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PARROT’S
CANTEEN MENU
Wednesday – Jan. 14
Green Salad
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Spaghetti Pesto
Garlic Toast
Thursday – Jan. 15
Tomato Salad
Spicy Fried Chicken
Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes
Friday – Jan. 16
Guacamole
Tortillas Chips
Chili Con Carnet
Rice
IN THIS ISSUE
Director’s Corner
pg. 1-2
Letter from the Board
pg. 3-5
Bingo Night
pg. 6
Mr B’s Message
pg. 7
Story Time
pg. 8
Calendar
pg. 9
ASOY Times
V O L U M E
1 0 ,
I S S U E
9
J A N U A R Y
Director’s Corner:
Director’s
Corner
Dear
all,
WELCOME
BACK OR WELCOME!
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome
stafflike
and to
students
back
for another
I our
would
start by
wishing
you year
all aatvery
ASOY.
For
me,
it
is
exciting
to
be
doing
as I
happy, healthy, and prosperous new soyear.
an ‘ASOY seasoned veteran’, now being in my
look
forward
to 2015,
even
though
I’m a tiny
2nd year
at ASOY!
ASOY
enjoyed
a successful
bit
sad
2014
is
over,
because
I
really
year, 2010-2011, and I know that I speak enjoyed
for the
entire
team inand,
saying
we2014
are looking
the
pastASOY
12 months
forthat
me,
was an
forward
to
a
year
of
superlatives,
where
we
excellent year. I was healthy, happy, and will
very,
continue to grow and mature as a school.
very proud to be the director of ASOY at this
particular
period ofSHAPE
time. Not only did the
THINGS TAKING
th off in different
While
most
of
were
school celebrate its us50
anniversary, it
parts of the world, many of our ASOY team
received
the long-hoped for IB candidacy, and
was here working hard to make the campus
began
thethis
firstyear,
year
ofinwhat
likely
ready for
both
termswill
of new
addi-be a
multi-year
campus
expansion
and
renovation
tions and enhancements as well as the annual
paintingIand
of the
project.
canrestoration
only hope
youcampus!
are able to put
ASOY enjoyed a successful summer
yourself in my shoes for a moment and
camp, with over 70 students participating in
consider
very proud
andthis
grateful
I am to
numeroushow
activities.
However,
has meant
some projects
couldatnotthis
starttime.
until later
bethat
leading
the school
I aminalso
the
summer
which
means
that
not
all
our
grateful for the help and support of ourproschool
jects were completed by the first day of school.
board
–
a
letter
from
the
board
will
We have a number of new and exciting things
immediately
follow
and I hope
still to take place,
heremy
are message
some of them:

ASOY
has
purchased
a
fleet
of new
you read it carefully. I would also
mention
buses
to
provide
better
safety
com- –
that, at the last board meeting, theand2015
fort to our students who travel to and
2016 Calendar
was approved and can now be
from school, with ASOY transportafound ontion.
our These
website
under
thehave
“calendars”
buses
were to
arrived
menu. by now, but the events in Japan have
1 4 , 2 0 1 5
IN THIS ISSUE
Director’s Corner—Pages 1-2
A letter from the Board—3-5
Story Time—8
BINGO Night
Friday, January 30
6:00—8:00 PM
slightly delayed their arrival. Our new
arebeen
scheduled
arrive inIthe
If you’ve buses
not yet
by thetoschool,
hope to
coming months.
see you soon. I look forward to showing you
 New building adjacent to the artificialaround the
newThis
buildings!
There’s
a lot to see
pitch.
will provide
washrooms,
and admire.
As you’ll
note,storage
there isspace
still and
lotsato
changing
facilities,
canteen
for
events.
This
is
progressing
do, especially in the landscaping of the
schedule for completion at the end
grounds on
where
the old administration and
of August.
counseling
buildings Early
used to
stand.
 Refurbished
Years
and Elementary playground. You will notice that
We will be
moving forward
with
that in
the playground
has been
renewed;
thethe
next few last
weeks,
as
quickly
as
we
are
able
aspect of this renewal will be a to,
and appreciate
everyone’s
patience
through
new playground
surface,
which will
create
both
a
safer
playing
space
this process. The next stage of construction –
(continued
page 2) the
the portion of the building
that on
connects

0
two new wings – will begin as soon as the old
elementary building is demolished later this
week.
Continued, page 2….
Our Mission
By offering an enriched American
curriculum in a challenging, secure,
and diverse environment, the
American School of Yaounde seeks to
ensure that all students achieve
academic success, demonstrate
critical thinking skills, and become
responsible and compassionate
global citizens.
...Director’s Corner
On a less positive note, due to personal reasons Ms. McKinley has chosen not to return to Cameroon after the winter
break. Ms. McKinley’s contributions to the English department will be greatly missed, but we understand and support
her decision and wish her all the best. Her classes will be assumed by Ms. Conant, Ms. Hell, and Mr. Owens I would
like to heartily thank them for their flexibility and willingness to help address the staffing short-fall. Given that they
are all highly qualified for the role, we trust that the transition will be smooth.
I hope to see you on campus soon!
Warm regards,
Sheena
Le Coin du Directeur (La Traduction Française)
Bonjour à tous,
Je voudrais commencer par vous souhaiter une très bonne année 2015. Puisse-t-elle être prospère et vous procurer
une bonne santé. Je suis impatiente de découvrir l’année 2015, même si je suis un petit peu triste que 2014 soit
terminée, car c’est une année que j’ai vraiment appréciée. Pour moi, elle a été une excellente année à bien des
égards : J’étais en bonne santé, heureuse, et très, très fière d'être le Directeur d’ASOY à cette période donnée. Non
seulement l'école a célébré son 50e anniversaire, mais elle a obtenu la candidature tant attendue, au programme de
Baccalauréat International. Elle a de surcroît entamé la première année de ce qui sera probablement une expansion
du campus et un projet de rénovation de longue durée. Je ne peux qu’espérer que vous puissiez vous mettre à ma
place pour un moment pour comprendre à quel point je suis très fière et reconnaissante d'être à la tête de l'école en ce
moment. Je suis également reconnaissante pour l'aide et le soutien de notre conseil d’administration – une de leur
communication suivra immédiatement mon message et j’espère que vous la lirez attentivement- Je voudrais aussi
mentionner que, à la dernière réunion du Conseil, le calendrier de l’année 2015- 2016 a été approuvé et se trouve
maintenant sur notre site Web, sous le menu "calendriers".
Si vous n’êtes pas encore arrivé à l'école, j’espère vous y voir bientôt. Il me tarde de vous faire découvrir les
nouveaux bâtiments! Il y a beaucoup à voir et à admirer. Comme vous le constaterez, il y a encore beaucoup à faire,
en particulier dans l'aménagement de l’espace où l’ancien bureau administratif et le boukarou du conseiller étaient
localisés. Nous avancerons, aussi rapidement que nous le pourrons, avec ce projet dans les prochaines semaines. Et
nous apprécions la patience de tout le monde dans ce processus. La prochaine étape de construction – de la partie du
bâtiment qui relie les deux nouvelles ailes - commencera dès que l'ancien bâtiment élémentaire sera démoli en fin de
cette semaine.
Sur une note moins positive, j’ai le regret de vous annoncer que, pour des raisons personnelles Mme McKinley a
choisi de ne pas retourner au Cameroun après les congés de Noël. L’apport de Mme McKinley au département
d'Anglais nous manquera énormément, mais nous comprenons et soutenons sa décision. Nous lui souhaitons, par
conséquent, tout le meilleur. Mesdames Conant, Hell et M. Owens, ont gracieusement accepté de prendre ses cours.
Je tiens à leur exprimer toute ma chaleureuse reconnaissance pour leur flexibilité et leur volonté d'aider à relever les
effectifs à court. Étant donné qu'ils sont tous hautement qualifiés pour le rôle, nous sommes convaincus que la
transition se fera en douceur.
Au plaisir de vous revoir bientôt sur le campus!
Meilleurs voeux
Sheena
ASOY
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A Letter from the Board
January 14, 2015
Dear ASOY Parents;
We hope all of you have had a great start to the New Year.
As seems to be part of our human condition, each New Year presents an opportunity for reflection on the year gone by and
for planning for the next. For ASOY – having just marked its first 50 years in 2014 – the need to engage in continual
improvement as it embarks on the next 50 years in 2015 is keenly felt. It is in this spirit of working for a better tomorrow
that the Board and the Administration have continued their critical discussions toward planning for the future of ASOY.
We would like to take this opportunity to share with you the recent decisions taken by the Board with regard to tuition
fees.
The Strategic Plan and Vision laid out by earlier Boards and echoed in the most recent iteration of the Strategic Vision for
2014 – 2019 is an attempt to ensure that ASOY is positioned to offer a world-class education. Therefore the process of
developing the budget for 2015 - 16 has involved significant investment of time and consultation to ensure that the
decisions taken were in the best interest of the quality of education provided to our students. We were deeply aware that
we must strive to ensure that what we provide our children is aligned with the level of educational services elsewhere in
the world, as our children are competing with their peers around the world for places in the best colleges and universities.
It is with this in mind that the board aims to move ASOY forward by continuing to implement ASOY’s Strategic Vision
and the Campus Master plan.
As such, the Board has taken the following decisions regarding tuition fees and would share the predominant important
factors that influenced that decision.
Due to “hard wired” yearly cost increases for inflation and contractual salary increases for faculty and support staff, as
well as to the costs associated with implementing the IB World School Programs, ASOY will experience a 3.2% yearly
increase in costs as a baseline. That tuition increase will allow the school to effectively meet expenses and result in a
balanced budget. In reviewing the tuition fees for the other 14 IB World Schools in sub-Saharan Africa, it is clear that this
will continue to make ASOY a “bargain” for families and our fees among the lowest in the region. We hope that our
community trusts that all avenues for reducing operating costs continue to be explored by the Board and Administration
and we believe that no further cuts can be made without jeopardizing the educational program.
The new tuition structure will therefore be:
Annual Tuition 2015 - 2016
Semester 1
Semester 2
Due Date:
Due Date:
Aug 26, 2015
Jan 9, 2016
ANNUAL*
Early Childhood Pre-K 3 & 4
Pre-K3 Tuition
$2,875
$2,875
$5,750
Pre-K4 Tuition
$3,705
$3,705
$7,410
Elementary School: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Kindergarten Tuition
$7,275
$7,275
$14,550
Grades 1-5 Tuition
$9,185
$9,185
$18,370
Middle/High School: Gr. 6 - 12
Grades 6 – 8 Tuition
$9,720
$9,720
$19,440
Grades 9-10 Tuition
$10,100
$10,100
$20,200
Grades 11-12 Tuition
$10,305
$10,305
$20,610
Continued, page 4….
ASOY
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3
As you are aware, ASOY has a comprehensive Campus Master Plan, which envisages a 21st century ASOY. The Board is
delighted that the first two phases of the master plan, including new elementary, middle and high school classrooms, along
with new administrative offices are have now been delivered and will begin serving the community this semester. We
anticipate the opening new science labs and the renovation of the remaining existing building structure by the fall of 2015,
and the construction of new classroom facilities on the site of the old ES classroom wing over the next 12 months.
This project has required external financing and the vast majority of the annual capital levy fees collected is now being
used to service the loan repayment to Eco Bank. As such, the capital levy fee structure for 2015 – 2016 will remain
unchanged.
The Board and Administration believe that the modest increase in tuition by 3.2% next year will put ASOY in a better
position to deliver the education that our children deserve as leaders in the future marketplace, to grow our student
numbers, recruit and retain outstanding teaching faculty thereby improving educational goals in addition to the fiscal
bottom line. It is important to note that the improvements in infrastructure and the Campus Master Plan are funded through
the Capital Levy and NOT through tuition fees.
We know that many parents will have questions and comments. We encourage you to feed these back to us, by emailing
director@asoy.org.
Sincerely,
The ASOY Board of Directors
Version Française
Chers parents d’ASOY
Nous espérons que vous avez tous eu un bon début de nouvelle année
Comme cela semble faire partie de notre condition humaine, chaque nouvelle année présente une occasion de réflexion
sur l'année écoulée et de planification pour la prochaine. Pour ASOY - juste après avoir marqué ses 50 premières années
en 2014 - la nécessité de s’engager dans une amélioration continue se fait fortement ressentir au moment où il
s’embarque dans les 50 prochaines années à partir de 2015. C’est dans cet esprit de travail pour un avenir meilleur que le
Conseil d’Administration, et tout le Personnel Administratif, ont poursuivi leurs discussions critiques sur la planification
future d’ ASOY. Nous aimerions, par conséquent, profiter de cette occasion pour partager avec vous les décisions
récentes prises par le Conseil d’Administration à l'égard des frais de scolarité.
ASOY
@ 50
Le Plan et la vision stratégique tracés par les conseils antérieurs et repris dans la version la plus récente de la vision
stratégique de 2014 - 2019 sont une tentative pour s’assurer que ASOY est positionné pour offrir une éducation de classe
mondiale. Par conséquent, le processus d'élaboration du budget pour 2015-16 a impliqué un investissement de temps et de
consultation importants, pour s’assurer que les décisions prises étaient dans le meilleur intérêt de la qualité de
l'enseignement dispensé à nos élèves. Nous étions profondément conscients que nous devons nous efforcer de faire en
sorte que ce que nous offrons à nos enfants soit compatible avec le niveau de services éducatifs ailleurs dans le monde; que
nos enfants soient en concurrence avec leurs pairs du monde entier pour les places dans les meilleurs collèges et
universités. C’est dans cet esprit que le Conseil vise à conduire ASOY vers l’avant en mettant en œuvre sa vision
stratégique et son plan global d’aménagement du campus.
En tant que tel, le conseil a pris les décisions suivantes concernant les frais de scolarité et se doit de partager les facteurs
prédominants qui ont influencé cette décision.
En raison des "contraintes" sur l’augmentation annuelle des coûts de l'inflation et des augmentations salariales
contractuelles pour les professeurs et le personnel de soutien, ainsi que les coûts associés à la mise en œuvre du
Programme de Baccalauréat International, ASOY connaîtra une augmentation annuelle de 3,2% des coûts comme une base
ASOY
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4
de référence.
Cette augmentation des frais de scolarité permettra à l'école de répondre efficacement aux besoins de dépenses et aboutir à
un budget équilibré. En examinant les frais de scolarité dans les 14 autres écoles impliquées dans le programme de
Baccalauréat International en Afrique sub-saharienne, il est clair que cela va continuer à faire d’ASOY une «aubaine» pour
les familles, nos frais étant parmi les plus bas de la région. Nous espérons que la communauté toute entière comprendra que
nous continuons d’explorer tous les moyens pour réduire les coûts d'exploitation et nous croyons qu'il n'y a pas d'autres
réductions réalisables sans compromettre le programme éducatif.
La nouvelle structure des frais de scolarité sera donc comme suit : (Nous conservons la version originale)
Annual Tuition 2015 - 2016
Semester 1
Semester 2
Due Date:
Due Date:
Aug 26, 2015
Jan 9, 2016
ANNUAL*
Early Childhood Pre-K 3 & 4
Pre-K3 Tuition
$2,875
$2,875
$5,750
Pre-K4 Tuition
$3,705
$3,705
$7,410
Elementary School: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Kindergarten Tuition
$7,275
$7,275
$14,550
Grades 1-5 Tuition
$9,185
$9,185
$18,370
The Nurse’s Corner
Middle/High School: Gr. 6 - 12
Grades 6 – 8 Tuition
$9,720
$9,720
$19,440
Grades 9-10 Tuition
$10,100
$10,100
$20,200
Grades 11-12 Tuition
$10,305
$10,305
$20,610
Comme vous le savez, ASOY dispose d'un plan directeur, qui envisage une école du 21e siècle. Le conseil se réjouit que les
deux premières phases du plan directeur, y compris les nouvelles classes du primaire et du secondaire, ainsi que de
nouveaux bureaux administratifs aient été livrés et aient commencé à servir la communauté dès ce semestre. Nous
prévoyons l'ouverture de nouveaux laboratoires de sciences et la rénovation du bâtiment encore existant d'ici la fin de
l'automne 2015. La construction de nouvelles salles de classe sur le site de l'ancienne aile des classes du primaire se fera au
cours des 12 prochains mois.
Ce projet a nécessité un financement externe et la grande majorité des frais scolaires annuels recueillis est maintenant
utilisé pour
desservir le remboursement du prêt à Ecobank. En tant que tel, les frais de recouvrement- « capital levy »pour 2015 - 2016 resteront inchangés.
Le Conseil d’Administration et tout le corps administratif estiment que l'augmentation modeste des frais de scolarité de
3,2% l'an
prochain mettra ASOY dans une meilleure position pour offrir l'éducation que nos enfants méritent en tant
leaders du futur,
d’accroître l’effectif des élèves, de recruter et retenir des enseignants exceptionnels, améliorant ainsi
les objectifs éducatifs en plus de la ligne de fond budgétaire. Il est important de noter que les améliorations dans les
infrastructures et le Plan directeur de Campus sont financés par les frais de recouvrement « capital levy » et non par le biais
des frais de scolarité.
Nous savons que de nombreux parents auront sûrement des questions à poser et des observations à faire. Nous vous
encourageons à nous les faire parvenir, par courriel director@asoy.org.
Cordialement,
Le conseil d'administration d’ASOY
ASOY
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BINGO NITE
Bingo Night
Friday, January 30, 2015
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
NHS/NJHS is organizing our annual
Bingo Night, on ASOY’s basketball court,
Friday, January 30, 2015 from 6:00 to
8:00 PM! Come have fun with your family!
Numerous prizes to win!
Reserve your meal (chicken, fried
plantains, green salad) by Wednesday,
January 28th in the front office with
Valerie. The cost per meal is 3,500 fcfa.
Meals will not be sold the night of the
event. Please reserve in advance.
ASOY
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Mr. B.’s Message
Welcome back! I hope that everyone had a great holiday.
In my last ASOY Times message I talked about sleep and the importance of structure and
routine. Today I want to talk about “Change Management”. When we say “change
management” we are usually referring to change in organizational processes, structure, or
philosophy. These are not the only types of change that require managing. This week our
community will take another step in our campus expansion project. Students, teachers and
administrators will change offices and classrooms. Schedules will change. Routes to and
from lunch and recess will change. In addition to a changing physical environment,
traditionally in most international schools there will be new students who arrive and some
students who may leave our community mid-year. There will be a lot of change
management going on at ASOY this week.
Most elementary students will adjust without a problem to these changes, but sometimes
these environmental changes and changes in class dynamics can affect young students as
their routines are disrupted and they are learning to adapt to new things. Teachers will do
their best to minimize the impact in their classroom as they deal with the change
themselves. If your child expresses anxiety or concerns related to the changes then the first
and best response is to validate their feelings. Let them know that change can be difficult
and that it is normal for people to have feelings about change. After you have validated
their feelings, reassure them. Let them know they are going to be fine. Talk to them about
the excitement of a new building. If they are concerned about new students, talk to them
about the opportunity to make new friends. Encourage them to let their teacher know if
something is bothering them.
These are exciting times at ASOY and I am very excited about the future, but it is always
important to remember that just as every child has individual learning needs they also have
individual ways of dealing with and responding to change. Usually, with a little validation
and reassurance children are very resilient and versatile.
Mr. Bellomy
A Message from the MS/HS Principal and School Advisor
Please note that a new lane has been built for dropping students off in the morning. To
keep from blocking traffic and for a safer drop off, please turn in to the lane behind the
white and red barriers and pull up to the door from within that lane. You will also find it
easier to make a left turn from the new lane.
Thank you,
Chris Bull
ASOY
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STORY TIME
ASOY
Saturday Story time
Who: Children ages 3-6
Where: Library
When: Saturday January 24th
10:00am-11:30am
Please sign up with Mrs. Ashu or Ms. Michelle as space is limited to
the first 30 children.
Deadline for registration Friday 23rd at 8:00 AM
*Please note – if your child is not registered and on the
registration list, they will not be allowed to stay for Story Time.
We will only have space and materials for the children who sign
up and register!
We look forward to seeing you there!!
ASOY
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AMERICAN SCHOOL OF YAOUNDE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Service Learning
Beginning of
3rd Quarter/
2nd Semester
18
19
2nd Quarter
Grades Due
20
2nd Quarter
Report Cards
Sent Home
21
22
23
24
Early Dismissal
Session 3: Rec
Center
25
26
Board Meeting
High School
Dance
27
28
29
30
31
Full day
MAP Testing
MAP Testing
MAP Testing
MAP Testing
MAP Testing
NHS Bingo
Nite—6:00 PM
ASOY
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