October,24 2025

Fall Learning Conferences -- By now, you should have received an email to sign up for Learning Conferences, which will be open from now until Tuesday, October 28 (5:00 P.M.) Please make sure to sign up for a conference with your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher(s). If you haven't received an email, contact the tech department at: helpdesk@asmadrid.es

For K3–G5, our Fall Learning Conferences bring together students, parents/caregivers, and teachers. These conversations are designed to build strong partnerships among everyone supporting the student’s learning. Together, we celebrate achievements, identify challenges, and explore next steps.

During the conference, students reflect on and share their strengths, goals, and hopes. Parents contribute their perspectives on their child’s learning, and teachers share insights from the classroom. Together, the student, parents, and teacher collaboratively set goals for the year.

For K1-K2, our Fall Learning Conferences will be between parents and teachers only. These conversations give parents a chance to share their hopes and goals for their child, as well as their child’s strengths. Teachers will share what they have observed so far. Together, parents/caregivers and teachers will set goals and plan next steps for the year.

Specialist and Spanish teachers will offer 15-minute conferences. This is an opportunity to connect with and get to know another of your child’s teachers. (Having this meeting is not because something is wrong!) Parents will receive an invitation to sign up for a conference with a particular Specialist.

These Learning Conferences will be held virtually on October 30 and 31. There will be no school on these days.

Parent Ed Sessions — Survey Results Are In!
Thank you to everyone who shared your input in our recent Parent Learning Series survey! The top areas of interest include supporting children’s social-emotional growth, Positive Discipline, reading/writing, digital wellbeing, and math games and concepts.

We’re excited to begin hosting sessions throughout this school year and next—some led by our Lower School team, and others featuring guest voices from our parent and wider community. Currently we are offering a Positive Discipline session with our counselor, Oceane Langreney, and up next, a Smartick math session led by one of our parents, Daniel González de Vega (see below). 

You're invited to Smartick Parent Session - Daniel González de Vega, an ASM parent, and the founder of Smartick, will be leading a parent education session about Smartick on the Middle School steps on November 7th, from 9:00am -10:00am. Daniel will be sharing about the program and how it benefits students, fostering their learning. We welcome all interested families from grades 1-5 to attend.

Media Wellbeing & Awareness - We’ve recently become aware of the hidden messages in an online trend called Italian Brainrot, which has become popular among children for its catchy, nonsensical songs and memes. While it may seem harmless, the content actually includes intentionally created xenophobic and racist messages, hidden in playful rhymes and short, appealing videos.

It’s complicated and symptomatic of the digital world children now inhabit. Here is a useful article here for parents and carers, to help us navigate this challenge: https://www.safeonsocial.com/post/italian-brainrot-what-parents-really-need-to-know

Supporting Positive Behavior - This year in the Lower School, we have worked to revise our behavior guidelines. In partnership with our Mutual Respect and Anti-Bullying Agreement, our goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our approach is grounded in our belief that children learn best in a community built on trust, respect, and connection:

• We prioritize building strong relationships, teaching social-emotional skills, and empowering responsible choices.

• Discipline is not about punishment—it’s an opportunity for growth and learning.

• Every child is unique, and may require different levels of support.

• Instances of misbehavior are addressed promptly, calmly, and with respect for the dignity of each child involved.

• We use immediate interventions and logical consequences that focus on teaching social skills and repairing relationships.

• We believe in partnering with parents through open communication and collaborative problem-solving conversations to ensure consistency and support between home and school.

General Approach to Logical Consequences

• Related: The consequence should be directly connected to the behavior.

• Respectful: Address the behavior in a way that maintains each child’s dignity.

• Reasonable: The consequence should be proportionate to the behavior.

• Revealed in Advance: Whenever possible, we help children understand the connection between actions and outcomes.

• Focus on Repair and Reflection: Support the child to make amends and rejoin the group positively.

• Calm, Kind, and Firm: Consequences are for learning, not punishment.

• Parent Communication: Teachers communicate with parents as appropriate to ensure shared understanding and partnership.

What's Coming Up?

Check out our October Lower School Events Calendar.