Dear AISL Community,

As we move closer to the end of the year, no one could be more excited than me. I love the end of the year! I love the celebration of learning, accomplishment, and opportunities for reflection.  Yes, it often means people will be moving on.  This is especially true in an international community. Also, this is a time to cherish milestones of Grade 12 students moving on from high school, Grade 8 students moving forward to high school, and Grade 5 students becoming rising Grade 6th, middle school students.

Often, as the Superintendent,  I am asked at these celebrations to say a few words.  I thought I would share my speeches with you.  Enjoy and possibly think back to your own life or your older children’s time when they were crossing these benchmarks.

ROLL CALL ADVICE TO SENIORS

AISL has had a great influence on you, even beyond what you can or cannot wear to school.  AISL is great, but not just because of the traditions, the values, or the class projects.  

AISL is great because of the people.  

In my years in education, I have stood in front of many graduating classes and I have often said, "You are prepared to go out into the world."  In this case…you may not feel you are ready, 

But you are ready…To start the next chapter, to act with empathy and responsibility.  

Model courage, integrity, and respect, use social media to help - not hurt. 

You are ready to be true to yourself and make friends. 

You do this and you will change the status quo of the world. 

I would like to say AISL contributed to who you are today. But as — America (the band).  

sang…

Oz gave nothing to the Tin Man, nothing that he did not already have 

In other words, who you are was always in you…

That is AISL’s gift, it lets you be you.  You can find your identity. You have found your voice. You can find your people.  

The rest is up to you. Now I will say something that I hope you do remember.

 It is not what you are capable of, it is what you are willing to do.

Life’s battle is not doing good vs evil, it is nothing that epic, it is doing good vs doing nothing. 

Don’t be apathetic. Don’t be entitled.  Be willing. 

Be willing to ask questions. Be willing to stand up for what you believe. Be willing to make a decision. 

Be willing to show the world the best version of yourself.

You may not feel ready for the world, but you are ready for what is next.  

You will always be an Eagle and now the longest relationship you will have with AISL will start now and continue for the rest of your life! 

GRADE 5 MOVING UP CEREMONY ADVICE

Good Morning, Grade 5 students, parents, family, friends, and AISL students and staff,

Welcome to the MOVING UP Ceremony for our rising Grade 6 students.

This is a significant moment in your academic journey.  You are moving from AISL’s Primary to our Secondary School.  

You are about to embark on new challenges, new opportunities, and new experiences that will fuel your journey to high school, graduation, and beyond.

All that is to say, next year you will have more classes to take, more of a moving daily schedule, and more you will have more to do.

When I have to do things in my job and my personal life, I make lists.  Other people make to-do lists, maybe your parents do…

My advice to you is not to make to-do lists or not.  You will figure out how best to remind yourself of the tasks ahead.

My advice to you is to don’t forget to make a To-Be list.

In a world that will always give you more to do, your greatest obligation is to decide who you want TO BE.

Make a To Be list:

Be the person who does not let someone sit alone at lunch

Be the person who picks up trash instead of leaving trash

Be the first to try something new every year, join the musical, learn to play an instrument, take the harder math class

Be the first person to volunteer

Be the type of person known for complimenting others

Be grateful

You will always be an Eagle

Grade 5, soon-to-be Grade 6 students, be the best version of yourself!

Thank you and good luck.

GRADE 8 MOVING UP CEREMONY CLOSING REMARKS

Good Morning, Grade 8 students, parents, family, friends, and AISL students and staff,

Welcome to the MOVING UP Ceremony for our rising Grade 9 students.

This is a significant moment in your academic journey.  You are moving through AISL’s Secondary School.  

You are about to embark on new challenges, new opportunities, and new experiences that will fuel your journey to high school, graduation, and beyond.

My advice to you is to go beyond.  There is more in you than you know.

What I want you to know is how you learn. 

The highest form of self-confidence is believing in your ability to learn.

Find out how you learn.

Find out about yourself

Ask others how they study, how they learn best.  Try what they tell you.  

If you have time to scroll, play video games, or watch Netflix, you have time to devote to yourself.

I will guarantee you that the valedictorians, those with the highest GPAs, the highest SAT scores, know how they learn best.

Learn this lesson now before you go on to be an engineer, a doctor, or a business person, because if you have made it to engineering school, medical school, or business school and you don’t know how you learn…it is too late.

Again, the highest form of self-confidence is believing in your ability to learn.

Thank you and good luck.

With gratitude,

Dr. Dan Love

Superintendent