Parents and Families - American School of The Hague (2024)

Dear Elementary School parents/guardians,

I would like to give you a warm welcome to our 2024-25 school year! I hope that you have had a wonderful summer and for those of you who have just arrived in The Netherlands, I hope you are settling in well. We are so very excited to start our new school year and look forward to seeing you all soon.

Below are some upcoming important elementary school dates to mark on your calendars.

Next week:
Monday, August 19: Orientation day for all new families starting at 08:45 at the main campus. New parents will attend informational sessions, school tours – including both the ECC and upper elementary (UE) – followed by a light lunch at 11:30. New families can access Orientation resources here.
Tuesday, August 20: Ice cream social and meet your teachers. This event will run concurrently on both the UE and ECC campuses from 15:00-16:00. Our new to ASH families are invited to arrive at 14:45.
Wednesday, August 21: First day of school for Kindergarten through grade 4 students! Students can arrive on the playground as early as 08:05. All students will go directly to their classrooms at 08:30 to start their first day of school with their class.

*Please note that as it is a Wednesday, this is an early dismissal day and the day ends for students at 14:30 at the ECC and 14:45 at the UE.

Thursday, August 22 and Friday August 23: Half days of school for PreK students.

Other important upcoming events:
Saturday, August 24: bASH community event
Monday, August 26: First full day of school for PreK
Thursday, September 5: Parent back-to-school night at the following times:

- 18:00 - 18:45: ECC campus with a social time for parents from 17:30 to 18:00
- 19:00 - 19:45: UE campus with a social time for parents from 18:30 to 19:00

As we step into this new year of growth and learning, I want to remind you of some communication resources.

- Access useful information, including handbooks and supply lists at our Back-to-School page.

- Every Thursday, The FLASH comes to your inbox with school-wide information. In the FLASH each week is a parent letter from me to you with important elementary updates and details. We will invite you to numerous parent opportunities throughout the school year to be on campus learning about your child’s experience.

Please note that we will use a new payment app for the cafeteria this year. You will receive more information from the school shortly regarding the app set up and how to request a refund from Kuario, our previous cafeteria payment app.

On Friday, August 16 you will be notified of your child’s teacher placement, watch for details to come in an email that afternoon.

Join me in welcoming some new faculty members to our elementary school this year:

- Claire Bartstra, Kindergarten dual language teacher
- Allison Noble, ECC Dutch teacher
- Mariana Patterson, ECC/Grade 3 counselor
- Corinne Jankowski, Grade 3/4/5 counselor
- Vasiliki Papadopoulou, Grade 2 teacher
- Nell Edwards, Grade 3 teacher
- Merel van Lent, UE music teacher
- Nese Ayhan Grade 3/4 teaching assistant
- Addie Schrantz, Grade 2 teaching assistant
- Carolien Souverijn, PreK/dual language teaching assistant

In closing, I’d once again like to welcome you to the new school year as well as express my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering partnership.

I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday at our elementary school ice cream social!

In partnership,
Michelle deKam Palmieri

Elementary School Principal

Dear Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! In less than a week, students will be back to school and looking forward to the excitement that the beginning of a new year presents. A special welcome to our new families and staff to the Middle School. To help you feel ready and grounded for the new year, please look at the helpful information below.

• The first day for students is Wednesday, August 21 and all students will meet in the Sport Hall at 08:25. After a brief Middle School Welcome in the Sport Hall from 08:30 - 08:45 we move right into the schedule for the day.
• As students exit the Sport Hall, they will move to assigned grade level advisory areas to receive their schedules, I.D. badges, and locker assignments.
• Please note that as it is a Wednesday, this is an early dismissal day and the day ends for students at 14:45.

Middle School General Information and Guidelines: Answering All Your Questions.All students are requested to review the Middle School Handbook. You can access the handbook and other useful resources, like supply lists at our Back-to-School page.

Tech 1:1 Laptop Information: Distribution & Contract

• All returning students will get their laptops at school within the first two days of school. New students will go through the laptop training course during Orientation, and new grade 7 & 8 students will take their laptops home after the Orientation.
• In advance, please watch for an essential email regarding our laptop contract and use policy. This email will give you a link to PowerSchool* where you will find, read and digitally sign: 1) Laptop Contract and 2) Acceptable Use Contract. Please complete this task before Project Week (by Wednesday, September 4).

*New families, please note that PowerSchool is our primary student information system, where you can update your contact information, complete forms, and access your child’s posted grades. You will receive your PowerSchool credentials during Orientation.

New Payment App in the Cafeteria
Please note that we will use a new payment app for the cafeteria this year. You will receive more information from the school shortly regarding the app set up and how to request a refund from Kuario, our previous cafeteria payment app.

Project Week: Grade Level Trips Ahead!
We are planning to have Project Week from September 9-12. Our purpose is to build our community through connection and experience and have our students engage in fun, hands-on learning as they explore the Netherlands The Grade Level Project Leader will share an email with information and a time for a virtual information meeting.

Middle School Instruments
As part of our music program, instruments are provided to students in Grade 5. For students in Grades 6, 7, and 8, instruments can either be rented or purchased. Your child’s music teacher will be in contact with you to share more information regarding instrument rental and purchase.

Welcome to the new members of the middle school staff and teaching updates:

• Pascal Purro - Grade 8 and 9 Math
• Leslie Miller - Language Arts (LA) 7 and PE
• Katharine Johnson - English as an Additional Language 7/8 and LA 6
• Ky Benko - Grade 6 Science
• Leonie Broekstra - Dutch
• Aurelie Etienne - French
• Susan Grothman - Middle School Special Education
• Dana Harkins - Learning Support
• Corrine Jankowski - Grade 4, 5 and 6 Counselor
• Alexis Halliwell - Art
• Jenn Rhodes - Grade 6, 7 & 8 Counselor

Please, reach out to the MS Office at msoffice@ash.nl if you have any questions.
In partnership,
Beth Coyle and the Middle School Team

Dear High School Parents,

It is great to welcome you to the 2024-25 school year at ASH. I look forward to getting to know you and your children this year. I am originally from Canada, and I have lived overseas for the last 29 years in Central and South America, South East Asia, and China. I am sure you have a lot of questions, and I will be hosting a High School Parent Coffee on September 26 between 08:45 - 09:45 to introduce myself and share the work that we will be doing in the High School at ASH this year. If you have any questions before that time don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions to help the start of the year run smoothly.

Our school community works collaboratively to encourage and support the growth of our students in their social-emotional well-being and in their academic experiences. Our faculty and staff put students at the center of every discussion, and students are not only encouraged, but are also expected to play an important role in determining the paths they will follow during their time in our High School community. As their sense of independence grows, students also develop themselves further in the five areas related to ASH’s core values—respect, responsibility, empathy, integrity and communication. Through a partnership between home and school we work to develop a High School plan to help students become better human beings and take control of their own learning.

Students in the High School have access to a wide range of exciting courses and co-curricular offerings that challenge them to develop their skills in collaboration, innovation and communication. Additionally, ASH’s location in The Netherlands offers a wealth of experiences and learning opportunities for our students, faculty and staff. There are normally many domestic and international travel experiences for classes, athletics and service-related activities that provide our students with a High School experience that is of the highest standard. Through this wide variety of experiences and activities we hope to inspire students to help build a better world while nurturing their personal confidence in a wide range of pursuits.

Please refer to the links on the bottom of this page. Included in this mailing are:

• Our 8 Day Rotation Bell Schedule, no changes from last year

• The program for the first 2 days of school, Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22.

• An ASH year overview calendar.

• Dates of academic reporting 2024 - 2025.

• A summary of some expectations that are of importance to all students in the High School.

• Information on the High School Parent Coffee.

• Additionally, Grades 10-12 have some class-specific information included.

School will open on Wednesday, August 21 with a High School assembly for students.

School Director Dr. Lowe, High School Assistant Principal Ms. Brown, along with the faculty and student leaders and I, will greet the students, and speak briefly about the upcoming year. On that day we will follow the ‘First 2 Days of School Schedule’ with a standard Wednesday dismissal at 14:45.

In addition, it is my pleasure to introduce some new faculty and staff members who will be joining our High School this year:

• Alexa Iverson - Assistant Special Education

• Katerina Lioni - Teacher Math

• Chris Marshall - Counselor

• Debbie McDowell - Counselor

• Laura Mitchell - Teacher Design and Food Tech

• Mary Anna Nale - Teacher English

• Amanda Ohmes - Teacher Special Education(maternity coverage)

• Suzanne Perl - HS Office and Library Assistant

• Pascal Purro - Teacher Math

• Shakil Shrestha - Teacher Math

In a new role:

• James Bennett - Teacher Spanish

Please know that all of us at ASH are here to help you. Feel free to contact us at any time should you have questions and/or concerns.

Please note that we will use a new payment app for the cafeteria this year. You will receive more information from the school shortly regarding the app set up and how to request a refund from Kuario, our previous cafeteria payment app.

We ask you to inform us if your child is absent for any reason. Send an email to hsattendance@ash.nl before 08:30.

We will hold a Parent Coffee for parents new to the High School (incoming 9th graders & G8-G9 transfers) on Thursday, August 29 from 08:45 - 09:45. A Parent Coffee for all parents will take place on Thursday, September 26 from 08:45 - 09:45. Please also refer to the ‘HS Parent Coffees 2024-2025’ document. If you would like to introduce yourself, feel free to send me an email at dmunro@ash.nl. We look forward to working with you to make this a successful and enjoyable academic year.

Sincerely,
David Munro

High School Principal

G9-12 High School Bell Schedule 8 Day Rotation

G9-12 High School First 2 Days of School Schedule - August 21 & August 22, 2024

G9-12 ASH Calendar 2024 - 2025

G9-12 Academic Reporting 2024 - 2025

G9-12 Handbook 2024-2025 - with important highlights

G9-12 Ordering a Graphing Calculator 2024-2025

G9-12 Parent Coffees 2024 - 2025

G9-12 Introducing the High School Guidance Counseling Team 2024-2025

G10-11 PSAT Information 2024-2025

G11 Limited and Open Campus Privileges 2024-2025

G12 Senior Open Campus Privileges 2024-2025

G12 Counselor's Welcome for Seniors 2024-2025

Information for Students Requiring External Assessment Accommodations