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Welcome New Families!

We are delighted to welcome you and your family to the vibrant international community that is the American School of Paris!

We know that these past few weeks have been a busy time for many of our new families. Whether you moved across an ocean or are transitioning from another school system, our goal is to support you and your children as you join the ASP community. We have prepared this special edition of the Community Corner to share helpful information, including:

• Resources for your family's first days at ASP,
• Details about Orientation and the Living Skills Seminars on January 18,
• An introduction to ASP parent email accounts and our online Parent Portal,
• A helpful list of upcoming events and programs, and
• An invitation to the spectacular Homecoming and Community Celebration in June.

 With best wishes for a happy new year,

The ASP Advancement Office

Starting School and the Orientation ASPect

Whether you are joining the ASP community on Monday, January 8, or later in the term, we are delighted to have you with us! On your child's first day, please arrive on campus via the Garches gate (get directions).

Don't Miss it! Orientation & Living Skills on January 18

Plan to spend the day at ASP on Thursday, January 18, as we welcome new families with an orientation program, followed by a convivial lunch and afternoon of Living Skills Seminars organized by our PFA. The warm welcome you'll receive is the perfect start to your ASP adventure!

We'll gather for a casual breakfast at 8:40 am, after which you'll be treated to an overview of ASP, including our online services, parent resources, student programs, and more. Then, our wonderful PFA volunteers have planned a series of Living Skills Seminars where presenters will share insights and valuable information to help you settle into life in Paris. Topics include: dining out and food in France, health care, safety and security, and transportation. This useful and fun program wraps up just in time for the end-of-school bell at 3:30 pm. You'll leave with both valuable information and new friends! Please register by Friday, January 12.

Other Important Dates for 2018

Parent Workshops with Rosalind Wiseman​

As part of our ongoing outreach to support the home-school partnership, ASP will be hosting Rosalind Wiseman, author, educator, and thought leader, on campus to work with students and speak with parents. We hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to work with a leading expert. Mark your calendar now for:

Monday, January 22 at 7:00 pm: Behind the Screen: Understanding the power of social media in young peoples' lives
A presentation and discussion for adults and students regarding social media 

Wednesday, January 24 at 2:00 pm: Strengthening A Community of Dignity at ASP
A presentation and parent workshop focused on building communication between parents, educators, and students

Other Programs in January

Mark's Coffee and Conversation: Thursday, January 11, 9:00-10:30 am

Ghosn Family Room / room 6.409

Please join us for the monthly meeting with Head of School Mark Ulfers, a lively discussion of your suggested top-of-mind events and issues affecting the ASP community.

Art Exhibit Vernissage: Horses of Camargue: Thursday, January 11, 4:00-6:00 pm

Upper School, Coulson Family Commons

Elizabeth Linder, photographer and former ASP parent, will be exhibiting her images of the ancient breed of horses that inhabit the marshes of southern France.

PFA meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 9:00 am

Ghosn Family Room / room 6.409
Come one and all for our monthly meeting where we will plan events and discuss ways to support our children and their ASP experience. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Student Picture Day: Friday, January 19

Looking Ahead

• Visiting Writer Reception with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and critic Hilton Als: Tuesday, March 13
• Homecoming and Community Celebration: June 15-18
• Graduation of the Class of 2018: Sunday, June 17
• Last day of school: Tuesday, June 19

Accessing ASP Calendars

Download the 2017-18 ASP academic year calendar, and visit the Parent Portal for all the ASP calendars, including sports team schedules, division-specific programs, and more.

Stay Connected and Informed

In the coming days, you will receive an email from ASP's IT department introducing you to some of our online services and providing you with login information for two very important features:

ASP Family Email Account: Each school family is provided with an ASP parent email address, which can be accessed directly through Gmail or forwarded to another email account. Get directions on how to set up automatic forwarding. All email from ASP – including messages from your children's teachers – is directed to this address.

ASP Parent Portal: Our parent portal is your point-of-entry to all of ASP's internal online resources, including PowerSchool, Haiku, detailed calendars of school events and programs, cafeteria info, class lists, and much more. Access the Portal from the ASP website (pictured below), and check it often!

Homecoming and Community Celebration: June 15-18

Block the weekend of June 15, when generations of families from our worldwide community will gather to celebrate ASP's past, present, and future. The program includes International Day, an elegant and magical Saturday-evening soirée at the Musée des Arts Forains, the Class of 2018 graduation, and more. It's a celebration of a lifetime, and you don't want to miss it!

Read more about Homecoming, and register now.

OUR MISSION: The American School of Paris is a vibrant, international, family-oriented community. Our mission is to inspire and prepare every student to achieve personal and academic excellence as an engaged global citizen by providing a challenging, innovative program within a compassionate environment.