THE WINDOW WINTER 2018 Page 25

TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL THE WINDOW WINTER 2018 page 25. at TAS 36 30 32 34 iGEM Championship in PTA Grants PTA Did you know? School Grand Prize at the TAS students won the High students won the High TAS for TAS Teams Sports for TAS Boston! Read more about this about more Read Boston! on accomplishment incredible The 48-Hour Film Project Film Project The 48-Hour A New Home on the Web Home on the Web New A

25 16 21 23 TAS Team Wins Team TAS Wellness Wellness in Action: Dance for Kindness in the Middle School Hits the Lower School Hits the Lower at iGEM Championship Responsive Classroom Classroom Responsive High School Grand Prize More Performance Opportunities More Performance

04 10 07 01 Association Annual Gala Ball Finance Report th General Meeting Be Well, Do Well Be Well, Board of Directors 15 Wellness Convention: Wellness The Leadership of Schools of Schools The Leadership and the Longevity of Heads and the Longevity CONTENTS THE THE Head of School 01

lthough I remain in the United States recuperating from my first surgery and preparing for my second, my mind and heart are, as always, with the school. I am so

A LONGEVITY LEADERSHIP pleased that the TAS community had the opportunity to hear from renowned independent school consultant and governance expert Mr. John Littleford during his trip to our school in October. I am equally delighted that so much time and energy was focused on assuring the positive relationship between the Administration and the Board, critical to the success of any educational institution. As this is a year in which we work towards the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) re-accreditation, this relationship bears crucial importance, although seldom if ever in the history of the school have we seen a more cohesive working partnership between these two groups than now.

Mr. Littleford began working with TAS Administrators and Board members over twenty years ago, and he continues to share his expertise on best-in-class governance guidelines with our leadership team today. I am sorry I was not there to attend his special parent presentation titled “The Leadership of Schools and the Longevity of Heads.” I asked the Communications Office to provide a short summary of his invaluable remarks on the important relationship between

an impactful Board and the Head of School. I look forward to being back at school as soon as OF possible. Meanwhile, I hope you will review the summary below and know of the importance I

place on this critical work that strengthens our partnership and, thereby, strengthens our school OF HEADS and what we can offer to our students now and as we move forward. SCHOOLS Summary of Mr. John Littleford’s Remarks The Leadership of Schools and the Longevity of Heads

Long-term leadership and a Board that collaborates effectively with the Head of School leads to a healthier and more successful academic environment. At international schools, Heads and Board members tend to turn over too quickly. Most international school Heads last only an average of three years, but a school can only start to benefit from a Head’s leadership and vision after five years. At this point when a Head’s maximum impact begins, academic results climb, the reputation of the school grows, and the fundraising potential to enhance student programs increases.

Head tenure relates to the health of the Board. At international schools, long-term Board members and Board Chairs are rare. School bylaws often force the turnover of valuable elected Board members, which then result in forced Head turnover. Instability within school leadership is viewed as a weakness by stakeholders, universities, and the broader community. Ultimately, AND school stability depends on a healthy Board with long-serving members who hold the mission in trust and partner with long-serving Heads who hire for mission integrity.

A healthy Board starts with the Nominating Committee selecting a combination of parents, alumni, past parents, and community leaders. Within the Board, effective Chairs should serve at least five years to effectively partner with the Head and lead the broader Board members. 80% of weak Boards are due to poor Head-Chair partnerships, so the importance of this relationship is paramount. Self-Perpetuating Boards are the most healthy type of Board; the trend is for Board members to be half elected and half appointed. The most successful Boards are smaller, employ fewer subcommittees, and nurture and advise the Head.

Long-term Heads know and stay in touch with key constituencies, stakeholders, and faculty. They are visionaries who stay fervent about and speak to their vision frequently, focusing on and adhering to the mission at all times. They hire strong teachers and provide excellent training. TAS is very fortunate to be led by a Head of School who does just that and more.

Strategic Area 1: Strong Foundation: Evaluate and adjust as necessary the Board strcuture and processes to meet the continuing needs of the School. 02 Head of School

Dr. Hennessy has a demonstrated track record of excellence and her anticipation of cutting edge programs has brought TAS to the forefront of education and innovation. Moreover, the community can continue to count on Dr. Hennessy’s clear commitment to providing exceptional care for students, faculty, and staff, as she recently agreed to extend her contract to the 2022- 2023 school year.

Mr. John Littleford completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Dickinson College, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford. He began his career as a teacher in lower through upper schools, serving as Department Head, Upper School Head, Assistant Headmaster, and then Headmaster at various independent schools. From there, he became a part-time consultant to independent schools, international schools, and other non-profits throughout the U.S. and the world. Today, he works as a full-time consultant and senior partner for Littleford & Associates with thousands of clients, including 2,000 board presidents of independent schools and 1,000 clients with whom he works with on board governance topics. AND SCHOOLS HEADS OF OF LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP LONGEVITY LONGEVITY THE THE

Strategic Area 1: Strong Foundation: Evaluate and adjust as necessary the Board strcuture and processes to meet the continuing needs of the School. THE THE Head of School 03

然我留在美國，正從第一次手術中恢復元氣，並準備著第二次的手術，但我的心靈一如既往地與學校同在。我很高興 TAS 社群有機會聽到著名的獨立學校顧問和治理專家 John LONGEVITY LEADERSHIP 雖先生於月份造訪本校時做的演講。我同樣非常開心，這麼多的時間和精力集中 Littleford 10 在確保行政團隊與董事會間的積極關係上，這對於任何教育機構的成功都是至關重要。由於今年是西方學校和學院協會（WASC）重新認證的一年，這種關係尤其關鍵，儘管在學校的歷史上比現在更緊密的工作夥伴關係是不多見的。

Littleford 先生在二十多年前開始與 TAS 行政主管和董事會成員合作，今天他仍繼續與本校的領導團隊分享他在最佳治理方針方面的專業知識。很抱歉，我沒能出席他特別為家長們做的演講“學校的領導力和負責人的任期。” 我要求通訊辦公室摘要出他對董事會和學校負責人間之重要關係的寶貴意見。我期待能盡快回到學校。同時，我希望您能回顧以下的摘要，並瞭解我很重視這個能加強我們的合作關係，從而強化本校，以及我們現在和未來能提供學生們的關鍵工作之重要性。

John Littleford 先生的意見摘要學校的領導力和負責人的任期

長期的領導和一個可以有效地與校長合作的董事會能導致更健康和更成功的學術環境。在國際學校，校長和董事會成員傾向於過快的汰換。大多數國際學校的校長平均只有三年的任期，但一所學校五年 OF 後才能從校長的領導和願景中受益。此時，校長的最大影響力開始增長，學業成績攀升，學校聲譽日

益提高，並為加強學生課程的募款潛力也隨之提高。 OF HEADS

校長的任期與董事會的健康有關。在國際學校裡，很少長期的董事會成員和董事長。學校章程往往迫 SCHOOLS 使有價值的當選董事流失，從而導致校長的汰換。不穩定的學校領導階層被利益相關者、大學和更廣泛的社群視為弱點。最終，學校的穩定性取決於有肩負著托管宗旨的長期服務成員的健康董事會與為宗旨而聘僱之長期服務的校長合作。

一個健康的董事會從由家長、校友、前任家長與社群領袖們組成的提名委員會開始。在董事會內部，有效的董事長應曾與校長有效地合作，並至少曾領導更廣泛的董事會成員五年以上。80％的薄弱董事會皆因校長 - 董事長的合作關係不佳所造成的，所以這種關係的重要性是很關鍵的。自我延續的董事會是最健康的董事會類型；目前趨勢是董事會有一半是當選的成員和一半則是任命的。最成功的董事會規模較小；採用較少的小組委員會；以及培植並對校長提出建議。

長期校長了解並與重要的成員、利益相關者和教師保持聯繫。他們是有遠見卓識的人，他們經常滔滔不絕地講述自己的觀點，時刻關注和堅持學校宗旨。他們聘請優秀的教師並提供優秀的培訓。 TAS 非常幸運地由一個就是如此做甚至做得更多的總校長所領導。 Hennessy 博士擁有卓越的成績記錄，

她對尖端課程的期待已經將 TAS 帶到了教育和創新的前端。此外，社群可以持續倚仗 Hennessy 博 AND 士對學生、教職員工提供優質照顧的明確承諾，因為她最近同意將合同延長到 2022-2023 學年。

John Littleford 先生完成了狄金森學院、普林斯頓大學、哈佛大學和史丹佛大學的大學部和研究所課程。他以擔任小學至高中教師職務展開他的事業，擔任過部門主管、高中校長、助理總校長，以及各種獨立學校的總校長之後，他成為美國和世界各地的獨立學校、國際學校和其他非營利組織的兼職顧問。如今，他是 Littleford ＆ Associates 的全職顧問與資深合夥人，為成千上萬的客戶咨詢，其中包括 2000 名獨立學校董事長與 1000 名和董事會治理主題相關的客戶。

Strategic Area 1: Strong Foundation: Evaluate and adjust as necessary the Board strcuture and processes to meet the continuing needs of the School. 04 BoardofDirectors

Strategic Area 1:Strong Foundation:Provide responsible financialoversight andstewardship, ensuring stability forthefuture. Association General Meeting Finance Report By Gayle Tsien, Board Management & Resources Committee Vice Chair First, wehave ouroperatingbudget.Work on today. best placesavailableinthe educationalworld the bestpeople,programs, andthe yet tocome.Ourcommitment istoprovide children's futureandintheofstudents areas (andothers)areinvestmentsinour The facilitiesandstaffingneededforthese Performing Arts, andCharacterEducation. Scientific Research,ClassicalStudies, decade-long commitmenttoRobotics, Excellent examplesofthisincludeour rapidly changingworld. to makethemsuccessfulanywhereinour the socialandemotionalqualitiesskills academic, thecharacter, thewellness,and most likelytodevelopin TAS studentsthe They studycurrentandfuturetrendsthatare preparing usforthebestideasoftomorrow. settling forthebestpracticesoftoday, but what iscomingourwayeducationally, never leaders whoarealwayslookingaheadtosee forward thinking,andinnovativeeducational Moreover, wehaveateamofhighlycapable, many ofyouplayedaroleindeveloping. on ajointlydevelopedStrategicPlan,which investments? We base our spending decisions programs, andwhichplacesareworthyofour How dowedeterminewhichpeople, of ourfiduciaryduties. preserve the value of our assets form the core we allocate these resources, solicit funds, and Academy, andseveralsportscamps.How sources, suchasthe Tiger Store,Summer income generatedbyschoolbusiness-related parent gifts,andasmallamountofauxiliary Our sourcesoffundingincludetuition, the endowment. the operationsbudget,capitaland components ofourfinancialplanningprocess: today. I TAS isasfiscallystrongtomorrowit including theresponsibilitytoensurethat We takeallofourresponsibilitiesseriously, our schooltodayandforfuturegenerations. ensure thefinancialstabilityandstrengthof reputation andstandinginternationally, andto to advancethemissionof TAS, toraiseits T volunteers whoseprimaryrolesare by agroupofparentandpast aipei American Schoolisgoverned ’ d liketosharewithyouthethreekey 80% ofouroperating costs.We watcheach People andprogramsconstitute morethan schools andat TAS notthatlongago. average 3yearstypicalof most international TAS nowfornearly9years ratherthanthe and ourgoals. The averageteacherstaysat the bestfitforourcommunity, ourprograms, careful attentiontohiringthosewhowouldbe identified andhiredmoreefficiently, with streamlined sothatidealcandidateswere academic structure.Recruitingefforts were a housesystemtomoreappropriate additional coursesasweredesignedfrom possible. MSteachersbeganteaching best educationalpracticesattheprice existing staff toassurewecouldoffer these eliminated manyprogramsandreassigned TAS student. And asweaddedthem, were costlyinvestmentsinthefutureofeach of dance,music,anddramaopportunities Studies Programalongsideanexpansion Box Theater; andtheintroductionofaFilm Cube; arefurbishedauditoriumandBlack motivators; plansforastateoftheart Tech Center withtrainers,coaches,andskilled staffed collegecounselingoffice;a Wellness that ourinvestmentshavepaidoff. A fully admissions resultshavereassuredus and theresultingimpressivecollege those relatedtoForensicsandDebate, First RoboticsCompetition,iGEM,and profile internationalcompetitionssuchas have resulted.Studentsuccessesinhigh highly desirableandincreasedapplications projections, asthe TAS namehasbecome demand forspaceat TAS hasfarexceeded 18 monthsaheadoftime.Inthepastdecade, presented bytheadministrationtoBoard historical dataandrecenttrends,are projections foreachdivision,basedon As partofthebudgetingprocess,enrollment being compensatedfairly. our mostvaluableasset–peopleare to existingcompensationpackagesensure and inﬂationmarkersinformanyadjustments positions. A reviewofbenefits,costliving, funding levelsandconsiderrequestsfornew faculty, andstaff beforeweapproveexisting levels ateachdivisionforadministration, budget cycle. We carefully assess the staffing program, andplaceneedsintheupcoming reviews it. Administrators evaluatethepeople, this beginsseveralmonthsbeforetheBoard Board of Directors Report Association General Meeting Finance 05

allocation closely and await the results in surplus funds typically go into our endowment. the markers of success and outcomes on The endowment fund is a reserve to protect a routine, monthly basis. Because tuition the school against unexpected events and increases are always challenging for some provides funding for the current operation if in the community, we deliberate extensively needed. TAS is unusual as an international before determining what is absolutely school in having an endowment and we are essential for the school's continued growth pleased that with careful, cautious planning and development. And we are certain that our endowment today stands at a higher level the increases are needed to fund a good part than it did before we borrowed from it to build of our continued march towards increased our beautiful new Upper School. Families options and opportunities for all students. today benefit from the careful budgeting oversight previous Boards provided and As we do this analysis, we also consider the families of the future will benefit from our capital needs of the school and the steps current dedication to maintaining and growing needed to preserve all of our school assets. our endowment through gifts to that fund Our capital fee is collected and invested in and, when possible, transfers from current maintaining appropriate buildings, facilities, operating funds. and equipment to support student learning and all programs. The capital budgeting The Board, in addition to its Management process takes a longer-term view where and Resources Committee that oversees we look out ten or twenty years to see what the budgeting process, annually appoints expenses will be in the future for every part of an Audit Committee. This Audit Committee the school's structure and infrastructure, and includes non-Board member parents with monies are allocated annually in accordance expertise in the field and it gives its opinion with a carefully developed plan on which your on the audit and the school's compliance Board deliberates for months. The operating with its requirements. Thanks to the tight, budget covers routine staffing and program sound fiscal oversight that is part of our work, development, while the capital budget we have just received a clean audit for the addresses the capital needs of the school in a twenty-second consecutive year; that means systematic, well planned manner. a team of trained CPAs reviewed our financial operations in strict accordance with General The best of the best schools do not stop Accounting Procedures and found nothing out with funds available from tuition and capital of order or in need of a "management letter." fees. Once the school community comes to appreciate the benefits and advantages 北美國學校的治理是由家長和前家長 of superior educational options, it is often 志工所組成，主要職責是促進 TAS 的 asked to participate in development or 台宗旨，以提高其聲譽和國際地位，並 "advancement" efforts that allow us to 確保今日和未來世代能享學校的穩定財務和實 accelerate progress on our Strategic Plan 力。我們認真對待我們所有的責任，包括確保 and capitalize on the wide range of deeply 在未來能像如今般財務堅實的責任。我想 impressive talents of our TAS Tigers. The list TAS of enhancements to places, programs, and 與您分享我們財務規劃過程的三個關鍵部分： people made possible by generous parent 營運預算、資本預算和基金。 giving is endless and has been a key factor in the accomplishments of the past decade, 我們的資金來源包括學費、家長贈禮和學校業 accomplishments that simply could not have 務相關的來源（如老虎商店、夏日學院和幾個 been possible without our Board-driven and 運動營）所產生的少量輔助收入。如何分配這 administration-implemented development 些資源、募集資金、以及本校的資產價值即為 program. 我們受託責任的核心。

Financial equilibrium requires us to think past 我們如何確定那些人事、那個課程和那些地方 this generation. Each year, the operating 值得我們投資？我們支出決定以共同制定的策 budget is carefully monitored for any possible 略計劃為基礎，而此計劃您們中的許多人也扮 areas where savings can be made or where 演了制定的角色。此外，我們還有一支高素質、 enrollments exceed projections, and those 前瞻性思考和創新的教育領袖團隊，他們總是

Strategic Area 1: Strong Foundation: Provide responsible financial oversight and stewardship, ensuring stability for the future. 06 Board of Directors

向前眺望以發掘教學方式，永遠不會停滯於今天的最佳教學法，而是為了明日的最佳想法做好準備。他們研究在 TAS 學生中最有可能發展的當前和未來趨勢、學術、品格、健康，以及社交和情感品質與技能，使學生們能在快速變化的世界中之任何地方成功立足。

這類的優秀例子包括我們十年來對機器人、科學研究、古典研究、表演藝術和品格教育的承諾。這些地區（和其他）所需的設施和人員配置是對孩子的未來和將來的學生之投資。我們的承諾是提供最好的人事、最好的課程、以及今天教育界最好的校園。

首先，我們有營運預算。這項工作開始於董事會審查之前的幾個月。行政主管們在即將到來的預算週期中評估人事、課程和校舍的需求。我們批准現有資金能力並考慮新職位的要求之前，我們會仔細評估各部門對行政主管、教職員的人員配置數量。檢視員工福利、生活費和通貨膨脹標準，再對現有的薪資方案進行調整，以確保我們最寶貴的資產（我們的人員）得到公平的報償。

作為預算編制過程的一部分，各部門根據歷史數據和最新趨勢進行招生預測，並提前 18 個月提交給董事會。在過去十年中，TAS 的空間需求遠遠超出了預期，因為 TAS 的名聲已經變得非常令人嚮往，因此申請入學者大增。學生們在如 First 機器人大賽、iGEM、辯證和辯論等國際競賽中聲名遠播，並因而取得令人印象深刻的大學錄取結果，令我們確信我們的投資已經獲得回報。一個全職的大學輔導室；一個具備訓練員、教練和技巧熟練有動力者的健康中心；一個最先進科技館的計劃；翻新了的大禮堂和黑匣子劇院；跟著電影研究計劃的推出，舞蹈、音樂和戲劇機會也隨之擴大，我們對每個 TAS 學生的未來投下巨資。當我們增加這些時，我們同時也淘汰了許多課程，並重新分配現有的人員，以確保我們能夠以最優惠的學費提供最好的教學。我們從 house 制度重新設計成更合適的學術結構時，初中教師也開始教授其他課程。精簡招聘工作，使理想的候選人得到更高效的認定和聘用，同時注意聘任那些最適合我們的社群、課程和目標的人。在 TAS，教師們現在的平均任教期將近 9 年，不像大多數國際學校與不久前的 TAS 平均任教期為 3 年。

人員和課程占我們營運成本的 80％以上。我們密切關注每項分配，以及等待每個月例行的成功和成果指標。由於學費調漲對社群中某些學生總是具有挑戰性，所以在決定何者對學校的持續成長與發展是至關重要之前，我們都深思熟慮過。我們確信調升是本校持續邁向增加選擇和機會之所需。

在我們分析的過程中，我們也考慮到學校的資金需求和維護學校資產所需的步驟。我們收取重大建設費用，並投資於適當地維護建築物、設施和設備，以支持學生的學習和所有課程。重大建設預算過程需要以更長遠的觀點看向未來十到二十年，以瞭解未來學校的每一個結構和基礎設施將會需要的費用，每年本校董事會審議了幾個月後，會按照一個精心制定的計劃分配資金。營運預算包括日常人事編制和課程的制定，而重大建設預算系統，則有計劃地處理學校的資金需求。

最優秀的學校不會止於從學費和重大建設費用的資金。一旦學校社群了解優良教育選擇的好處與優勢，經常被要求參加發展或努力“發展校務”，使我們能夠加快本校策略計劃的進展，並利用一系列令人印象深刻的TAS 老虎之人才。家長們無止境地慷慨饋贈，是過去十年成就校園、課程、人事的關鍵因素，如果沒有董事會主導和行政團隊的執行，根本就是不可能實現的發展計劃。

財務均衡需要我們超越本世代的考量。每年，營運預算經過仔細監測任何可以節省的開支或超出預測的入學率之可能領域，這些盈餘資金通常進入我們的基金。捐贈基金是保護學校免受意外事件的儲備，並為當前的行動提供資金。作為國際學校，TAS 是不尋常的，我們很高興，通過嚴格謹慎的規劃，我們今天的基金比我們從中借出以打造美麗嶄新的高中校舍前還要更高一些。今日的家庭受益於以前的董事會提供仔細的預算監督，未來的家庭將受益於我們目前致力於通過向該基金捐獻來維持和增加基金額，並在可能的情況下由現有的營運基金轉移。

董事會除了負責監督預算編制過程的管理和資源委員會外，每年還任命一個審計委員會。此審計委員會包括在該領域具有專業知識的非董事會成員的家長，並對審計和學校應遵守的規定提出意見。由於嚴謹、健全的財政監督是我們的工作之一部分，我們剛剛收到了連續二十二年的一塵未染的審計；這意味著經過培訓的會計師事務所團隊嚴格按照總會計程序對我們的財務業務進行了審查，但並未發現任何錯誤或需要“管理建議書”的。 Association General Meeting Finance Report

Strategic Area 1: Strong Foundation: Provide responsible financial oversight and stewardship, ensuring stability for the future. Annual Giving 07 Gala Ball

APRIL 28, 2018 MANDARIN ORIENTAL

Champagne Reception 6:00PM Dinner 7:00PM

Silent & Live Auctions Dinner & Dancing

Gala Ball Proceeds Benefit the TAS Annual Giving Program Designated for Building Excellence

Ticket Reservation & Sales Begin March 5, 2018 NT$5000 Each 08 Annual Giving Sky Garden Where amazing happens

Sky Garden is proud to support Taipei American School. Bid for a chance to experience the amazing Sky Party at the Gala Ball.

Newly completed, a breathtaking 38 story landmark that ﬂoats 153 meters above Tianmu’s horizon. 天母地平線上一座會呼吸的建築凌空153米 38層全新落成

HUAKU DEVELOPMENT and WOHA Architects Built A Magniﬁcent Life For You.

Sky Garden 華固天鑄 178坪 02-2873-6688 No.8, Tianmu East Road, Shilin District, Taipei City Annual Giving 09 Sky Garden Where amazing happens

Sky Garden is proud to support Taipei American School. Bid for a chance to experience the amazing Sky Party at the Gala Ball.

Newly completed, a breathtaking 38 story landmark that ﬂoats 153 meters above Tianmu’s horizon. 天母地平線上一座會呼吸的建築凌空153米 38層全新落成

HUAKU DEVELOPMENT and WOHA Architects Built A Magniﬁcent Life For You.

Sky Garden 華固天鑄 178坪 02-2873-6688 No.8, Tianmu East Road, Shilin District, Taipei City 10 Wellness

t TAS, we define wellness as "a state opportunity to help young people thrive. of optimal well-being that is oriented He explained that during adolescence, Atoward maximizing an individual's which he defines as ages 15-26, the potential.” We understand that in order to prefrontal cortex of the brain is “plastic” ﬂourish, we must practice habits that foster and higher-order thinking functions like healthy minds and bodies in addition to logic, planning, weighing risk and reward, working toward the achievement of our other and self-regulation develop. He said, “Self- goals. regulation is a better predictor of school and work success than IQ, and leads to greater As part of Strategic Area 3: Student happiness.” Experience in the TAS 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, the inaugural TAS Wellness Convention Dr. Steinberg provided many helpful tips promoted overall wellness in the student to promote positive development and self- body and the broader TAS community regulation during adolescence. He said with the theme “Be Well, Do Well.” At the that parents should practice authoritative Wellness Convention, parents, faculty and parenting, which is firm and strict with warmth staff, and upper and middle school students and affection. He discussed the importance took advantage of the opportunity to learn of providing adolescents with novelty and from international and local experts in a challenge, without turning the challenge into

By Sara Riggsby, Communications Ofﬁcer By Sara Riggsby, series of presentations and workshops stress, to develop the prefrontal cortex. He designed to make attendees reﬂect, learn, also described the importance of mindfulness laugh, and recognize the coexistence of training through meditation, yoga, and academic excellence and wellness. martial arts to stimulate the prefrontal cortex and further develop self-regulation. He said Over 25 presenters, including 11 TAS faculty that an hour of exercise each day supports experts, led a diverse variety of breakout self-regulation in addition to providing the sessions during the two-day event beginning teenage brain with necessary oxygen and on the morning of November 17. During glucose. Furthermore, he stressed the these sessions, participants learned about importance of sleep and its clear connection eating right and maintaining a healthy to self-regulation. lifestyle, the power of sleep, aromatherapy, and unlocking potential through a growth Dr. Kristen Lee Costa, an award-winning mindset. Participants also enjoyed optional behavioral sciences professor, clinician, physical activities that included yoga, dance and author, delivered a keynote titled classes with Cloud Gate, Pound Fit, and “Cultivating Resilience and Well-being in more. During both days of the Convention, Today’s Complex World” about inclusive local food vendors sold lunch and snacks, ways of understanding ourselves at a time and a variety of wellness books were when global mental health is in decline. She available for purchase in the lobby. shared a World Health Organization statistic that by the year 2030, “lifestyle sickness” Dr. Laurence Steinberg, an internationally will outnumber communicable diseases renowned expert on psychological worldwide. Levels of anxiety are on the development during adolescence, rise and people face “imposter syndrome” delivered the opening keynote titled Age of where they have difficulty feeling and acting Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science authentic, which can be combatted through of Adolescence. He shared the pervasive a focus on remaining conscious, connected, fear that adolescence is something you global citizens. survive, rather than a time for embracing the WELLNESS CONVENTION: BE WELL, DO WELL

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). Wellness BE WELL, DO WELL WELLNESS CONVENTION: 11

Dr. Costa described our skills and power balance the expectation of high academic as human beings and explained that when achievement with overall wellness. Ms. we are generous with others, it generates Conrad commented, “There is pressure to happiness. She said, “The human connection be perfect, but what matters is that children we are wired for bolsters well-being over the grow up to be healthy, kind, helpful human long run.” She reminded us that we actually beings.” Dr. Steinberg also made a powerful live in the most prosperous and safe time statement, “Academic excellence and in human history and that we need to work psychological well-being are complementary, toward mindful thinking where we create a not competing. Strengthening one amplifies positive effect on mental health by feeling the other.” Furthermore, Dr. Costa discussed gratitude for what we have. She stated, the importance of setting boundaries and “Awareness that life is difficult helps us savor how allowing students time to decompress is when things go well.” vital to recharging their batteries.

Dr. Yu-Che Tsai, a sleep and positive Also during the Wellness Roundtable, psychology expert who serves as Assistant Dr. Hassed advised students to find their Professor of Psychology and Supervisor passion and make it useful in the world. of Curriculum Design for the Positive He said, “If passion is there, you are not Psychology Center at Kaohsiung Medical driven by failure, but you are instead driven University, delivered keynote remarks titled by caring for yourself and others.” So what “Opening the Door to Happiness: The Power does it take to be mindful and connected? of Positive Psychology.” Dr. Tsai shared that The experts recommend practicing being in Positive Psychology is about how to become the present moment and to remember in the happier and feel better, and requires self- face of failure that we are “human beings, control and practice. He said that our natural not human doings.” inclination is to forget about the positive things in life and focus on the negative; The second day of the Wellness Convention he suggested to focus on three positive brought additional impactful events. Keynote thoughts each day and to choose objects speaker Mr. Vince Papale, best known for that remind us of those positive thoughts. joining the Philadelphia Eagles at age 30 without college football experience and A highlight of the day was the Wellness serving as the inspiration for the 2006 Roundtable featuring Ms. Tara Conrad, a Disney hit movie Invincible, addressed the Certified Clinical Nutritionist, and keynote crowd about the power of perseverance and speakers Dr. Costa, Dr. Hassed, and Dr. holding fast to dreams. He had the crowd Steinberg. All four participants answered laughing throughout the presentation with his a series of questions about incorporating down-to-earth humor and wonderment about wellness into the lives of children. speaking to a group in Taiwan. A compelling question concerned the way to

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In addition to sharing his personal story and Dr. Hassed shared that prolonged stress the differences between “real life and reel leads to many physical symptoms and that life,” Mr. Papale told the audience, “It’s the people with a positive reaction to stress possibility of having a dream come true that have a lower risk of premature death. makes life interesting.” He said that you must He discussed how getting enough sleep, be willing to take advantage of opportunities exercising, focusing on nutrition, meditating, when they come along because “dreams exercising, and maintaining spirituality in are not lived on the sidelines.” As his story terms of the “expression of meaning in life” proves, “It’s never too late to get into the can reverse the aging process and the game.” progression of other diseases. He said that “simple things over a long time make a big Dr. Craig Hassed, a mindfulness program difference” to our well-being. expert and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Wellness Convention attendees felt the General Practice at Monash University in event was enlightening and emphasized the Australia, delivered the final keynote titled myriad ways TAS embraces the coexistence “The Essence of Health.” He informed the of academic excellence and wellness. One attendees that depression is the highest teacher observed, “The things I learned apply cause of death in the developed world and so clearly to the well-being of my students, that life expectancy is forecasted to decline but there are so many things I am taking for the first time in the modern era by 2030. away for myself." And as a parent reﬂected, He described how mindfulness can have a "We are so lucky!" huge impact on depression. WELLNESS CONVENTION: BE WELL, DO WELL

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). Wellness DO WELL WELLNESS CONVENTION: BE WELL, 13

TAS，我們將健康定義為“最大限度地發揮個人潛能的最佳福祉狀態。” 我們明白，為了蓬勃在發展，除了努力實現其他目標的成就之外，還要鍛煉我們培養健康的思維和身體的習慣。作為策略領域 3 的一部份：2016-2021 年策略計劃中的學生經驗，首屆的 TAS 健康促進會議鼓吹學生團體和更廣泛的 TAS 社群之整體健康，主題是“活出健康，實踐美好”。在“健康促進會議” ，家長、教職員、初中學生們利用這個機會，於一系列設計來讓與會者省思、學習、歡笑、以及體認學術卓越和健康並存性的講座和研討會中，就教於國際和本地專家們。

包括 11 名 TAS 教師專家在內的 25 位以上的演講者，在 11 月 17 日上午舉行為期兩日的活動中，領導了各式各樣的分組會議。這些會議期間，與會者學習了飲食權和保持健康的生活方式、睡眠的力量、芳香療法，並通過成長思維來釋放潛能。與會者還享受可選擇的體育活動，包括瑜伽、雲門舞蹈課、 Pound Fit 等等。在“健康促進會議”兩天間，當地的食品商出售午餐和零食，大廳還有各種健康書籍可供選購。

國際知名青少年心理發展專家 Laurence Steinberg 博士為會議開場主講題為“機會的年齡：青春期新科學的教訓”。他分享了普遍恐懼是青春期是倖免之事，而非抓緊幫助年輕人成長的機會。他解釋說，他定義 15-26 歲為青少年時期，大腦的前額皮層是“可塑性的”，高階思維的功能如邏輯、計劃、權衡風險和獎勵、以及自我調節於此時發展。他說：“自我管理比智商更能預測學校和工作上的成功，並帶來更大的幸福。”

Steinberg 博士提供了許多有用的提示，以促進青春期的積極發展和自律。他說，家長要實行帶著溫暖與愛卻堅決嚴格的權威養育。他討論了要發展前額皮質，向青少年提供新奇和挑戰的重要性，而不是把挑戰轉化為壓力。他還描述了通過冥想、瑜伽和武術的正念訓練以刺激前額皮質，並進一步發展自我調節的重要性。他說，除了為十幾歲的大腦提供必要的氧氣和葡萄糖之外，每天一小時的運動還能支持自律。此外，他強調了睡眠的重要性以及與自律的明確連結。

獲獎的行為科學教授、臨床醫生和作家 Kristen Lee Costa 博士發表了名為“培養當今複雜世界的復原力和幸福感”的主題演講，內容包含在全球心理健康程度下降的時候，了解自己的方法。她分享世界衛生組織統計，到 2030 年，全世界“生活方式的疾病”將超過傳染病。焦慮程度正在上升，人們面臨“冒牌者症候群”，因為他們對感覺和真實表現有困難，這可以通過關注剩餘有意識的、相互有聯繫的全球公民來對抗。

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Costa 博士描述我們作為人類的技能與力量，並解釋當我們對人慷慨，會產生幸福感。她說，“從長遠來看，我們所建立的人際關係能夠增強幸福感。”她提醒我們，我們事實上生活在人類史上最富饒與安全的時代，藉感恩我們所擁有的一切，朝向創造對心理健康有正面影響的積極想法去努力。她表示， “體認生活是艱難的，當一切美好時，我們就會感到欣慰。”

高雄醫科大學心理學助理教授、正向心理學專家與正向心理學中心課程設計主任蔡宇哲博士主講了題為“打開幸福的大門：正向心理學的力量。”蔡博士分享，正向心理學是關於如何變得更快樂、感覺更良好，以及自我控制和實踐的需要。他說，我們自然的傾向是忘記生活中積極的東西，注重消極的東西，他建議每天專注於三個積極的想法，並選擇能提醒我們這些積極想法的對象。

當天的一大高潮是健康圓桌會議，營養學家 Tara Conrad 女士、以及 Costa 博士、Hassed 博士和 Steinberg 博士為主講嘉賓。四位參與者回答了一系列有關將健康融入兒童生活的問題。一個引人注目的問題涉及到如何平衡高學術成就與整體健康的期望。Conrad 女士評論說：“做到完美是有壓力的，但重要的是孩子成長為健康、善良、有助益的人。” Steinberg 博士還做了一個強而有力的聲明，“學術卓越和心理健康是互補，而不是競爭的。強化了一個就能放大另一個。”此外，Costa 博士討論設置邊界的重要性，以及如何給學生時間減壓，對充電是至關緊要的。

而且， Hassed 博士在健康圓桌會議中，建議學生找到自己的興趣，並讓這興趣對世界有用處。他說： “如果有興趣，就不會被失敗所驅使，而是為了照顧自己和別人而努力。”那麼需要怎麼讓自己警覺和有關聯呢？專家建議練習處於當下，並在面對失敗時記住我們是人的連結是最有意義的。

健康促進會議的第二天帶來了更多有影響力的活動。主講嘉賓 Vince Papale 先生以 30 歲加入費城老鷹而聞名，沒有大學橄欖球的經驗，並以 2006 年迪斯尼熱門電影“所向披靡”（Invincible）的靈感人物為人們提供了堅持不懈的夢想。在台灣對一個小組的整場演講中，以他純樸的幽默和驚嘆，讓一群人笑個不停。

Papale 先生除了分享他的個人故事和“介於現實生活與電影”間的差異之外，還告訴聽眾：“夢想成真有可能讓生活變得有趣。” 他說，但當機會到來時，必須能夠善用它們，因為夢想不存在於場邊的。” 正如他的故事所證明的，“進入球賽，永遠不會太晚。”

Craig Hassed 博士是澳大利 Monash 大學一般醫學系的正念專家、副教授和資深講師，他做了題為“健康的本質”的最後一個主題演講。他告訴與會者，憂鬱症是發達國家最大的死亡因素，到 2030 年預計人類平均壽命將首次下降。他介紹了正念如何能夠對憂鬱症產生巨大的影響。

Hassed 博士認為，長時間的壓力會導致許多身體症狀，對壓力產生積極反應的人的早夭風險較低。他討論了如何獲得足夠的睡眠、運動、營養關注、以及在“生命意義的表達”方面維持靈性，可以扭轉衰老過程和其他疾病的進展。他說，“長久以來的簡單事情對我們的幸福有很大的影響”。

健康促進會議的與會者認為這個活動是具啟發性的，並強調了 TAS 以無數的方式擁抱學術卓越和健康的共存性。一位老師說，“我所學到的東西如此清楚地適用於我的學生們的幸福，但是我自己也獲益良多。”如同某位家長反映，“我們是如此地幸運！” WELLNESS CONVENTION: BE WELL, DO WELL

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). Wellness BE WELL, DO WELL WELLNESS CONVENTION: 15

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). 16 Lower School By Katie O’Rourke, Grade 1 Teacher and Team Leader

ince August 2017, 150 adults working in the Lower School, including administrators, teachers, counselors, teaching assistants, and coordinators, have received training in the Responsive SClassroom approach to teaching. Everyone working in the Lower School has read The Power of Our Words and participated in thought-provoking discussions about how language—words, tone, and pace—can be used to increase student engagement, build a positive classroom community, and effectively manage behavior. Responsive Classroom has hit the Lower School!

What is Responsive Classroom?

The Responsive Classroom approach to teaching focuses on promoting academic engagement, building a positive community, and teaching in a developmentally appropriate way. Teachers focus on creating safe and joyful learning communities where all students can thrive while developing strong social and academic skills. This effective school-wide approach also helps to improve student behavior. Research indicates that the Responsive Classroom approach is associated with higher academic achievement, improved school climate, and higher-quality instruction.

The Responsive Classroom approach is informed by the work of educational theorists and the experiences of exemplary classroom teachers, and is guided by the following six principles: HITS THE LOWER SCHOOL 1. Teaching social and emotional skills is as important as teaching academic content. 2. How we teach is as important as what we teach. 3. Great cognitive growth occurs through social interaction. 4. What we know and believe about our students—individually, culturally, developmentally—informs our expectations, reactions, and attitudes about those students. 5. How we work together as adults to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive school environment is as important as our individual contribution or competence. 6. Partnering with families—knowing them and valuing their contributions—is as important as knowing the children we teach.

Why is the Responsive Classroom Approach Important to the Lower School?

The TAS Lower School understands that in order to be successful in and out of school, students need to learn a set of social and emotional competencies—cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control—and a set of academic competencies—academic mindset, perseverance, learning strategies, and academic behaviors. The Responsive Classroom approach allows the Lower School to bridge Character Education, Positive Education, and Wellness while enhancing the strong academic program. This approach will allow the Lower School to:

● Continue to promote student engagement.

● Provide greater opportunities to explicitly teach academic, social, and emotional competencies.

● Create, support, and sustain a consistent and positive small community atmosphere within our large Lower School.

● Incorporate the TAS Values in meaningful ways.

● Create consistency with our language across the school.

Responsive Classroom in Action: What Will You See and Hear in the Lower School?

Morning Meeting: If you walk into any LS classroom at the beginning of the school day, you will see all teachers and students engaged in a Morning Meeting. The purpose of Morning Meeting is to help build a strong sense of community, and to model and teach social, emotional, and academic skills. Social and emotional skills include cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. Teachers and students gather together in a circle for twenty minutes and interact with one another. Morning Meetings have the following four purposeful components: RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). Lower School 17 RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM

1. Greeting: Teachers and students start the day by greeting one another. The children are taught to show respect and kindness by looking into their friends’ eyes, to smile, and then greet them by name. Teachers use a range of different greetings throughout the week to keep the class engaged, create a positive tone for the day, and help students make connections with one another.

Fourth grade students greet one another with the "Floppy Fish." 2. Sharing: Students share information about important events in their lives with their class. Listeners are taught to offer empathetic comments or to ask clarifying questions. The “share” provides opportunities for teachers and students to learn about each unique member of their class and to understand them as a “whole” person —their family, interests, and talents. The “share” is also an excellent opportunity to explicitly teach students how to be respectful listeners and to speak clearly and confidently in front of an audience.

Fourth grade students share highlights from their weekend Students in first grade share their favorite outdoor activity with the class.

3. Group Activity: Everyone participates in a brief activity that fosters group cohesion and helps students practice social, emotional, and academic skills. (For example, students HITS THE LOWER SCHOOL may dance, sing, play a game, or recite a poem.)

KA students sing a morning song together.

4. Morning Message: Students read and interact with a short message written by their teacher. The message is crafted to help students focus on and become excited about the work they will do in school that day.

A Kindergarten student interacts with a Morning Message. Third grade students respond to a Morning Message.

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). 18 Lower School

Establishing Classroom Rules or Agreements: Teachers and students work together to establish a list of classroom rules that allow each child to achieve their own personal goal for the year. These classroom rules or agreements are posted inside the classroom and are referred to regularly throughout the school year to ensure everyone is doing their “best work” and being their “best self.”

Class agreements displayed in a first grade classroom.

Teacher Language: Inside any LS classroom, you will hear teachers intentionally use specific language with attention to tone and pace to enable students to engage in their learning and develop the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to be successful in and out of school.

One type of language you will hear is called “reinforcing language” where the teacher explicitly names what students are doing well. This language highlights students’ skills, positive efforts and attitudes, and the quality of their work. “Reinforcing language” helps students feel good about themselves while also letting them know exactly what they are doing well, thereby reinforcing this behavior or skill for the future. HITS THE LOWER SCHOOL

Energizers: Short, playful, whole-group activities are used as breaks in lessons. Energizers help to create a positive community and give the kids a “brain break” before continuing their academic learning.

Quiet Time: A brief, purposeful, and relaxed time of transition often takes place after recess and before further academic learning continues. During this time, you will see students engaged in activities of choice such as reading, writing, math, or drawing. Allowing kids to choose their own Second grade students engaged in a yoga activity makes the transition from recess to class exciting, Energizer. smooth, and calm!

First grade students engage in "Quiet Time." Fourth grade students enjoy "Quiet Time.”

Closing Circle: A five- to ten-minute gathering at the end of the day promotes reﬂection and celebration through participation in a brief activity or two. Closing Circle allows students to end the day in a calm and positive manner while reﬂecting on something they learned or enjoyed that day at school or something they are excited about later in the week.

The Positive Impact So Far The Responsive Classroom approach to teaching has already had a huge impact on the Lower School! The students are excited to start the day with their teacher and friends. They are in a class where they feel safe, happy, and included. The combination of Morning Meeting, carefully chosen teacher language, Energizers, Quiet Time, and Closing Circle enables students be more engaged throughout their day of learning and helps them be kind, cooperative, and respectful members of their class and the TAS community. RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promote overall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). Lower School 19 RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM

2017 年 8 月以來，已有 150 名包括行政主管、教師、輔導老師，助教和協調員們的成年人，在小學部接受了回應式課堂教學培訓！每個在小學工作的人都讀過“我們的語言的力量”，並參與了關自於如何使用語言、語調和節奏來提高學生參與度；建立積極的課堂社群，及有效管理行為等發人深省的討論。回應式課堂已在小學引起迴響！

什麼是回應式課堂？

回應式課堂教學方法的重點是促進學術參與；建立一個積極的社群；並以適宜發育的方式進行教學。教師專注於創造安全和快樂的學習社群，讓所有學生都能茁壯並同時培養強大的社交和學術能力。這種全校有效的方法也有助於改善學生的行為。研究指出，回應式課堂教學方法與更高的學術成就、改善學校氣氛和更高品質的教學有關。

回應式課堂教學的方法是通過教育理論家的工作和優良課堂教師的經驗呈現，並遵循以下六個原則：

1. 教授社交和情感技能與教授學術內容同樣重要。 2. 我們如何教學與我們所教的內容一樣重要。 3. 通過社交互動，會產生良好的認知發展。 4. 我們知道並相信我們的學生 - 在個人、文化和發展方面 - 回應出我們對那些學生的期望、反應和態度。 5. 我們如何共同成長，創造一個安全、快樂、包容的學校環境，與我們個人的貢獻或能力一樣重要。 6. 與家庭合作 - 了解他們並重視他們的貢獻 - 和了解我們所教的孩子同等重要。

為什麼回應式課堂教學方法對於小學來說很重要？

TAS 小學部理解，為了在校內與校外獲得成功，學生需要學習一系列的社交和情感能力 - 合作、自信、責任感、同理心和自我控制 - 以及一系列學術能力 - 學術心態、毅力、學習策略和學術行為。回應式課堂教學法使得小學生能夠在增強學術能力的同時，能連結品格教育、積極教育和身心健康。這種方法將使小學部能夠： HITS THE LOWER SCHOOL

● 繼續促進學生參與。

●提供更多的機會以明確地教授學術、社交和情感方面的能力。

●在小學部創造、支持和維持一致與積極的小社群氛圍。

●以有意義的方式整合 TAS 價值觀。

●在整個學校創造一致的語言。

回應式課堂的運轉：您將會在小學部看到什麼和聽到什麼？

朝會：如果您在上課期間走進任何一個小學部的教室，您會看到所有的老師和學生們早上在會議。朝會的目的是幫助建立強烈的社群意識，並示範和教授社交、情感和學術技能。社交和情感技能包括合作、自信、責任、同理心及自我控制。老師和學生圍成一圈，聚會二十分鐘，互相交流。朝會有以下四個有目的之組成部分：

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Promoteoverall wellness in the student body(social, emotional, and physical). 20 LowerSchool Strategic Area 3:Student Experience:Promote overall wellness inthestudent body(social, emotional,and physical). RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM HITS THE LOWER SCHOOL 唱歌、玩遊戲、或背誦一首詩。）每個人都參加一個簡短的活動，以培養小組凝聚力；幫助學生練習社交、情感和學術技能。（例如，學生可以跳舞、 3. 也是一個可以明確地教導學生如何成為尊敬的聽眾，以及在聽眾面前自信地說話的良機。為老師和學生提供了認識班上每個獨特成員的機會，並瞭解他們“整個”人 -他們的家庭、興趣和才能。“分享” 學生在課堂上分享他們生活中重要事件的信息。聽者被教導提出富同情心的評論或者提出澄清的問題。“分享” 2. 並幫助學生互相交流。朋友的名字來問候他們。教師在整個星期內使用各種不同的問候語，以帶動課堂上的參與；創造一個積極的基調；教師和學生以互相問候來展開新的一天。教孩子們目視朋友們的眼睛，以表示尊重和友善，帶著微笑，然後叫出 1. 組合讓學生在整個學習過程中更加投入，並幫助他們成為其班級和們感到安全、愉快、並包容的課堂上課。朝會、精心挑選的教師語言、補充能量的活動、安靜時間和結尾會議的回應式課堂教學法已經對小學部有巨大的影響！學生們很高興與老師和朋友們開始嶄新的一日。他們是在一個他目前為止的積極影響讓學生以平靜和積極的方式結束一天，同時省思他們在學校學習或享受當天或當週晚些時候感到興奮的事情。結尾會議與冷靜的上課時間！看到學生從事閱讀、寫作、數學或繪畫等選擇活動。讓孩子們選擇自己的活動，從休息時間過渡到興奮、平穩、安靜時間：一個短暫、有目的、放鬆的轉換時間往往發生在休息之後與繼續進行學術學習之前。在此期間，您將讓孩子們在繼續學習之前進行“大腦的休息。” 補充能量活動：簡短、有趣、整個團體的活動被用作課程間的休息。補充能量活動有助於創造一個積極的社群，在做什麼，從而加強這種行為或未來的技能。極的努力和態度，以及他們的工作品質。“強化語言”幫助學生對自己感覺良好，同時也讓他們確切地知道自己您會聽到的一種語言被稱為“強化語言”，老師明確地指出學生做得很好的地方。這種語言強調學生的技能、積和發展他們在學校內、外取得成功所需的學術、社交和情感技能。教師語言：在任何一個小學教室裡，您都會聽到教師刻意地使用特定的語言；注意語調和步調；使學生能夠學習的自我。” 規則或協議被張貼在課堂上，並在整個學年定期提交，以確保每個人都在做“最好的工作”，成為他們的“最好建立課堂規則或協議學生閱讀並與老師寫短信互動。這個訊息是為了幫助學生專注於他們今天在學校所做的工作並引發興趣。 4. 小組活動：分享問候：早晨訊息：：在一天結束時的五至十分鐘的聚會中，藉由參與一、兩個簡短的活動來促進思考和慶祝。“結尾會議” : 教師和學生共同制定一個教室規則表，讓每個孩子在今年實現自己的個人目標。這些課堂 TAS 社群的友善、合作和尊重的成員。 Middle IN THE MIDDLE S CHOOL School MORE 21 PERFORMA NCE OPPORTUNITIES

he Middle School celebrated the participate in the International Schools Theater performing arts in November with new Association (ISTA) festival within Asia. It is Tdrama and dance showcase events! an opportunity for 15 students to pursue their Students in the new Play Performance interest in theater alongside students from Club rehearsed every Wednesday after other schools in the region. The annual event school starting in August. They performed is organized by a team of ISTA artists from the ensemble piece, Hoodie, about middle around the world. In February, Ms. Christou school life in the Harmony Theater. The and two other faculty members will accompany Dance Showcase took place in the Guy Lott the TAS ISTA team to Bangkok. In March 2019, Jr. Auditorium and featured Grades 7 and TAS will host the festival! 8 students in the dance elective courses. It was a spectacular show with outstanding Middle school dance students spent the entire choreography! Congratulations to all directors, fall preparing for the first Dance Showcase. actors, and dancers involved! Next semester, dance classes will focus on technique and conditioning, and then transition The new "Play Performance Club," under into rehearsing for the first Arts Everywhere the direction of drama teacher Ms. Georgina event taking place at TAS in the spring, Christou, will continue as an option for all which will include middle school dance and middle school students in the first semester drama performances in addition to other arts every year. Whereas students must audition disciplines across the middle and upper school for the annual spring musical, no auditions divisions. are required for this club and anyone who can commit to the once-weekly required rehearsals This is the fourth year that students in may participate. Grades 7 and 8 have had the opportunity to take dance as a performing arts elective. For these smaller-scale fall shows, the set, Three classes are currently offered: Grade costumes, and music will remain simple and 7 beginning Dance 1, Grade 8 Dance 2, and the focus will stay on the actors. The plays a mixed Dance 1 class for beginners in both will likely continue to be ensemble pieces grade levels. Classes meet every other day for where all actors are accountable because they an hour and fifteen minutes, which provides are on stage the whole time, often taking on enough time for solid dance instruction. The more than one role. Working together as an middle school dance program is booming with ensemble encourages collaboration and trust, student interest and desire to perform. Grade 6 and improves speaking and listening skills. Dance will be offered next school year and two or more additional classes may be offered per Additionally, each year middle school students grade level. 22 MiddleSchool

MORE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL 其他兩名教師，將於二月份陪同其他學校的學生一起追求興趣的機會。年度活動由來自世界各地的舞蹈課，並且每個年級可能會提供兩個或更多的額外課程。堅實的舞蹈教學提供了足夠的時間。初中舞蹈課程因學生的興趣和表演慾而興起。下學年將提供六年級級舞蹈這是七年級和八年級學生有機會選擇舞蹈作為表演藝術選修課的第四年。目前提供三個班級：七年級初與高中部門的其他藝術學科。到為在春天舉行的第一個“處處藝術”的活動進行排練，其中包括初中舞蹈和戲劇表演，以及整個初中初中舞蹈學生整個秋季準備第一個舞蹈表演。下學期，舞蹈班將把重點擺在技巧和調整方面，然後過渡初在戲劇老師這是一場編舞精彩、令人歎為觀止的節目！恭喜所有參與的導演、演員和舞者！此外，每年初中學生都參加亞洲國際學校戲劇協會（ISTA）的慶典。這是一個讓和信任、及提高口語和聽力技能。成為所有演員都要負責的合唱曲，因為他們會一直在舞台上，經常得承擔不止一個角色。合唱鼓勵合作對於這些規模較小的秋季秀，布景、服裝和音樂將保持簡單，並重點將放在演員身上。戲劇可能會繼續週一次排練的人都可以參加。期的選項。鑑於學生參加一年一度的春季音樂會必須試鏡，所以這個社團不需要試鏡，任何可以參加每 1、八年級舞蹈戲劇表演社的學生都會排練。他們在中部於 Hoodie Georgina Christou 。舞蹈展示則在 11 月舉辦了新的戲劇和舞蹈表演活動，以禮讚表演藝術！八月份開學後，每個星期三， 2、以及這兩個年級的初學者混合舞蹈女士的指導下，新的“戲劇表演社”將繼續成為所有初中學生每年第一學 TAS ISTA Guy LottJr. 大禮堂舉行，以小組前往曼谷。 2019 Harmony 劇院裡於一群開心的觀眾面前，演出了合奏作品 1。課程每隔一天一個小時十五分鐘，這為 7 和年 8 ISTA 年級參加舞蹈選修課程的學生為主。 3 月，TAS 藝術家組織的。Christou 將舉辦此慶典！ 15 名學生和本區域中女士和 Middle KINDNESS School WELLNE 23

he Middle School has taken the TAS to all middle school students. They scheduled wellness philosophy to heart. The weekly rehearsals and students learned the TCharacter Council is now the Student choreography from middle school dance Wellness Action Team and is comprised of teacher Ms. Kari Jensen and a former Dance representatives from every middle school for Kindness participant. homeroom. The students work together to organize several events throughout the At precisely 11:30 AM on November 13, year, including the fourth annual Dance for during lunch for Middle and Lower School, Kindness, which took place on November 13. the event began with a freeze mob where 45 middle school students “froze” in kindness- Dance for Kindness is celebrated in November related poses. After a couple of minutes, as part of Kindness Week. This event is the song Revolution of Love started playing SS sponsored by Life Vest Inside, a non-profit while the Dance for Kindness ﬂash mob took organization that aims to inspire, empower, place. Teachers and students passing through

and educate people to lead a life of kindness. the lobby stopped to watch the inspiring Action Team By Carol Youssif, Middle School Librarian and Co-Leader of the Grade 8 Student Wellness The initiative is promoted globally, and this performance. IN year 35 countries and 89 cities participated.

Life Vest Inside provides all schools with tools The Grade 8 Student Wellness Action Team ACTION : DANCE to make the dance a success, including the and all of the people involved are aware that music, t-shirt design, and choreography. TAS they need to “walk the walk”; participating in proudly represented Taiwan! the Dance for Kindness makes them kindness ambassadors. By taking conscious steps The TAS Grade 8 members of the Student towards a kinder, more compassionate student Wellness Action Team fully embody their body, we all hope to promote wellness and self-chosen theme of leadership. They well-being at TAS. took responsibility for finding dancers, photographers and videographers, and ﬂag Thank you to everyone involved, including Mr. bearers for this event. They invited interested Chris Fox, co-leader of the Grade 8 Student Grade 7 Student Wellness Action Team Wellness Action Team. members to join, and then opened registration FOR

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Further develop a culture of character across the School and community. 24 Middle School

中部把 TAS 的健康理念銘記在心。品格委員會現在是學生健康行動小組，由每個初中教室的代表組初成。全年共同組織好幾個活動，其中包括 11 月 13 日舉辦的第四屆“良善之舞”。良善之舞於 11 月舉行，作為仁慈週的一部分。這個活動由非營利組織的 Life Vest Inside 贊助，旨在激發、授權和教育人們過著善良的生活。這一倡議在全球推廣，今年共有 35 個國家和 89 個城市參與。 Life Vest Inside 為所有學校提供讓舞蹈成功的工具，包括音樂、T 卹設計和舞蹈編排。 TAS 驕傲地代表台灣！

TAS 八年級學生健康行動小組的成員，充分體現了他們自主選擇的領導力主題。他們負責為此活動尋找舞者、攝影師和錄影師，以及旗手。他們邀請感興趣的七年級學生健康行動小組成員加入，然後對全體初中學生開放註冊。他們每週進行一次排練，學生們由初中舞蹈教師 Kari Jensen 女士和前良善之舞的舞者學習舞蹈。

FOR 11 月 13 日上午 11 點 30 分，在初中和小學午餐時間，這場活動始於由一群 45 名初中生以與善良有關的姿勢“凍結”不動。幾分鐘後，愛的革命開始播放，而良善之舞也在快閃中發生。穿過大廳的教師和學生停下來觀看鼓舞人心的表演。

八年級學生健康行動小組和所有參與的人都知道他們需要“走這條路”；參加良善之舞讓他們成為仁慈大使。通過有意識地走向一個更友善、更富有同情心的學生團體，我們都希望能夠在 TAS 促進健康和福祉。

感謝所有參與者，包括八年級學生健康行動小組共同領袖 Chris Fox 先生。 ACTION: DANCE IN

SS KINDNESS WELLNE

Strategic Area 3: Student Experience: Further develop a culture of character across the School and community. Upper AT School TAS 25 iGEM CHAM PIONSHIP TEAM W INS

his year’s TAS iGEM (International Nanotechnology Research class and used Genetically Engineered Machine) team the Scanning Electron Microscopy to observe Twon the High School Grand Prize at the nanoparticles. They also collaborated with the 2017 iGEM Championship in Boston! Their Computer Science and Robotics Department project, NANOTRAP, focuses on developing to print 3D biocarriers to use for the an effective mechanism for removing application of biofilm in wastewater treatment nanoparticles from wastewater before they plants. Read more about their project here: HIGH SCHOOL enter rivers and oceans. 12 TAS students http://2017.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei. traveled to this impressive event where 265 college teams and 44 high school teams from The TAS iGEM team also moved beyond all over the world presented cutting-edge science and focused on other aspects of scientific research projects; 4500 people were the issue, including government regulations, in attendance! In addition to the Grand Prize, policies, and ethics. Students worked closely the TAS iGEM team also won Best Wiki and with the Dihua Waste Water Treatment Plant a Gold Medal for the completeness of their in Taipei and talked directly with professors at project. They also received nominations for local universities and other experts in Taipei. the following awards: Best Integrated Human Practices, Best Poster, Best Presentation, At the Championship event last year, the and Best DNA Parts Collection. TAS iGEM team won a gold medal for the GRAND PRIZE completeness of their project (aimed at The TAS iGEM team successfully created a treating cataracts) as well as awards in the mechanism to trap nanoparticles in simulated following categories: Best Education and wastewater treatment plant conditions. As Public Engagement, Best Mathematical particles break down and enter the water Model, and Best DNA Parts Collection. In supply, they pose environmental and health 2015, the TAS iGEM team won the High risks for humans, plants, and aquatic life. School Grand Prize (for their project on Most wastewater treatment plants lack preventing tissue damage from chronic the ability to purge such small particles, inﬂammation). Congratulations to all teachers so the TAS team has been working to and students on their teams’ successes clean nanoparticle waste by implementing and on developing a Scientific Research a trapping mechanism into centralized program that continues to earn international wastewater treatment facilities. recognition.

Students built a prototype and used computer modeling to simulate water cycling and timing. They synthesized new DNA and put it into bacteria; the bacteria then made either a membrane protein or a biofilm to trap nanoparticles. All of the research and work was completed in the Sandy R. Puckett Memorial Research Lab on campus. The iGEM team worked with students in the

Strategic Area 2: An Exceptional Program: Expand opportunities for students across the School to utilize design processes within the curriculum to strengthen the STEAM program. 26 Upper School

年的 TAS iGEM（國際基因工程機器）團隊在波士頓 2017 年 iGEM 錦標賽中榮獲今高中大獎！他們的計劃著 NANOTRAP 重於開發一種能在廢水進入河流和海洋前有效地

AT 去除水中奈米顆粒的機制。12 名 TAS 學生參加了這個令人印象深刻的活動；共有來自世界各地 265 支的大學團隊和 44 支的高中團隊，提出了尖端科學研究計劃 ;4500 人出席！除了大獎之外，TAS iGEM 團隊還因為其計劃的完整性贏得了最佳 Wiki 和金牌獎。此外，他們還獲得了以下獎項的提名：最佳人體綜合實踐獎、最佳海報獎、最佳簡報獎和最佳 DNA 零件採集獎。

TAS iGEM 團隊成功地創造了一種機制，在模擬的污水處理廠條件下捕獲奈米顆粒。當顆粒分解並進入供水系統時，會對人類、植物和水生生物造成環境和健康的風險。大多數污水處理廠缺乏清除這些小顆粒的能力，因此 TAS 團隊一直努力利用在集中式污水處理設施中，實施捕集機制來清潔奈米顆粒廢物。

學生們建立了一個原型，並使用計算機建模來模擬水循環和時間。他們合成新的 DNA，並將其放入細菌；然後細菌製成膜蛋白或生物膜來捕獲耐米 GRAND PRIZE 顆粒。所有的研究和工作都在校園內的 Sandy R. Puckett 紀念研究實驗室完成的。iGEM 團隊與奈米技術研究班的學生合作，使用掃描電子顯微鏡觀察奈米顆粒。他們還與計算機科學及機器人部門合作，列印 3D 生物載體，以用於污水處理廠產生物膜。於此可閱讀更多有關於他們的計劃： http：//2017.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei。

TAS 的 iGEM 團隊也超越了科學，並專注於其他方面的問題，包括政府法規、政策和道德。學生們與

HIGH SCHOOL 台北迪化污水處理廠緊密合作，直接與當地大學的教授和台北的其他專家們進行會談。

在去年的冠軍賽上，TAS iGEM 團隊由於完成了他們的計劃（旨在治療白內障）而獲得了一枚金牌，以及以下類別的獎項：最佳教育和公眾參與獎、最佳數學模型和最佳 DNA 零件採集獎。 2015 年， TAS iGEM 團隊榮獲高中大獎（防止慢性炎症組織

WINS 損傷計劃）。祝賀所有團隊的老師和學生們成功，並發展一個能繼續獲得國際認可的科學研究計劃。 TEAM TAS TAS iGEM CHAMPIONSHIP

Strategic Area 2: An Exceptional Program: Expand opportunities for students across the School to utilize design processes within the curriculum to strengthen the STEAM program. Upper School TAS iGEM TEAM 27

The News Lens published the following article on the TAS iGEM Team. (https://international.thenewslens.com/article/80829) Taiwan Green Bulletin

Microplastic litter accumulation in the ocean damages marine foodchains, and research has shown that human consumption of microplastics can lead them to be trapped in the circulatory system. Yet because of their significantly smaller size, nanoparticles pose an even greater threat to humans and the environment. Although there has been no substantive research on nanoparticles' effects on the human body, some studies have shown that when inhaled, nano- Teenagers might well be able to solve some of sized TiO2 (titanium oxide) can cause pulmonary the world’s trickiest problems. Do you remember wall damage and lead to tumors in the human the Dutch high-school student who came up with body. There is also the danger that nanoparticles an idea to use giant booms to clean the oceans can enter our bodies through means other than of vast mountains of plastic waste? Floppy-haired ingestion and inhalation, such as the possibility of Boyan Slat’s invention will set sail in the next year nanoparticles permeating our skin. ahead of schedule despite some non-believers. Q: How did your team come up with the idea of We should all hope that his project, Ocean trapping nanoparticles? Cleanup, will clean up! Ashley: We initially focused on several ideas, Taiwan has its own share of green-keen teens. such as using spider silk in medical applications Inspired by a study on jellyfish mucus, a team and using enzymes to stop nicotine addiction. of senior high-school students from the Taipei The team members voted and ultimately decided American School (TAS) have come up with a on the current topic: removing nanoparticle waste way to trap nanoparticles from wastewater that from wastewater treatment plants, as it has a could be used in treatment plants. Nanoparticles, strong prototype potential, is a novel approach extremely tiny particles (one step smaller than to the water purification issue, and is also microplastics, which we have been hearing a experimentally feasible. Most importantly, water lot about recently), are used in a wide range of safety is an issue critical to all of us, and with the everyday objects such as medicines, cosmetics rise of nanoparticle use in the last decade, we and clothing, yet they pose a potentially toxic believe they pose great danger to water safety. risk to the environment and human health. This Q: What is the purpose of the project and how did November, the students are taking their idea to you achieve your goal? the iGEM competition, an international student throw down in the field of synthetic biology. Ashley: Our goal is to efficiently remove nanoparticles from wastewater systems to For the first edition of what will be a regular bi- prevent major nanoparticle pollution. What weekly series, Green Bulletin interviewed 18-year- makes this simple goal complex, however, is old Ashley L., policy head of the TAS iGEM team. Q: There’s been a lot of news about pollution from microplastics in the past few years – what’s the difference between micro and nanoparticles? Ashley L.: Microplastics and nanoparticles are different sizes: microplastics are 10-6 and nanoparticles are 10-9. Like nanoparticles, microplastics are used in a variety of consumer products, such as cosmetics. However, due to their larger size, microplastics actually have more limited use than nanoparticles.

Strategic Area 2: An Exceptional Program: Expand opportunities for students across the School to utilize design processes within the curriculum to strengthen the STEAM program. 28 Upper School

that nanoparticles “come in all shapes and treatment plants, as the filtration isn't complex sizes” (literally). This means approaches that enough to filter out the nanoparticles. This is why exploit highly-specific properties of one type are the TAS iGEM team is devising a device to solve inefficient. [So] we’ve devised a two-pronged this issue. approach. Most engineered nanoparticles… Q: With microplastics the focus has been on have a “coating”… on the surface… and citrate banning them or getting brands to stop using them. is the most common [coating] used by industry. Couldn’t we do this for nanoplastics? Is it better to Exploiting this characteristic, we’ve designed a ban them or try to trap them? custom membrane protein that can bind to the citrate. Ideally, this will increase the size and Ashley: Sure, the government can try raising weight of the target so that existing infrastructure awareness about the dangers of nanoparticles designed to filter out bacteria in wastewater and getting manufacturers to stop using them, treatment plants can take over and filter out but in order to have the power to do this, the legal nanoparticles. empirices about banning nanoparticles need to be sound, and right now no legislation characterizes What about those not capped with citrate? nanoparticles as a separate substance from its We’ve devised a general approach that does bulk material, which prevents agencies from not target specific characteristics of certain acquiring regulatory power. nanoparticles. We were originally inspired by a study that used jellyfish mucus to trap and purify If you are interested in the nanoparticle project, gold nanoparticles. After preliminary testing and more information can be found on the team’s research, we’ve shown that our biofilms can also website. trap nanoparticles and pull them out of solution, similar to the jellyfish mucus. Q: What makes nanoparticles so interesting? Ashley: I'm interested in nanoparticles because it's fascinating to see how materials behave so differently at a nanoscale, and how electrical, optical, chemical, and magnetic properties change 青少年很可能可以解決世界上最棘手的一些問題。 from the mass scale. Because of the ability of nanoparticles to have such diverse properties, the 您還記得荷蘭的高中生想出了一個想法，用巨大的圍 possibilities of applying nanoparticles to new uses 籬來清理海洋中堆積如山的塑膠廢物？一頭鬆軟頭髮 is exciting and opens our imaginations. 的 Boyan Slat 的發明即將在明年提前開航，儘管有些人不相信。我們都希望他的計劃─海洋清理，真能清 Q: Taiwan recently announced it will expand its free 理海洋！ plastic bag ban to 80,000 more stores next year in its bid to make the country plastic free in 10 years. What’s the situation for nanoparticles in Taiwan? 台灣也有熱愛環保的青少年。受到水母粘液研究的啟發，來自台北美國學校（TAS）的一批高中生提出了 Ashley: I know that the Taiwan Environmental 一種將奈米顆粒從廢水中捕獲的方法，可用於廢水處 Protection Administration has issued guidance on 理廠。奈米顆粒，是非常小的顆粒（比我們近來聽到 nanoparticles in utensils and medical devices, and 的很多微小塑膠還要小一點）被廣泛地用於日常用 has mandated the registration of nanomaterials 品，如藥品、化妝品和衣服，但它們對環境和人類健 into the management of chemical substances, but I am not aware of a nanoparticle-specific 康構成潛在的毒性危險。今年 11 月，學生們把自己 legislation directed at industry. Right now, 的想法引入 iGEM 大賽，這是一名國際學生在合成生 nanoparticles are not removed from wastewater 物學領域拋出的戰帖。 TAS iGEM TEAM TAS

將會是固定的雙週刊連載第一版的“綠色通訊”採訪了 18 歲的 TAS iGEM 團隊的政策負責人 Ashley L.。

問：過去幾年來，有關微型塑膠的污染消息很多 - 微型和奈米顆粒有什麼區別？

Ashley L.：微型塑膠和奈米顆粒尺寸不同：微型塑膠為 10-6，納米顆粒為 10-9。像奈米顆粒一樣，微型塑膠用於各種消費品，如化妝品。然而，由於其尺寸較大，微型塑膠實際上比奈米粒子的使用較受限制。

海洋中的微型塑膠垃圾破壞了海洋的食物鏈，並且研究報告指出，人類對微型塑膠的消耗量可能導致循環系統被其堵塞。然而，由於奈米顆粒尺寸明顯較小，對人類和環境構成更大的威脅。儘管尚未進行奈米粒子對人體影響的實質研究，但一些研究表明，吸入時，奈米尺寸的二氧化鈦（氧化鈦）會引起肺壁損傷，導致人體腫瘤。奈米顆粒也可能通過攝入和吸入以外的方式進入我們的身體，例如奈米顆粒滲透我們皮膚的可能性。

問：你的團隊怎麼想出捕獲納米粒子的想法？

Ashley：我們最初專注於幾個想法，例如在醫療應用中使用蜘蛛絲，並使用酵素來阻止尼古丁成癮。團隊成員投票並最終決定了目前的主題：從廢水處理廠中去除納米顆粒廢物，因為它具有很強的原型潛力，是淨化水的一種新穎方法，也是可實驗的。最重要的是，水的安全是我們所有人的一個關鍵問題，隨著過去十年奈米顆粒的興起，我們認為已對水的安全性構成很大的危險。

問：此計劃的目的是什麼，你要如何實現目標？

Ashley：我們的目標是有效地從廢水系統中去除奈米顆粒，以防止主要的奈米顆粒污染。不過，奈米顆粒“來自各種形狀和大小”（字面上），因而使這個簡單的目標複雜化。這意味著只利用一種類型的專精屬性之方法是低效能的。所以我們設計了一個雙管齊下的方法。

大多數工程奈米顆粒 ... 表面上具有“塗層”... 並且檸檬酸鹽是工業中最常使用的 [ 塗層 ]。利用此特性，我們設計了可以與檸檬酸鹽結合的特製蛋白膜。理想情況下，這將增加目標的大小和重量，以便用於過濾污水處理廠中的細菌之既有的基礎設施，可以接管和過濾納米顆粒。

那些沒有加檸檬酸鹽的呢？我們設計了一種不針對特定納米粒子特徵的一般方法。我們最初受到一項使用水母粘液捕獲和純化金奈米顆粒的研究所啟發。經過初步測試和研究，我們已經表明，我們的生物膜也可以捕獲奈米顆粒並將其從溶液中拉出，類似於水母粘液。

問：什麼使奈米粒子如此有趣？

Ashley：我對奈米顆粒感興趣，是因為看到材料在奈米尺度上的表現如此不同，以及電氣、光學、化學和磁性從質量尺度發生變化是非常有趣的。由於奈米顆粒具有這種不同性質的能力，將納米顆粒應用於新用途的可能性令人興奮，並開啟了我們的想像力。

問：台灣最近宣布，明年將擴大免費塑膠袋禁令，再禁 8 萬多家商店，以爭取在 10 年內使國家達到不使用塑膠。台灣奈米粒子的情況如何？

Ashley：我知道行政院環境保護署已經就器具和醫療器械奈米粒子發布了指導原則，並且要求將奈米材料登記在化學物質的管理中，但我不瞭解針對工業納米粒子的法令。現在，奈米顆粒不能從廢水處理廠中去除，因為不夠複雜的過濾系統無法過濾出奈米粒子。這就是為什麼 TAS iGEM 團隊正在設計一個解決這個問題的設備。

問：微量塑膠方面，著重於禁止它們或點出品牌以阻止使用它們。我們不能把這種做法用在奈米塑膠嗎？到底是禁止使用它們好，還是試圖把他們過濾出好？

Ashley：當然，政府可以嘗試提高對納米粒子危害的認識，讓製造商停止使用它們，但是為了有這樣做的權力，需要有健全的奈米粒子禁令，現在沒有把奈米粒子從其大物質分離的立法，故此妨害了機構獲得監管的力量。

如果您對奈米顆粒計劃感興趣，可在團隊網站上找到更多信息。

Strategic Area 2: An Exceptional Program: Expand opportunities for students across the School to utilize design processes within the curriculum to strengthen the STEAM program. 30 Upper School

he 48-Hour Film Project is a contest where teams of filmmakers TAS draw a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue, and then have 48 hours from that moment to create a short film containing all

AT T of those elements. Shortly after the 48 hours end, the films from each city are screened locally, and one City Winner is chosen and submitted to a jury that chooses the ultimate winner to be honored at a ceremony called Filmapalooza.

The project started in 2001 in Washington, D.C; in 2003, it expanded internationally to New Zealand and became the now 48-hour-long international event. This year's TAS project brought students with varying interests together. The team consisted of a director, assistant director, photography director, makeup artist, production designers, writers, editors, actors, music composers, sound technicians, camera assistants, and production assistants. Mr. Barrus, Mr. Franklin, and Mr. Openshaw served as producers in an advisory role.

The 48 hours began the night of Friday, October 20 at 7:30 PM immediately after Mr. Barrus received the information regarding genre, character, prop, and dialogue. Students brainstormed script ideas that fit the assigned genre of “Martial Arts” and began screenwriting. They wrote a storyline about a female martial artist who teaches a boy how to stand up to a bully at school. By 10:00 AM the next day, after a night of "sleeping" at school, the final script was ready and filming began.All scenes were complete by 3:00 AM Sunday morning and the final film was submitted by 5:00 PM Sunday night.

Mr. Barrus commented, "A semester of learning took place in 48 hours" with a six-minute film as the finished product. Their film, the only high school submission, ultimately won an award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for Best Use of Assigned Character. View it here: https://youtu.be/ bKQjiLd0sQ0. Congratulations to everyone involved! 48-HOUR FILM PROJECT THE Upper School THE 31

48 小時電影計劃是一個由電影人組成的團隊繪製了一個類型、一個角色、一個道具和一個對話線，然後從那個時刻開始創作一部包含所有這些元素的短片之比賽。 48 小時結束後不久，每個城市的電影都在當地進行篩選，一個城市獲勝者被選中，並提交給評審團以選出最後獲勝者，並於名為 Filmapalooza 的儀式中頒獎。 48-HOUR FILM PROJECT

該計劃在 2001 年開始於華盛頓特區。2003 年擴大到紐西蘭，成為現在的 48 小時之國際賽事。今年的 TAS 計劃把不同興趣的學生聚集起來。該團隊由導演、助理導演、攝影指導、化妝師、製作設計師、作家、編輯、演員、音樂作曲家、音響技師、相機助理和製作助手所組成。 Barrus 先生、Franklin 先生和 Openshaw 先生以諮詢顧問的角色來擔任製片人。

四十八小時在 Barrus 先生收到關於類型、性格、道具和對話的信息後不久，於十月二十日星期五晚上七點三十分開始。學生集思廣義地想出符合“武術”類型的腳本想法，並開始編劇。他們寫了一個關於女性武術家教導一個男孩如何在學校站起來對抗霸凌的故事情節。第二天上午 10 點，經過一個晚上夜宿於學校，終結版的腳本準備就緒後，即開始拍攝。所有的場景在周日清晨 3 點之前完成，最終的電影在周日晚上 5 點前提交。

Barrus 先生評論說：“在 48 小時內完成了一個學期的學習”，最後的成品是一部 6 分鐘的電影。他們的電影，是唯一由高中提交的作品，最後贏得了最佳攝影獎，並被提名最佳指定角色。欲欣賞此作請至：https：//youtu. be/bKQjiLd0sQ0。恭喜參與的各位！ AT TAS 32 Athletics

t’s easier than ever before to keep up with photo galleries for each of our teams; your favorite TAS sports teams thanks ● easy access to sign-up forms as well as Ito the recently launched TAS athletics information on practice and competition times, website. Accessible via the Athletics tab athletics coaches and staff, safety protocols, on the school homepage, the site aims to and more; serve as a one-stop shop for all of your Tiger ● integration with the TAS athletics Instagram athletics needs, whether you’re looking to and Facebook feeds; find the score of last night’s JV girls tennis ● match, the time of the IASAS rugby and touch and a responsive design ensuring easy opening ceremonies, or the forms needed to navigation on any device. sign up for one of the many sports offerings on campus. Keep an eye on the site and its connected social media accounts February 1-3 to stay The site has the following features: up-to-date on all of our Season 2 teams as they compete in IASAS championships ● a homepage complete with news highlights, across the region with hopes of bringing recent results, and a schedule of upcoming home the gold. The rugby and touch teams games for all middle school and upper school will play host as the basketball teams travel to sports teams; Bangkok, the tennis teams to Manila, and the ● team pages featuring the schedule and

TAS SPORTS swimming teams to Jakarta. GO TIGERS! results, rosters, coaches’ profiles, and action FOR WEB ON THE By Mike Corsini, Sports Information and Activities Photojournalist By Mike Corsini, Sports Information and TEAMS NEW H OME A

Strategic Area 2: An Exceptional Program: Continue to improve the physical education program and the athletics program to foster life-long fitness habits and competitive athletics. Athletics 33 A NEW H OME TEAMS ON THE WEB FOR

過最近推出的 TAS 體育網頁，您比以前更容易跟隨您最喜愛的 TAS 運動團隊的動態。

由學校主頁的“體育”選項就可以造訪該網頁，此網頁旨在為您提供一站式老虎運動 SPORTS TAS 通團隊的服務，無論您是想找到昨晚的女子網球比賽的比數、橄欖球賽和觸碰 JV IASAS 橄欖球的開幕儀式，或者是需要參加校園眾多體育活動之一的報名表格。

該網頁具有以下功能：

● 所有初中、高中運動團隊的新聞焦點、近期成績和即將到來的比賽時間表；

● 團隊頁面為我們每支隊伍提供賽程和結果、名冊、教練簡介和動作照片畫廊；

● 容易取得註冊表格以及練習和比賽時間、田徑教練員和工作人員、安全規範等信息 ;

● 與 TAS 田徑 Instagram 和 Facebook 整合 ;

● 一個回應式的設計，以確保在任何設備上能輕鬆導航。

2 月 1 - 3 日，請注意該網頁及其相關社交媒體賬戶，以便取得本校第二季運動團隊的最新動態，因為他們會在本區域的 IASAS 錦標賽中競賽，並希望他們能帶著金牌回來。當籃球隊前往曼谷；網球隊前往馬尼拉；游泳隊前往雅加達等地比賽時，橄欖球隊和觸碰式橄欖球隊將擔任地主隊。老虎隊，加油！

“Stories are not just in the words.” - Bei Lynn

This fall, the PTA funded a visit from Taiwanese author and illustrator Ms. Bei Lynn. She spent time with our lower school students in both the Learner and Heritage Mandarin tracks, and shared her passion for storytelling and secrets about her creative process.

Ms. Lynn is an award-winning artist who has illustrated more than 20 picture books for children, some of which she has also written herself. Working mainly in watercolor and pencil, her luminous, whimsical drawings ignite the imagination and touch the heart. Her books have made the China Times’ Best Children’s Book of the Year list several times. In 2017, she represented Taiwan at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy.

With blue and silver streaked hair, choppy bangs, and a quiet demeanor, Ms. Lynn was open and engaging during her presentations to students. She read a story and shared the real-life inspiration for one of her books, Granny’s Favorite Toy, based on her mother’s old sewing machine that broke and was refurbished into a writing desk. She shared some drafts of her drawings in split-screen format, showing what a sketch looked like on one side and what the final looked like on the other, reminding students that writing a book takes hard work and practice. Ms. Lynn pointed to a few details in the pictures and asked the children what they saw. Hands ﬂew up in the air and suggestions were excitedly offered. Ms. Lynn said, “As you can see, stories are not just in the words. If you look closely at the pictures, you can find clues that tell another story.”

Ms. Lynn is the middle of three children. Neither of her parents are professional artists, but she does have childhood memories of her father writing Chinese calligraphy. She explained that he never followed the traditional techniques taught in books, but instead created his own unique style. When she studied fine arts at university, Ms. Lynn’s parents were supportive and never tried to encourage her to study more “practical” majors. It was during university that she came across an Ezra Jack Keats book, The Snowy Day, and it dawned on her that she could make writing and illustrating children’s books into a career.

When asked where her inspiration comes from, Ms. Lynn replied evenly, “Everywhere and nowhere - in conversations, in music, in the scenery around you. You have to be open to see it.” Ms. Lynn continued, “The thing about inspiration is that it’s important, but it’s not reliable. It can help you spark the beginning or even the end of something, but the real work is what connects those two moments.”

’ “

By Brenda Lin, PTA Communications Liaison Lin, PTA By Brenda To children who aspire to grow up to be a writer and illustrator, Ms. Lynn s advice is, Besides practicing writing and drawing a lot, you have to go out there and do a lot of other fun things” and be exposed to all that life has to offer!

Bean Bags - More than just Comfort!

Upper School Dean of Students Dr. Dan Long applied for a PTA Grant to purchase bean bags for the Legacy Commons. Since the bright orange and blue bean bags arrived this fall, they have added more than a punch of color. One can often see upper school students nestled in the comfortable seats, working on their laptops or engaging in conversation with their peers. The bean bags have also been used for three different student movie events.

Recent studies have shown that bean bags can enhance the learning experience, since sitting for long periods of time in hard, upright chairs can cause restlessness and allow minds to wander. A variety of seating options encourages more focused attention and concentration.

Students appreciate the extra seating the bean bags provide and the ability to easily move them around. They use them to both work and recharge in the middle of the day. PTA GRANTS PTA Parent Teacher Association PTA GRANTS 35

“故事不僅僅在言語中。” - 林小杯

今年秋天，PTA 資助了台灣作家和插畫家林小杯女士的訪問。她和我們的中學生一起在“學習者”和“文化遺產” 的中文課軌中度過了一些時間，並分享了她對故事情節的熱情和創作過程的秘密。

林女士是一位屢獲殊榮的藝術家，繪製了 20 多本的兒童繪本，其中一些還是自己親自動筆。她的作品主要以水彩和鉛筆為主，她的明快，異想天開的繪畫引發了想像力，並觸動心靈。她的書多次上了“中國時報”的年度“最佳兒童讀物”的名單。 2017 年，她代表台灣參展意大利波隆那的兒童書展。

帶著藍、銀挑染的頭髮、紊亂的劉海、以及閑靜的風度，在對學生們演講中，林女士是開放和吸引人的。她讀了一個故事，並分享了她的書“奶奶最喜歡的玩具”的真實靈感是依據她母親壞掉並被翻修成一張寫字台的舊縫紉機。她以分檔的形式分享了一些草圖，一邊展示草圖的樣子，另一邊展示最後完成的樣子，提醒學生寫書要付出艱辛的努力和練習。林女士在圖片中指出一些細節，並問孩子們他們看到了什麼。雙手高懸在空中，孩子們興奮地提出了一些意見。林女士說：“正如你們所看到的，故事不僅僅在言語中。如果仔細觀察這些圖片，你們可以找到講述另一個故事的線索。”

林女士是三個孩子中間的那個。她的父母都不是專業藝術家，但是她有父親寫書法的童年記憶。她解釋說，他從未效仿書中教授的傳統技法，而是創造了自己獨特的風格。她在大學學習美術時，林女士的父母是完全支持的，從來沒試圖鼓勵她學習更多“實用”的專業。在大學期間，她偶然發現了一本 Ezra Jack Keats 的書“下雪天” （Snowy Day），讓她明白她可以把兒童讀物寫作和插圖當成事業。

當被問到她的靈感來自何方時，林女士不急不徐地回答：“無處不在 - 在對話中、在音樂裡、在周遭的景緻。你們必須敞開心胸才能看到它。”林女士繼續說道，“有關靈感的事情是重要的，但這不是可靠的。它可以幫助你引發事情的開始甚至結束，但真正的工作是連接這兩個時刻的東西。”

對於長大想成為作家和插畫家的孩子們，林女士的建議是，“除了練習寫作和繪畫，你們必須走出去，做很多其他有趣的事情”，並體驗生活所能提供的一切！

懶骨頭豆袋 - 不僅僅是舒適而已！

高中教導主任 Dan Long 博士申請 PTA 補助款，以為 Legacy Commons 購買懶骨頭。這個秋季明亮的橙色和藍色懶骨頭的到來，不止增添色澤而已。人們經常可以看到中學生們坐在舒適的懶骨頭中，在筆電上工作、或者與同儕交談。懶骨頭也被用於三個不同的學生電影活動中。最近的研究顯示，懶骨頭豆袋可以提高學習經驗，因為長時間坐在堅硬、直立的椅子上可能會引起不安，讓思緒遊蕩。各種座位的選項能鼓勵更專注的注意力和集中力。學生們很欣賞懶骨頭豆袋提供的額外座位，並能夠輕鬆地移動它們。他們利用懶骨頭工作及在一天中間的時間充電。 36 Didyouknow? DID YOU KNOW? create, andimproveonacardboarddesigntomeetspecific criteriaandconstraints. chose fromtwofunctionalandintriguingdesignchallenges. They hadtwohourstoask,imagine,plan, 5 FamilyDesignandBuildNightwasspecificallyfocused ontheengineeringdesignprocess.Families activities intentionallydesignedwithnewandexperienced engineersandprogrammersinmind. engineering, art,andmathematicschallenges. This year, TAS familiesparticipatedinvariousSTEAM celebrative eventwherefamilymemberscollaboratewitheachotherwhileexploringscience,technology The annualLowerSchoolExtremeSTEAMFamilyDaystookplaceinNovember 的技能與他們展示的工作態度、以及他們對成千上萬想知道他們的機器人是如何工作以及他們是如何建造的人群演說。人們因他們的創造力和機器人成千上萬的人冒著毛毛雨去看過去一年裡學生、業餘愛好者和專業製作人員及藝術家們在做什麼。十一月初，美國學校高中部的學生，出席了華山創意園的台北製造商大會，分享他們的 on theirprojects. well astheresourcestheyhaveavailabletothemat TAS towork and skillinroboticstheirpoisepresentingwork,as constructed. Peoplewereuniformlyimpressedbytheircreativity wanted toknowhowtheirrobotsworkedandtheyhadbeen They spoketoaconstantstreamofhundredspeoplewho professional makersandartistshaveworkedonforthepastyear. braved thedrizzlyweathertoseewhatstudent,amateur, and their DrumRobotandRapRobot. Thousands ofpeople Taipei MakerFaireinHuashanCreativeParktoshare In earlyNovember, TAS upperschoolstudentsattendedthe 與初中學生家長也有機會登錄到分配測驗，甚至可以提交數位作業並加以評分。今年， name andpasswordasPowerSchool:taipeiamericanschool.instructure.com. upcoming homeworkassignments,quizzes,andtests.Usethefollowinglinkloginwithsameuser Parents ofmiddleschoolstudentsalsohavetheopportunitytologinaCanvasaccountthatshows that allowsstudentstoseeallhomeworkfortheweekinoftheirclasses. assign quizzes,andevengradedigitalhomeworksubmissions.Canvasalsofeaturesabuilt-incalendar Environment. OnCanvas,teacherscanpostdailyhomeworkassignments,creatediscussionboards, This year, the TAS MiddleandUpperSchoolsadoptedtheuseofCanvas,anonlineVirtual Learning PowerSchool TAS 初中與高中部採用了畫布，一個線上虛擬學習環境。相同的用戶名和密碼登錄：taipeiamericanschool.instructure.com Canvas TAS 帳戶以顯示即將到來的家庭作業、測驗和測試。請使用以下連結，並利用提供給他們的資源，而對他們的計劃留下了深刻的印象。畫布還設有一個內置的日曆，讓學生能查看所有課程的當週作業。在畫布上，教師可以發佈日常作業、創造討論板、。 Drum . ExtremeSTEAMisa 機器人和 Rap The Grade 機器人。 ,

Did you know? DID YOU KNOW? 37

年度小學 Extreme STEAM 家庭日於十一月舉行。 Extreme STEAM 是一個慶祝活動，家庭成員相互合作同時一起探索科學、技術、工程、藝術和數學的挑戰。今年，TAS 家庭參與了為適宜各種年級的設計師與工程師而刻意設計之 STEAM 活動。五年級家庭設計和建造之夜特別專注於工程設計過程。家庭從兩個功能和耐人尋味的設計挑戰中做選擇。他們花了兩個小時的時間來詢問、想像、計劃、創造和改進紙板設計，以符合特定的標準和限制。

In early November, Grade 8 students took a break from the classroom to engage in hands-on community service by removing trash at three local parks. Each student will now work independently to create his or her own personally meaningful community service project with a minimum of five additional hours of service.

十一月初，八年級的學生從課堂上暫休，到三個本地公園裡去清垃圾、從事社區服務。每個學生現在都將得至少獨立服務五個小時，以創造他或她自己的有意義之社區服務計劃。

Two TAS debate teams recently advanced to the second round of the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), a written and oral debate competition for high school students around the world. This year, students are debating the prompt, Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms. In their essays, one TAS team chose to disagree, while the other team took the affirmative side.

Now that they have qualified for the Round of 64, the TAS teams will email essays back and forth with teams at other schools following the structure of an in-person debate, rebutting each other’s arguments. If they reach the Top 32 round, the process repeats itself and teams compete to reach the Sweet 16. Finally, the top eight teams win a free trip to New York City to debate face-to-face. Last year, a TAS team reached the Elite 8!

兩支 TAS 辯論小組最近進入了國際公共政策論壇（IPPF）第二輪，這是一個為全球高中學生舉辦的口頭辯論賽。今年，學生們正在辯論這個提議─解決：溫室氣體排放應採取國際氣候協議有約束力的執法機制。在他們的文章中，一支 TAS 團隊選擇了不同意，而另一個團隊則採取了同意的一邊。

現在，他們已經有資格參加 64 強競賽，TAS 團隊將通過面對面的辯論結構，與其他學校的團隊藉來回郵件，反駁對方的論點。如果他們進入前 32 名，這個過程會再重演，隊伍將會進入 16 強。最後，前八名隊伍可以免費前往紐約市進行面對面的辯論。去年，一個 TAS 團隊打進八強！ 38 Did you know?

In November (or “Movember”), you may have noticed a lot more facial hair on TAS teachers. Internationally, Movember is an annual event where men grow facial hair to raise awareness and money for men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer. Over the last five years, the TAS community has taken part in Movember to raise money for cancer treatment and cancer research in Taiwan. Organized annually by Dr. Maguire, administrators, teachers, and staff contribute money to this important cause; all proceeds go to the TAS Cancer Society, which donates the money to local hospitals, research centers, and cancer funds.

This year, the TAS community raised close to NT$200,000, the most yet. Special thanks to the Class of 2018 who embraced the Movember challenge in their advisor groups and raised over NT$60,000. Faculty members also took part in events at local businesses and participated in the Movember golf tournament to help raise more money.

在十一月份（或“Movember”），您可能已經注意到 TAS 老師臉部多了許多毛髮。在國際上，Movember 是一項年度活動，男士留著面部毛髮，為男性健康問題，特別是前列腺癌，以提高意識和募款。過去五年來，TAS 社群參與 Movember 為台灣的癌症治療和癌症研究籌募資金。每年由 Maguire 博士組織行政主管、教職員，為此重要目標貢獻資金；所有收益都交由 TAS 癌症協會，捐助當地醫院、研究中心和癌症基金。

今年，TAS 社區募到近 20 萬元新台幣。特別要感謝 2018 班，他們在顧問團隊中接受 Movember 的挑戰，並募集了 6 萬多元新台幣。教師們還參與了本地企業的活動及 Movember 高爾夫球錦標賽，以幫助籌募更多資金。

In October, six TAS Model United Nations (MUN) students and four teachers presented 12 workshops on the nature of state sovereignty, North Korea, using data in MUN resolutions, online MUN, social entrepreneurship, and effective communication at the Qatar Leadership Conference in Doha, Qatar.

Additionally, the TAS team worked with small groups of UN employees in the Department of Public Information; networked with peace activists, university professors, and NGO representatives to discuss issues such as women’s empowerment, free speech, and human rights; and reconnected with the HELA Afghan student group, which the TAS MUN program supports both financially and through mentoring.

In November, TAS sent a delegation of nine Grade 8 students to Shanghai American School’s SHASMUN conference. TAS was honored with the responsibility of representing China and India, almost 40% of the world’s population!

Also in November, 14 upper school students traveled to Bangkok to participate in the IASAS MUN Conference. The experience was particularly special as the conference took place in the conference center of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, giving the students a chance to debate and negotiate in the same venues where UN staff do the same. Two TAS students served as Committee Chairs and two others received Honorable Mention awards.

Later in November, TAS students attended the BERMUN Conference in Berlin. The team represented the People’s Republic of China and discussed topics ranging from the effects of climate change on less economically developed countries to digitalization as a means to ensure economic and social development to sexual and reproductive health and rights. TAS delegates on the Security Council and the Historic Security Council were involved in in-depth debates as their committees addressed the situation in Yemen, Central African Republic, and Yugoslavia. DID YOU KNOW? DID Did you know? 39

10 月份，6 名 TAS 模擬聯合國（MUN）的學生和 4 名教師在卡

達多哈召開的領導人會議上使用 MUN 決議、網路 MUN、社會 DID YOU KNOW? 企業家精神以及有效溝通等資訊，來主持 12 場關於國家主權性質、北韓的研討會。此外，TAS 團隊與一小群聯合國新聞部的僱員合作；與和平活動者、大學教授和非政府組織代表連結，以討論賦予婦女權力、言論自由和人權等議題；並與 TAS MUN 課程在財務和指導方面提供支援的 HELA 阿富汗學生小組重新連結。

十一月份，TAS 派出九名八年級學生參加上海美國學校的 SHASMUN 會議。TAS 很榮幸代表幾乎佔了世界人口 40％的中國和印度！

並在 11 月，14 名高中學生前往曼谷參加 IASAS MUN 會議。此經驗特別不凡，因為會議在聯合國亞洲及太平洋經濟社會委員會的會議中心舉行，使學生有機會在同樣的場所猶如聯合國工作人員般進行辯論和談判。兩位 TAS 學生擔任委員會主席，另外兩位獲得了佳作獎。

在十一月末，TAS 學生參加了柏林的 BERMUN 會議。代表團代表中華人民共和國，討論了從氣候變化對經濟不發達的國家之影響到數位化等主題，藉此確保經濟和社會發展以實現性別與生殖健康和權利。在安全理事會和歷史安全理事會的 TAS 代表們在其委員會參與了處理葉門、中非共和國和南斯拉夫局勢的深入辯論。

Over 100 upper school students from TAS, ASIJ (Tokyo), AAIA (New Taipei City), and IBSH (Hsinchu) participated in the third-annual student-led NOVA entrepreneurship and innovation competition at TAS from September 29 - October 1.

Participants worked in teams to develop innovative ideas, prototypes, and business models to address issues such as sustainability, education, and health. AvoTo!, a team of TAS seniors, was the overall winner for their idea and prototype for a new smart trash can that will automatically sort items to be recycled.

來自 TAS、ASIJ（東京）、AAIA（新北市）和 IBSH（新竹）的 100 多名高中學生參加了 9 月 29 日至 10 月 1 日在 TAS 舉行的第三屆學生主導的 NOVA 創業與創新大賽。

參與者通過團隊合作來開發創新的想法、原型和商業模式，以解決諸如可持續性、教育和健康等問題。AvoTo ！，一個 TAS 12 年級的團隊，他們以一個新的智能垃圾桶，將回收物品自動分類的想法和原型贏得總冠軍。 40 Did you know?

The Lower School and PTA welcomed Visiting Author Mr. David Schwartz to TAS on December 11-12. Mr. Schwartz, widely known as the “Ambassador for Math,” is the author of How Much is a Million? and more than 50 other titles that emphasize the importance of math and help young readers make connections between math, science, and literacy. He often speaks at conferences for teachers, librarians, and other educators all over the United States.

When Mr. Schwarz presented to our students, he used amusing props to make mathematical concepts come alive in both entertaining and educational ways. He explained, “Children love numbers and when they see how numbers connect to their everyday lives, they get really excited about math.” Just as the new LS math curriculum engages students in dynamic ways and encourages them to apply concepts outside of the classroom, Mr. Schwartz’s approach to math inspires students to do the same.

小學部和 PTA 於 12 月 11 - 12 日歡迎訪問作家 David Schwartz 先生來 TAS。Schwartz 先生，以“數學大使”聞名，是“百萬是多少？”的作者，另外還有 50 多本強調數學重要性的書，並幫助年輕讀者在數學、科學和讀寫能力之間建立聯繫。他經常在美國各地的教師、圖書管理員和其他教育工作者的會議上發言。

當 Schwarz 先生對本校學生演講時，他用有趣的道具讓數學概念利用娛樂和教育的方式使其生動起來。他解釋說： “孩子們喜歡數字，當他們看到數字如何與他們的日常生活相連結時，他們對數學感到非常興奮。”正如新的小學數學課程以動態的方式吸引學生並鼓勵他們在課堂之外應用概念一樣，Schwarz 先生的數學方法也激發了學生的這種想法。

TAS robotics team 4253J won first place at the VEX Challenge event in Japan! They were ranked #1 after the qualification matches and had an undefeated record.The team eventually won the tournament in a nail-biter that came down to the third round of the finals. Additionally, they defeated the current top three ranked teams in the world, including one that just broke the world record for “driver skills” at this same event.

On December 1-2, TAS hosted the annual Formosa VEX Robotics Competition. 36 teams from 8 countries competed to qualify for the VEX World Championship in April. Once again, just like in Japan, TAS robotics team 4253J was ranked #1 after the qualification matches and went into the finals undefeated, ultimately winning the prestigious Excellence Award as the best overall team at the competition and qualifying for the World Championship. The team also won the Robot Skills Award with an impressive score of 110 points, placing them in the top 2.5% in the World Skill Rankings (out of almost 2,500 teams). Additionally, they won the Think Award for their robot’s multiple autonomous modes applicable to different game scenarios.

TAS middle school robotics team 4813A also qualified for the World Championship as the best middle school team at the competition and TAS upper school team 4253B won the Build Award. Congratulations to all students and teachers involved!

TAS 機器人 4253J 團隊在日本的 VEX 挑戰賽中獲得第一名！他們在資格賽後排名第一，擁有不敗的戰績。最終，這支隊伍在三輪決賽中贏得了比賽。此外，他們還擊敗了目前世界排名前三名的團隊，其中包括在同一活動中剛剛打破“駕駛技術”世界紀錄的隊伍。

TAS 於 12 月 1 - 2 日舉辦了福爾摩沙 VEX 機器人年度大賽。來自 8 個國家的 36 支隊伍參加了 4 月份的 VEX 世界錦標賽。再次，就像在日本一樣，TAS 機器人 4253J 團隊在資格賽結束後排名第一，以不敗之姿進入了決賽，最終在世界錦標賽中獲得了總決賽最佳團隊並取得世界錦標賽的參賽資格。該隊還以 110 分的優異成績獲得了機器人技能獎，在世界技能排行榜（近 2,500 隊）中排名前 2.5％。此外，他們還因其機器人適用於不同遊戲場景的多種自主模式而獲得思考獎。

TAS 初中機器人 4813A 團隊還獲選最佳初中團隊取得參加世界錦標賽的參賽資格，TAS 高中 4253B 隊獲得了建造獎。恭喜所有參與的學生和老師！ DID YOU KNOW? DID Mission

Taipei American School is an innovative 21st century learning community. Our mission is to inspire each student to be a confident, creative, caring, and moral individual prepared to adapt and succeed anywhere in a rapidly changing world. We provide an American- based education with a global perspective that results in a love of learning, academic excellence, a balanced life, and service to others.

On Friday, December 8, 2017, TAS held a small “Topping Off TAS Values Ceremony” to watch the last piece of structural steel be placed on the Tech Cube. TAS administrators and representatives from Parsons Brinkerhoff, KHL Architects, and I-Cheng Construction Honesty ● Respect ● Responsibility & Development Corporation (ICC) celebrated this construction milestone by signing the steel beam, writing messages to Kindness ● Courage current and future generations of TAS students. Mr. Steve Panta, former Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations and currently our consultant on the project, thanked Edward Wang, Jerry Lin, and Clark Chen from ICC; Henry Ho from TongHo Steel; Simon Kao, Yuhao Huang, Yu-Ren Xu, and Hong-Song Lai from KHL; Alex Lai, Alex Huang, and Angel Lin from WSP; and the many parent donors whose gifts to the school have made this project possible. Fireworks hung from the beam as the crane lifted it from the ground and placed it on top of the building.

The Tech Cube will open to students in early 2019. This five- story, open-planned STEAM facility with a focus on design, technology, and robotics will have dedicated floors for each division, allowing for collaboration, continuity, and teamwork. TAS is on the cutting edge of STEAM and robotics education, and the Tech Cube solidifies our leadership in this key strategic area. Congratulations to the directors, cast, and crew of the dance production Anastasia!