Information New School Year

Dear Parents:

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome our new and returning students and parents to the 2009-2010 school
year. I truly hope your summer has been relaxing and enjoyable. We all are looking forward to meet each and every one
of you on Monday August 3rd.

Every school year brings new projects and initiatives. This year we will be fully implementing the ANS reading
initiative. This initiative is anchored on a “Balanced Literacy” approach to reading. “Balanced Literacy” is a theory
based on the idea that there are many different learning styles for children who are learning to read
therefore a variety of methods and strategies will be applied to teach a greater range of students more
effectively. Parents will have an opportunity to learn more about this initiative and other projects during open house
and through information sent home via the “Weekly Bulletin”, e-mail or through our webpage.

Below you will find some important beginning of the year information that I would like to share with you:

Calendar:
Make sure you review our school calendar posted on the ANS webpage. There are a number of early dismissal days and
holidays as well as other important dates such as open house and report card days. The calendar can be access in the
following link:
http://ans.edu.ni/Calendar/2009-2010_ENG.pdf

Class Lists and Teacher Assignment:
All elementary class lists will be posted on bulletin boards next to the school’s main entrance and next to the gate
nearest the elementary office. Class lists will also be posted outside each classroom. Teachers have spent a great deal of
time creating balanced class groupings taking into consideration factors such as academic ability, social skills, behavior,
gender balance, and class size. Please understand that with more than 300 families in the Elementary School, parent
preferences for class groupings and/or teacher cannot be taken into consideration.

First Day of Class:
On Monday morning when your child arrives to school there will be chaperones located by each one of the gates and in
the hallways to show students where their classroom is located. Parents are welcome to accompany their child to the
classroom on this first day of school. Orientation for parents new to our school will be on July 28. Please visit the
elementary school webpage for the time and location. On the first day of classes new student orientation will also be
held. A schedule for this orientation has been developed by the elementary counselors.

School Supplies:
A list of school supplies is available in the elementary office and a copy has also been posted on the elementary school
website. You can access the list directly from this link http://elementary.ans.edu.ni/supply-lists-2009-2010. All these
items can be purchased at local bookstores. The ANS homework agenda, folders, and double lined notebooks are
available and may be purchased at the cashier's office.

Elementary Snack & Lunch Times
Only 4th & 5th grade students are allowed to purchase items in the Food Court during break and lunch times; Kinder to
Gr. 3 students can only purchase items from the Elementary Food Stand “The Hungry Tiger” which offers a number of
food & drink items such as sandwiches, yogurt, milk, juice, fruits, etc. Please note that the “The Hungry Tiger” will sell
Pizza only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and that students may also bring a home lunch rather than purchase food items
at school.

New Teachers and staff
Our new teachers are already working to get acquainted with the school. We are very happy to have teachers and
assistants who bring their expertise, experience, enthusiasm and abilities to the positions they have been assigned.
Please join me in welcoming:

•Grade 1st: Melissa Weinhaus. Mrs. Weinhaus is a certified teacher from the states of California and Virginia.
She has taught different elementary grade levels in The United States since 1999. Her last teaching job was with
Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. Mrs. Weinhaus obtained her Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State
University with a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

• Grade 2nd: Vivian Caldera. Ms. Caldera is a certified K-12 grade teacher in the state of Virginia. She graduated
from Mary Mount University with a degree in Psychology and learning disabilities. She completed her student
teaching in various schools in Virginia including Carlin Springs and Taylor Elementary schools.

• Grade 3rd: Susan Rodinsky. Mrs. Rodinsky comes to ANS from the American School in El Salvador where she
taught for the past 4 years. Ms. Rodinsky is a certified teacher in the state of Oregon. She holds a Master’s
degree in teaching from Southern Oregon University. Ms. Rodinsky has been in Central America since 2003 and
has also taught in Oregon and Taiwan.

• Grade 4th: John McElhinney. Mr. McElhinney comes to ANS from The International School in Trieste, Italy
where he taught for the past 5 years. He is certified in the state of New Jersey and holds a Master’s degree in
Teaching from Monmouth University in New Jersey. Mr. McElhinney has also taught in Mexico, Korea, and
Sweden.

• Grade 5th: Brianne Sheets. Ms. Sheets Worked as a student teacher last semester at ANS in 5th grade. She is
certified in the state of Arizona where she also obtained her Master’s degree in Education. Ms. Sheets has
taught in schools in Arizona, Washington and El Salvador.

• Counselor 3rd to 5th grade: Michelle Richardson. Mrs. Richardson has been associated with ANS in the past as a
secondary counselor and returns this year to work with elementary students. Mrs. Richardson Holds a Master’s
of Education degree from Framingham State College.

• Current ANS Teachers with new assignments this year:
    o Mrs. Maria Haydee Sanchez in K4
    o Mr. Jason Kittles in 1st Grade
    o Mrs. Liza Teran in 4th Grade

I realize that teaching your child is a privilege, as well as a great responsibility. Everyone in the elementary
school will do our best to ensure that each student has a motivating and safe learning experience in the classroom.
However, we cannot do this alone: we need your help. Parents and school need to be partners in the learning process. I
urge you to continue encouraging your child at home by ensuring that they have completed their assignments, and help
them study and be ready for school every day. Teachers will keep you informed of assignments and subjects that are
covered in class in each grade’s webpage. Finally, please feel free to contact the elementary office should you have
questions or concerns regarding the academic year.
Best wishes for a great 2009-20109 school year.

Sincerely,

Fredy Ramirez, ANS Elementary Principal
Comments