Dear Team,
In this week's newsletter, please find our latest updates and important information, including:
Preparation for the Open Day to New Families
Highlight Event - Halloween Celebrations
Highlight Event - Math Olympiad
Upcoming - Celebrating European Week for Waste Reduction
Bi-weekly Menu/ Country Days in Our Kitchen
November’s Seasonal Star: Chestnuts
Hands-On Learning: Engage with Nature in the School Horta
E-mail Signature Update
Join the Fitness and Wellness Program
Planting of Two Liden Trees at the School Entrance
Book Clubs at Aprendizes
Canva for All Teachers and Students
Join our Winter Animal Care Campaign
Parking Lot Rotations
Share Your Inputs for 2025: Survey Coming Soon
FieldTrips
Members of the Team for Direction go to the WebSummit 2024
News from our Partners
Big shoutout to Kate Tingley for her incredible work in organizing The Troublemaker's Guide to.. with The Lisbon Project!
Huge thanks also to Slavic, Joaquim and Ricardo for their hard work and dedication over the break— your efforts definitely didn’t go unnoticed.
And a special shoutout to Mercedes del Ricón and the entire Math Department for putting together the Math Olympiads with such excellence.
Amazing job, everyone! 👏
Huge congratulations to Catarina Ferreira (Preschool) and Sara Prudêncio (Arts Dep), who both welcomed new little ones into the world—such wonderful news! Wishing you all so much happiness in this exciting new chapter. 🌟💐
We are thrilled to welcome Rosalía and Isabel, our new interns for the Preschool and Primary sections, to the Aprendizes team!
Rosália will be working closely with our youngest learners in Preschool, bringing her enthusiasm and fresh ideas to support their growth and development. Isabel will be assisting in the Primary section, where she’ll help foster a nurturing and engaging learning environment for our students.
Let’s all give them a warm welcome as they begin this exciting chapter with us!
08 NOV | PARENTS COFFEE MORNINGS (8:45 AM)
08 & 09 NOV | MEETING 1 - Action Research Programme
08 NOV | TEACHERS VS. STUDENTS GAMES | Volleyball (1:30 PM to 2:00 PM)
12 NOV | OPEN DAY TO NEW FAMILIES AT APRENDIZES (9:00 AM)
15 NOV | TEACHERS VS. STUDENTS GAMES | Basketball (1:30 PM to 2:00 PM)
18-22 NOV | EUROPEAN WEEK FOR WASTE REDUCTION
20 NOV | WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY
20 NOV | PYJAMAS NATIONAL DAY
21 NOV | HOUSE MEETING (5 PM)
25-29 NOV | SCIENCE, TECNHOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) WEEK
28 NOV- 1 NOV | BARCELONA MUN
29 NOV | BIO MARKET (4:15 PM to 6 PM)
PREPARATIONS OF THE OPEN DAY
As we gear up for Open Day on November 12, we’d like to share some important reminders and details to ensure the day runs smoothly.
Logistics and Parking: On the day of the event, please avoid parking in the schools parking lot, as we need the extra space to accommodate our visiting families.
Staff Preparation Support: In the days leading up to the event, we’d appreciate everyone’s help in organizing classrooms, corridors, and other common areas to ensure they’re welcoming and ready for tours. Your support is key to making a great impression on our prospective families!
Open Day Schedule:
9:10 AM – Library Gathering: All families will meet in the library, where Rikke and Veronica will deliver opening remarks.
9:30 AM – Head of Sections Presentations: Heads of sections will provide an overview of each educational level.
10:00 AM – Tour Groups: Families will be divided into groups to tour the Preschool, Primary, Middle or Secondary sections.
Veronica will be coordinating with everyone to organize the “stopping points” for each tour group, ensuring all sections are prepared to offer a great experience.
Thank you all in advance for your efforts and teamwork in making this Open Day a success! Let’s make a lasting impression on our prospective families.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
We celebrated Halloween in style with a lively Trunk or Treat event that brought together students, families, and teachers for a day of spooky excitement. Parents and families went all out, decorating their car trunks with impressive Halloween displays that amazed students from preschool to middle school. Each age group enjoyed its own unique Halloween twist, making the celebration one to remember!
Preschool students were greeted by their educators dressed as ghostly brides, adding a playful touch of fright to the festivities. The little ones were thrilled by the creative costumes and the spirited atmosphere.
Primary students didn’t miss out on the fun either, with each child getting Halloween-themed face paint to complete their spooky look, alongside the appearance of a friendly dragon who added a magical touch to the day.
Middle School took Halloween up a notch with the teachers hosting a dance floor, where students could show off their moves, cheered on by a mysterious virus character that added humor and energy to the party.
Our Secondary students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit by offering face painting to the younger kids. They also set up a "haunted ice cream stand," where the looming “retakes” added a touch of Halloween suspense to every scoop.
MATH OLYMPIAD: Showcasing Talent and Problem-Solving Skills!
Last Wednesday marked the 1st Eliminatory Round of the 43rd Portuguese Math Olympiad, where 6th to 12th-grade students engaged in a challenging series of mathematical problems. In addition, 5th-grade students participated in the Pre-Olympiad, a single-round event designed specifically for their level.
This annual competition, known for its rigor, encourages critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving—key skills for both academic and personal success. The results, which will determine which students advance to the next stage, will be announced by the official Math Olympiad organization in December.
Participating in the Math Olympiad and Pre-Olympiad offers students a fantastic opportunity to push their mathematical limits and foster a lifelong appreciation for the subject. Best of luck to all our participants!
Celebrating European Week for Waste Reduction
Aprendizes is proud to join the European Week of Waste Reduction, focusing on the importance of sustainable waste practices and environmental responsibility. Our secondary students will have the opportunity to visit Tratolixo, a local waste management facility, where they’ll see firsthand how waste is processed and learn about recycling and reduction strategies.
Throughout the week, various activities will be organized across the school to raise awareness about waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable practices. Engaging students in these initiatives is essential for fostering responsible habits and empowering them to make environmentally conscious choices. By celebrating this week together, we take steps towards a cleaner, greener future.
Our Next Country Days:
TODAY - DENMARK in our Kitchen
November 14th - IRELAND in our Kitchen
NOVEMBER’S SEASONAL STAR: Chestnuts
November is the perfect time to celebrate the season’s flavors and chestnuts take center stage, especially during São Martinho! Traditionally, chestnuts are roasted and enjoyed during this holiday, a beloved celebration in many regions. São Martinho, celebrated on November 11th, is not only a time for gathering with loved ones but also for indulging in the rich taste of roasted chestnuts, a symbol of the season.
Chestnuts are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a healthy and delicious treat. They support immune health, digestion, and heart health, all while bringing a comforting warmth on cooler days.
Hands-On Learning: Students Engage with Nature in the School Horta
Every week, our preschool and primary students embark on a special journey—leaving the classroom behind and heading to our school garden, where learning takes root in the soil. Under the guidance of André Maciel, our resident expert in permaculture and sustainable farming, students gain hands-on experience in growing their own food, while deepening their understanding of nature and sustainability.
The garden is more than just a place to grow plants—it's a living classroom where our youngest learners are exposed to critical lessons about the environment, teamwork, and responsibility. Through engaging, hands-on activities, children learn the basics of permaculture, a method of agriculture that mimics natural ecosystems and promotes sustainability. This holistic approach to gardening teaches students about respecting the Earth’s resources, fostering a deep connection to nature from a young age.
EMAIL SIGNATURE UPDATE
We would like to remind all staff to update their email signatures by November 20th to include the new logo, which is now available on SharePoint. This update is important to ensure consistency across all communications.
Join the FITNESS AND WELLNESS PROGRAM at Aprendizes!
We’re inviting everyone interested to join for a series of activities aimed at improving fitness, relieving stress, and building a sense of community through wellness. The program will include sessions focusing on various aspects of physical and mental health, led by experienced coach Rhyss and trainers.
Let’s take this step together towards a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. I look forward to seeing many of you join in and make the most of this opportunity.
PLANTING OF TWO LINDEN TREES at the School Entrance: A New Symbol of Growth
We are excited to announce the planting of two beautiful linden trees (Tília) at the entrance of our school. Lindens are known for their symbolism of harmony, resilience, and connection—values that resonate with our school community. In time, these trees will provide welcoming shade, creating a pleasant and inviting space for students to gather and enjoy nature.
As they grow, these linden trees will stand as a reminder of our commitment to nurturing a thriving, sustainable environment for current and future generations.
BOOK CLUB FOR ADOLESCENCE (Portuguese)
26th of November
APRENDIZES BOOK CLUB (English)
3rd of December
CANVA for All Students and Teachers!
We are excited to announce that Aprendizes has officially provided Canva access for all students and teachers! This powerful design tool will now be available to everyone in our community, enabling easy creation of presentations, posters, infographics, and much more.
To get started, simply log in using your Office 365 email account credentials. Whether you're designing for a class project, creating digital content, or simply exploring your creativity, Canva will support your efforts with its user-friendly interface and vast collection of templates and design options.
We hope this new resource helps enhance your learning experience and creativity!
JOIN OUR WINTER ANIMAL CARE CAMPAIGN
We are collecting supplies for cats dogs, and other animals in need. Your donations will help provide food, warmth, and care for animals in shelters as winter approaches.
Please leave your donations in front of the Sports Wall. All donations will go to Associação S. Francisco de Assis
PARKING LOT ROTATION Schedule for November
Please take note of the following schedule:
Middle School + Kitchen: November 4th - 8th
Secondary: November 11th - 15th
Preschool + Support: November 18th - 21st
Primary: November 25th - 29th
On November 12th, please DO NOT PARK in the school’s parking lot. It will be reserved for Open Day.
SHARE YOUR INPUTS FOR 2025: Survey Coming Soon!
As we prepare for the upcoming year, we are encouraging staff to start thinking about their inputs for 2025.
This year, we will be sharing the survey earlier, giving everyone ample time to provide valuable feedback. Your opinions are crucial to shaping the future and we strongly urge you to participate. By sharing your thoughts, you help us improve and create a more tailored experience for all.
Stay tuned for the survey launch and thank you in advance for your contributions!
FIELDTRIPS CALENDAR
07 Nov | Grade 4 | Museu de Abrantes (10 AM)
13 Nov | Grade 6 | Teatro LUCA (2:30 PM)
13 Nov | Grade 2 | Portugal dos Pequeninos (All day)
13 Nov | Grade 7 | Museu de Arte Antiga (08:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
13 Nov | Pre School | CCB (09:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
14 Nov | Pre School | CCB (09:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
15 Nov | Grade 10 | Tratolixo (11:00 AM)
20 Nov | Grade 12 | Paintball (12:30-3 PM)
21 Nov | PreSchool | CCB (12:00 PM)
21 Nov | Grade 6 | Cascais Trip (All Day)
25 Nov | Grade 1 | Hospital dos Pequeninos (12:30 - 2:00 PM)
27 Nov | Grade 3 | Museu RTP (10:30 AM & 2:00 PM)
27 Nov | Sports Workshop | Surf Praia de Carcavelos (1:30 to 4:00 PM)
29 Nov | PORT18AB | Casa Fernando Pessoa (manhã)
All fieldtrips can be subject to change
Members of the Team for Direction will go to WEBSUMMIT 2024
Rikke and Teresa will be attending Web Summit 2024.
This marks an exciting opportunity for the team to connect with industry leaders and explore innovative ideas at one of the largest tech conferences in the world.
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
We’re launching a new activity at IMBAS called Saturday School of Rockstars. We’re having a trial session this weekend and I thought it would be nice to be able to let the Aprendizes students know about it too.