Dear Lower Elementary School Parents,
What a vibrant and engaging week we have had celebrating ASD's International Week, commemorating 35 years of our incredible community! The spirit of togetherness and cultural celebration filled every corner of our school, leaving an unforgettable mark on our students, teachers, staff, and parents.
The Flag Parade was a spectacular display of unity and diversity. Witnessing our students, brimming with pride, as they carried flags from over 90 countries was a moment that truly encapsulated the essence and rich tapestry of cultures that make up our ASD family.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the AMA for their generosity in providing lunch for all students and teachers on the opening and closing days of this week. Their dedication to "Green Today, Sustainable Tomorrow" resonated deeply as they aligned their tent's concept with Qatar Expo 2023, fostering a love for nature and sustainability in our students through hands-on activities like planting seeds and nurturing small plants.
Throughout the week, country booths sparkled with vibrancy, inviting exploration and celebrating the diverse artifacts and cultures from around the world. The transformation of the ES pavilion was made possible by the incredible dedication and creativity of our parent community. Their commitment to making each booth a representation of cultural richness was evident in every detail — from the colorful decorations to the authentic artifacts and interactive elements.
The PTA-hosted International Buffet was a culinary delight, showcasing the incredible cuisine from the many families in our community while ensuring a focus on allergies and food sensitivities, ensuring everyone could savor the flavors of diversity. This remarkable event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts and generosity of our parent volunteers, who dedicated their time and skills to prepare and share their traditional dishes. We're immensely grateful for the PTA's coordination of this celebration, providing an opportunity for our students to discover new flavors while also relishing the comfort of their own cultural cuisine.
The Elementary closing ceremony was a culmination of our International Week, featuring performances from our ASD choir and Elementary School Dabke performers. It was a testament to the talent and unity that flourishes within our community.
This week was a true celebration of the fabric and tapestry of our community, highlighting the beauty of our diversity and the strength of our unity. We look forward to many more years of fostering cultural appreciation and togetherness at ASD.
Parents, relatives, and household help are required to show identification to pick up students during the school day and during dismissal. A DragonCard will be required for caregivers to pick students up on a frequent or everyday basis. This is enforced to make sure students leave school only with those permitted to care for them. In addition, ASD has implemented a mandatory wearing of an ID card to serve as a primary form of identification for all individuals entering the school campus. ASD ID cards are required of all faculty/staff, parents as well as families' household help, regular contractors, visitors and organizations that enter and/or use our facilities. In addition, students are required to use their DragonsCards to enter and exit our campus and to purchase lunch.
If parents desire to permit additional authorized adults to pick up their children at dismissal, this must be communicated to the Security Office security@asd.edu.qa and ES Office via email or phone call prior, preferably 24 hours. We understand that emergencies occur, however, providing us with ample notice is preferred. DragonCards may be created by applying directly to ASD Reception reception@asd.edu.qa, and then a confirmation email will be sent thereafter.
On another note, as we approach the winter break, we wish all of our ASD families a safe and rejuvenating break surrounded by family and friends. We eagerly anticipate welcoming everyone back, recharged, and ready to continue our academic year. Stay safe, and enjoy this special time together!
Upcoming Important Dates:
Monday, December 11 - Tuesday, December 12: Holiday Market (ES Courtyard Area)
Thursday, December 14 - ES Pajama Day
ES Track & Field and Cricket start this week!
Booster Club Holiday Market and Store Sale, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, ES courtyard and in front of Booster Store in HS, parents are welcome anytime
PACT TUESDAY - dismissal at 12:30 pm
The MS/HS Cafeteria (including Jazz Cafe and Coffee Beanery) will be CLOSED from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for a private ASD event. The Elementary School Cafeteria will be open and selling food.
Booster Club Holiday Market and Store Sale, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, ES courtyard and in front of Booster Store in HS, parents are welcome anytime
Booster Club Holiday Market and Store Sale, 8:00 am - 1:30 pm, ES courtyard and in front of Booster Store in HS, parents are welcome anytime
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - classes resume on Sunday, January 7
Empty Bowls 2024 (by MS Art): Chamunda School in Nepal Food Program Fundraiser - Friday, January 12, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, MS/HS Cafeteria, click here for the poster
Empty Bowls is back! For a donation of QAR 100, on Friday, January 12th, you can join us for an evening of home made soups, entertainment and the chance to purchase your choice of extra handmade ceramic bowls in the MS/HS ASD Cafeteria. All proceeds go towards funding a hot lunch program at ASD's partner school in Nepal, the Chamunda School. We hope to see you there.