SHARKThe American International School of Rotterdam

From the Interim Director and Elementary Principal

It is very hard to believe that there are only 91/2 days left in the 2011-2012 school year. Many events will take place before June 15 and I have highlighted some of them for you.

June 4 One not to be missed! Mother Tongue Talent Show 10:30 - Gym June 5 Elem. Sport's Day June 6 Elementary Music Soiree 3:15 Music Room

June 7 Elem. Sports Rain Day June 9 Graduation Ceremony. 1:00p.m. June 12 MS/HS Sports Day Board Meeting 7:00p.m.

June 13 Spring Sports Award Evening June 15 End of Year Program 9:00 - 11:00

Mr. Brad Gooding, Softball Coach, is very proud of his team. “This past weekend, the AISR varsity and junior varsity softball Sharks traveled to Bonn, Germany for the 2012 NECIS softball tournament. Both Sharks teams played extremely well. The junior varsity team fought their way into the 3rd place game and made tremendous strides between their 1st and last games. Meanwhile, despite not hitting a home-run all weekend, the varsity team played an intelligent and focused game that maximized their potential and ended up capturing second place in the tournament.

It was this unique brand of team play and spirit that garnered a great number of positive comments from other schools and the fans. In fact, both teams were awarded the coveted sportsmanship awards – an award voted on by all the other teams – at the end of the tournament. Ultimately, the softball Sharks represented our school and community to the absolute best of their abilities. They proved to all who witnessed their play how much determination and mental preparation can pay off and we all should be extremely proud of their example”. Hopefully, the teams will also do well this weekend in Dusseldorf. GO SHARKS!

Once again, I would like to leave you with a little weekend reading:

On Social MediaChelsea Clinton is a board member of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on media and technology's effects on children and teens, and wrote the foreword to "Talking Back to Facebook." James P. Steyer is founder and CEO of Common Sense Media and the author of "Talking Back to Facebook."

(CNN) -- Amid the buzz over the Facebook IPO, the ever-evolving theories about how Twitter is reshaping our communications and speculation about where the next social media-enabled protest or revolution will occur, there is an important question we've largely ignored. What are the real effects of all this on the huge segment of the population most affected by social media themselves: our children and our teens?

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Consumer Reports reported last year that more than 7.5 million American kids under the age of 13 have joined Facebook, which technically requires users to be 13 years old to open an account. No one has any idea of what all of this media and technology use will mean for our kids as they grow up.

The explosive growth of social media, smartphones and digital devices is transforming our kids' lives, in school and at home. Research tells us that even the youngest of our children are migrating online, using tablets and smartphones, downloading apps. Consumer Reports reported last year that more than 7.5 million American kids under the age of 13 have joined Facebook, which technically requires users to be 13 years old to open an account. No one has any idea of what all of this media and technology use will mean for our kids as they grow up.

By the time they're 2 years old, more than 90% of all American children have an online history. At 5, more than 50% regularly interact with a computer or tablet device, and by 7 or 8, many kids regularly play video games. Teenagers text an average of 3,400 times a month. The fact is, by middle school, our kids today are spending more time with media than with their parents or teachers, and the challenges are vast: from the millions of young people who regret by high school what they've already posted about themselves online to the widely documented rise in cyberbullying to the hypersexualization of female characters in video games. Thephenomenon of "ratings creep" in the movies that our kids consume. Movies today -- even G-rated ones -- contain significantly more sex and violence, on average, than movies with the same rating 10 or 20 years ago.

James P. SteyerThe impact of heavy media and technology use on kids' social, emotional and cognitive development is only beginning to be studied, and the emergent results are serious. While the research is still in its early stages, it suggests that the Internet may actually be changing how our brains work. Too much hypertext and multimedia content has been linked in some kids to limited attention span, lower comprehension, poor focus, greater risk for depression and diminished long-term memory.

Our new world of digital immersion and multitasking has affected virtually everything from our thought processes and work habits to our capacity for linear thinking and how we feel about ourselves, our friends and even strangers. And it has all happened virtually overnight.

It goes without saying that digital media have also altered our fundamental notions of and respect for privacy. Young people now routinely post and share private, personal information and opinions on social media platforms without fully considering the potential consequences.

The immediacy of social media platforms, coupled with vulnerable youngsters who are socially inexperienced and not fully developed emotionally, can create a combustible mix. Kids often self-reveal before they reflect, and millions of kids say and do things they later regret. The permanence of what anyone posts online and the absence of an "eraser" button mean that the embarrassment and potential damage can last forever.

We urgently need a public conversation in our country among key stakeholders: parents, educators, technology innovators, policymakers and young people themselves. The dialogue must focus on the ways social media and technology enable our kids to give up their privacy before they fully understand what privacy is and why it's important to all of us. We should also discuss how social media can help empower kids to find their voice, find their purpose and potentially create the next technology revolution.

All adults know that the teen years are a critical time for identity exploration and experimentation. Yet this important developmental phase can be dramatically twisted when that identity experimentation, however personal and private, appears permanently on one's digital record for all to see.

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Howard Gardner, a professor and researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education who developed the concept of multiple intelligences, calls kids' use of digital media and technology "epochal change.

In the 1990s, as a reaction to an explosion of television programming of increasingly questionable quality for kids, Congress passed the Children's Television Act. There was universal recognition that given all the time kids were spending in front of the television, the nation had a collective responsibility to offer positive, educational programming with limited commercials. We are at, arguably, an even more important crossroads when it comes to digital media and technology.

Howard Gardner, a professor and researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education who developed the concept of multiple intelligences, calls kids' use of digital media and technology "epochal change." He compares the revolution in digital media to the invention of the printing press because of its extraordinary impact on the way we communicate, share information and interact with one another. As a society, we have no choice but to engage with this new reality and work to ensure that it affects our kids in healthy, responsible ways.

The promise of digital media to transform our lives in positive ways is enormous. If managed well, technology can improve our schools and education, deepen social connectedness, expand civic engagement and even help advance our democracy. But for these positive outcomes to occur, we as a society must confront the challenges endemic in our 24/7 digital world.

We need legislation, educational efforts and norms that reflect 21st-century realities to maximize the opportunities and minimize the risks for our kids. Only then will we be able to give them the safe, healthy childhood and adolescence they deserve”.

Have a lovely weekend.

Anne-Marie Blitza.blitz@aisr.nl

Secondary Principal’s Message

This week I just wish to pass on some dates and details of the remaining few weeks for the benefit of parents an students;

Secondary School End-of-Year Schedule 2012-2013

Tuesday - Friday May 29 – June 1 Regular Classes ** no IB Seniors, NECIS T/F in Dusseldorf on June 1 and 2

Monday – Wednesday June 4-6 Non-IB Senior exams

Wednesday -Monday June 6 -11 Final HS/8th Exams

Thursday - Friday June 7-8 Graduation Rehearsal from 11:15 to 12:15

Saturday June 9 Seniors Graduation

Tuesday June 12 Sports Day

Wednesday June 13Regular Classes - All classes meet to go over exams/return books/complete check-

out forms. Extra English class Grade 11 (Mrs. Rizor) – during 4th block

Thursday June 14Regular Classes – EXCEPT block 6 - All classes meet to go over exams/return

books/complete check-out forms. Block 6 will be moved to the end of the day for yearbook distribution/signing in the gym.

Friday June 15 End of Year and Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony 9:00School dismissed 11:30

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 14 CLASSESSCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 14 CLASSESSCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 14 CLASSESSCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 14 CLASSES

Middle School High School

8:15-9:10 Block 5a and locker clean out supervised and signed off by classroom teachers

8:15-9:45 Block 5

9:15-10:10 Block 5b 9:45-10:15 Break

10:15-11:15 Block 7 10:15-11:15 Block 7

11:15-11:50 Lunch 11:15-11:50 Lunch

11:50-1:20 Block 8 11:50-1:20 Block 8 and locker clean out supervised and signed off by classroom teachers

1:20-3:00 All students report to gym with completed form (Ms. Welch will be at the door for final signature)

Yearbook distribution/signing

1:20-3:00 All students report to gym with completed form (Ms. Welch will be at the door for final signature)

Yearbook distribution/signing

Please contact me directly with any secondary matters that might concern you.

Regards,Marga Akerboom

IB Coordinator and interim MS/HS Principalm.akerboom@aisr.nl

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From the School Counselor...

Summer is here. Be Smart. Be Safe.

The summer is here and all the kids are looking forward to a break from school, a vacation or plenty of other activities warm weather and free time have to offer. The months of late May and early June are a key time to hold discussions on summer safety. An article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide some great reminders and tips to help Keep Kids Safe and Healthy in the Summer and to promote emotional, mental, and behavioral well-being. The article has been reprinted below, however if you would like to access the full article and it’s hyperlinks that link to further tip-sheets, please visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/KidsSafety/.

Water, bugs, and the sun, are a few of the things kids experience more of in the summertime. For parents and others, extra vigilance is required to prevent injury and keep kids safe and healthy. Here are a few tips to help parents practice prevention, for their children's health.

Raise AwarenessKeep kids' safe – home alone. Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time. Whether you are just running to the store for a few minutes or are working moms and dads, parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle situations safely. Children face real risks when left unsupervised. Those risks, as well as a child's ability to deal with challenges, must be considered.Prevent cyberbullying. Youth can use electronic media to embarrass, harass or threaten their peers through email, a chat room, instant messaging, a website (through blogs), or text messaging. Increasing numbers of teens and pre-teens are becoming victims of this new form of violence. Like traditional forms of youth violence, electronic aggression is associated with emotional distress and conduct problems at school. Learn strategies for protecting children from this type of violence.Keep your kids tobacco free. Despite the impact of movies, music, and TV, parents can be the GREATEST INFLUENCE in their kids' lives. Talk directly to your child about the risks of tobacco use; if friends or relatives died from tobacco-related illnesses, let your kids know. If you use tobacco, you can still make a difference. Your best move, of course, is to try to quit. Meanwhile, don't use tobacco in your children's presence, don't offer it to them, and don't leave it where they can easily get it.Talk early and often about alcohol and drugs. Start having conversations about your values and expectations while your child is young. Your child will get used to sharing information and opinions with you. Knowing the facts will help your child make healthy choices.Prevent teen dating violence Did you know that in the past 12 months, one in 10 teens report being hit or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least once? And nearly half of all teens in relationships say they know friends who have been verbally abused. Dating violence can have a negative effect on health throughout life. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to do poorly in school, and report binge drinking, suicide attempts, physical fighting and current sexual activity. Before violence starts, a teen may experience controlling behavior and demands. That's why adults need to talk to teens now about the importance of developing healthy, respectful relationships.Know asthma triggers [PDF - 2.15 MB]An asthma attack is when you have trouble catching your breath. Many different asthma "triggers" can cause this to happen. Knowing some common triggers such as tobacco smoke, dirty air outside, bad weather, and hard exercise that makes you breathe fast can prevent asthma attacks. Speak with your health care provider about making a plan that can help control your child's asthma.

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From the School Counselor...

Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children.

Develop a family disaster plan. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.

Prevent Injury

Water safety. When most of us are enjoying time at the pool or beach, injuries aren't the first thing on our minds. Yet, drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. Parents can play a key role in protecting children from drowning.Boat safely. Recreational boating can be a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Making boating safety a priority can ensure that it stays fun. By wearing a life jacket, you can dramatically decrease your chances of drowning while boating.Child Passenger Safety: Make sure the ones you love are safe and secure—all the time, on every trip. In 2008, about 4 children ages 14 or younger were killed in motor vehicle crashes every day, and many more were injured. But parents and caregivers can make a lifesaving difference. Whenever you're on the road, make sure your child passengers are buckled into appropriate safety seats. The safest place for children of any age to ride is properly restrained in the back seat. Children ages 12 and younger should always be buckled up and seated in the rear seat of vehicles. Infants in rear-facing car seats should never ride in the front seat of vehicles with airbags. Learn all you can do to keep your most precious cargo safe and locate a car inspection station in your area.Play it Safe. Prevent concussions. There are things you can do to help lower the risks for concussion and other injuries. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. Learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.Prevent falls. Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for all children ages 0 to 19. Every day, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. This adds up to almost 2.8 million children each year. Many falls can be prevented, and parents and caregivers can play a key role in protecting children.Prevent burns. Every day, 435 children ages 0 to 19 are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries and two children die as a result of being burned. Younger children are more likely to sustain injuries from scald burns that are caused by hot liquids or steam, while older children are more likely to sustain injuries from flame burns that are caused by direct contact with fire.Thankfully, there are ways you can help protect children from burns.Keep teen drivers safe.Discuss your rules of the road with your teen. Talk about why they are important to follow, as well as consequences for breaking the rules. Work with your teen to draft and sign a parent-teen driving agreement. You may choose to hang yours on the refrigerator door to highlight the importance of safe driving. Let your teen know that following the rules and driving safely will result in greater driving privileges.Prevent childhood lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. The key is stopping your child from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Learn ways to reduce children's exposure to lead poisoning.

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From the School Counselor...

Promote Health

Prevent too much sun. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors.Have a healthy home. Stay smart around the house. Get smart tips on fire prevention, microwave use, and living with pets. Parents can also take many actions to protect their children's health and safety. At a very young age, children develop the habits and behaviors that will influence their lifelong health.Keep cool in the heat. Take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather. People who are at highest risk are the elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases. But even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.Be active. Youth gain physical and mental health benefits when they participate in regular physical activity. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age also help lay the basis for being physically active throughout life.Eat healthy foods. You can help children learn to be aware of what they eat by developing healthy eating habits, looking for ways to make favorite dishes healthier, and reducing calorie-rich temptations. To help your child maintain a healthy weight, balance the calories your child consumes from foods and beverages with the calories your child uses through physical activity and normal growth.Get immunizations. Vaccines aren't just for babies. As kids get older, the protection provided by some of the vaccines given during childhood can begin to wear off. Older kids can also develop risks for certain infections as they enter the preteen and teen years. The preteen and teen vaccines not only help protect them, but also their friends, community and family members. Also, make sure that children's vaccinations are up to date. When traveling with children, outside of the country and for recommendations for specific countries, don't forget to check the destinations page for the region you are traveling to.

Have a lovely weekend.

Sharice Welch s.welch@aisr.nl