TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL Summer 2012 Volume 13 TAS Alumni News TAS Class of 1991 Reunion December 2011 Message from the Superintendent Dear TAS Alumni, this essential commitment we make to our community of making TAS the very best we can be. We’ve just completed a very eventful school year In April, we incorporated input from all constituents of the that has provided much TAS community to develop our next Strategic Plan. You cause for celebration: can read about the accomplishments of the 2009-2012 celebration of the Strategic Plan in the article on page 2, and our next plan successful culmination will be communicated at the beginning of the new school of a multiple year self- year. study and WASC accreditation review A very prominent embodiment of our commitment to process; celebration of the accomplishments of our 2009- continual improvement is the new facilities development 2012 strategic plan and the development of the next one; project that is nearing completion this summer. The new celebration of the many talents put on display by our upper school science and technology building features students in robotics competitions, model UN, IASAS sports specialized labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and and cultural conventions, and every day within the walls robotics. Our fine and performing arts departments will of TAS; celebration of the wonderful new facilities that are have improved and expanded teaching spaces in the new taking shape on our campus, creating keen enthusiasm arts building. The gymnasium is huge and has covered and optimism over the significantly expanded learning and outdoor tennis courts on the roof. Other disciplines opportunities our students will enjoy; and celebration of such as math, English, and social studies will have the continuing, varied, and fascinating achievements of contiguous classroom spaces. The new and renovated our alumni. classrooms schoolwide will include the latest technology to maximize student learning. I hope you will assist in our In March, we underwent a full accreditation review by the efforts to build excellence at TAS by making a contribution, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), earmarked for the Facilities Project, to the Friends of TAS, during which all aspects of TAS were reviewed in terms of and encouraging your TAS friends to participate as well. how the school supports and focuses on student learning. Gifts will be recognized on permanent displays in the new Since our last review and accreditation in 2006, interim facilities, and recognition in these wonderful new spaces is WASC visits documented significant improvements in a great way to cement and symbolize your connection to key areas at TAS. Following the visit by a team of eight your alma mater. professionals from around the world, who observed teachers, considered student, parent, alumni, and faculty Best wishes, feedback, and extensively assessed all aspects of the school, the team issued a final evaluative report. The report indeed provided cause for celebration, recognizing the tremendous opportunities and atmosphere created for our students, praising our teachers, and assuring that all is well - quite well - at TAS. The full report may be accessed through the TAS website. Self-examination is Sharon Hennessy essential to continuous improvement as a school, and the accreditation process documents our progress in The Bridge from an Island to the World From the Summer 2012 VOL. 13 Advancement Office CONTENTSTAS Alumni News Message from the Superintendent From the Advancement Office 1 Around the TAS Campus 2 Alumni and College Events 13 Alumni Visits 15 Dear TAS Alumni, Feature Stories 17 Warm greetings to all of you. Reunion Reflections 26 Following along the theme of Dr. Hennessy’s message, I’d like to Friends of TAS 34 celebrate the numerous opportunities for gatherings of TAS alumni, administrators, faculty, and students throughout the world, which Former Faculty Visits 36 create delightful connections and networking across age groups and varying backgrounds within the global TAS community. Professional Corner 38 Numerous administrators - Superintendent Dr. Hennessy, LS TAS Connections 43 Principal Dr. Catriona Moran, MS Principal Michelle Hiteman, LS Associate Principal Rick Rabon, MS Associate Principal Gary Sad News 44 Pettigrew, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Karen Moreau, IT Director David Sinclair, a number of members of our faculty, your alumni officer, Helen Chen, and I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with alumni. We’ve had gatherings this school year in New Taipei American School York City, Tokyo, Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles, Taipei, and more, 800 Chung Shan North Road Section 6 allowing us to share news of the exciting happenings at TAS and Taipei, Taiwan 11152, ROC Tel: (886) 2 2873 9900 ext 368 bring home stories of your accomplishments. The relationships that www.tas.edu.tw develop and the examples you set for us both reflect the value and [email protected] impact of your TAS education and inspire us to continually improve and together create many more causes for celebration. Superintendent Dr. Sharon Hennessy In January, I met more than 20 alumni in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Madelaine Ma ’69 kindly arranged for us to have lunch at Assistant Superintendent for Advancement Shiang Gardens. We had representatives from the class of 1957 up Paige Summers to the class of 2010, and a great time was had by all. There were funny stories shared, lots of picture taking, and promises to meet again soon! We are proud of all that TAS and the TAS community have accomplished this year, and are pleased to share many of these developments with you in this edition of TAS Alumni News. We are Alumni Officer Helen Chen '94 always equally pleased to hear more from you and explore ideas for continual engagement and connection with your alma mater and your fellow alumni - in person at the many alumni gatherings throughout TAS Alumni News is published by the TAS Advancement Office and is circulated free the world, on your return visits to TAS, and through updates passed of charge to alumni, faculty, and former along to your alumni officer and via our social networking sites. faculty. Sincerely, To make sure you continue to receive the TAS Alumni News, please keep us informed of any changes in your address by updating your profile under Alumni on the TAS website: www.tas.edu.tw Paige Summers Assistant Superintendent for Advancement The TAS Alumni News is printed on Forest Vol. 13 • Summer 2012 TAS ALUMNI NEWS 1 Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. Around the TAS Campus ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 2009-2012 STRATEGIC PLAN By Kristen Lowman, Communications/Marketing Officer Originally printed in the 2012 Spring Window November 2011 Alumni Focus Group Meeting offering input for the next TAS Strategic Plan. From L to R: Richard Moh ’93, Jenny Chen ’87, Simon Chen ’86, Tina Huang ’93, Lydia Lim ’97, Irene Chen ’90, Carol Lin ’94, Helen Chen ’94, Conrad Lo ’98, and Michael Ng ’95 t began with a vision, her 20/20 Strategic Plan, but extends to 2. Program Excellence and Vision. As Dr. Hennessy wrote in those who will graduate in 2020. An High Academic Standards: We Iher letter to the community in the inclusive strategic planning process are committed to excellence in 2009 Fall Window, “My vision for that started in January 2009 led to all areas KA-12 where each child the next decade at TAS imagines the formal adoption of the 2009- can reach his or her own potential a school that claims a mountaintop 2012 Strategic Plan by the Board of in academics, the arts, athletics, from which we can all look around Directors on August 25, 2009. More and character development and honestly say that ‘students than 200 community members, through participation in rigorous at TAS receive the best possible including parents, students, faculty, programs where standards are American-based education with a staff, administrators, alumni, and high, consistent with those of the global perspective that prepares board members, participated in the best public and private schools in students ethically and academically process that identified the priorities the US, results are equally high, for success at their best fit college the school addressed over the last and feedback on student progress or university, and for success few years. There was remarkable is an integral part of parent-school anywhere in a rapidly changing consistency among the themes communications. world.’” identified by the constituent groups. 3. Professional Excellence: 2020 Vision means modeling The priorities that formed the core We are committed to professional the very best of the public and of our 2009-2012 Strategic Plan excellence that assures inspired private schools in the United include: and inspiring teaching and individual States. It means changes and 1. Mission Understanding and attention to and care for each child improvements. It means increased Commitment: We are committed to and how he or she learns. support, increased opportunities, clarifying the mission and direction 4. Capitalize on Excellent and increased options for all TAS of the school so that there can be Experiences Available Locally: students. Dr. Hennessy’s 2020 more support for it throughout the We are committed whenever and Vision started with the 2009-2012 community. wherever possible to capitalizing on 2 TAS ALUMNI NEWS Vol. 13 • Summer 2012 Around the TAS Campus the many great strengths of Taiwan. systematic, strategic, deliberate, the infusion of character education 5. Excellent Financial and intentional. Every one of the into the life and learning of the Strength: dozens of changes described below division. We are committed to maintaining fits into our Strategic Plan to make the financial strengths of the TAS one of the best international MIDDLE SCHOOL institution so that TAS students of schools in the world, one where Middle school students have the future will benefit from the same students are prepared to succeed new math courses to better excellent quality education we have academically and ethically in a respond to their performance levels, offered since 1949.