13: Thanks to the many of you who came with their sons and daughters to conferences last Thursday and Friday. We had a very strong turnout. Communication and positive relationships among teachers, parents, and students are two integral ingredients in student success in school. Thank you for working with us for your child’s academic and personal success. We are honored that you have given us this opportunity to help influence your child in important ways during his or her developing years.
PROM: The Prom, held at the Four Seasons Hotel on WaiHai Lu on Saturday night, was a success again this year, with nearly 200 11th and 12th graders and a few guests attending. The student Council did a terrific job organizing and orchestrating this annual spring Pudong tradition. There were no school-sponsored activities after or before the prom, which ran from 8:00 to midnight.
CHINA ALIVE:
- April 16th : Final trip prices published
- April 23rd : Trip payment due to Pudong cashier
- May 21st : Trips depart (note that due to air schedules, some trips may leave or return a day early)
Dr. TIM KELLY: “Teen Sadness & Irritability: When is it more than just a mood?” We thank the PTSA for sponsoring this parent informational program. Check the blog posting below this High School Update for details on how you can reserve a spot for this evening program. April 18; Kerry Center.
ALUMNI LECTURER – April 23; 1:45: Former US Ambassador to Singapore, China and Indonesia, and former SAS student Stapleton Roy. Ambassador Roy was also US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research J. Stapleton Roy (born 1935) was born in Nanjing of missionary parents, and was attending SAS as a teenager when he left with most other Americans in 1949. We are very fortunate to have Ambassador Stapleton speak to our students. We do not yet have the exact time of his visit; watch for details. Parents are invited to attend; we will meet in the gym.
SPRING CONCERTS – Any of you who attended our Holiday Concert remembered that it was a “standing room only” crowd. As our student body has grown and the community support for our music program has continued to develop, we need to split our traditional Spring “Concert” into two. This month we will be entertained on both Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27, at 7:00 P.M. in the auditorium. On Thursday the HS Intermediate Band, Choir, Advanced Concert Band and Ensembles will perform. The Choir will perform a variety of music from classical works to pop. The Bands will perform music by Holst, Grainger, Karl King and McBeth.
On Friday our full Symphonic Orchestra with winds and percussion will perform Hungarian Dance No. 1 by Brahms. David Yang, Gr 11 clarinetist, will perform the Adagio Movement from Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and the program will conclude with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. Come out and support our musicians!
SENIOR AWARDS: Annually five selected Seniors are honored by the presentation of scholarship awards at graduation. The awards recognize exemplary qualities in Academics (Awarded by the Faculty), Leadership, Spirit (both nominated by seniors and chosen by a faculty committee), Service and Integrity (nominated by the Alumni Association), and the all-encompassing Eagle Award (self-nominated and chosen by a faculty committee). Awards are in the amount of USD$1000, and $1500 for the Eagle Award. Full details are found in the Student Agenda/Handbook, found linked to the High School blog at http://teachers.saschina.org/hspudong/files/2011/08/PDHS-Agenda-Handbook-2011-2012.pdf, pp. 23-25.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS: Last week all Grade 12 parents were sent an email outlining the important dates coming up for Seniors in the coming weeks and months, as we move closer to Graduation. In addition, I met with all Seniors to review these dates and responsibilities. Please mark your calendars:
April 16: Senior Skip Day. There are no school sponsored activities for Seniors on this day.
April 24: Senior activity on campus after school and early evening
AP Exams: May 7-18 (Students should check for exact dates of their exams)
IB Exams: May 2 – 22 (Students should check for exact dates of their exams)
May 14-23: Senior Final Semester Exams/Assessments for non-IB/AP courses. Scheduled by the instructor.
May 18: This is a special day at school for seniors. Yearbooks will be distributed to Seniors, and the PTSA will host them at a special Senior Barbecue. Finally, they will participate in the High School Awards Ceremony. A dance performance follows, as does Season III Awards Night.
May 24: Absolutely the Last Day for Senior Signouts. All books and materials must be returned by that time, and all financial obligations taken care of. All Seniors must complete the signout procedure to receive their transcript.
May 25: Senior Picnic at Century Park. This is a school-sponsored activity.
May 26: Graduation Rehearsal, 9:30 – 12:30, Portman Auditorium on Nanjing Lu
May 27: Graduation, 10:00 – noon, with reception following. Portman Auditorium on Nanjing Lu. REMINDER from my email of last week, and also told to Seniors: Each Senior will be allotted 5 tickets for family members. Students not needing that number should turn them in to the office, or give to friends who do need them. Students who need more than that number should ask friends who may have extras. A reception will follow the ceremony in the Atrium of the Portman, ending around 1:30. We will have a professional photographer for still pictures, and also a video team. Privately hired videographers will not be allowed to stand, be in the aisles, or be on the stage – each Senior will receive a free DVD of the graduation; please do not hire a videographer. The reception will mark the end of high school responsibilities for our Seniors. We hope that you will enjoy a family lunch with your graduate that day! There are many good restaurants in the neighborhood.
These are the ONLY school-sponsored activities for Seniors. No other parties, gatherings, or trips are planned or sponsored by the school for Seniors.
SUMMER ALREADY??? Once again SAS will offer a Summer School programs from June 18 to July 20 on our Puxi Campus for students who will be spending the summer in Shanghai. For information, check out www.saschina.org/summerprogram. For questions contact Jeff Thompson, Summer Program Director at 6221 1445 *2254
COMING UP ON THE CALENDAR:
April 21: SAS Centennial Gala Dinner
April 23-27: Student Council Elections for 2012-2013
April 23: Alumni Lecture; former SAS student/US Ambassador to China – (see information above)
April 26/27: Spring Concert! 7:00PM; come on out and enjoy our wonderful student musicians!
April 30-May 1: May National Holiday
May 2: IB Exams begin
May 5: SAS Golf Classic; SAT
May 7: AP Exams begin
May 17: Final HS PTSA Meeting and Principal’s Coffee
May 18: Senior Yearbook distribution; 10:30. Senior Barbecue; 11:30
May 18: Awards Day Program for High School; 1:30. All parents welcome!
May 21-25: China Alive for Grades 9 – 10
May 24: (Absolute) Last day for Senior signout
May 25: Senior Picnic
May 26: Graduation Practice for Seniors
May 27: Graduation; 10:00am to 1:30pm
June 2: SAT
June 4 – 11: Final Exams for Grades 9-11
June 8 – Friday: PTSA-sponsored end of year student party; Kerry Center, evening.
June 11: Grade 9-11 students meet all teachers; this is a MUST day for attendance
June 12: Last day of school; half day
Wednesday, August 15: First Day of School!
Enjoy your week!
Jonathan Borden
SAS Pudong High School Principal