Dear parents, families, and friends,
As I think about the year ahead, I am energized and deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of your children. We will accomplish this by setting high academic expectations for all children and providing supportive systems to assure they are met. By setting high standards for teacher performance, increased academic expectations for all students and engaging the community, we are building students that are university-ready upon graduation. At The American School, our goal is to educate students to become healthy and altruistic global citizens who understand the importance of academics and the arts. In our Elementary School, we are privileged to teach a diverse group of students from more than a dozen countries, the majority of whom are multi-lingual. At TAS we see this diversity of nationalities and languages as an opportunity for all to learn about new cultures and enjoy a variety of new experiences with our friends from around the world.
Through play, center activities, and direct instruction, children in our Early Childhood Program learn a variety of cognitive, social, and emotional skills. There is an emphasis on providing a secure and nurturing environment. Within the classroom structure, children are encouraged to develop at their own pace. Individual learning experiences are provided so that each child is supported and challenged. Teachers and teaching assistants support children through structured play experiences and offer open-ended learning opportunities for child-initiated projects. There is a strong emphasis on social and emotional development through which children develop skills in independence, problem solving, and confidence.
Because of our large population of multi-language learners at TAS, our Elementary School puts a strong emphasis on English literacy instruction. Utilizing the UbD format and the Readers’ Workshop model, teachers are able to differentiate classroom instruction to meet the needs of the variety of leaners we have here at TAS. Our Elementary Library is full of books that would interest any reader, new or experienced, and each classroom has a library of popular leveled-readers for their grade to help encourage a love of reading.
The TAS Elementary School also strives to have students that are math literate! Our math program utilizes Everyday Mathematics as a base for instruction. This reputable and rigorous program is very challenging, yet rewarding as it helps to build a deep understanding of mathematical concepts.
Our globally focused AERO Social Studies standards and Next Generation Science standards provide our Elementary teachers with a solid foundation for creating interactive, project-based UbD units to enrich the students’ experience at TAS. Through these subjects, students will learn how to become responsible stewards of our earth and respectful participants in our global community, with a rich understanding of the importance of our past as a guide towards a better future.
Daily English as a Second Language Classes, Vietnamese Studies, and Vietnamese as a Second Language classes are provided as needed for students as a means to improve upon their language skills and Vietnamese cultural development. All Elementary students also attend twice-weekly Music, Art, Physical Education (PE) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) classes in order to help provide well-rounded educational opportunities for all of our students. Academics at the TAS Elementary School are the stepping stones for raising up smart, healthy, artistic, and altruistic learners.
Education is a shared responsibility. It is important for us to keep open lines of communication between home and school. We must work as a team to guide your children toward success. This is accomplished by communicating with your child’s teacher, attending school functions and assisting your child in understanding the importance of education and cooperation. Parents are always welcome at TAS and are encouraged to become involved. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) offers many opportunities to start getting involved.
We hope your visit to our website will give you a quick snapshot of life at our school. Please explore our links to find out more about curriculum, programs, and daily events at The American School.
If you would like to contact me to learn more about the programs at TAS, my e-mail address is Aubrey.Fowler@tasvietnam.edu.vn.
Aubrey Fowler
Vice Principal of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Elementary