LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, CO-CURRICULARS, FIELD TRIPS, WEEK WITHOUT WALLS, TRAVEL GUIDELINES

After School Activities & Co Curricular Activities 

Each quarter a variety of After School Activities will be on offer for Middle School students. After School Activities are an opportunity for students to explore various interests, and to connect with other students that they may not otherwise see during the school day. All ASAs take place from 3:40 to 4:30 (5:30 for MS Golf). Instructions will be shared about how to sign up for After School Activities each quarter from the MS Office. Students will also be reminded of the various offerings in advisory so they are able to select which options are best for them. It is the responsibility of the family to arrange transportation at 4:30 for days their child is participating in an ASA. Please note that students who are absent and do not attend the school day will not be permitted to participate in ASAs, Co-Curricular Activities, which also includes traveling for school trips. 

Information Regarding Co-Curriculars can be found in AIS-R's Co-curricular eHandbook [AD]

National Junior Honors Society 

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a prestigious organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence, leadership, service, character, and citizenship amongst middle school students. Membership in NJHS is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a student, and it reflects a commitment to the values and goals of the society. The application procedures can be found HERE.

Core Pillars of NJHS

1. Scholarship: Maintaining academic excellence and a commitment to learning.

2. Leadership: Demonstrating resourcefulness, initiative, and a positive influence on peers.

3. Service: Volunteering time and talents to benefit the school and community.

4. Character: Upholding high moral and ethical standards.

5. Citizenship: Showing a strong commitment to civic involvement and responsibilities.

Activities and Opportunities

Members of NJHS participate in a variety of activities that enhance their school and community. These may include:

• Service Projects: Organizing and participating in community service projects that make a positive impact.

• Leadership Training: Attending workshops and conferences to develop leadership skills.

• Tutoring Programs: Providing academic assistance to peers in need of support.

• School Events: Helping to organize and lead school events and initiatives.

Week Without Walls 

The Week Without Walls program at AIS-R is designed to extend learning beyond the traditional classroom setting, providing middle school students with enriching, real-world experiences. This innovative initiative aims to foster personal growth, enhance social skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Key Objectives:

1. Experiential Learning: Students engage in hands-on activities that promote active learning and practical application of knowledge.

2. Community Engagement: The program encourages students to connect with their local and global communities through service projects and cultural exchanges.

3. Personal Development: Students develop independence, resilience, and leadership skills by stepping out of their comfort zones and facing new challenges.

4. Team Building: Collaborative activities strengthen teamwork and communication skills, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among students.

5. Cultural Awareness: Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of global diversity.

Activities and Programs:

During Week Without Walls, students participate in a variety of activities such as:

• Service Learning Projects: Collaborating with local organizations to address community needs.

• Outdoor Adventures: Engaging in environmental education and outdoor challenges that promote physical fitness and environmental stewardship.

• Cultural Immersions: Visiting cultural sites and interacting with different communities to gain insights into various ways of life.

• Workshops and Seminars: Attending workshops led by experts in various fields, providing insights into different careers and hobbies.

Benefits for Students:

• Enhanced Learning Experience: By linking academic concepts to real-world experiences, students gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of their studies.

• Character Building: The program helps students develop critical life skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy.

• Increased Motivation: Experiential learning ignites curiosity and enthusiasm, motivating students to engage more actively in their education.

• Stronger School Community: Shared experiences and challenges create lasting bonds among students, teachers, and the wider school community.

Every student is expected to travel with the AIS-R group and AIS-R teacher supervisors. At times, a student may need to join the group at a later date/time and travel separately from the group. This is only permitted when the child is supervised by a parent. AIS-R must approve this travel and a parent signature is required. The school will not be held responsible for any travel delays and/or issues/concerns when a student travels separately from the group as requested and approved by the parent. 

Our Week Without Walls experiences enhance our curricular program with exploratory, contextualized situations that may include world travel and action and service. It is the expectation that all students demonstrate all attributes of our Core Values and therefore, should a student be placed conditionally or have a behavior contract their participation in Week Without Walls is at the discretion of the Middle School Administration in consultation with the Superintendent. Such students may not be offered a “seat” on a WWW trip.

We encourage all students to travel for WWW as we recognize these experiences are great learning opportunities. If a family is unable to travel, local options and day trips will be provided during the week and regular classes or on campus will not be available as all teachers will be attending local day trips or traveling. Any travel (domestic or international) and most field trips will incur a fee for the outside services and/or travel costs.

Travel Privileges 

At AIS-R we are privileged to be able to offer various travel opportunities for our students including but not limited to athletics, the arts, and other co-curricular events, such as MUN, and Week Without Walls. All students are expected to follow the behavior expectations outlined in the handbook while traveling and representing AIS-R off campus. Students who have received several “rarely evident” for being a positive changemaker on their progress reports and report cards, or who have been suspended for inappropriate behavior, placed on a Behavior Improvement Plan or Conditional Enrollment may not be permitted to travel at the discretion of the MS Administration. In these instances, students and families will be notified to discuss the specific concerns.