September Issue

The opening weeks of school are always a fun and exciting time at ASD. Hallways are filled with energy as students reconnect with friends, dive into new classes, and begin setting their goals for the year. For the Counseling Team, this season is especially important. The start of the year allows us to establish strong relationships with students and families, set intentions for the months ahead, and ensure that every Dragon feels both supported and challenged. It is in these early weeks that we lay the foundation for the growth, discovery, and success that will follow.

We are hopeful that this year will be the best one yet, and we look forward to partnering and collaborating with you in the months ahead.

In this issue, we share highlights from our first Counselor Coffee, provide an overview of this month’s University Programming (including University Night, the Senior Counselor Course, and transcript request procedures), celebrate our newest Dragons at a community breakfast, and share important details about the upcoming PSAT.

Counselor Coffee Recap (September 8)

Thank you to those who joined us for our first Counselor Coffee of the year. This session was designed to introduce our new team member, Ms. Jaime LaDawn Roya, and to share our team’s guiding framework—our Why, How, and What—modeled on Simon Sinek’s Start With Why. Beginning the year with this approach helped us clarify our purpose and intentions as a counseling team, setting the stage for meaningful collaboration with our community.

Another goal of the event was to hear directly from you about the programs you’d like to see offered this year. If you were unable to attend, we invite you to review the resources and share your input below:

• View the Counselor Coffee Slide Deck
  
  

• Submit Programmatic Suggestions

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University Programming

• University Night (September 15)

• We had an outstanding afternoon and evening of university programming. The event began with a university fair featuring over a dozen institutions from the U.S., Canada, and Qatar. Families then joined a panel discussion with admissions representatives, who shared insights on timely topics including AI, personal essays, financial aid, and differing admissions practices.

• We concluded the evening with small-group sessions led by each counselor, during which we reviewed last year’s admissions trends and set intentions for the current application season. While attendance was affected by road closures and detours related to the Arab Summit, we sincerely appreciate those who made the effort to join us.

Senior Counselor Course

Our Senior Counselor Course is now underway. Last week, we introduced the Statement of Understanding—a required form that must be signed by a parent before any school documents are transmitted to universities. Please review the attached form carefully and direct any questions to your child’s counselor.

Transcript Requests & Deadlines

As we move further into application season, please note that this is a student-owned process. Only students can access the transcript request form, and it is available exclusively through their ASD email address.

We ask that you stay in close communication with your child to ensure deadlines are confirmed and clearly communicated. Counselors will submit transcripts only to the universities listed on the request form, according to the deadlines indicated there.

Please note: transcript requests must be submitted at least 10 school days before the university deadline. While student applications do not need to be fully complete at that time, counselors must know of the student’s intention to apply at least 10 school days prior.

By signing the ASD University Application Agreement Form, both students and parents acknowledge and agree to these expectations and responsibilities. This ensures clarity, accountability, and smooth processing of all university applications.

Community Connections

This week, we invited our newest Dragons and their Dragon Ambassadors to a welcome breakfast fueled by karak and chapati. Some students stayed to chat and connect, while others grabbed a quick bite on the way to teacher meetings or club activities. It was a joyful way to strengthen bonds and celebrate the warmth of our community.

Looking Ahead: PSAT

The PSAT will be administered on October 14 @ 8:00 am for students in Grades 9–11. Last week, students completed a digital readiness exercise to ensure they are prepared for the online testing platform.

• All Grade 9 students (as well as new-to-ASD students) should already have the Bluebook application installed on their laptops.
  
  

• Grade 10 and 11 students may need to update their Bluebook application. If this applies to your child, please have them watch this short instructional video.
  
  

• All students should have active College Board accounts, which we helped set up during advisory.
  
  

The PSAT is not only a practice assessment for the SAT but also a valuable opportunity for students to build comfort with digital testing which is commonplace for both undergraduate and graduate level programs globally.

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test that serves as excellent practice for the SAT college entrance exam. It measures skills in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math, providing valuable insights into your student's academic readiness for college-level coursework. Students take the test digitally using the Bluebook testing application.

Key Benefits for Your Student:

• SAT Practice: The PSAT closely mirrors the SAT format, giving students valuable experience with the test structure and timing

• Personalized Score Report: Students receive detailed feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement

• College Readiness Indicators: The results help identify which skills need strengthening before taking the SAT

• National Merit Scholarship Opportunity: Junior year PSAT scores serve as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program (available to U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents 

• Free SAT Practice: Students receive access to personalized Khan Academy SAT practice based on their PSAT performance

What Students Should Bring:

• No. 2 pencils (for scratch paper)

• Approved calculator for the Math sections (though a calculator is built into the digital test)

• Student ID 

• Testing device (if using personal device, must be fully charged and have Bluebook app installed)

• Water and a small snack for the break (optional)

Test Format:

The PSAT consists of two main sections completed in approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes, plus a 10-minute break:

• Reading and Writing Test (64 minutes total: two 32-minute modules)

• Math Test (70 minutes total: two 35-minute modules)

Each section is divided into two modules, and students have a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.

Score Reports:

PSAT scores will be available approximately 6-8 weeks after the test date through the College Board website. Students will receive their login information to access detailed score reports, which include:

• Overall scores and section scores

• Percentile rankings comparing performance to other test-takers

• Areas of strength and opportunities for growth

• Connections to free practice resources

Preparation Recommendations:

While the PSAT is designed to reflect what students have learned in school, some preparation can be helpful:

• Review basic math concepts and formulas

• Practice reading comprehension with complex texts

• Take the free practice test available on Khan Academy and within the Bluebook application itself.

• Ensure adequate rest the night before the test

the PSAT is a valuable opportunity for students to gauge their college readiness and gain familiarity with standardized testing. Thank you for supporting your student's academic journey.

Best regards,

Save the Date

Please mark your calendars for a Joint MS/HS Parent Coffee on Tuesday, March 10th, from 8:00–9:30 AM in the MSPR. The book we will discuss is  “The Science of Motivating Young People.”

The book is available for checkout in the MS/HS Library, and families are also welcome to purchase their own copy in paper or e-reader format. This promises to be an inspiring and practical session for parents across our community.