October 18, 2017
 
Dear Students, Families, Alumni, Parishioners, and Friends of ASB School,
 
Our students and faculty have been focusing on our Student Learning Expectations (SLEs) since the start of the year.  Our SLEs identify the qualities and characteristics we hope to build in our students throughout their time at ASB.  This week, we have been particularly focused on our fourth SLE: An ASB student is a self-directed learner.  Self-directed learners develop awareness of their learning styles, strengths, and challenges, take responsibility for their own learning, use study skills and time management strategies, and set and work toward goals.  As we head into conferences this week, it is a perfect time to celebrate the successes and strengths of each of your children as well as work with our teachers to set meaningful and purposeful goals for the remainder of the year.  Thank you to all of our teachers, students, and parents for your genuine collaboration and partnership in supporting our students’ achievements.
 
When we instill the values of being a self-directed learner, we hope to see them permeate all areas of our students’ lives, not just their classroom experience at ASB.  This past weekend, four of our 8^th graders exemplified this goal through their participation in the Seattle Prep Math Games.  Congratulations to Ailbhe Killalea, Peter Weber, Jack DeMeulemeester, and Luca Sburlino for their outstanding effort and participation.  You represented ASB well!
 
Another shining example of our self-directed learners at ASB are our Junior Thespians.  Yesterday, they received their letter of congratulations for being officially inducted into the International Thespian Society.  Ellie Cenname (President), Maddy Beer (Vice-President), Shelby Grant (Treasurer), Stella Shamulka (Secretary), Hannah Genovese (Communications), Connor Flannigan (Faculty Liaison), Lauren Crumb, Jayne Johnson, Sophie Jordan, Betsy Stonich, and ASB graduates Gabi Adams (President Emeritus) and Will Frosaker (Vice-President Emeritus) make up this talented group. Membership in Junior Thespians is a reward for the fine work these students have done in plays and musicals at ASB. All Thespians are theatre arts honor students, and induction as a Thespian is the first of many honors that troupes may bestow on a student. However, ITS recognizes three achievement ranks beyond induction. Members earn these honor ranks by receiving STARS for exceptional service to our school’s theatre program.  All of the students inducted into our founding troupe were inducted as Honor Thespians because of their academic achievements and because of the extraordinary number of hours they have dedicated to the theatre program at ASB.
 
Setting and working towards goals are also represented by all of our athletes at ASB.  Let’s give special congratulations to our cross-country team!  Last weekend, they placed third overall in the final meet, with the 7^th grade boys and 8^th grade girls each placing first in their groups.  ASB was represented in the top ten at almost every level, which is an outstanding achievement and reflection of the hard work of this team.  Well done!
 
As I said last week, these are moments of incarnation; moments in which we celebrate the extraordinary in our daily lives.  We celebrate these moments because they remind us that as we help our children develop their God-given gifts, talents, and growth mindset, we are building the hope that God has for each of them.
 
Have a wonderful rest of the week and I look forward to seeing you throughout our conference days.

Best,
Kathleen Conklin