ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 1 communityTable comprised of Contents of over 50 united in our A nationalities, we are passion3 From the for Head teaching of School and22 Co-curricularlearning Activities 4 Campus Map 26 General Information 6and ASP supporting Welcome Program each student28 Cafeteria to realize 8their Parent full potential Faculty Association in and out 30of the From classroom. the Business I Office am14 soAdministrative pleased to Team be able to welcome32 Bus youInformation to the American16 ASP Online School of Paris – a 36truly ASP international Calendar Back and18 family-orientedAthletics Program community.cover AsOur a Missionrecent newcomer myself, I can attest to the warm and welcoming environment, where nothing is too much trouble, and everyone is considered. At ASP, parents and students alike have opportunities to contribute to theBoard life of of the Trustees school, to learn new skills, and to make lasting friendships. In this Orientations in many Guide schools, you’ll the see ASP some Board ways of Trustees to get is responsible for the long-term viability of the Ainvolved,school, and offinancial course oversight,we are always and governance. eager to hear Thenew Board ideas. is Don’t composed hesitate of Trustees to ask who questions are current or reach and outformer whenever ASP parents, we can and help. alumni. I look They forward are volunteers to getting and tohave know a wide you range and ofyour complementary children and skills, to sharing experiences, what willand relationshipsbe an exciting with and the enrichingschool. For yearmore at information, this great please contact: [email protected] school in this incredible city. Officers JaneTrustees Thompson Yvonne Lalonde HeadPeter of Barnet School ’61 President [email protected] Bishai Alexandre Bosoni ’86 Jude Smith Vice President Lois Fink Karim Mekouar Priya Khote Pierre-Yves Morlat Treasurer Andrew Plump Kelly Meek Ilse Willems Secretary The Orientation Guide is a publication of the American School of Paris. Editors | Caroline Baugh, Brooke Burns founded 1946 Design | [email protected] Photography | Arnaud Gaertner, DR ©2019 All rights reserved. www.asparis.org 2 ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 From the Head of School Welcome to the American School of Paris community of over 60 nationalities, we are united in our passion for teaching and learning, A and supporting each student to use their voice and realize their full potential in and out of the classroom. At ASP you will find a truly international and family-oriented community, where parents and students alike have opportunities to contribute to the life of the school, to learn new skills, to become a French speaker, and to make lasting friendships. In this Orientation Guide you’ll see some ways to get involved. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or reach out whenever we can help. I look forward to getting to know you and your children, and to sharing what will be an exciting and enriching year. Jane Thompson Head of School [email protected] 3 P American School of Paris Campus Map and Access P Paris Gate for Buses and Employees Only M Middle Gate for Employees Only 4 ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 G M Garches Gate G for Parents and Visitors Entry and Exit Vehicles use the entry and exit lanes here, while pedestrians use the parallel dedicated gate. Student Drop-Off Signage indicates the drop-off zone along the side of Building 7. Parents should remain in their car when dropping off passengers and proceed to the exit once riders have stepped out of the car. Parking Parents and guests are invited to park in the Garches Gate lot. 5 ASP Welcome Program very year we welcome more than one hundred new families to ASP. E Our comprehensive Welcome Program is designed to help you find your way, make new friends, and feel right at home in our community. Our goal is to make your transition to Paris and your arrival at ASP as smooth and enjoyable as possible. 6 ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 Back-to-School BBQ September 14 | ASP Campus 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This whole-school event is filled with food, sports, music, games, and fun. It is a chance for the entire family to meet new friends, and a great way to start off the new school year! Living Skills Seminars September 18 | 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. September 19 | 8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Presented over two days, Living Skills seminars provide a special orientation to living in the Paris area, and offer up constructive information related to school life. ■ Hear an ASP nurse discuss how the nurses’ office functions and what services are provided at school ■ Learn about the French medical system from an American Hospital physician, with information on finding an English-speaking doctor and handling a medical emergency ■ Be briefed by a member of the ASP security team ■ Get tips on navigating in and around Paris by car or public transportation ■ Discuss Paris restaurants with an expert ■ Find out from a culinary expert what to look for when shopping at the local markets and how to find French versions of your favorite foods from home ■ Navigating ASP – deep dive into various school programs and systems to help ensure you get the most out of your ASP experience ■ Meet PFA leaders and learn more about their roles and opportunities for you to participate 7 PFA Parent Faculty Association he PFA is committed T to making all families feel welcomed and supported. We know what it means to be newcomers in a new learning environment. Our purpose is to stimulate interest in ASP and to provide support for the advancement of the total school community, its parents, and students. Read through the following pages to discover some of the PFA programs and volunteer resources available to you. 8 ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 Dear Newly-Arrived ASP Families, On behalf of the Parent Faculty Association, welcome to the American School of Paris! We are so excited to have your family become a part of our vibrant and dynamic ASP community. The PFA is here to help you feel included and supported as you join the community. Among the PFA volunteer resources you may find useful: Grade Liaisons to provide you with information regarding activities, events, and volunteer opportunities for your child’s grade level. Neighborhood Liaisons to contact for information about your new neighborhood or a neighborhood that you may be considering. International Liaisons to help you find traditional items that you may be missing from home. They may also speak your mother tongue. Parent Ambassadors to reach out to prospective parents as they consider whether ASP is the right choice for their family. For more information and other details, please visit the Our Community page on the ASP website: www.asparis.org/our-community We look forward to meeting you at the PFA Welcome Coffee on September 3 at 9:00 a.m.! Lisa Young Hallenbeck PFA President 2019-20 [email protected] 9 PFA Welcome Coffee September 3 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Being an ASP parent earns you automatic membership in the PFA! Please join us to meet the 2019–20 PFA team and other parents. We will get to know each other and briefly explore the opportunities for involvement at school. Parent Coffees The PFA, in collaboration with the school divisions, organizes grade-level parent coffees. These gatherings are a chance to meet fellow parents and to discuss topics of interest for each respective grade. School administrators and faculty offer informative presentations with opportunities for questions and discussion. Senior Class Parents Senior year is a memorable time for the soon-to-be graduates and their parents! The Senior Parents Committee helps plan special activities every year to support the efforts of our hard-working senior students and to celebrate this memorable year. They also coordinate graduation announcements, senior photos, monthly treats, senior t-shirts, an award luncheon, and more. Sports Boosters Sports Boosters bring a lot of spirit to ASP as they support the school’s Athletics program through their presence and enthusiasm, by running the food concessions at home games, and through the sales of spirit wear. School Portraits Each fall, parent volunteers coordinate with a professional photographer to take school portraits of all students. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase their students’ photo packets. Lower School September 25 Middle School October 8 and 9 Grades 9-11 October 8 and 9 Grade 12 October 2 Retakes and New Students January 28, 2020 10 ORIENTATION GUIDE 2019-20 PFA Activities Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 19 Halloween fun for the entire family as costumed students tour the ASP parking lot and collect candy and treats from the trunks of participating cars. Winter Fest Saturday, December 7 A year- end holiday event, with arts and crafts, entertainment, and other fun activities geared towards Lower School families. You won’t want to miss it! Spring Festival Saturday, April 25 A fun-filled Lower School family and community event! Activities will include face painting, cookie decorating, a cake walk, crafts, games, popcorn, and more! International Day Saturday, June 6 Our biggest event of the year! This special on- campus international festival is a great opportunity to celebrate our vibrant, diverse family- oriented community. Come and sample delicacies from around the world, participate in amazing games, and enjoy international dance and musical performances. 11 PFA Participation e are a multinational school with International Liaisons* W to help you in your mother tongue or to aid in sourcing traditional items from home you may be missing. Executive Board President [email protected] Vice President [email protected] Treasurer [email protected] Secretary [email protected] Parliamentarian [email protected] Organization Heads International Day [email protected] Sports Boosters PFA Liaison [email protected] School Portraits Coordinator [email protected] Senior Parents Committee [email protected] Technology Support [email protected] Winter Fest [email protected] Welcome Program Heads Living Skills [email protected] *Check the website for the name of your liaison.