n I s s u e # 5 n F e b . 2 0 1 2 A o s r n 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 F al c o n F ly e r

Produced by the High School Desktop Publishing students with the support of AOSR Staff & Parents.

MLK Day: A C e l e b r at i o n o f L o v e , P e ac e a n d E q u a l i t y

In the 1950-60s the voice of Martin Luther King Jr. tolerance and understanding are an integral part was heard across the US and around the world of our school’s value system and identity. The as he spoke time and again about his dream for assembly to commemorate MLK day on January equality for blacks in a white dominated society. 20th was a reflection of the beliefs and dreams Assassinated in 1968, his message still inspires of our student body and faculty. Students helped those who dream of a world free of discrimination to communicate a message of peace through and war. dramatic performances, musical interpretations, and even a cheer led by our cheerleading squad. Students at AOSR have a unique opportunity to be educated in a multicultural environment where

In This Issue: pages 2-7: News from the Elementary School pages 8-9: Libraries and Elementary Art pages 10-11: HS Sports and MS News pages 12-13: Alumni News pages 14-18: Announcements & Secondary News Things we saw along the way

PK4 Pandas: F i e l d T r i p !

After investigaing and out if we can also use Google Earth to creating many different visit their houses and the places their kinds of houses, the Pre- families are from. We’re all looking K4 Pandas have become forward to seeing where we wind up interested in learning more next! about the neighborhoods surrounding them.

This has led us to our newest adventure- taking a trip around our school neighborhood! We found so many interesting things along the way. Some of the highlights were numbers and letters, plants, patterns, gelato and pizza!

After returning to our classroom, the Pandas were very excited to map out their journey and start learning more about maps and geography. This week we took a trip on Google earth all the way from outer space to AOSR. The pandas are now excited to find

The prime purpose of being four is to enjoy being four - of secondary importance is to prepare for being five. ~Jim Trelease, The Read-Aloud Handbook, 1985 E l e m e n ta r y N e w s

Kinder: H o p i n g f o r S n o w !

During the month of January Kindergarten students learned All throughout January we practiced putting about the seasons and the weather! on our jackets “all by ourselves” while wishing for snow!! Every day we checked the thermometer to see if the conditionswere right for our wish to come true.

While we waited for white flakes, we are worked on decorating our very own snowman collage, so if you get a chance come on by to take a look!

During January we also learned about Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he worked to make the world a better place.

In art we have made special hats with dragons for the celebration of the Chinese New year.

A big warm welcome to our new students Elena C. and Cole W.

By: Ms.Antinucci and Ms. D’Aquanni

Grade 2: A B u s y M o n t h !

We have jumped right into the new year. we celebrated Martin Luther King Day by Learning about fairness and peace to all people.

Ms. Waite’s class performed at the school assembly with High School students singing I’ve got peace like a river… Ms. DeVito’s class wrote special dreams they had to make the world a better place.

All students shared their own “HISTORY” in a classroom museum. They wrote timelines and autobiographies, drew a self-portrait, and displayed their treasures and special collections for students and parents. This was a wonderful event for the entire 2nd grade!

The 2nd graders visited a new exhibit in downtown Rome, Homo sapiens. This matched nicely with our study of early man and civilizations. We even were fortunate to have two guest chaperones: Ms. Ciuffreda and Ms. Prisco. They both were former 2nd grade teachers at AOSR. The children said it was a great experience. If you have the opportunity to visit this international, interactive multimedia exhibit, all the 2nd graders would highly recommend it. E l e m e n ta r y N e w s

Grade 3: A W a r m W e l c o m e !

Happy New Year!

2012 is a special year for third grade as we welcome Ms. Robin Andrews to our third grade community. Ms. Andrews is replacing Ms. Kim Wheeler as she and her family moved to Australia. Ms. Andrews has been part of the AOSR family for many years and we are lucky to have such a wonderful, caring teacher who has been able to navigate this transitional time so seamlessly. We welcome you to AOSR, Ms. Andrews!

In Social Studies and Science, third graders have been busy learning how to write the Greek alphabet and making healthy choices, respectively. Our historians have learned how to write their names in the Greek alphabet and our scientists have learned how to use the food pyramid in order to become healthy eaters. At home, we encourage you to discuss how the decisions we make about exercise, food, and sleep affect our overall health. Scientists have also studied a timeline of advances in health and would be interested to read the newspaper with you and learn of any new developments. In the future, we will be studying Greek architecture and simple machines. Thanks for helping us make cross-curricular connections! H e alt h c a r e

News from: G r a d e 5

Making models in math to explain your Our community service project has ideas and have a concrete example raised money for the Cinque Terre, of how you worked things out is one to help them rebuild a school. We of the best ways to improve your are also buying country books for math skills. Studies have shown the library. Thanks to all of you who that people who learn math only by have helped out by providing goods or using algorithms, and are not really consuming them at our Bake Sales. understanding how numbers work, do not do well in university. In the We are getting started with ever-growing reliance of our society ThinkQuest, an initiative started by on technology, math is a skill that we Ms. Moose last year, to help us learn all need at a higher level. Fifth grade responsible internet usage and how is preparing for that. We have been to use technology for educational learning multiplication, division, and purposes. fractions by building models. You We will be going on a joint field trip have probably noticed the steam to the Salvicci Farm in March with coming from our brains as we have first grade as part of our science battled with this and after much program. We all make mozzarella and tribulation –yayyyyyyea! We are fifth grade will teach first grade about making it happen. Phases of Matter. H e alt h c Ga r er ad e 5

TEH S VENTEEN HELPERS

A ND CINQUE TERRE

Ms. Rumsby’s class of 5th outlining their plan and pledging their grade students decided that support. A bake-sale was next on the they would like to help out The Cinque agenda, our first one made over 300 Terre after devastating rainfall worked euro. its havoc in October 2011. Meantime we were busy doing Many of our community have artwork, discussing what had visited The Cinque Terre, which is a happened and how the people of The UNESCO World Heritage site, and Cinque Terre were feeling and writing famous for its beauty and its wonderful about what we were learning. breath-taking trails We were also trying out many new We looked at videos and news things in technology and were very footage of how it was and how it had thankful to Mr. Harroo for giving a become and the students decided that hand when the going got tough. they wanted to help in some way and at the same time learn more about this Our last fundraiser was in January wonderful place. and on the bake sale alone we made They had two over 300 euro. We goals: the first was still have to find out fundraising and about the Booster the second was to Bar. Students from drive and conclude the other classes in this project by 5th grade helped us themselves. This with this fundraiser was a total learning too and we were experience as none very thankful to the of us, especially PTO Booster Bar the teacher, had volunteers and the worked this way moms and dads who worked with us. before. (She just kept remembering We will be sending our donation to the words of Sugata Mitra, ‘children The Cinque Terre along with our DVD are the best teachers’ and crossing documentary. You can check out the her fingers tightly). blog for The Cinque Terre below. They chose their name, as you can http://www.rebuildmonterosso.com/ see from the title, and got on with the process of making a documentary of what they were doing. They wrote emails to the Mayor of Monterosso News from the AOSR Libraries H e alt h c a r e

Accelerated Reader The Middle and by Marta Rahm and Maria Falgoust Author Visit Elementary school students are becoming Happy new year! 2012 brings a new library familiar with the Accelerated Reader system to AOSR, called Follet Destiny https:// program. Parent, Sylvia Morrill said,”Our two aosr.follettdestiny.com This new system will youngest children were blessed to have the allow students the chance to apply the web- opportunity to participate in the AR program savvy skills they already know, and expand at their previous schools. It is very much a the skills they need to thrive as 21st century worth while program to implement at AOSR. learners. A middle school English teacher We have found that our children developed said, “I like that students will be able to search a strong appreciation for reading as well as from home and that they and I can create lists enhanced reading comprehension ability.” of books within categories.” Here are some Families will be receiving more information, highlights of the new system: including how to access the Accelerated • It is accessible from home Reader at home, in the coming month. • Gives students a familiar technology and We are thrilled to report that Anne Sibley New Books in the Elementary Library Do visual interface to encourage successful O’Brien, award-winning author and illustrator you remember when the Elementary library library use. visited AOSR the last week of January! Her hosted the second-hand book sale back in • Directs students to safe, relevant K-12 web book The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The the fall? Well, we raised enough money to sites containing educator-reviewed, age- Robin Hood of Korea, is a gorgeous graphic purchase thirty-nine new books! Some of appropriate information. novel that retells the exciting story of Robin the titles are: A Child’s Introduction To The • Students can see the top 10 books and Hood. For older readers, O’Brien wrote the World; All About Korea Stories, Songs, Crafts new arrival titles highlighted on the Destiny inspiring non-fiction book which she co- and More; Ancient Greece; Children’s Book Quest homepage. authored with her son, After Gandhi: One of Mythical Beasts and Magical Monsters; • Visually appealing, the DestinyQuest Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance. Chinese and English Nursery Rhymes (share interface allows patrons to search the O’Brien’s passion for multiracial, multicultural, and sing in 2 languages); Gladiators; Not For library collection, browse the scrolling and global subjects was sparked by her Parents Travel Book; The European Union carousel of bookshelves, view book covers, experience of being raised bilingual and Today; The Mysterious Benedict Society; The and link to title details. bicultural in South Korea. She worked with Prisoner’s Dilemma, and lots more... Pop by • Younger students or English Language the Middle and Elementary school students when you can and see all the new titles for Learners can easily find materials using a to talk about being a writer and illustrator. yourself. picture-based icon search option. You can read more about her here: http:// • MS/HS teachers can easily find tools to annesibleyobrien.com/ boost cooperation with the librarian on Thanks to the library supporters A giant thanks to all of the students and parents who classroom projects and research. Usborne Book Sale On March 9th, British donated books to the Elementary Library this publisher, Usborne books, will be hosting school year! The new books breathe life into New and Improved Library Webpages another book fair. For every book purchased, the library and are much appreciated. Take a look at the new library webpages and credit is given to the Elementary Library so find all sorts of useful information such as we can acquire wonderful new books! We In the meantime, KEEP READING! links to World Book Online, our new catalog, look forward to your usual kind support. book review podcasts, and much, much more! Students can now access a wealth of 1st grade podcasts Be on the lookout for information that will improve their research Ms. McRedmond’s 1st graders’ podcasts skills and help them with their assignments and about how books trigger memories and projects. http://www.aosr.org/page.cfm?p=569 remind them of their own experiences. After writing in their journals about their memory, they drew illustrations, and worked with the librarian to record their thoughts out loud. Way to go, first graders! N e w s H i g h li g h t s H e alt h c a r e

Mrs. Phebe Cosentin

Elementary On the return to school in January, students in ES art fully enjoyed multicultural activities in relation to the Chinese New Year. School Art Grade 5 drew and painted large colorful dragons for decoration, Grade 4 made a decorative wall hanger with their drawings of dragons, and Chinese proverbs.

Grade 3 practiced writing Happy New Year in Chinese and drew and colored dragons for The Year of the Dragon.

Grade 2 is making dragon puppets, and kindergarten and Grade 1 made Chinese hats with construction paper. N e w s H i g h li g h t s HS Sports! H e alt h c a r e

GOLF & SCHOOL: It is Now Possible!

Parco Di Roma golf club and the Italian Golf Federation in collaboration with American Overseas School of Rome promote the following project:

“GOLF & SCHOOL: It is Now Possible!”

It is a project targeted to promoting educational values through the game of golf. A well-rounded golfer is aware of him/herself, the relationship between him/her and the others, respects the rules and the environment while developing mental and physical well being. With this project, the awareness of golf will be expanded getting the young generations closer to the game of golf and its rules, creating more young golfers that will implement the number of the youth clubs in schools.

PROGRAM:

Tour of the Golf Club & 16 lessons (1h & 30 min) of professional class structured in the following manner: AOSR SPORTS UPDATES

Introduction to the technique of Golf Basketball 1h of class with professional instructors The Falcons are showing a fine basketball game, with both Introduction to the technique of Golf Classes at the driving range boys and girls teams improving and the hard work put into Classes on the putting green Classes on the short game the teams by the coaches showing on the floor. The boys Theoretical classes on rules Putting Green competitions lost only two games this season while the girls lost only a Chipping competitions Final competition “Golf is fun” few. The teams are preparing to go to the European finals, FINAL TOURNAMENT which will be held in Wiesbaden this year. The student- athletes are prepared to come home with a trophy and the At the end of the 16 classes students will have the opportunity to challenge other schools will have to fight hard to earn a win against other schools involved in this project. our teams. The addition of having assistant coaches helped our entire sports program improve as two coaches can PARTICIPATION FEE LIMITED TO THE STUDENTS OF AOSR: work on different aspects of the game. Good luck to our The participation fee for American Overseas School of Rome is 330euro per teams in Germany, come back with a trophy and most person, this includes the following: golf classes as outlined above, golf card importantly play fair. from the Italian Golf Federation that allows students to play tournaments and/ Cheerleading or golf on their own (22euro), shuttle bus from AOSR to the Golf Club, which is located 10 minutes away from the school. (Parents will have to pick up their The cheerleading team is composed of an extraordinary children at the club on Via Due Ponti).The minimum number of students to start group of students. The cheer team has been supporting the project is eight. Students may sign by sending en email to [email protected] the basketball teams all year round and the work put in no later than February 29th. Golf lessons will take place every Tuesday. The by coaches Jane and Karena shows at half time when program is open to all students. the squad comes on the floor to perform the routine. All students have very fine dance skills but they also know how Golf develops trust for yourself, self-awareness, concentration, mental and to perform stunts. The cheerleading squad will follow the physical health, respect for the rules and the environment. basketball teams in Germany. Besides cheering for our teams the squad will compete in the European finals, where they have to show how they can dance as well as perform routines and stunts. Good luck to all of you in Germany! N e w s H i g h li g h t s H e alt h c a r e

Wrestling News from MS

The wrestling program keeps growing year after year Middle School French Students Using Their Macs to Share and this year the school opened it up to the middle Their Life, Experiences and Culture with Senegal Pen Pals school as well as the high school. A few middle school students joined the program and the team is now By Cristina D’A and Nicole B, grade 8 comprised of almost 10 people. The wrestlers keep In French 8 C period, we have been working on a project getting better day after day led by coaches Marco to send to our pen pals in Senegal. Before our November and Marco who are also the coaches of the wrestling trips, Mrs. Le Bail talked to us about having French pen pals Italian national team. The wrestling season is now over that live in Senegal so we could share all our experiences. but we are hoping to build a program that would last After our Paris trip, Mrs. Le Bail asked us to make a movie throughout the years therefore please come join us on iMovie to give the kids in Senegal a heads up about what next year for wrestling. The varsity program is opened went on during that trip. What we thought about it, if we liked to students in grades 7-12. it, and which place we visited that we enjoyed the most. We all

put these videos on a blog that the teacher created to share our creations with them. In these days we have been working on a project, which is also related to what we have been studying recently. Our project consists on making a television newscast explaining and showing the typical and important things in Italy. The class is divided in several groups and each group has a specific subject on which they need to work on, for example: food, typical events, monuments, holidays and school life. For example, Cristina is in the group that will talk about the traditional food here in Rome.

For this project we are using our Macs and everybody is really happy about it because we are learning new things. As soon as we finish, we will post this video on our shared blog so they can see the way we live! I look forward to working on this project with my class ☺

After School Activities!

Session 1 ends February 17.

Session 2 begins February 27and ends May 30.

The program for the 2nd session of ASA will be on-line on February 1 (under link for Campus Life).

Booklets were distributed to ES and MS on February 1.

A l u m n i N e w s

When I got home I put Myrtle, my dead We are grateful that she was able to turtle, in a matchbox with a candle on top spend some time to share her thoughts and sent her sailing down the Tiber, then with us. got to work on the elegy. Molly loved the unique burial and encouraged me to write * AOSR was called Overseas School a book of poems about living in Italy. I of Rome from its creation until the early filled the blank space in a number of OSR 1980’s, more than half of its history. For yearbooks with lame poetry. Though expression, not quality, was the goal, there this reason, I often refer to the school are actually a few poems that have stayed as (A)OSR so all alumni feel adequately with me. One is about an Easter in Rome represented. when the Forum was covered in snow and I observed “as the past united with the present, a girl slipped away into beauty”. Now, I finally get to write an ode to Molly. (A)OSR: Most alumni (even those that This amazing teacher at OSR taught me stayed for even half a year) have strong, perspective and how to appreciate life. positive and lasting memories of our Blanche Garfein (‘74) school. What is an important one of Did you remember participating Better known as Blanche Baker (A)OSR: yours? in any of the many (A)OSR traditions when you were a student? (Shakespeare Blanche: Being with the best teacher This month we are featuring an interview Festival, Declamations, theater, etc.) in the world, Molly Bianchini [former with a former student who has become English teacher and librarian]. My Blanche: The Shakespeare Festival was a noted actress of stage, screen and adoration of her began on an awful, my absolute favorite. It’s a wonderful television and a writer. Blanche Baker horrible, terrible week in the 8th grade tradition that will stay with me forever. was Blanche Garfein when she attended that started with my pet turtle not waking Giving students the chance to work with (A)OSR* from 1969 to 1973. Class of up. I hadn’t told anyone and was this material and have fun is terrific. You wondering when it would start smelling. 1974, Blanche’s parents were actress can understand Shakespeare on a certain level when you’re young and if you’ve Carol Baker and director Jack Garfein. Then, a huge poster of my mother, enjoyed the stories and weren’t intimidated (Blanche took her mother’s last name Carroll Baker, half nude in a film called by the language then, you are likely to when she started acting.) Herschel “Orgasmo” went up on a billboard on come back to it later in life. We had so Garfein, her brother, is also an (A)OSR the route to school on the Via Cassia many laughs and felt no fear of being on and the boys on my school bus started alumnus and is a famous composer stage performing what is often perceived teasing me. I showed up for my favorite as daunting material. (*see congratulatory note on his recent class, English with Ms. Bianchini, having Grammy award!) read way ahead in ”The Sound and the (A)OSR: In fact, the Hillside Theater was Fury” but not having done my homework. inaugurated when you were here. It was Among many others, her feature I remember the questioning look she for the school’s 25th anniversary. Do you films include “Sixteen Candles,” “The gave me when I didn’t turn anything in remember the ceremony? What was the Handmaid’s Tale,” “Shakedown,” and didn’t offer up an excuse. By lunch, “hillside” like before the theater was built? “Raw Deal,” “Living Large,” “French I was so off balance that I fell down the stairs leading to the cafeteria. After a Postcards” and “The Seduction Of Joe Blanche: Hmmm. I think the older kids few stunned seconds with kids staring would hang out before the theatre was Tynan.” On television, her numerous at me, I stood up and said I was fine. there. Far better use of the property to credits eventually earned her an Emmy Suddenly Ms. Bianchini appeared, have a stage and put students’ extra Award for her work in the mini-series shooed everyone away and sat us both energy into creative endeavors! All I “Holocaust.” She has appeared both down on the steps. She put her arms remember from the ceremony was how around me and said it was okay to cry. I on and off Broadway and has remained happy Mrs. Roberts [former English burst into tears and we sat like that for very active both as an actress and writer. teacher] seemed as she climbed onto the quite awhile with kids walking around us. stage. When I finally calmed down, Molly Blanche has appeared in eleven films revealed a great secret— that you can (A)OSR: Do you come back to Rome? from 2010-2011, according to IMDb. transform all your painful experiences Often? com. Recently she wrote and starred in in life. She suggested that I write the movie short “Ruth Madoff Occupies down what I was feeling. It was my Blanche: Not often enough! When I was Wall Street”, which can be viewed on “Aha” moment and I was inspired. She there a few years back, I made sure to probably meant that I should start a YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ throw coins in the Fontana di Trevi so, I journal but I decided to write poetry. know I’ll get there again. watch?v=tV4ypehYQBA. Update: P r i vat e C o v e r a g e by Geoff Miller, Alumni Coordinator

school and that beautiful city and appreciate how lucky I was to have been there. Herschel Garfein: (A)OSR: You became a professional actress right after college. At what G r a m m y point did you know that this is what you wanted to do? A w a r d Blanche: I was visiting my brother W i n n e r ! Herschel at Yale (I didn’t miss him, I just wanted to check out his roommates) and I saw an audition posted for the Yale Repertory Theatre. They were looking for someone who could play a 14 year old in a little-known Polish play Blanche Garfein in 1973 (grade 11) called “White Marriage”. I was petite and I was there so, I thought I’d give it A)OSR: A significant percentage of our a shot. It turned out that Andrjez Wajda students attended many different schools, was directing. He’s a brilliant Polish yet retain a strong emotional connection to director (“Kanal”, “Ashes and Diamonds” us. Is this also true for you? Why do you and “Man of Iron” amongst other films) think it is so? and I had seen some of his films while living in Italy. I believe he paid attention Blanche: Absolutely. The happiest years to me because before the Internet, you of my youth were spent at O.S.R. It has couldn’t just look someone up so, it was taken on a romantic quality over time and unusual that a young American girl came somehow makes my life seem longer that I in knowing his work. My first reading lived in a foreign country as a kid. I have four wasn’t too special but he had me do Composers Robert Aldridge and children of my own and they’ve all travelled the audition over and over again with but I wish they could have lived abroad Herschel Garfein(right), different direction each time. Eventually, because it gives you a different worldview. I winner of the GRAMMY for I was darn good and ended up being remember the culture shock I experienced cast in the play. The experience of Best Contemporary Classical when I came working with Andrjez Wajda made me back to the States and now, Italy seems so Composition with “Aldridge, want to be an actress. far away. I look back on that lovely Robert: Elmer Gantry,” pose in the press room at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

(February 11, 2012 - Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America)

Herschel Garfein is brother to Blanche Garfein (focus of the article on the previous two pages) and like his sister an alumni from 1974.

Blanche (Garfein) Baker in “Ruth Madoff Occupies Wall Street” A short film written by and starring her, now viewable on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV4ypehYQBA J. Howard JoH nston, Lucinda L. JoH nston, Parents & scH ooL s and Lisa r . w i L cox

people you invite to see your information, Help Parents Prevent or no one at all. However, the default setting on some of these sites might be more public than you want your infor- Internet Predators mation to be. Some systems use an opt- out rather than an opt-in system. That means the automatic, or default, option helsea Brown is a bright, vivacious 8-year-old who adores horses and is saving is to allow access to information and cmoney she earns doing chores to help pay for a vacation next summer at a users must take specific action to make Wyoming dude ranch. She is 49 inches tall and very slender. Her dark hair is information more private. naturally curly and she has bright blue eyes—just like her mom. She has a big, One of the trickiest elements of social bossy yellow cat named Rags and a basset hound named Otto. She has just started networking sites is the designation of to take piano lessons from a neighbor and, so far, likes it a lot. friends because you don’t have much control over who the friends of your Chelsea, or Bitsy to her friends and friends might be. On some systems, family, is in the third grade at Brook- your friends’ friends can see what side Elementary School in Tampa, you post. Florida, where her favorite subjects Privacy settings on Grandparents are often the worst are reading and math. Both her par- social networking offenders. Bursting with pride about ents have meetings this afternoon, so their grandchild’s accomplishments, Chelsea will walk the five blocks from sites exist for an they might invite their friends (and the her school to her home. She has done friends of their friends, and so on) to this before and she’ll be walking with important reason. check out pictures of the dance recital two older kids, except for the last block or Little League game. Having grown or so. Once she is home, she will call up and lived in another generation, her mom to let her know she is there, grandparents might be unaware of the and her grandmother will stop by to dangers of social networking programs stay with her right after her doctor’s information and might have put her or unskilled in managing the privacy appointment. in harm’s way. We know what Chelsea functions of these systems. You might think we know Chelsea looks like from pictures posted on the pretty well. The fact is we have never Internet, what her schedule is, when strategies and solutions seen her, talked with her, or had any she’ll be alone, and where she lives. Principals can be key players in help- contact with her family, school, or We can find Chelsea this afternoon ing to protect children by taking the friends. Every scrap of information we and, given the information her following specific actions. have about Chelsea we gathered in less family has provided, can probably Raise awareness. Inform parents than 15 minutes on Facebook. Once we start a conversation that earns her about the dangers that might lurk in had her parents’ names and approxi- confidence. their own use of social networking mate location of their home, it took us The potential for this chilling sce- sites. Point out that it is not enough 20 seconds to use address look-up soft- nario is fueled thousands of times for their children to engage in safe ware to find out where Chelsea lives. every day. Unless parents, grandpar- Internet behavior; they must be vigi- Clearly, Chelsea is not careful about ents, and other family members and lant about their own behavior as well. the information she posts on the Inter- friends exercise the cautious use of At parent gatherings, through school net and is not following safe Internet privacy controls, much of what they newsletters or websites, or maybe even practices, opening herself up for some post on what they think are personal by setting up a social networking site harmful and dangerous contacts. But Internet spaces might be open to for the school, use every opportu- that conclusion could not be more the world. nity to teach parents about both the wrong. As far as we can tell, Chelsea opportunities and dangers of social doesn’t use Facebook and doesn’t seem Protecting Privacy networking sites. to be much of an Internet user at all. Privacy settings on social networking Establish rules. Make sure that the How, then, does she have such a vivid sites exist for an important reason: They school has a clear policy about appro- Internet presence? It’s simple: The peo- keep information you don’t want to priate contact between staff and ple who know her best and love her the share out of the public eye. These set- students. Many districts are now most—her parents, grandparents, fam- tings can be manipulated to allow access restricting staff-student communica- ily friends, and even one of her teach- to your information by anyone who tion to monitored, school-sponsored ers—have generously provided all this happens to be surfing the Internet, only e-mail or networking systems. Others

60 Principal n September/October 2010 Cont. next page www.naesp.org THIMUN: Trip to the Hague are establishing strict guidelines for acceptable communication and net- Advertiser Index working behavior. If your district does There are 52 weeks in a year, but The Hague not have such a policy, suggest to BCI Burke Company LLC 41 800-356-2070 www.bciburke.cominternational experience. In this one week, International Model United Nations Conference district officials that they develop one we learned more than different cultures. We and make sure everyone knows it. Californialasted University but one. of Yet Pennsylvania in this one 45week, our 866-595-6348 lives www.cup.edu/go learned how to communicate in ways we Provide education and training. Dis- changed. On January 21, 20012, eleven Elephant Rock Productions/Forum would have never imagined, we learned how seminate information about the differ- students from the MUN class boarded a plane to present ideas to large audiences and be ent social networking sites and how to onheading Education towards the Model United46 Nations 773-355-1453 www.erpmedia.net use them safely. Focus especially on how heard, and we learned how to interact with Conference in The Hague. This talented group to protect privacy and share informa- ETS.org./Pearson 29 503-228-3060 www.ets.orgthe whole world. We would like to thank a few of students, including Munyoro K., Faisal J., tion with only carefully selected and people for making this experience possible. Hannah S., Sasha L., Ryan R., Philip L., Carl screened people. As an outreach, offer Geico/Forrest T. Jones & Co. Inc 27 800-821-7303 www.ftj.comFirstly, to our fellow members of the MUN P., Nick D., Munim S., Levi F., and Daniel L., this training and information to grand- class, who contributed to the bake sales and Grandrepresented Canyon University the small island nation 44 of877-860-3951 Vanuatu at www.gcu.edu parents through a local senior services allowed us to embark upon this trip. Secondly, the massive conference for the following week. center or government agency. to the PTO, for generously giving us the Herff Jones Inc. C2 317-297-3740 www.herffjones.com Model acceptable use. Learn how to chance to raise funds through several booster use social networking technology and During our stay at The Hague, not only were we High/Scope Educational bars. And lastly, we would like to use this model for staff and parents how to use able to learn of the inner workings of the United opportunity to show our appreciation to Mr. it effectively and safely. Create a school ResearchNations Fondation and develop a deeper39 understanding 734-485-2000 www.highscope.org Haskell and Ms. Telmon for organizing and Facebook or Twitter page and showcase for global issues, but we were able to relish an Horace Mann Companies 5 800-999-1030 www.horacemann.comchaperoning the trip. school events and news in ways that pro- international environment. Each of us was able tects the privacy of the school’s children Landscapeto meet Structures and socialize Inc. with students1 from 888-4FUNLSI various www.playlsi.com and their families. parts of the world, including South America, Stay informed. Become literate in the The Asia,Leadership and Africa.& Learning This Center multicultural 55, 57 experience 866-399-6019 www.leadandlearn.com* Model United Nations (also Model UN or kinds of technologies that are affect- extended beyond the conference hall: even MUN) is an academic simulation of the United ing the lives of your students and their Mentoringour dinners Minds were spent exploring47 the cuisine 800-585-5258 www.mentoringminds.comNations that aims to educate participants families, or designate a staff member of different cultures, including Indonesian, about current events, topics in international who can keep the faculty well informed NASSP 53 800-253-7746 www.nassp.org Argentinean, Chinese, Greek and Mexican food. about new innovations and their pitfalls. relations, diplomacy and the United Nations Use the resources of your district and NCTM 52 703-620-9840 www.nctm.orgagenda. THIMUN was, however, much more than an professional organizations to stay on top of the rapid advances in technology Neill-Wycik 35 800-268-4358 www.neill-wycik.com now being made available to children at little cost. Make these discussions Oakland University-Professional a regular part of staff and leadership Development 51 248-370-3033 www.oakland.edu/profdev team meetings. There is no adult duty more sacred Pearson Teacher Education than protecting the health, safety, and & Development 49 800-348-4474 www.pearsonpd.com welfare of our children. It is no longer possible to ignore technology’s tre- Pepperdine University 51 866-503-5467 www.gsep.pepperdine.edu mendous effects on our society. To do so repudiates one of the most funda- Play & Park Structures C4 800-727-1907 www.parkstructures.com mental obligations of those who work with our youngest and most vulnerable Preferred Education Software 40 888-959-2016 www.pes-sports.com citizens. Recorded Books 33 800-638-1304 www.recordedbooks.com

J. Howard Johnston is a professor of Seton Hall University 57 973-275-2728 http://education.shu.edu education at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Solution Tree 2, C3, 59 800-733-6786 www.solution-tree.com Lucinda L. Johnston, a former principal, is a child behavior and welfare World Book 30 800-975-3250 www.worldbookonline.com consultant in Tampa, Florida. Lisa R. Wilcox is an attorney in St. World’s Finest Chocolate 7 888-821-8452 www.worldsfinestchocolate.com Petersburg, Florida. www.naesp.org Principal n September/October 2010 61 SAVE THE DATE!

The 4th Annual Rome Conference on Emotional Well-Being

The Family in Focus: Building & Maintaining Healthy Bonds Saturday, March 24th, 2012 at Marymount Int'l School, Rome, Italy Proudly Presented by: Marymont International School The Ohana Counseling Center Pasadena Villa Treatment Center The World Federation for Mental Health

Come hear distinguished guest speakers who specialize in Children and Adolescent Behaviors, for an informative day of Best Practices in the field of Psychology and Education.

Dr. Elizabeth Schroeder - Executive Director of Answer at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Dr. Jacqueline Reina - Clinical Director at Ability Beyond Disability in New York City, New York

Dr. Eleni Getachew - Clinical Director of Latin American Youth Center, Wash. DC

Dr. Vittorio Comelli - Assistant Director at UCSF Medical Center, Dept. of Psychiatry and School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA

Dr. Christine Fornabia- School Psychologist at Marymount Int'l School, Rome, Italy

Jane Rumsby - Teacher/Counselor at AOSR, Rome, Italy

Pascale Salomon - Principal/Counselor at Ambrit Int'l School, Rome, Italy

Claudia Fiumara - Teacher/Counselor at Ambrit Int'l School, Rome, Italy

Alison Lewis - Counselor at St. Stephen's School, Rome, Italy

The St. Stephen's Peer Mentors, Rome, Italy

AND THE RETURN OF: Dr. Toby Haslam-Hopwood - Dublin, Ireland

55 Euro for EARLY -REGISTRATION and 65 Euro at the Door! To Register for this exciting event, please contact Elisabetta Bettasso-Escobar at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you! C o n g r at u lati o n s t o o u r S e n i o r s !

With the end of first semester upon us, it is time to set our focus on The variety of schools on this list further emphasizes the wide an exciting and busy second semester. Before we do, however, range of talents and interests that our students possess and will we should appreciate the college recognition that a few of our fine continue to expand upon as they move forward. Many more of our AOSR students have received within the past month. A hearty students have also been awarded conditional offers to impressive congratulations goes out to the following: universities throughout the United Kingdom. Congratulations again to this collective group and now we will wait for further good • Maddie C. for her admission into Centre College, Eckerd news in the upcoming months. College ($16,000 / year scholarship), Rhodes College, and the College of Wooster ($20,000 / year scholarship). Another special acknowledgement should go to Max V. who was • Joshua D. for his admission into St. John’s University recently one of 250 students out of 10,000 selected to attend an all-inclusive student weekend at New York University’s campus • Ben G. for his admission into the University of Pittsburgh at in Abu Dhabi. He will spend his time mingling with prospective Johnstown students, faculty and administration from the • Christopher G. for his admission into school. the Universita Bocconi While 12th graders will soon be hearing from • Deniz K. for her admission into the their respective schools, our 11th graders Swiss Hotel Management School are already well on their way towards the • Irene L. for her admission into application process. At this point nearly all Kingston University 11th graders have completed their one-on- one meetings, started researching colleges, • Dominic M.for his admission into planned out a 12th grade course schedule, University of York scheduled the necessary testing that will be required (AP’s, SAT’s, • Franziska N. for her admission into Northeastern University SAT Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS), and have even begun and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst preparing a resume and a draft of a college essay. Within the next few months these same students will continue to meet with their • Carmen P. for her admission into Smith College counselor, their English teachers, and college representatives so • Curtis S. for his admission into Northern Arizona University that by the end of the semester every rising 12th grader will be as prepared as possible for the upcoming academic year. • Carolina T. for her admission into John Cabot Mr. Ivan Hauck: College Counselor • Tamar Z. for her admission into the University of Edinburgh February, 2012 and the University of St. Andrew’s

TAG SALES HAVE STARTED AT THE BOUTIQUE!

Each month from now through the end of the school year, a new group of items goes half off!

Come check out the deals, and don’t forget, there are also new items coming in every week!

The Boutique is located at the front parking lot of the school and is open:

Tuesdays from 10:30-1:30 Fridays from 2:00-5:00 More Grade 5 Pics:

There’s been a lot happening in grade 5! Here a few more snap- shots of grade 5 presentations on the Romans, a seatbelf safety presentation fby Levi F. and great in class work on ThinkQuest!

Contact Information

Villa Reception and Staff Faculty & Coordinators Villa Secretary: Ms. Manuela Ciocca 06-33438-300 PreK Coordinator: Ms. Amy Magazzu 06-33438-330 Head of School: Dr. Beth Pfannl 06-33438-331 ES Coordinator: Ms. Susan Prideaux 06-33438-350 Secretary: Ms. Domenica Losani 06-33438-331 MS Coordinator: Ms. Sarah Ellyson 06-33438-336 Business Manager: Ms. Elisa Bruno 06-33438-338 AP/IB Coordinator: Ms. Belinda Fiochi 06-33438-337 Admissions Officer: Ms. Sabine Neumann 06-33438-311 HS College Counselor: Mr. Ivan Hauck 06-33438-327 Busing: Mr. Kieran Canter 06-33438-372 School Counselors: Ms. Elizabeth Escobar 06-33438-373 Secondary School Dr. Simona Reichmann 06-33438-373 Principal: Mr. Ken Kunin 06-33438-326 Nurse: Ms. Jan Miller & Nancy Bergeson 06-33438-321 Secretary: Ms. Anna Chiara Troisi 06-33438-326 After School Activities: Ms. Christine Hogan Elementary School Resource Room: Ms. Rene Ostapuk (ES) 06-33438-302 Principal: Mr. Stephen Foster 06-33438-395 Ms. Jacqueline Gallo (MS/HS) 06-33438-390 Secretary: Ms. Joanne Hoberg 06-33438-395 Athletics: Mr. Max Squarcia 06-33438-313

American Overseas School of Rome 811 Via Cassia 00189 Rome, Italy http://www.aosr.org Phone: (+39) 06.33438.300 Fax: (+39) 06.3326.2608