March Letter to Parents

March 15th, 2010. Posted in General News, School Update

Dear LAS Parents,

I am writing to you at the end of another busy week at LAS. Last Wednesday we had our second surprise ski day of the year, excusing students after the first class for some recreation and rejuvenation in the Alps. We are truly blessed with our surroundings and our easy access to winter sports of all kinds.

I would like to take a moment to address upcoming travel plans, new test preparation opportunities, clarification of our alcohol policy, and information on the Admissions & Development Offices.

Travel

First, we have made improvements in the travel options available to students for the upcoming two-week spring break.

For students who are 16 or older, parents may now give permission (in writing, via email, to travel@las.ch) to depart Leysin for Geneva on Friday, March 26, with a coach bus leaving at 16:30. Those students taking early morning flights on Saturday, March 27, may then stay overnight in Geneva prior to flying, instead of leaving from Leysin as early as 3:00 in the morning. However, once in Geneva, students will no longer be under the care of the school.

LAS will provide shuttles Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, according to the timetable below. Parents are encouraged to build flights around this set bus schedule. All students UNDER 16 years old or who do not have written parent permission must take one of these shuttles.

Saturday, March 27		Sunday, March 28
Depart Leysin	Arrive Geneva	Depart Leysin	Arrive Geneva
3:00	4:45	3:00	4:45
6:00	7:45	6:00	7:45
9:00	10:45	9:00	10:45
12:00	13:45	12:00	13:45

Student will be arriving in Leysin after the two-week break on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Buses will be provided according to the table below.

Saturday, April 10		Sunday, April 11
Depart Geneva	Arrive Leysin	Depart Geneva	Arrive Leysin
10.00	11.45	10.00	11.45
14.00	15.45	14.00	15.45
18.00	19.45	18.00	19.45
22.00	23.45	22.00	23.45

Please confirm all flight arrival times with the travel office (travel@las.ch). We will assign students appropriate pick-up times for their return to Leysin.

Test Preparation

Second, we are pleased to offer a new on-line course to assist students in their preparation for college entrance exams. Many colleges and universities use the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) Program to screen applicants. Therefore, scoring as highly as possible on either of these tests is important for your child. A new web-based program is available at no cost and can be used by students at any time. The program:

adapts to each individual student’s level
provides instant feedback
complements other SAT and ACT prep courses, like those offered at LAS during the summer or in the week before the fall term begins.

All juniors will be introduced to this program in their mandatory college preparation classes this spring. Any interested student in grade 9 and 10 should contact the College Counseling Office to get setup online.

Reminder on alcohol policy

Third, I am writing to ask for your continued support with our alcohol policy. Except for seniors whose parents have given explicit permission, no LAS student has permission to consume alcohol. In fact, in the town of Leysin, the only establishment where seniors with parental drinking permission are allowed to drink alcohol is the Top Pub, located just down the street from the Esplanade dormitory. When parents and friends visit Leysin, we ask you not to let your daughter or son consume alcohol in restaurants or bars. We appreciate your support in enforcing our drinking policy.

Admissions and Development Offices

As you may know, the Admissions and Development Offices moved to our Belle Époque building in January. They are excited in their new home and encourage parents to stop by for a visit next time on campus. This is a busy time of year for Admissions as they continue to receive many applications from students eager to join our school in August. Parents of returning students should be aware that they will soon be receiving a reenrollment invoice and forms to register their son or daughter for next year. Please be sure to do this promptly. The admissions office has also worked in making the LAS web site more dynamic by adding blogs. We encourage you to visit our site at www.las.ch. You will find a lot of exciting information on school life!

My parents, Steven and Doris Ott, Chairman of the Board and Administrative Director, and Ian McLean, our Director of Development, have just returned from a successful trip to the Middle East where they met most of our current families. They were able to share plans for the future development of LAS and were pleased with the positive reaction from the families.

Last week, we have mailed details of the LAS 2010 Annual Fund to all current families. Your support for the various projects – at whatever level – will make a difference and be greatly appreciated as we continue to improve the facilities and opportunities for our current and future students.

The Development Office is also working on preparing the 50^th anniversary of the school, which will commence in October – a Gala Dinner at LAS on 7^th October and a number of dinners around the world. We will be sending out invitations to parents, alumni, and local dignitaries in the spring.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. We are having a very successful school year and, to date, a safe ski season. We will make a strong academic push right up to spring break and look forward to returning after vacation reenergized for the final stretch of academic year 2009/10.

As always, please contact us with concerns and questions.

Kindest regards,

Dr. Marc-Frédéric Ott

Head of School